MYF 71 | How Your Vaginal & Uterine Microbiome Influence Fertility with Angela Heap
Welcome to Episode 71!
In episode 71, we interview Nutritional Therapist, Angela Heap, about the impact of the vaginal and uterine microbiome on fertility. In other words, how the bacteria and other microorganisms in your reproductive tract can actually influence your ability to get pregnant and carry successfully to term. The new research coming out on this topic has huge implications for women struggling with infertility and definitely has the potential to change treatment protocols for assisted reproductive procedures in the future. Tune in to learn about:
How the vaginal and uterine microbiome affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes
Specific species that are supposed to live in the vagina and how they protect us from harmful organisms and infection
Which lifestyle and environmental factors have the biggest influence the reproductive microbiome
How we might see changes to IUI and IVF treatment protocols as microbiome research continues to unfold
What women can do to investigate and improve vaginal and uterine microbiome health
You'll definitely find this episode helpful if you experience issues like recurrent UTIs or yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, vaginal itching, discharge, or odor, or you have a previous history of group b strep during pregnancy. It will also be helpful in for those with endometritis, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, hydrosalpinx, and thin uterine lining or implantation failure during fertility treatment.
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Links to Angela’s Work and Other Resources
Angela’s Website: Fertile Ground Nutrition
Angela’s Social Media: Instagram
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Show Notes:
6:25 Angela’s background and her journey to working in fertility nutrition
8:30 How she started learning more about the reproductive microbiome and implementing this work with clients
10:20 An overview of the female microbiome and it’s critical functions
12:30 Species of beneficial bacteria that belong in the vagina and can help protect us from infection and harm
20:55 Some of the major things can disrupt that balance of beneficial bacteria and cause dysbiosis and fertility complications
24:30 Why we need to focus on building up beneficial bacteria and be very careful with killing off opportunistic species
28:55 Probiotics for vaginal health need to include the right strains – you can’t just pick anything and expect it to help
30:30 How the vaginal and uterine microbiome can impact pregnancy success and outcomes
36:55 Understanding group B strep and some of the important considerations around testing and treatment
43:25 How stool and vaginal pH testing can help shed light on what’s happening in the vaginal microbiome
48:20 How your hormones can actually affect the health and balance of the reproductive microbiome
56:25 Testing options and how this might become more integrated into conventional treatments
66:45 What you can start doing to take better care of your microbiome