Scientists develop vagina ring to provide secret HIV protection for women

As men in Malawi are reportedly having many sexual partners, the women in the country are concerned about their sexual health.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) reported close to one million people are living with HIV.

What is even more tough are cultural practices make it difficult to negotiate practising safe sex.

So for the women who suspect their partner of cheating or who refuse to wear a condom, a new invention could protect them.

It's a silicon ring that is inserted into the vagina, which secretes an antiretroviral drug that prevents the virus being contracted. The device is effective for a month and then needs to be replaced.

Women can place the ring, which costs $7, in themselves and men cannot feel it.

The ring was developed by the International Partnership for Microbicide and contains 25 mg of dapivirine.

Expert revealed women in a trial test who used it often were 92% less likely to contract the disease.

Dr Annelene Nel, who is leading the clinical trials said for some this could be their only option as a preventive measure. "For women who cannot negotiate safe sex and cannot negotiate condom use this may be their only option," she told the Daily Mail.

The first regulatory approvals for the vaginal ring could reportedly be granted in 2018.