.png)
Endometriosis affects around 196 million women worldwide, causing chronic pelvic pain and infertility. This estrogen-dependent condition involves endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus, impacting 6-10% of reproductive-age women. Symptoms include severe cramps, painful intercourse, and pelvic discomfort. Emerging research suggests a link between the urogenital and gastrointestinal systems in its development. (Ser et al., 2023).
What we know:
Dysbiosis and infections in the female genital tract can lead to genetic and epigenetic changes that promote oxidative stress and alter immune responses, contributing to the development of endometriosis, with factors like Mycoplasma genitalium colonization and inflammation influencing gene expression and DNA methylation patterns (Uzuner et al., 2023).
The Estrobolome, involved in estrogen metabolism, impacts endometriosis by altering the vaginal microbiota, with hormonal contraceptives shown to restore normal microbiota and reduce dysbiosis linked to the condition (Zizolfi et al., 2023).
The "bacterial contamination" theory suggests that elevated E. coli levels in menstrual blood contribute to endometriosis progression by introducing endotoxins that cause inflammation, with increased Proteobacteria (Uzuner et al., 2023).
Studies reveal distinct changes in the vaginal microbiome of endometriosis patients, with a lower abundance of Lactobacillus and higher levels of bacteria like Corynebacterium, Enterobacteriaceae, and Streptococcus, especially in advanced stages (Ser et al., 2023).
Endometriosis patients show reduced beneficial gut bacteria Clostridia, Ruminococcus and increased harmful ones Eggerthella lenta, Eubacterium dolicum. The peritoneal microbiome also has elevated Methylobacterium and Streptococcus, suggesting their role in the disease (Ser et al., 2023).
Industry impact & potential:
Probiotics like Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2809 and multi-strain formulations such as LactoFem® may help manage endometriosis by reducing symptoms and inflammation. However, more research is needed to optimize their use and understand their impact on microbiome stability (Ser et al., 2023).
More research needs to be done on identifying key microbial species linked to endometriosis, exploring their roles in immune activation and microbiota disruption, and understanding the causal relationships between dysbiosis and estrogen metabolism
Our solution:
The delicate balance of the vaginal microbiome can be disrupted by the use of inappropriate intimate care products, leading to undesirable conditions. Sequential is committed to uncovering the true effects of formulations on the microbiome in various human conditions, such as Endometriosis. We carry out testing to ensure that vaginal care products are effective in addressing specific concerns while remaining gentle and supportive of the natural microbial community.
Reference:
Ser HL, Au Yong SJ, Shafiee MN, Mokhtar NM, Ali RAR. Current Updates on the Role of
Microbiome in Endometriosis: A Narrative Review. Microorganisms. 2023 Jan 31;11(2):360. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11020360. PMID: 36838325; PMCID: PMC9962481.
Uzuner C, Mak J, El-Assaad F, Condous G. The bidirectional relationship between
endometriosis and microbiome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Mar 7;14:1110824. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1110824. PMID: 36960395; PMCID: PMC10028178.
Zizolfi B, Foreste V, Gallo A, Martone S, Giampaolino P, Di Spiezio Sardo A. Endometriosis
and dysbiosis: State of art. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Feb 20;14:1140774. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1140774. PMID: 36891056; PMCID: PMC9986482.
Comments