Why the vaginal microbiome may be key to treating bacterial vaginosis

Vaginal microbiome transplants are helping dainty bacterial vaginosis and shedding airy connected the value of this intimate ecosystem successful women's health

Health 13 February 2023

By Alexandra Thompson

Pâté

“I DON’T person to beryllium acrophobic idiosyncratic volition odor what I smell,” says Eden. “I don’t person to beryllium acrophobic to beryllium successful an intimate position. Bacterial vaginosis doesn’t negociate maine anymore.”

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) isn’t a occupation radical usually speech about, contempt it being the astir communal vaginal information successful women and girls aged 15 to 44. Caused by a alteration successful the equilibrium of vaginal bacteria, it produces grey, watery discharge that smells of fish. While antibiotics tin dainty the problem, for the immense bulk of radical they connection lone temporary alleviation earlier the information returns.

Now, though, determination is hope. It comes successful the signifier of a vaginal microbiome transplant (VMT). Eden was 1 of the archetypal 5 women successful the satellite to person specified a transplant. The thought is simple: repopulate the unbalanced bacterial situation utilizing fluid taken from idiosyncratic with a steadfast vaginal microbiome.

With aboriginal signs of success, the attraction is present being trialled connected a larger radical of women successful the US. The anticipation is that specified trials volition pb to insights that volition assistance the millions of radical astir the satellite who person recurrent BV.

It appears the vaginal microbiome is having a moment. Scientists person precocious created the “vagina connected a chip” to amended recognize vaginal wellness and conditions, determination is the ongoing hunt for “super-donors” with the cleanable vaginal environment, not to notation companies offering to trial your vaginal microbiome from home. But however overmuch bash we truly cognize astir this intimate assemblage of bacteria, viruses and fungi, and should we truly beryllium swapping it with idiosyncratic else’s? …