Vaginal microbiome and recurrent pregnancy loss

Abstract

The joy of every mother is to survive a healthy pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby. However, until today, many couples are finding it difficult to welcome a baby. Among the factors that cause infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is the microbiome composition that inhabits the vaginal space. These microbiomes occupying the vaginal space play a role in balancing acids, pH, and metabolites to ensure a healthy vaginal environment that can prevent pregnancy loss. What is even more evident is that these microbiomes, when dominated by Lactobacillus spp., prevent the growth of vaginal pathogens and reduce the risk of developing drug resistance. Although there is compelling evidence centered on the vaginal microbiome in promoting a healthy vagina, RPL is attributed to their altered or reduced Lactobacillus spp. While there are discrepancies in the literature, this review aimed to summarize the recent findings on vaginal microbiome and RPL. In addition, this mini review further revealed vaginal microbiota as biomarkers that can predict a healthy vagina and the risk of vaginal microbiome causing RPL. In addition, the immune response and metabolite changes in vaginal microbiome-related RPL, as well as some limitations to this intervention and prospective studies, are summarized.