It is so frustrating and devastating to think you are doing everything right to get pregnant and yet you are struggling with infertility or recurrent miscarriage. You may have been told you have ‘unexplained infertility’. In most cases it should be more aptly renamed ‘undiagnosed infertility’, in other words, not every test available has been utilised to find out what is going on.
This is where I can help you as a Fertility Support Trained acupuncturist. This means, that in addition to my acupuncture training, I also have vast knowledge in the western side of infertility. This allows me to work with you and suggest tests that have been missed out. I also have extensive training in microbiome testing and this is one test that I find invaluable in getting to the source of infertility.
What is the Microbiome?
The microbiome refers to the diverse community of microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea) living in the human body. This community has been increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in various aspects of health, including fertility.
The microbiome of a woman, particularly in the reproductive tract, can influence hormonal balance and, consequently fertility, pregnancy and it may indirectly impact sperm health. The vagina has its own unique microbiome, primarily dominated by the Lactobacillus species. The Lactobacillus species is beneficial or ‘friendly’ and contributes to the prevention of infections by producing lactic acid. This produces an acidic environment that is inhospitable to many pathogenic or ‘unfriendly’ bacteria.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection caused by a decrease in beneficial Lactobacillus species and an increase in harmful bacteria. It has been associated with increased risk of pregnancy complications, including preterm birth, low birth weight and miscarriage. It can also cause Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) that can lead to scarring and damage to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, potentially causing fertility problems.
The great news is the microbiome test is a simple, relatively cheap home test. As a specialist in fertility, I am registered as a practitioner to order the tests for you and evaluate the results. Once I get your results, I will tell you if you need targeted antibiotics and/or probiotics to get your environment ready for implantation. It is the fraction of the cost of IVF and may help you avoid the need to go down that route.
So, who should be tested? Everyone! Some of you may have noticed signs of an imbalance in your vagina, such as changes in odour, discharge or an itching pain. Some may have never noticed any issues, but that doesn’t exclude you from being affected. In 30% of cases, an unbalanced microbiome does not present with any symptoms, but maybe silently affecting your fertility.
With all this in mind, testing your microbiome health should be on your tick list of tests when you are carrying out your fertility MOT or pregnant. Not only could it help you conceive but could also ensure a healthy pregnancy and birth. This is just one of the many tests that I get my patients to do when exploring the cause of infertility or preparing for conception, but there are many more. Why not contact me and let me help you navigate your fertility pathway to reach your ultimate destination.
