“Unexplained Infertility” or Stress?: The Hidden Ways Stress Is Hindering Your Fertility

Over 10 years ago, I had made massive strides in my health journey after making *all* the changes.

I was eating real, nourishing food, I was living in alignment with my circadian rhythm, I avoided all mainstream cosmetics and personal care products, I was using cloth menstrual pads, etc.

I was no longer experiencing heavy, debilitating periods.

My skin was clear, my hair stopped falling out.

The gas and bloating that seemed forever present had vanished nearly overnight.

My memory and coordination was improving which meant I was performing better on my college exams with significantly less time spent studying.

The list of improvements could go on forever!

And though my energy levels had improved significantly, they still weren’t ideal AND I was still fainting.

I decided to get a salivary cortisol test done- which can give a glimpse into adrenal function and how well I was handling life’s stressors.

The results showed that my levels were far below the “low” level of cortisol production. It explained why I was still fainting with regularity (because cortisol is needed to contract blood vessels when standing up, and without it, my blood pressure would drop too low).

I was shocked and confused though. Usually when people’s adrenals are “burned out” it’s because of chronic excess stress and I honestly felt like the most chill person I knew, I rarely “stressed” or worried about anything. I slept a lot, went to bed on time and spent lots of time outdoors.

But the thing is is that not all stress is emotional, or obvious for that matter.

Stressors can come from skipping meals, overexercising, being around too many “smart” devices or even having a hidden infection.

For me it was the latter- and once I treated the Lyme, I went from 90% to 100% in my overall well-being.

I share this story to show that even if you feel like you’re doing “everything”, there may still be some stones left unturned. I have a full toolkit and a keen eye to helping my clients find exactly where to begin looking to make the most impact on their fertility.

If you’re feeling like you’re stuck on your hormone and fertility journey, book a discovery call with me to see which way of working with me will bring you the results you’re looking for!

So now that I’ve shown you my own experience of how hidden stress was impairing my own health and wellbeing, I wanted to share with you some other “stones left unturned” that may be keeping you from achieving the results you’re looking for.

These 3 types of stress may be hindering your fertility...

Physical stress
Emotional Stress
Environmental Stress

Physical stress

Physically, there may be various factors, unbeknownst to you, that are stressing out your body. These factors may be chronically raising your cortisol levels (which has significant metabolic and hormonal implications that can impact both reproductive aging and your overall longevity). They may also contribute to “oxidative stress” which is an event that requires significant antioxidant support at the cellular level and can directly cause fertility decline, more on that here.

Physical stress impacting your hormones and fertility can look like:

Nutrient deficiencies (any and all- often experienced as low energy, brain fog, poor digestion, hormone imbalances, poor stamina, skin problems, hair loss, etc.)
Chronic infections (like Lyme Disease, SIBO, Fungal overgrowths, yeast infections, recurrent UTIs, Bacterial Vaginosis)
Autoimmunity (like Graves Disease, Endometriosis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, axSpA,, and others)
Metabolic issues (like PCOS, Insulin Resistance, High Cholesterol, or Excess abdominal body fat)
"Leaky" gut (often experienced as food sensitivities, low energy, autoimmunity, brain fog, gas/bloating, and more)
Inflammatory conditions (anywhere in your body, including oral infections, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease,)
Unresolved emotional conflicts expressing physically (“random” pain, digestive responses, skin manifestations, etc.)

Emotional stress

Emotional stress, such as anxiety, depression or trauma, is one of the more commonly acknowledged types of stress but most people don’t realize that it can also have direct impacts on their metabolic and hormonal health. Other types of emotional stress may look like:

Feeling overworked
Lack of support
Relationship problems
Financial worries
Lacking self-care practices

Be sure you’re working through these challenges in ways that are addressing the root of the issues. Setting boundaries and communicating expectations can go a long way. Journaling, connecting with a listening-friend, walking and other exercise, tapping/EFT, and working with a qualified therapist can be helpful tools to navigate emotional challenges.

Environmental stress

Environmental stressors can be anything that you take into your body that requires processing; anything that’s consumed, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through your skin.

How these factors impact your body may vary on your own personal tolerance threshold which can be determined by your genetics, total toxic burden, your detoxification practices (i.e. are you pooping and sweating daily?) and your intake of liver supporting nutrients required to run effective detoxification.

Curious to learn more about how your environment impacts your fertility? Listen to my Resilient Fertility podcast episodes Practical Tips for Making Non-toxic Living Approachable and "Do I Need to ‘Do a Detox’ Before Getting Pregnant?”

Environmental stress can look like:

Heavy metal toxicity
Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (found in common household cleaners, fragranced products, tap water and cookware)
Air pollution
Artificial blue light exposure
Wearable "Smart" tech devices
"Smart" household devices

Reducing your toxic burden by reducing or eliminating these factors from your environment is a great start whether your simply trying to balance your hormones or you’re trying to prepare for pregnancy. In my preconception preparation program, Resilient Motherhood, I walk you through a step-by-step approach that optimizes every step of your detoxification system so that you can help your body produce balanced hormones and optimize your fertility naturally!

Whether or not you’re planning to get pregnant right now, If you are ready to take control of your health and optimize your hormones and fertility naturally, I have something for you.

Optimal fertility simply means optimal health, whether or not you're ready to get pregnant. So if you're tired of following the same old patterns that don't seem to work anymore, I'm here to tell you that there is a better way.

When I think back to the time when I struggled with my hormones, I experienced debilitating period pain, depression, massive sugar cravings, draining fatigue and non-existent libido, I didn’t realize I could actually change my hormonal reality.

As someone who has been on the journey to resilient health myself, I know just what it takes to tune in to your own needs and achieve hormone vitality.

You don't have to do it alone. I've helped countless women like you regain their hormone balance and achieve a high level of health, even during the motherhood transition. And now, I want to share my secrets with you.

This Summer Solstice, I am offering a FREE LIVE masterclass, Become Carb Resilient & Achieve Your Hormone Potential, in preparation for the launch of my Resilient Hormone Reset 28-day live group coaching program.

In this FREE LIVE masterclass, I'll teach you how you can optimize your fertility naturally, achieve carb resilience and reach your hormone potential.

This masterclass is for you if:

You are FED up with your period problems

(Like painful or heavy periods, PMS, breast tenderness, hormonal headaches, or midcycle spotting) and know deep down that you deserve more

You want to regulate your cycles

You know that having regular cycles is a sign of optimal health and/or fertility, but your cycles are irregular, short, long or missing altogether.

You want to revitalize your system

You want to facilitate healing from birth control or after a previous pregnancy

You desire natural beauty

You want glowing skin, a thriving libido, lush hair and nails, and a robust metabolism - naturally.

And you want to get back in the drivers seat when it comes to food.

You’re ready to find your carb "sweet spot" and become carb resilient- to get all the benefits of including them and none of the downsides.

Say goodbye to working against your body and hello to blooming this summer in a life of balance and vitality. Don't wait – sign up today and take the first step towards a healthier, happier you.

Save your seat!