Fertility 101: Understanding Causes, Best Practices, and Hope for the Future
- staciaaaron
- Jun 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 1
For many couples, the journey to parenthood is filled with excitement and anticipation. But when conception doesn’t happen as quickly as expected, questions, frustration, and even fear can set in. At Functional Beginnings, we understand the physical, emotional, and relational toll infertility can take. Whether you’re just starting to explore your fertility or you’ve been trying for some time, this guide will help you understand the best practices for enhancing fertility, the causes of infertility in both women and men, and what steps you can take next.
What Is Infertility?
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse (or six months for women over 35). It affects approximately 1 in 6 couples globally, making it more common than many people realize. Infertility can stem from a variety of factors—including ovulation disorders, fallopian tube blockages, endometriosis, or hormonal imbalances in women—but men contribute to infertility in approximately 40-50% of cases, making it important to evaluate both partners during diagnosis.
Best Practices to Support Fertility
While some causes of infertility require medical intervention, there are several evidence-based lifestyle changes and practices that can significantly enhance natural fertility.
1. Track Ovulation
Understanding your menstrual cycle and identifying your fertile window is essential. Use ovulation predictor kits, fertility tracking apps, or basal body temperature monitoring to pinpoint ovulation and time intercourse accordingly.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being underweight or overweight can disrupt ovulation and hormonal balance. Aim for a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, and focus on a nutrient-rich diet filled with whole foods, leafy greens, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
3. Limit Caffeine and Alcohol
Research shows that excessive caffeine (over 200 mg/day) and alcohol intake can reduce fertility in both men and women. Stick to moderate consumption or consider eliminating these altogether while trying to conceive.
4. Exercise Wisely
Moderate physical activity can improve hormonal balance and stress levels. However, excessive high-intensity workouts can negatively impact ovulation. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week.
5. Reduce Stress
Chronic stress can interfere with ovulation and sperm quality. Practice mindfulness, yoga, journaling, or counseling to lower cortisol levels and promote emotional well-being.
6. Avoid Environmental Toxins
Exposure to BPA, pesticides, heavy metals, and other endocrine disruptors can negatively impact reproductive health. Choose organic produce, avoid plastic containers for food storage, and limit exposure to chemicals in cleaning and beauty products.
Treating Infertility: What Are Your Options?
If you’ve been trying to conceive for over a year without success (or six months if over 35), it’s time to speak with a fertility specialist. At our clinic, we offer a root cause and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment.
1. Hormonal and Ovulation Support
Conditions like PCOS, hypothyroidism, and luteal phase defects can often be managed by addressing the root cause of this issue. We work to understand the reason for the imbalance and optimize levels of hormones in your body to support your natural ovulation cycle.
2. Holistic Support
Our clinic believes in treating the whole person. That’s why we offer a deeper dive into what is going on within the body. Once we find the root cause, we formulate a plan that includes nutritional advise, stress reduction strategies, and personalized supplementation plans to support your body through every stage of the fertility journey.
IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE BEYOND WHAT THIS CLINIC PROVIDES HERE ARE SOME OPTIONS BELOW PROVIDED BY FERTILITY SPECIALISTS:
3. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
For certain causes of infertility, IUI is a cost-effective, low-intervention method to increase the chances of conception by placing sperm directly into the uterus during ovulation.
4. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF is the most effective assisted reproductive technology available and is often recommended for severe cases of infertility, including tubal damage, age-related decline, or unexplained infertility.
5. Addressing Structural Issues
Diagnostic tools like ultrasounds and hysterosalpingograms can detect blockages, fibroids, or endometriosis that may be affecting fertility. Minimally invasive procedures can often resolve these issues.
Don’t Overlook Male Factor Infertility
It’s a common misconception that fertility issues are mostly a woman’s concern. However, male infertility contributes to nearly half of all infertility cases. Common causes include:
Low sperm count or motility
Hormonal imbalances
Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and excessive heat exposure (e.g., hot tubs, laptops on laps)
A simple semen analysis can provide critical insight into male reproductive health and should always be part of a comprehensive fertility workup.
When to Seek Help
If you're under 35 and have been trying to conceive for 12 months—or over 35 and trying for 6 months—it’s time to speak to a professional. Additionally, if you have irregular periods, known reproductive conditions (like endometriosis or PCOS), or a history of miscarriage, you may want to begin evaluation even sooner.
You Are Not Alone—And There Is Hope
Fertility challenges can be isolating, but they are also incredibly common and, in many cases, treatable. At our women's health clinic, we walk alongside couples through every step of this journey—offering personalized care, compassionate guidance, and evidence-based treatments to support your dream of parenthood.
Schedule Your Discovery Call Today
Your fertility journey is unique and so should be your care plan. If you’re ready to take the next step toward growing your family, we invite you to schedule a free discovery call with our team. Let’s talk through your concerns, explore your options, and develop a plan together.
Sources:
American Society for Reproductive Medicine. “Infertility: An Overview.” https://www.asrm.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Infertility FAQs.” https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/index.htm
Mayo Clinic. “Male infertility.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-infertility
Harvard Health Publishing. “Lifestyle changes that can boost fertility.” https://www.health.harvard.edu
Comments