A bacterial imbalance in men's semen may influence the chances of having a baby
An imbalance in the bacteria found in men's semen was linked to substantially lower chances of a couple having a baby and to more pregnancy losses, according to new research published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women's Health. This association between semen bacteria and birth outcomes was seen among couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection…
A recent study in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women's Health suggests that an imbalance of certain bacteria in men's semen may reduce the chances of a couple conceiving a baby and increase the likelihood of pregnancy losses. This finding was observed in couples undergoing in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatments, as well as in women who had experienced recurrent pregnancy losses.
While a standard semen analysis cannot detect this imbalance, it was found to be more prevalent among men with these fertility issues. The study, which followed 353 women and 191 of their male partners, revealed that men with a bacterial imbalance in their semen had a 57% chance of having a baby, compared to 85% for couples without the imbalance.
Pregnancy loss was also more common in these cases, affecting about 20% more couples. The research also found that women with dysbiosis in their gut bacteria took longer to conceive and had a lower likelihood of conception, but this imbalance did not appear to be linked to miscarriage. Vaginal bacterial imbalances were not clearly associated with infertility or pregnancy loss.
The authors of the study believe these findings point to previously overlooked and potentially treatable risk factors for infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss in men and women.
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