Vaginal microbiome profiles and reproductive outcomes: natural conception and assisted reproduction
Lactobacillus crispatus-dominant vaginal profiles associate with more favorable reproductive outcomes; dysbiotic, high-diversity profiles associate with implantation failure and pregnancy loss.
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Context
Vaginal microbiome composition varies across populations and reproductive stages. Its relationship with fertility and ART has direct clinical management implications.
What the study showed
This narrative review finds that L. crispatus-dominant communities are frequently associated with better reproductive outcomes. L. iners-dominant profiles show variable associations. Dysbiotic, highly diverse profiles associate with infertility, implantation failure, and pregnancy loss; magnitude and direction depend on Lactobacillus species, sampling compartment, population, and reproductive endpoint.
How it was done
Narrative review of contemporary literature on vaginal microbiome composition, community state types, host-microbiome interactions, and reproductive outcomes, incorporating mechanistic studies and multi-omics and AI-based approaches.
Risk of bias
Narrative reviews do not apply quantitative synthesis or systematic bias control; heterogeneity in populations, methods, and endpoints limits generalization. Analysis based solely on the abstract, without access to the full text.
What this study does NOT prove
This review does not establish causality between vaginal microbiological profiles and reproductive outcomes, nor efficacy of therapeutic interventions.
In clinical practice
There is insufficient evidence to support standardized therapeutic interventions targeting the vaginal microbiome for reproductive purposes. Vaginal profile assessment remains a research context, not established clinical routine.
Limitations
Narrative reviews do not apply quantitative synthesis or systematic bias control; heterogeneity in populations, methods, and endpoints limits generalization. Analysis based solely on the abstract, without access to the full text.
Technical appendix
Version history
- 1.0 · 2026-11-05 — Auto-generated under Evidence Standard v1.0