The healthy female microbiome across body sites: effect of hormonal contraceptives and the menstrual cycle.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Krog MC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9247429 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Both behavioral and neuroimaging evidence support a female advantage in the perception of human faces. Here we explored the possibility that this relationship may be partially mediated by female sex hormones by investigating the relationship between the brain's response to faces and the use of oral contraceptives, as well as the phase of the menstrual cycle. First, functional magnetic resonance images were acquired in 20 young women [10 freely cycling and 10 taking oral contraception (OC)] during two phases of their cycle: mid-cycle and menstruation. We found stronger neural responses to faces in the right fusiform face area (FFA) in women taking oral contraceptives (vs freely cycling women) and during mid-cycle (vs menstruation) in both groups. Mean blood oxygenation level-dependent response in both left and right FFA increased as function of the duration of OC use. Next, this relationship between the use of OC and FFA response was replicated in an independent sample of 110 adolescent girls. Finally in a parallel behavioral study carried out in another sample of women, we found no evidence of differences in the pattern of eye movements while viewing faces between freely cycling women vs those taking oral contraceptives. The imaging findings might indicate enhanced processing of social cues in women taking OC and women during mid-cycle.
| S-EPMC3907931 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We examined performance across one menstrual cycle (MC) and 3 weeks of hormonal contraceptives (HC) use to identify whether known fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone/progestin are associated with functional performance changes. National Rugby League Indigenous Women's Academy athletes [n = 11 naturally menstruating (NM), n = 13 using HC] completed performance tests [countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), isometric mid-thigh pull, 20 m sprint, power pass and Stroop test] during three phases of a MC or three weeks of HC usage, confirmed through ovulation tests alongside serum estrogen and progesterone concentrations. MC phase or HC use did not influence jump height, peak force, sprint time, distance thrown or Stroop effect. However, there were small variations in kinetic and kinematic CMJ/SJ outputs. NM athletes produced greater mean concentric power in MC phase four than one [+0.41 W·kg-1 (+16.8%), p = 0.021] during the CMJ, alongside greater impulse at 50 ms at phase one than four [+1.7 N·s (+4.7%), p = 0.031] during the SJ, without differences between tests for HC users. Among NM athletes, estradiol negatively correlated with mean velocity and power (r = -0.44 to -0.50, p < 0.047), progesterone positively correlated with contraction time (r = 0.45, p = 0.045), and both negatively correlated with the rate of force development and impulse (r = -0.45 to -0.64, p < 0.043) during the SJ. During the CMJ, estradiol positively correlated to 200 ms impulse (r = 0.45, p = 0.049) and progesterone to mean power (r = 0.51, p = 0.021). Evidence of changes in testing performance across a MC, or during active HC use, is insufficient to justify "phase-based testing"; however, kinetic or kinematic outputs may be altered in NM athletes.
| S-EPMC11295101 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Previous studies have shown changes in women's behavior and physical appearance between the non-fertile and fertile phases of the menstrual cycle. It is assumed that these changes are regulated by fluctuations in sex hormone levels across the cycle. Receptors for sex hormones have been found on the vocal folds, suggesting a link between hormone levels and vocal fold function, which might cause changes in voice production. However, attempts to identify changes in voice production across the menstrual cycle have produced mixed results. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate changes in sexually dimorphic vocal characteristics and quality of women's voices in different phases of the cycle and to compare these with users of monophasic hormonal contraception. Voice samples (vowel phonation) of 44 naturally cycling women were obtained in the menstrual, late follicular (confirmed by LH surge) and luteal phases, and in 20 hormonal contraceptive users across equivalent stages of the monthly cycle. Results showed that voices of naturally cycling women had higher minimum pitch in the late follicular phase compared with the other phases. In addition, voice intensity was at its lowest in the luteal phase. In contrast, there were no voice changes across the cycle in hormonal contraceptive users. Comparison between the two groups of women revealed that the naturally cycling group had higher minimum pitch in the fertile phase and higher harmonics to noise ratio in the menstrual phase. In general, present results support the assumption that sex hormones might have an effect on voice function. These results, coupled with mixed findings in previous studies, suggest that vocal changes in relation to hormonal fluctuation are subtle, at least during vowel production. Future studies should explore voice changes in a defined social context and with more free-flowing speech.
| S-EPMC5568722 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Progesterone and its analogues are known to influence ventilation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of endogenous and pharmaceutical female sex hormones in ventilatory control during the activation of the metaboreflex, mechanoreflex, and CO2 chemoreflex. Women aged 18-30 taking (n = 14) or not taking (n = 12) oral contraceptives (OC and NOC, respectively) were tested in the low hormone (LH) and high hormone (HH) conditions corresponding to the early follicular and mid-luteal phases (NOC) or placebo and high-dose pills (OC). Women underwent three randomized trials: (a) 3 min of passive leg movement (PLM), (b) 2 min of 40% maximal voluntary handgrip exercise followed by 2 min of post-exercise circulatory occlusion (PECO), and (c) 5 min of breathing 5% CO2 . We primarily measured hemodynamics and ventilation. During PLM, the OC group had a smaller pressor response (p = .012). During PECO, the OC group similarly exhibited a smaller pressor response (p = .043) and also exhibited a greater ventilatory response (p = .024). Lastly, in response to breathing 5% CO2 , women in the HH phase had a greater ventilatory response (p = .022). We found that OC use attenuates the pressor response to both the metaboreflex and mechanoreflex while increasing the ventilatory response to metaboreflex activation. We also found evidence of an enhanced CO2 chemoreflex in the HH phase. We hypothesize that OC effects are from the chronic upregulation of pulmonary and vascular ?-adrenergic receptors. We further suggest that the increased cyclic progesterone in the HH phase enhances the chemoreflex.
| S-EPMC7507440 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The relationship between the menstrual cycle and the oral microbiome has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to assess potential changes in the oral microbiome of healthy young adults using 16S rRNA-based sequencing. Eleven females (aged 23-36 years) with stable menstrual cycles and without any oral problems were recruited. Saliva samples were collected before brushing every morning during the menstrual period. Based on basal body temperatures, menstrual cycles were divided into four phases, namely the menstrual, follicular, early luteal, and late luteal phases. Our results showed that the follicular phase had a significantly higher abundance ratio of the Streptococcus genus than the early and late luteal phases, whereas the abundance ratios of the Prevotella 7 and Prevotella 6 genera were significantly lower in the follicular phase than those in the early and late luteal phases and that in the early luteal phase, respectively. Alpha diversity by the Simpson index was significantly lower in the follicular phase than that in the early luteal phase, and beta diversity showed significant differences among the four phases. Using the relative abundance data and copy numbers of the 16S rRNA genes in the samples, the bacterial amounts in the four phases were compared, and we observed that the follicular phase had significantly lower amounts of the Prevotella 7 and Prevotella 6 genera than the menstrual and early luteal phase, respectively. These results indicate reciprocal changes with the Streptococcus genus and Prevotella genera, particularly in the follicular phase. In the present study, we showed that the oral microbiome profiles are affected by the menstrual cycles of healthy young adult females.
| S-EPMC10102642 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo systematically review and summarize the existing evidence related to the influence of the menstrual cycle (MC) and hormonal contraceptive (HC) use on V˙O2max in physically active women.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis conforms to the PRISMA statement guidelines. Four (sub-)meta-analyses were performed. Two focused on longitudinal studies examining the same women several times to compare the V˙O2max during the different menstrual phases or oral contraceptive (OC) use and withdrawal. Two meta-analyses examined if there is a difference in V˙O2max between OC users and normally menstruating women by analyzing cross-sectional studies assigning physically active women to one of these two groups as well as intervention-based studies (cross-over studies, randomized controlled trials considering only the data of the intervention group) comparing women intra-individually with and without OCs.ResultsNine of the included studies (107 women) evaluated the influence of the MC, five studies (69 women) the impact of OCs on V˙O2max, and six studies investigated both topics (88 women). A mean difference of V˙O2max -0.03 ml/kg/min (95%CI -1.06 to 1.01) between the early follicular and luteal menstrual phase was observed. Between the active and inactive phases of OCs, a mean difference of -0.11 ml/kg/min (95%CI -2.32 to 2.10) was found. The inter-individual comparison of naturally menstruating women and OC users showed a mean difference in V˙O2max of 0.23 ml/kg/min (95% CI -2.33 to 2.79) in favor of OC use. The intra-individual comparison of the same women showed a mean decrease in V˙O2max of -0.84 ml/kg/min (95% CI -2.38 to 0.70) after a new start with OCs.ConclusionsOur meta-analyses showed no effects of the MC or the OCs on V˙O2max. More high-quality studies are needed determining the MC phases more precisely, including OCs with the current standard formulations and comparing the influence of different progestins.
| S-EPMC10361115 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Women are at substantially greater risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than are men.To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to clarify the effect of the menstrual cycle and contraceptives on the laxity of and noncontact injuries to the ACL.Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.Searches were conducted using MEDLINE (1946-August 2016), the Cochrane Library Database, clinical trial registries, and related reference lists. Search terms included athletic injuries, knee injuries, ligaments, joint instability, menstrual cycle, ovulation, hormones, and contraceptives. Investigators independently dually abstracted and reviewed study details and quality using predefined criteria and evaluated overall strength of evidence using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) criteria.Twenty-one studies totaling 68,758 participants were included: 5 on the menstrual cycle and ACL injury, 7 on hormonal contraceptives and ACL injury, as well as 13 on menstrual cycle and ligament laxity. Four of 5 studies of women not using hormonal contraception indicated that the luteal phase was the least associated with ACL injuries. The 2 largest and highest quality studies on hormonal contraceptives suggested that hormonal contraceptives may be protective against ACL injury. Six of 12 studies on ACL laxity provided quantitative data for meta-analysis, finding significantly increased laxity during the ovulatory phase compared with the follicular phase.The literature suggests an association between hormonal fluctuations and ACL injury. Recent studies have suggested that oral contraceptives may offer up to a 20% reduction in risk of injury. The literature on ACL injuries and the menstrual cycle has more than doubled over the past decade, permitting quantitative analysis for the first time. However, the overall strength of this evidence is low. Promising potential directions for future research include long-term observational studies with ongoing hormonal assays and large interventional trials of follicular suppression, including newer hormonal methods.
| S-EPMC5524267 | biostudies-other
Project description:Perimenopause is linked to increased migraine (Mg), especially menstrual Mg (MMg), influenced by hormonal changes. Compared to nonmenstrual attacks, menstrual attacks are more disabling and less responsive to treatment. Women with perimenstrual estrogen withdrawal have been linked to Mg during menstruation, whereas Mg during perimenopause has been linked to unpredictable fluctuations in estrogen levels. It has been widely established that female sex hormones play a role in Mg, but how it occurs remains unclear. This narrative review was identified using Medline and PubMed searches between 1946 and 2021. Search terms included "headache," "migraine," "menstrual migraine," "menstruation," "menopause," "perimenopause," "estrogen," and "progesterone." This article focuses on the candidate genes and female hormones that play a role in MMg. More study is necessary to understand better the environmental components that play a critical role in disease development. Currently, there is insufficient clinical evidence to support the function of menstrual Mg. The specific research facts examined MMg unique candidate genes and female hormonal factors that support their association and found MMg etiologic processes for generating an early diagnostic marker.
| S-EPMC9350771 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The aim of this study was to identify hormonally regulated genes and their related biological pathways in the rhesus macaque cervix during the menstrual cycle. The cervix is the gateway for gamete passage, which is driven by hormonal regulation with progesterone (P) suppressing the passage of gametes. Contraceptives that are progesterone based change the cervix. Progestogen only contraception is reported to act by suppressing ovulation and/or altering cervical mucus secretion. In order to further investigate novel contraceptive targets and their pathways, a microarray was used to discover genes in the cervix that are suppressed under varying lengths of exposure to progesterone throughout an artificial menstrual cycle.
2018-02-13 | GSE110476 | GEO
Project description:The microorganisms of the vaginal tract are critical for vaginal and reproductive health. However, the regulation of these microorganisms is not well understood. Therefore, we investigated whether different factors regulate the vaginal microbiota of healthy college-aged women (n = 26) with high temporal resolution by collecting daily self-administered vaginal swabs and using 16S rRNA sequencing for bacterial identification. As expected, vaginal microbiota clustered into five predefined community state types. Vaginal microbial diversity, stability, and Lactobacillus abundances were associated with the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use. Vaginal microbial diversity, as measured using the Shannon index, increased during menses (P < 0.001), while Lactobacillus abundances decreased (P = 0.01). The covariance of these microbial measures with previously established estradiol levels suggests that estrogens can regulate vaginal microbiota. Moreover, the use of hormonal contraceptives may alter the temporal dynamics of the vaginal microbiota and decrease Lactobacillus abundances, depending on hormonal content and release method. Interestingly, intrasample diversity was greater in participants on a vegetarian diet (P = 0.004) and among participants who exercised more (P = 0.04). These findings indicate that ovarian hormones, diet, and exercise can regulate vaginal microbial composition and stability and may impact vaginal and reproductive health.IMPORTANCE The vaginal microbiome is a critical component of women's sexual and reproductive health, with variations in microbial composition, particularly the loss of Lactobacillus species, being implicated in gynecologic and obstetric diseases. Given that the vaginal microbiome is so crucial, why do vaginal microbial profiles vary strikingly from person to person and even change over time within the same person? In the present study, which tracked the daily vaginal microbiomes of young healthy women through different lifestyles, we found that use of a locally released progestin contraceptive, a vegetarian diet, and intense exercise appear to lead to vaginal microbiome alterations and loss of Lactobacillus species. The impact of these vaginal microbiome changes on immediate and long-term health remain to be investigated.
| S-EPMC7343982 | biostudies-literature