Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Bacterial vaginosis BV is the most cited cause of vaginal complaints among women of reproductive age. Its etiology and associated risk factors are not entirely understood. Here we examined the association between BV and at-risk alcohol consumption in women attending two sexually transmitted infection STI clinics in Baltimore, Maryland.
This was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis utilizing data from first clinic visits from β Log binomial models were used to estimate prevalence ratios PR before and after adjustments for potential confounding factors.
Of the 10, women included in the analysis, 2, Having had vaginal or anal sex in the context of alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of BV PR 1. In this population, at-risk alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of BV. The mechanisms remain uncertain. Future prospective studies are needed to verify and evaluate causality in these associations.
A study of women attending sexually transmitted infection clinics in Baltimore, Maryland found a significant positive association between at-risk alcohol use and bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis BV is a disorder characterized by a decrease in Lactobacillus spp. Symptomatic BV generally responds to antibiotic treatments, however recurrence is common. BV is associated with adverse outcomes such as recurrent urinary tract infections and an increased risk for acquiring sexually transmitted infections STIs , including HIV 6 β As such, BV continues to present research and treatment challenges in both epidemiologic studies and clinical settings.
The causes of and risk factor profile for BV remain poorly understood, although associations with increased frequency of sexual activity, greater number of sexual partners, inconsistent condom use, hormonal contraception use and vaginal hygiene practices such as douching have been described 10 β Alcohol use is one factor which could plausibly contribute to an increased risk for BV, either through a biobehavioral or possibly a direct biological effect.
