A pilot study of vaginal flora changes with randomization to cessation of douching.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to determine whether women who douche regularly would enter a randomized trial of douching cessation or continuation, whether they would adhere to the assigned behavior, and whether there was a dramatic impact on vaginal flora.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine the feasibility of a large, definitive trial of douching cessation.


METHODS
Women who douched at least weekly and who had either bacterial vaginosis or normal flora by Gram stain were assigned at random either to continue douching or to stop for 8 weeks. Vaginal Gram stains were obtained every 7 days from each woman.


RESULTS
Forty-eight women were randomized. Those assigned to continue reported douching during 77% of study weeks; those assigned to stop denied douching in 94% of weeks. No dramatic differences in flora were observed between women in the continue versus stop groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A large randomized trial of douching cessation is feasible.
Klebanoff
Mark A
MA
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. mk90h@nih.gov
Andrews
William W
WW
Yu
Kai Fun
KF
Brotman
Rebecca M
RM
Nansel
Tonja R
TR
Zhang
Jun
J
Cliver
Suzanne P
SP
Schwebke
Jane R
JR
D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013045:Species Specificity; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D044364:Vaginal Douching; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D028761:Withholding Treatment