Unexplained Infertility and the Vaginal Microbiome

We're looking for opinions about a new research project that we are planning

The microbiome refers to a community of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) that that live in or on a particular part of the body. Although not visible to the human eye, they contribute to human health. For example, the gut microbiome plays a vital role in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.

Recent research has suggested interactions between the microbiome in the female reproductive tract and reproductive health, including fertility problems. We are planning a study to investigate this further, using metagenomics to sequence and characterise the microbiome in fertile and infertile people. We hope that this research can lead to improved understanding of how the microbiome affects fertility, as well as interventions to optimise the microbiome for better reproductive outcomes.

Thank you for answering a few questions and sharing your opinions about our proposed study
1.Who are you?
2.Have you ever participated in medical research?
3.How important do you think it is to perform research relating to infertility?
4.Are you aware of any research linking the microbiome to fertility or infertility?
5.How important do you think it is to study the microbiome's effect on sperm?
6.How comfortable would you be with self-taking a low vaginal swab (similar to a cotton bud) for research purposes?
7.How comfortable would you be with completing a health and diet questionnaire for research purposes?
8.What concerns, if any, do you have about participating in this type of research?
9.What factors would influence your decision to participate in this study? Select all that apply.
10.What do you believe could be the potential benefits of this research project?