Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study how frequency, recentness, and reason for douching impact bacterial vaginosis-related vaginal microflora and the occurrence of cervical pathogens. Douching has been linked to bacterial vaginosis as well as to chlamydial cervicitis in some, but not all, studies. METHODS: A total of 1200 women at high risk for sexually transmitted infections were enrolled from five clinical sites around the United States. Cross-sectional, structured interviews were conducted and vaginal swabs were self-obtained for Gram stain, culture, and DNA amplification tests for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. RESULTS: Douching at least once per month was associated with an increased frequency of bacterial vaginosis. Those who douched recently (within 7 days) were at highest risk [odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3, 3.1]. Douching for symptoms (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1, 2.6) and for hygiene (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0, 1.9) both related to bacterial vaginosis risk. The associations between douching and Gardnerella vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, and lack of hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli were similar to those between douching and bacterial vaginosis. Gonococcal or chlamydial cervicitis was not associated with douching. CONCLUSION: Douching for symptoms or hygiene, particularly frequent or recent douching, was associated with bacterial vaginosis and bacterial vaginosis-associated vaginal microflora, but not with gonococcal or chlamydial cervicitis.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 765-772 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Volume | 100 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 1 2002 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Cite this
Douching in relation to bacterial vaginosis, lactobacilli, and facultative bacteria in the vagina. / Ness, Roberta B.; Hillier, Sharon L.; Richter, Holly E.; Soper, David E.; Stamm, Carol; McGregor, James; Bass, Debra C.; Sweet, Richard L; Rice, Peter.
In: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol. 100, No. 4, 01.10.2002, p. 765-772.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Douching in relation to bacterial vaginosis, lactobacilli, and facultative bacteria in the vagina
AU - Ness, Roberta B.
AU - Hillier, Sharon L.
AU - Richter, Holly E.
AU - Soper, David E.
AU - Stamm, Carol
AU - McGregor, James
AU - Bass, Debra C.
AU - Sweet, Richard L
AU - Rice, Peter
PY - 2002/10/1
Y1 - 2002/10/1
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To study how frequency, recentness, and reason for douching impact bacterial vaginosis-related vaginal microflora and the occurrence of cervical pathogens. Douching has been linked to bacterial vaginosis as well as to chlamydial cervicitis in some, but not all, studies. METHODS: A total of 1200 women at high risk for sexually transmitted infections were enrolled from five clinical sites around the United States. Cross-sectional, structured interviews were conducted and vaginal swabs were self-obtained for Gram stain, culture, and DNA amplification tests for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. RESULTS: Douching at least once per month was associated with an increased frequency of bacterial vaginosis. Those who douched recently (within 7 days) were at highest risk [odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3, 3.1]. Douching for symptoms (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1, 2.6) and for hygiene (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0, 1.9) both related to bacterial vaginosis risk. The associations between douching and Gardnerella vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, and lack of hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli were similar to those between douching and bacterial vaginosis. Gonococcal or chlamydial cervicitis was not associated with douching. CONCLUSION: Douching for symptoms or hygiene, particularly frequent or recent douching, was associated with bacterial vaginosis and bacterial vaginosis-associated vaginal microflora, but not with gonococcal or chlamydial cervicitis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To study how frequency, recentness, and reason for douching impact bacterial vaginosis-related vaginal microflora and the occurrence of cervical pathogens. Douching has been linked to bacterial vaginosis as well as to chlamydial cervicitis in some, but not all, studies. METHODS: A total of 1200 women at high risk for sexually transmitted infections were enrolled from five clinical sites around the United States. Cross-sectional, structured interviews were conducted and vaginal swabs were self-obtained for Gram stain, culture, and DNA amplification tests for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. RESULTS: Douching at least once per month was associated with an increased frequency of bacterial vaginosis. Those who douched recently (within 7 days) were at highest risk [odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3, 3.1]. Douching for symptoms (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1, 2.6) and for hygiene (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0, 1.9) both related to bacterial vaginosis risk. The associations between douching and Gardnerella vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, and lack of hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli were similar to those between douching and bacterial vaginosis. Gonococcal or chlamydial cervicitis was not associated with douching. CONCLUSION: Douching for symptoms or hygiene, particularly frequent or recent douching, was associated with bacterial vaginosis and bacterial vaginosis-associated vaginal microflora, but not with gonococcal or chlamydial cervicitis.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036804135&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0036804135&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0029-7844(02)02184-1
DO - 10.1016/S0029-7844(02)02184-1
M3 - Article
VL - 100
SP - 765
EP - 772
JO - Obstetrics and Gynecology
JF - Obstetrics and Gynecology
SN - 0029-7844
IS - 4
ER -