When planning for conception, there are many factors that need to be assessed. Hormonal imbalance, oxidative damage, nutrient depletions, and inflammation. When looking at hormonal imbalance checking for
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone: FSH stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles, and elevated levels can indicate poor ovarian reserve, while low levels may suggest insufficient ovarian response.
- Luteinizing Hormone: LH triggers ovulation, and an imbalance (either too high or too low) can prevent ovulation from occurring, making conception difficult. LH stimulates testosterone production in men and is essential for sperm production.
- Estrogen: Regulates the growth of eggs in the ovaries and thickens the uterine lining; low estrogen levels can result in irregular cycles and poor egg quality. Elevated estrogen in men can affect the normal functions of testosterone.
- Progesterone: Prepares the uterus for implantation and supports early pregnancy; insufficient levels can prevent successful implantation or lead to early miscarriage.
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone: AMH reflects ovarian reserve, with low levels indicating fewer available eggs and potential challenges in achieving pregnancy
- Testosterone: Elevated testosterone levels, often seen in conditions like PCOS, can interfere with regular ovulation and lead to difficulty getting pregnant. On the other hand, low testosterone can lead to infertility by reducing sperm count and motility.
- TSH/T4/T3: Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism and reproductive function; imbalances (either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) can disrupt ovulation and menstrual cycles, hindering fertility.
- Cortisol: Chronic high cortisol levels due to stress can disrupt hormonal balance, affecting ovulation, testosterone production, and contribute to fertility problems
- Insulin: Elevated insulin levels or insulin resistance, often seen in PCOS, can impair ovarian function, leading to irregular cycles and difficulty conceiving. High insulin levels may reduce testosterone levels affecting sperm count.
Furthermore, looking at nutrient depletions as certain nutrients can play a role in fertility
- B12: is crucial for red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and proper nerve function. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can impair egg and sperm quality, leading to reduced fertility. It also affects the ability to sustain early pregnancy, contributing to miscarriage or problems with implantation.
- Folate: A deficiency in folate can impair sperm quality in men and may lead to irregular ovulation in women. For women, low folate levels are also associated with an increased risk of birth defects, including neural tube defects.
- Calcium: Low calcium levels can negatively affect hormone production and ovulation in women. For men, calcium is involved in sperm motility, and low calcium levels may affect the ability of sperm to swim effectively, reducing fertility.
- Magnesium: Magnesium deficiency can contribute to hormonal imbalances, menstrual irregularities, and difficulties with ovulation in women. For men, magnesium supports sperm motility and overall sperm health. Low magnesium levels are linked to reduced fertility in both men and women.
- Iron: An iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, anemia, and irregular menstrual cycles in women, which can hinder conception. For men, low iron levels may affect overall energy levels and sexual health. Severe iron deficiency can also impact sperm count and motility.
- Vitamin D: Low vitamin D levels are associated with ovulatory dysfunction in women and lower sperm quality in men. In women, vitamin D deficiency can lead to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is a common cause of infertility. For men, it can reduce sperm motility and overall reproductive function.
- Zinc: Zinc deficiency can reduce sperm count, motility, and overall sperm health, leading to infertility in men. In women, zinc plays a role in ovulation and the health of eggs. A deficiency may affect egg quality and implantation, increasing the risk of miscarriage.
Supplements to incorporate into your preconception routine are:
- Prenatal vitamins: Contains important ingredients like Folate, iron, Vitamin B12 can help ensure that your body is prepared for a healthy pregnancy. Check out our prenatal blog--> Which Prenatal supplement is best for you?
- Omega-3 fatty acids: it has been shown to improve pregnancy rate in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology. It can also help in improve ovulation by regulating hormones, reduce inflammation, and improve egg quality.
- Co-Q10: CoQ10 is known for the antioxidant property which helps with cellular energy production. It can improve oocyte quality, fertilization rates, embryo maturation rates. CoQ10 may help decrease the odds of fetal aneuploidy. CoQ10 is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative stress, which is thought to be a major contributor to DNA damage and errors during cell division.
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine: Improves mitochondrial function, which is crucial for energy production within eggs. Sperm motility and sperm count can be improved with ALC supplementation, especially in men with reduced sperm quality due to age or other factors. ALC has been shown to increase mitochondrial function in sperm cells, boosting energy production, which is necessary for sperm movement and fertilization capabilities.
- Inositol: Has shown to help improve FSH signalling and helps regulate ovarian function. Myo-inositol has been shown to improve egg quality, particularly in women who have diminished ovarian reserve, which is often associated with advanced maternal age or PCOS.
- Probiotics: can help support digestive function and help improve absorption for key nutrients. Furthermore, the vaginal microbiome is crucial for reproductive health, and an imbalance (dysbiosis) in the vaginal microbiota can lead to infections (such as bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections) that may affect fertility.
Environmental health plays a crucial role in preconception as it can significantly influence both male and female fertility, as well as the overall health of the pregnancy. Exposure to environmental toxins, pollutants, and chemicals can affect reproductive function and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.
- Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors: Chemicals like phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and pesticides are known to disrupt hormonal balance, potentially leading to issues with sperm quality, egg health, and even fertility. Furthermore, PCBs are associated with preterm birth and long term health risk for babies. These chemicals can be found in plastics, personal care products, and household cleaners.
- Air Pollution: Pollutants can impair sperm quality and affect ovulation, making it more challenging to conceive. It can lead to low birth weight and stunted growth for infants. Furthermore, it can also increase susceptibility to cardiovascular and respiratory health issues.
- Heavy Metals: Exposure to heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium can negatively impact fertility by affecting sperm production and egg health. These metals can be found in contaminated water, soil, and certain foods, or through occupational exposure. Lead can cross the placenta via passive diffusion and affect the fetus as well.
- Climate Change and Heat: Increased temperatures due to climate change can affect sperm quality in men, as sperm production is sensitive to heat. Excessive heat can lead to lower sperm counts and motility, which can reduce fertility.
Male fertility is important too! Did you know that preeclampsia can be linked to paternal determinants. Paternal obesity is a risk factor for preeclampsia as well as a man who is born from a mother with preeclampsia. Thus, both partners should focus on improving their overall health, including maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, eating a balanced diet, and addressing any underlying medical conditions, in order to optimize fertility and reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy. This holistic approach to preconception care is essential for improving the chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby.
