The Impact of Vaginal Washing on Cervical Inflammation

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Reproductive Behavior

In brief

Vaginal washing is a common practice that many women perceive as hygienic. However, vaginal washing has been linked to adverse reproductive health outcomes including increased HIV acquisition risk. The mechanism linking vaginal washing to HIV risk remains unknown, but may be related to increased inflammation caused by intravaginal washing practices. The primary objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that a vaginal washing cessation intervention will reduce concentrations of soluble inflammatory mediators in cervicovaginal fluid and total immune cells in mucosal tissue, reduce cervical epithelial disruption, and increase concentrations of protective vaginal Lactobacillus spp. compared to control.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06615232

Run by

University of Washington

People needed

122

Starts

2025-05-16

Expected to finish

2029-06-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-05

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 50. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Reports vaginal washing beyond the introitus in the past week
• Female, aged 18-50
• Presence of a cervix
• Informed consent obtained and form signed
• HIV-seronegative
• Non-pregnant (urine β-hCG negative)
• Willing to abstain from sex for 14 days after biopsy
• Post-menarche and pre-menopause

You may not qualify if…

• <3 months postpartum or current breastfeeding
• Current menstruation (can enroll after menses)
• History of bleeding disorder
• Visible cervical abnormality requiring evaluation
• Medical contraindication to study protocol
• Visible cervicovaginal ulcers or lesions
• Positive test for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas, or wet preparation and examination findings indicating vulvovaginal candidiasis

Where it is running

• Pwani Research Center — Mombasa, Kenya (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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