Vaginal discharge and Gardnerella vaginalis. Predisposing factors

A total of 284 women in the reproductive years with vaginal discharge from which only Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) had been isolated, entered a questionnaire study on the possible causal relation between presence of GV and type of menstrual hygiene, type of contraception, number of deliveries, infertility and number of sexual partners. A control group consisted of 225 women without vaginal discharge. The study showed that patients with GV significantly more frequently used tampons for menstrual hygiene, sought medical assistance for vaginal discharge more often, and had more sexual partners. On the other hand, no difference was found between the two groups as to type of contraception, number of previous deliveries, and unsuccessful attempts of getting pregnant.