Genitourinary syndrome of menopause and intestinal microbiota

Abstract

Introduction: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is one of the pathological symptoms of menopause, which causes significant physical, psycho-emotional, and sexual discomfort to a woman. Material and methods: The study describes an examination of 65 middle-aged women, who were divided into 2 groups. Group I included 39 patients with GSM, who, depending on the duration of symptoms (3–5 years, more than 7 years), were divided into subgroups Ia and Ib. Group II included 26 patients who did not have clinical manifestations of GSM. All patients underwent general clinical studies. Bacteriological examination of faeces was used to assess the state of the intestinal microbiota. Results: It was found that menopause occurred in women with GSM earlier, compared with patients without manifestations of urogenital disorders. Also, the women with GSM were more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, overweight, and iron deficiency anaemia. When analysing the results of a bacteriological study in this group of patients, a statistically significant decrease in the colonization of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, as well as excessive bacterial growth of such conditionally pathogenic bacteria as Escherichia coli with reduced enzymatic activity, and Klebsiella and Streptococcus was revealed. Conclusions: Conducting a fundamental study on the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota in menopausal disorders will be an important step towards understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of their formation, and correction of intestinal metabolism can become an important condition for effective prevention and treatment.