Trying to conceive? Here’s how to look after your vaginal microbiome

What is the vaginal microbiome?

Put simply, the vaginal microbiome is bacteria living in your vagina.

It’s a micro ecosystem that constantly fluctuates during the menstrual cycle and over the course of a woman’s life. A healthy vaginal microbiome will have lower diversity of bacteria species. And ideally, it’s dominated by the Lactobacillus genus. (This is in stark contrast to what scientists call a “healthy gut” – characterised by trillions of bacteria from different species, residing in one place.)

Why is the vaginal microbiome important?

Research suggests that having a healthy vaginal microbiome is crucial for fertility and conception. During a woman’s fertile window, the vaginal pH rises from 4 or 5 to 7 (the same pH level as semen), making it a much more friendly environment for sperm.

The dominant bacteria (lactobacillus) in the vagina keep the acidic levels in check throughout a woman’s cycle. Maintaining optimal pH levels in the vagina also helps to defend against pathogens, playing an important role in conserving a woman’s overall health.

Studies have shown that women whose vaginal microbiome is dominated by lactobacillus (≥ 90%) have a higher success rate for pregnancy and live births.

On the other hand, a vaginal microbiome consisting of <90% lactobacillus has been positively correlated with miscarriage. And, women with an unhealthy vaginal microbiota are seven times less likely to get pregnant from IVF. This is partly due to the suboptimal endometrial environment, inhibiting the chances of embryo implantation.

How can I support my vaginal microbiome?

If you’re on antibiotics or suffer from recurrent infections or endometriosis, you might find you have an unbalanced vaginal microbiome. Fortunately, there are things you can do to support the healthy balance of bacteria in your vagina.

But even if you don’t have endometriosis and haven’t taken antibiotics for some time, it’s important to eat well, drink lots of water, take regular exercise, avoid cigarettes and alcohol and minimise stress (all the things you’re likely already doing when TTC) to help your vaginal microbiome.

To restore healthy levels in your vaginal microbiome, these lifestyle changes can make a difference in a matter of days. But dysbiosis (imbalance) often returns, if you drop your microbiome-supporting habits. Research shows a significant positive impact on vaginal microbiome and sperm motility just weeks after starting a premium probiotic. And these continue, as long as the high-quality probiotic is ingested.

Taking an oral probiotic containing lactobacillus is also proven to restore the vaginal microbiome to healthy levels in up to 82% of women, subsequently improving fertility and chances of getting pregnant, as well as minimising infections during menopause.

Supporting your vaginal microbiome throughout your cycle.

To prepare the body for conception, women should take a high-quality fertility supplement for at least three months prior to trying to conceive.

When it comes to supporting the endometrium for conception and implantation, take a fertility probiotic from the first day of your cycle. This gives your vaginal microbiome sufficient time to develop into an optimal environment for conception and pregnancy.

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