Expert Opinion: Place in Therapy of Probiotics in Infertility and Recurrent Implantation Failure.

2025-03-24
Cureus 17(3)

PubMed: 40271314
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.81067

Study Design

Type: Review
Population: 14 specialists from gynecology, obstetrics, and fertility fields
Methods: On June 29-30, 2024, a physical expert meeting was organized in India to discuss the role of probiotics in reproductive health, with an emphasis on infertility and RIF

Infertility is a widespread medical condition, affecting a notable percentage of couples globally, with a rising prevalence in India. While assisted reproductive technologies (ART) provide hope, recurrent implantation failure (RIF) continues to challenge approximately one in 10 couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This expert opinion document intends to highlight the promise of probiotics, particularly from Lactobacillus, as a therapeutic approach for improving fertility and treating RIF. In India, on June 29-30, 2024, a physical expert meeting was organized involving 14 specialists from gynecology, obstetrics, and fertility fields. The role of probiotics in reproductive health was discussed in the meeting with an emphasis on infertility and RIF. All experts agree that microbial dysbiosis characterized by an imbalance among the dominant Lactobacillus species is associated with RIF leading to increased inflammation hence poor reproductive outcomes. Probiotics have emerged as possible therapies that restore microbial equilibrium while reducing inflammation and enhancing the intactness of the genital epithelium barrier. All experts have strongly supported the use of Lactobacillus-based oral probiotic supplementation particularly for preventing miscarriages and maintaining pregnancy. All the experts unanimously agreed that oral probiotic supplementation, particularly Lactobacillus-based, should be considered as a potential method to prevent miscarriages and aid in maintaining pregnancy. They recommend oral probiotic use prior to embryo transfer to enhance implantation and pregnancy rates. This expert opinion emphasizes the value of probiotics as a safe and non-invasive approach to treating infertility and RIF. By fostering a balanced microbiome, probiotics may increase the likelihood of successful pregnancies.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus crispatus LBV88	—	Improved Reproductive Health	Beneficial	Moderate	View source All experts unanimously agreed that oral probiotic supplementation, particularly Lactobacillus-based, should be considered as a potential method to prevent miscarriages and aid in maintaining pregnancy. They recommend oral probiotic use prior to embryo transfer to enhance implantation and pregnancy rates.
Lactobacillus crispatus LBV88	—	Reduced Recurrent Implantation Failure	Beneficial	Moderate	View source The role of probiotics in reproductive health was discussed in the meeting with an emphasis on infertility and RIF... Probiotics have emerged as possible therapies that restore microbial equilibrium while reducing inflammation and enhancing the intactness of the genital epithelium barrier.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBV96	—	Improved Reproductive Health	Beneficial	Moderate	View source All experts unanimously agreed that oral probiotic supplementation, particularly Lactobacillus-based, should be considered as a potential method to prevent miscarriages and aid in maintaining pregnancy. They recommend oral probiotic use prior to embryo transfer to enhance implantation and pregnancy rates.