For many individuals and couples in the St. Louis area, the journey to starting a family doesn’t always go as planned. Fertility challenges can feel overwhelming, confusing, and deeply emotional. As a physician, I often remind patients that infertility is not a sign of weakness or failure—it’s a complex medical issue that can have many contributing factors. By identifying these root causes, we can create a more personalized approach to care.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we look beyond surface-level symptoms. Our focus is on the whole person, not just the reproductive system. Whether through functional medicine, hormone balance, or regenerative approaches, our goal is to restore your body’s natural ability to thrive.

Common Causes of Fertility Issues

Fertility challenges affect both men and women. In fact, research suggests about one-third of cases are related to the female partner, one-third to the male partner, and one-third involve both. Some of the most common contributors include:

1. Hormonal Imbalances

Hormones are the body’s messengers, orchestrating everything from ovulation to sperm production. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid dysfunction, and low testosterone can disrupt this delicate balance. Even subtle imbalances—like elevated insulin levels—may reduce fertility by interfering with ovulation or sperm quality.

(Learn more in our related post on the functional approach to PCOS).

2. Nutritional Deficiencies

Your body requires dozens of micronutrients for healthy egg and sperm development. Deficiencies in vitamin D, zinc, selenium, or omega-3 fatty acids can all play a role. Unfortunately, modern diets and gut health issues make these deficiencies common. In functional medicine, we often run advanced labs to uncover these gaps and create a tailored plan.

3. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

Everyday exposures—such as plastics, pesticides, smoking, alcohol, and high stress—can disrupt hormone signaling. Chronic stress in particular raises cortisol, which not only affects ovulation but also lowers testosterone in men. Lack of quality sleep further worsens this imbalance.

(You may also want to read: Stress and Sleeplessness).

4. Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

Your immune system plays a surprising role in fertility. When chronic inflammation or autoimmunity is present, the body may create antibodies that interfere with implantation or sperm function. Conditions such as endometriosis or lupus often require a functional medicine approach to calm inflammation and support immune regulation.

5. Age and Ovarian Reserve

While it’s true fertility naturally declines with age, especially after age 35 in women, this is only one piece of the puzzle. Many younger women and men also struggle due to underlying metabolic or hormonal dysfunctions—issues that can often be supported through targeted therapies.

A Functional Medicine Approach to Fertility

Traditional fertility medicine often jumps quickly to medications, hormone injections, or procedures like IVF. While these can be lifesaving options, they don’t always address why fertility is impaired in the first place.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), our approach begins with a root cause evaluation. This may include:

• Comprehensive hormone testing (thyroid, adrenal, sex hormones)
• Nutrient and gut health analysis
• Assessment of metabolic health (insulin resistance, inflammation, mitochondrial function)
• Evaluation of lifestyle factors (stress, sleep, toxin exposure)

By identifying and correcting these imbalances, we help many individuals naturally improve fertility—sometimes even before considering advanced procedures.

Local Fertility Care in St. Louis

Fertility challenges can leave you feeling isolated, but you are not alone. Here in the St. Louis region, more and more people are seeking a holistic and functional approach. Our practice combines the best of conventional medicine with regenerative and functional care to support both men and women.

For example, we’ve seen patients with long-standing PCOS, chronic fatigue, or unexplained infertility finally achieve success once their underlying metabolic or inflammatory issues were addressed. Sometimes, just improving nutrient status and hormone balance can restore the body’s natural rhythm.

(Related reading: Top 5 Causes of Chronic Fatigue).

Taking the Next Step

If you or your partner are struggling with fertility, know that answers exist beyond the standard “try again next month” approach. By uncovering and addressing the root causes—whether hormonal, metabolic, inflammatory, or environmental—we can help restore balance to your health and improve your chances of conception.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine) in St. Louis, we believe every patient deserves a compassionate, personalized plan. If you’re ready to explore your options, we invite you to schedule a consultation and learn how functional medicine can support your fertility journey.

‍