Vaginal Health & Fertility: What I Learned After Years of Yeast Infections – and Why It Matters
No one told me that recurrent yeast infections might be my body's way of saying something bigger was wrong. I spent twelve years with a Mirena IUD experiencing endless vaginal infections – and sometimes bacterial vaginosis (BV). The connection between vaginal health and fertility wasn't something anyone mentioned, yet it was a connection I desperately needed to understand. Each time I left the doctor's office with another cream or tablet. No one ever looked deeper. No one asked why this kept happening.
When we decided we wanted a baby, I had the IUD removed. The recurrent vaginal yeast infections I'd been dealing with for years became far less frequent – not gone completely, but rare enough to feel normal, finally. I remember thinking, 'Surely that can't be a coincidence.' But when I later mentioned it to a gynecologist, the answer was short: "There's no scientific evidence that an IUD affects the vaginal microbiome." End of conversation.
The journey to understanding "why"
Our first baby took three years to conceive. Standard tests showed nothing wrong. I did several rounds of IUI, but answers never came. Somewhere along the way, I realised: fertility treatments can bypass many hurdles, but they don't always explain why conception isn't happening. And that "why" mattered deeply to me. So I began looking beyond the narrow lens of protocols – working with holistic practitioners and slowly learning to listen to my body again. Eventually, I conceived.
Fast forward to now: we've been trying for our second child for two years. Again, every test came back "normal." Hormones, ovulation, tubes – all good. But something still felt off.
I saw a holistic practitioner who tested for fungal overgrowth – even though I had no obvious symptoms. The results showed a significant imbalance. She advised a targeted 60-day probiotic protocol to address the underlying dysbiosis. Mentally, it shifted something; I felt more in control, more proactive.
But here's what shifted everything: I started researching the link between vaginal health and fertility. The studies were clear. This wasn't just about feeling better – it was about creating the optimal environment for conception and implantation. So after the intensive protocol, I decided to continue with daily probiotics as maintenance. Not to fix a problem, but to sustain the balance I'd worked to restore.
When I mentioned this to my fertility doctor and asked if they could test my vaginal microbiome to confirm the improvement, the answer was dismissive:
"There's no scientific evidence for that, and lifestyle doesn't influence outcomes."
That response – after years of living in this body, after watching infections disappear when my IUD came out, after months of self-driven healing – felt deeply frustrating. It also pushed me to dive into the research myself.
What the science says vs. what doctors say
Here's what I found puzzling: while my doctor dismissed vaginal health as irrelevant to fertility, recent research tells a very different story.
What doctors often say:
"There's no proven link between vaginal microbiome and conception."
"Recurrent yeast infections are just bad luck."
"Lifestyle changes won't impact your fertility outcomes."
"We only test when there's an active infection."
Why the vaginal microbiome matters for fertility (in plain language)
A seed doesn't grow in infertile soil. So why would an embryo implant in an environment that isn't optimal?
Think of the vaginal microbiome as that soil, the foundation where new life begins.
In a healthy vagina, protective Lactobacillus bacteria dominate. They keep the pH low (around 3.8-4.5) and block harmful microbes. When that balance tips – more diversity, overgrowth of yeast or BV-related bacteria – the environment becomes less protective and more inflammatory.
Here's the mechanism: when Lactobacillus levels drop, vaginal pH rises. A higher pH makes implantation harder. Meanwhile, the inflammatory response triggered by "bad" bacteria can directly interfere with embryo development and early pregnancy maintenance.
What the research actually shows:
A 2024 study published in Reproductive Sciences found that both recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) are associated with increased microbiome diversity and loss of Lactobacillus dominance in the female reproductive system. In other words, when protective bacteria decline, conception becomes harder.
Even more striking: research published in Scientific Reports (2023) showed that Lactobacillus supplementation significantly reduced miscarriage rates from 19.1% to 9.5%. That's nearly half.
And here's what hit home for me: a 2023 review in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology found that vaginal microbiome imbalances correlate with miscarriage — even in women with no symptoms of infection.
Let that sink in. You can feel completely fine, have no discharge, no discomfort, no "red flags" – and still have a vaginal environment that's working against implantation or early pregnancy.
This research isn't fringe science. It's peer-reviewed, published in respected journals, and growing. Yet it's rarely part of standard fertility work-ups.
The gap between what science knows and what gets implemented in clinics can feel vast. And when you're the one trying to conceive, that gap matters.
Research also shows clear patterns:
Lactobacillus dominance is associated with higher chances of implantation and pregnancy
Dysbiosis (imbalanced flora) is linked to implantation failure, miscarriage, and poorer outcomes in IVF
Hormonal stimulation in fertility treatments can sometimes disturb the vaginal ecosystem, though results vary between studies
In other words: while medicine may say "not proven enough to test routinely," there's growing evidence that vaginal health and fertility are intimately connected – and almost no standard fertility work-up includes it.
The mental load of advocating for yourself
Here's what they don't tell you about fertility journeys: you become your own researcher, your own advocate, your own case manager.
Every dismissed concern adds weight. Every "that's not standard protocol" chips away at trust in doctors, yes, but also in yourself. You start second-guessing your instincts. Am I overthinking this? Am I being difficult? Maybe I should just do what they say.
For me, learning to listen to my body again after years of hormonal contraception meant rebuilding that trust from scratch. A holistic practitioner once told me: "I always thank my body for trying to tell me something, even when I don't immediately understand what it means."
That stayed with me. Those years of recurrent vaginal yeast infections while I had my IUD? My body was signaling: something's not right here. It needs to come out. I just didn't have the language to interpret it yet.
Creating space to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself reduces the mental load of constant questioning. It helps you distinguish between anxiety spirals and genuine bodily wisdom. And crucially, it reminds you that you're not failing; the system is just incomplete.
Supporting your vaginal health isn't about adding another task to an already overwhelming to-do list. It's about empowerment. It's about reclaiming agency in a process that often feels entirely out of your control.
When you take small, tangible steps – choosing breathable underwear, adding probiotics, skipping the scented products – you're not just optimizing your microbiome. You're sending yourself a message: I'm listening. I'm here. I'm doing what I can.
And that shift, from passive patient to active participant, can be profound.
What you can do to support vaginal health and fertility
I'm not a doctor; I'm sharing what's backed by emerging research and what has helped me feel proactive during my own fertility journey.
1. Listen to your body
If you've had recurrent vaginal yeast infections or BV, pay attention. It's reasonable to ask whether your vaginal environment is optimal for conception. And if your provider won't test it, that's valuable information too – about the limits of their approach, not about your body.
Testing options: There are at-home vaginal microbiome tests available online (though they're not covered by insurance). These tests typically measure pH levels and identify the bacterial composition of your vaginal flora, giving you insight if your doctor won't order testing. I'll be writing a detailed guide about these testing options soon, but if you're curious now, look for tests that specifically measure Lactobacillus levels and overall microbial diversity.
2. Nourish your microbiome through lifestyle
Food: Plenty of plants and fiber, fermented foods like unsweetened yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. Keep added sugars low, they feed yeast and disrupt balance.
Stress & sleep: Your nervous system and hormones influence immunity and microbial balance. Chronic stress can tip the scales toward dysbiosis. Even just five minutes of breathwork can make a measurable difference.
Probiotics: Look for strains used specifically for vaginal health and fertility. The most studied are:
Lactobacillus crispatus
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus reuteri
Evidence is still developing, but multiple trials link better vaginal flora to improved implantation rates and lower miscarriage risk.
After completing my intensive probiotic protocol for fungal overgrowth, I now use Solvey's Restore Probiotica (10 Billion CFU) every morning as maintenance. It's my way of sustaining the balance I worked to restore and creating the best possible environment for implantation.
A realistic perspective on probiotics
Medical guidelines don't yet recommend probiotics as standard fertility treatment – and that's okay. Think of them as foundational support rather than a guarantee. While a Lactobacillus-dominant microbiome is linked to better outcomes, current evidence shows probiotics primarily help restore balance after dysbiosis, infections, or antibiotic use. They're part of a holistic approach alongside nutrition, lifestyle, and medical care – not a replacement for it.
Why this matters beyond conception: Your vaginal microbiome doesn't just affect fertility; it's also crucial during pregnancy and birth. During a vaginal delivery, you pass your microbiome to your baby, which helps establish their immune system and gut health. Supporting your vaginal health now is an investment in both conception and your future child's well-being.
Clothing: Synthetic fabrics trap heat and moisture. Tight sports leggings and non-breathable underwear can worsen yeast overgrowth. Cotton really is your best friend.
Skip soaps and harsh cleansers: Your vagina is self-cleaning. Soap can disrupt pH and kill the protective bacteria you want to keep. Warm water is enough. No douching, no "feminine hygiene" sprays, no scented anything.
3. Ask your provider – and keep asking
Some clinics or private labs can test the vaginal microbiome. If yours won't, you can still support balance with the steps above while seeking a practitioner who takes it seriously.
Remember: you're not being difficult. You're being thorough.
Why optimize preventively: thinking beyond symptoms
Here's something crucial to understand: you may not have obvious symptoms, but your vaginal environment might still benefit from support.
Because you can have an imbalanced microbiome without any discharge, discomfort, or infections, it makes sense to optimize preventively – especially when you're trying to conceive. Think of it less as "fixing a problem" and more as "creating the best possible conditions."
This isn't a quick fix with a clear timeline. It's ongoing maintenance that supports you through trying to conceive, pregnancy, and birth – while also reducing your risk of infections, inflammation, and complications long-term.
The lifestyle changes above – especially diet, stress management, and avoiding irritants – work cumulatively over time. For women who do have symptoms (recurrent yeast infections or BV), you may notice improvement within a few weeks to months. But even if you feel fine now, these habits create a foundation that supports your body through conception, pregnancy, and beyond.
Can you combine this with IVF or IUI? Absolutely. Research on Lactobacillus supplementation reducing miscarriage rates suggests this approach complements medical interventions. Just inform your fertility doctor about any supplements you're taking.
Why I'm writing this
After years of hormonal contraception and years of fertility treatments, I had to re-learn how to read my body. When something feels off, trust that instinct – even if a doctor says there's "no evidence." Science is still catching up, but your lived experience is valid.
I'm sharing this not as a prescription but as an invitation: explore the connection between vaginal health and fertility as part of your journey. It's a piece of the puzzle that's often overlooked, yet it may be one of the simplest, most natural ways to create a more welcoming environment for new life.
You deserve care that sees the whole picture. You deserve practitioners who listen. And you deserve to feel empowered, not dismissed.
If this resonates with you, I've created a free guide with practical steps you can take today to support your vaginal health while trying to conceive. No overwhelm, no perfection required – just simple, evidence-based actions that honor both your body and your mental wellbeing.
References
Zhou, Z., et al. (2024). Association of Reproductive Tract Microbiota with Recurrent Implantation Failure and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Reproductive Sciences, 31(1), 56–69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-023-01301-3Thanaboonyawat, I., et al. (2023). Pregnancy outcomes after vaginal probiotic supplementation before frozen embryo transfer: a randomized controlled study. Scientific Reports, 13:11892. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39078-6Saadaoui, M., et al. (2023). The vaginal microbiome: Research, implications, and clinical challenges: A review. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 13:1232825. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1232825
