How Might Hormones Impede Fertility

Hormone Balance - does not happen overnight, but slowly over time. Necessary to get pregnant and carry a baby to term.

All aspects of a women's reproductive life are influenced by the relative levels of the various female sex hormones in the body. The reproductive system depends on each hormone working in harmony together as a whole system. Any imbalance in any part of this delicate process will affect the production of hormones and with it the chance of conceiving or staying pregnant once fertilization has occurred. Imbalances between hormones are responsible for a number of disorders, such as:

• PMS - pre-menstrual syndrome

• Menorrhagia

• Dysmenorrhoea

• Amenohhhoea

• Luteal phase defect

• Raised FSH levels

• Raised Prolactin levels

• PCOS

• Early Menopause

An imbalance could arise or be triggered by a Pituitary or Thyroid gland disorder. The contraceptive pill, high/low BMI, exposure to environmental toxins, fluid changes in the body, vitamin and mineral levels, infection, Medication, Or by a disturbance of hormonal neurotransmitters, such as GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) - which can indirectly affect egg maturation, ovulation, and development of corpus luteum/production of progesterone.

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women may be:

Breast tenderness/swelling, PMS, Insomnia, Unexplained weight gain, Headache/Migraine, Anxiety/Depression, Vaginal dryness, Cold hands and or feet, Mood swings, Thinning hair, Thin/Dry skin, Facial/Body hair, Acne, Intolerance of hot or cold, Sluggish metabolism, Fat gain around the stomach area, Decreased libido, Irregular periods, PCOS, Recurrent miscarriages, Anovulation, Water retention, Poor egg health, Premature ovarian failure, infertility.

Poor nutrition can lead to the body not functioning properly. Eating foods that are unhealthy, full of preservatives, dyes and other human-made processed chemicals may be damaging the endocrine glands, which in turn causes hormonal imbalance. Women who do not have adequate amounts of body fat may have menstrual cycle irregularities, anovulation, and infertility issues. Women with a BMI greater than 30 may have elevated levels of oestrogen in the body known as 'oestrogen dominance'.

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance in men, Rapid weight loss/gain, Irritability, Loss of muscle mass, Enlarged breasts, Loss of libido, Fatigue, Softer erections, Erectile dysfunction, Lowered stamina, Gallbladder problems, Puffiness/bloating, Prostate enlargement, Anxiety, Infertility.

Obesity in men lowers testosterone levels and affects how the testes function, causing the hormones they produce to be imbalanced. The sperm in obese men are often abnormal increasing the risk for miscarriage and chromosomal defects in a developing embryo. Obese men also often have sexual dysfunction.

If you suspect you have a hormonal imbalance it is best to get a full hormone panel.