Study begins to see if vaginal ring coated with AIDS drug helps protect African women from HIV

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Aaron Laxton gathers in front of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, July 24, 2012, during an AIDS demonstration, Tuesday, July 24, 2012, as the AIDS conference continues in Washington. Laxton was diagnosed with HIV on June 6, 2011 and instantly began making regular video blogs about his journey with HIV. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

WASHINGTON – Major new research is beginning in Africa to see whether a special kind of vaginal ring might help protect women from the AIDS virus.

Giving women tools to protect themselves when their sexual partners won’t use a condom is crucial for battling the epidemic. Women already make up half of the 34.2 million people worldwide living with HIV. Even more — 60 per cent — in hard-hit Africa are women.

But developing what are called microbicides has proved difficult. Previous research found an experimental anti-AIDS vaginal gel offered partial protection, but remembering to use it every time they have sex would be a hurdle for some women.

Now researchers are testing a vaginal ring that’s inserted once a month and slowly releases an anti-AIDS drug into the surrounding tissue.

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Abbey Westbury

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