The ONE Hormone Your Fertility Doctor ISN’T Talking About

Here’s the sitch: 

You have been trying for months to conceive. You’ve spent the last 20 years of your life DREAMING of this beautiful baby that you want to bring into the world. 

But after you started trying to get pregnant, you soon knew that this wasn’t going to happen as easily as you envisioned. 

You’ve had your hormones tested and everything looks normal. 

Your thyroid is normal.

You have a little extra weight to gain, but compared to some other people, you are pretty healthy. 

Maybe then you were told to keep trying or were referred to a fertility specialist. 

So your two options keep doing the same ol’ same ol’ or you are caught shelling out thousands of dollars to meet with a specialist and follow their plan (which also costs thousands of dollars). 

Does this sound familiar? 

It was a story I was told ahead of trying to conceive. 

I think her exact words were: “You’ll likely need intervention to get pregnant.” 

Devastation. 

But I KNEW instinctively, as you’ve heard me say before, that the body was created perfectly, it often just gets off track because of our current lifestyle choices.

But I’m here as proof (with two children to show for it), that there is always hope. 

And I hope that today’s article will empower you to take another look at your fertility journey, or the journey of someone around you, with fresh eyes. 

Let's get started...

There is one VERY important hormone that plays an unsuspecting role in fertility that your doctor isn’t testing.   

INSULIN. 

Even endocrinologists rarely check it. 

Insulin plays a significant role in the regulation of blood sugar levels and overall metabolic function. Its relationship to infertility is primarily linked to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance.

Here are three specific ways that insulin is related to underlying fertility issues that are often ignored:

1. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: This is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. PCOS is often associated with insulin resistance, where the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin. High levels of insulin can lead to an increase in androgens (male hormones), which can disrupt ovulation and menstrual cycles, making it difficult for women to conceive.

2. Insulin Resistance: Even without PCOS, insulin resistance can affect fertility. High insulin levels can negatively impact the balance of reproductive hormones, leading to irregular menstrual cycles and anovulation (lack of ovulation). Additionally, insulin resistance is often linked to obesity, which is another factor that can impair fertility. (This was my personal issue).

3. Metabolic Syndrome: This is a cluster of conditions including insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which can also contribute to infertility. The hormonal imbalances and inflammatory state associated with metabolic syndrome can affect reproductive health.

See how insulin is a main thread woven through all of these causes of infertility? 

Isn’t it mind-blowing that insulin is not part of a standard annual check-up? Or fertility assessment? 

Mind. Blown. 

Managing insulin levels through lifestyle changes (such as diet and exercise) and adopting a fasting lifestyle can improve insulin sensitivity and potentially enhance fertility.

We go into these strategies in significant detail inside Reclaim Your Metabolism, my group coaching program. 

The same strategies that will help you lose the weight for the last time are the same strategies to improve your fertility. 

Because the fundamentals are the same. 

Insulin is in the driver seat of many of our hormonal processes, along with cortisol, and we can’t improve downstream processes until we get to the root cause. 

Here’s your action steps today:

1. If you know someone struggling with infertility, will you please send this article to them? 
2. Next time you go to your OB-GYN or general practitioner, ask for a fasting insulin to be drawn as part of your lab work. The ideal and optimal range is between 3.0-7.0 (even though the ranges says up to 24.0 is "normal"). 
3. Then head over to Reclaim Your Metabolism and join us to completely overhaul your health, revive your fertility, and reclaim your metabolism.

Infertility is a SYMPTOM and should be explored and treated as such. There is ALWAYS a cause when the body goes haywire and stops performing its fundamental roles. 

If you need help or have questions about Reclaim Your Metabolism, I am just one consult away! 

Here's to your health,