Think melatonin is just for sleep? This overlooked hormone could be the missing link in your fertility journey.
Melatonin isn’t just about better sleep—it’s a powerful antioxidant that protects egg quality and supports ovarian function. In today’s Get Pregnant Now Quickie, Dr. Katie breaks down how this sleep hormone plays a vital role in regulating ovulation, balancing progesterone, and even boosting IVF outcomes. If you’ve been trying to get pregnant and dealing with poor sleep, low progesterone, or irregular cycles, this is one episode you don’t want to skip.
In this episode, you'll...
– Learn why melatonin is found in your ovarian follicles and how it impacts egg quality
– Discover how disrupted circadian rhythms can lower fertility and delay conception
– Get actionable strategies to naturally boost melatonin and protect your hormone health
Press play now to find out how melatonin could be a game-changing tool on your journey to finally get and stay pregnant—without guesswork.
Take the Ultimate Fertility Blueprint Quiz HERE
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Understanding Melatonin's Role
When people think of melatonin, they often associate it with sleep. Indeed, melatonin is the body’s natural hormone that regulates circadian rhythm, the internal clock that syncs sleep, wake, eat cycles, and even ovulation. Surprisingly, melatonin is also a potent antioxidant crucial for fertility, especially regarding egg quality.
Melatonin and Egg Quality
Melatonin concentrations are notably high in the fluid surrounding ovarian follicles, nourishing developing eggs. Like other cells, eggs can experience oxidative stress, which may affect their quality and potential for fertilization. The antioxidant properties of melatonin help neutralize oxidative damage, protecting the DNA within eggs. Studies have shown improved egg quality and fertilization rates in IVF patients supplementing with melatonin. Similarly, women with PCOS have seen benefits through improved cycle regularity and hormone signaling.
Link Between Circadian Rhythm and Hormones
Disruption in your circadian rhythm, potentially caused by blue light exposure from screens, poor sleep hygiene, or shift work, leads to decreased melatonin production. This has a ripple effect on hormonal balance, affecting everything from LH and FSH signaling to ovulation timing and progesterone production. Issues like irregular cycles, low progesterone, or poor sleep might indicate a need to evaluate sleep environments and melatonin levels.
When to Consider Supplementation
For some, taking melatonin as a supplement might be helpful, especially under the guidance of fertility specialists during IVF or egg retrieval preparation. A standard dose ranges from one to three milligrams, taken 30 to 60 minutes before bed. However, not everyone responds well to melatonin supplements, and improper use might suppress ovulation or cause grogginess. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Natural Ways to Boost Melatonin
There are several natural strategies to enhance melatonin production without supplements:
- Morning Sunlight Exposure: Helps synchronize the circadian clock.
- Blue Light Hygiene: Avoid screens one to two hours before bed by turning off devices like computers, TVs, and phones.
- Sleeping in Darkness: Use a sleep mask if necessary to ensure complete darkness.
- Dietary Choices: Consume foods rich in melatonin or tryptophan, such as tart cherries, walnuts, eggs, salmon, and turkey.
Conclusion
Melatonin offers benefits that extend beyond improving sleep. By supporting egg quality and protecting reproductive health, managing melatonin levels may be key to enhancing fertility. Remember, consult a healthcare professional before adding any supplements, and focus on natural ways to boost melatonin. A balanced approach could help reset your body’s rhythm, making the journey to conception smoother. Be kind to your body, reduce screen time before bed, and keep faith that your next cycle may bring new possibilities. Thank you for reading, and feel free to explore more in our upcoming episodes released every Tuesday and Thursday.
Are you ready to uncover why you haven't been able to get or stay pregnant? The Ultimate Fertility Blueprint Quiz may hold the answers, offering insights into your fertility journey and potentially revealing areas needing attention.
Finally Get Pregnant Naturally is your go-to TTC podcast for holistic fertility support to help you get pregnant naturally by addressing the root cause of unexplained infertility, secondary infertility, and recurrent miscarriage. Hosted by Dr. Katie Wood, a pharmacist and holistic fertility practitioner, this show offers natural fertility solutions for those on a fertility journey struggling to conceive, navigating miscarriage, or dealing with endometriosis, PCOS, low sperm count, or failed IUI or failed IVF. Whether you're trying to conceive, increase egg quality, optimizing sperm health, or healing after a miscarriage, each episode delivers practical guidance to support your fertility journey. Learn how to improve fertility, balance hormones, regulate your fertile window, and conceive naturally through root cause healing, emotional wellness, and mind-body tools—because true fertility starts from within.
DISCLAIMER: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use it as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. This podcast offers information to help the listener cooperate with physicians, mental health professionals or other healthcare providers in a mutual quest for optimal well-being. We advise listeners to carefully review and understand the ideas presented, and to consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. Under no circumstances shall Pharm to Wellness LLC, any guests or contributors to the Finally Get Pregnant Naturally podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Pharm to Wellness LLC be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hi, I'm Katie
Host of Finally Get Pregnant Naturally Podcast