The effect of the female genital tract and gut microbiome on reproductive dysfunction

Abstract

Microorganisms are ubiquitous in the human body; they are present in various areas including the gut, mouth, skin, respiratory tract, and reproductive tract. The interaction between the microbiome and reproductive health has become an increasingly compelling area of study. Disruption of the female genital tract microbiome can significantly impact the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, increasing susceptibility to reproductive tract diseases such as vaginitis, chronic endometritis, endometrial polyps, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome. The gut microbiome, considered an endocrine organ, plays a crucial role in the reproductive endocrine system by interacting with hormones like estrogen and androgens. Imbalances in the gut microbiome composition can lead to various diseases and conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and cancer, although research on their mechanisms remains limited. This review highlights the latest advancements

Association between gut microbiota and menstrual disorders: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

“…Some scholars have found that the proportion of Escherichia/Shigella and the number of Streptococcus in intestinal growth, whereas the number of Akkermansia and Ruminococcaceae decreases in patients with Polycystic ovary syndrome ( Liu et al, 2022 ). An increase in the number of Escherichia coli and Shigella in the gut microbiome of patients with stage IIIIV endometriosis was found ( Ata et al, 2019 ; Cao et al, 2024 ). Escherichia coli can also cause chronic endometritis ( Cao et al, 2024 ).…”

“…An increase in the number of Escherichia coli and Shigella in the gut microbiome of patients with stage IIIIV endometriosis was found ( Ata et al, 2019 ; Cao et al, 2024 ). Escherichia coli can also cause chronic endometritis ( Cao et al, 2024 ). To our knowledge, this is the first time Escherichia/Shigella has been found to negatively affect menstruation.…”

“…During the menstrual cycle, hormone and physiological changes can affect the richness and diversity of the urinary and reproductive microbiota ( Holdcroft et al, 2023 ; Cao et al, 2024 ). Song et al investigated vaginal microbiota changes at various periods of the menstrual cycle and discovered increased alpha diversity with decreased relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp.…”

“…It might be challenging to effectively control for these factors in observational studies ( Sher et al, 2021 ). There is growing evidence that the human gut microbiota plays a role in gynecologic diseases ( Flores et al, 2012 ; Lindheim et al, 2017 ; Parida and Sharma, 2019 ; Zhao et al, 2020 ; Zhou et al, 2020 ; Cao et al, 2024 ; Huang et al, 2024 ). If changes in the composition and/or function of the microbiota can be demonstrated to have clinically advantageous effects, then using the gut microbiota’s functioning as an alternative to pharmaceutical intervention is possible.…”