Changes in Vaginal Microorganisms During the Menopausal Transition

In premenopausal women, the vaginal microorganism population (microbiota or microbiome) is dominated by various Lactobacillus species, which are thought to be important in protecting the reproductive tract against pathogens. Investigators explored the relations among the vaginal microbiome, menopausal status, and vulvovaginal atrophy in 87 women classified as pre-, peri-, or postmenopausal.

Lactobacillus crispatus and L. iners predominated in premenopausal women. Perimenopausal women were more likely to have vaginal microbiota characterized by L. gasseri or bacteria from the genera Streptococcus and Prevotella, the latter of which was also common in postmenopausal women. Streptococcus and Prevotella predominated in 7 of 19 women with vulvova…