How To Take a Whole-Body Approach to Conception

By Sklar Center
Fertility is more than just the ability to become pregnant, it is a reflection of whole body health – hormones, metabolic balance, nutrient status, stress physiology, environmental exposures, and the health of both partners.

When conception is a struggle, it is time to take a deeper look at what may be out of balance and create a personalized plan that supports the body’s readiness for pregnancy.

Modern research increasingly supports what we see clinically: fertility exists along a continuum of health, beginning well before conception and influencing both pregnancy outcomes and long term health trajectories for both parent and child.[1]

How common are fertility challenges?

Fertility challenges are more common than many people realize. Globally, approximately 10 -15% of couples experience difficulty conceiving. [2]

Clinically, infertility is generally defined as:

  • 12 months of trying without pregnancy for women under 35
  • 6 months of trying for women over 35

However, earlier evaluation could be helpful when there are known concerns such as irregular menstural cycles, PCOS, thyroid dysfunction, endometriosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, or suspected male factor fertility issues.[3]

Fertility is a couple’s health issue

One of the most important shifts in fertility medicine is recognizing that infertility is not soley a women’s health issue. Research shows that male factors contribute to infertility in roughly half of couples, often related to sperm count, motility, morphology, or hormonal patterns. [2]

Male reproductive health can be influenced by several factors including:

  • Hormonal balance
  • Nutritional status
  • Oxidative stress
  • Environmental exposures
  • Metabolic health

Recent global research has also identified a significant decline in sperm counts over the past several decades, highlighting the importance of lifestyle and environmental influences on reproductive health.

The root causes we look for

Fertility challenges rarely have a single cause, they often invlove multiple systems interacting together.

For women, common contributors may include:

  • Ovulatory dysfuntion, including PCOS
  • Thyroid imbalance
  • Insulin resistance
  • Endometriosis
  • Tubal factors
  • Uterine structural concerns
  • Hormonal signaling disruption

For men, contributors may include:

  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Varicocele
  • Infection or inflammation
  • Toxin exposure
  • Metalbolic or lifestyle factors

Even when testing appears “normal,” subtle imbalances in hormones, nutrient status, or inflammation may still affect reproductive health.[5]

Lifestyle factors that influence fertility

The body’s reproductive system is deeply connected to overall health and daily habits.

Research has shown that lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake, high caffeine intake, and elevated stress levels may reduce fertility and lengthen the time to pregnancy.[5]

Body composition also plays a role. Both underweight and overweight states can interfere with hormone balance and ovulation, impacting fertility outcomes.

Rather than focusing on perfection, we help patients make small, sustainable changes that support hormonal and metabolic health.

Environmental influences on reproductive health

Environmental exposures are another important—and often overlooked—factor in fertility.

Certain chemicals found in plastics, pesticides, and personal care products can act as endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with hormone signaling in the body.

For example, research has linked phthalate exposure to reduced ovarian reserve in women seeking fertility care, as well as to broader disruptions in reproductive hormone signaling in both sexes.[6]

While it is impossible to eliminate all exposures, reducing the most significant sources can support reproductive health over time.

Nutrition and fertility

Nutrition provides the building blocks for hormone production, egg and sperm quality, and early embryo development.

Research shows that diet patterns rich in whole foods, healthy fats, and antioxidants are associated with improved fertility outcomes. [7]

Several nutrients have been studied for their role in reproductive health:

Omega – 3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 supplementation has been associated with improved fecundability, meaning a higher probability of conceiving. [8]

Antioxidants

Oxidative stress can damage sperm and egg cells. Antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc and CoQ10 have been studied for their role in supporting sperm quality and reproductive outcomes. [9]

Myo-inositol

Myo-inositol has shown promise in supporting ovulation and metabolic health in individuals with PCOS.[10]

The goal is not to restrict the diet, but rather provide the body with the nutrients it needs to support optimal reproductive function.

A personalized, intergrative approach

At the Sklar Center, fertility care is individualized and comprehensive. We combine conventional medical screening with a functional approach that evaluates the underlying systems influencing reproductive health.

Depending on the individual situation, this may include:

  • Hormone evaluation and cycle mapping
  • Metabolic and thyroid assessment
  • Nutrient optimization
  • Semen analysis and male fertility support
  • Stress physiology support
  • Environmental exposure reduction strategies
  • Collaborative care with reproductive endocronologists when appropriate

Our intention is to help patients feel informed, supported and empowered throughout thier fertility journey.

 

Fertility is not only about acheiving pregnancy, it is equally about supporting long-term health for both parents and the future child.

References

  1. Sánchez-Garrido MA, García-Galiano D, Tena-Sempere M. Early programming of reproductive health and fertility. Hum Reprod Update. 2022;28(3):346-375.
  2. Agarwal A, Mulgund A, Hamada A, Chyatte MR. A unique view on male infertility around the globe. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2015;13:37.
  3. Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Definition of infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss. Fertil Steril. 2020;113(3):533-535.
  4. Levine H, Jørgensen N, Martino-Andrade A, et al. Temporal trends in sperm count. Hum Reprod Update. 2023;29(2):157-176.
  5. Hassan MAM, Killick SR. Negative lifestyle is associated with a significant reduction in fecundity. Fertil Steril. 2004;81(2):384-392.
  6. Messerlian C, Souter I, Gaskins AJ, et al. Urinary phthalate metabolites and ovarian reserve. Hum Reprod. 2016;31(1):75-83.
  7. Gaskins AJ, Chavarro JE. Diet and fertility: A review. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;218(4):379-389.
  8. Stanhiser J, Jukic AMZ, McConnaughey DR, Steiner AZ. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and fecundability. Hum Reprod. 2022;37(5):1037-1046.
  9. de Ligny W, Smits RM, Mackenzie-Proctor R, et al. Antioxidants for male subfertility. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022;3:CD007411.
  10. Dinicola S, Unfer V, Facchinetti F, et al. Inositols: From established knowledge to novel approaches. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(19):10575.
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