The length of menstrual bleeding and the risk of urogenital infections in the context of the activity of hemoglobin-derived microbicidal peptides

ObjectiveWell-known natural unspecific antimicrobial factors acting in the vagina are additionally reinforced during menstrual bleeding by hemocidins—a recently discovered novel class of microbicidal peptides generated proteolytically from hemoglobin. The aim of the presented research was to investigate the relation between the average length of menstrual bleeding and the frequency of urogenital infections. We expected that the shorter menstrual bleeding might increase the risk of urogenital infections because is synonymous with the shorter period of exposition on bactericidal action of hemocidins.Study designThe study contains statistical analysis of an average declared length of menstrual bleeding in the group of 267 young, sexually active women with the symptoms of urogenital infections. The control group consisted of 300 young healthy women.ResultsThe length of menstrual bleeding in the group of patients with urogenital infections (average 4.35 days) was statistically significantly shorter than in the control group (average 4.95 days). The average length of the menstrual cycle was equal and counted ca. 28 days in both groups.ConclusionThe length of menstrual bleeding seems to be a significant factor in the vaginal ecology maintenance.