The association between vaginal hygiene practices and spontaneous preterm birth: A case-control study

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Reproductive Health
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality globally.
• Bacterial vaginosis, a vaginal microbiome imbalance, is a known risk factor for SPTB.
• The impact of vaginal hygiene practices on the vaginal microbiome and SPTB risk remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between vaginal hygiene practices and spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB).
• To determine if specific hygiene methods, including the use of vaginal gels, douches, or steaming, correlate with SPTB risk.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted between August 2018 and July 2021 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
• 79 women with SPTB were compared to 156 women with term births.
• Participants completed questionnaires on vaginal washing habits (water, soap, gel), douching, and steaming before and during pregnancy.

Main Results:

• The use of vaginal gel before pregnancy (aOR 2.29) and during pregnancy (aOR 3.45) was significantly associated with SPTB.
• No significant association was found between SPTB and washing with water or soap, intravaginal douching, or vaginal steaming.
• These findings highlight a potential risk associated with specific vaginal hygiene products.

Conclusions:

• The use of vaginal gel is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth.
• Women should be advised about the potential risks of using vaginal gels during pregnancy.
• Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms linking vaginal gel use to SPTB.