How to Address Fertility Issues in Women

Are you struggling to start or grow your family? You’re not alone. According to the CDC, approximately 10-20% of women in “reproductive years” cannot get pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term. But the answers to what exactly causes infertility is often unknown. At Famlee, our goal is to provide tangible clarity and solutions for women trying to conceive. Here are a few common causes of infertility in women—and more importantly, how to address them.

What Causes Infertility?

The bad news is there are many causes of infertility; the good news is that most are treatable—but first they must be identified.

Hormone Imbalances

One of the most common culprits for difficulty conceiving is hormone imbalances. Possible sources for hormone imbalances include oral contraceptive use, thyroid conditions, eating disorders, medications, exposure to household chemicals, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), and stress. Stress and depression have the potential to shut down the parts of the body controlling the reproductive system, resulting in unpredictable or missed ovulation. Women that experience this can take roughly 1.3 times as long to get pregnant.

Drugs, Tobacco, and Alcohol

Frequent consumption of certain drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products also decrease fertility. Almost all recreational drugs pass through the bloodstream, which can directly affect a woman’s eggs. Consuming large quantities of alcohol can throw off a woman’s cycle, making ovulation inconsistent and unpredictable. Smoking tobacco has a chance of decreasing the number of eggs a woman has, and can also age them prematurely.

Other Causes of Infertility

Pre-existing conditions such as tumors, cysts, hyper- or hypothyroidism, and frequent or extreme weight changes can result in a lower likelihood of getting or staying pregnant. Men and women can also experience lower fertility when deprived of sleep and sufficient nutrients.

How Can I Improve My Fertility Naturally?

Diet

Studies have shown that increasing your intake of antioxidant-rich foods might lower oxidative stress and preserve egg quality. Additionally, eating a diet high in fiber, low in trans fats and carbs, and with the right protein sources all play a vital role in optimizing fertility.

Blood Glucose and Fertility

Balancing blood sugar levels can have a substantial effect on your hormones. Eating sugary foods and refined carbohydrates can create a damaging yo-yo effect of high and low blood glucose levels, contributing to mood swings and leading to binge eating and weight gain. Women struggling from infertility can benefit from decreasing overall carbohydrate intake, and women with PCOS will benefit from cutting carbs to 20g per day or fewer. 

Don’t Worry About It

Because we know how damaging stress is—and how hard the journey of trying to conceive can be—it’s important to reduce stress when possible. Meditation, daily walks, and journaling have shown to be helpful. And while no one wants to hear “stop worrying about getting pregnant” one more time, there is a bit of truth to the statement. 

Keep Track of Ovulation

A woman’s ovulation window is the time of the month in which she is most fertile—and yet so many women do not know when they actually ovulate.. Knowing your ovulation window will give you a more accurate idea of when you should try to conceive. Testing for Luteinizing Hormone (LH) with ovulation test strips is an inexpensive way to predict ovulation and increase your chance of conception by timing your intercourse to be most effective. 

Don’t Do “It” Excessively

Contrary to popular belief, having intercourse every chance you get doesn’t increase your chances of getting pregnant. Sperm can live for up to 5 days, but most live only 1-2 days, even in favorable conditions. Plus, having nightly intercourse can put your body under too much stress. Being aware of your ovulation window can allow you to put your “sessions” to their best use.

Home Fertility Remedies Not Working?

Home remedies and lifestyle changes won’t work for everyone, but don’t worry, you still have options.

Surgery

If certain medical conditions exist, such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or other physical ailments that may prevent a healthy pregnancy, surgery might be necessary. Speak to a doctor about these options and for an accurate diagnosis. 

IVF

IVF, or in vitro fertilization, is when a lab combines sperm with a woman’s egg, fertilizing it before implanting it into the uterus. IVF is typically a long and expensive procedure, and can take a toll on a couple’s mental health. Most women would prefer to use it as a last resort but may not be aware of other options like the ones Famlee provides. IVF has no guarantee of success and is often not covered by insurance. Additionally, because IVF already has a low success rate, it’s imperative to have whole-body health to optimize fertility prior to the procedure. Many IVF clinics turn women away every single day for being over or underweight, being “too old”, or having hormonal imbalances they can’t treat.

Why You Should Give the Famlee Fertility Kit a Try

Famlee’s at-home hormone lab kit is the only digital fertility solution with built-in telehealth and protocols for female hormonal imbalances, as well as male sperm health. The Famlee Fertility Kit and our team helps guide you through the next steps you need to take to maximize your fertility and overall whole-body health. To learn more, click here.