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The Journal "Obstetrics and Gynecology"Journal HistoryAims and ScopePolicies on Conflict of Interest, Human and Animal Rights, and Informed ConsentEditorial ProcessData sharing statementAdvertising PolicyThe Process for Handling Cases Requiring Corrections, Retractions, and Editorial Expressions of ConcernEditorial BoardEditorial CounsilInformation for ProfessionalsNewsContacts
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Obstetrics and Gynegology2025№9
Triggers of allergic reactions in...

Triggers of allergic reactions in the female genital tract and modern methods for diagnosing sensibilization

DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2025.188

Bychkova N.V., Krechetova L.V., Mezhevitinova E.A., Kepsha M.A.

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Centre for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia

Allergic reactions in the female genital tract are a clinically relevant but understudied issue in obstetrics and gynecology. Frequently they present as infectious and hormonal disorders resulting in the chronic course of vulvovaginitis and reduced quality of life. This article provides a structured review of current concepts about the possible triggers of allergic reactions in the female genital tract. The main contact triggers are sperm, latex, metals, especially nickel, infectious allergens, including Candida, cosmetics and hygiene products, a number of drugs for local use. Food, aeroallergens and systemic drugs are considered as systemic allergens. The article analyzes in detail the various methods of modern allergy diagnosis, both in vivo and in vitro, including skin and provocative testing, assessment of specific IgE levels, and the basophil activation test. It emphasizes that an allergology examination should be conducted comprehensively using a variety of methods depending on the specific clinical symptoms. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to eliminate confirmed allergens and to use rational care procedures for the perineal area.      
Conclusion: Knowledge of the triggers of allergic reactions in the female genital tract and the algorithm for their detection will allow the physician to significantly improve the diagnosis of the disease. The management of women with a previous allergic history should be carried out by a group of doctors including an obstetrician-gynecologist and an allergologist-immunologist as it may effectively help patients with combined pathology.

Authors’ contributions: Bychkova N.V., Mezhevitinova E.A. – developing the concept and design of the study, writing the text; Krechetova L.V., Kepsha M.A. – editing the article.
Conflicts of interest: Authors declare the lack of the possible conflicts of interest.
Funding: The study was conducted without sponsorship.
For citation: Bychkova N.V., Krechetova L.V., Mezhevitinova E.A., Kepsha M.A. Triggers of allergic reactions in the female genital tract and modern methods for diagnosing sensibilization.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2025; (9): 46-55 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2025.188

Keywords

allergy
vulvovaginitis
hypersensitivity
allergy diagnosis
basophil activation test
Full text (in Russian)

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Received 08.07.2025

Accepted 18.08.2025

About the Authors

Nataliya V. Bychkova, Dr. Sci. (Bio), Leading Researcher at the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, +7(495)438-11-83, BNV19692007@yandex.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6907-2817
Lubov V. Krechetova, Dr. Med. Sci., Head of the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, +7(495)438-11-83, L_krechetova@oparina4.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5023-3476
Elena A. Mezhevitinova, Dr. Med. Sci., Leading Researcher, Scientific and Outpatient Department, V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, mejevitinova@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2977-9065
Maria A. Kepsha, Junior Researcher, Physician, Scientific and Outpatient Department, V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, m_kepsha@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4201-1360
Corresponding author: Nataliya V. Bychkova, BNV19692007@yandex.ru

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