Optimization of the ex Vivo Challenge: Reproductive Infections and Contraception

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-45
• HIV uninfected. Note: if a woman participated in a recent research study and has an HIV test result available from that study, this will suffice provided the date of the test is within 6 months of the enrollment visit for this trial. Otherwise, the potential participant should undergo testing at the first study visit.
• Willing and able to give informed consent to take place in the study
• Willing to undergo a pelvic examination and genital biopsies and HIV and HSV testing
• Willing to provide contact information
• Agree to be sexually abstinent for two weeks beginning one week prior to the enrollment visit

Exclusion criteria

• Menopausal
• Pregnant or within 90 days of last pregnancy
• Hysterectomy
• Use of a diaphragm, NuvaRing or spermicide for contraception
• Reports a course of antibiotic therapy in the 14 days prior to enrollment
• Known history of platelet disorder or bleeding disorder
• Participation in another microbicide or contraceptive study or a study involving cervical and/or vaginal biopsies within one month of enrollment
• Pelvic exam findings concerning for cervicitis including abnormal cervical discharge, erythema and edema
• Use of any spermicide or spermicide-lubricated condom within one week of enrollment.
• Use of any internal vaginal device or product with the exception of tampons within one week of enrollment
• Any other condition that in the opinion of the site investigator would preclude provision of informed consent, make participation in the study unsafe, complicate interpretation of study outcome data, or otherwise interfere with achieving the study objectives