Assessment of changes in the hormonal levels in women infected with Trichomonas vaginalis in Kirkuk, Iraq

Abstract

Abstract Background: Trichomonas vaginalis, a flagellated protozoan, is the cause of the sexually transmitted disease known as vaginal trichomoniasis. Objectives: The study was carried out to assess the level of some sexual hormones in the serum of women suffering from trichomoniasis. Materials and Methods: From 1020 women, blood was collected to separate serum for detection of the level of sex hormones (estrogen [E2], progesterone [Pro.], luteinizing hormone [LH], and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]) by the Cobas e411 method using kits for each hormone according to manufacturer’s instructions. Results: The results recorded a significant decrease in the levels of estrogen, progesterone, and FSH, (45.8 ± 7.7 pg/mL), (0.338 ± 0.483 ng/mL), and (5.83 ± 1.37 mIU/mL), respectively, in the serum of female patients as compared with the healthy control women (71.3 ± 6.8 pg/mL), (0.743 ± 0.338 ng/mL), and (7.65 ± 2.51 mIU/mL), respectively. However, no significant differences were observed in the level of LH between infected (5.53 ± 2.56 mIU/mL) and noninfected women (5.82 ± 2.15 mIU/mL). Conclusion: A significant drop in the level of certain sexual hormones has an adverse effect on the incidence of trichomoniasis in women in the Kirkuk province.