ArticleFrontiers in reproductive health2025
Comparison of bacterial vaginosis symptoms reported in social media vs. those reported by patients.
Article in Frontiers in reproductive health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 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
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Capsaicin-Triggered Vaginal Burning Due to Obstructed Rectovaginal Fistula: A Rare Case of Perineal Coproliths.The American journal of case reports · 2026Article
- Understanding Patient Perceptions of Bacterial Vaginosis Treatments: Mixed Methods Sentiment Analysis Study of Online Drug Review Forums.Online journal of public health informatics · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Introduction: There is an increasing tendency to seek health information online rather than through medical professionals. However, the easy accessibility of information online allows for an increased risk of encountering medical misinformation. Methods: We compared descriptions of symptomatology of bacterial vaginosis (BV) on four social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X (Twitter). We then compared the frequency of discussion of symptoms with patients' report of symptoms in clinically diagnosed BV, vulvovaginal candidiasis and vulvodynia. Results: Social media was more likely to report burning (45% of posts), itching (45%) or pain (23%) as symptoms of BV than patients (moderate-severe itching 30%, burning 21% or pain 21%). Although pain was reported more often by people with vulvodynia, other symptoms were not different across diagnoses. Discussion: Social media overemphasizes the ability of symptoms to allow self-diagnosis of vaginitis, which can lead to delayed treatment, highlighting the need to promote accurate health information online.
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Registered trials
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