You’ve gone to obstetrics and endocrine specialists to learn why you can’t get pregnant. Perhaps you’ve also completed several rounds of in-vitro fertilization to no avail. These attempts may leave you questioning, “Can gut health affect fertility?”

If you’ve struggled with gastrointestinal problems or are regularly sick, your gut health may be the culprit. This is because when the bacteria in your belly are unbalanced, it could lead to several health issues and diseases, including infertility. 

But is a supplement all it takes to conceive, and what can you do to improve your gut health? This guide will explain how an unhealthy gut may negatively affect fertility and ways to improve your gastrointestinal health.

How Does the Gut Microbiome Affect Your Health?

The gut microbiome is one of the most critical indicators of healthiness. Some regard it as an ecosystem of trillions of beneficial microscopic organisms — viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites — within your intestinal tract. 

These microorganisms in the gut protect the body from harmful pathogens and boost your immunity. A diverse microbiome also helps you digest food and prevent chronic conditions. Of course, an unhealthy gut often leads to significant bodily troubles, like irritable bowel syndrome, skin disorders, inflammation, mental health issues, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

The living microorganisms — also called microbiota — contribute 150 times more genetic information than the entire human genome. When they are unbalanced, many people experience bloating, diarrhea, fatigue and constipation. 

The Gut-Fertility Connection: Can Gut Health Affect Fertility?

If you’re struggling with infertility, you’re not alone. The World Health Organization says infertility affects one in six adults worldwide — 17.5% of the global population. The condition is marked by the inability to fall pregnant after trying for 12 months. Despite its prevalence, treatments are vastly underfunded and inaccessible due to their costliness.

But what if you make changes to your lifestyle and diet? Can gut health affect fertility? As the gut impacts so many different parts of the body, it makes sense for a healthy gut microbiome to also aid conception. Various studies have shown how gut health affects fertility, especially in people who do not receive adequate nutrients.

For example, people living in Japan eat far less fiber than the recommended 24 grams daily. At the same time, some have suggested that unhealthy gut microbiota may cause some to develop polycystic ovarian syndrome — the leading cause of infertility among women. 

The gut microbiota affects and is affected by estrogen metabolism in the body. Lower estrogen may lead to obesity, metabolic syndrome, heart disease and neurological disorders. Conversely, too much estrogen is a precursor for endometriosis and cancer, such as breast, ovarian, endometrial and cervical. 

All of these female reproductive and endocrine disorders are why women need to regulate their sex hormones. Avoiding a high-fat diet — which may introduce carcinogens and influence gut microbiota — can decrease the risk of these diseases in women.

Ways to Support Gut Health for Fertility

Infertility is enough to rock anybody’s world who is trying to start a family. Often, the desire for children amid this condition leaves you with emotional and financial hardship. Although it may not be a solution for everyone, promoting gut health could boost your chances of conception — if anything, it can increase your overall health. Here are three ways to improve your gut health for optimal fertility. 

Dietary Changes

A probiotic-rich diet is a cornerstone of gut health. As such, incorporating gut-friendly ingredients into your meals is essential. Fermented foods are the best natural sources of probiotics, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, sourdough, kimchi, pickles, miso and kombucha. Some people also eat tempeh and kefir. 

Depending on the type of yogurt you eat, it could contain 90-500 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) per serving — the amount of live bacteria in any given product. Many people prefer to eat yogurt for gut health since they can have it for breakfast or a healthy snack during the day.

Otherwise, adding more fiber to your diet, eating colorful fruits and vegetables, and limiting processed foods benefit more diverse microbiota. Just be mindful of pickled goods, though, as some might be higher in sodium. The salt in these foods, such as pickles themselves, could cause more bloating and inflammation. 

Probiotic Supplements

You can always take probiotic supplements if you struggle to eat enough probiotics in your diet or don’t enjoy fermented foods. Gut health supplements aim to rebuild diverse microbiota in the gut microbiome. 

The brand you choose may offer different CFUs and probiotic strains. For example, OLLY Probiotic + Probiotic With Fiber contains 500 billion CFUs in each capsule, while Physician’s Choice Organic Prebiotics has 60 billion CFUs — however, the latter includes 10 strains. 

Some probiotic supplements target specific gut health problems, such as cognition or digestion. Naturally, you can find supplements to boost fertility. AGNOSITOL Prebiotics by Apotheke includes Lactobacillus crispatus and Gasseri Pink strains for vaginal health and hormonal balance for fertility. Likewise, Pink Stork Prenatal Probiotics for Women comes with vitamin B-6 to combat morning sickness and low energy once you get pregnant.

Stress Management

Not many people understand how mental health can affect gut health and vice versa. However, when you are under extreme or chronic stress, it can be harder to conceive. The human body goes through changes during the fight-or-flight response, activating gastrointestinal symptoms. 

There are many strategies you can try to manage your stress levels better. For example, exercising regularly produces endorphins — the happiness hormone. Meditation and yoga are other ways to relax your mind and body. Growing awareness of your feelings can also provide insight into when you should show yourself grace and self-care. 

Baby Bliss With a Healthier Gut

Your gut microbiome impacts every part of your body and well-being. Since the science says gut health affects fertility, you should focus on improving what you can. There are no guarantees you’ll become pregnant by increasing your probiotics for diversified microbiota. Still, you may very well be able to start the family of your dreams and maintain good health simultaneously.