Research Article

Does the use of antioxidant vaginal gel support hpv clearance and cytological regression?

Volume: 43 Number: 2 June 30, 2026
TR EN

Does the use of antioxidant vaginal gel support hpv clearance and cytological regression?

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies worldwide. Early detection of precancerous lesions through screening offers an opportunity for treatment. HPV, detected in 99.7% of cervical cancers, can be prevented with appropriate screening and preventive approaches. Although it has been suggested in recent years that vaginal products containing antioxidants may accelerate HPV eradication, there is insufficient clinical evidence on this matter. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an antioxidant vaginal gel on HPV negativity and cytological regression. This study, conducted at a tertiary healthcare facility, examined patients who tested positive for ASC-US, LSIL, HSIL, and oncogenic HPV via Pap smear between January 2017 and December 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: those using and those not using antioxidant vaginal gel. Baseline and 12-18 month follow-up HPV and cytology results were compared. The negativity rate in the control HPV test was 56.1% in the group not using the gel and 52.6% in the group using the gel, with no significant difference between the groups (p=0.599). Although regression was observed in both groups during cytological follow-up, the intraepithelial lesion rates did not significantly decrease in the group using the gel, and cytological improvement was similar to that of the group not using the gel. There was also no statistically significant difference between the groups in the cytological change categories (p=0.686). Despite being widely preferred in clinical practice, and unlike the limited studies in the literature, our study did not find evidence that the use of antioxidant vaginal gels significantly contributed to HPV negativity or regression of cytological abnormalities. Large-scale, long-term, prospective randomized studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of these products.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Our study was not supported by any institution.

Ethical Statement

This study received ethical approval from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Ondokuz Mayıs University (Decision No: 2023/472), granted during the meeting held on 27 December 2023. This article is derived from the medical specialty thesis of Kübra Geyik Şengül, titled “Evaluation of Findings After the Use of Antioxidant Vaginal Gel in Cases with HPV Positivity and Cytological Abnormality.”

Thanks

None to declare.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

November 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 24, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 43 Number: 2

APA
Geyik Şengül, K., & Bıldırcın, D. (2026). Does the use of antioxidant vaginal gel support hpv clearance and cytological regression? Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, 43(2), 153-158. https://izlik.org/JA28WT43YJ
AMA
1.Geyik Şengül K, Bıldırcın D. Does the use of antioxidant vaginal gel support hpv clearance and cytological regression? J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2026;43(2):153-158. https://izlik.org/JA28WT43YJ
Chicago
Geyik Şengül, Kübra, and Devran Bıldırcın. 2026. “Does the Use of Antioxidant Vaginal Gel Support Hpv Clearance and Cytological Regression?”. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 43 (2): 153-58. https://izlik.org/JA28WT43YJ.
EndNote
Geyik Şengül K, Bıldırcın D (June 1, 2026) Does the use of antioxidant vaginal gel support hpv clearance and cytological regression? Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 43 2 153–158.
IEEE
[1]K. Geyik Şengül and D. Bıldırcın, “Does the use of antioxidant vaginal gel support hpv clearance and cytological regression?”, J. Exp. Clin. Med., vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 153–158, June 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA28WT43YJ
ISNAD
Geyik Şengül, Kübra - Bıldırcın, Devran. “Does the Use of Antioxidant Vaginal Gel Support Hpv Clearance and Cytological Regression?”. Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 43/2 (June 1, 2026): 153-158. https://izlik.org/JA28WT43YJ.
JAMA
1.Geyik Şengül K, Bıldırcın D. Does the use of antioxidant vaginal gel support hpv clearance and cytological regression? J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2026;43:153–158.
MLA
Geyik Şengül, Kübra, and Devran Bıldırcın. “Does the Use of Antioxidant Vaginal Gel Support Hpv Clearance and Cytological Regression?”. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, vol. 43, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 153-8, https://izlik.org/JA28WT43YJ.
Vancouver
1.Kübra Geyik Şengül, Devran Bıldırcın. Does the use of antioxidant vaginal gel support hpv clearance and cytological regression? J. Exp. Clin. Med. [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 1;43(2):153-8. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA28WT43YJ