Copper intrauterine device increases vaginal concentrations of inflammatory anaerobes and depletes lactobacilli compared to hormonal options in a randomized trial.

ABSTRACT: Effective contraceptives are a global health imperative for reproductive-aged women. However, there remains a lack of rigorous data regarding the effects of contraceptive options on vaginal bacteria and inflammation. Among 218 women enrolled into a substudy of the ECHO Trial (NCT02550067), we evaluate the effect of injectable intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), levonorgestrel implant (LNG), and a copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) on the vaginal environment after one and six consecutive months of use, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multiplex cytokine assays. Primary endpoints include incident BV occurrence, bacterial diversity, and bacterial and cytokine concentrations. Secondary endpoints are bacterial and cytokine concentrations associated with later HIV seroc

SUBMITTER: Brown BP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9886933 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature