Optimization of treatment of abnormal vaginal discharge in women involved in military actions

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18370/2309-4117.2025.80.13-20

Keywords:

abnormal vaginal discharge, microbiocenosis, vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, mixed vaginitis, polycystic ovary syndrome, military women

Abstract

Objective of the study: to investigate the characteristics of vaginal microbiocenosis in military women (including those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)) and other categories of women involved in the war who complained of abnormal vaginal discharge (AVD), and to develop methods for timely prevention.
Materials and methods. A two-stage study was conducted. Stage I included 100 women aged 25–45 years with AVD: 50 servicewomen and women involved in war activities (main group) and 50 civilian women (comparison group). Comprehensive diagnostics involved microscopy of vaginal discharge according to Hay-Ison criteria, molecular PCR diagnostics of bacterial vaginosis,
and screening for sexually transmitted infections. Stage II included 74 women after etiotropic treatment of AVD: 40 women used Lactofem vaginal gel with lactic acid cyclically for 6 months, while 34 women were recommended only hygiene measures.
Results. Mixed vaginitis was more common in women involved in the war (36.0% vs. 16.0% in civilians; p < 0.05). They also demonstrated more pronounced deficiency of Lactobacillus spp. and higher prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and aerobic vaginitis. Women with PCOS more frequently showed intermediate state and bacterial vaginosis according to Hay-Ison criteria. Preventive use of Lactofem gel significantly reduced recurrence of AVD (7.5% in the main group vs. 52.9% in the control group) and restored normal vaginal microbiocenosis in 85.0% of patients (p < 0.05).
Conclusions. Mixed etiology vaginitis predominates in the structure of AVD causes in women involved in the war, complicating diagnosis and treatment and increasing recurrence risk. Women with PCOS represent a special risk group due to peculiarities of vaginal microbiome. Cyclical use of Lactofem vaginal gel with lactic acid proved effective in preventing AVD recurrence and stabilizing vaginal microbiocenosis in this category of patients

Author Biographies

N.V. Kosei, SSI “Center for Innovative Medical Technologies of the NAS of Ukraine”; SI “All-Ukrainian Center for Maternity and Childhood of the NAMS of Ukraine”, Kyiv

MD, professor, head of the Department of Reproductive Health;
chief researcher, Endocrine Gynecology Department

T.M. Tutchenko, SI “All-Ukrainian Center for Maternity and Childhood of the NAMS of Ukraine”; SSI “Center for Innovative Medical Technologies of the NAS of Ukraine”, Kyiv

PhD, senior researcher, Endocrine Gynecology Department;
Department of Reproductive Health

H.A. Tokar, O.O. Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv

student

H.V. Vetokh, SSI “Center for Innovative Medical Technologies of the NAS of Ukraine”, Kyiv

PhD, researcher, Department of Reproductive Health

I.I. Daineko, Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise “Consultative-Diagnostic Center of the Dniprovskyi District of Kyiv”, Kyiv

obstetrician-gynecologist, Women’s Consultation, Branch No. 4

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Published

2025-11-28

How to Cite

Kosei, N., Tutchenko, T., Tokar, H., Vetokh, H., & Daineko, I. (2025). Optimization of treatment of abnormal vaginal discharge in women involved in military actions. REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY, (80), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.18370/2309-4117.2025.80.13-20

Issue

No. 80 (2025)

Section

Gynecology

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