Divine Aleru, Microbiome Signatures Research Coordinator

This review finds insufficient evidence that black cohosh effectively reduces menopausal symptoms. Hormone therapy outperforms black cohosh, which appears safe but needs further study for efficacy and impact on quality of life.

Combining Rhodiola rosea and Actaea racemosa extracts significantly improves menopausal symptoms and quality of life, outperforming black cohosh alone with good safety.

Rhodiola rosea shows promise as a natural selective estrogen receptor modulator, offering neuroprotective, cardiovascular, and bone health benefits for menopausal women with fewer risks than conventional therapies.

This review details the estrogenic activity, neuroprotective effects, and clinical relevance of medicinal plants for menopausal women, highlighting their potential to prevent cognitive decline and neurodegeneration via microbiome-associated mechanisms.

What was studied?The study examined the metabolic changes that occur during menopause, focusing on how menopause modulates circulating metabolites in midlife women. Researchers specifically analyzed 94 charged metabolites, including amino acids, fatty acids, and other small molecules, to assess how these metabolic changes correlate with the increased risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease […]

This review synthesizes evidence on menopause-related lipid metabolic disorders, emphasizing estrogen deficiency, dietary interventions, and the role of probiotics and microbiome modulation in improving metabolic health among postmenopausal women.

Menopause is linked to significant metabolic shifts, including a proatherogenic lipid profile and altered amino acid levels, which may increase cardiovascular and metabolic disease risks in women. The study highlights the importance of monitoring metabolic health during menopause.

This study reveals significant metabolic changes in postmenopausal women, including a pro-atherogenic lipid profile and increased amino acids linked to cardiovascular and metabolic risk, emphasizing menopause as a key factor in long-term health risks.

This study links urinary heavy metal exposure (arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead) to altered sex hormone levels in midlife women, with stronger effects during the perimenopausal transition. It suggests that metal exposure may accelerate ovarian aging and impact long-term health outcomes.

The study links higher urinary arsenic and lead concentrations to earlier menopause, suggesting that exposure to these metals accelerates ovarian aging. Women with higher environmental risk scores (ERS) experienced menopause earlier, emphasizing the role of metal mixtures in reproductive health.

This review details how environmental metal exposures influence menopause onset, symptoms, and COVID-19 outcomes, emphasizing the potential for trace mineral supplementation and the need for monitoring heavy metal and micronutrient status in menopausal women.

This review outlines the evaluation and management of osteoporosis in premenopausal women, emphasizing secondary causes, appropriate BMD interpretation, and tailored treatment—highlighting the importance of individualized care and cautious pharmacotherapy in this population.

This review challenges the labeling of hot flashes as mere menopausal symptoms, proposing they signal underlying neurovascular dysregulation linked to chronic disease risk, and calls for new clinical and research approaches.

This study demonstrates significant alterations in gut bacteria, fungi, and metabolites in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, revealing microbial and metabolic signatures closely linked to bone mineral density and providing a basis for early diagnosis and targeted interventions.

This review elucidates the neuroendocrine and thermoregulatory mechanisms of menopausal hot flashes, evaluating objective measurement and treatment strategies, with a focus on central sympathetic activation and the limited role of the microbiome or estrogen alone in HF etiology.

This study identifies distinct gut microbiome and functional gene signatures associated with osteoporosis and osteopenia in postmenopausal women, highlighting key microbial taxa and metabolic pathways that may influence bone health and serve as potential targets for clinical intervention.

Menopause is linked to reduced gut microbiome diversity, loss of beneficial Firmicutes and Roseburia, and increased risk-associated taxa and metabolic pathways. These changes may contribute to higher metabolic and immune disease risk, highlighting the microbiome’s potential as a therapeutic and biomarker target.

Menopause in Hispanic/Latina women is linked to distinctive gut microbiome and estrobolome alterations, resembling those in men, and these microbial changes are associated with increased cardiometabolic risk. The study identifies specific microbiome signatures potentially mediating menopause-related metabolic effects.

Greater fecal microbiome diversity in postmenopausal women correlates with urinary estrogen metabolite profiles linked to lower breast cancer risk. Specific taxa, notably Clostridiales, are associated with beneficial estrogen metabolism signatures.

This study found that menopausal syndrome is linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis, with reduced Bifidobacterium animalis and altered metabolic pathways, suggesting microbiome-targeted interventions may benefit menopausal women.

This study reveals how FSH-driven changes in perimenopausal women associate with distinct gut microbiota and metabolomic profiles, linking specific bacteria and metabolic pathways to symptoms like bone pain and mental disturbances, with implications for personalized management strategies.

What was reviewed?This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized data from 46 community-based studies across 24 countries, assessing the influence of socioeconomic position (SEP) and lifestyle factors on age at natural menopause (ANM). The review sought to determine overall mean ANM globally, compare regional differences, and quantify the impact of SEP (education, occupation, income) and modifiable […]

Menopause reduces gut microbiome diversity and shifts composition toward a male-like profile, likely due to declining estrogen and progesterone. These changes may impact postmenopausal health and disease risk, highlighting the gut microbiome as a promising therapeutic target.

Menopause drives profound shifts in the oral, gut, and vaginal microbiome, decreasing protective species and increasing disease risk. Understanding these hormone-microbe interactions is crucial for developing personalized interventions to improve women’s health during and after the menopausal transition.

This review details how menopause-driven hormonal changes alter the vaginal and gut microbiome, emphasizing the clinical implications for symptoms and therapies, and advocating for more inclusive, microbiome-informed interventions to support healthy aging in women.

This prospective study of 17,070 African American women found smoking most strongly predicts earlier menopause, while higher BMI and oral contraceptive use are protective. Perceived racism showed suggestive but inconsistent associations with menopause timing, underscoring the need for further research on psychosocial stressors and reproductive aging.

Menopause alters the gut, vaginal, and urinary microbiomes, decreasing Lactobacillus and increasing microbial diversity. These changes contribute to GSM, rUTI, and urinary symptoms. Hormone therapy and probiotics partially restore healthy microbiota, offering new avenues for genitourinary symptom management in postmenopausal women.

NICE guidance recommends diagnosing menopause in women over 45 clinically, not with lab tests, while FSH measurement is reserved for suspected POI in women under 40, streamlining care and reducing unnecessary testing in clinical biochemistry laboratories.

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is a medical condition in which a woman’s ovaries stop functioning normally before the age of 40. This leads to reduced estrogen production and irregular menstrual cycles, which may eventually result in infertility and early menopause-like symptoms. POI can occur due to various reasons, including genetic factors, autoimmune disorders, chemotherapy, or unknown causes. Though often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, POI can significantly impact a woman’s physical and emotional well-being. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and fertility interventions, can help manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and in some cases, restore fertility.

Menopause impacts many aspects of health, including the gut microbiome, weight management, and hormone balance. Diet, probiotics, intermittent fasting, and HRT offer effective management strategies.

A narrative review examining how dietary patterns, nutrients, and gut microbiota impact female fertility, highlighting the Mediterranean diet’s benefits, the risks of Western diets, key micronutrients, and the clinical importance of individualized nutritional care for women planning pregnancy or experiencing infertility.

What was studied?This original research investigated the long-term effects of dietary quercetin supplementation on female fertility and ovarian physiology in mice, with a specific focus on the role of the enzyme transglutaminase 2 (TG2). Quercetin, a widely consumed flavonoid supplement, is known for its antioxidant properties, but its effects on female reproductive health remain poorly […]

What was reviewed?This review article examines current evidence on the use of medical-grade honey (MGH) as a novel therapy for bacterial vaginosis (BV), a prevalent condition among women of reproductive age characterized by a dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome. BV is associated with a reduction in protective, lactic acid-producing lactobacilli and an overgrowth of pathogenic […]

Honey exerts protective effects in reproductive health by modulating oxidative stress, supporting hormonal balance, and selectively inhibiting pathogens while preserving beneficial microbiota, making it a promising adjunct in fertility support, menopause symptom relief, and vulvovaginal candidiasis management.

This review summarizes evidence linking Mediterranean Diet adherence to improved ART outcomes, highlighting modest benefits for clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. Methodological heterogeneity and lack of RCTs limit conclusions, underscoring the need for standardized research and mechanistic exploration.

This editorial reviews evidence on metformin for PCOS-related infertility, highlighting its benefits for ovulation induction, especially in women with longer fertility timelines, and advocating for individualized therapy over restrictive guidelines.

A randomized clinical trial found Nigella sativa plus black pepper significantly improved pregnancy rates and reproductive parameters versus letrozole plus tamoxifen in infertile women with PCOS, with comparable safety.

This review highlights how dietary patterns, micronutrients, genetics, and the microbiome interact to influence female infertility and ART outcomes, supporting the role of personalized nutrition and microbiome-targeted interventions in reproductive medicine.

This review details how probiotics modulate the human microbiome to support fertility, addressing mechanisms, clinical evidence, and implications for male and female reproductive health, with particular focus on Lactobacillus species and their role in infertility treatment and prevention.

This review details how the reproductive tract microbiome impacts infertility and reproductive outcomes, highlighting the roles of specific microbial taxa, dysbiosis in disease, and potential microbiome-targeted therapies to improve ART success and pregnancy outcomes.

This review reveals how vaginal microbiota dysbiosis underpins diverse gynecological diseases, highlights characteristic microbial signatures, and evaluates interventions—especially probiotics and vaginal microbiota transplantation—as emerging strategies to restore health and reduce recurrence.

This review summarizes clinical and mechanistic evidence for complementary and alternative medicine in PCOS infertility, highlighting TCM, acupuncture, nutrient supplementation, and lifestyle interventions as effective, safe adjunct therapies with potential microbiome-mediated benefits.

This study explores the relationship between co-exposure to phenols and phthalates and infertility risk in women of reproductive age, highlighting significant associations with BPA and DEHP metabolites.

This study identified 27 follicular fluid metabolites differentiating infertile from fertile women, developed a predictive Biomarker Score, and demonstrated strong correlations with IVF outcomes, providing a basis for personalized infertility management.

What was studied?This original research article investigated the association between blood levels of lead and cadmium (two common environmental heavy metals) and self-reported infertility among women in the United States. The study leveraged data from the 2013–2014 and 2015–2016 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), focusing on reproductive-aged women. The researchers […]

Environmental pollution—including heavy metals, air pollutants, and endocrine disruptors—negatively impacts female fertility through hormonal disruption, oxidative stress, and epigenetic changes. The review emphasizes the clinical need for exposure assessment and mitigation strategies to protect reproductive health.

Infertile women in Taiwan showed higher blood lead and arsenic levels than pregnant women, mainly linked to frequent Chinese herbal medicine use. Physical activity may help lower lead accumulation, highlighting the need to evaluate traditional medicine risks in women planning pregnancy.

This review synthesizes evidence linking lead, cadmium, and copper exposure to male and female infertility, detailing mechanisms of reproductive toxicity, epidemiological patterns, and the potential role of microbiome alterations as mediators and biomarkers of reproductive risk.

This cross-sectional study in American women found that higher urinary arsenic—and, to a lesser extent, cadmium—were associated with increased infertility risk, with lead exposure linked to infertility in older or overweight women, supporting the need for environmental exposure monitoring in reproductive health.

This review explores how metabolic risk factors—obesity, the female athlete triad, and oxidative stress—contribute to female infertility, highlighting associations with PCOS, endometriosis, and idiopathic infertility, and calling for improved metabolic assessment and molecular diagnostics in clinical practice.

This review synthesizes evidence on the multifactorial mechanisms underlying endometriosis-associated infertility, emphasizing inflammatory, hormonal, anatomical, and molecular drivers. It highlights advances in non-invasive diagnostics, individualized treatment, and the clinical promise of integrating molecular and microbiome signatures into care protocols for improved fertility outcomes.

This review details the multifactorial pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated infertility, emphasizing molecular, genetic, and inflammatory mechanisms, and evaluates current and emerging treatments, including IVF and novel regenerative therapies.

This case report describes a young woman with premature ovarian insufficiency who, despite infertility and diagnostic confirmation of POI, experienced spontaneous conception. The case underscores the unpredictable nature of POI and the need for ongoing investigation into its etiologies, including possible microbiome links.

A large-scale Taiwanese study found that upper and lower genital tract infections, but not comorbidities or bacterial vaginosis, independently increased infertility risk. PID and lower genital tract inflammation showed the strongest associations, emphasizing the critical role of reproductive tract infections in female infertility.

A Nigerian study found only 10% of reproductive-age women recognized the link between PID and infertility, despite high education levels. The findings emphasize the need for improved public health campaigns and highlight the microbial etiology—chiefly Chlamydia trachomatis—behind PID-related infertility.

This review details the polymicrobial pathogenesis of PID, its major microbial culprits—including both classical STIs and vaginal anaerobes—and underscores the high risk of infertility. Early diagnosis, broad-spectrum treatment, and awareness of microbiome shifts are key to reducing reproductive morbidity.

A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and infertility reveals increasing publication rates, evolving research priorities, and key knowledge gaps, with growing emphasis on metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms relevant to microbiome research and clinical practice.

This review details the links between bacterial vaginosis, endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and infertility, highlighting the role of vaginal and endometrial microbiota disruptions and their impact on reproductive outcomes and management strategies.

This study shows women with secondary infertility have persistently altered, less diverse vaginal microbiomes unresponsive to IVF hormone stimulation. Increased Atopobium and decreased Lactobacillus may hinder IVF success, suggesting microbiome-targeted interventions could benefit infertility care.

Microbiome dysbiosis and elevated miR-21-5p and miR-155-5p levels are strongly linked to unexplained infertility, suggesting their role as biomarkers. Correcting these microbiome imbalances could enhance fertility treatment success rates.

This study shows gut microbiota differences between fertile and infertile women, highlighting improved fertility outcomes with dietary fiber (PHGG) supplementation that enhances beneficial gut bacteria, suggesting microbiome modulation as a viable strategy for improving reproductive success.

This study identified vaginal microbiota dysbiosis, marked by Lactobacillus iners dominance, in infertile women infected with Chlamydia trachomatis. Post-antibiotic recovery suggested microbiome restoration could enhance fertility outcomes, highlighting microbiota profiling as a diagnostic tool.

This review underscores the importance of genital tract microbiome composition in fertility, particularly Lactobacillus crispatus dominance, which is linked to better fertility outcomes. Dysbiosis and pathogens like Gardnerella are associated with infertility, suggesting microbiome profiling could be key in improving ART success.

This review connects genital microbiota dysbiosis to infertility, highlighting the role of Lactobacillus dominance in female fertility and microbial imbalances in seminal fluid affecting male fertility. It suggests personalized treatments targeting microbiome restoration could improve reproductive outcomes, especially in ART settings.

This study links the vaginal microbiome, particularly Lactobacillus crispatus dominance, to successful IUI outcomes in idiopathic infertility. Dysbiosis, with an increase in Bifidobacterium, was associated with IUI failure, suggesting the importance of vaginal microbiome evaluation in fertility treatments.

This study links endometrial microbiota composition to reproductive success in ART, showing that Lactobacillus dominance is associated with better outcomes, while dysbiosis with pathogens like Gardnerella and Klebsiella correlates with infertility. It suggests microbiota analysis as a tool for improving ART success.

This review summarizes the essential role of balanced reproductive microbiota, particularly Lactobacillus dominance, in fertility and IVF success, linking microbial dysbiosis to infertility and poorer pregnancy outcomes, and highlighting microbiome evaluation as key to improving reproductive health management.

This study shows chronic endometritis significantly increases pregnancy complications in women with endometriosis-associated infertility. Placenta previa, gestational hypertension, and cesarean sections were notably higher, emphasizing the importance of diagnosing and managing CE effectively for improved reproductive outcomes.

This study demonstrates a causal link between specific gut microbiota and infertility risks, identifying protective and harmful bacterial taxa in both men and women. It highlights the microbiome’s potential role in fertility management through targeted probiotics and lifestyle interventions.

The study confirmed causal links between specific gut microbiota and female reproductive tract inflammation and infertility. Notably, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcus increased inflammation risks, while Butyricicoccus provided protection. Faecalibacterium heightened infertility risk, suggesting new targets for microbiome-based diagnostics and interventions.

Probiotics offer a promising microbiome-targeted intervention (MBTI) for managing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). By restoring beneficial Lactobacillus species and reducing inflammation, they directly counteract the microbial imbalances and immune dysregulation characteristic of PID. This article explores the therapeutic mechanisms of probiotics, their clinical validation, and how they reinforce the accuracy of PID’s microbiome signature as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

Bacteriophage therapy presents a promising alternative to antibiotics for bacterial sexually transmitted infections, particularly against antibiotic-resistant strains like N. gonorrhoeae, through targeted bacterial destruction and minimal off-target effects, though significant clinical research and optimization remain essential for widespread application.

Vaginal microbiota transplantation (VMT) successfully treats bacterial vaginosis by restoring Lactobacillus dominance, lowering vaginal pH, and inhibiting pathogens through nutritional competition, antimicrobial production, and enhanced epithelial adhesion, promising broad clinical applications for reproductive health.

Metformin emerges as a promising non-hormonal therapy for endometriosis, showing potent anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and fertility-enhancing effects, with significant symptom relief in limited clinical testing.

Metformin shows potential in treating endometriosis through anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, anti-proliferative effects, and modulation of the gut microbiome. It could be a safe, effective alternative or adjunctive therapy, particularly in patients contraindicated for hormonal therapies or seeking fertility.

The study found a potent inhibitory effect against Chlamydia trachomatis infection using Lactobacillus brevis combined with lactoferrin, notably reducing bacterial adhesion, invasion, and inflammation. This indicates significant therapeutic potential in preventing chronic complications from genital infections.

Lactoferrin demonstrates significant antimicrobial and prebiotic activity in the female reproductive tract, promoting beneficial bacteria and suppressing pathogens, suggesting therapeutic potential for vaginal microbiota balance.

This review explores the impact of microbiome imbalances on infertility, with insights into microbial diagnostics and potential treatments to improve fertility outcomes.

This review investigates the potential of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in managing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Therapies like Chinese Herbal Medicine and acupuncture show promise in improving symptoms and reducing inflammation, making them valuable adjuncts to conventional treatments.

This review highlights the crucial interactions between gut microbiota and microRNAs in pelvic inflammatory disease, revealing novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Women with pelvic inflammatory disease have a higher risk of endometrial cancer, especially older and hypertensive women, highlighting the need for vigilant care.

Higher dietary copper intake significantly lowers the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease in U.S. women, highlighting copper’s role in inflammation and reproductive health.

Higher dietary magnesium intake significantly reduces pelvic inflammatory disease risk in U.S. women, especially older adults, highlighting magnesium’s role in inflammation and reproductive health.

Kangfuxiaoyan suppository effectively treats chronic pelvic inflammatory disease by regulating key inflammatory and metabolic pathways, significantly reducing inflammation. Integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology clarify its therapeutic mechanisms, highlighting specific active ingredients and metabolic biomarkers for potential clinical use.

This study shows volatile oil from Prunella vulgaris effectively reduces pelvic inflammation by correcting metabolic disruptions in a rat PID model, highlighting key inflammatory metabolites as biomarkers and suggesting therapeutic potential for herbal treatments in PID management.

This study identifies key differences in the vaginal microbiome of women with PID, emphasizing a significant reduction in Lactobacillus and an increase in polymicrobial infections. The findings underscore the importance of microbiome management in diagnosing and treating PID.

This study identifies microbial differences in women with PID based on IUD use, highlighting a higher presence of anaerobic bacteria in IUD users and an increased risk of PID complications. These findings emphasize the need for careful monitoring of IUD users and further research into the microbiome’s role in PID development.

This study identifies key bacterial pathogens associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in Abuja, Nigeria, highlighting the effectiveness of Cefotaxime in treatment. The research also stresses the role of socio-demographic factors in PID prevalence and calls for targeted health interventions.

This study identifies key socio-demographic factors associated with PID in women of reproductive age, highlighting the need for better education, healthcare access, and early intervention. It underscores the importance of targeting high-risk groups, including young, uneducated, and economically disadvantaged women, for improved reproductive health outcomes.

This meta-analysis reveals a significant association between pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The link is particularly strong among Asian women, with implications for early detection and prevention strategies, especially for borderline ovarian tumors.

This nationwide study from Taiwan demonstrates that women with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are at a significantly higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. The study highlights the importance of monitoring and early screening for ovarian cancer in women with PID, particularly those aged 40 and above.

This review highlights how vaginal microbiota imbalance, particularly bacterial vaginosis, significantly increases the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. Advanced molecular methods have identified diverse microbes linked to PID, emphasizing the importance of microbiome health in preventing serious reproductive infections.

This study identified a declining trend in emergency department diagnoses of PID among North Carolina women from 2008-2017. Persistent disparities emerged among young, low-income, and publicly insured women, underscoring the need for improved screening, reporting, and public health interventions to reduce PID’s serious reproductive consequences.

Family practice perspectives highlight challenges diagnosing PID, advocating enhanced clinical suspicion, multi-antibiotic treatment adherence, and regular screening for asymptomatic infections to minimize severe reproductive complications such as infertility and ectopic pregnancies.

This review highlights PID’s diagnostic challenges, microbiological associations, and evidence-based treatment guidelines. It emphasizes routine screening for chlamydia to reduce disease incidence, focusing clinicians on adopting comprehensive strategies aligned with current CDC recommendations to effectively manage and prevent PID and its severe reproductive complications.

This study highlights significant gaps in gynecologists’ knowledge regarding Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Misdiagnosis, inadequate treatment duration, and poor adherence to guidelines were noted. Enhanced training and culturally adapted guidelines are urgently recommended to address misconceptions and improve patient outcomes.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a complex interplay between pathogens, immune responses, and microbial communities. As research continues to uncover the microbiome’s role in reproductive health, microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs) such as probiotics, prebiotics, and transplants are redefining how we prevent and treat PID. This page dives deep into these innovations, offering a glimpse into the future of personalized, biologically informed women’s healthcare.

This systematic review explores the impact of diet and nutritional supplementation on perinatal depression (PPD), highlighting protective effects from healthy dietary patterns, omega-3s, and micronutrients like Vitamin D and selenium, but emphasizes the need for further research.

This review explores the clinical, psychological, and pharmacological treatment options for postpartum depression (PPD), focusing on antidepressants, therapy, and alternative treatments like omega-3s and exercise, highlighting the importance of early intervention and individualized care for new mothers.

This study explores how 919 syrup, a Chinese herbal remedy, alleviates postpartum depression (PPD) by modulating the gut microbiome and hippocampal GABA metabolism, offering a novel treatment approach.