#สุขภาพสตรี

A major international study is rewriting the script on treating bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common yet often overlooked vaginal infection that impacts one in three women worldwide, including many in Thailand. Latest research reveals that to truly tackle BV and prevent its frustratingly frequent return, it’s not enough to just treat the women affected—their male sexual partners should be treated too. The landmark findings challenge decades of medical dogma and offer hope for the millions of women who have endured repeated, uncomfortable cycles of this stubborn infection (New York Times; NEJM).

A major international study is redefining how bacterial vaginosis (BV) is treated. BV is a common vaginal infection that affects about one in three women worldwide, including many in Thailand. New findings show that tackling BV effectively may require treating both partners, not just the woman. This challenges decades of medical thinking and offers new hope for women who experience recurrent BV.

BV is the leading cause of abnormal vaginal discharge among reproductive-age women. In Thailand, awareness is limited despite BV’s links to higher risks of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and complications such as preterm birth during pregnancy. The infection results from an imbalance in vaginal bacteria, with the beneficial Lactobacilli replaced by other bacteria. Typical treatments relieve symptoms, but relapse is common, with up to 60% experiencing recurrence within months.