Melissa M Herbst-Kralovetz

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is a multifaceted gynecological disease that affects 10–15% of individuals assigned female at birth. Laparoscopic excision can assist with the removal of endometrial-like tissue and in treatment of infertility an…

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is a chronic benign gynecological condition with substantial lifestyle impairment that lacks a noninvasive diagnostic option. Symptoms consist of chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, and …

In this pilot study, we investigated three minimally to noninvasive biospecimens: cervicovaginal lavages (CVLs), vaginal swabs, and urine, from 18 premenopausal women using untargeted metabolomics to inform future gynecologic research. Meta…

The microbiome is key to understanding endometrial cancer (EC) etiology and prevention strategies, implicated in the regulation of estrogen in estrogen-driven cancers. Utilizing robust methodologies in the QIIME 2 platform, we examined 16S …

Endometrial cancer (EC) rates are continuing to rise and it remains the most common gynecologic cancer in the US. Existing diagnostic methods are invasive and can cause pain and anxiety. Hence, there is a need for less invasive diagnostics …

BACKGROUND: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a multifactorial syndrome that can substantially affect a patient's quality of life. Endometriosis is one cause of CPP, and alterations of the immune and microbiome profiles have been observed in pat…

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of people who experience changes to their menstrual cycle after COVID-19 vaccination. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. PATIENT(S): We recruited a volunteer sample with and without a history of SARS-Co…

BACKGROUND: Patients presenting for gynecologic surgery are a heterogeneous group. Preoperative quality of life may be a useful tool to guide postoperative management. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the key drivers of preoperative …

Adenomyosis is a burdensome gynecologic condition that is associated with pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and abnormal uterine bleeding, leading to a negative impact on quality of life; and yet is often left undiagnosed. We recruited 108 women u…

BACKGROUND: Rates of endometrial cancer (EC) are increasing. For a definitive diagnosis, women undergo various time-consuming and painful medical procedures, such as endometrial biopsy with or without hysteroscopy, and dilation and curettag…

BACKGROUND: Prevotella species are commonly isolated from the reproductive tract of women with obstetric/gynecologic health complications. However, contributions of this genus to changes in local microenvironment are not well characterized.…

Uterine microbiota have been reported under various conditions and populations; however, it is uncertain the level to which these bacteria are residents that maintain homeostasis, tourists that are readily eliminated or invaders that contri…

Low levels of gonadal circulating estrogen observed in post-menopausal women can adversely impact a diverse range of physiological factors, with clinical implications for brain cognition, gut health, the female reproductive tract and other …