The Vaginal Microbiome After Menopause

Caroline Mitchell, MD, overviews the link between the vaginal microbiome and reproductive health, the shift in the vaginal microbial community’s composition after menopause, the role of estrogen therapy in restoring Lactobacillus dominance after menopause, and the state of evidence regarding probiotic supplementation.

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References:

• Microbes are a key marker of vaginal health during menopause [press release]. Cleveland, OH. North American Menopause Society. September 24, 2019. Accessed October 2, 2019.
• Mitchell CM. The vagina dialogues: vaginal microbiota and menopause. Presented at: North American Menopause Society 2019 Annual Meeting; September 25-28, 2019; Chicago, IL.

Caroline Mitchell, MD, is a general obstetrician-gynecologist and director of the Vulvovaginal Disorders Program at Massachusetts General Hospital.