Inclusion/exclusion criteria and study restrictions
systemic disease, vaginal or urinary tract infection, abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal or vulvar laceration, vulvar or intimate cosmetics
SYSTEMIC DISEASE, RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTION, VAGINAL ATROPHY
This study was conducted between August 2017 and September 2018. Participants were included if they were women, aged 21–80 years, diagnosed with POP stages 2–4, according to the POP quantification (POP-Q) [Women were excluded if they had been previously unable to tolerate use of tampons or vaginal pessaries, were currently enrolled in another clinical study, had morbid conditions or severe systemic disease that could limit their participation, were pregnant or suspected of being pregnant or intended to be pregnant during the study course, had abnormal vaginal bleeding in the past 6 months, vaginal surgery during the preceding 3 months, severe vaginal atrophy, existing vaginal or vulvar laceration, symptomatic vaginal or urinary tract infection as determined by physical and laboratory tests, recurrent urinary tract infections, and abnormal cervical cytology, were currently using corticosteroids or antibiotics, or had current medical conditions that may have compromised their immune system.Study restrictions: all participants were instructed to avoid activities or commercial products that may impact the vaginal microflora, including vulvar or intimate cosmetics, medications, contraceptives, wipes, and any vaginal devices other than the study devices. They were also instructed to use only the menstrual supplies and condoms provided at the study site and refrain from intercourse for 48 h before microflora sampling.