What role do hormones play in vaginal infections?

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  A Good Samaritan Hospital answered

  Hormones do play a part in vaginal infections. Hormonal changes that occur before and after the menstrual cycle can encourage the growth of bacteria that cause vaginal infections. Also, a lack of estrogen after menopause can lead to conditions that encourage vaginal infections.

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  A Patricia Geraghty, NP , Women's Health, answered

  Hormones do play a role in vaginal infections. Any decrease in estrogen leads to thinning of the vaginal tissue. The thin tissue is higher risk to become infected when exposed. This means postmenopausal women and breast feeding women, two groups with natural low levels of estrogen, are at increased risk. The hormonal fluctuations within a menstrual cycle do not seem to significantly alter the vaginal population of microbiotic organisms.
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