New study reveals key to long-term vaginal microbiome balance with just a few samples

Credit: Ina Schuppe Koistinen, Karolinska Institutet A new study published in Microbiome by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, suggests that a few well-timed samples could help predict long-term imbalances in vaginal health, which is linked to various health issues. The vaginal microbiome fluctuates during the menstrual cycle, with some women maintaining balance while others shift toward imbalance. This study tracked 49 women daily through a cycle using metagenomic sequencing, identifying four Vaginal Community Dynamics (VCDs): constant eubiotic, constant dysbiotic, menses-related, and unstable dysbiotic. Higher bacteriophage levels and specific bacterial genes were linked to instability. The study suggests that just a few Read More