Deciding to try for a baby may be one of the most exciting decisions you make in your life.
However, the fertility journey and understanding the best ways to prepare your body for pregnancy can be daunting. When feeling overwhelmed about where to begin, start at the source: the vagina. Or more specifically, the vaginal microbiome.
When trying to conceive it is essential to take proactive steps toward nourishing your vaginal ecosystem, especially in the days leading up to ovulation. The vaginal microbiome is the ecosystem of the vagina, and all the microorganisms that live there. The healthiest vaginal environments are linked with the best outcomes with fertility and pregnancy. Learn more.
A healthy vaginal microbiome is one with balanced pH levels and thriving lactobacilli, the beneficial bacteria found in the vagina. Managing these factors helps reduce risk of developing vaginal conditions such as Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which have been linked to difficulties becoming and remaining pregnant, and there are things you can proactively do to maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome.
Steps you can take to care for your vaginal microbiome while trying to conceive
Daily: Use a pH-balanced Vulvar Wash
Unlike the vagina, the vulva has no method to flush away substances that the skin may be exposed to, such as vaginal discharge, menstrual blood, ejaculate, saliva, urine, sweat, etc. Using a pH-balanced vulvar wash formulated with clean ingredients is a great way to cleanse the vulva without disrupting the balance of the vaginal biome. Learn more.
Use Balance Moisturizing Wash, formulated with organic aloe and other natural
ingredients to cleanse and moisturize. A pH-balanced wash doesn’t disrupt the delicate balance of vulvar flora like some soaps and harsh cleansers which can strip the tissues of its natural defense. Include Balance as part of routine vaginal care to support vulvar tissue health and pH.
pH rating: 4.0-4.5
Every Second Day: Use a pH-balanced Moisturizing Gel
A pH-balanced moisturizing vaginal gel reduces dryness, discomfort, and abnormal odor to help maintain a healthy vaginal ecosystem.
Use Restore Moisturizing Vaginal Gel, a clean ingredient product formulated with
organic aloe. This vaginal moisturizing gel promotes the maintenance of healthy vaginal flora by Bio-Matching the body’s natural pH levels, salt balance, and lactic acid.
Restore’s key ingredient, lactic acid, supports beneficial lactobacilli in the vaginal tract which in turn supports a healthier vaginal ecosystem.
Every Third Day: Use a Vaginal Suppository
A probiotic vaginal supplement is designed to populate the vaginal tract with healthy vaginal flora and lower elevated vaginal pH. Look for a probiotic with prevalent strains of vaginal lactobacilli (the good bacteria).
Use BiopHresh Homeopathic Vaginal Suppository, with over 5 billion cells of viable lactobacilli as part of a routine vaginal maintenance program to support vaginal microbiome health. BiopHresh contains beneficial strains of lactobacilli, including Lactobacillius Crispatus, which occurs naturally in a healthy vaginal ecosystem. Our formulation also effectively relieves symptoms related to Bacterial Vaginosis, including itch, irritation, and abnormal odor. Regular use of BiopHresh helps maintain healthy vaginal pH and boosted support against harmful bacteria and pathogens, resulting in a healthier, more diverse microbiome.
When Trying to Conceive: Use a Microbiome-Friendly Fertility Lubricant Using a pH-balanced, iso-osmolar fertility lubricant will help keep the vaginal microbiome healthy while preserving sperm motility and viability. Ingredients in some lubricants can actually inhibit sperm motility, so it is important to look for a clean ingredient, pH-balanced lubricant that is specifically designed for use when trying to conceive.
Use BioGenesis(TM) Fertility-Friendly Lubricant, a first-of-its kind TTC lubricant. BioGenesis is the only iso-osmolar fertility lubricant that is both paraben-free and contains calcium and magnesium ions to support your fertility journey. Developed by leading scientists, BioGenesis creates an optimal environment for conception by using an innovative buffering mechanism to Bio-Match® optimal vaginal pH ranges while simultaneously supporting sperm viability and motility. Intended to supplement the body’s natural lubrication, it is compatible with sperm, oocytes, and embryos, and is recommended for use while trying to conceive.
pH range: 3.8 – 4.2
Osmolality range: 250-400 m0sm/kg
Egg Whisperer Pre-TTC Kit
Good Clean Love® is honored to collaborate with Dr. Aimee, a full-time practicing fertility doctor to share the Egg Whisperer Pre-TTC Kit, which includes all the products needed for your vaginal microbiome health routine along with Proov® LH Predict Tests to help you more accurately predict your two most fertile days of your cycle. This kit is enough to get you through 2-3 cycles of ovulation with maximum vaginal health.
Dr. Aimee is well known for her highly rated podcast The Egg Whisperer Show, on which she and Good Clean Love founder Wendy Strgar recently talked all about the vaginal microbiome, why Wendy decided to start making all natural products, and why it's important for you to choose the right lube for when you're trying to conceive. Check out the podcast episode here.
Good Clean Love’s OBGYN-recommended Bio-Match® vaginal care products are formulated to support a healthy vaginal ecosystem through pH balance, mimicking natural moisture, and enabling beneficial lactobacilli to thrive. Made with organic and natural ingredients and free of parabens, petrochemicals, and artificial fragrance. Good Clean Love’s patented products are formulated to optimize and support your vaginal health.
