CONTRACEPTIVE USE IN WOMEN WITH BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

The aim of the study was to investigate ii bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with use of specific contraceptives. Women at family plann ing and youth clinics (n = 956), among whom 131 had BV, were subjects for structured in-depth interviews including current and previous cont raceptive use. Variables measuring sexual risk-taking were ascertained . Current users of contraceptives were compared with non-users. Both o ral contraceptive (OC) and condom use showed a significant protective effect against BV, adjusted for possible confounders (odds ratios were 0.4 and 0.3, respectively). Intrauterine device use (IUD) showed no a ssociation with BV. Women with BV had less often used any contraceptiv es, including condom, at their sexual debut than the women in the comp arison group. In this study, OC and condom use seemed to exert a prote ctive effect against BV, whereas no effect for IUD use was found. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.