Fertility issues in women can be attributed to various factors, and individual cases may involve a combination of these factors. The most common fertility issues in women are briefly described below:

1. Ovulation Disorders: Irregular or absent ovulation is a common cause of infertility that usually stems from reproductive hormone imbalances. Symptoms can include irregular or absent periods, mood changes and weight changes. Treatment options include oral or injectable fertility drugs to stimulate ovarian function, lifestyle changes, and thyroid hormone replacement therapy. According to NICE, ovulation disorders account for approximately 25% of infertility cases, and the WHO classifies them into 3 groups:
   • 85% of ovulation disorders are caused by dysfunctions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which can cause conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea.
   • 10% of ovulation disorders are caused by hypothalamic pituitary failure, which can result in amenorrhea, low gonadotrophins, and oestrogen deficiency.
   • 5% of ovulation disorders are caused by ovarian failure, when the ovaries stop working prematurely.
2. Age-Related Issues: Female fertility declines with age, primarily due to a decrease in the quantity and quality of eggs. Female fertility is at its peak during the late teens and twenties, then it slowly declines. Women under 30 have an 85% chance of conceiving within a year. At age 30 the chances drop to 75%, at age 35 it drops to 66%, and at age 40 the chances of conceiving within a year fall to 44%. So, there is a gradual decline in female fertility from age 30, but it doesn’t suddenly fall off a cliff like we are often led to believe.
3. Fallopian Tube Issues: Blocked, damaged or inflamed fallopian tubes can prevent the egg from meeting the sperm, leading to infertility. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or endometriosis may be contributing factors. According to NICE, 20% of intertility is due to tubal damage.
4. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is characterised by inflammation and infection of the female reproductive organs. It often results from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, although other bacteria, like Trichomoniasis and mycoplasma can also cause it. Infections typically start in the vagina and cervix, and can ascend into the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Inflammation and scarring can result in blocked tubes and difficulties with egg transport.
5. Endometriosis is where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside of the uterus. This tissue, called endometrial implants, can be found on various pelvic organs, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis. During the menstrual cycle, these implants respond to hormonal changes, leading to inflammation, pain, and the formation of scar tissue, which can interfere with fertility by affecting the function of reproductive organs. Endometriosis affects 10% of women of reproductive age.
6. Fibroids/Polyps: Structural abnormalities or conditions affecting the uterus, such as uterine fibroids or polyps, can interfere with implantation or the ability to carry a pregnancy to term. It is estimated that 20-80% of women will develop fibroids by the age of 50, although not all of them cause symptoms. Polyps are less common.
7. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone issue characterised by irregular cycles and ovulation, high levels of androgens (testosterone), and enlarged ovaries with small cysts. Irregular or absent periods are common symptoms, along with weight gain, acne, excess body hair, and fatigue. Ovulation is often unpredictable, making conception challenging. PCOS affects 10% of women, and is often associated with insulin resistance, as highlighted by a 2022 study. Lifestyle changes, including a low-carbohydrate / high-protein diet and exercise, can help to manage the symptoms and increase fertility.
8. Low Ovarian Reserve (LOR) is a condition where a woman’s ovaries have a reduced quantity or quality of eggs, which can result in irregular cycles and reduced fertility. Girls are typically born with over a million eggs, but due to a process called atresia (natural degeneration), that number steadily declines. At puberty only about 300,000 remain, at age 30 it’s about 100,000, and at menopause (usually about age 50), less than 1000 remain. Low Ovarian Reserve becomes more common with age, but it can also occur in younger women, which is known as premature ovarian failure (POF). Having a low ovarian reserve (egg supply) doesn’t mean a woman will be unable to conceive, however 10-30% of women seeking fertility treatments may have low ovarian reserve. Ovarian reserve testing is recommended for women over 35 who have not conceived after six months, and for women who have received cancer treatment.
9. Premature Ovarian Failure (POF), also known as premature ovarian insufficiency or early menopause, is a condition where the ovaries cease to function properly before the age of 40. It is characterised by a decline in ovarian function, leading to irregular menstrual cycles, low oestrogen levels, and often infertility. It is relatively uncommon, affecting about 1% of women under 40. It can occur at any age but is most likely in women in their 30s. Symptoms may include: Irregular or absent periods, Hot flashes and night sweats, Vaginal dryness, Mood changes, Decreased libido and Infertility. The exact cause of POF is often unknown, but it can result from genetic factors, autoimmune disorders, cancer treatments, viral infections or surgery. DHEA and Co-Enzyme Q10 can help with LOR and POF.
10. Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA) is a condition characterised by the absence of periods (amenorrhea) due to disruptions in the hypothalamus (part of the brain). It is relatively common, and often affects women with a history of excessive exercise, significant weight loss, chronic stress, or a combination of these factors. The treatment of FHA simply involves addressing the underlying causes and promoting overall health and wellbeing.
11. Thyroid Imbalances, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), can impact fertility by affecting ovulation and hormone regulation. Hypothyroidism is more common, and can affect women of any age, but it becomes more prevalent with age. Achieving and maintaining optimal thyroid hormone levels is crucial for fertility and a healthy pregnancy. If you are struggling to conceive (especially if your basal body temperature is consistently  below 36°C), it might be worth getting your thyroid hormone levels checked. Your GP can arrange a basic test, but a more advanced one can be ordered online. Drugs such as Levothyroxine, Methimazole or Propylthiouracil can be prescribed to help manage thyroid hormone levels.
12. Luteal Phase Defect (LPD) is a condition characterised by insufficient progesterone production and/or inadequate responsiveness of the uterine lining to normal levels of progesterone during the luteal phase (second half) of the menstrual cycle. This can impact the ability of the uterine lining to support a fertilised egg, leading to difficulty in implantation and an increased risk of early pregnancy loss. The main symptom of LPD is a short luteal phase, less than 10 days, instead of the usual 12-14 days. It can be caused by a hormone imbalance, stress, excessive exercise, a thyroid disorder or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). LPD can be diagnosed through menstrual cycle tracking or a progesterone test, and can be treated with Progesterone, Clomid or Letrozole.
13. Unexplained Infertility refers to the situation where couples experience difficulty conceiving, and after a thorough evaluation, no specific cause can be identified. Despite comprehensive testing, including assessments of hormone levels, ovulation, sperm quality and fallopian tube patency, doctors can’t explain a couple’s infertility, which can be very frustrating. According to NICE, 25% of couples seeking fertility assistance receive a diagnosis of unexplained infertility. There is always a reason for infertility, and an unexplained infertility diagnosis simply means the standard fertility tests didn’t identify the issue. The underlying cause could be: Sperm fragmentation, poor egg quality, immunological issues or subtle abnormalities of the reproductive system. The root cause could be physical, energetic, emotional, mental, or any combination of these. Treatment options include: Medications such as Clomid or Letrozole, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). Or more natural approaches such as: Better Nutrition, Supplements, Toxin Reduction, Lifestyle Changes, Stress Management, Fertility Reflexology and/or Energy Healing.

Female fertility is multifactorial, so all of the following can all help to improve your egg quality, hormone balance, cycle regularity and fertility in general: A healthy diet, fertility supplements, regular moderate exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, managing stress, moderating alcohol and caffeine consumption, quitting smoking or vaping, reducing your exposure to toxins, and developing a healthier relationship with your body and reproductive organs.

Moderating alcohol consumption, stopping smoking or vaping, exercising regularly and eating healthily are all commonly known ways of improving fertility. But the chances are, you have already tried them, and they haven’t worked for you, so here are some other things to try:

• • Supplements are probably the easiest way to improve your fertility, and Proxceed Women Inositol is probably the best single supplement you can take. It supports hormone activity and ovulation; it optimises egg quality and protects them from oxidative stress; and it encourages fertilisation, healthy cell division and implantation of the fertilised egg. Antioxidant supplements, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, CoQ10, Omega 3, ALA and NAC can also help by reducing oxidative stress, which is a primary contributor to poor egg quality. Due to the time it takes for eggs to mature (oogenesis) supplements need to be taken for at 3 or 4 months to reap the benefits. Please refer to our Fertility Supplements page for further information.
  • Toxin Reduction: Endocrine disruptors are probably the worst toxin for female fertility because they can disrupt your natural hormone balance, which can knock your whole reproductive system out of balance. The most important changes you can make are to stop wearing perfume, switch to a natural deodorant, invest in a water filter, and stop drinking from plastic bottles, paper cups and cans (because they are lined with plastic). Please refer to our page on Toxin Reduction for further information.
  • Fertility Nutrition: You’ve probably already tried to improve your diet by eating healthier foods, but the most effective thig you can do is switch to Organic Produce, because pesticide residues are a significant factor in fertility issues. Please read the Regular vs Organic Produce section on our Fertility Nutrition page, and the section on Inflammatory Foods, because they also affect reproductive health.
  • Holistic Practice: Make it a regular practice to move your awareness down into your reproductive area, and simply be with it. Sense any tightness or discomfort that may be present, and feel into it compassionately. Send love and gratitude to your womb and your ovaries. Think and feel positively about your fertility journey, and have faith that success is on its way. Reassure any parts of yourself that have doubts, or feel disillusioned, anxious or depressed. Remember that your body knows how to get pregnant – it’s just out of balance. Developing a loving relationship with your reproductive system, and working synergistically with it to restore harmony will encourage. Ideally, do this simple 5-minute practice as soon as you wake up in the morning, and as soon as you get into bed each night.

  Please note that any positive actions you undertake today will increase the quality of the eggs you are going to release in 3 or 4 months’ time. So, please do as much as you can, as soon as you can, and for as long as you can to optimise your chances of success.

  The buttons on this website to buy supplements take you to Amazon.co.uk. We earn a small commission if you make a purchase using our buttons, so we would greatly appreciate it if you could use our links every time you purchase your fertility supplements.

Female fertility is a complex interplay of factors, with hormones, egg quality and cycle regularity all having a significant impact on fertility. Often overlooked, the energetic aspect of fertility can have a significant effect on these factors by promoting healing and restoring balance to improve female reproductive health.

• Clearing Energetic Blockages: Energetic blockages can disrupt the natural flow of energy within the body, affecting various physiological processes, including those related to fertility. Our Energy Healing sessions can help to clear these blockages and encourage your vital energies (life force / chi / prana) to flow more freely to create a more harmonious space for conception and gestation.
• Hormone & Cycle Balancing: Energy healing can help to balance hormones and regulate cycles, both of which are important factors in female fertility.
• Structural Issues, such as PCOS, fibroids and endometriosis, may be caused by energy blockages and imbalances, in which case, they may benefit from energy healing.

It’s important to understand that while Energy Healing is a valuable complementary therapy, it doesn’t guarantee instant or miraculous results, but it can help to create conditions that are more conducive for conception. If you’re ready to explore the potential benefits of Energy Healing for female fertility, we invite you to complete our application form. Our experienced practitioners will work with you in a practical, down-to-earth manner to address any energetic imbalances and support your journey towards improved fertility.

Reflexology is an effective complementary therapy that can support female fertility in a number of ways, including:

• Balances Hormones: Stimulating certain reflex points can help to balance hormones in the body. Hormone imbalances play a big role in female fertility issues, and reflexology can help to regulate the reproductive hormones.
• Increases Egg Quality: Reflexology can benefit women by enhancing egg quality.
• Improves Blood Flow: By relaxing the muscles in the pelvic region, reflexology can reduce tension and increase blood flow to the reproductive organs, which can benefit fertility.
• Optimises Body Systems: This therapy encourages all body systems to function optimally, which is essential for a successful conception.
• Reduces Stress: Reflexology is known for its stress-reducing effects. High stress levels can negatively impact fertility in women. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, reflexology can indirectly support fertility by creating a more conducive emotional and hormonal environment for conception.
• Enhances Wellbeing: Reflexology promotes physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. A healthy body and mind are essential for fertility, and reflexology contributes to a sense of balance and wellbeing.