Vaginal, Uterine and Seminal Microbiome Testing and Fertility

Understanding the balance of healthy and harmful bacteria, fungi or viruses sitting in the vagina, the uterus and/or the semen can provide further information into causes of infertility. 

The vaginal microbiome refers to the community of bacteria that naturally live in the vagina.

The uterine microbiome is a more recently discovered community of microorganisms in the uterus. 

A healthy vaginal and uterine microbiome supports sperm survival and safe passage for the egg, promotes an implantation friendly environment in the uterus, reduces risk of chronic inflammation and infection, influences pregnancy success rates and prevents conditions like bacterial vaginosis and endometritis.

The seminal microbiome refers to the community of bacteria and microorganisms that live in semen. Just like your gut, mouth and skin have their own microbiomes, so does semen. These microorganisms play an essential role in male reproductive health. 

A healthy seminal microbiome is important for sperm health and function, influence on fertilisation and embryo development, immune modulation, infection and inflammation, impact on iVF and ART outcomes.

Testing these environments and identifying issues with the microbiome can be a really important missing link in understanding recurrent implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, failed IVF cycles and chronically thin lining. 

What you can expect with testing – your practitioner orders the test, you will then need to collect a semen sample, a vaginal swab sample and a menstrual blood sample and follow the instructions to store them in the specially designed tubes with preservatives and then post them back to the lab. 

Whenever we do this testing, we need to test both partners (if heterosexual couple). There’s a possibility you’re both transferring pathogens back and forth during unprotected sex. 

Treatment would depend on what was found. The aim of treatment would always be to bring all microbiomes into balance to support reproductive health and pregnancy. We want a good amount of good bacteria and we want to eliminate the bad microorganisms. Sometimes this might be with antibiotics for you both and abstinence until the dysbiosis is sorted. 

If this testing is something you feel like could be the missing link in your fertility story, please send me an email hello@paigewatersacupuncture.com.au