Effect of estrogen treatment on the genital tract flora of postmenopausal women.

The anaerobic and aerobic flora of the vagina was identified in 79 postmenopausal women, 33 of whom received estrogen replacement. Four anaerobic species were more prevalent among estrogen-treated women than among untreated women, whereas 2 anaerobic species were less prevalent in the treated group. The types of organisms isolated from both groups are similar and all organisms isolated were considered usual inhabitants of the genital tract.