Narrative review explores vaginal microbiota transplantation for dysbiosis and sexual quality of lifeReview explores vaginal microbiota transplantation for treating dysbiosis and improving sexual quality of life in women

Frontiers in Medicine Published April 16, 2026 Study authors: Runzhi Shi, Xi Ye, Yangyang Tan, Ruxue Zhou, Xiangjie Zheng, Liehong Wang DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Sofia Müller, MD · Lifespan & Whole-Person Care

AI-generated summary of the cited source, checked by automated accuracy review. How we work

Key Takeaway

Consider VMT as experimental for dysbiosis, pending more standardized research and safety data.

This publication is a narrative review focusing on vaginal microbiota transplantation (VMT) as an intervention for women with dysbiosis of the female genital tract microbiota and associated diminished sexual quality of life. The review compares VMT to conventional antimicrobial therapies, synthesizing existing evidence to outline its potential role in clinical practice. It does not report specific study populations, sample sizes, follow-up durations, primary outcomes, or quantitative results like effect sizes, as it is not a meta-analysis or primary trial.

The authors aim to provide a robust theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the scientifically sound promotion, standardized application, and further investigation of VMT. They highlight key areas for development, such as establishing consistent protocols and addressing ethical considerations, without presenting pooled data or statistical findings typical of systematic reviews. The review serves as a conceptual framework rather than an evidence synthesis with numerical outcomes.

Limitations noted by the authors include a lack of standardized donor screening criteria, variability in procedural protocols, insufficient long-term safety data, and evolving ethical and regulatory considerations. These gaps underscore the preliminary nature of VMT and the need for more rigorous research. Safety aspects, such as adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability, are not reported in the review.

In terms of practice relevance, the review offers restrained guidance by emphasizing the need for further investigation and standardization before widespread clinical adoption. It cautions against overinterpretation due to the absence of robust trial data and encourages clinicians to consider VMT as an experimental approach within a research context until more evidence is available.

This article reviews the emerging use of vaginal microbiota transplantation (VMT) for women with dysbiosis of the female genital tract microbiota. The goal is to provide a robust theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the scientifically sound promotion and standardized application of this procedure. The review compares VMT against conventional antimicrobial therapies to explore its potential benefits for restoring healthy microbiota and improving sexual quality of life.

The study notes several significant limitations that must be considered. These include a lack of standardized donor screening criteria and variability in procedural protocols, which makes it difficult to compare different approaches. Furthermore, there is insufficient long-term safety data available, and ethical and regulatory considerations are still evolving in this field. Because these issues have not been fully resolved, the current evidence does not yet support widespread clinical adoption.

Readers should understand that this review offers guidance for future investigation rather than immediate practice-changing recommendations. While VMT shows promise, the absence of standardized methods and long-term safety information means that more research is needed before it can be confidently recommended. Patients should wait for further studies that address these gaps before considering this treatment option.

What this means for you:

Review suggests VMT needs standardization and long-term safety data before becoming a standard treatment.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedApr 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Dysbiosis of the female genital tract microbiota represents a key pathological basis underlying clinical symptoms such as vaginal dryness and dyspareunia, which subsequently contribute to diminished sexual quality of life (QoL) in women. Although conventional antimicrobial therapies may provide short-term relief from infectious symptoms, they often fail to restore vaginal microbial homeostasis—thereby exhibiting inherent limitations, including high recurrence rates and increased risks of antimicrobial resistance. Vaginal microbiota transplantation (VMT), an emerging ecological restoration strategy, aims to reconstitute the recipient’s vaginal microbiota by transferring a complete, functionally intact microbial community from a rigorously screened healthy donor. This review systematically delineates the multidimensional mechanistic links between genital tract dysbiosis and impaired female sexual quality of life; elucidates the core clinical value of VMT; comprehensively summarizes recent advances in both preclinical research and clinical trials; and critically examines major challenges currently facing the field—including the lack of standardized donor screening criteria, variability in procedural protocols, insufficient long-term safety data, and evolving ethical and regulatory considerations. Furthermore, we propose forward-looking perspectives on future directions, such as the development of individualized, precision-based VMT approaches; the establishment of standardized, evidence-based technical frameworks; and the acceleration of clinical translation and implementation. This review is intended to provide a robust theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the scientifically sound promotion, standardized application, and further investigation of VMT—ultimately advancing women’s reproductive health and holistic sexual well-being.

Narrative review explores vaginal microbiota transplantation for dysbiosis and sexual quality of lifeReview explores vaginal microbiota transplantation for treating dysbiosis and improving sexual quality of life in women

Study Details

Adjuvant radiotherapy improves recurrence-free survival for intermediate-risk cervical cancer patients after surgery

Adjuvant radiotherapy improves recurrence-free survival for early-stage cervical cancer patients

Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

Narrative review explores vaginal microbiota transplantation for dysbiosis and sexual quality of lifeReview explores vaginal microbiota transplantation for treating dysbiosis and improving sexual quality of life in women

Study Details

Adjuvant radiotherapy improves recurrence-free survival for intermediate-risk cervical cancer patients after surgery

Adjuvant radiotherapy improves recurrence-free survival for early-stage cervical cancer patients

Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

Related in OB/GYN & Women's Health

From Other Specialties