Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41024984›Full record

ReviewWorld journal of gastrointestinal pathophysiology2025

Discovering a new paradigm: Gut microbiota as a central modulator of sexual health.

Giuseppe Marano, Maria B Anesini, Miriam Milintenda, Mariateresa Acanfora, Claudia d'Abate, Francesco M Lisci, Ilaria Pirona, Gianandrea Traversi, Roberto Pola, Eleonora Gaetani and 1 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in World journal of gastrointestinal pathophysiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Giuseppe MaranoDepartment of Neurosciences, Unit of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy.
Maria B AnesiniDepartment of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy.
Miriam MilintendaDepartment of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy.
Mariateresa AcanforaDepartment of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy.
Claudia d'AbateDepartment of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Tuscany, Italy.
Francesco M LisciDepartment of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy.
Ilaria PironaIstituto di Patologia Speciale Medica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Lazio, Italy.
Gianandrea TraversiUnit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fatebenefratelli Isola Tiberina-Gemelli Isola, Rome 00186, Italy.
Roberto PolaDivision of Internal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy.
Eleonora GaetaniMedical and Surgical Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy.
Marianna MazzaDepartment of Neurosciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy. mariannamazza@hotmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in human health, influencing diverse physiological processes, including those related to sexual health. Emerging evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiota and sexual health, mediated by its impact on systemic inflammation, hormonal regulation, and immune function. A balanced gut microbiota supports optimal levels of sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, which are critical for sexual function and reproductive health. Additionally, gut-derived metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids contribute to maintaining mucosal barrier integrity and regulating immune responses, which are essential for protecting against infections that may impair sexual health. Conversely, dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut microbial composition, has been linked to conditions such as erectile dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, and reduced libido, emphasizing its role in sexual dysfunction. Lifestyle factors, including diet, stress, and antibiotic use, can modulate the gut microbiota and, consequently, sexual health outcomes. Recent therapeutic approaches, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, offer potential for restoring gut balance and improving sexual health. This review highlights the central role of the gut microbiota in sexual health, emphasizing its importance as a target for therapeutic interventions to enhance overall well-being.

Indexed as

DietDysbiosisGut brain axisGut microbiotaHormonal regulationMental healthNeurotransmittersPsychobioticsPsychological therapiesSexual healthSexual performance anxietyShort-chain fatty acids

Identifiers

PMID41024984
PMCPMC12476688

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.