Publication:

Study of vaginal infections in women with infertility

Background Infertility, being multifactorial in origin and complex to treat, the recognition, evaluation and treatment of infertility is complicated. Our study aimed at learning the association of vaginal infections and infertility and to compare the vaginal flora.

Methods An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of vaginal infections among women with infertility and a control group. 230 participants were recruited from the outpatient department of an urban tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, India. Comprehensive assessments, including sociodemographic information, clinical evaluation, and vaginal swab analysis, were performed. Statistical analysis of the collected data revealed potential associations between vaginal infections and infertility.

Results Our study found a significant association between vaginal infections and infertility, as noted by 50.4% and 22.6% being the prevalence of vaginal infections in infertility and control group respectively. The most common vaginal infection was bacterial vaginosis being 24.3% prevalent in infertile group and 13% in control group. The second most common vaginal infection was Candida- 13% in infertile women and 7.8% in control group. Other isolated pathogens included E. coli, Staphylococcus, Gonococcus, and Trichomonas. No significant association was found between vaginal infections and any specific implicated infertility factors.

Conclusions In conclusion, preventing and treating vaginal infections is a critical aspect of infertility management. By implementing early detection, appropriate treatment, and preventive measures, couples can significantly improve their chances of achieving pregnancy.