Figure 3.

Changes in vaginal pH and concentrations of immune mediators following sexual intercourse. Vaginal pH and the concentrations of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and human beta-defensin 3 (HBD-3) in cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) specimens at each visit. Lines indicate mean and standard deviation (SD) (or median and interquartile range [IQR] for pH) and asterisks indicate significant change from baseline *P < .05, by the paired t test or the nonparametric equivalent, compared with baseline.