Normal vaginal microbiology of women of childbearing age in relation to the use of oral contraceptives and vaginal tampons.

The vaginal microbiology of women attending a family planning clinic was found to be unrelated to the use of oral contraceptives and vaginal tampons. Beta haemolytic streptococci isolated from this ;normal' population were compared with those from 1,104 women attending general practitioners complaining of vaginal discharge. There is a caution regarding the indications for antibiotic therapy. Observations were made on the effects of contamination of vaginal swabs with yeasts and beta-haemolytic streptococci from the vulva. The persistent character of the vaginal flora over a six-month period is described.