Characterization of Vaginal Flora and Bacterial Vaginosis in Women Who Have Sex with Women

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) may be common among women who report having sex with women (WSW) and frequently occurs in both members of monogamous couples. The results of Gram staining of a vaginal smear were consistent with BV in 81 (25%) and intermediate in 37 (11%) of 326 WSW included in this study. Lactobacilli were detected in 64% of subjects, and 42% of subjects had H(2)O(2)-producing strains. BV was associated with a higher lifetime number of female sex partners, failure to always clean an insertive sex toy before use, and oral-anal sex with female partners. Neither recent douching nor sexual practices with male partners were associated with BV. Vaginal smears from each partner were concordant in 55 (95%) of 58 monogamous couples; BV was present in both partners in 16 couples (28%) (P<.001, compared with expected distribution). BV was common among subjects who did not douche, who did not have concurrent sex with male partners, or who did not have a new sex partner, which suggests that other risk factors for BV exist. These data support the hypothesis that sexual exchange of vaginal secretions is a possible mechanism for acquisition of BV.

Prevalencia de vaginosis bacteriana y factores asociados en veinte ciudades del Perú

“…García et al (2004) encontraron prevalencia de 43,7% en mujeres de áreas rurales de 18-67 años en las tres regiones del Perú (17) . Por otro lado, Marazzo et al reportaron una prevalencia de VB de 29% en mujeres que tienen sexo con otras mujeres (18) . Mundialmente se reportan prevalencias altas en África subsahariana, tal como se muestra en un metaanálisis de más de 170 estudios, en el que la prevalencia de VB en el sur y oriente de África fue de 50,8% (43,3-58,4%), y en el centro y occidente de África fue de 37,6% (18,0-57,2%) (19) .…”

Vaginal microbiome and sexually transmitted infections: an epidemiologic perspective

“…The concordance of BV status in monogamous lesbian couples ranges up to 95% (53,54), strongly suggesting that BV is sexually associated, although an infectious correlate has not been identified (55). Menses, a new sexual partner, vaginal douching, receptive oral sex, and lack of condom use are among the strongest risk factors for BV (54,(56)(57)(58)(59)(60)(61)(62)(63).…”

Findings Associated with Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis among Adolescents Attending Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinics

“…[11][12][13] More recently, an association between receptive oral sex and BV has been suggested. [14][15][16][17] Data from the first nationally representative sample to report on BV, the 2001 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which was based on nearly 2000 women in the United States, found the prevalence of BV was 27.4%. When evaluated by race/ethnicity, higher rates were detected in non-Hispanic blacks (50.3%) and Mexican American women (28.8%) compared to non-Hispanic whites (22.4%).…”