Study boosts understanding of women’s health and wellbeing
The link between a woman’s vaginal microbiome, reproductive hormone levels and lifestyle factors including diet, sex, exercise, stress and mood, is the focus of a new study at The University of Western Australia.
Kristina Magoutas, an early career researcher and PhD candidate is leading the MICYCLE study from the UWA Clinical Perinatal Research Laboratories, at King Edward Memorial Hospital. The study aims to document changes in the vaginal microbiome over the course of the menstrual cycle.
“The vaginal microbiome in most women is dominated by one or more Lactobacillus bacterial species, however this is influenced by ethnic background, environmental-behavioural factors and the menstrual cycle,” Ms Magoutas said.
“Increasing oestrogen levels generally correlates with increased abundance of Lactobacillus, a protective group of microbes, however during menstruation certain Lactobacillus species tend to decrease.”
The study will examine how the vaginal microbiome relates to changes in reproductive hormone levels, diet, sex, exercise, stress and mood.
Women with regular menstrual cycles (self-reported) who are not using any form of hormonal contraception and not trying to conceive are invited to participate.
Participants will complete self-administered assessments of perceived stress and diet at recruitment, take measurements of reproductive hormones throughout their cycles using The Mira at-home urine analysers and collect vaginal swab samples after each urine analysis.
Associate Professor Matt Payne, head of the Clinical Perinatal Research Lab, and PhD supervisor said Ms Magoutas has designed the recruitment and onboarding process to be self-directed, allowing participants to get involved seamlessly with little time commitment.
“Through the study’s website, participants can sign up, schedule their own phone consultation with Kristina to discuss details, and receive all necessary materials delivered to their door,” Associate Professor Payne said.
Ms Magoutas explained that an instructional video guides women through sample collection, material usage, and app setup —ensuring their hormonal results can be transmitted from their phone.
“Understanding the vaginal microbiome’s impact on women’s health and its link to hormones and lifestyle will allow more women to make informed lifestyle choices, with the understanding of how they might impact their vaginal health.”
Chair of The Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance and UWA Professor of Obstetrics, Professor John Newnham said: “the findings will allow us to better educate women and potentially implement preventative measures to reduce the number of women affected by adverse vaginal conditions.”
“It’s an honour to be working alongside Professor Newnham and the Alliance to contribute to the scientific community while empowering women who have felt unheard and dismissed about their menstrual health and helping them learn more about their menstrual cycles through this project,” Ms Magoutas said.
Women are encouraged to sign up to the project through this website to empower themselves with more understanding about their menstrual cycles.
