Vulvovestibular Syndrome and Vaginal Microbiome: A Simple Evaluation

J Clin Med Res. 2018 Sep;10(9):688-692. doi: 10.14740/jocmr3480w. Epub 2018 Jul 31.

Abstract

Background: The vulvovestibular syndrome (VVS) is a chronic, inflammatory, multifactorial, chronic inflammation of the female urogenital access.

Methods: The aim of this anecdotal, observational, retrospective, case-control study was to comparatively evaluate the most common bacterial strains (Lactobacillus spp., Klebsiella spp., Gardnerella spp., and Streptococcus spp.) and fungi (Candida spp., Pennicillum spp., and Aspergillus spp.) in vulvodinic women, and in women without gynecological symptoms (control group).

Results: We found that vulvodinic patients had statistically lower Lactobacilli and higher total Fungi concentration.

Conclusions: Our preliminary study is useful to further clarify the etiopathology of vulvodynia and suggest new therapeutic strategies for approaching the VVS.

Keywords: Bacteria; Fungi; Lactobacilli; VVS; Vulvodinic; Women.