Scientists are on a quest to chart a comprehensive map of the vagina — namely, an atlas that catalogs the diverse range of microorganisms that live there.
These microbes are collectively known as the vaginal microbiome, and they include bacteria, fungi and simple organisms called archaea, along with viruses, although viruses are not technically "alive." Shifts in the abundances of these microbes, especially the bacteria, have been linked to various health conditions, including pregnancy complications, such as preterm birth; chronic diseases, like endometriosis; and infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs) and human papillomavirus (HPV).
