Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a real worry for many people. They can be extremely damaging to men and women and badly affect your wellness. Unfortunately many are difficult to spot because they are symptomless, but can still be a major health problem.
STDs are often thought as being more hazardous to females as they can leave women infertile if they go untreated for too long. However, there is good news in the fight against STDs in women, as scientists now appear to have discovered a natural protection against them.
A study, published in Science, revealed that the cells that line the human female reproductive tract continually release an immune protein that may help protect against infection. The protein, which is an interferon, improved symptoms of genital herpes and chlamydia in mice.
Some other type 1 interferons are only released by the body when a pathogen is present, but this protein appears to be different. It may now be possible to find a way to ensure that the body releases more of this interferon so that there is always some degree of protection against STDs available.
It now seems that levels of the protein vary at different stages of a woman’s life the same as they do in mice – this is due to the menstrual cycle. The team discovered that after the menopause this protein goes away entirely.
Now that this protein has been isolated for its protective qualities, further research can be done to look at its ability to fight against other STDs. Boosting the levels of the protein could turn out to be a safe and viable way to help women avoid STDs which can only be a positive thing in the long-term.
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