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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
12:34
Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples
Published on: July 6, 2014
[Quantitative study of vaginal flora during the menstrual cycle]
A Voss1, C Wallrauch-Schwarz, D Milatovic
1Abteilung für Infektionshygiene, Technischen Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar.
Geburtshilfe Und Frauenheilkunde
|August 1, 1993
Summary
Vaginal flora composition changes during the menstrual cycle, with increased isolation rates for most bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, during menstruation. Gardnerella vaginalis is common in healthy women.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gynecology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- The vaginal microbiome plays a crucial role in women's health.
- Understanding microbial shifts during the menstrual cycle is essential for reproductive health insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the aerobic and facultatively anaerobic vaginal flora in healthy women throughout their menstrual cycles.
- To determine the prevalence and variations of specific microorganisms during premenstrual and menstrual phases.
Main Methods:
- Cultured vaginal swabs from 242 healthy women during different phases of their menstrual cycle.
- Identified and quantified aerobic and facultatively anaerobic microorganisms.
Main Results:
- Coagulase-negative staphylococci, enterococci, and Gardnerella vaginalis were the most frequent isolates.
- Isolation rates for most species, including Staphylococcus aureus, increased significantly during menstruation.
- Staphylococcus aureus isolation rose from 0.9% premenstrually to 7.6% during menstruation.
- Gardnerella vaginalis was isolated in 37% of women, suggesting it is part of normal flora.
Conclusions:
- Vaginal microbial composition exhibits dynamic changes related to the menstrual cycle.
- Increased Staphylococcus aureus during menstruation may have implications for toxic shock syndrome risk.
- Gardnerella vaginalis appears to be a commensal organism in the healthy vaginal flora.
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