Women’s Health: Infertility Focus
When trying to conceive, there are multiple factors that play an important role in fertility for both men and women. These include hormonal balance, detoxification, lifestyle, and overall health. The functional medicine treatment approach involves addressing underlying imbalances and lifestyle factors which can improve the chances of conception and support a healthy pregnancy.
Hormonal Balance Thyroid hormones regulate many critical functions including prolactin levels. Levels that are too high or too low can disrupt ovulation. Optimal progesterone levels are essential and a deficiency can lead to difficulty conceiving or even early pregnancy loss. Assessing hormone levels at different points in the cycle can help identify imbalances and guide appropriate natural interventions.
Reducing Toxins and Infections Environmental toxins such as glyphosate in non-organic foods and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in personal care products can interfere with hormone function by mimicking estrogen and disrupting the body's natural balance. Liver detoxification plays a vital role in fertility. Liver function can be supported with nutrients like milk thistle and NAC as well as ensuring regular bowel movements for proper elimination of excess hormones. Addressing infections, parasites, mold, and bacterial imbalances are also important as chronic infections create systemic inflammation that may hinder fertility.
Diet, Lifestyle, and Stress Management Nutrition plays a foundational role as nutrient-dense foods provide essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, zinc, and iron. However, high-intensity exercise may elevate cortisol and adrenaline levels too much, making it less ideal for those trying to conceive. It is best to talk with your provider about what the optimal exercise routine is for you. Stress management is equally important as emotional well-being and past traumas can impact fertility, making therapies such as Equiscope, Cranial-sacral Therapy, and ANI for emotional processing essential tools.
Egg and Sperm Quality Both partners should focus on optimizing reproductive health. For men, ashwagandha has been shown to improve sperm quality. For women, antioxidants like glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) can enhance egg health. Lab testing for hormonal balance, nutrient levels, and potential toxic burdens can offer personalized insights into fertility optimization.
Every individual’s fertility journey is unique so it requires a tailored approach. By addressing the root causes of these imbalances in hormones, detoxification, nutrition, stress, and lifestyle factors, couples can create a strong foundation for conception and a healthy pregnancy!!