Studies demonstrate that between 25-50% of menopausal women report vulvovaginal symptoms including vaginal dryness, irritation, burning, itching, and dyspareunia, all of which severely affect quality of life. As women approach menopause, decreased estrogen levels are accompanied by changes in the vagina including decreased glycogen accumulation in the epithelium, increased pH, and deterioration of vaginal tissues, which lead to symptoms of vaginal discomfort. Hormone therapy is the primary treatment for vulvovaginal symptoms in menopausal women, however it is contraindicated in some women. Non-hormonal therapeutic approaches for improving symptoms and quality of life in postmenopausal women have not been well studied. The vaginal microbial communities (termed the vaginal microbiota) play a critical role in protecting the female genital tract from disease;however, surprisingly little is known about the composition of vaginal bacteria across the different stages of menopausal transition, how they differ between individuals, the correlation with vaginal immunologic microenvironment, or the associations with gynecologic complaints and sexual functioning. Between 2009-2012, 885 women aged 35-60 years were enrolled in a prospective study of menopause transition and followed every six months for two years (R01-CA123467). Taking advantage of that resource, the proposed study will utilize 2500 longitudinal vaginal samples stored in a freezer archive to address the following three specific aims: (1) To describe the changes in the vaginal microbiota by age and stage of menopause over a 2-year period, (2) To evaluate the association between the vaginal microbiota and vulvovaginal complaints and (3) To assess the correlation between the vaginal immunologic microenvironment with the microbiota. Participants were categorized according to menopausal categories by the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) guidelines. The vaginal microbiota will be characterized using 16S rRNA gene analysis amplified from whole genomic DNA isolated from clinician-collected mid-vaginal swabs. Cervical secretions will be used to quantify concentrations of 27 different immune markers (cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors) using multiplexed bead-based immunoassays with total protein adjustment. By bringing together multidisciplinary expertise in bioinformatics, epidemiology, genomics, gynecology, microbiology and statistics, this study will be able to provide critical descriptive data on (1) differences in the composition and stability of the vaginal microbiome by menopausal stage, (2) association between microbial changes and presence of vulvovaginal complaints, and (3) the possible correlation between vulvovaginal microbial and immunologic microenvironmental changes during the menopausal transition. These data will be used to evaluate the potential for non-hormonal, anti-inflammatory, or probiotic interventions for the treatment of common vulvovaginal complaints in peri- and postmenopausal women.

Public Health Relevance

Between 25-50% of postmenopausal women suffer from vaginal symptoms including dryness, soreness, irritation, itching and pain during intercourse, all of which result in severe detriments to quality of life. These conditions are caused by decreased estrogen levels and changes in the normal and protective vaginal bacteria (termed vaginal microbiota). This study of the vaginal microenvironment during menopause will lead to better strategies to manage women's urogenital health, which is in line with the NIH mission to improve women's health throughout their lifespan.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21AI107224-01
Application #
8568384
Study Section
Infectious Diseases, Reproductive Health, Asthma and Pulmonary Conditions Study Section (IRAP)
Program Officer
David, Hagit S
Project Start
2013-08-15
Project End
2015-07-31
Budget Start
2013-08-15
Budget End
2014-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$187,591
Indirect Cost
$65,382
Name
University of Maryland Baltimore
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
188435911
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201
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Gravitt, Patti E (2016) HPV Seroprevalence in the United States: Behavior, Biology, and Prevention. J Infect Dis 213:171-2
Brotman, Rebecca M; Shardell, Michelle D; Gajer, Pawel et al. (2014) Association between the vaginal microbiota, menopause status, and signs of vulvovaginal atrophy. Menopause 21:450-8