The Vaginal Microflora

Although less complex than the gastrointestinal microflora, the normal vaginal microflora of the premenopausal woman is composed of a variety of bacterial species.

Although less complex than the gastrointestinal microflora, the normal vaginal microflora of the premenopausal woman is composed of a variety of bacterial species.

Anaerobes are most frequently isolated and appear in numbers of 107 – 109 CFU/ml of vaginal secretion. Lactobacillus spp. is the most frequently isolated genus found in the highest numbers. They play a role in maintaining the balance of the normal vaginal flora by producing hydrogen peroxide. It has been shown that approximately 70% of premenopausal, healthy women harbour hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli. Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus and Bacteroides spp. are among the anaerobes frequently isolated.