ReviewInternational urogynecology journal2026
The Vaginal Microbiome and Recurrent and Chronic Urinary Tract Infection.
Review in International urogynecology journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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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.
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.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Vaginal microbiome dysbiosis and a rectal reservoir of uropathogens characterize postmenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections: a cross-sectional study.Frontiers in microbiology · 2026Article
- More than an infection: the ecological puzzle of recurrent urinary tract infections.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introduction and hypothesisThe vaginal and urinary microbiomes are closely linked, yet the role of this relationship in recurrent and chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) remains uncertain. Research into genitourinary ecology and UTI has largely focused on acute infections and reproductive age groups, leaving a gap in understanding the role of the microbiome in recurrent and chronic cases. This review is aimed at presenting that disruptions within vaginal microbiota contribute to UTI chronicity in menopausal women, highlighting the potential for microbiome-targeted interventions in this high-risk group.
methodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted, with search terms including cystitis, urogenital, antibiotic, infection, and bladder, vaginal microbiome, vaginal ecology, topical oestrogen, atrophy, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA), bacterial vaginosis and lactobacillus. Relevant articles were screened, critiqued, and synthesised based on key themes.
resultsLactobacillus spp. appears to be the key component of a healthy vaginal microbiome. Decreased vaginal Lactobacillus abundance, seen with vaginal dysbioses and the menopause, correlates with an increased presence of urinary pathogens, increasing susceptibility to UTI. This review demonstrates that interventions to optimise vaginal ecology could reduce UTI burden. These approaches offer non-antibiotic treatment strategies, lowering antimicrobial resistance risk. However, studies frequently exclude those with chronic and recurrent infections, underscoring the necessity for more research targeting this group.
conclusionsThis review highlights the link between disrupted vaginal ecology and recurrent and chronic UTI, and the need for expanded research into microbiome-targeted treatments. A paucity of studies researching recurrent and chronic UTI cohorts limits the evidence base for clinical generalisation, meaning that more focussed studies are needed to improve understanding and clinical management.
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Registered trials
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.