Microbial findings in genital secretions from seven healthy fertile couples.

The bacterial genital flora in seven healthy couples was investigated three times during two consecutive menstrual cycles. From the females 53 species were cultivated and from the males 73 species. An average of 36, 24, and 25 species were isolated from cervical secretions on cycle day 7, 14, and 22, respectively. No correlation of bacteria was found between males and females investigated on the same day, arguing against a sexual exchange of the normal flora.