What’s the Best Way to Balance Hormones for Fertility?
Dr. Simmons highlights the benefits of integrating holistic and conventional medicine, especially for women facing hormonal and fertility challenges. By addressing hormonal imbalances through diet, lifestyle changes, and targeted natural interventions, women can create conditions that make their bodies more receptive to fertility treatments like IVF. For example, high estrogen levels—often linked to fibroids and exacerbated by factors like environmental toxins, BPA in plastics, certain molds, and non-organic animal products—can be managed by reducing these sources and improving estrogen detoxification. Dr. Simmons notes that even in complex cases, such as women in their 40s, a holistic approach can significantly improve reproductive health, sometimes resulting in successful pregnancies after comprehensive preparation.
Egg freezing has become an increasingly popular option for women who wish to preserve their fertility for the future, especially as advancements in reproductive science now allow us to freeze eggs for potential use later in life. While the process can offer flexibility and peace of mind, it’s essential to consider the quality of the eggs being frozen. The health of an egg greatly influences its viability and potential to result in a healthy pregnancy, and egg quality can vary based on factors such as age, overall health, and lifestyle. By focusing on lifestyle improvements and health optimizations a few months before egg freezing, women can significantly enhance egg quality, which may increase their likelihood of a successful pregnancy when they’re ready.
One key indicator of egg health is progesterone levels. Testing progesterone seven days post-ovulation provides insight into the health of the corpus luteum—the temporary structure left behind after an egg is released, which produces progesterone. Higher levels of progesterone indicate a healthier corpus luteum and potentially higher egg quality. Through targeted health interventions, women may see improved progesterone levels, which are directly linked to better egg health. This preparatory approach, lasting three to four months before the freezing procedure, allows women—even in their late thirties—to freeze higher-quality eggs, ultimately increasing their chances of successful conception and a healthy pregnancy when the time is right.
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Egg freezing is increasingly viewed as a safety net for women who want to delay childbirth, but it’s crucial to understand that freezing eggs doesn’t guarantee success in pregnancy later on. Dr. Simmons emphasizes the importance of considering not just the process of egg freezing but also the quality of the eggs. Quality is influenced by various factors, and while egg quantity declines with age, it's possible to improve egg quality by optimizing lifestyle factors. For example, a woman’s diet, stress levels, and environmental exposures, such as toxins, can significantly impact the health of her eggs and her fertility. Even in cases where a woman is older, improving egg quality through lifestyle changes before freezing eggs can enhance the chances of future success.
In addition to lifestyle factors, certain health markers like AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) can provide insights into a woman’s ovarian reserve. AMH levels can fluctuate, and in some cases, they can even increase with the right interventions. Dr. Simmons explains that a woman’s primordial follicles, which are dormant until needed, can go into a “hibernation” mode when the body is stressed or deprived of nutrients. By optimizing nutrition, blood flow, and overall health, it's possible to reactivate these follicles and improve egg quality. Stress, poor diet, and environmental toxins play a significant role in whether the body is in a fertile or survival mode, and this can directly affect a woman’s ability to conceive later in life.
Optimizing fertility requires a holistic approach, addressing both physical and emotional factors. Stress, both acute and internal, can impact ovarian function, and how we perceive stress affects our body's response. A personalized supplement plan is also crucial, focusing on the most effective nutrients like glutathione and phosphatidylcholine. Working with a fertility specialist who provides individualized care is key, as broad or group-based protocols are less effective. For those seeking a starting point, a new root cause analysis tool helps identify fertility obstacles before pursuing specialized care.
Check out the full episode of the Sofia Unfiltered podcast, "The Truth About Egg Freezing with Dr. Aumatma Simmons", available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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Disclaimer: The Sofia Unfiltered Podcast by Sofia Health is for general informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have. For any health concerns, users should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals.