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Background: The human microbiome includes trillions of microorganisms, with the vaginal microbiota playing a vital role in women's reproductive health. Concurrently, interest in vulvovaginal esthetic procedures (VVEP) is increasing. This study aimed to compare single and married or previously married women in terms of their knowledge of the human microbiome, particularly the vaginal microbiota, and their perceptions of VVEP. It also examined associations between microbiota awareness, attitudes toward VVEP, and sociodemographic factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional, online survey was distributed to women aged 18 years and older in Saudi Arabia. A total of 1019 responses were collected. Chi-square tests compared knowledge responses between marital groups, while linear regression was used to explore associations between microbiota knowledge and participant characteristics.
Results: Single women showed greater awareness of general microbiome concepts, with 42% correctly identifying the term "microbiome" compared to 29.89% of married or previously married women. In contrast, married or previously married women demonstrated better knowledge of vaginal microbiota and the effects of antibiotic misuse. Of the participants, 6.6% had undergone one or more VVEP. Furthermore, 19.7% of single women and 18.3% of married or previously married women expressed future interest in undergoing such procedures. Marital status influenced perceptions of specific procedures, with married or previously married women more likely to justify interventions such as augmentation of the labia minora/"G-spot" augmentation and vaginal rejuvenation. Justification for augmentation of the labia minora/"G-spot" augmentation in this group was associated with lower vaginal microbiota knowledge. Healthcare professionals exhibited significantly higher microbiota awareness.
Conclusion: Enhancing women's knowledge of vaginal microbiota can enhance informed decision-making and reduce unnecessary esthetic interventions among Saudi women, thereby supporting better reproductive health outcomes.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13161955 | DOI Listing |
NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes
September 2025
Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK.
The mechanisms by which vaginal microbiota shape spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) risk remain poorly defined. Using electronic clinical records data from 74,913 maternities in conjunction with metaxanomic (n = 596) and immune profiling (n = 314) data, we show that the B blood group phenotype associates with increased risk of sPTB and adverse vaginal microbiota composition. The O blood group associates with sPTB in women who have a combination of a previous history of sPTB, an adverse vaginal microbial composition and pro-inflammatory cervicovaginal milieu.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
September 2025
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, Japan.
The maternal microbiome during pregnancy and the peripartum period plays a critical role in maternal health outcomes and establishing the neonatal gut microbiome, with long-term implications for offspring health. However, a healthy microbiome during these key periods has not been definitively characterized. This longitudinal study examines maternal and neonatal microbiomes using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing in a Japanese cohort throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGut Microbes
December 2025
Clinical Microbiome Unit, Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Parity, the number of pregnancies carried beyond 20 weeks, influences the maternal gut microbiome. However, whether parity modulates the infant microbiome longitudinally remains underexplored. To address this, 746 infants in a longitudinal cohort study were assessed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReprod Biomed Online
May 2025
Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address:
Research Question: What is the composition of bacterial communities at various genital sites and are there potential interactions between partners' microbiota?
Design: This observational study involved metagenomic analyses of samples collected from male and female partners of couples undergoing fertility treatment. Samples included vaginal and penile swabs, as well as follicular fluid and semen, which were analysed using next-generation sequencing.
Results: The bacterial community profiles of different genital tract niches were distinct, niche-specific compositions, with female samples predominantly featuring Lactobacillus species and male samples displaying greater microbial diversity, including genital-specific and skin-associated taxa.
J Nutr
September 2025
Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine (CNRGH), 91057 Evry, France. Electronic address:
Background: Breast milk represents the optimal feeding strategy for newborns, supporting not only nutrition but also the establishment of a unique microbiota. The bacterial composition and diversity of this microbiota are shaped by various maternal and infant-related factors.
Objectives: This single-center prospective study aimed to examine the breast milk microbiota and determine the maternal and infant-related factors influencing its composition and diversity over the time.