61. The Vital Role of Vaginal Microbiome Health: Insights from Dr. Craig Cohen

What is the vaginal microbiome, and why is it crucial for women's health? How does bacterial vaginosis (BV) and its treatments impact women's lives? Dr. Craig Cohen, a leading expert in obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at UCSF, explains the importance of the vaginal microbiome and its role in women's health. Drawing from years of experience and extensive research, including his work in Kenya, Dr. Cohen discusses the challenges of treating BV, the necessity of innovative treatments like live biotherapeutics, and the urgent need for better diagnostics and widespread education. He emphasizes the importance of advocacy for research and funding to improve women's reproductive health outcomes.

Check out the shownotes to learn more!

Takeaways:

• Understanding the vaginal microbiome is essential for women's reproductive and overall health.
• Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition that many women may not be aware of.
• BV can increase the risk of preterm birth, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections.
• Proper education and awareness about BV can help women take proactive steps for their health.
• Routine testing for the vaginal microbiome is not standard but can be requested from healthcare providers.
• Advocacy for better diagnostics and treatments for BV is crucial to improve women's health outcomes.
• The vaginal microbiome plays a significant role in maintaining optimal health and preventing infections.

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A huge thank you to Evvy for sponsoring this episode! Evvy is a women's health company that is unlocking precision healthcare for women & people with vaginas. Their mission is to close the gender health gap by discovering and leveraging overlooked female biomarkers — starting with the vaginal microbiome. Learn more about them at Evvy.com.

A portion of today's episode was donated to the Society for Women's Health Research - a nonprofit with a mission to advance women’s health through science, policy, and education while promoting research on sex differences to optimize women’s health.

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This episode was created in partnership with Resolve Global Health.

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