Uterine fibroids and longitudinal profiles of the vaginal microbiota in a cohort presenting for transvaginal ultrasound.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial vaginosis, characterized in part by low levels of vaginal Lactobacillus species, has been associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines which could fuel uterine fibroid development. However, prior work on the associations between uterine fibroids and vaginal bacteria is sparse. Most studies have focused on assessment of individual taxa in a single sample. To address research gaps, we sought to compare short, longitudinal profiles of the vaginal microbiota in uterine fibroid cases versus controls with assessment for hormonal contraceptives (HCs), a possible confounder associated with both protection from fibroid development and increases in Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota. This is a secondary analysis of 83 reproductive-age cisgender women who presented for transvaginal ul

SUBMITTER: Robbins SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10843103 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature