Can Probiotics Improve Fertility? |

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Health and wellness fads often come and go, but one worth considering has stuck around: probiotics. Over the past decades many have studied the potential benefits of probiotics, healthy bacteria that advantage your body. Your gut health and digestive system need probiotics to run smoothly and well. These good bacteria also help fight against bad bacteria in your digestive system. The advantages don’t stop there, however, as many studies have shown benefits throughout the body. One of those benefits is a link between reproductive system and fertility, showing that probiotics can help with fertility issues.

The Story Behind Probiotics and Fertility

Not every element of the relationship between probiotics and fertility is known. However, it’s clear that probiotics can support healthy reproductive systems in both males and females. Some of the benefits seem related to probiotics’ effect on inflammation overall. Other benefits are related to the reproductive organ microbiome, which takes its cue from the health of the gut microbiome. Not all the reasons are known, yet, but probiotics do influence reproductive health.

Here are a few known reproductive issues that probiotics can regulate and improve:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
This syndrome, caused by hormonal imbalances that affect ovulation and characterized by obesity and abnormal hair growth on face or body, is common to women and often makes conceiving difficult. Probiotics help lower inflammation related to PCOS. Regulating your gut microbiota also shows improvement in production of sex hormones that are off balance from PCOS.
Bacterial Infections
Bacterial infections can affect both the male and female reproductive systems, and taking a regular probiotic can help to boost the immune system and fight such infections, thus rendering them less serious. Many studies have shown this to be the case. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common infections found in the female genital tract, and this can, when left untreated, lead to difficulties becoming pregnant.
Endometriosis
Another inflammatory condition, where tissue that grows in the uterus normally, begins growing outside the uterus. Severe menstrual cramps, heavy periods, and infertility are signs of endometriosis. Research has found that probiotics help alleviate pain, limit growth of abnormal tissue, and help balance the microbiome of the uterus and health of the lining of the uterus.
Sperm issues
Infertility may be because of the male partner, often because of issues with sperm. Studies have shown that an imbalance in the male reproductive organs usually means problems with sperm and difficulty conceiving. Regulating the reproductive microbiome is tied to the gut microbiome. Certain probiotics can help both your gut and your sperm. Taking a lactobacillus strain of probiotic could help to create healthier sperm, and therefore improve general male fertility overall.

Many studies are still being done into the major effects of probiotics and their positive effects on fertility. However, the findings we do have are certainly very encouraging.

Which Probiotics Should You Take For Fertility Improvement?

Before you begin taking any kind of supplement, always speak to your doctor first. Everyone is different and this means that while one supplement might work well for one person, it doesn’t mean it will for you. Make sure you get advice from a medical professional.

You have two main options – you can increase the probiotic content in your diet, or you can take a supplement. Obviously the dietary route is the natural option of the two, but not everyone finds it easy to get the right amount of probiotic content from their diet alone. Yogurt is one food which is high in probiotics, but you should always check that the label says ‘live and active cultures’, as not every type of yogurt actually contains probiotics. Aside from yogurt, anything fermented, like kimchi, kefir, and sauerkraut are good options.

Supplements vary according to the types of probiotics in them. There are countless supplements on the market, and not all of them are effective. Be sure to consider probiotics that are developed effectively and with ingredients that allow for the proper environment. There are also supplements which are targeted mainly for men and probiotic supplements for women. Again, shop around and find the best option.

Overall, doctors and researches consider the following probiotic strains a good option for fertility improvement:

L. rhamnosus
L. reuteri
L. plantarum
L. gasseri
Bifidobacterium lactis V9

When doing your research into the best probiotic for your needs, look for these strains in particular. For probiotics to be most effective, you must ensure that you live a healthy and active lifestyle. This alongside probiotics will help improve your overall wellbeing and your chances of conceiving in the future.

Are There Any Side Effects?

After years of research and testing in various studies, probiotics usually seem safe for individuals. However, the side effects have not been studied in particular. Side effects could include infections, increase of antibiotic resistant strains in your digestive systems, or other harmful substances produced by probiotics. Some probiotics may have have other substances, not included on the label, that can damage your body. Be sure to choose a high quality probiotic.

Always remember to read the label on the supplement you choose and follow the instructions, as there is no uniform way to take a probiotic. Researchers are still working to identify proper dosage of probiotics, so again, it’s about reading the instructions and following advice. If you’re at all unsure, have a chat with your doctor first and ask for advice. You could also focus on your diet too, and try and increase the amount of probiotics you consume on a daily basis.

While gut health is the best-known benefit of taking regular probiotics, they can also help to reduce inflammation, fight infection, and improve reproductive organ microbiomes. These are all factors which affect fertility, so by adding probiotics to your diet, you could drastically improving your chances of conceiving.