Observational studySexually transmitted infections2023
Investigating the impact of condomless vaginal intercourse and lubricant use on the vaginal metabolome: a pre-post observational study.
Observational study in Sexually transmitted infections, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 5 citations in OpenAlex.
- Heterogeneity in semen-mediated tolerogenic responses: defining immunological determinants of reproductive compatibility.Human reproduction open · 2026Article
- Prevalence of Amsel-Defined Bacterial Vaginosis Before and After Transvaginal Ultrasound With Lubricant Application.Sexually transmitted diseases · 2025Article
- Assessment of the vaginal microbiota before and after use of hyperosmolal lubricant during transvaginal ultrasound.American journal of obstetrics and gynecology · 2025Article
- Contraceptives Association with Vaginal Microbiome and RTI: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Females of Jammu and Kashmir, India.Indian journal of microbiology · 2024Article
- Ecology meets reproductive medicine in HIV prevention: the case for geography-informed approaches for bacterial vaginosis in Africa.Frontiers in reproductive health · 2024Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveThe vaginal metabolome is a significant factor in the vaginal microenvironment, and data are emerging on its independent role in urogenital health. Condomless vaginal intercourse and personal lubricant use are common practices that may affect the vaginal metabolome. The aim of the present study is to describe the associations between condomless intercourse and lubricant use on the vaginal metabolome.
methodsThis study used archived mid-vaginal swabs from a 10-week observational cohort of reproductive age women who self-collected samples and recorded behavioural diaries daily. Cases and controls were defined as participants who self-reported condomless vaginal intercourse with or without lubricant use, respectively. Samples were drawn prior to and following condomless vaginal intercourse. Twenty-two case participants were race/ethnicity matched to 22 control participants. Mid-vaginal swabs were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and untargeted ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy metabolomics. Bayesian mixed-effects regression (unadjusted and adjusted for the vaginal microbiota) was used to evaluate differences in metabolite concentration associated with vaginal intercourse and lubricant use.
resultsBoth condomless penile-vaginal intercourse and lubricant use were independently associated with higher (up to 8.3-fold) concentrations of metabolites indicative of epithelial damage (eg, sarcosine) and many host-produced antioxidants. Lubricant use was significantly associated with increases in lipids related to cellular damage, host-produced sphingolipids (antimicrobials), antioxidants and salicylate, a cooling agent common to lubricants, in a study design which controls for the independent effect of intercourse. Metabolites involved in oxidative stress and salicylate were strongly correlated with several molecular bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria.
conclusionsThis study provides important foundational data on how condomless vaginal-penile intercourse and lubricant use affect the vaginal metabolome and may affect the protective mechanisms in the vaginal microenvironment.
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