The upper vaginal and cervical anaerobic flora in menopausal women

The upper vaginal and cervical bacterial flora, especially the anaerobic one which has a particular role in postoperative morbidity, was studied in 78 menopausal women between 48 and 78 yr of age. The aim of the present study was to compare the results obtained with those reported for bacterial flora in women of other age groups. The patients were divided into the following 3 groups. (I) Twenty-eight healthy women with a natural menopause; (II) 30 women, 2-6 mth after surgical menopause due to panhysterectomy; and (III) 20 menopausal women 3 mth after vaginal hysterectomy. 30.7% of the cultures were found to be sterile. The anaerobic bacteria, developed only in the presence of aerobic germs, represented 11.5% of the total number of cultures and was found to be formed by Streptococcus bacteroides sp. and Bacteroides fragilis. The vaginal flora of menopausal women is not different from that found in children, young women, in pregnancy or postpartum. The anaerobic germs isolated in our study are normal inhabitants of the vagina and cervix which may occasionally become pathogens.