Infertility, the microbiota, and why intimate care matters more than we think...
Infertility is far more common than many realize. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every four couples in developing countries is affected by infertility. And yet, despite how widespread it is, we rarely talk about it openly.
Conversations about fertility are often clouded by shame, taboo, or embarrassment. Many keep their struggles hidden, even from those closest to them... At Lip Intimate Care, our mission has always been to break these taboos. We believe that shining a light on these sensitive topics not only helps reduce unnecessary shame, but also empowers women with knowledge. Because carrying silence and stigma is one of the heaviest burdens anyone can bear.
A Changing Landscape in Fertility Treatment
Since the birth of the first IVF baby in 1978, fertility treatments have advanced tremendously. Today, countless couples find hope through IVF. But success is not always guaranteed. Around 10% of women undergoing IVF experience recurrent implantation failure (RIF)—a condition defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy despite the transfer of multiple high-quality embryos in women under 40.
However - and this is interesting - recent research has revealed a possible link between fertility challenges and the vaginal and endometrial microbiota. Women experiencing RIF often show an imbalance in their vaginal flora, with reduced levels of protective Lactobacillus and an increase in potentially harmful bacteria.
As the prominent Swedish Doctor Rebecka Kaplan, specialist in gynecology and obstetrics, explains:
“Research studies indicate that an unfavorable composition of the microbiota in the vagina and uterus may be linked to reduced fertility, an increased risk of miscarriage, and a higher likelihood of premature birth. The bacterial flora in the vagina and uterus plays a crucial role in the survival of sperm, the attachment of the fertilized egg to the uterine lining, and in protecting the fetal membranes, the baby, and the placenta from ascending infections.”
Protecting the Natural Bacterial Balance
There is still so much to learn about the relationship between intimate microbiota and fertility. But one truth already stands out: the balance of our vulva and vaginal microbiota is vital.
The vulva acts as the first line of defense, guarding the pathway into the vagina and uterus. What we apply to this delicate area matters. It directly impacts the vaginal environment.
At Lip Intimate Care, we create products that honor this natural balance. Because when we respect and protect our intimate microbiota, we support not only our comfort and confidence—but potentially our reproductive health as well.
