Sex without a condom raises a woman’s infection risk
- Condom-less sex with a male partner disrupts the vagina’s bacteria, causing higher levels of strains associated with unpleasant infections
- The bacteria, Gardnerella vaginalis and Lactobacillus iners, are linked to the the little-known condition bacterial vaginosis, causing a fishy-smelling discharge
- Wearing a condom during sex and keeping the penis clean reduces the risk
- Australian scientists analysed 52 women for a year who swabbed their vaginas every three months, and recorded their sexual activity and contraceptive use
Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline
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Having sex without a condom raises a woman’s risk of infections, even if other contraceptives are used.
Condom-less sex with a male partner disrupts the balance of bacteria in women’s vaginas.
A healthy vagina typically has much higher levels of one particular strain of beneficial bacteria over others, which helps to prevent infections.
Yet, having sex without a condom boosts numbers of the bacteria Gardnerella vaginalis and Lactobacillus iners, which are linked to the little-known condition bacterial vaginosis (BV).
Having sex with a new partner further increases the risk.
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Having sex with a man without a condom disrupts the vagina’s bacterial balance, raising levels of bacteria that are associated with vaginal infections, Australian scientists have found
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WHAT IS BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) causes unusual vaginal discharge, but not soreness or itching.
Around 30 per cent of women have BV at any one time.
It occurs when there is a change in the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina.
The discharge may be white or grey, thin and watery, and fishy in odour.
Around half of BV cases have no symptoms.
Treatment usually includes a course of antibiotics or a gel you apply inside the vagina.
Source: NHS Choices and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Australian scientists tracked the bacteria living in 52 women’s vaginas for a year.
Each woman swabbed her vagina every three months and kept a record of any sexual activities.
They also made a note of whether a condom was used during penetrative sex.
Yet, an expert argued the results are not all that surprising, with a woman’s vaginal microbiome being expected to shift after sex without a condom.
More shockingly, the scientists found having sex with a new partner may be particularly risky as a woman’s vagina appears to adapt to the bacteria present on the penis of a long-term partner.
Dr Janneke van de Wijgert, professor of infection and global health, University of Liverpool, said: ‘The risk lies in having sex with a new partner, which is a microbial assault on the vagina,’ New Scientist reported.
Sex with a first-time partner further raise the risk as the vagina adapts to bacteria on the penis
Yet, she warned the study’s participants may have lied about the amount of sex they had or whether a condom was used.
Vagina’s have five different strains of bacteria, with the Lactobacillus species typically being the most dominant.
This helps to keep the intimate area at a healthy pH, as well as fighting off bacteria, yeast and viruses before they establish.
Yet, this can be easily thrown off kilter, as semen and even menstruation can reduce Lactobacillus numbers, allowing BV-causing bacteria to thrive.
Aside from wearing a condom during sex, male partners can reduce a woman’s BV risk by keeping the penis clean, particularly the area under the foreskin.
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