Bacterial vaginal flora in Implanon users
G.G.G. Donders (1,2), I. Riphagen (1), T. Van den Bosch (1)
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of (1) A.Z. Heilig Hart, Tienen,
Belgium, (2) U.Z. Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
From 160 women presenting for follow-up 3 to 12 months after insertion of an
Implanon1 contraceptive a vaginal smear was examined for detection of bacterial
vaginitis and disturbance of lactobacillary defence. Comparison was made with
117 control women not using contraception. There was no statistical difference
in the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis or aerobic vaginitis between users and
non-users. However, women having an implanon had more often abnormal vaginal
flora (abnormal lactobacillary grades) than women not on contraception
(p=0.0024), especially during the first three months after placement. The
lactobacillary grades improved gradually to normal with longer implanon use
(P=0.048).
Conclusions: Abnormal vaginal flora is more often encountered during
the first three months after the placement of implanon, but this association
gradually disappears thereafter. This association may may linked to the
increased likelihood of prolongued vaginal bleeding. Bacterial vaginosis or
aerobic vaginitis is not more frequent in implanon users.
