Objective: The use of bidet for genital cleansing is common in our Country and we wanted to evaluate the effect of this method of ablution on the resident perineal flora. Methods: We analysed the perineal flora of 174, fertile, sexually active women who answered a questionnaire about their use of the bidet and about specific factors that could have influenced the type of microorganism residing on the external genitalia. Results: Three quarters of the women resulted to be habitual users of the bidet, while the remaining never used it. Recurrent genital inflammation was more common in women who never use the bidet, but this women had also referred in more cases than habitual users to have partners with recurrent genital infection. The predominant growth of Gram-nagative germs and the presence of Candida albicans on the external genitalia was significantly higher in women who never used the bidet. No significant differences was however observed in the prevalence of single bacterial species between the two groups of women. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the methods of genital ablution can influence the bacterial flora residing between the genito-crural folds. The use of the bidet could have a protective effect against infection of the external mucosa and may reduce the incidence of episodes of infective vulvo-vaginitis which are a common problem in sexually active women.
The perineal flora of women according to their method of genital cleansing / A.E. Semprini, P. Serafini, T. Persico, S. Fiore, S. Giuntelli, V. Savasi, G. Pardi. - In: ITALIAN JOURNAL OF GYNAECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS. - ISSN 1121-8339. - 6:4(1994), pp. 85-88.
The perineal flora of women according to their method of genital cleansing
A.E. SempriniPrimo
;V. SavasiPenultimo
;
1994
Abstract
Objective: The use of bidet for genital cleansing is common in our Country and we wanted to evaluate the effect of this method of ablution on the resident perineal flora. Methods: We analysed the perineal flora of 174, fertile, sexually active women who answered a questionnaire about their use of the bidet and about specific factors that could have influenced the type of microorganism residing on the external genitalia. Results: Three quarters of the women resulted to be habitual users of the bidet, while the remaining never used it. Recurrent genital inflammation was more common in women who never use the bidet, but this women had also referred in more cases than habitual users to have partners with recurrent genital infection. The predominant growth of Gram-nagative germs and the presence of Candida albicans on the external genitalia was significantly higher in women who never used the bidet. No significant differences was however observed in the prevalence of single bacterial species between the two groups of women. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the methods of genital ablution can influence the bacterial flora residing between the genito-crural folds. The use of the bidet could have a protective effect against infection of the external mucosa and may reduce the incidence of episodes of infective vulvo-vaginitis which are a common problem in sexually active women.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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