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[Oral contraceptive use and vaginal candida colonization]
A Schmidt1, C F Nöldechen, W Mendling
1Institut für Mikrobiologie und Virologie, Universität Witten/Herdecke.
Zentralblatt Fur Gynakologie
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Oral contraceptives do not increase the risk of vaginal yeast carriage. This study found no link between oral contraceptive use and Candida colonization in healthy women.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Mycology
- Public Health
Background:
- Fungal vaginal infections, primarily candidiasis, range from symptomatic infections to asymptomatic carriage.
- Candida albicans is the most common causative agent, followed by Candida glabrata.
- Predisposing factors include pregnancy, diabetes, immunosuppression, and progestogen use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential link between oral contraceptive use and vaginal yeast colonization.
- To determine if oral contraceptives influence the rate or type of Candida carriage in healthy women.
Main Methods:
- A study involving two groups of 60 healthy female volunteers each.
- Vaginal yeast cultures were performed to assess Candida colonization rates.
- Participants were categorized based on oral contraceptive use (type and duration).
Main Results:
- Overall, 17% of participants (20/120) had yeast cultured from vaginal secretions.
- No increased rate of Candida colonization was observed in women using oral contraceptives.
- No correlation was found between the duration or type of oral contraceptive and vaginal yeast carriage.
Conclusions:
- Oral contraceptive use does not appear to be a predisposing factor for vaginal Candida colonization in healthy women.
- Further research may be needed to clarify the relationship in specific populations or with different contraceptive formulations.