“In the United States, among heterosexual women aged 15 to 49 years with no prior births, about 1 in 5 (19%) are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying. Also, about 1 in 4 (26%) women in this group have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term.” [cdc.gov]
There is a fight for fertility.
Over the last few decades, fertility rates have gone down drastically. And you may be thinking, well women today are more focused on their careers so it makes sense. But I want to focus in on this and shed light into other areas that affect women’s health and fertility that you may not have considered yet.
What is infertility?
Infertility is the inability to conceive or get pregnant after one year of having unprotected sex with the intent of becoming pregnant. It also includes the inability to maintain a pregnancy or carry a pregnancy to term (miscarriages).
Fertility is more than just the ability to conceive, it’s a huge indicator of homeostasis and health in a woman’s body.
One of the major factors contributing to the decline of childbirths and fertility, is likely due to the fact that more women in today’s culture are prioritizing careers over having families. With the delay in reproduction and increase in age, the chances of becoming pregnant do diminish. Unfortunately for women, unlike men, our eggs (which we cannot produce more of) only have a finite, controlled lifespan.
To truly understand the connection between social economical influences and fertility, we have to consider what the implications or consequences of this ‘hustle culture’ and prioritizing work-first lifestyle have on women’s health.
The era of the masculine woman.
Before you go thinking that I am against women’s rights or freedom, I want you to understand that I am speaking from a clinical and biological perspective. This is also something I have personally experienced in my own health.
Our culture has inevitably shifted to a more masculine environment, which places more of a burden for women to step up to their male counterparts. It is almost impossible now for the average family to rely on only the husband to work. Of course, some women desire to be leaders and to be financially independent, but there is something else going on.
This new age of ‘hustle’ and ‘work-grind’ has its own side affects. Populations of women around the globe are now experiencing hormonal shifts or imbalances because of this. More young women have been placed on hormonal birth control, which has led to an epidemic of women in their 20s and 30s with hormonal imbalances like PCOS, endometriosis, Hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, and more.
The clinical implications?
The reason why the ‘masculine era’ is detrimental to women’s fertility and hormones is because of the amount of stress that is placed on the body.
We have women working full time jobs, on top of raising families, some with multiple jobs, single moms, women starting businesses, etc. We are BUSY. And busyness comes with stress. Not only emotional stress, but physical stress. Not only physical stress, but psychological stress. We are not eating proper meals, skipping meals in between functions. We are eating on-the-go, not fully digesting food. We are overworking and overexercising ourselves. We are over-supplementing and over-medicated. We are quite frankly, doing it all with not enough nourishment to fuel all of our activities.
When we look at the biological woman, fertility and healthy hormone function rely on consistency, reliability, nourishment, and rest. Consistency and reliability in routine, meaning meal timing and portions, regular movement, sleep schedules, etc. Half of the entire female fertility cycle is dependent on the parasympathetic nervous system state, which includes rest and nourishment. This is a key factor in sustaining a pregnancy all through term.
When we neglect these important pieces of our health, cortisol (our stress hormone) rises and stays elevated until we burn out because our blood sugar is all over the place. Estrogen at the same time becomes elevated causing Estrogen Dominance, which is responsible for SO many hormonal imbalances like acne, weight gain, cramps, hair thinning, bloat, anxiety, and fatigue. Progesterone tanks and low levels affect our menstrual cycles and chances of ovulation or pregnancy. Testosterone may also increase as DHEA levels rise, leading to higher cases of PCOS, which diminishes fertility rates.
So when we look at the big picture, it’s more than just about equality. It’s the implications masculine hustle culture has on women’s health.
I have reviewed countless lab tests and have found Estrogen Dominance in almost every case. I’ve worked with women with hormonal imbalances, many of them showcasing imbalances in their adrenal function (stress and blood sugar) and nutritional deficiencies. I’ve seen women who have lost their period due to stress.
It is not a coincidence.
Luteal insufficiency graphs
How can I improve my hormone health and fertility?
Reverse the above. Start prioritizing your body over demands. If you are aiming to become pregnant, begin nourishing your body! Sleep adequately, move your body everyday gently, supplement only bio-individually, and work on regulating your nervous system.
Make sure to eat enough protein every day. 90-120grams of protein per day is sufficient, lean more to 120 grams if you have more strenuous daily activities.
Research about the toxins in your home and begin swapping products out to reduce endocrine mimicking products (endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen in the body). You want Estrogen and Progesterone to be balanced in order for ovulation to occur and to support the uterine lining through pregnancy.
Work with a certified practitioner to get functional lab testing done to find out what underlying imbalances you have and address them appropriately. Your practitioner will be able to support you in making the right decisions for targeted supplementation.
And of course, lower your stress load. Stress causes oxidation and stagnation in the body. Realign yourself with your values and reprioritize your list of to-dos to create a healthier lifestyle.
If you are struggling with infertility today, I encourage you to look inwards and see what areas feel neglected, and start there. If you need professional support, please book a call to see what your options are for lab testing and guidance.