The Flora of the Perivaginal Area: The Normal Flora and the Effect of a Deodorant Spray

摘要

Summary.The microbial flora of the thigh adjacent to the vaginal labia and of the mucosal surface of the labia has been examined quantitatively and qualitatively in students from Colleges of Education and a University, and in persons attending a Consultant Gynaecologist for non‐suppurative conditions. In the 2 student populations, members of the Micrococcaceae and diphtheroids were the most common organisms but all populations yielded many organisms of gut origin. Differences between the populations may relate to social and hygienic conditions and should make us wary of direct comparisons with other, different populations. The effect of intimate hygiene deodorants containing 0.01 or 0.02 of chlorhexidine was compared with a base spray containing no antibacterial agent. No significant effect of these sprays on the microbial flora could be demonstrate