title: Vaginal yeast colonization in nonpregnant women: a longitudinal study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for vaginal yeast colonization over a 1-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of 1,248 asymptomatic young women by collecting demographic and behavioral data at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy percent of women were colonized by vaginal yeast at one or more visits, but only 4% were colonized at all 4 visits. Using an adjusted generalized estimating equation model, factors associated with vaginal yeast colonization were marijuana use in the previous 4 months, depomedroxyprogesterone acetate use in the past 4 months, sexual intercourse in the previous 5 days, and concurrent colonization with lactobacilli and group B streptococcus. Symptoms of pruritus and vulvovaginal burning were associated with yeast colonization, but antifungal use was not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent sexual intercourse and use of injection contraceptives are risk factors for yeast colonization. Rates of antifungal use did not show an association with yeast colonization. The reporting of antifungal use by women lacking yeast colonization suggests that self-diagnosis is inaccurate.
  
  
  METHODS
  II-2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MetroHealth Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44109-1998, USA. rbeigi@metrohealth.org
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Beigi
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Meyn
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Marijane A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Krohn
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hillier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003075:Coitus; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012307:Risk Factors; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate