The Fertility Suite

When couples struggle to conceive, the focus often falls on female fertility but sperm health plays a crucial role too.
In this episode, we’re joined by Ian Stones from Test Him to explain sperm DNA fragmentation, one of the most overlooked factors in male fertility and unexplained infertility.
We break down what sperm DNA fragmentation actually is, how it differs from a standard semen analysis, and why sperm count and motility can appear “normal” while conception still doesn’t happen. This episode is especially relevant for couples facing unexplained infertility, recurrent miscarriage, or repeated IVF or ICSI failure.
Ian explains who should consider DNA fragmentation testing, how the test works, and what the results really mean. We also explore lifestyle factors that can damage sperm DNA, such as stress, smoking, alcohol, diet, heat exposure, and inflammation and discuss evidence-based treatments and lifestyle changes that may help improve sperm DNA quality.
If you’ve never been told about sperm DNA fragmentation testing but are struggling to conceive, this episode could be the missing piece.
Ian also has an online support group which can be joined via the Test Him website. 
The Fertility Suite offers in person Fertility Acupuncture with the UK's top Fertility Acupuncturists at 6 UK clinics. Find your nearest clinic here.
We also work online to help you get the answers you need to help you have a healthy pregnancy 🩷
We support:
📍Couples who are struggling to concieve
📍Couples suffering through miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss
📍Couples undergoing Assisted Reproduction Techniques such as IVF
📍Anyone who wants answers and support on their road to a healthy pregnancy
Book a discovery call with us to find out more 💜
Find us on instagram @thefertility_suite

In this episode of The Fertility Suite Podcast, we explore the vital and often overlooked role of the vaginal microbiome in fertility.
Joined by Jess Childs, registered Nutritional Therapist and Intimate Health Specialist at Pelvic Relief, we break down what the vaginal microbiome is, why a Lactobacillus-dominant environment supports fertility, and how imbalance may affect sperm survival, implantation, and early pregnancy.
We discuss what influences vaginal bacteria, common (and silent) signs of imbalance, how vaginal microbiome testing works, and practical ways to support vaginal health when trying to conceive. We also explore live bacteria (probiotics) and their potential role in maintaining a healthy vaginal environment.
This episode is essential listening for couples TTC who want a deeper understanding of fertility beyond hormones and timing. Below you will also find some of the studies that were referenced in this pod and you can contact Jess on: [email protected]
Impact of ureaplasma in semen (these findings revealed that U. urealyticum lowers semen quality via the upregulation of semi nal fluid leukocytes, elastase, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and DNA fragmentation): https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12610-025-00262-5.pdf 
In conclusion, although the causes of miscarriage are often unknown, research suggests that the microbiota in the vaginal could contribute to an increase in miscarriages. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165037824000603
Taken together, these findings underscore the potential of the (reproductive tract) microbiome to shape immune responses in pregnancy and the possible role of microbial dysbiosis in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss through its effects on immune balance: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165037824000603
The Fertility Suite offers in person Fertility Acupuncture with the UK's top Fertility Acupuncturists at 6 UK clinics. Find your nearest clinic here.
We also work online to help you get the answers you need to help you have a healthy pregnancy 🩷
We support:
📍Couples who are struggling to concieve
📍Couples suffering through miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss
📍Couples undergoing Assisted Reproduction Techniques such as IVF
📍Anyone who wants answers and support on their road to a healthy pregnancy
Book a discovery call with us to find out more 💜
Find us on instagram @thefertility_suite

KIR & HLA-DQ Alpha Match Testing explained, what these immune tests mean for IVF, implantation failure, and recurrent pregnancy loss. A conversation for fertility patients seeking answers with Dr V at Fertilysis. 
This episode is especially helpful if you are:
Experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)
Facing recurrent implantation failure (RIF)
Going through IVF with unexplained outcomes
Curious about immune causes of infertility
Feeling dismissed or told “everything looks normal”
Considering or questioning reproductive immunology testing
If you’ve been through multiple miscarriages, failed embryo transfers, or unexplained infertility, you may have heard terms like KIR genes, HLA-DQ alpha matching, or reproductive immunology, often with little explanation and a lot of confusion.
In this episode, we break down KIR & HLA-DQ alpha match testing and how these immune system factors may relate to implantation, early pregnancy, and IVF outcomes.
You’ll learn how the maternal immune system interacts with an embryo and why some fertility specialists explore immune testing when everything else looks “normal.”
We cover:
What KIR genes are and how they influence immune response in pregnancy
What HLA-DQ alpha matching between partners means
How immune signaling may affect implantation and placental development
Why some people with excellent embryos still experience repeated failure
When KIR and HLA testing is typically considered
The controversies, limitations, and unanswered questions in reproductive immunology
Why this testing is empowering for some and not appropriate for everyone
Most importantly, this episode validates what so many fertility patients feel:“Something isn’t working and I deserve answers.”
The Fertility Suite offers in person Fertility Acupuncture with the UK's top Fertility Acupuncturists at 6 UK clinics. Find your nearest clinic here.
We also work online to help you get the answers you need to help you have a healthy pregnancy 🩷
We support:
📍Couples who are struggling to concieve
📍Couples suffering through miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss
📍Couples undergoing Assisted Reproduction Techniques such as IVF
📍Anyone who wants answers and support on their road to a healthy pregnancy
Book a discovery call with us to find out more 💜
Find us on instagram @thefertility_suite

In this episode I welcome Emma Haslam from Your IVF Abroad. Having navigated IVF herself, Emma brings her advice, guidance and expertise and we have a very open discussion about everything we think you need to know before starting IVF and choosing a clinic. Emma is a breath of fresh air if you are navigating IVF! 

You can follow Emma on instagram too - @yourivfabroad and more details below: 

Free short guide to the process of having fertility treatment abroad 
https://www.yourivfabroad.co.uk/step-by-step-guide-to-having-fertility-treatment-in-europe
Free short guide to the 7 things you need to know before having egg/sperm donation abroad 
https://www.yourivfabroad.co.uk/condsidering-donation-in-europe
My podcast https://www.yourivfabroad.co.uk/podcast 
Services
https://www.yourivfabroad.co.uk/services
The Fertility Suite offers in person Fertility Acupuncture with the UK's top Fertility Acupuncturists at 6 UK clinics. Find your nearest clinic here.
We also work online to help you get the answers you need to help you have a healthy pregnancy 🩷
We support:
📍Couples who are struggling to concieve
📍Couples suffering through miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss
📍Couples undergoing Assisted Reproduction Techniques such as IVF
📍Anyone who wants answers and support on their road to a healthy pregnancy
Book a discovery call with us to find out more 💜
Find us on instagram @thefertility_suite

Maria is a Personal Trainer who founded Fitness Fertility, a specialist PT service for women who are struggling to conceive or undergoing fertility treatment. In this episode we bust some myths around exercise and TTC and Maria explains why we should be exercising for health first and the benefits for fertility. 

You can also check our Maria's instagram @fitness_fertility 
The Fertility Suite offers in person Fertility Acupuncture with the UK's top Fertility Acupuncturists at 6 UK clinics. Find your nearest clinic here.
We also work online to help you get the answers you need to help you have a healthy pregnancy 🩷
We support:
📍Couples who are struggling to concieve
📍Couples suffering through miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss
📍Couples undergoing Assisted Reproduction Techniques such as IVF
📍Anyone who wants answers and support on their road to a healthy pregnancy
Book a discovery call with us to find out more 💜
Find us on instagram @thefertility_suite