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The effect of “breathable” panty liners on the female lower genital tract
Author(s) -
Giraldo Paulo C.,
Amaral Rose L.G.,
Juliato Cássia,
Eleutério José,
Brolazo Eliane,
Gonçalves Ana K.S.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2011.04.016
Subject(s) - bacterial vaginosis , medicine , vaginal flora , vaginal discharge , irritation , vaginitis , vulvovaginal candidiasis , vagina , gynecology , vaginal smear , vaginal disease , randomized controlled trial , dermatology , surgery , immunology , estrous cycle , antifungal
Objective To evaluate whether the use of “breathable” panty liners (BPLs) alters the normal vaginal flora, increases the incidence of bacterial vaginosis and/or vaginal candidiasis, or causes vulvar irritation. Methods A randomized controlled trial assessed the vaginal ecosystem of women without complaints of vaginal discharge. The study group (n = 53) wore BPLs for 10–12 hours each day for 75 consecutive days, whereas the control group (n = 54) wore only their usual underwear. At each of 6 visits during 3 menstrual cycles, participants underwent gynecologic examination with colposcopic evaluation and pH measurement, in addition to assessment of vaginal microbial flora, intensity of inflammatory processes, and presence of vaginal candidiasis/bacterial vaginosis in Gram‐stained smears. Results After 75 consecutive days of BPL use, 40/44 (90.9%) and 42/44 (95.5%) women reported no complaints of vaginal discharge or vulvar itching/burning, respectively. There was no significant difference between the study group and the control group with regard to positive vaginal fungus cultures (5/44 [11.4%] vs 8/50 [16.0%]; P = 0.7848) or bacterial vaginosis (3/44 [6.8%] vs 2/50 [4.0%]; P = 0.7974) at the end of the study period. Conclusion After 75 days of BPL use, there was no significant increase in vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal irritation, or vulvovaginal inflammation.