Fertility

Gut Health and Fertility – Is the Route to Conception through the Gut?

Kirsten Oddy, Registered Nutritional Therapist   |   17 Jul 2023


Gut Health is a part of wellbeing that is often discussed and promoted in the media that surrounds us in everyday life. But what exactly is it? And what about gut health and fertility, and our trying to conceive game plan? To tell us more about how to look after our gut and the best foods for fertility, we reached out to Kirsten Oddy, a UK Registered Nutritionist.

Over to Kirsten Oddy…

www.kirstenoddy.com | @kirstenoddynutrition

If You’re Struggling to Conceive, You’re Not Alone

About 1 in 8 couples have issues trying to conceive and need fertility help. (1) Whilst it can be a complex issue, new evidence reveals that gut health could be playing a surprisingly significant role. In fact, for some people, an improvement in gut health could be the missing link to an otherwise unexplained fertility concern. Here’s what science can tell us about the fertility-gut microbiome connection:

Firstly, What is the Gut Microbiome?

The gut microbiome is an ecological community that harbours the most diverse and abundant organisms in the body, with over 100 trillion bacteria residing in the gastrointestinal tract alone, providing a broad range of functions (2). Most importantly, the bacteria in the gut can help digest food, synthesise nutrients, break down toxins, improve immune function, protect us from harmful micro-organisms, and, crucially, put you on the path to pregnancy (3).

Related Read- Vegan Recipes to Fuel Fertility – Our Top Picks

Gut-health-and-fertility-microbiome-woman-heartburn

How Does the Microbiome Affect Fertility?

Inflammation

Inflammation can be the driver for many chronic health conditions and unfortunately that also includes infertility. If the healthy bacteria or processes in the gut are compromised or overwhelmed with harmful bacteria, this can lead to a microbial imbalance. This imbalance, particularly in those who are overweight or consume a high fat diet, can in turn lead to an increase in chronic inflammatory responses, contributing to poor egg quality, as well as impaired embryo development in women (4). By enhancing and optimising your gut bacteria, you can greatly reduce inflammation and support fertility.

Vaginal Health

The gut microbiome is not an isolated or closed system; it can also influence the diversity of the reproductive tract microbiome. In fact, the same probiotic species found naturally in the gut are also found in the vagina. This includes a variety of lactobacillus species which contribute to promoting a healthy, supportive environment for implantation. Not only by their presence but also by their production of lactic acid, lactobacilli lowers the vaginal pH and makes it an unfavourable habitat for harmful pathogens to thrive (5). For this reason, experiencing frequent thrush, urinary tract or bladder infections could be signs that your gut is not in the condition it needs to be in – and if the vaginal microbiome is altered, fertility could be affected too.

Oestrogen Metabolism

Oestrogen plays a key role in reproductive health and fertility in both females and males, and surprisingly, your gut health can have a big impact on this hormone. The gut microbiome is one of the main regulators of oestrogen and it does this via an enzyme called ‘beta-glucuronidase’, however, if the gut microbiome is imbalanced, this process can be impaired and interferes with the detoxification of oestrogen, subsequently leading to an increased risk for elevated oestrogen levels, otherwise known as ‘oestrogen dominance’ (6). This oestrogen dominance may then contribute to the development of conditions related to reproductive health and infertility, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome in women (7) and reduction in sperm production for males (8).

Luckily, modulation of the gut microbiome through nutrition has been shown to alleviate many of these oestrogen-driven conditions.

Read More about Sex Hormones – TTC – Charting Your Sex Hormones with Temperature

What are the signs that your gut health may need some TLC?

  • You suffer with abdominal bloating or frequent gas
  • You have regular heartburn or belching
  • You have frequent diarrhoea, constipation or both
  • You feel nauseous or vomit regularly
  • Your stools are messy or greasy
  • You suffer with (un)known food sensitivities
  • You have frequent thrush or urinary tract infections
  • You have PCOS or endometriosis
  • You are overweight and/or struggle to lose weight

Read Article about PCOS – Fertility Help – What is PCOS? By The Women’s Wellness Centre

Gut-health-and-fertility-microbiome-diet-nutrition

Gut health and fertility – how can we optimise?

The composition of the gut microbiome can be influenced by many variables, but the good news – there are many ways you can optimise your gut health for fertility right away. Here are some tips to get you started:

  1. Probiotic foods – Include fermented foods rich in probiotics and enzymes (kefir, miso, sauerkraut, kimchi and natural yoghurt), to repopulate and promote beneficial microbial balance of the gut (9).
  2. Prebiotic foods – Include prebiotic fibres (onions, garlic, artichokes, bananas, legumes, asparagus, chicory and apples), to feed the friendly bacteria in the gut. The increased fibre intake from these foods will also help to promote the excretion of excess oestrogen (10).
  3. Anti-inflammatory diet – consisting of lean protein (beans, chicken and lean beef), oily fish (salmon, sardines and mackerel), healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocado), wholegrains (quinoa, brown rice and spelt) and an abundance of vegetables (from all parts of the colour spectrum), to help promote a healthy gut microbiome, enhance intestinal integrity and reduce inflammation (11).
  4. Limit processed foods, sugar and alcohol – these can promote inflammation and an imbalanced gut (12). Eat whole, fresh foods and swap alcoholic drinks for water or herbal tea.

Related Article – Male Infertility – Calling all Fathers-In-Waiting – Everything You Need to Know about Male Factor Fertility by Clinica Tambre

Your gut undoubtedly lays out the foundation for conception – and a healthy gut means a healthier, more fertile body! So, make sure to choose foods that help with fertility. Kirsten is offering our FHH Readers 10% off her nutritional programmes. Find out more and book here, quoting code ‘fertilityhelphub’.

Default avatar profile icon. Grey photo placeholder. female no photo images for unfilled user profile. Greyscale. Vector illustration isolated on grey background

Want to receive more great articles like this every day? Subscribe to our mailing list

SUBSCRIBE

Tags: , , ,

Follow Us


Fertility

Male infertility – the chemicals you really need to avoid (& the everyday fixes that work)

The environment we live in today is saturated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Thanks to a growing body of research, and expert-led support from teams, we now know a lot more about how male fertility works, and what affects it.

11 May 2025

Fertility Experts

Fertility

The Prelude Network

The Prelude Network is the largest and fastest-growing network of fertility centers in North America, built on providing compassionate care throughout every step of the patient journey.

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Clinica Tambre

Our readers often turn to Spain for fertility treatment. They are pioneers in the field, have excellent IVF success rates and our readers we have sent their way have been delighted

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

CRGH

A leading fertility clinic in the UK, who go above and beyond to help you.

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

California Cryobank

Offers an extensive and diverse catalog of rigorously screened sperm donors and guides you through the process in a professional and caring manner.

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Zita West

Zita West Products is the most complete collection of specialist preconception, conception and pregnancy supplements for men and women.

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

TFP Fertility

An international network of fertility clinics combining 35 years of expertise, world-class care and compassion

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

ReceptivaDx

The groundbreaking test designed to target unexplained infertility.

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Alcea Surrogacy

A full-service surrogacy agency, resolute in a creative, inclusive, and ethical approach to building families.

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Thrive Journey

Your one-stop online wellness program for natural fertility support

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Pinnacle Surrogacy

Fulfilling Dreams By Building Families

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Maigaard

Where clinical excellence meets personalised care

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Proceive

Tailored fertility supplements for women and men

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Femasys

Superior innovation designed for women

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Procriar

The science of fertility. The art of empathy.

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Ferticentro

Where personalised care meets fertility innovation

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Zuri Fertility

Your personal, digital fertility clinic.

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Circle Health Group

The award-winning, largest network of Private Hospitals in the UK offering specialist Gynaecology & Fertility services

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Vie

The art and science of baby-making

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

London Sperm Bank

We build remarkable families

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

London Egg Bank

The Largest UK Egg Bank, leading provider of UK-Sourced Donor Eggs and Egg Donation treatments

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE

Fertility

Kind iVF

We are one of a Kind

VIEW EXPERT PROFILE
Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Follow Us


Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Follow Us


Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Follow Us


Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Follow Us


Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Follow Us


Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Follow Us


Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Follow Us


Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Follow Us


Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Follow Us


Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Follow Us


Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Follow Us


Fertility Help
Fertility Help

Watch & Listen

Follow Us


Follow Us


Follow Us


Follow Us


Follow Us


Follow Us


Follow Us


Follow Us


Follow Us