Age-related vaginal microecology and infection epidemiology among premenopausal and postmenopausal gynecologic outpatients: a cross-sectional study
BackgroundPostmenopausal estrogen deficiency disrupts vaginal microecological balance. This cross-sectional study investigates the epidemiology of vaginal infections and alterations in microbiota composition, enzymes, and metabolites among premenopausal and postmenopausal gynecologic outpatients.Met...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1569667/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850028909780795392 |
|---|---|
| author | Wenyu Lin Wenyu Lin Wenyu Lin Liying Wang Liying Wang Liying Wang Binhua Dong Binhua Dong Binhua Dong Yuhang Zhang Yan Zhang Liang Wang Liang Wang Jun Shen Yanfang Lu Meijin Zheng Meijin Zheng Pengming Sun Pengming Sun Pengming Sun |
| author_facet | Wenyu Lin Wenyu Lin Wenyu Lin Liying Wang Liying Wang Liying Wang Binhua Dong Binhua Dong Binhua Dong Yuhang Zhang Yan Zhang Liang Wang Liang Wang Jun Shen Yanfang Lu Meijin Zheng Meijin Zheng Pengming Sun Pengming Sun Pengming Sun |
| author_sort | Wenyu Lin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundPostmenopausal estrogen deficiency disrupts vaginal microecological balance. This cross-sectional study investigates the epidemiology of vaginal infections and alterations in microbiota composition, enzymes, and metabolites among premenopausal and postmenopausal gynecologic outpatients.MethodsThe study analyzed the vaginal microecology data from 27,346 women who underwent examinations at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital between 2018 and 2023. Parameters including vaginal cleanliness, bacterial density, and diversity were systematically evaluated. Additionally, a total of 20 participants (10 premenopausal and 10 postmenopausal women) were enrolled for nontargeted LC-MS metabolomic analysis through stratified random sampling.ResultsThe population comprised 22,525 (82.4%) premenopausal women (18–44 years), 3,456 (12.6%) transitioning women (45–55 years), and 1,365 (5.0%) postmenopausal women (>55 years). In mixed infections, BV + VVC co-infections predominated (1264/2766, 45.7%). Postmenopausal women showed significantly higher BV prevalence (22.8% vs. 17.9%, P < 0.001) and AV (24.8% vs. 4.6%, P < 0.001), but lower rates of VVC (1.2% vs. 8.2%, P < 0.001). In postmenopausal women, BV-associated biomarkers (including clue cells and sialidase activity) and inflammatory markers (such as pus cells and leukocyte esterase activity) were concurrently elevated. Metabolomic analysis identified elevated chenodeoxycholic acid glycine conjugate levels alongside reduced O-phosphothreonine, morpholine, and diethanolamine.ConclusionAge significantly influences vaginal microecology, altering infection epidemiology, microbiota, enzymes, and metabolites. Accounting for these age-related estrogen changes in clinical interventions is critical for effective management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-588de89e18f04d218db087571dbba33c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2235-2988 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-588de89e18f04d218db087571dbba33c2025-08-20T02:59:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882025-08-011510.3389/fcimb.2025.15696671569667Age-related vaginal microecology and infection epidemiology among premenopausal and postmenopausal gynecologic outpatients: a cross-sectional studyWenyu Lin0Wenyu Lin1Wenyu Lin2Liying Wang3Liying Wang4Liying Wang5Binhua Dong6Binhua Dong7Binhua Dong8Yuhang Zhang9Yan Zhang10Liang Wang11Liang Wang12Jun Shen13Yanfang Lu14Meijin Zheng15Meijin Zheng16Pengming Sun17Pengming Sun18Pengming Sun19Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children’s Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Women and Children’s Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Clinical Research Center for Gynecological Oncology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaLaboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children’s Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Women and Children’s Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Clinical Research Center for Gynecological Oncology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaLaboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children’s Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Women and Children’s Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Clinical Research Center for Gynecological Oncology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaThe State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaThe State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaFujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children’s Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Women and Children’s Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Clinical Research Center for Gynecological Oncology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Provincial Cervical Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Health Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children’s Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Women and Children’s Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Clinical Research Center for Gynecological Oncology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaLaboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children’s Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Women and Children’s Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Clinical Research Center for Gynecological Oncology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaBackgroundPostmenopausal estrogen deficiency disrupts vaginal microecological balance. This cross-sectional study investigates the epidemiology of vaginal infections and alterations in microbiota composition, enzymes, and metabolites among premenopausal and postmenopausal gynecologic outpatients.MethodsThe study analyzed the vaginal microecology data from 27,346 women who underwent examinations at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital between 2018 and 2023. Parameters including vaginal cleanliness, bacterial density, and diversity were systematically evaluated. Additionally, a total of 20 participants (10 premenopausal and 10 postmenopausal women) were enrolled for nontargeted LC-MS metabolomic analysis through stratified random sampling.ResultsThe population comprised 22,525 (82.4%) premenopausal women (18–44 years), 3,456 (12.6%) transitioning women (45–55 years), and 1,365 (5.0%) postmenopausal women (>55 years). In mixed infections, BV + VVC co-infections predominated (1264/2766, 45.7%). Postmenopausal women showed significantly higher BV prevalence (22.8% vs. 17.9%, P < 0.001) and AV (24.8% vs. 4.6%, P < 0.001), but lower rates of VVC (1.2% vs. 8.2%, P < 0.001). In postmenopausal women, BV-associated biomarkers (including clue cells and sialidase activity) and inflammatory markers (such as pus cells and leukocyte esterase activity) were concurrently elevated. Metabolomic analysis identified elevated chenodeoxycholic acid glycine conjugate levels alongside reduced O-phosphothreonine, morpholine, and diethanolamine.ConclusionAge significantly influences vaginal microecology, altering infection epidemiology, microbiota, enzymes, and metabolites. Accounting for these age-related estrogen changes in clinical interventions is critical for effective management.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1569667/fullvaginal microecologyvaginal infectionmenopausemicrobiotametabolites |
| spellingShingle | Wenyu Lin Wenyu Lin Wenyu Lin Liying Wang Liying Wang Liying Wang Binhua Dong Binhua Dong Binhua Dong Yuhang Zhang Yan Zhang Liang Wang Liang Wang Jun Shen Yanfang Lu Meijin Zheng Meijin Zheng Pengming Sun Pengming Sun Pengming Sun Age-related vaginal microecology and infection epidemiology among premenopausal and postmenopausal gynecologic outpatients: a cross-sectional study Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology vaginal microecology vaginal infection menopause microbiota metabolites |
| title | Age-related vaginal microecology and infection epidemiology among premenopausal and postmenopausal gynecologic outpatients: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Age-related vaginal microecology and infection epidemiology among premenopausal and postmenopausal gynecologic outpatients: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Age-related vaginal microecology and infection epidemiology among premenopausal and postmenopausal gynecologic outpatients: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Age-related vaginal microecology and infection epidemiology among premenopausal and postmenopausal gynecologic outpatients: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Age-related vaginal microecology and infection epidemiology among premenopausal and postmenopausal gynecologic outpatients: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | age related vaginal microecology and infection epidemiology among premenopausal and postmenopausal gynecologic outpatients a cross sectional study |
| topic | vaginal microecology vaginal infection menopause microbiota metabolites |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1569667/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT wenyulin agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT wenyulin agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT wenyulin agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT liyingwang agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT liyingwang agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT liyingwang agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT binhuadong agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT binhuadong agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT binhuadong agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT yuhangzhang agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT yanzhang agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT liangwang agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT liangwang agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT junshen agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT yanfanglu agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT meijinzheng agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT meijinzheng agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT pengmingsun agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT pengmingsun agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy AT pengmingsun agerelatedvaginalmicroecologyandinfectionepidemiologyamongpremenopausalandpostmenopausalgynecologicoutpatientsacrosssectionalstudy |