Doxycycline, an affordable antibiotic that has been in use for many years, has recently been found to have more potential than previously believed. According to NPR, studies have shown that when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse, a treatment known as doxy-PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) can help protect against contracting sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. An April study revealed that gay and bisexual men and transgender women who were already taking HIV PrEP experienced a 65% decrease in new STIs. These promising results have prompted the CDC to plan the introduction of guidelines for health practitioners to prescribe doxy-PEP later this summer. The San Francisco Department of Public Health has already implemented similar guidelines, as reported by CBS News.
However, there is a significant caveat to these findings. While the research involving gay and bisexual men and transgender women has been promising, a study conducted on 400 at-risk Kenyan women showed no benefits from the treatment. Dr. Jenell Stewart, the lead researcher, suggests that anatomical differences, variations in antimicrobial resistant strains across different regions, and adherence to the medication could be contributing factors to these disparate results. She describes the findings as “a huge disappointment” but emphasizes the need for further study. Additionally, it is important to closely monitor the implications of antibiotic resistance, as noted by NPR.
The press release on the April study mentioned a slight increase in antibacterial resistance, which requires further investigation. Nonetheless, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director, Hugh Auchincloss, stressed the urgent need for effective methods of preventing sexually transmitted infections. The CDC estimates that there were 2.5 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia in 2021, with a higher impact among men who have sex with men and transgender women compared to other groups. (Read more STDs stories.)
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