Purpose of study: Clinical study of peri-menstrual changes of vaginal environment in healthy fertile women after long-term use of sanitary towels (group A) or vaginal tampons (group B). Type of study: Prospective study. Seat of site: Centre of Outpatient Gynaecology Brno, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Masaryk Univesrity Brno. Materials and methods: The group consisted of 100 females with regular menstrual cycle without clinical and microbiological signs of vaginal inflammation or dysmicrobia for three months. In the perimenstrual period samples were taken three times from the ventral vaginal arch and sent for culture examination. A selected group of the females was also subject to culture examination of samples taken from the vulva 0.5 cm under the posterior comisure. Results: Occurrence of ten most common bacteria and yeasts before beginning of menstruation was comparable in both groups. In the course of menstrual bleeding reproduction of bacteria in group B was lower and the vaginal environment return to normal after menstruation end was quicker in the same group. Significant differences between the two groups also included a higher occurrence of peptostreptococci, E. coli and enterococci during and after menstruation in group A women. Conclusion: Regular use of vaginal tampons during menstruation does not represent increased risk of disruption of the vaginal environment, effusions or recurring sexually transmitted infections.

        Key words: vagina, vulva, bacterial colonisation, tampon, menstruation, vaginal environment