Post-coital dynamics of the penile and cervico-vaginal genital microbiome
Condom-protected penile-vaginal sex was associated with minimal genital microbiome changes, whereas condomless penile-vaginal sex among established couples led to extensive exchange of genital microbiota. Most disruptions to the microbiome resolved within 2-3 days, although changes in vaginal pH were associated with longer-lasting increases in Gardnerella abundance. Video Abstract.
Authors
- S Huibner
- Elizabeth Tevlin
- Azadeh Fazel
- Sareh Bagherichimeh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3673-4730)
- Wangari Tharao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6166-401X)
- Jack Villani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8219-1917)
- Rupert Kaul
- Avid Mohammadi
- Juan E. Salazar
- Sydney G. Nelson
- Maliha Aziz
- Abigail Onos
- Daniel K. Park
- Cindy Z. Liu
Institutions
- University of Toronto (CA)
- George Washington University (US)
- Women's Health In Women's Hands (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Microbiome
- Published
- 2026-03-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-026-02364-2
- Primary Topic
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00