Completed in 2020

This study looked at women-who-have-sex-with women (WSW) with bacterial vaginosis (BV). We looked for behaviours that may influence the vaginal microorganisms of women and their female partners. Women between the ages of 18-55 years were recruited nationally.

We found that BV was found more often in females who smoked, and who had 4 or more lifetime female partners, and when a female partner had BV symptoms. Women whose partners were BV-negative had a greatly reduced risk of getting BV. We also found that sex with a new partner increased the variety and amount of bacteria in the vagina of the women. These data highlight the strong influence of sexual relationships and behaviours on acquiring BV and support the idea that the exchange of vaginal bacterial species between women with BV is sexually transmitted.

Publications

Sexual practices have a significant impact on the vaginal microbiota of women who have sex with women

Plummer EL, Vodstrcil LA, Fairley CK, Tabrizi SN , Garland SM, Law MG, Hocking JS, Fethers KA, Bulach DM, Murray GL, Bradshaw CS

(2019), Scientific Reports,

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55929-7

Gardnerella vaginalis clade distribution is associated with behavioural practices and Nugent Score in women who have sex with women

Plummer EL, Vodstrcil LA, Murray GL, Fairley CK, Danielewski JA, Garland SM, Chow EPF, Bulatch DM, Fethers KA, Hocking JS, Bradshaw CS

(2020), Journal of Infectious Diseases,

DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz474

Incident bacterial vaginosis (BV) in women who have sex with women is associated with behaviors that suggest sexual transmission of BV

Vodstrcil LA, Walker SM, Hocking JS, Law M, Forcey DS, Fehler G, Bilardi JE, Chen MY, Fethers KA, Fairley CK, Bradshaw CS

(2015), Clinical Infectious Diseases,

DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciu1130

The influence of behaviours and relationships on the vaginal microbiota of women and their female partners: The WOW Health Study

Bradshaw CS, Walker SM, Vodstrcil LA, Bilardi JE, Law M, Hocking JS, Fethers KA, Fehler G, Petersen S, Tabrizi SN, Chen MY, Garland SM, Fairley CK

(2014), Journal of Infectious Diseases,

DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jit664