BACKGROUND Increased levels of estrogen and diabetes mellitus separately predispose to vaginal candidiasis (VC). However, the compounding effect of estrogen on the severity and persistence of VC in diabetic females is not clear. METHODS To address this issue, a diabetic mouse model with estrogen-maintained VC was developed and evaluated for vaginal fungal burden (VFB) and immune competence at...

OBJECTIVE To measure the effects of estrogen, progesterone and polypropylene mesh on vaginal smooth muscle cell proliferation. METHODS Primary smooth muscle cell (SMC) cultures were performed from vaginal biopsies which were then incubated with estradiol (0.1 microM, 1 microM, 10 microM), progesterone (5 nM, 50 nM, 0.5 microM), or polypropylene mesh to assess cell proliferation. RESULTS In ...

In women of reproductive age, a vaginal environment that is quantitatively dominated by hydrogen peroxide–producing Lactobacillus species typically has a pH considered to be normal (<4.7) and has consistently been associated with healthy pregnancy outcomes, lack of abnormal vaginal symptoms, and reduced risk for acquiring several sexually transmitted pathogens, including human immunodeficiency ...

During the menopausal transition, women experience a number of symptoms due to declining estrogen levels, including vasomotor symptoms and vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA). Unlike vasomotor symptoms, vaginal dryness and dyspareunia, the main symptoms of VVA, typically worsen without treatment and can significantly impact the quality of life. Up to 60% of postmenopausal women may be affected by ...

Estrogens are crucial for growth and function of the female genital tract. Recently, we showed that induction of uterine epithelial proliferation by estradiol is a paracrine event requiring an estrogen receptor-positive stroma. Growth factors [such as EGF (epidermal growth factor) ligands] are likely paracrine mediators, which may directly or indirectly regulate epithelial proliferation in estr...

We reviewed data on the treatment of bacterial vaginosis published from 1993 through 1996. For nonpregnant women, we recommend use of metronidazole (500 mg orally twice daily for 7 days), clindamycin vaginal cream (2%, once daily for 7 days), or metronidazole vaginal gel (0.75%, twice daily for 5 days) as the preferred treatment for bacterial vaginosis. For pregnant high-risk women (women with ...

background vulvovaginal candidiasis (vvc) is a fungal infection of the vagina and vulva. it is usually caused by candida albicans, however, occasionally other candida species are responsible. the optimal treatment of vvc has not yet been defined. the present study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of a single oral dose of fluconazole with clotrimazole vaginal cream as the treatmen...

OBJECTIVE In a randomized trial, we sought to determine whether 2% clindamycin cream administered intravaginally during labor to group B streptococcal-colonized pregnant women without risk factors would decrease maternal and neonatal colonization. METHODS The eligible women were randomized to receive either cream or no treatment. Two hours after treatment or admission, the patients were teste...

BACKGROUND In a university hospital setting, a 25-year-old woman presented with large vaginal and cervical polyps. Past medical history was significant for stage IV endometriosis. Polypectomy was performed and the polyps were histologically consistent with endometriosis. Gene expression was compared with control vaginal tissue to assess if the altered gene expression profile was similar to peri...