Tiny Health

Fertility IVF

We're launching a study to better understand how the microbiome may impact IVF treatment.

Going through IVF? Your participation could contribute to science to better understand how the vaginal and gut microbiome may impact IVF treatment. In partnership with Matthew Foley, Ph.D., we intend to publish our findings when the study concludes.

Recruitment starts June 2024

For Adults between 18-38 years old ( see criteria)

Location: United States

By Matthew Foley, Ph.D.

19-26% of women face challenges related to reproductive and fertility outcomes.

12% of women experiencing infertility turn to assisted reproductive treatments, predominantly in vitro fertilization (IVF). This results in an astounding 400,000 IVF cycles per year nationwide 1.

Research has shown an association between the gut and vaginal microbiomes and a variety of pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, pre-term labor, and preeclampsia 2. An imbalance in the delicate vaginal ecosystem can also impact fertility outcomes and IVF success; various studies have found that a vaginal microbiome dominated by Lactobacillus species to be significantly associated with successful conception and healthy pregnancies 3, 4, 5, 6.

The goal of this study is to assess how the vaginal and gut microbiome may impact IVF outcomes. Adult participants, who are undergoing IVF treatment and purchase a Tiny Health vaginal or vaginal + gut test, may consent to have their data used in this study. Each participant will agree to fill out a survey on pregnancy outcomes after implantation results are known.

By Matthew Foley, Ph.D.

IRB ID: 12035

Read more about current research surrounding the microbiome and IVF success in our latest Tiny Blog Post: The Unexpected Role of the Vaginal and Endometrial Microbiomes in Fertility and IVF Success

Help Contribute to Advance Fertility Research

Get the valuable insights of vaginal microbiome testing and help us to better understand the connection between vaginal health and IVF success.

Am I eligible to participate?

Inclusion criteria

• Open to Tiny Health Customers
• Participants are qualified for this study if they are 18+ at the time of enrollment and under the age of 39
• Participants must be residents of the United States with US postal service
• Participants must be transferring a screened euploid embryo
• Microbiome testing must be within 3 months of the embryo transfer

Exclusion criteria

• Participants cannot have had any fertility factors identified
• Participants cannot have taken any antibiotics within the last 6 months
• Participants cannot have any existing health conditions:
  • Pre-existing vaginal conditions
  • Pre-existing gut conditions (IBS, IBD, Celiac's, etc.)
  • Immune or auto-immune conditions (severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV))
• Participants must not smoke

How to Join the Study

If you are interested, please complete the survey. This study is only open to Tiny Health customers. Qualified individuals can enroll and consent to the study when registering their kit.

Vaginal Health Test - $100
Research Edition rate for first 200 participants

• 1x Mess-free vaginal microbiome health test
• Vaginal CST identity to assess vaginal health
• Vaginal health report with personalized recommendations (delivered in 4-5 weeks)

Vaginal Test + Gut Test Combo - $250
Research Edition rate for first 200 participants

• 1x Mess-free vaginal microbiome health test
• 1x Mess-free gut microbiome health test to further understand how gut health relates to fertility and IVF success
• Vaginal CST identity to assess vaginal health
• Track essential bacteria that you should pass during birth to your baby and levels of bacteria that support metabolic health and fight inflammation
• Vaginal Health Report and Gut Health Report with personalized recommendations (delivered in 4-5 weeks)

Why subscribe to Tiny Health?

Track your baby's microbiome development over time

You can learn the most about your baby’s health and protect against chronic conditions by tracking changes on their gut health over their first 1000 days.
We recommend testing at 7 days old and every 3 months until your baby is 18 months old.