Why Gut Health Matters When Trying to Conceive

The connection between gut health and family planning is often overlooked, yet it plays a significant role in fertility. Looking back on my own fertility journey, I remember experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms that I didn’t think much of at that time. If this sounds familiar, it's important to understand that your gut health affects not only your overall wellbeing but also your reproductive health and fertility outcomes. Optimising your gut environment before trying to conceive can make a real difference for you and your future family.

So, what exactly goes into understanding gut health? The truth is, you can’t truly know what’s going on in your gut without closely studying your gut environment. Thanks to advances in technology, there are now gut analysis tools and tests available that can provide detailed insights. However, these tests may not always be affordable or accessible for everyone.

How can you tell if your gut health might be compromised? One of the simplest ways to assess your gut health is by observing your bowel movements. Monitoring your stool is a cheap and easy way to get an idea of your gut health. The Bristol Stool Chart can help you understand what a healthy bowel movement should look like. If your stool matches type 3 or 4 on the chart, you’re within the normal range. However, anything outside of this should be addressed. Ignoring gut health when planning to conceive is like ignoring other health issues that could impact fertility. Undiagnosed gut problems can silently increase inflammation in the body, which can interfere with the normal production and function of reproductive hormones, including oestrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, testosterone, and thyroid hormones. Addressing these issues early on can help support your fertility journey.

Another way to assess gut health is by looking at its ability to absorb nutrients, which are essential for overall wellbeing and reproductive health. There are medical tools and procedures that can help identify gut health issues. Laboratory tests can check for micronutrient deficiencies, while scans and procedures like gastroscopy or enteroscopy can help detect inflammation or disease in the small intestine. These assessments provide valuable insights into how your gut health impacts your body.

But how do you know if you need these tests? It’s not always practical or cost-effective to undergo a range of tests unnecessarily. A sign that your gut health may need attention includes feeling constantly exhausted or tired, even after a full night’s sleep. You might also feel irritable, run-down, or generally unwell without a clear cause. These could be signals that your gut health needs attention.

In recent years, growing evidence has shown the significant role the gut microbiome plays in fertility. From supporting the production and function of reproductive hormones to influencing metabolic health, the gut microbiome is central to fertility success, pregnancy health, and a child’s early development. Poor gut health, often caused by an imbalance in the gut microbiome (known as dysbiosis), can lead to long-term health challenges if left unaddressed, potentially affecting both the mother and the child.

Seeking the help of a dietitian can be a game-changer when it comes to optimising your gut health for fertility. A dietitian can assess your current diet, identify any nutrient gaps, and offer personalised advice on how to support your gut microbiome through nutrition. With expert guidance, you can make informed choices that will benefit both your fertility and overall health.

Optimising your gut health before trying to conceive is a crucial step in supporting your fertility and wellbeing. By nurturing a healthy gut microbiome, you can improve hormone balance, enhance nutrient absorption, and create a healthier environment for pregnancy. Taking proactive steps now can have lasting positive effects on both your health and the health of your future family.

If you’re unsure where to start, a dietitian can offer personalised guidance to help you make informed decisions tailored to your unique needs.

Some interesting articles

1. Qi X, Yun C, Pang Y, Qiao J. The impact of the gut microbiota on the reproductive and metabolic endocrine system. Gut Microbes. 2021 Jan-Dec;13(1):1-21. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2021.1894070. PMID: 33722164; PMCID: PMC7971312.

   
   

2. Kaltsas A, Zachariou A, Markou E, Dimitriadis F, Sofikitis N, Pournaras S. Microbial Dysbiosis and Male Infertility: Understanding the Impact and Exploring Therapeutic Interventions. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2023; 13(10):1491. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13101491

   
   

3. Bristol stool chart. Continence Oundation of Australia. Retrieved January 26, 2025, from https://www.continence.org.au/sites/default/files/2023-02/Bristol_Stool_Chart_PDF-compressed.pdf