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Number of female sex partners, smoking predicted bacterial vaginosis
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Among women who have sex with women, bacterial vaginosis was associated with having at least four lifetime female sex partners and with smoking, researchers from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre in Australia have found.
According to the researchers, bacterial vaginosis is prevalent among women who have sex with women (WSW), but the reasons for this are unclear.
“This large nationwide study of WSW provides evidence for a dynamic exchange of vaginal bacterial species between women and their partners, and indicates that the vaginal microbiota of women is modulated by their sexual behaviors, relationship characteristics and smoking practices,” the researchers wrote in Journal of Infectious Diseases.
The Women on Women’s Health Study was a cross-sectional study conducted from March 2010 to July 2011. The women received a pack of three vaginal swabs and slides, and they self-collected vaginal samples three times weekly. The participants also completed a questionnaire with the last sample.
The study included 458 women who returned at least one vaginal swab and the questionnaire. The sample included 192 co-enrolled women (96 couples) and 266 other women. Bacterial vaginosis was detected in 125 women. Among the other women, 34 had intermediate flora and 299 had normal flora. Among women who returned all three swabs (n=375), 90 had stable bacterial vaginosis.
On a multivariate analysis, bacterial vaginosis was associated with smoking. Women who smoked 30 or more cigarettes a week had the greatest risk. There also was an association between bacterial vaginosis and have at least four lifetime female sex partners and having a female sex partner with bacterial vaginosis symptoms.
“Viewing these elements as important determinants of a female’s vaginal microbiota and developing a deeper understanding of how they influence the development of bacterial vaginosis or maintain a stable favorable vaginal microbiota is highly relevant to the development of new interventions and improved management and prevention approaches for bacterial vaginosis,” the researchers wrote.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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