[KoK! Health] Microbiome Treatment Needed for Patients with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), also known as the "bottomless bottle," is a condition in which organs such as the uterus, bladder, or rectum inside the pelvis descend downward through the vaginal wall or protrude outside the vagina from their normal positions. Research has shown that in cases of pelvic organ prolapse, the vaginal microbiome is reduced compared to healthy individuals, and even after surgical treatment, the microbiome does not recover, indicating the need for additional therapeutic management.

Professor Minjeong Kim from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University, together with Professor Seungok Lee from the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Incheon St. Mary's Hospital and Professor Myungsin Kim from the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, analyzed the vaginal microbiota of 70 patients with pelvic organ prolapse who underwent reconstructive surgery using pessaries. The results revealed that even after anatomical restoration, the homeostasis of the vaginal microbiome, which is beneficial for women's organ health, did not improve. In particular, when a pessary was inserted, the vaginal microbiome decreased more than before surgery, while inflammatory markers increased.

In healthy individuals, the vaginal microbiota maintains an acidic environment and protects against potential pathogens, thereby maintaining a balanced state that determines vaginal health. Pelvic organs that have prolapsed outside the body alter the vaginal microbiota due to friction and external exposure. Especially, pessaries damage the vaginal mucosa, disrupting the balance of the microbiota and negatively affecting vaginal health.

Professor Minjeong Kim emphasized, "Changes in the vaginal microbiome are closely related to various gynecological diseases," and added, "In today's era of longevity, to maintain a healthy old age, complementary treatments aimed at restoring the vaginal microbiome must accompany anatomical surgical treatments."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.