Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Commons^™

The Vaginal Microbiome Post-Menopause And Urinary Tract Infections, Rifke Anolik, Julia Kiffel, Venkateswar Venkataman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a condition where pathogens invade the urinary tract and can travel up the urethra and into the bladder. UTIs occur more commonly in females compared to males and in the post-menopausal population this rate increases significantly. While these infections may be asymptomatic, they can also cause severe discomfort and lead to serious and even life threatening complications. Recent investigation into the vaginal microbiome has opened the doors to a possible mechanism behind the increased incidence of UTIs after menopause. Understanding the pathogenesis behind the increased risk of UTIs in the postmenopausal state will allow …