Ospemifene improves vaginal microbiome in postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy

The study findings are published in Menopause, The Journal of the North American Menopause Society.

Researchers compared the vaginal microbiome profile of women with vulvovaginal atrophy to healthy postmenopausal women.

The team also assessed, “What are the effectiveness of Ospemifene and systemic hormone treatment on vaginal microbiome composition?”

The study summary includes the following:

• The researchers enrolled 67 postmenopausal women attending the Gynecology Clinic of Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna (Italy).
• Thirty-nine women were diagnosed with atrophy, and 28 were healthy.
• In the atrophic women group, 20 received ospemifene and 19 hormone treatment.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyse the vaginal microbiome.
• After three months of treatment, Clinical/microbiological analyses were repeated.
• Among atrophic women, there was a significantly reduced number of lactobacillus and increased Streptococcus and Sneathia.
• A positive correlation was recorded between vaginal health index/vaginal maturation index and Lactobacillus abundance.
• Both treatment approaches effectively improved vaginal indices.
• In the women on Systemic hormone treatment, there were changes induced in the minority bacterial groups.
• Among women on ospemifene, specific bacterial taxa, like Staphylococcus and Clostridium, were eliminated.
• Bifidobacteria increased with both treatments.