The flora of the female genital tract:

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The lining of the normal human genital tract is a mucosal layer made up of transitional, columnar, and squamous epithelial cells.Various species of commensal bacteria colonize these surfaces, causing no harm to the host except under abnormal circumstances and helping prevent the adherence of pathogenic organisms.The flora of the female genital tract varies with the pH and estrogen concentration of the mucosa, which depends on the host's age.Prepubescent and postmenopausal women harbor primarily staphylococci and corynebacteria (the same flora present on surface epithelium), whereas women of reproductive age may harbor large numbers of facultative bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae, streptococci, and staphylococci, as well as anaerobes such as lactobacilli, anaerobic non-spore-forming bacilli and cocci, and clostridia.Lactobacilli are the predominant organisms in secretions from normal, healthy vaginas.Recent studies have shown that hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli are most associated with a healthy state.The numbers of anaerobic organisms remain constant throughout the monthly cycle.Many women carry group B beta-hemolytic streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae), which may be transmitted to the neonate.Although yeast (acquired from the gastrointestinal tract)may be transiently recovered from the female vaginal tract, it is not considered normal flora.

The Flora of the Female Genital Tract