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A new type of contraception will protect against HIV and STDs
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Vaginal rings are one of the means of contraception. But, in addition, they can help to avoid unwanted pregnancy, rings can also become a reliable protection against AIDS. Prior to this, scientists isolated the only one hundred percent protection against sexually transmitted infection - a condom.
The results of research by microbiologists published in the journal Science Translational Medicine give hope that a vaginal ring impregnated with an antiviral gel microbicide will help protect against HIV infection.
The experiments, using a gel-microbicide-treated MIV-150 vaginal ring, were performed on macaques.
One group of macaques were injected with gel rings and the other with placebo, and this procedure was performed either 24 hours prior to infection with a monkey variant of the HIV virus SHIV, or two weeks before it. The rings were removed either immediately before infection, or two weeks after infection. Thus, experts tried to find out the most effective scheme for using a microbicide.
Note that previous tests of the antiviral vaginal gel for women, which was used immediately before sexual intercourse, failed. According to experts, mainly due to the fact that the drug must be used for a certain time.
This hypothesis is confirmed by current research.
In the case of using a gel for experiments on monkeys, the vaginal ring made it possible to maximize the release of the drug and its entry into the vaginal tissues and mucous membranes.
Of the 17 infected animals that had been injected with rings treated with gel, only two infected. Out of 16 macaques, which were put on rings with placebo, 11 were infected.
The best result was found in those subjects whose rings remained in the vagina for a long time before and after infection.
Scientists believe that this effect will allow this method to be widely used. It is the vaginal ring that will transport the drug to the vagina, and the woman will not have to worry about following the regimen of using the gel. To do this, just enter the vaginal ring and leave it for a while.
The identified efficacy of the microbicide gel MIV-150 will make it possible to develop combined gels, where this component will be contained in a smaller dose, which will make it affordable for everyone, and also ensure the safety of its use. In addition, such results make us think about new opportunities and remedies for other sexually transmitted infections.
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