Trying to get pregnant can be exciting and nerve-racking. From the moment you decide you want to conceive, it’s natural to hope it happens quickly. Month after month without a positive test can be difficult, and it can feel especially frustrating if you have been told that everything looks normal.

If you have been trying for months without success, there may be factors affecting fertility that have not been fully addressed yet. A common medical guideline is to consider an infertility evaluation after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse if the female partner is under age 35, or after 6 months if the female partner is 35 or older. In some situations, such as irregular cycles, known reproductive conditions, or concerns about male fertility, evaluation may be appropriate sooner.

Here are five factors that can sometimes be overlooked when couples are trying to conceive.

5 FACTORS

1. Ovulation

Having a regular period is a good sign, but it does not always mean ovulation is happening optimally or that timing is ideal. Ovulation may not occur exactly when an app predicts, so learning your body’s own signs of ovulation can help with intercourse timing.

In some cases, ovulation may not lead to progesterone production that is sufficient to support the uterine lining for implantation, which is one reason a fuller fertility assessment can be helpful.

2. Chronic Stress

Your body produces several hormones in response to stress. Modern stressors such as demanding schedules, poor sleep, financial pressure, and emotional strain can all contribute to a prolonged stress response.

Stress does not automatically prevent pregnancy, but chronic stress may influence hormone signalling, ovulation, sexual health, sleep, and other behaviours that can affect overall reproductive health.

Learning healthy ways to manage stress can support overall well-being and may be a helpful part of a fertility plan.

3. Blood Sugar Imbalance

Blood sugar balance can affect hormone regulation. In some women, especially those with insulin resistance or conditions such as PMOS, blood sugar dysregulation may affect ovulation and reproductive health.

In men, metabolic health may also play a role in fertility. Insulin resistance and diabetes have been associated with changes in testosterone, semen quality, and sperm DNA integrity, although the degree of impact varies from person to person.

Possible signs of blood sugar imbalance can include:

• Craving sweets
• Energy crashes
• Trouble losing weight
• Abdominal weight gain

4. Gut Inflammation

Digestive health may influence fertility indirectly through nutrient absorption, inflammation, hormone regulation, and overall metabolic health. If the digestive system is not functioning well, it may be harder to absorb key nutrients needed for hormone production, ovulation, egg quality, and healthy sperm development. Ongoing digestive symptoms may also be associated with inflammatory or immune changes that can affect general health and, in some cases, reproductive health.

Digestive symptoms that may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider include:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Food reactions or sensitivities
• Abdominal pain

5. Nutrient Deficiencies

Reproductive health and hormone production depend on adequate nutrient intake and absorption. Nutrients such as iron, vitamin D, zinc, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and B vitamins all support overall health, but supplementation should ideally be based on individual needs rather than assumptions.

Identifying and correcting true nutrient deficiencies can be an important part of preparing for a healthy conception and pregnancy.

In general, if you are struggling to get pregnant but everything on the surface looks good, it may be worth taking a closer look at factors such as cycle timing, metabolic health, stress, nutrition, and any symptoms that have been dismissed as minor.

Fertility in both partners can be influenced by hormones, nutrition, sleep, environment, underlying health conditions, and lifestyle factors. Identifying areas where support may be helpful can make it easier to understand your body and plan next steps.

If you are looking for natural fertility support in the Waterloo Region, I’d be happy to help.

Virtual appointments are available across Ontario.

(This information does not replace the health advice given by a primary care provider, and is intended ONLY for educational purposes)