R.I. GABIDULLINA¹, R.R. BAGIRLI¹, A.M. SHARAPOVA², E.I. GALIMYANOVA¹

¹Kazan State Medical University, 49 Butlerov Str., Kazan, Russian Federation, 420012

²Volga Center for Oncodiagnostics, 4a G. Kamal Str., Kazan, Russian Federation, 420021

Gabidullina R.I. ― D. Sc. (medicine), Professor of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department named after V.S. Gruzdev, e-mail: ru.gabidullina@yandex.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7567-6043

Bagirli R.R. ― postgraduate student of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department named after V.S. Gruzdev, tel. (843) 236-08-73, e-mail: dr.bagirli.rufat@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0211-3872

Sharapova A.M. ― gynecologist, e-mail: tam888@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8782-7574

Galimyanova E.I. ― postgraduate student of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department named after V.S. Gruzdev, tel. (843) 236-08-73, e-mail: dr.ellie17@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5356-641X

The aim of this study is to examine the association between combined estrogen-gestagen contraceptives on the vaginal microbiome in women of reproductive age. The article presents a review of Electronic literature databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Elibrary. The vaginal microbiota provides the first line of defense for the lower genital tract. Disruption of the vaginal ecosystem determines the possibility of transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, increased incidence of pelvic inflammatory diseases, the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. The use of COCP maintains the normal microbiota and decreases prevalent, incident and recurrent bacterial vaginosis. However, the results of this research indicate that the use of COC promoted yeast colonization in healthy women. The percentage of subjects with vagitypes dominated by Lactobacillus species was greatest in the COC users. Comprehensive 16S rRNA gene survey showed the prevalence of H₂O₂-producing lactobacilli, such as L. crispatus, L. gasseri and L. jensenii. The detection of L. crispatus in 100% of cases was associated with a normal vaginal microbiota. In addition, predominantly bacterial vaginosis associated bacteria was rare in COC users. Combined estrogen-gestagenic contraception may have an effect on the vaginal microbiota. However, robustly collected prospective data to establish causal associations are needed.

Key words: combined oral contraceptives, estrogen-gestagen preparations, vaginal microbiota, lactobacilli.

(For citation: Gabidullina R.I., Bagirli R.R., Sharapova A.M., Galimyanova E.I. Effects of combined oral contraceptives on vaginal microbiota. Practical Medicine. 2018)

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