If you are thinking about or trying to become pregnant, there are a number of steps you can take to improve your health that have a positive impact on your fertility. Eating a diet that consists of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, unsaturated fats, nuts, seeds, beans and lean protein are recommended. But did you know that not only what you eat, but how you digest your food can impact your fertility? That’s right, there’s a growing body of research that something called your gut microbiome can have a significant impact on your reproductive health.
Microbiome is a big word, but simply put, your gut is the home to all kinds of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi that have a strong influence on not only your digestion, but also your overall health, including your fertility. And research studies have uncovered the fact that disruptions in your microbiome, also called dysbiosis, can be caused by factors such as stress, lack of sleep, environmental toxins, inactivity, diet and some medications (e.g. acid blockers and antibiotics). An upset in your gut microbiome can negatively affect your fertility in a number of ways, including:
- How you absorb nutrients. The organisms in your gut work to break down the foods you eat and help you absorb their nutrients. They help your body produce certain vitamins and they also metabolize hormones. An unhealthy gut can translate into poor absorption of nutrients, including those that are essential to your fertility and reproductive health.
- How estrogen is metabolized. While estrogen is an essential reproductive hormone, the amount in your body must be in the right balance for conception and a healthy pregnancy to occur. What does your gut have to do with this? Estrogen is metabolized in your gut, however an issue with the microbiome can slow down that metabolism. This can lead to higher or lower than ideal levels of estrogen, upsetting the balance of this hormone in your body. This can lead to uterine lining issues, and also cause irregular menstrual cycles.
- How your body handles inflammation. An out of balance gut microbiome can cause inflammation. And while you may not experience obvious symptoms of low grade and chronic inflammation, it can affect many of your body’s systems, including reproductive function. It can upset the production, signaling and balance of sex hormones, disrupt your menstrual cycle, cause endometrial inflammation, suppress ovulation, and in men, it can diminish the quality of sperm.
How stress can affect your microbiome, and ultimately your fertility. Scientists have discovered that your brain and gut communicate through a two-directional pathway called the gut-brain axis. For example, think about the last time you were really nervous. Chances are you felt that nervousness as a tightening in your stomach. That was your brain communicating with your gut. Stress and emotional upsets can kill your appetite, cause an upset stomach and even cause diarrhea—and upset the balance of microorganisms in your gut. This can set off a cascade of reproductive issues, such as hormone disruptions and imbalances, lack of ovulation, and lower sperm quality in men.
Help for Gut Dysbiosis
Sometimes it can be hard to recognize gut imbalances because the symptoms are so varied and sometimes seemingly unrelated to your digestion. That said, digestive issues can be the first clue that your gut is out of balance. However, fatigue, skin rashes, brain fog, anxiety, depression and food intolerances can also be symptoms of dysbiosis.
If you have been diagnosed or think you have gut dysbiosis, there are a number of things that you can do to improve your health. This includes adding fermented foods and probiotics to your diet, reducing the stress in your life, getting regular exercise, getting adequate sleep and drinking plenty of water.
And while you may not think about acupuncture first when it comes to resetting the balance of your gut, research is suggesting that maybe you should. A review of 32 studies has demonstrated that acupuncture or electroacupuncture can regulate the composition of gut microbes, resulting in the improvement of a number of clinical conditions. The researchers concluded acupuncture helped to restore gut microbial balance, supported intestinal barrier function and helped balance the interplay between gut microbes, the gut-brain axis and the immune system.
In addition, if you’re thinking about seeking out acupuncture for fertility issues, it’s good to know that acupuncture helps restore the balance of hormones, including reproductive and stress hormones through something called the HPA (hypothalamic pituitary adrenal) axis in your brain. Acupuncture also reduces inflammation and supports the function of your ovaries and uterus by increasing the flow of blood to those organs. And it is also well-documented that acupuncture is an effective treatment for mental health issues and the long-term consequences to your health from chronic stress.
The bottom line is that every facet of your health is interrelated. While it may seem random, the microbial health of your gut can have a significant impact on your immunity, mood, mental health, energy levels, weight and reproductive health. If you’d like to know more about how acupuncture can help improve the health of your gut, your fertility or your general health, please contact me.
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Dr. Jeda Boughton is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Registered Acupuncturist in Vancouver. She is also a Registered Herbologist and the founder of BodaHealth.
