Genital tract infections

Abstract

The normal vaginal flora is predominately lactobacilli (aerobic organisms) The normal PH is range from 3.8 to 4.5 due to the H+ peroxide producing lactobacilli. The vagina is lined by nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which is powerfully influenced by estrogen and progesterone. The normal vagina epithelium is strongly estrogenized and rich in glycogen, which supports growth of lactic acid–producing lactobacilli. This results in a low pH (<4.7), which provide some protection in the lower reproductive tract from STIs, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Infections of the vulva, vagina, and cervix are called (lower reproductive tract) and the uterine corpus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries are called (upper reproductive tract).