Optimize Your Fertility Through The Reproductive Microbiome

The reproductive microbiome is essential to your fertility. It influences…

✔️ Egg & sperm growth & development

✔️ Fertilization

✔️ Embryo migration

✔️ Implantation

✔️ Embryo development

✔️ Placental function

✔️ Pregnancy health

✔️ Labor initiation

Good news! There are a bazillion easy ways to support your fertility by optimizing the beneficial microbes that live in your reproductive tract and gut! Dare I say that the gut is an extension of your reproduction?

▪️Nutrition

Vegetables

Mother nature made the perfect food for your microbiome when she grew vegetable fibers. Fiber is the perfect tasty treat to beef up the colonization of your gut with beneficial bugs. This party in your belly migrates to all the parts of your reproductive system.

Prebiotic Foods

My foodie favorites in this category include:

Artichoke
Onion
Asparagus
Cabbage
Garlic
Beet
Mushrooms
Leek
Chickpeas
Flaxseed

Fermented Foods

The ultimate bug containing foods include:

Sauerkraut
Kimchi
Yogurt
Kefir
Miso

▪️Hormones

The balance of estrogen and progesterone directly influences microbial balance within the reproductive system.

Changes in hormonal balance happen

throughout the menstrual cycle
in different conditions associated with fertility (endometriosis, PCOS)
with hormonal contraception (oral & IUD)
when using HRT
during pregnancy and
in menopause

If you struggle with hormone imbalance for any reason consider working with a trusted provider to sort this out.

▪️Menstrual Products

Anything you’re putting in your vagina or near it can influence the microbial environment. This could include

tampons
pads
menstrual cups
period panties
fingers
ultrasound wands
toys
penis
underwear
lubricants
moisturizers
soaps
suppositories
medications

Oh, so many things!

Choose organic cotton menstrual products to minimize exposure to pesticide residue, plastics, and other chemicals that weren’t meant to be in this amazing place. It all influences your vaginal microbiome.

Things that go in your vagina could be a post of their own. Be mindful!

▪️Oral Hygiene

I bet you haven’t thought about the relationship between your mouth, vagina, uterus, ovaries, and placenta but I’m here to tell ya… YOU NEED TO!

Here’s a friendly reminder that your mouth is the beginning of the road for your digestive tract so the bugs that live there (and there are many), make their way to other places. There is even movement of bugs from your mouth through the bloodstream to all the other nooks and crannies of your body.

In fact, the placental microbiome most resembles that of the oral microbiome. Are you rushing to the bathroom to brush and floss right now? Your morning yuck mouth could be influencing your fertility.

So if you’ve been putting off your biannual visit to the dentist, RUN, don’t walk!

▪️Avoid Unnecessary Antimicrobials

Unneccessary Antibiotics

Well, the antimicrobial craze we’ve had for the last decade has certainly intensified recently. Before you start messaging me, I’m not saying don’t use antibiotics. They can be lifesaving and necessary. But, let’s not reach for them for ALL. THE. THINGS.

Antibacterial Soap

And get rid of the antibacterial soaps for everyday use. Hot water will do the trick.

Douching

I get a gazillion questions about douching. Listen, people with vaginas, you don’t need this. Vaginas are supposed to have discharge and a scent. Let’s normalize this! Now can these things also be signs of imbalance and infection, YES, but that’s why it’s *so* important to get to know your vagina in all of its glory.

There is a time and place for douching, but not as a regular practice. Don’t do it! It strips your healthy bacteria right out.

If you’re concerned about your scent or discharge see your provider!

If you want to get to know your vagina better, and all of the liquids and scents it produces check out my other blogs HERE, HERE, and HERE! You could also grab a copy of one of my all-time fave books on the topic, “The Fifth Vital Sign” by Lisa Hendrickson-jack.

▪️Supplemental Probiotics

Probiotics used orally and vaginally can absolutely support your reproductive microbiome. Now I don’t recommend heading to your local store, buying your favorite probiotic, and putting it in your vagina. Work with a knowledgeable provider on this.

However, oral probiotics, especially with Lactobacillus species have been shown to really improve the situation.

Here are a few strains with a good track record:

Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus crispatus

You Don’t Have To Do This Alone!

If you’re thinking about getting pregnant or struggling with fertility, pregnancy loss, unsuccessful IUI, or IVF consider working with a holistically-minded provider who can offer a thorough assessment of your whole health and provide personalized therapeutic options. Or let me know if you need some 1:1: support! 🙂

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I always hope that my posts are supportive of your journey. There are additional resources and references below. Leave me a comment, check back often, and reach out if you need a partner in this process! Thanks so much for reading.

If you haven’t done so already, check out my other fertility-related blog posts, sign up for my newsletter, grab my FREE fertility guide, connect with me on social media, and reach out for help if you need it!

And finally, if you know a fellow fertility babe in the thick of TTC, please share the love!💞

XO + baby dust,

Tamara 🙋🏻‍♀️

Additional Resources

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