Assessment of the vaginal microbiota before and after use of hyperosmolal lubricant during transvaginal ultrasound.

Background: Vaginal lubricants are commonly used during sexual activity and clinical procedures such as transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS). Epidemiologic and laboratory studies indicate hyperosmolal water-based lubricants may disrupt the vaginal microbiota, particularly the beneficial Lactobacillus spp. These bacteria play a critical role in protecting against sexually transmitted infection acquisition and other adverse gynecologic and obstetric outcomes.

Longitudinal profiles of the vaginal microbiota of pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women: preliminary insights from a secondary data analysis.

Objective: Menopause is often accompanied by lowered Lactobacillus spp. relative abundance and increased abundance of diverse anaerobic/aerobic bacteria in the vaginal microbiota due in part to declines in estrogen. These microbiota are associated with urogenital symptoms and infections.

Uterine fibroids and longitudinal profiles of the vaginal microbiota in a cohort presenting for transvaginal ultrasound.

Bacterial vaginosis, characterized in part by low levels of vaginal Lactobacillus species, has been associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines which could fuel uterine fibroid development. However, prior work on the associations between uterine fibroids and vaginal bacteria is sparse. Most studies have focused on assessment of individual taxa in a single sample.

Comparison of Computer-Assisted Self-Interview Versus Clinician Interview for Self-Reported Vulvovaginal Symptoms.

This secondary analysis (N = 43) compared computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) to clinician interview for self-report of 8 vulvovaginal symptoms. Concordance was moderate between interview modes (range, 70-86%) with itching and odor having highest agreement. Although prior reports suggest more responses on CASI, we found CASI did not significantly increase self-report of symptoms over clinician interview.

Observational cohort study of the effect of a single lubricant exposure during transvaginal ultrasound on cell-shedding from the vaginal epithelium.

The outer layers of the vaginal epithelium (VE) are important because they accumulate glycogen which, under optimal conditions, Lactobacillus spp. consume to grow and acidify the vaginal microenvironment with lactic acid. We hypothesized that exposure to lubricant, for example in the conduct of a transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS), may contribute to the shedding of mature epithelial cells, exposing immature cells.