Role of Obesity in Recurrent Vulvovaginal Symptoms and Disease.

Purpose of Review: To highlight recent literature that discusses the association of overweight and obesity with vaginal dysbiosis and symptomatic vulvovaginitis among non-pregnant women. Recent Findings: Literature search on vaginitis showed varying results regarding associations between obesity, vaginal dysbiosis, yeast vulvovaginitis, and vulvar disorders. There was no convincing relationship between obesity and vulvovaginal candidiasis. However, majority of the results in vaginal dysbiosis do show important associations with obesity. Summary: Lactobacillus, especially L. crispatus and L. iners, play an important role in the vaginal microbiome of obese women. While women with obesity may have a higher prevalence of vaginal dysbiosis, this does not appear to increase the risk for clinical bacterial vaginosis or vulvovaginal candidiasis. Obesity may increase the risk for atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema due to chronic inflammation from induced immune dysfunction and hypersensitivity. These findings should be considered in future research to further understand the direct role of overweight/obesity in recurrent vulvovaginal symptoms and to have a better understanding of its impact on treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]