Characteristics of the gut microbiota in women with premenstrual symptoms: A cross-sectional study Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) involves physical and emotional symptoms linked to hormonal fluctuations. Recent research highlights the role of heavy metals and gut microbiome imbalances in worsening these symptoms. Lifestyle changes, microbiome-targeted therapies, and toxin reduction show promise in effective PMS management.
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
The study investigated the characteristics of the gut microbiota in women experiencing premenstrual symptoms, focusing on the potential association between gut microbial composition and the severity of these symptoms. The research aimed to identify microbial differences between women with premenstrual disorders (PMDs) and healthy controls, and to explore how these differences might correlate with the severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.
Who was studied?
The study involved 56 women, including 27 women with self-reported premenstrual symptoms and 29 women without significant symptoms. Among the 27 women reporting PMS, 21 were further identified as having premenstrual disorders (PMDs) due to the significant interference of their symptoms with their social life. The control group consisted of 22 women with no significant premenstrual symptoms. These participants were matched by age and other demographic factors.
What were the most important findings?
The study found that there were notable differences in the gut microbiota between women experiencing premenstrual disorders (PMDs) and healthy controls. At the phylum level, the abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly lower in the PMDs group. At the genus level, several bacteria were found to be either more or less prevalent in the PMDs group. Specifically, the PMDs group had lower levels of beneficial bacteria such as Butyricicoccus, Megasphaera, and Parabacteroides, while Anaerotaenia was more prevalent in this group. However, after applying false discovery rate correction, these differences were no longer statistically significant. The abundance of certain microbes, such as Anaerotaenia, correlated positively with the severity of PMS as measured by the Premenstrual Symptoms Questionnaire (PSQ), while Parabacteroides and Megasphaera were negatively associated with symptom severity.
These findings suggest that the gut microbiota may play a role in the pathophysiology of premenstrual disorders, potentially influencing the severity of symptoms. However, the study also noted that there were no significant differences in inflammatory markers (such as CRP, LBP, and sCD14) between the PMDs and control groups, which means that the microbiota’s role might not be directly related to inflammation but may involve other mechanisms such as gut-brain communication.
What are the greatest implications of this study?
This study provides preliminary evidence that the gut microbiota could be linked to the severity of premenstrual symptoms, suggesting that microbiome-based interventions might be a potential therapeutic strategy for managing PMS and PMDs. However, due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, it is not possible to establish causality between microbiota characteristics and the severity of premenstrual symptoms. The study’s findings highlight the need for future longitudinal studies to confirm these associations and determine the potential therapeutic role of gut microbiota modulation. Furthermore, the identification of specific microbial imbalances could help develop microbiome-based biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of PMS and PMDs, providing a more personalized approach to care.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) involves physical and emotional symptoms linked to hormonal fluctuations. Recent research highlights the role of heavy metals and gut microbiome imbalances in worsening these symptoms. Lifestyle changes, microbiome-targeted therapies, and toxin reduction show promise in effective PMS management.