Infertility & Functional Medicine

Infertility is often approached with a narrow focus on reproductive organs, but in functional medicine, we recognize fertility as a reflection of your whole-body health. Challenges with conception are rarely isolated—they often stem from deeper imbalances in hormones, gut health, metabolism, inflammation, stress response, and environmental exposures.

Functional medicine goes beyond symptom management or fertility medications. It investigates and supports the underlying systems that influence reproductive function—for both women and men.

What Is Infertility?

Infertility is typically defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex (or 6 months if over age 35). However, this definition overlooks the why. Functional medicine works to understand what’s interfering with healthy ovulation, hormone balance, egg or sperm quality, implantation, or cycle regularity—long before or alongside fertility treatments.

Common Root Causes of Infertility

Fertility challenges often involve multiple overlapping systems. Common underlying contributors include:

  • Hormonal Imbalances: Irregular cycles, low progesterone, thyroid dysfunction, or PCOS.

  • Chronic Inflammation: From autoimmunity, endometriosis, or gut dysfunction.

  • Blood Sugar Dysregulation & Insulin Resistance: Common in PCOS or unexplained infertility.

  • Gut Health Imbalances: Affect nutrient absorption, estrogen detox, and inflammation.

  • Thyroid Dysfunction: Even subclinical thyroid issues can impair fertility.

  • Toxic Burden: Plastics, pesticides, mold, and heavy metals can act as endocrine disruptors.

  • Stress & HPA Axis Dysregulation: Impacts ovulation, libido, and hormonal rhythm.

  • Poor Detoxification: Impaired liver function or methylation affecting estrogen balance.

Signs and Symptoms of Fertility Imbalances

Even before trying to conceive, your body may be sending signs that reproductive health is off track:

  • Irregular or missing periods

  • Painful or heavy menstruation

  • PMS or mood swings before your cycle

  • Fatigue, low libido, or sleep issues

  • Acne, hair thinning, or facial hair (in women)

  • Cold hands/feet or low basal body temps

  • Digestive issues or food sensitivities

  • History of miscarriage or difficulty maintaining pregnancy

Infertility in Women

In women, fertility issues often involve:

  • Ovulation Disorders: Including PCOS, stress-related anovulation, or hypothalamic amenorrhea.

  • Luteal Phase Defect: Not enough progesterone to support implantation.

  • Endometriosis: Often missed or misdiagnosed, associated with chronic inflammation.

  • Thyroid Autoimmunity (Hashimoto’s): Interferes with ovulation and early pregnancy.

  • Birth Control Aftermath: Post-pill syndrome affecting cycles, cervical mucus, and ovulation return.

Infertility in Men

Male fertility is just as essential. Functional medicine looks at:

  • Low Testosterone or sperm count

  • Sperm Quality Issues: Poor morphology, motility, or DNA fragmentation

  • Toxin Exposure: Plastics, heavy metals, endocrine disruptors

  • Nutrient Deficiencies: Zinc, selenium, CoQ10, L-carnitine

  • Oxidative Stress: From poor diet, inflammation, or smoking

  • Sleep, stress, and metabolic dysfunction

What Causes Infertility?

Infertility is rarely caused by a single factor. Functional medicine helps identify and reverse key contributors, including:

  • Gut inflammation or leaky gut

  • Hormonal imbalances (estrogen dominance, low progesterone, thyroid)

  • Blood sugar dysregulation

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction and poor egg/sperm energy

  • Toxin accumulation (plastics, mold, pesticides, BPA)

  • Infections (e.g., stealth viruses, vaginal or gut dysbiosis)

  • Nutrient depletion from restrictive diets, stress, or medications

  • Nervous system dysregulation and chronic stress load

How Functional Medicine Supports Fertility

Whether you’re trying to conceive naturally or preparing for IVF/IUI, functional medicine helps optimize the body’s foundation for fertility. Care is tailored to support both partners and may include:

  • Functional lab testing (hormones, thyroid, gut, inflammation, toxins)

  • Preconception detox and nutrient repletion

  • Blood sugar and cycle tracking support

  • Gut healing and microbiome balancing

  • Anti-inflammatory, fertility-supportive nutrition

  • Mitochondrial support for egg and sperm health

  • Stress management and nervous system regulation

  • Support for cervical mucus, ovulation timing, and luteal phase health

Note: Functional medicine can complement fertility treatments and provide vital support for couples looking to conceive naturally, recover from loss, or optimize future pregnancy outcomes.