The Association of Smoking with Vaginal Flora, Urinary Tract Infection, Pelvic Floor Prolapse, and Post-Void Residual Volumes

Abstract

This study examined the association of smoking with changes in vaginal flora, the prevalence of urinary tract infection, genital prolapse, and incomplete bladder emptying. The authors conducted a retrospective review of charts for 305 women. In addition to smoking habits, data on age, parity, degree of genital prolapse, vaginal flora, urinary residual, urinary tract infection, and hormone replacement therapy were collected and analyzed. Smoking did not correlate with urinary tract infection, the amount of post-void urine residual volumes, or pessary use. Smoking was significantly associated with the presence of a severe degree of genital prolapse. Smoking independently affected vaginal flora, increasing the odds of developing bacterial vaginosis. Smoking was associated with an increased risk of developing bacterial vaginosis and having severe genital prolapse. Smoking was not associated with urinary tract infection or the amount of post-void residual urine.