Table 1.
Factors influencing the vaginal microbiome composition [48]
| Genetics/host | Environmental | Socioeconomic | Behavioral | STI status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aging | Geography | Education | Sexual behavior | Bacterial infections |
| Genomics | Early life factors | Income | Contraception | Viral infections |
| Epigenetics | Toxins and carcinogens | Race, ethnicity | Hygiene practices | Fungal infections |
| Pregnancy | Antibiotics, prebiotics, xenobiotics | Access to healthcare | Smoking | Parasitic infections |
| Hormonal status | Stress | Social policy | Alcohol consumption | |
| Comorbidities | HPV vaccine | Diet/nutrition | ||
| Altered immunity | Obesity | |||
| Obesity | Physical activity |