Gut health and fertility are closely related. The gut plays an essential role in your overall health. It affects you differently- it impacts the immune, reproductive systems and digestion.
The microorganisms in your gut affect your health throughout your lifetime. Although the effects of bacteria are generally positive, microbes can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome. This imbalance can be triggered by many different factors, such as stress, diet or poor sleep. There is strong evidence suggesting that microbial imbalance will activate the immune cells leading to inflammation. Inflammation is our body’s way to fight invaders and toxins.
Gut imbalance and reproductive system
This gut imbalance can also affect the function of your feminine organs. Evidence shows that gut dysbiosis is associated with a particular condition called endometriosis. Endometriosis is caused by cells from the lining of the womb (uterus) migrating elsewhere in the body. So far, research indicates that 1 in 10 women suffer from endometriosis. Gut imbalance can cause excessive production of oestrogen. High levels of oestrogen stimulate these misplaces cells and cause them to react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding. The cells in the womb will leave the body as a period but this blood caused by the misplaced cells do not have any way out. Thus, they will cause an abnormal inflammatory response and a lot of discomfort and pain. Here is where gut health and fertility go hand in hand.
Women who are oestrogen predominant should be careful at foods containing biogenic amines. These foods are found in fermented foods such as red wine and beer, pickles and mature cheeses. They are known to increase susceptibility to actions of adrenaline and noradrenaline, which in turn affects your other hormones. You can find out more about the link between gut health and fertility by visiting this website. They are specialised in any gut problem and offer different tips, recipes and they even sell gut-friendly snacks.
Gut microbiome and fertility
A healthy gut limits inflammation and oxidative stress, which is a major cause of unexplained fertility (70%) and recurrent pregnancy loss. Following an active lifestyle and eating correctly will increase the proportion of beneficial microbiomes, improving your metabolic health and the chances to become pregnant. This will make your gut healthier and increase fertility rates.
Alterations in the gut microbiome can impact the level of oestrogen (either too low or too high). This will lead to disruptions of the menstrual cycle, irregular periods, impaired ovulation, PCOS and endometriosis, ultimately affecting your fertility success.
Conclusion
Gut and fertility are closer than ever. With all the processed food, chemicals, stress and bad sleep routine we tend to have, it can become difficult to follow a healthy routine! However, you have to pay attention to yourself if you want to live well and be happy. Keeping in touch with your hormones will take you one step closer and it will help you improve your overall health and wellbeing. It will also increase your fertility success if you want to become pregnant at some point. A healthy diet, tailored to your needs, together with an active lifestyle will help you maintain or improve your gut health.
If you are interested, you can check this article for more information regarding gut health and why it is important to look after it. Similarly, if you are curious to see what foods disrupt the gut, read this.