The Fertility Crisis: Why So Many Couples Are Struggling To Conceive (And What You Can Do)

If you or someone you know is struggling to fall pregnant, firstly I want to share I’m truly sorry. This journey is incredibly emotional, isolating and overwhelming. And on top ofthat, deeply defeating, because so many women are told their hormones are failing, their egg quality is poor, or their body simply isn’t cooperating. Over time, it’s easy to start believing something is wrong with you.But there is so much evidence and statistics that suggests quite the opposite is true. Infertility isn’t necessarily a sign that something is wrong with your body…in most cases, your body is protecting you and your future baby.Because from a biological perspective, the body prioritises survival before reproduction. If the internal environment is inflamed, nutrient-depleted, exposed to toxins, or under chronic stress, the body may delay conception. Not as a malfunction, but as protection. So instead of us discussing, What’s wrong with my body? Afar more effective conversation becomes: What is my body responding to… and how can I support it?Because this conversation shifts everything from feeling powerless… to proactive. And for many women, that shift will become life-changing.You’ll learn:The four major disruptors that can make conception difficult and how they create inflammation, disrupt hormones and signal the body to delay pregnancyThe most common inflammatory foods that can interfere with ovulation, egg quality and implantation and where to start making simple changesHow endocrine-disrupting chemicals impact fertility and practical ways to reduce exposureWhy stress and cortisol can act as the “handbrake” on conception and realistic strategies to support your nervous system and fertilityA practical starting point to support conception naturally, while also preparing your body for a healthy pregnancy, thriving baby and stronger post-partum recoveryConnect with Sharon:Listen to the previous episode: It’s Not Your Hormones: The Hidden Root Cause Behind PCOS, Heavy Periods,Perimenopause and Hormonal Chaos: https://sharonmselby.com/podcast/ep29-the-hidden-root-cause-behind-pcos-heavy-periods-perimenopause-and-hormonal-chaos/Work With Me (1-2-1) Coaching: [e-mail] Gut Health Course: https://sharonmselby.com/the-gut-health-course/ SHE Thrives (Monthly Membership): https://sharonmselby.com/she-thrives/Free Gut Health Guide + recipebook: https://www.sharonmselby.comFree On Demand Masterclass: 3 Steps to Epic Gut Health: https://sharonmselby.com/gut-health-masterclass/DM me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmselbyWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sharonmselbyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharonmselbyJoin the Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healyourgutwithsharonmselbyDisclaimer: https://sharonmselby.com/podcast-disclaimer/References & Further Reading: World Health Organization; Infertility (1 in 6 couples globally)https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertilityAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Miscarriage Rates (1 in 4 pregnancies)https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/early-pregnancy-lossIVF Success Rates; Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART)https://www.sart.org/patients/frequently-asked-questions/Environmental Working Group; Chemicals Found in Umbilical Cord Blood https://www.ewg.org/research/body-burden-pollution-newbornsEndocrine Society; Endocrine Disruptors and Fertilityhttps://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/what-edcs-areHarvard Health; Stress and Fertilityhttps://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-stress-affect-your-fertility-2019093017909NIH; Diet, Inflammation and Fertility Outcomeshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5998350/American Society for Reproductive Medicine — Lifestyle Factors & Fertilityhttps://www.asrm.orgReferences / Further Reading