Journal of International Obstetrics and Gynecology ›› 2025, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (6): 654-659.doi: 10.12280/gjfckx.20251180

• Obstetric Physiology & Obstetric Disease: Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Changes in the Reproductive Tract Microbiota during Female Pregnancy and Their Impact on Pregnancy Outcomes

MA Xiao-tong, XUE Feng-xia()   

  1. Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin 300052, China
  • Received:2025-10-20 Published:2025-12-15 Online:2025-12-30
  • Contact: XUE Feng-xia E-mail:xuefengxia@tmu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Dysbiosis of the reproductive tract microbiota can lead to reproductive tract infections, including lower genital tract infections (such as vaginitis and cervicitis) and upper genital tract infections (such as endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease), among various conditions. These infections not only cause infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and seriously affect women′s health, but during pregnancy, they can also result in adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, miscarriage, premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis and stillbirth. This review focuses on the colonization of microbiota in different regions of the reproductive tract in healthy pregnant women, the changes in microbiota composition that cause disorders, and the impact of these changes on pregnancy outcomes. The aim is to provide a theoretical basis for better screening, prevention, and treatment of common adverse pregnancy outcomes, as well as to offer novel insights on maternal and infant health protection.

Key words: Reproductive tract infections, Microbiota, Pregnancy outcome, Premature birth, Fetal membranes, premature rupture, Diabetes, gestational, Hypertension, pregnancy-induced, Abortion, habitual