Top Mistakes I See People Make in Their Fertility Journey

Navigating fertility can be overwhelming and confusing. So here are a few things I often see my fertility patients do (or not do!) that often complicates the journey further!

1. Stressing out about reducing stress😩.

We all know that stress isn’t great for fertility. In one study, more than 50% of women reported that difficulty with fertility was the most upsetting experience of their lives. Other studies compare the stress of infertility to a cancer diagnosis. But dealing with stress is way easier said than done. I often recommend my patients try breathing techniques, meditations, or seek counselling to help support their mental health during fertility struggles. If incorporating more stress relieving practices seems stressful, focus on the things that you can do to add more joy into your life - whether that’s a musical hobby, dancing, puzzles, reading - whatever brings you more fun or a smile to your face. I truly believe that it’s not the stressful event that negatively impacts fertility, but the inability of your body to go back into parasympathetic (rest and digest). Life can be stressful, but as long as you have practices in place to get you back into the relaxation zone, then it’s not going to have as huge of an impact on hormones and fertility as you might think.

2. Not getting adequate testing soon enough💉.

A standard practice is waiting 12 months of trying before investigating infertility. However, that should be earlier if you are over the age of 35, have irregular cycles, or other health conditions (thyroid issues, autoimmune diseases, etc.). If your doctor doesn’t support your request, it’s time to visit a different doctor of enlist the support of another healthcare professional.

3. Not focusing enough on the guy🤦🏻‍♂️.

The sperm is 50% of the picture - always. A semen analysis should be run if there is 12 months of trying without a positive pregnancy test. Even with a “good” semen analysis, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee good sperm quality. I always recommend men being on fertility supporting supplements and considering acupuncture to help boost sperm parameters.

4. Putting too much time in the support groups👯‍♀️.

Don’t get me wrong, support groups can be wonderful for emotional support and finding a community that understands you. However, I find many patients spend a bit too much time in these groups and leave with more questions or doubts on their fertility protocols. Although these groups can be very helpful for getting ideas on things to look into or try, I find many patients need to focus more on trusting their bodies and trusting their healthcare team. It’s also so important to not let your fertility struggles take over your life. I find many of my patients are using a lot of their free time scouring the internet for things they may be missing instead of enjoying their lives.

5. Focusing on the wrong things when it comes to diet🥑.

I never recommend doing an intense cleanse or detox while trying to conceive. This can release more toxins into the body as it is processing through elimination and also put too much physical stress on the body that is not conducive for healthy fertility. Although it’s important to keep a healthy BMI for fertility, rapid weight loss is not advised. A whole foods, nutrient rich diet that focuses on lowering inflammation and stabilizing blood sugar is ideal for fertility and hormone balance. Sometimes focusing on the small things like that one glass of wine a couple times per week or whether or not you should be eating gluten and dairy are more harmful than helpful. I find most fertility patients are not eating enough breakfast or keeping their blood sugar stable and not eating enough protein. Always zoom out and take a big picture approach to diet when it comes to fertility. If you still have questions, definitely check out my Eating for Hormone Balance e-book which breaks down everything you need to know about diet and your hormones.

6. Not paying attention to gut health🍎.

Many of my patients struggling with their hormones have concurrent digestive issues like bloating, gas, indigestion, chronic constipation or diarrhea. Gut health is extremely important for regulating inflammation, hormone balance, mood support, and many other things that directly influence cycle regularity and egg quality. If you are struggling with digestive issues, I highly recommend seeking out the support of a healthcare professional to optimize your microbiome and overall health.

Peace & Periods,

Allison

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