Figure 2. Variability of Gardnerella vaginalis during menses.

The line graphs show increases in G. vaginalis levels during menses while concentrations of L. crispatus and L. jensenii decreased. G. vaginalis quantities declined below detection thresholds post-menses with simultaneous increases in L. jensenii and L. crispatus levels. Participant C (Figure 2A) was not colonized with L. iners while Participant D (Figure 2B) was. Levels of L. iners were observed to increase with G. vaginalis concentrations and subsequently declined post-menses. Both participants were negative for BV by Amsel's criteria (green boxes) and had Nugent scores of 0 at the entry and follow up visits.