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Endometrial Microbiome Test
Learn About the Endometrial Microbiome Test in 3 Minutes
What Is the Endometrial Microbiome?
You may have heard of the term "gut microbiome" or “gut flora” before. Our intestines contain many types of bacteria that help maintain a healthy environment. Under a microscope, these bacteria look like a colorful field of flowers—hence the name "flora." Until recently, the uterus was thought to be sterile. But researchers have discovered that the uterus contains bacteria as well.[1] Just like the gut, the uterus also hosts a variety of bacteria, and this community is called the “endometrial microbiome.”
The Endometrial Microbiome Can Impact Pregnancy and Birth
There are many types of bacteria, and when the balance is disrupted—especially if the good bacteria decrease—it may affect your ability to get pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term. Research shows that an imbalanced endometrial microbiome can be linked to infertility, miscarriage, or preterm birth.
One study compared pregnancy and live birth rates between women with high and low levels of Lactobacillus—a type of beneficial bacteria in the uterus.
In women whose Lactobacillus made up 90% or more of their endometrial microbiome (considered balanced), the pregnancy rate was 70.6%, and the live birth rate was 58.8%.
In women with less than 90% Lactobacillus (considered imbalanced), the pregnancy rate dropped to 33.3%, and the live birth rate was only 6.7%—about one-tenth that of the balanced group.[2]
What Makes for a Healthy Endometrial Microbiome?
A healthy uterine environment is one with a high proportion of Lactobacillus—a beneficial type of lactic acid bacteria.
How Lactobacillus Helps Create a Healthier Uterine Environment
Improves the Uterine Environment
Lactobacillus breaks down sugars and produces lactic acid, keeping the reproductive tract slightly acidic. This helps prevent harmful bacteria from growing.
Reduces Immune Attacks on Fertilized Eggs
When harmful bacteria increase, they may cause inflammation, making immune cells more active. These immune cells may mistakenly attack the fertilized egg. Lactobacillus helps reduce the number of harmful bacteria and inflammation, which may calm the immune response.
Low levels of Lactobacillus may also contribute to conditions like bacterial vaginosis or endometritis. That’s why it’s important to support a healthy balance of good bacteria. [3][4][5]
How Do You Know If You Have Enough Good Bacteria (Lactobacillus)?
You can find out through an Endometrial Microbiome Test.
What Is the Endometrial Microbiome Test?
The Endometrial Microbiome Test checks the balance of good bacteria—specifically Lactobacillus—in the vagina or uterus.
Varinos Inc. was the first in the world to make this test available for clinical use.
- At a clinic, a doctor will gently collect a sample from your vagina or uterine cavity using a swab or pipette. The sample is then analyzed at a specialized lab to look at the bacterial DNA. This allows us to accurately measure the proportion of Lactobacillus present.
- Thanks to years of research and a highly skilled team, Varinos is able to provide clinics with highly precise results.
- The test analyzes bacterial DNA, which also makes it possible to detect other bacteria—such as naturally occurring microbes or those linked to conditions like bacterial vaginosis. For this reason, many fertility clinics use this test to help guide treatment plans.
When Should You Consider Getting the Test?
Please talk to your doctor about the best time to take this test.
Right now, the test is often used for people who:
・Have experienced repeated implantation failure or recurrent miscarriage
・Have gone through many tests but still don’t know why they can’t get pregnant
More recently, clinics are also starting to recommend this test earlier in fertility treatment because of how important the uterine microbiome is. Since the uterus plays a key role in pregnancy, this test may also be helpful for:
・Anyone who is planning to get pregnant
・Anyone who wants to better understand their current uterine environment
Who is the test for?
This test may be suitable for individuals who are:
People who are concerned about their endometrial microbiome often take this test at fertility clinics.
If you're curious about your own uterine environment, talk to your doctor.
What If the Test Shows an Imbalance?
Your test report will show the percentage of good bacteria (Lactobacillus).
If other types of bacteria are found, the report will also list which ones they are and in what amounts.
Based on these results, your doctor can create a treatment plan to help increase the Lactobacillus or address any harmful bacteria.
This may involve antibiotics, supplements, or lifestyle changes.
Treatment is personalized based on your unique bacterial balance. Please consult your doctor for more details.
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Case1:Low Lactobacillus
If you have some Lactobacillus but not enough, your doctor may suggest improving your diet and lifestyle, along with taking supplements that support a healthy microbiome. This can help create an environment where Lactobacillus can grow.
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Case2:Harmful Bacteria Are Present
If specific harmful bacteria are found, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to reduce them. At the same time, improving diet and taking the right nutrients can help Lactobacillus thrive.
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Case3:No Lactobacillus Detected
If no Lactobacillus is found, your doctor may recommend taking it directly as a supplement. Along with diet and lifestyle changes, this helps build an environment where Lactobacillus can take hold and grow.
Interested in the Endometrial Microbiome Test?
The Endometrial Microbiome Test is available through medical clinics.
Ask your doctor if it’s right for you.
References on the Endometrial Microbiome
[1] Franasiak JM (2016) Endometrial microbiome at the time of embryo transfer: next-generation sequencing of the 16S ribosomal subunit.
[2] Moreno I (2016) Evidence that the endometrial microbiota has an effect on implantation success or failure.
[3] The Japanese Society for Sexually Transmitted Infections (2008) Guidelines for Bacterial Vaginosis
[4] Leitich H (2003) Bacterial vaginosis as a risk factor for preterm delivery: a meta-analysis.
[5] Tachedjian G (2017) The role of lactic acid production by probiotic Lactobacillus species in vaginal health.
Medical Supervision:
Varinos, Inc.
Founder & CEO
Yoshiyuki Sakuraba
Yoshiyuki Sakuraba majored in genetics at the Graduate School of Saitama University. After earning his Ph.D., he worked on national genome-related projects at the RIKEN Center for Genomic Science and conducted basic research on cancer-related genes at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the United States.
He later played a key role in introducing NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) to Japan—a new type of prenatal screening that analyzes fetal chromosomal abnormalities using maternal blood. After working in technical sales for medical and research institutions with NIPT and PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy), he founded Varinos, Inc. in February 2017 to develop and provide clinical testing services based on genomic technology.
That same year, he successfully launched the world’s first practical “Endometrial Microbiome Test,” which analyzes uterine bacteria, and has since remained deeply involved in diagnostic development in the field of reproductive medicine.
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