Scientists from Imperial College London have shown that obese women have an altered composition of the vaginal microbiome, which can potentially lead to difficulties with conception and pregnancy. Research published in the journal Best Practice and Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The vaginal microbiota includes bacteria, viruses and fungi with a predominance of various lactobacillus species. They secrete lactic acid and are responsible for maintaining the acidic environment of the vagina, which protects the female genital organs from infections and promotes a successful conception.
Scientists have found that obese women have more lactobacillus in the stool, but less in the vagina. Lactobacillus metabolites released into the intestines may cause disruption of the “gut-brain” connection, making it difficult to lose weight.
In women with obesity, the type of lactobacilli that predominates in healthy women is particularly reduced – L. crisp. This change has been observed in many studies covering various parts of the world.
In addition, the type of vaginal microbiota unique to women who have had a miscarriage was more common in obese women. It is known that delayed pregnancy for more than one year is six times more common in obese women who are also at risk of miscarriage and are less likely to get pregnant after in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Weight loss and dietary changes led to a “healthier” vaginal microbiota. This may prove a causal relationship between weight, changes in the composition of vaginal microbes, and difficulty conceiving. However, to assess the impact of the vaginal microbiome on women’s reproductive ability, it is necessary to consider the impact of ethnicity, genetics, and lifestyle on the vaginal microbiome.
Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 30, alone increases the risk of developing some common cancers such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis and breast cancer, colorectal cancer and endometrial cancer. At the same time, pregnancy in obese women is more complicated by preeclampsia and miscarriage. Some studies have shown that a one-unit increase in BMI reduces the chances of successful implantation with assisted reproductive technology (ART) and increases the risk of miscarriage after embryo transfer.
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