Biopsychosocial Influences on the Gut Microbiome in Women’s Health: Moving Towards Eubiosis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Research on the human microbiome, particularly the gut microbiome, has expanded rapidly as its influence on health and behavior becomes increasingly evident. Once understood primarily in terms of digestion and immune function, the microbiome is now recognized as a key contributor to brain function, mood regulation, and social behavior. Emerging evidence links microbial dysbiosis to the onset and persistence of mood disorders, opening new pathways for mental health research and intervention. This paper challenges reductionist biomedical models by advancing a biopsychosocial framework for interpreting health outcomes related to microbiome dynamics. The gut-brain axis illustrates the biological complexity of these interactions, with microbial communities shaping neurodevelopment and neurotransmitter production. Psychologically, alterations in microbial composition have been associated with depression, anxiety, and stress responsivity, while social determinants-including early-life environments, socioeconomic conditions, and relationships-structure microbial variation in ways that may reinforce existing health inequities. Focusing on women's health, this narrative review examines how microbial states both influence and are shaped by interconnected biological, psychological, and social factors. Interdisciplinary implications of microbiome research for understanding and achieving eubiosis and holistic models care in both research and clinical practice are discussed.
Source: Behavioral Sciences
DOI: 10.3390/bs16050627
Language: English
Topic: Gut microbiota and health
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,654
OpenAlex ID: W7155160307