Objectives: To explore the impact of intimate hygiene practices and associated products have on the vaginal microbiome.
Methods: The vaginal bacterial communities of 95 non-pregnant Western Australian women were characterised by full-length sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Participants completed an online questionnaire to document demographics, sexual practices, and common hygiene behaviours to enable comparisons with their vaginal microbiota.
Results: Beta diversity varied significantly across multiple variables, particularly in relation to Lactobacillus spp. abundance. Compared to women with no partners or two or more sexual partners, monogamous women had lower L. crispatus (p=0.002 and p=0.04, respectively), higher L. iners (p=0.017 and p=0.044, respectively), and were least likely to cluster into CST I (p < 0.001). Postmenopausal women showed reduced L. crispatus (p=0.009), increased levels of L. iners (p=0.037), and were most likely to cluster into CST IV (p=0.029) compared with women who did not report menopause. Regular perineal washing was associated with fewer reported infections (p=0.029), whereas internal washing correlated with recurrent thrush (p=0.017).
Conclusions: Sexual practices and menopause status are key factors influencing L. crispatus and L. iners colonisation. Most hygiene practices had minimal impact on Lactobacillus dominance, although behaviours commonly associated with significant microbiome disruption were infrequent in this cohort.