Longitudinal Analysis of Vulvovaginal Bacteriome Following Use of Water- and Silicone-Based Personal Lubricants: Stability, Spatial Specificity, and Clinical Implications.

ABSTRACT: The vulvovaginal microbiome is a complex and dynamic ecosystem of microorganisms. The potential effects of common personal lubricants on its balance, which have implications for reproductive health, are still unknown. This study longitudinally assessed the impact of two commercially available lubricants on the composition and stability of the vaginal and vulvar bacteriome. Paired vaginal and vulvar swabs were collected at baseline and after repeated lubricant use, and the bacteriome was assessed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Alpha and beta diversity were assessed using Shannon entropy and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, respectively. The results showed that the vaginal bacteriome was dominated by Lactobacillus and Firmicutes, while vulvar communities were more diverse a

SUBMITTER: Freixas-Coutin JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12844435 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature