Vaginal Microbiota Among Postmenopausal Women

The Role of Vaginal Microbiota in Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness in Postmenopausal Women

It is known that vaginal bacteria have an impact upon the health status of the host, in some cases protecting against infection and in other cases causing infection, depending on the bacterial types present. This study will compare the composition of vaginal bacteria to symptoms of vaginal dryness in order to try and identify if certain bacteria might cause some of the problems associated with vaginal dryness among post-menopausal women.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between 30 and 80 years old.
• Postmenopausal = 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea or 6 months of spontaneous amenorrhea with serum FSH levels > 40 mIU/ml or 6 weeks postsurgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy.
• Prepared not to take hormone replacement therapy during 8 weeks follow-up and not taking estrogen alone or estrogen/progestin containing drug products at the time of screening.