The Role of Microbiome Health in Fertility and Pregnancy

The Role of Microbiome Health in Fertility and Pregnancy

When you think about fertility and pregnancy, your gut or vaginal bacteria probably aren’t the first things that come to mind. But emerging research shows that your microbiome—the trillions of bacteria living in and on your body—may play a surprisingly important role in reproductive health.

At University Reproductive Associates (URA), we take a whole-body approach to fertility. That includes understanding how your microbiome may be influencing your hormones, immune system, and even your ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy.

What Is the Microbiome?

Your microbiome is the community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that live in various parts of your body—especially your gut, vagina, and reproductive tract. A healthy microbiome helps regulate everything from digestion to immunity, but it also plays a key role in reproductive function.

There are two main microbiomes to consider in fertility:

• The vaginal microbiome
• The gut microbiome

The Vaginal Microbiome and Fertility

A healthy vaginal microbiome is typically dominated by Lactobacillus species, which help maintain an acidic pH and protect against infection. But imbalances can occur, leading to conditions like:

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
• Chronic vaginal infections
• Recurrent miscarriage or implantation failure

Studies suggest that a disrupted vaginal microbiome may:

• Make conception more difficult
• Affect embryo implantation
• Increase the risk of early pregnancy loss
• Contribute to pregnancy complications like preterm birth

Advanced fertility clinics may offer endometrial microbiome testing to detect imbalances that could impact IVF success or recurrent pregnancy loss.

The Gut Microbiome and Hormonal Balance

The gut microbiome also plays a critical role in fertility—particularly in regulating estrogen metabolism and immune function. Imbalances in the gut can contribute to:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Endometriosis
• Autoimmune disorders
• Thyroid dysfunction

All of these conditions can interfere with ovulation, implantation, and pregnancy outcomes.

Additionally, the gut and vaginal microbiomes are interconnected—so what happens in the gut can influence the health of your reproductive tract.

How to Support Your Microbiome for Fertility and Pregnancy

You can’t control every aspect of your microbiome, but there are steps you can take to support microbial health:

• Eat a diverse, fiber-rich diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Incorporate probiotic and prebiotic foods, like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, garlic, and onions
• Avoid unnecessary antibiotics, which can disrupt good bacteria
• Use gentle, pH-balanced vaginal products—and skip douching
• Consider targeted probiotics (ask your provider which strains are most helpful)

At URA, we can help you evaluate whether microbiome testing or support strategies might improve your fertility or pregnancy success.

A New Frontier in Reproductive Health

The connection between microbiome health and fertility is still an emerging field, but it’s one with exciting potential. As science evolves, we’re learning more about how supporting the microbiome might improve IVF success rates, reduce miscarriage risk, and support healthier pregnancies.

Explore the Full Picture of Your Fertility at URA

At University Reproductive Associates, we believe in looking beyond the basics. Our experienced reproductive endocrinologists offer in-depth testing and personalized fertility care that considers every factor—including your microbiome health.

If you’ve been struggling to conceive, experienced pregnancy loss, or are preparing for IVF, our team can help you explore all the possibilities.