Bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis and candidiasis are the most common genital infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the various methods of contraception with regard to the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and vulvo-vaginitis over a period of four years. We also evaluated in the same period the rates of trichomoniasis, candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis and vulvo-vaginitis between users and non users of contraceptional methods and the relationship between ages of patients and types of contraceptives. Finally we considered the change of contraceptive use with regard to age among two different periods. The IUD users showed a significant increase of B.V., T.v. and other bacteria and a decrease of the negatives compared to OC users. Barrier contraceptive users had a reduction (0.01 > p > 0.001) of B.V. and an increase (p < 0.001) of the negatives compared to IUD users. OC users had a significant (p < 0.05) increase in candidiasis, B.V. together with a reduction of the negatives compared to non users group. IUD users had a significant (p < 0.001) increase of B.V. and vulvo-vaginitis from other bacteria, and the reduction of the negatives. Teenagers use OC much more than adults, but less IUD (p < 0.001). The use of OC has increased and the use of IUD decreased among adults (p < 0.001). The barrier methods were seen to be statistically reduced.
PIP: During 1985-1986 and 1991-1992 in Italy, clinicians recruited 2387 patients attending the Centre for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) at the University of Parma with symptoms of genital infections. The study aimed to examine the various types of contraceptive methods in connection with the most common genital infections. Over the 4-year period, among patients with vulvo-vaginitis, IUD users had a higher rate than oral contraceptive (OC) users of bacterial vaginosis [BV] (24.9% vs. 15.7%; p 0.05), of trichomoniasis (1.7% vs. 1.3%), and of other infections (31.6% vs. 20%; p 0.05). They had a lower negative rate than OC users (23.9% vs. 43.4%; p 0.001). Patients using barrier methods (diaphragm and condom) had a lower rate of BV and a higher negative rate than IUD users (11.5% vs. 24.9%, p 0.01 and 49.6% vs. 23.9%, p 0.001, respectively). OC users had a higher rate of candidiasis and BV and a lower negative rate than the nonusers (19.6% vs. 14.8% and 15.7% vs. 11%; p 0.05 and 43.4% vs. 52.9%; p 0.001, respectively). IUD users had a higher rate of BV and vulvo-vaginitis from other bacteria and a lower negative rate than nonusers (24.9% vs. 11%, p 0.001; 31.6% vs. 20.4%, p 0.05; and 23.9% vs. 52.9%; p 0.001, respectively). Teenagers used OCs more often than did adults (29.3% vs. 15.6%) and were less likely to use the IUD (0.3% vs. 5.5) and no method (62.2% vs. 73.5%) (p 0.001). Between 1985-1986 and 1991-1992 among adults, OC use increased (9.9% vs. 17.9%; p 0.001) and IUD use and barrier method use decreased (8.9% vs. 4.1% and 9.3% vs. 3.9%, respectively; p 0.001).