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CC BY 4.0 · Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2022; 44(02): 169-177
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1741536
Original Article
Sexually Transmitted infections

Habits of Genital Hygiene and Sexual Activity among Women with Bacterial Vaginosis and/or Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Hábitos de higiene genital e atividade sexual entre mulheres com vaginose bacteriana e/ou candidíase vulvovaginal
Marcela Grigol Bardin 
1   Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
2   Division of Physiotherapy, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
,
Paulo César Giraldo 
1   Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
,
Cristina Laguna Benetti-Pinto 
1   Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
,
José Marcos Sanches 
1   Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
3   Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Camila Carvalho de Araujo 
2   Division of Physiotherapy, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
,
Rose Luce Gomes do Amaral 
1   Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Abstract

Objective To evaluate genital hygiene among women with and without bacterial vaginosis (BV) and/or vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).

Methods A cross-sectional study of reproductive-aged women who underwent gynecological and laboratory tests and fulfilled a genital hygiene questionnaire.

Results This study evaluated 166 healthy controls and 141 women diagnosed with either BV (n = 72), VVC (n = 61), or both (n = 8). The use of intimate soap and moist wipes after urination was more frequent among healthy women (p = 0.042 and 0.032, respectively). Compared to controls, bactericidal soap was more used by women with BV (p = 0.05).

Conclusion Some hygiene habits were associated to BV and/or VVC. Clinical trials should address this important issue in women's health.

Resumo

Objetivo Avaliar a higiene genital de mulheres com e sem vaginose bacteriana (VB) e/ou candidíase vulvovaginal (CVV).

Métodos Estudo transversal com mulheres em idade reprodutiva submetidas a exames ginecológicos e laboratoriais e preenchimento de questionário de higiene genital.

Resultados Este estudo avaliou 166 controles saudáveis e 141 mulheres com diagnóstico de VB (n = 72), VVC (n = 61) ou ambas (n = 8). O uso de sabonete íntimo e lenços umedecidos após a micção foram hábitos mais frequentes entre mulheres saudáveis (p = 0,042 e 0,032, respectivamente). Em comparação com os controles, o sabonete bactericida foi mais usado por mulheres com VB (p = 0,05).

Conclusão Alguns hábitos de higiene foram associados à VB e/ou VVC. Os ensaios clínicos devem abordar esta questão importante na saúde da mulher.

Keywords

bacterial vaginosis - candida albicans - hygiene - sexual behavior - disbiosis

Palavras-chave

vaginose bacteriana - candida albicans - higiene - comportamento sexual - disbiose

Contributions

All the authors contributed equally to this paper, namely, to the conception and design, data collection or analysis, and interpretation of data, writing of the article, and review of the intellectual content. Therefore, all authors approved the final version to be published.




Publication History

Received: 07 January 2021

Accepted: 13 October 2021

Article published online:
25 February 2022

© 2022. Federação Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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