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PubMed · 10468066

The bacteriological changes after re-using a vaginal continence guard.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Involuntary loss of urine is a major health care problem, especially in women. The Conveen Continence Guard is a non-surgical treatment of stress incontinence. A possible risk of vaginal devices is introduction of changes in bacteriological flora of the vagina, especially after re-use of the guard. Moreover, vaginal devices can induce magnesium ion deficiency and thereby facilitate growth of Staphylococcus Aureus. This can lead to the production of toxin-1, eventually resulting in toxic shock syndrome. METHODS: The first aim of this study was to investigate the capacity to absorp magnesium ions in an in-vitro study. Secondly, 14 patients with stress incontinence were examined for bacteriological changes in the vagina after re-using the continence guard for four days. After completing this study the patients were asked whether re-using the continence guard was as convenient as single use. RESULTS: The continence guard had no absorption capacity for magnesium ions. The vaginal bacteriological changes after re-use showed in 11% changes in bacterial growth and in 20% increased bacterial growth. Only one patient developed a vaginal colonization with Staphylococcus Aureus but had no symptoms of disease. The continence guard showed itself to be less effective in preventing stress incontinence after re-use. CONCLUSIONS: Although re-use of the continence guard is feasable from a bacteriological point of view, re-use renders the device less effective.

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BibTeXRIS

I van Zon-Rabelink, J Laven, M Vleugels. 1999. The bacteriological changes after re-using a vaginal continence guard.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10468066/

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