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Alternative therapies in women with chronic vaginitis
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Alternative therapies in women with chronic vaginitis

Paul Nyirjesy, Jennifer Robinson, Leny Mathew, Ahinoam Lev-Sagie, Ingrid Reyes and Jennifer F Culhane
Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953), v 117(4), pp 856-861
Apr 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e31820b07d5
PMID: 21422856
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Adult Age Factors Chronic Disease Cohort Studies Complementary Therapies - methods Confidence Intervals Dietary Supplements Female Follow-Up Studies Humans Logistic Models Middle Aged Multivariate Analysis Odds Ratio Patient Satisfaction Pregnancy Prospective Studies Quality of Life Risk Assessment Severity of Illness Index Surveys and Questionnaires Treatment Outcome Vaginitis - diagnosis Vaginitis - therapy Yogurt Young Adult
To describe the use of complementary alternative medicines in women with chronic vaginitis and to evaluate epidemiologic factors associated with these treatments. In this prospective cohort study, patients with chronic vaginitis completed a questionnaire about past diagnoses and treatments. Information regarding demographics, medical and social history, perceived mental and emotional stress, and current symptoms was collected. All patients underwent a standard physical examination and laboratory testing and were assigned a specific diagnosis. A total of 481 women were enrolled; 64.9% used complementary alternative medicines. The most common treatments were yogurt and acidophilus pills. In univariate analysis, compared with nonusers, users of complementary alternative medicines were younger (83.4% younger than 50 compared with 73.1%; P=.032), not African American (11.9% compared with 21.3%; P=.018), had increased measures of perceived stress (P=.008), and reported that their symptoms interfered with both work (59.1% compared with 40.6%; P=.001) and social lives (57.9% compared with 40.2%; P=.001). Patients using complementary alternative medicines had seen more doctors (median 2 compared with 1; P<.001) and were more likely to report a history of vulvovaginal candidiasis (98.4% compared with 90.5%; P<.001) or bacterial vaginosis (34.3% compared with 22.8%; P=.007). In the multivariable analysis, interference with social life, higher number of doctors seen, symptoms of itching or burning, and previous diagnoses of yeast infection remained associated with alternative medicine use. A current diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis was not associated with alternative medicine use. Complementary alternative medicine use is common in women with chronic vaginitis, particularly in those who are young, have more disruptive symptoms, and report greater stress. II.

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16 citations in Web of Science
18 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Obstetrics & Gynecology
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