50% of fertility issues are due to male infertility, and potential causes include urogenital tract infections. This tract is responsible for carrying and ejaculating sperm and semen. Therefore, semen has its own microbiome and can give a really good insight into a range of health issues, including fertility!

Here are 4 ways your semen microbiome could be impacting your
fertility:

1. Semen quality

Changes to the semen microbiome and its composition have been linked to semen quality. Of course, semen quality is known to impact male fertility; therefore, understanding the semen microbiome can be really important in understanding your own health, fertility, symptoms, and more.

2. Oxidative Stress

Dysbiosis in the semen microbiome can result in oxidative stress in your sperm, which can lower your fertility and also increase the risk of miscarriage.

3. Recurrent Infections

Male infertility has also been connected with bacterial infections of the genital tract in a variety of ways, including increased prolonged inflammation. Testicular damage, prostatitis, epididymitis, urethritis, orchitis, and impaired spermatogenesis following the bacterial infection can be causes of male infertility.

4. Reinfections between partners

Poor semen microbiome quality can also endanger the microbiome of the vagina, which can play an important role in avoiding reinfections between partners who have suffered from chronic infections. ‘Bad’ bacteria can be transferred between partners through sexual intercourse and, therefore, can play a role in fertility struggles. These infections can impact your chances of a successful implantation.

How do you know if your semen microbiome is unfavourable to your fertility?

Test, using at home Screenme Semen microbiome health test

The most comprehensive semen microbiome health test screens all bacteria in your semen. ScreenMe’s advanced semen microbiome health test looks at your seminal ecosystem, which significantly impacts sperm quality. The poor seminal microbiome can also endanger the microbiome of the vagina and cause infections and complications during pregnancy. This is also important to avoid reinfections between partners who have suffered from chronic infections.