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How do diet, smoking, alcohol, and stress reshape the female microbiome?

This review examines how modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors shape the female vaginal, gut, oral, and skin microbiomes, with diet, alcohol, smoking, obesity, stress, hygiene, physical activity, and sexual behaviours all linked to site-specific microbial shifts. It argues that understanding these patterns could help guide future female-focused prevention and intervention strategies.

30 Mar 2026

Study reveals how a promising bacterial therapy reduces recurrent bacterial vaginosis

A new study from the Kwon Lab at the Ragon Institute, published in Cell Host & Microbe, provides the most detailed picture yet of how a promising bacterial therapy works to prevent recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV) and why it works better for some women than others.

27 Mar 2026

Hormonal contraception not associated with prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Hormonal contraception, including birth control pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs), is not associated with an increased prevalence of a brain pressure disorder called idiopathic intracranial hypertension, according to a meta-analysis published on March 25, 2026, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

25 Mar 2026

Vaginal microbiome may play key role in pregnancy health and preterm birth risk, researchers say

Researchers reviewed evidence linking the vaginal microbiome to pregnancy health and spontaneous preterm birth, highlighting how Lactobacillus-dominated communities help maintain immune balance and vaginal acidity. Dysbiosis and inflammatory signaling may contribute to preterm birth risk, while emerging microbiome-targeted therapies aim to restore protective microbial ecosystems.

15 Mar 2026

Vaginal estrogen therapy is safe for young endometrial cancer survivors, study finds

Despite the increased incidence of endometrial cancer in younger women, there is limited research regarding the safety of local, low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy (ET) for survivors.

4 Mar 2026

Infant bifidobacteria may protect against childhood allergies

Certain gut bacteria in infants may reduce the risk of developing allergies later in childhood. This is the finding of new research from the ALADDIN study at Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Microbiology.

16 Feb 2026

Alabama’s ‘pretty cool’ plan for robots in maternity care sparks debate

It sounds like something from a science fiction novel, but Alabama officials' plan to use robots to improve care for rural pregnant women and their babies is real.

12 Feb 2026

Menstrual blood HPV testing accurately detects cervical precancer

A study reveals menstrual blood can effectively screen for HPV, matching clinician-collected samples in accuracy, enhancing cervical cancer detection globally.

9 Feb 2026

New analysis reveals hidden complexity in the vaginal microbiome

For decades, gynecological tests have relied on a simplified view of the vaginal microbiome, categorizing bacteria as either "good" or "bad."

6 Feb 2026

Self-collected HPV tests match clinical screening

New data shows universal access to self-collected HPV testing boosts cervical cancer screening uptake, especially among underserved populations in Australia.

4 Feb 2026

Natural ovulation offers a safer path to IVF success

Researchers compare the effects of natural ovulation and external hormone replacement regimens for preparing the uterus before frozen embryo transfer.

4 Feb 2026

Labor induction methods show similar effectiveness and differing safety profiles

A new review including over 100 clinical trials has found that no induction method was clearly effective than low-dose vaginal misoprostol, although some methods were less effective and safety profiles varied.

27 Jan 2026

Multi-fluid microRNA signals as markers of endometriosis

Researchers uncover distinct microRNA profiles in bodily fluids, offering insights into noninvasive diagnostic markers for endometriosis and its complexities.

27 Jan 2026

Community-based midwife continuity care lowers preterm birth risk across diverse populations

Women who receive continuous care from community-based midwives have a significantly reduced risk of preterm birth in comparison to those who receive standard care.

20 Jan 2026

Pregnant individuals with inflammatory bowel disease show heightened vaginal inflammation

Pregnant individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have higher levels of pro-inflammatory immune molecules, known as cytokines, in their vaginal mucosa than their healthy counterparts, according to a new study published January 14, 2026 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Ana Maldonado-Contreras of University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, U.S., and colleagues.

14 Jan 2026

New federal guidelines shift cervical cancer screening to HPV testing

New cervical cancer screening guidelines emphasize self-collection and hrHPV testing, aiming to increase screening rates and improve women's health outcomes.

8 Jan 2026

Breast milk bacteria help shape infant gut microbiome development

Most conversations about breast milk tend to focus on topics like nutrients, antibodies and bonding time rather than bacteria.

7 Jan 2026

Low-dose megestrol strengthens hormone therapy in ER-positive breast cancer

Low-dose megestrol enhances hormone therapy for ER-positive breast cancer, reducing tumor proliferation and improving treatment adherence in the PIONEER trial.

7 Jan 2026

HPV vaccination reduces risk of vulvar and vaginal lesions

Girls who are vaccinated against HPV are not only well protected against cervical cancer; they are also less likely to develop severe precancerous lesions of the vulva and vagina, particularly if they were vaccinated before the age of 17.

18 Dec 2025

Many women suffer in silence from treatable pelvic floor conditions

Many women assume pelvic floor health issues are simply their fate—part of having vaginal deliveries, getting older, gaining weight or entering menopause. Perhaps they have watched their mothers and grandmothers live with symptoms, such as urinary incontinence and pain.

17 Dec 2025