By Lisa Edmondson
Master Holistic Health Coach
Female Hormone and Health Specialist
BHSNursing, PGDipPH, PGDipEducation, Masters Health Coaching
For many women, the journey to motherhood is a dream closely held in the heart—but not always easily realised. If you’re trying to conceive and dealing with hormonal imbalances, you’re not alone. Irregular periods, ovulatory dysfunction, or conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and thyroid disorders can feel like invisible barriers on your path to pregnancy.
But the good news? With the right understanding of your body, balanced support for your hormones, and a compassionate mix of holistic and medical care, you can reclaim your cycle—and your fertility.
Your menstrual cycle is a finely tuned orchestra of hormones—estrogen, progesterone, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), and more—all playing their part. Ideally, this cycle lasts around 28 days, with ovulation (when you’re most fertile) happening mid-cycle. However, hormonal imbalances can throw off this rhythm, making it harder to conceive and sustain a healthy pregnancy.
Common signs your cycle may be out of sync include irregular or missed periods, short or long cycles, painful menstruation, heavy or scant bleeding, or a lack of signs that ovulation is occurring—such as no LH surge or absence of cervical mucus.
So how do we bring balance back?
As a holistic health coach with a background in nursing and public health, I believe in honouring the body’s natural rhythms while integrating medical insights. Here’s how I support women in restoring their cycle and fertility:
Your hormones are built on the foundation of what you eat. Certain nutrients are essential for hormone production and ovarian function. Healthy fats—like those from avocados, olive oil, nuts, and oily fish—support estrogen and progesterone synthesis. Protein stabilises blood sugar and promotes balance in LH and FSH. Leafy greens, seeds, berries, and zinc-rich foods (such as pumpkin seeds and legumes) contribute to egg health and help detoxify excess estrogen. On the other hand, processed foods and refined sugars can spike insulin and disrupt ovulation, so it’s crucial to reduce or eliminate these from your diet.
A helpful strategy is to cycle-sync your nutrition: focus on anti-inflammatory foods before your period, and consume iron-rich and replenishing foods during menstruation.
Your body thrives on rhythm. Sleep is vital—aim for 7 to 9 hours of deep, restorative sleep, as melatonin plays a role in reproductive health too. Managing stress is another key pillar, since chronic stress elevates cortisol and can suppress the very hormones you need for conception. Practices like yoga, gentle breathwork, acupuncture, or even mindful walking outdoors can all help calm the nervous system. Regular, low-impact movement such as walking or swimming can also improve insulin sensitivity and hormone regulation without overstressing the body.
Understanding your unique cycle is essential to reclaiming your fertility. Learning to track your basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and LH surge can give you invaluable insights into your ovulation patterns. Fertility tracking apps are useful for keeping records, but tuning into your body’s natural signs in real time gives you the most accurate picture.
Many women benefit from incorporating herbs and targeted supplementation to restore hormonal balance. Vitex (Chaste Tree) is known to support ovulation and progesterone levels. Myo-inositol has shown excellent results in regulating cycles and improving egg quality in women with PCOS. Magnesium and vitamin B6 calm the nervous system and support progesterone production, while omega-3 fatty acids and CoQ10 enhance egg quality and uterine health.
That said, it’s important to consult with a trained practitioner before starting any new supplements, especially if you’re already on medication or undergoing fertility treatment.
Holistic care does not mean rejecting medical insight. Sometimes, conventional diagnostic tools and treatments are necessary and can work synergistically with holistic strategies. I often guide women through requesting comprehensive hormone testing—not just the basic labs, but an in-depth look at cortisol, thyroid function (including antibodies), estrogen-to-progesterone ratios, and insulin sensitivity. Ultrasounds can assess ovulation and check for cysts or uterine abnormalities, and fertility specialists may be needed if persistent cycle issues, advanced maternal age, or conditions like PCOS and endometriosis are present.
Medical support, when needed, should be seen as a partner in your healing journey—not a failure or a last resort.
Healing your hormones is not an overnight process. But with consistent, compassionate care—and a deep understanding of your body’s signals—your cycle can return to harmony. And from that harmony comes your best chance at a healthy, vibrant pregnancy.
I’ve walked alongside countless women who once thought conception was out of reach. Today, they hold their babies in their arms.
You are not broken. Your body is speaking. And together, we can listen—and guide it back to balance.
Looking for Personalised Support?
I offer 1:1 coaching programs to help you track your cycle, balance your hormones naturally, and prepare your body for conception and pregnancy. With tailored plans, lab testing guidance, and emotional support, you’re never alone on this journey.
Let’s make motherhood a reality—for you.
With love and belief in your body,
Lisa Edmondson
Master Holistic Health Coach
Female Hormone & Health Specialist