Intestinal dysbiosis-related infertility: Effectiveness of probiotics and synbiotics supplementation

Infertility, which impacts around 17 % of couples globally, is becoming more closely associated with gut dysbiosis and an imbalance in immune and metabolic functions. Probiotics like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can help restore the balance of gut bacteria, boost insulin sensitivity, and regulate reproductive hormones. On the other hand, synbiotics, combinations of probiotics and prebiotics, work to enhance microbial diversity, increase the production of short-chain fatty acids, and improve immune-endocrine function. Research indicates that synbiotics could be more effective than probiotics in enhancing metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory parameters related to infertility, especially in women with PCOS; however, evidence supporting superiority in terms of definitive reproductive outcomes such as pregnancy or live birth rates remains limited. Nevertheless, the favorable safety profiles of both interventions support their further exploration within personalized, microbiota-based infertility strategies.