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The Impact of Vaginal Washing on Cervical Inflammation
Sponsor: University of Washington
Summary
Vaginal washing is a common practice that many women perceive as hygienic. However, vaginal washing has been linked to adverse reproductive health outcomes including increased HIV acquisition risk. The mechanism linking vaginal washing to HIV risk remains unknown, but may be related to increased inflammation caused by intravaginal washing practices. The primary objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that a vaginal washing cessation intervention will reduce concentrations of soluble inflammatory mediators in cervicovaginal fluid and total immune cells in mucosal tissue, reduce cervical epithelial disruption, and increase concentrations of protective vaginal Lactobacillus spp. compared to control.
Official title: The Impact of Vaginal Washing on Cervical Inflammation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
18 Years - 50 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
122
Start Date
2025-06
Completion Date
2029-06
Last Updated
2025-04-30
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Vaginal washing cessation
Participants will attend weekly small group (\~10 women per group) sessions that are structured using the transtheoretical model of behavioral change to promote vaginal washing cessation.