Methods for quantitative and qualitative evaluation of vaginal microflora during menstruation

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Gynecology

Background:

• Limited research exists on vaginal bacterial flora changes during menstruation.
• The impact of menstrual tampons on vaginal microbiota is not well-understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop quantitative methods for analyzing vaginal and tampon microbial flora.
• To compare the microflora of tampons with that of the vaginal vault during menstruation.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative analysis of bacterial counts (facultative and anaerobic) from vaginal swabs and tampons.
• Identification of the six dominant bacterial species in samples from eight healthy volunteers over 8-10 menstrual cycles.

Main Results:

• Total bacterial counts decreased during menstruation.
• Vaginal swabs and tampons showed similar bacterial counts per unit weight; tampon counts were slightly lower.
• Lactobacilli concentrations declined during menstruation, with minimal changes in other species.

Conclusions:

• Cotton tampons appear to have a negligible effect on the vaginal microbial flora.
• Vaginal bacterial composition remains relatively stable during menstruation, despite a decrease in lactobacilli.