Sexually transmitted diseases and gynecologic symptoms and signs in women with a history of induced abortion. 
To investigate associations between a history of induced abortion and current or previous sexually transmitted diseases and other gynecologic infections.  A cohort study was performed at two family planning clinics and one youth clinic.  Of 996 women, 192 (19.3%) admitted a history of induced abortion, whereas the remaining 804 women served as a control group.  A structured, personal interview which included details on previous genital infections and gynecologic symptoms and a gynecologic examination was performed.  Genital chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, genital herpes, genital warts, cervical human papillomavirus infection, bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, and bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis were diagnosed.  Both a history of genital infections, with the exception of vulvovaginal candidiasis, and current genital symptoms were more common in women with a history of induced abortion, compared with the control group.  Age-adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.5 (history of genital warts, 95% confidence interval (95% CI 0.9-2.5) to 5.0 (history of gonorrhea, 95% CI 2.6-9.7).  Odds ratios for current bacterial vaginosis was 1.9 (95% CI 1.2-2.9) and for vulvovaginal candidiasis 1.8 (95% CI 1.1-2.7).  Women attending a clinic for an induced abortion could be a target group for sexually transmitted disease information programs.