Written by Amber Walker, Owner of Origin Wellness
Amber Walker is a Doctor of Physical Therapy-turned author with a passion to empower others to heal from chronic illness. As the owner of Origin Wellness, Amber utilizes an approach based on a blend of functional/natural medicine, nervous system tools, nutrition, movement, and emotional healing to help patients move from surviving to thriving.
Traditional fertility support focuses on synthetic hormones and chemicals, but it does nothing to address why the difficulty exists in the first place. Miscarriages are increasing at exponential rates. What is changing? In this modern world, toxins, technology, occupation, nutrition, stress, and many other variables play into our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. It’s not enough to throw all your eggs in one basket with IVF (pun intended!) and make no lifestyle changes. Infertility as a consequence of natural “aging” is unacceptable. There is nothing natural about this modern world we live in, or its impact on our bodies. To support fertility, women and men – need a radical overhaul of certain variables to set the system up for success. That being said, “less is more” is also key; it’s all about finding balance.
We are seeing a surge in functional medicine practitioners who specialize in fertility. Functional medicine looks at testing like the gut microbiome, sex and thyroid hormone panels, vitamin and mineral levels, and even vaginal microbiome testing to determine whether infections or imbalances are responsible. Treatment usually consists of loads of supplements, with inconsistent results. This may be because functional medicine often “spot-treats” ailments without going upstream to the core root problems.
What are the core root problems? Physical and mental/emotional TOXINS. Foundational medicine focuses on addressing toxins (and sometimes parasites, because parasites feed on and store toxins in the body). Toxicity creates deficiency. When you embrace this approach and go upstream to help the body clean up the terrain, hormones normalize, vitamins and minerals rebalance themselves, and the body is better able to heal itself and be resilient in the face of other challenges. It’s important to work with a practitioner on this to customize guidance to your unique situation.
Research suggests that both men and women with periodontal disease struggle with infertility. But what is upstream triggering gum inflammation in the mouth? Bacterial pleomorphism means that bacteria will alter their species, shape, size, and migration in the body to help break down and decompose toxins. Toxic ingredients in root canals and dental fillings are often part of the puzzle. Addressing this angle can make a difference, particularly in complex cases.
However, it's not all about the physical. If your nervous system is in a state of stress, the parts of the brain that scan our environment for cues of safety will continue to signal that it’s not safe to conceive. Focusing on cleaning up the environment and opening up the detox and drainage pathways seems to help reverse infertility in about half of cases, but the other half also requires attention to stress, the autonomic nervous system, and emotional release.
The body tends to welcome the creation of life into the womb when it feels:
safe from stress,
nourished, and
safe from toxins.
However, it’s key to remember that the ultimate goal is not just to conceive but to conceive and carry to term a healthy baby. Toxins and trauma that are unprocessed or stored in the body can impact the new life you are creating. It is worth laying down a strong foundation, even if that means extending the timeline. Biological age can reverse when you put into practice certain holistic living strategies.
I encourage women to plan for at least six months of “cleanup” work before trying to conceive (TTC). This is also true for the male counterpart! Male factor infertility accounts for 50% of cases of infertility. Toxin reduction, alcohol and smoking avoidance, circadian biology support, EMF reduction, nutrients and antioxidants, exercise, and avoidance of excess heat to the groin all positively impact sperm quality, according to research.
Top 10 strategies to boost fertility, naturally
NOTE: This advice is for both people trying to conceive!
1. Open up your detoxification and drainage pathways with the help of a foundational medicine practitioner
Preparing for pregnancy is much deeper than taking a prenatal that you found on Amazon. (Which, by the way, I do not recommend.) My current favorite to optimize sperm and womb health is an approach like Cell Core’s 4-month Foundational Protocol, which contains humic and fulvic acid-based binders to help clear toxins, support the mitochondria, and heal the gut. This is the best upstream approach, instead of spot-treating with various vitamins and minerals. (Clearing toxins is essential!) Address constipation to make sure things flow, if applicable. Explore your oral health with a holistic dentist.
2. Clean up your environment
Ensure that your living space is clutter-free, and create some extra space to welcome a new person into your home. This signals to the universe that you are ready. Switch to clean, natural products and aim to reduce exposure to chemicals in perfumes, deodorants, makeup, cleaning supplies, etc. Ditch plastics, receipt copies, non-stick cookware, and toxic fabrics from clothing. Evaluate factors like hidden mold or radon that could affect air quality in your home. In my clinical practice, mold is the number one exposure variable that impacts fertility. If you believe mold has impacted your health, you’ll want to allow for some extra time and guidance in how to gently help the system clear mycotoxins.
3. Reduce exposure to unwanted energies
These could be energies from relationships or people in your life, or external man-made forces like electric and magnetic fields (EMFs). EMFs have a huge impact on sex organs (and beyond). Avoid carrying cell phones in pockets near the groin, as this can substantially affect sperm quantity and quality. Reduce EMF exposure further by avoiding wireless earbuds and smartwatches, putting your phone on airplane mode and away from the bed at night, and setting your wireless router on a timer to shut off at night.
4. Move your body
This one may seem like common sense, but it’s important that both partners maintain an active lifestyle and reap the multifactorial benefits of exercise. Be mindful of where you choose to exercise, considering exposure to variables like car exhaust, chemicals, or mold. Also, consider the duration and intensity of your workouts. Too much exercise can put the body into a state of physiological stress, while too little can negatively impact the body in many other ways.
5. Dial in clean water and nutrition
Tap water, fridge filters, pitcher filters, various sink and whole-house systems, and even spring water contain toxins that affect the body’s ability to conceive. Changing your drinking water is a key foundation for longevity and supporting the body’s systems. I suggest switching to distilled water or reverse osmosis systems.
Nutrition deserves an entire article in itself. A low-toxin dietary approach focusing on whole food sources like fruits, vegetables, and high-quality meat is most effective. Avoiding processed foods, additives, and sugar lowers inflammation in the body, making conception easier. See more in-depth nutrition and water tips here.
6. Ground, spend time in nature, and get adequate natural light and sleep
Circadian biology has a direct impact on sex hormones. It becomes much easier to conceive when you start getting daily sunlight. We are told that the sun is harmful to our health and that we need to use toxic sunscreen to avoid skin cancer. Read about a different perspective on this here. Additionally, ensure you are getting adequate sleep.
7. Stop giving your power away
Many women who struggle with fertility are diagnosed with conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. It’s easy to assume these labels are responsible for issues when trying to conceive. Autoimmune conditions and other diagnoses can make the process feel like an uphill battle. It’s easy to feel stuck, but these diagnoses can change with the right approach. They are simply the body’s way of storing inflammation and toxins in tissues, which is reversible. Release the identity and attachment to these diagnoses.
8. Explore nervous system tools
Most people fluctuate between fight-or-flight and functional freeze states. By using somatic tools to feel calm and relaxed, you signal to your body that now is a good time to get pregnant. Many people also gravitate toward strategies like breathwork, meditation, tuning forks, singing, therapeutic art, and movement practices like yoga or tai chi. Sound healing and music-based strategies for the nervous system can be especially powerful here.
9. Address stress and trauma, and release emotions
This may be one of the most under-discussed steps in fertility support. This advice doesn’t necessarily mean exploring counseling or therapy, but rather working with a practitioner trained to release emotions trapped in tissues (such as the reproductive organs and womb). Tools like Mind Body Spirit Release™ (MBSR™) can help signal the nervous system to gently release emotions. The book Emotion Code by Dr. Bradley Nelson provides a practical template for performing emotional releases; anyone can learn how to do this.
10. Keep a loose track of your fertile window, but don’t obsess
Some people trying to conceive use strategies like the Fertility Awareness Method, which tracks basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and cervical position. However, avoid the temptation to turn creating life into a scheduled event. The more it occurs “naturally” without pressure, the better.
When people stop putting pressure on themselves to conceive and instead focus on healing their mind, body, and spirit, conception often happens naturally. Don’t underestimate the power of these tools!
Read more from Amber Walker
Amber Walker, Owner of Origin Wellness
Amber Walker is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, author and the owner of Origin Wellness. She is passionate about a root issues approach to healing from chronic illness and has advanced training in functional medicine, nutrition, nervous system healing, Mind Body Spirit Release™ (MBSR™) and CranioBiotic Technique. With over 16 years of experience working with clients all over the world, Amber specializes in conditions such as mast cell activation syndrome, mold biotoxin illness, long Covid, POTS, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, and chronic mysterious ailments. When not on a surfboard, she enjoys hosting telehealth groups, 1-on-1 care, and retreats in Mexico. Her mission: Help you go from surviving to thriving.
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