Difficulty conceiving: 10 avenues to explore to understand your waiting journey

Your cycle: are you ovulating?

This is the foundation, and yet so many women discover too late that they are not ovulating regularly. Having your period does not automatically mean that ovulation has occurred. A cycle can be anovulatory: hormones fluctuate, the endometrium builds up and then sheds, but no egg has been released.

The physiological impact : Without ovulation, there is no egg to fertilise, and therefore no chance of conception. Beyond that, the absence of ovulation prevents the corpus luteum from producing progesterone — the essential hormone that prepares the endometrium to receive an embryo and supports implantation.

What you can explore:

• Track your basal body temperature on waking: a genuine, stable temperature rise lasting 12–14 days indicates ovulation
• Observe your cervical mucus: stretchy, clear mucus resembling egg white signals your fertile window

Anovulatory cycle and difficulty conceiving: without ovulation, neither progesterone nor conception is possible. Tracking your cervical mucus and basal body temperature confirms quality ovulation.

Progesterone: the key fertility hormone

We talk a lot about oestrogens, but progesterone is THE star of conception. It is progesterone that transforms your endometrium into a cosy nest and sustains an early pregnancy.

The physiological impact: An insufficient level of progesterone (short luteal phase, fewer than 10 days after ovulation) prevents the endometrium from thickening sufficiently. The result: even if the egg is fertilised, it cannot implant properly.

What you can explore:

• Measure your luteal phase (from the day of ovulation to the first day of your period)
• A hormonal panel at peak + 7 (7 days after ovulation) can reveal a progesterone level that is too low (we aim for at least 15 ng/ml)

Your thyroid: the silent hormonal conductor

The thyroid is a discreet but powerful gland. It regulates your metabolism, your energy, your body temperature… and your fertility.

The physiological impact: A sluggish thyroid (hypothyroidism, even subclinical) disrupts ovulation by dysregulating the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Thyroid hormones directly influence the production of FSH and LH, the hormones that trigger ovulation. Moreover, an underactive thyroid promotes anovulation, irregular cycles, and increases the risk of early miscarriage as it slows the thickening of the endometrium.

What you can explore:

• A full thyroid panel: TSH, T3, T4, anti-TPO antibodies
• Chronic fatigue, feeling cold, weight gain, irregular cycles: think thyroid
• Check your intake of iodine, selenium, zinc and vitamin D

Prolactin: the breastfeeding hormone that blocks ovulation

Prolactin is often associated with breastfeeding, but it can also be elevated outside of any pregnancy or breastfeeding. And when it rises too high, it becomes a major barrier to conception.

The physiological impact: Hyperprolactinaemia (elevated prolactin levels) directly inhibits the secretion of GnRH by the hypothalamus, which blocks the production of FSH and LH — the two hormones essential for triggering ovulation. The result: irregular or absent cycles (amenorrhoea), lack of ovulation, and sometimes breast discharge outside of pregnancy (galactorrhoea). This elevation can be caused by chronic stress, certain medications (antidepressants, antipsychotics), hypothyroidism, or a benign pituitary adenoma.

What you can explore:

• A blood prolactin test, ideally taken in the morning whilst fasting and at rest (stress raises prolactin — at least 20 minutes of rest beforehand)
• Very irregular or absent cycles? Breast discharge? Low libido? Think prolactin
• Check your thyroid and your chronic stress levels — two factors that often cause prolactin to rise

Excess androgens: when male hormones take over

Androgens (testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA) are hormones that women also produce, but in far smaller quantities than men. When they are in excess, they disrupt the entire female hormonal balance.

The physiological impact: An excess of androgens disrupts the maturation of ovarian follicles and prevents ovulation. The follicles begin to develop but fail to reach maturity: they remain blocked as small cysts on the surface of the ovaries (hence the name polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS). This hyperandrogenaemia also creates insulin resistance, which worsens the hormonal imbalance in a vicious cycle. In the absence of ovulation, there is no corpus luteum, and therefore no progesterone, leaving the endometrium unsuitable for implantation. Excess androgens also manifest as acne (particularly on the lower face and jaw), excessive hair growth (hirsutism), and hair loss.

Excess androgens and fertility: excess testosterone, DHEA and androstenedione block ovulation, cause irregular cycles and prevent follicle maturation. PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is the leading cause of hyperandrogenaemia in women struggling to conceive.

What you can explore:

• A full hormonal panel: total testosterone, SHBG, DHEA, androstenedione, Delta-4
• Persistent acne, excessive hair growth, hair loss? Very irregular cycles? Think PCOS
• Balance your blood sugar: insulin stimulates androgen production
• Reduce refined carbohydrates, prioritise fibre, protein, and healthy fats

Blood sugar imbalances: the rollercoaster that sabotages ovulation

Think blood sugar only concerns people with diabetes? Think again. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels and insulin resistance are among the most common (and most underestimated) causes of difficulty conceiving.

The physiological impact: When you consume carbohydrates, your pancreas secretes insulin to move sugar into your cells. But when this insulin is called upon too frequently (a diet high in refined sugars, frequent snacking, a sugary breakfast), your cells become resistant: more and more insulin is needed for the same effect. Excess insulin directly stimulates the ovaries to produce androgens (testosterone), which blocks follicle maturation and prevents ovulation. Hyperinsulinaemia also disrupts the balance between FSH and LH, promotes inflammation, and reduces the production of SHBG (the protein that transports sex hormones), leaving too many free oestrogens and androgens circulating in the blood.

What you can explore:

• Frequent cravings, energy slumps after meals, sugar cravings in the afternoon? Signs of blood sugar imbalance
• HbA1c testing, fasting blood glucose AND fasting insulin (the glucose/insulin ratio is more informative than blood glucose alone)
• The tip: A protein- and fat-rich breakfast

Heavy metals: the invisible saboteurs of your fertility

Heavy metals and fertility: mercury, cadmium, lead, and aluminium disrupt ovulation, degrade egg quality, and can be passed on to the baby. An HTMA test allows you to assess your toxic load before conception in order to protect your natural fertility. Credit: Eurofins Biomnis

You can't see them, you can't feel them, but heavy metals (mercury, lead, aluminium, cadmium) accumulate insidiously in your body through food, water, air, and cosmetics.

The physiological impact: Heavy metals are major endocrine disruptors. They accumulate in your tissues and organs (ovaries, thyroid, adrenal glands) and interfere with normal hormonal function. Cadmium, for example, mimics oestrogens and creates an artificial oestrogen dominance. Mercury impairs egg quality and disrupts embryo implantation. These toxins also generate oxidative stress that damages the DNA of reproductive cells. A crucial point: these heavy metals can be passed on to the baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This is why it is essential to prepare the ground and assess your toxic load before conception, in order to protect your health and that of your future child.

What you can explore:

• An HTMA test (hair tissue mineral analysis) that reveals chronic exposure to heavy metals and mineral imbalances
• Limit large fish (tuna, swordfish) and favour small fish (sardines, mackerel)
• Support your natural detoxification pathways (liver, intestines, kidneys)

💡 To go further: Discover my article on the HTMA test:  "A journey to the heart of the hair: discovering mineral balance with the HTMA test" 

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress: the invisible fire

You may have heard of acute inflammation (a sprain, an infection). But chronic inflammation is silent and insidious.

The physiological impact: Chronic low-grade inflammation creates a hostile environment for conception. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha) disrupt follicle maturation, degrade egg quality, and make the endometrium less receptive to implantation. Oxidative stress (excess free radicals) damages the DNA of eggs, reduces ovarian reserve, and can cause early miscarriages. This oxidative stress is amplified by smoking, alcohol, pollution, a lack of antioxidants, and blood sugar imbalances.

What you can explore:

• Is your diet rich in antioxidants (berries, colourful vegetables)?
• Reduce ultra-processed foods, refined sugar, and trans fats
• Supplementation with omega-3, vitamin E, CoQ10, glutathione (with professional guidance)
• Measure your hs-CRP; the target is a result below 1

Chronic stress: when your body is in survival mode

Stress is not "just in your head". It is a physiological reality that disrupts your hormonal balance from top to bottom. And bear in mind: physiological stress is not limited to anxiety or emotions. It can also be caused by chronic sleep deprivation, nutritional deficiencies, or persistent inflammation.

The physiological impact : Chronic stress permanently activates your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The result: your adrenal glands produce cortisol continuously. Cortisol inhibits GnRH (the hormone that triggers the entire ovulation cascade), which blocks or delays ovulation. Furthermore, progesterone and cortisol share the same precursor (pregnenolone): when your body has to choose between managing stress and ovulating, it chooses survival (cortisol) at the expense of fertility (progesterone).

What you can explore:

• Quality of your sleep: do you wake up several times a night, and how do you feel in the morning after a night's sleep?
• Your nutritional intake: deficiencies in magnesium, B vitamins, iron?
• Nervous system regulation techniques: cardiac coherence, meditation, yoga
• Adaptogens (rhodiola, ashwagandha) to support the adrenal glands (with professional guidance)

Your partner: the blind spot of infertility

Men are solely responsible for 20 to 30% of infertility cases, and contribute to 50% of all conception difficulties. Yet this is often the last avenue explored, because culturally, the focus tends to be on the woman first. A mistake that can cost precious time.

The physiological impact : Sperm quality (motility, morphology, quantity) directly influences the chances of fertilisation. Even though only one sperm is needed, it must be capable of travelling through the cervical mucus, reaching the fallopian tube, and penetrating the egg. Oxidative stress, environmental toxins, excessive heat (laptop on the lap, frequent saunas) and deficiencies in zinc, selenium or vitamins B9 and B12 can all impair sperm quality.

What you can explore:

• A semen analysis
• Your partner's lifestyle: smoking, alcohol, stress, diet
• Targeted antioxidant supplementation (CoQ10, zinc, selenium) -> I recommend the Cocooning Men from Jolly Mama as a 3-month course

Sperm quality directly influences the chances of conception: 50% of conception difficulties involve the male partner.

Waiting for a baby can be exhausting, especially when you're told that everything is "normal". But your body is so much more than a set of numbers on a results sheet. It speaks to you through those irregular cycles, that fatigue, that restless sleep.

Each of these 10 leads is an invitation to listen to your body differently, to explore what lies beneath the surface. It's not about perfection, but about gradual rebalancing. Sometimes, a single improvement — regulating the thyroid, stabilising blood sugar, supporting the adrenals — can unlock everything else.

You are not alone in this exploration

Perhaps as you read this article, you recognised yourself in 3, 5, or even 8 of these leads. Perhaps you even feel a little overwhelmed by everything there is to explore. That's perfectly normal. And that's precisely why you don't have to walk this path alone.

My role is to guide you step by step through this exploration: together we identify what is truly blocking things (through a comprehensive assessment and HTMA Test if needed), we rebalance your system naturally with nutrition, micronutrition and herbal medicine, and we prepare your body to conceive with complete peace of mind.

You deserve answers that go beyond "just be patient". Your fertility is a complex ecosystem that deserves to be nourished, understood, and supported with care. And above all, you deserve to have all the pieces of the puzzle in hand to create the optimal environment for conception.

Ready to put your fertility puzzle together? 🧩