The Impact of Testosterone Therapy on the Vaginal Microbiota of Transgender Men and Non-Binary People: A Prospective Study.

Background: Understanding the impact of testosterone on the vaginal microbiota of transgender men (TGM) and non-binary people assigned female sex at birth over time is imperative as vaginal dysbiosis and incident bacterial vaginosis (iBV) may cause bothersome genital symptoms and increase HIV/STI acquisition risk. We investigated shifts in the composition of the vaginal microbiota over time in TGM initiating testosterone for gender-affirming hormone therapy, including development of vaginal dysbiosis and iBV.

Methods: Participants ages ≥18 years, assigned female sex at birth and reporting TGM or non-binary identity, interested in starting injectable testosterone, demonstrating optimal vaginal microbiota, with no current STI(s) were enrolled.

Recruiting transgender men in the Southeastern United States for genital microbiome research: Lessons learned.

Background: Transgender men (TGM) are underrepresented in genital microbiome research. Our prospective study in Birmingham, AL investigated genital microbiota changes over time in TGM initiating testosterone, including the development of incident bacterial vaginosis (iBV). Here, we present lessons learned from recruitment challenges encountered during the conduct of this study.

Is It Time to Stop Using Single-dose Oral Metronidazole for the Treatment of Trichomoniasis in Women?

The 2015 Centers for Disease Control Sexually Transmitted Disease treatment guidelines currently recommend a single 2-g dose of oral metronidazole as the preferred regimen for treatment of trichomoniasis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative women. Mounting recent evidence has shown that the 7-day oral metronidazole dosing regimen is more efficacious than the single 2-g dose. This commentary reviews the implications associated with these new data and discusses issues surrounding it that should be considered moving forward.