Ep 348 The Hidden Link Between Stress, Blood Sugar, and Fertility with Jillian Greaves

On today’s episode of The Wholesome Fertility Podcast, I’m joined by Jillian Greaves @jilliangreavesrd, a functional medicine dietitian and women’s health expert, to unpack the complex but often overlooked, relationship between blood sugar balance, hormonal birth control, and fertility. Jillian shares her personal health journey from battling persistent symptoms like acne, bloating, anxiety, and hair loss to uncovering the deeper root causes through functional medicine.

We dive into how hormonal birth control impacts your hormones, gut, liver, and micronutrient status, and why so many women feel worse when coming off the pill. Jillian also breaks down why managing blood sugar is essential not only for hormone balance but also for egg quality, ovulation, and creating safety in the body.

Whether you're navigating post-birth control symptoms, thinking about conception, or simply curious about how nutrition and nervous system regulation influence your cycle, this episode is packed with insights that will leave you feeling empowered and informed.

Key Takeaways:

• Hormonal birth control suppresses your natural hormone cycle and can lead to long-term nutrient depletion, gut imbalance, and inflammation.
• Coming off the pill is often a bumpy process that requires patience, support, and targeted care.
• Balanced blood sugar is the foundation of hormonal health and fertility—swings in either direction can create stress signals in the body.
• Fasting and trendy diets like intermittent fasting may backfire for women, especially those trying to conceive.
• Nutrition is powerful, but blood sugar regulation also depends on stress management, sleep, and circadian rhythm alignment.

Guest Bio:
Jillian Greaves @jilliangreavesrd is a functional medicine dietitian and women's health expert who helps women address the root causes of hormonal imbalances, period problems, and fertility challenges. After facing years of frustrating symptoms and inadequate answers from conventional care, Jillian turned to functional medicine to heal her own body and now supports others through a personalized, evidence-based approach. She offers private coaching, advanced lab testing, and practical guidance to help women feel empowered in their health journeys.

Links and Resources:

• Visit Jillian’s Instagram
  
• Book a free discovery call via her website
  
  

For more information about Michelle, visit www.michelleoravitz.com

To learn more about ancient wisdom and fertility, you can get Michelle’s book at: https://www.michelleoravitz.com/thewayoffertility

The Wholesome Fertility facebook group is where you can find free resources and support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2149554308396504/

Instagram: @thewholesomelotusfertility

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewholesomelotus/

Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health or fertility care.