• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.119-124
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• 2022

Vaginal microbiome deeply influences vaginal health via production of messenger molecules. The healthy vaginal pH ranges between 3.5 and 4.5. However, dysbiosis of vaginal microbiome increases the pH level, leading to the incidence of vaginitis. The commensal vaginal bacterium Dermabacter vaginalis-which was isolated from the vaginal fluid of a Korean female-was incubated in acidic and neutral pH to simulate healthy and vaginitis conditions, respectively. The chemical profiles of the two different cultures were compared using HPLC. The compound showing distinctive difference between the two sets of data was presumed to be a chemical messenger, which was identified as cyclo(L-pro-L-met) by analysis of NMR, MS, and specific rotation data. Synthesis was achieved in three steps (overall yield 15%), enabling structure confirmation and antimicrobial evaluation against vaginal pathogens. Cyclo(L-pro-L-met) showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans, a major cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1490-1500
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• 2021

Various microorganisms reside in the human vagina; the vaginal microbiome is closely linked to both vaginal and general health, and for this reason, microbiome studies of the vagina are an area of research. In this study, we analyzed the vaginal microbiome of women before and after menopause to further increase our understanding of the vaginal microbiome and its contribution to general health. We did a 16s rRNA gene-based metagenomic analysis on the vaginal fluids of 11 premenopausal and 19 postmenopausal women in Korea. We confirmed that the taxonomic composition was significantly different between the two groups. In postmenopausal women, species richness was significantly decreased, but species diversity was significantly increased. In particular, among the taxonomic components corresponding to all taxon ranks of the vaginal microbiome, a reduction in Lactobacillus taxa after menopause contributed the most to the difference between the two groups. In addition, we confirmed through metabolic analysis that the lactic-acid concentration was also decreased in the vaginal fluid of women after menopause. Our findings on the correlation between menopause and the microbiome could help diagnose menopause and enhance the prevention and treatment diseases related to menopause.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.285-294
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• 2013

Purpose: The study was done to survey feminine hygiene and vaginal douche practices in middle-aged women to obtain basic information for public health education. Methods: With a descriptive survey design, 134 middle-aged women who have menstrual period were recruited via convenience sampling. Survey contents were from the study by Czerwinski (2000) regarding feminine hygiene and vaginal douching practices. After obtaining IRB approval, a self-administered structured questionnaire was distributed to study participants. Results: Mean age of middle-aged women was 46.88 years old. Fifty-six percent of the women practiced vaginal douching. Women performed douching with water (68%), commercial products (13%), soap (12%), and vinegar-mixed water (6%) for clean and fresh feeling, removal of unpleasant odor, and removal of vaginal discharge. Vaginal douche practice was significantly related to a history of vaginitis. Conclusion: The study results indicate that most of the women practiced inadequate feminine hygiene especially in douching, suggesting that is important to develop education programs on feminine hygiene practices for women of all ages, especially regarding douching and hand washing before and after changing pads or tampons.

• Journal of Menopausal Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.139-145
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• 2017

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and complicated vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) are frequently occurring vaginal infections in postmenopausal women, caused by an imbalance in vaginal microflora. Postmenopausal women suffer from decreased ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone. A normal, healthy vaginal microflora mainly comprises Lactobacillus species (spp.), which act beneficially as a bacterial barrier in the vagina, interfering with uropathogens. During premenopausal period, estrogen promotes vaginal colonization by lactobacilli that metabolizing glycogen and producing lactic acid, and maintains intravaginal health by lowering the intravaginal pH level. A lower vaginal pH inhibits uropathogen growth, preventing vaginal infections. Decreased estrogen secretion in postmenopausal women depletes lactobacilli and increases intravaginal pH, resulting in increased vaginal colonization by harmful microorganisms (e.g., Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, Candida, and Gardnerella). Probiotics positively effects on vaginal microflora composition by promoting the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms, alters the intravaginal microbiota composition, prevents vaginal infections in postmenopausal. Probiotics also reduce the symptoms of vaginal infections (e.g., vaginal discharge, odor, etc.), and are thus helpful for the treatment and prevention of BV and VVC. In this review article, we provide information on the intravaginal mechanism of postmenopausal vaginal infections, and describes the effectiveness of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of BV and VVC.

• 대한상한금궤의학회지
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2015

Objective : This case report show the effect of Dahuanghuanglianxiexin-tang on VulvoVaginal Candidiasis. Methods : According to disease pattern identification diagnostic system based on shanghanlun provisions, The author diagnosed Taeyang-byung kyeolhyung. The symptoms of VulvoVaginal Candidiasis were worsen when the patient had long sitting position and digestive problems. Therefore the patient treated with Dahuanghuanglianxiexin-tang for 3 months. The severity of Candida Vaginitis was evaluated by patient's subjective statements(Vaginal pruritus, Vaginal secretion, Burning sensation). Results : After the treatment, Level of syptoms decreased from Severe to Trace and Eliminated. Conclusions : Dahuanghuanglianxiexin-tang improved the symptoms of VulvoVaginal Candidiasis on this study. Although Dahuanghuanglianxiexin-tang is not an usual treatment for VulvoVaginal Candidiasis, the author could prescribe the medicine due to shanghanlun six meridian patterns diagnostic system.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.353-361
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• 2009

Purpose: This study aimed to provide fundamental information about childbirth and antenatal care for pregnancy women and to find differences in mother's antenatal care and delivery service satisfaction between vaginal delivery and cesarean section. Methods: This study was conducted in 4 residential areas and a study sample of 184 postpartum mothers who agreed to collect data. Data was collected from September 1 to October 20 2007 and a structured questionnaire were recruited by the survey. The data was analyzed by t-test and chi-squire test using SPSS/WIN 12.0. Results: There was a significant difference in delivery place between vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery. Only 10.7% of vaginal delivery group delivered in general hospitals, however 24.5% of the cesarean section group delivered in general hospitals. Early antenatal care also showed statistical difference in mode of delivery. 43.5% of vaginal delivery mothers visited hospitals for the detection of pregnancy but 28.3% of cesarean section mothers did that. Vaginal delivery mothers more satisfied with her own delivery method and suggested a vaginal delivery to others. Conclusion: These results suggest that cesarean section mother's sensitivity of early antenatal care was less than vaginal delivery mother. Satisfaction related to delivery care services were higher in the vaginal delivery group.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate postoperative patient satisfaction, vaginal bleeding, and sexual function in women after laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using a questionnaire mailed to 131 women who underwent LSH between 2008 and 2011at the Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, D University Hospital in Chungnam province. Indication for LSH was uterine myoma. The questionnaire contained questions on overall postoperative satisfaction, influence on quality of life of vaginal bleeding, and sexual satisfaction following surgery. Data were collected from March to July 2013 and 109 (83.2%) patients returned the questionnaire. Results: Most women reported being very satisfied (90.8%) or satisfied (7.3%), but 2 women (1.8%) were not satisfied with LSH. Four patients (3.4%) reported experiencing vaginal bleeding but with no negative influence on quality of life. Of sexually active women, 82 patients (90.1%) reported improvements in sexual function, 8 patients (8.8%) reported "no change", and one patient (1.1%) reported a deterioration Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that LSH is associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction, no negative influence on quality of life from vaginal bleeding, and improvement in sexual function to a minimum 2 years after the procedure.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.109-123
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• 2023

Preterm birth (PTB) is defined as giving birth prior to the 37th week of pregnancy and is a major cause of infant mortality. Studies have indicated that the vaginal microbiota's composition and its dysbiosis, particularly during pregnancy, may play a major role in PTB. While previous research work concentrated on well-studied microorganisms such as Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Gardnerella, various other microbes, and their significance in the vaginal microbiota's stability remain unknown. Moreover, current studies have focused primarily on the relative abundances of the microbes found, without considering their interactions with other members of the vaginal microbiota. In this work, we developed a novel computational approach and performed taxonomic classification of vaginal microbiota samples stratified longitudinally (Term/PTB) to observe compositional disparities and find underexamined microbes that may be contributing to PTB. Furthermore, we carried out a correlational analysis to build a microbial co-interaction network and investigated the functional implications of the genes present in both Term and PTB samples. The co-occurrence network revealed that Lactobacillus acts in solidarity to maintain the stability of the vaginal microbiota and did not have strong co-interactions with any of the other microbes. Similarly, microbes with strong interactions with Atopobium, a well-known marker microbe of PTB, were also observed. Additionally, several genes such as PTXA, FANCM, GPX, and DUSP were found to be playing an important role in the occurrence of PTB. This study provides a novel conceptual framework revealing distinct vaginal microbiota signatures that could be potential therapeutic targets for the prevention of PTB.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.713-722
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pelvic floor muscle exercise using electric stimulation and biofeedback on maximum pressure of vaginal contraction, vaginal contraction duration and sexual function in women who have had vaginal rejuvenation. Methods: The research design was a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design study. Participants in this study were women who had vaginal rejuvenation at C obstetrics and gynecology hospital. The 15 participants in the experimental group were given pelvic floor muscle exercise using electric stimulation and biofeedback and the 15 participants in the control group received self pelvic floor muscle exercise. Results: For maximum pressure of vaginal contraction, the experimental group showed a statistically significant increase compared to than the control group (t=5.96, p <.001). For vaginal contraction duration, the experimental group also showed a statistically significant increase compared to the control group (t=3.23, p =.003). For women' s sexual function, the experimental group showed a significant increase when compared to the control group in total sexual function scores (t=3.41, p =.002). Conclusion: The results indicate that pelvic floor muscle exercise with electric stimulation and biofeedback after vaginal rejuvenation is effective in strengthening vaginal contraction pressure, vaginal contraction and that it also positively functions to increase women's sexual function.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.121-124
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• 2022

This case report describes a case of isolated (not associated with other anomalies) lower vaginal hypoplasia complicated by megalourethra (urethral dilatation) due to frequent urethral sexual intercourse in a regularly menstruating (hypomenorrheic) woman. The patient was a 24-year-old woman who underwent transperineal ultrasonography as well as magnetic resonance imaging followed by sequential cystoscopic and vaginoscopic examinations. Finally, a pull-through procedure was used to create a new vagina. The main outcome measure was patent vagina formation. The procedure successfully corrected isolated lower vaginal hypoplasia. The postoperative course was smooth, with the restoration of regular intercourse in the correct location. It was concluded that all gynecologists should have increased awareness of rare female genital anomalies to avoid serious sequelae, particularly in newly married patients.