Antibiotics Might Reduce STI Risk in Some Men
New research has found that taking the antibiotic doxycycline within 72 hours of sex could reduce the risk of syphilis and chlamydia in men who have sex with men (MSM).
More research is needed before the approach can become a standard therapy, but the results could be a step forward in light of the rising sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates among MSM.
In the study of 232 MSM, half of the participants were instructed to take doxycycline within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The other half did not take any medication.
STIs were diagnosed in 24% of the doxycycline group and 39% of the no-doxycycline group. While rates of syphilis and chlamydia were lower for the men who took the antibiotic, rates of gonorrhea were similar between groups.
The findings were presented in February at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Seattle, Washington, USA.
For more details on the study, including information on the methodology and adverse events, please click here.
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