Women’s Health
Building on decades of expertise in this area, our most recent projects aim to develop microbiome-based supplements that leverage the ever-expanding knowledge on the role of the vaginal microbiota in gynecological, reproductive, and overall health. Our current studies aim to further document the efficacy of probiotic supplements in the management of vaginal infections and in the maintenance of vaginal microbiota homeostasis. Furthermore, a recent clinical trial conducted in the third trimester of pregnancy has shown that probiotic supplementation given to expectant mothers supports both maternal and infant health and promotes the early establishment of a healthy gut microbiome. Benefits were especially notable when focusing on infants born by C-section.
New areas of interest concern the management of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with menstruations, and the characterization of natural fluctuations in the composition of the vaginal microbiota that occur along with hormonal fluctuations that are cyclical in nature, like menstruations, and that delineate key periods of life, like puberty and menopause.
Selected Publications
- Binda, S., Chow-Shi-Yée, M., El Salti, S., Auclair-Ouellet, N., Oula, M.-L., Carton, T., Leuillet, S., Tomassi, D., Hemmings, R., & Kadoch, I.-J. (2025). The effect of probiotics on health in pregnancy and infants: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutrients, 17(11), 1825. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111825
- Bertarello, C., Savio, D., Morelli, L., Bouzalov, S., Davidova, D., & Bonetti, A. (2024). Efficacy and safety of Lactobacillus plantarum P 17630 strain soft vaginal capsule in vaginal candidiasis: a randomized non-inferiority clinical trial. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 28(1), 384-391. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202401_34927
- Judkins, T. C., Oula, M.-L., Sims, S. M., & Langkamp-Henken, B. (2022). The effect of a probiotic on gastrointestinal symptoms due to menstruation in healthy adult women on oral contraceptives: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial protocol. Trials, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06410-w
- Vladareanu, R., Mihu, D., Mitran, M., Mehedintu, C., Boiangiu, A., Manolache, M., & Vladareanu, S. (2018). New evidence on oral L. plantarum P17630 product in women with history of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC): A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. European Review for Medical & Pharmacological Sciences, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_201801_14128
- Cianci, A., Cicinelli, E., Colacurci, N., Leo, V., Seta, F., & Paoletti, A. (2016). Observational prospective clinical study on Lactobacillus plantarum in women with bacterial vaginosis/vaginitis. Journal of Womens Health, Issues and Care, 5(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.4172/2325-9795.1000220
- De Seta, F., Parazzini, F., De Leo, R., Banco, R., Maso, G., De Santo, D., Sartore, A., Stabile, G., Inglese, S., & Tonon, M. (2014). Lactobacillus plantarum P17630 for preventing Candida vaginitis recurrence: a retrospective comparative study. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 182, 136-139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2014.09.018
- Montella, R., Malfa, P., Giuliano, A., Brustia, G., Coïsson, J. D., & Arlorio, M. (2013). Vaginal adhesion of Lactobacillus plantarum P17630 after probiotic food supplement oral administration: a preliminary in vivo study. Nutrafoods, 12(2), 35-42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13749-013-0030-x
- Chayka, V., Dolgoshapko, O., Babich, T., & Govorukha, I. (2006). Prevention of disbacteriosis in pregnant and women recently confined with surgical delivery. News of Medicine and Pharmacy(19), 14-15. https://www.metaformula.co.kr/assets/mf/front/pc/img/blog/pdf/Chayka.pdf