Comparison of the Vaginal Microbiota in Postmenopausal Black and White Women.

BACKGROUND: We compared vaginal microbial communities in postmenopausal black and white women. METHODS: Shotgun sequencing of vaginal swabs from postmenopausal women self-identified as black or white was compared using MiRKAT. RESULTS: Vaginal community dominance by Lactobacillus crispatus or Lactobacillusgasseri was more common in 44 postmenopausal black women (n = 12, 27%) than among 44 matched white women (n = 2, 5%; P = .01). No individual taxa were significantly more abundant in either group. CONCLUSIONS: We identified small overall differences in vaginal microbial communities of black and white postmenopausal women. L. crispatus dominance was more common in black women. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02516202 (MsFLASH05) and NCT01418209 (MsFLASH03).

Surgeon Counseling Regarding Return to Sexual Activity After Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery.

IMPORTANCE: Patients highly value surgeon counseling regarding the first sexual encounters after pelvic reconstructive surgery. OBJECTIVES: We performed a qualitative analysis of usual surgeon counseling regarding return to sexual activity after surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and/or urinary incontinence. METHODS: Participating surgeons provided a written description of their usual patient counseling regarding return to sexual activity after pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence surgery. Counseling narratives were coded for major themes by 2 independent reviewers; disagreements were arbitrated by the research team. Analysis was performed utilizing Dedoose software and continued until thematic saturation was reached. RESULTS: Twenty-two surgeons participated, and thematic saturation was reached. Six major themes were identified: "Safety of Intercourse," "Specific Suggestions," "Surgical Sequelae," "Patient Control," "Partner Related," "Changes in Experience," and "No Communication." Nearly all participating surgeons included counseling on the safety of intercourse and reassurance that intercourse would not harm the surgical repair. Specific suggestions included different positions, use of lubrication, vaginal estrogen use, specific products/vendors, alternatives to (vaginal) intercourse, and the importance of foreplay. Surgical sequelae discussion included possible interventions for complications, such as persistent sutures in the vagina, abnormal bleeding, or de novo dyspareunia. Counseling regarding changes to the patient's sexual experience ranged from suggestion of improvement to an anticipated negative experience. Surgeons more commonly advised patients that their sexual experience would be worsened or different from baseline; discussion of improvement was less frequent. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeon counseling regarding the postoperative return to sexual activity varies among pelvic reconstructive surgeons. Most reassure patients that intercourse is safe after surgery.

It's not that mesh, is it? What providers should know about the transvaginal mesh controversy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recent ban on surgical mesh intended for the transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse has called into question the safety of surgical mesh implants in general. As the media firestorm around vaginal mesh kits has continued to grow, important details about the specific type of mesh involved have been lost in the public discourse surrounding the controversy. This has left healthcare providers across the nation in the difficult position of addressing patient anxieties about the use of mesh in gynecologic surgery. This review seeks to educate women's health providers on the historical background and various uses of the different types of mesh in gynecologic surgery.

Effect of Vaginal Lactobacillus Species on Escherichia coli Growth.

OBJECTIVES: Lactobacillus probiotics have been proposed as an antibiotic-sparing prevention strategy for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Our objective was to examine the relative ability of the 4 most common vaginal Lactobacillus species to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, the most common cause of UTIs. METHODS: Conditioned media (CM) was created from 4 laboratory strains of Lactobacillus species: Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus jensenii, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Lactobacillus iners, and 6 clinical strains of L. crispatus. One laboratory strain of E. coli was cocultured with each CM, as well as with various acidic solutions. Three clinical strains of E. coli from women with acute cystitis were cocultured with the CM from a laboratory strain of L. crispatus. Bacterial growth was compared between experimental variants and media control using analysis of variance. RESULTS: Growth of E. coli was inhibited by CM from L. crispatus, L. jensenii, and L. gasseri, but not L. iners. The magnitude of inhibition was correlated with the pH of the individual CM and the concentration of D-lactic acid. Different acids inhibited E. coli growth in proportion to the pH of the acid solution. Similar levels of inhibition were seen when L. crispatus was incubated with clinical E. coli strains as with laboratory E. coli. CONCLUSIONS: Three of the most common vaginal Lactobacillus species inhibit E. coli growth, likely through creating a low pH environment. However, L. iners, one of the most common species found after menopause, does not. These findings might be leveraged to more effectively manage UTIs.

Effect of commercial vaginal products on the growth of uropathogenic and commensal vaginal bacteria.

Half of postmenopausal women experience genitourinary syndrome of menopause, for which many use lubricating vaginal products. The effect of vaginal products on uropathogenic and commensal vaginal bacteria is poorly understood. We evaluated the effect of five common vaginal products (KY Jelly, Replens Silky Smooth lubricant, coconut oil, Replens Long-Lasting moisturizer or Trimo-San) on growth and viability of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus crispatus. Bacteria were co-cultured products alone and in the presence of both vaginal epithelial cells and selected products. Bacterial growth was compared between conditions using an unpaired t-test or ANOVA, as appropriate. All products except for coconut oil significantly inhibited growth of laboratory and clinical strains of Escherichia coli (p < 0.02). Only two products (Replens Long-Lasting moisturizer and Trimo-San) significantly inhibited growth of Lactobacillus crispatus (p < 0.01), while the product Replens Silky Smooth stimulated growth (p < 0.01). Co-culture of selected products in the presence of vaginal epithelial cells eliminated the inhibitory effects of the products on E. coli. In conclusion, in vitro exposure to vaginal moisturizing and lubricating products inhibited growth of Escherichia coli, though the inhibition was mitigated by the presence of vaginal epithelial cells. Lactobacillus crispatus demonstrated less growth inhibition than Escherichia coli.