Vaginal epithelium and microflora characteristics in women with premature ovarian failure under hormone therapy compared to healthy women.

Purpose: To evaluate some microbiological aspects of the vaginal flora and the vaginal trophism of women with premature ovarian failure (POF) in use of oral hormone therapy.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with 36 women with POF under the age of 40 years using oral hormonal therapy. They were age matched with 36 women with normal gonadal function (control group). The characteristics of the vaginal epithelium were assessed through the hormonal vaginal cytology, vaginal pH measurement and vaginal health index to identify vaginal disturbances. Vaginal microflora was evaluated by the amine test, bacterioscopy (Nugent score) and culture for fungi to identify vaginal abnormal microflora and fungi infections.

Results: Despite the fact that there were no statistical significant differences related to the cytological aspects and pH measurements, it was found that the vaginal health index was highly superior in the control group than in the POF group (23.4 ± 1.8 vs 20.8 ± 3.5), p < 0.0001 despite both groups had trophic scores. There were no statistical significance differences regarding to vaginal microflora types and fungi infection.

Conclusion: Oral hormone therapy for young women with POF seems to be good enough to reestablish the epithelium cells, vaginal pH and microflora.