Slow is Fast #2: Hack Your Hormones for Fertility & Wellness

Recipe: Pear Hazelnut Cobbler for Breakfast

*This newsletter is not intended to be medical advice. Supported by Mandy Murphy Carroll, RD MPH, Dr. Rosa Keller, PHD RD, Dr. Ricki Pollycove OBGYN, & Dr. Claire Packer OBGYN

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Welcome to Modern Women’s Nutrition!

Empowering the busy modern woman to understand her hormone & metabolic health, and how to eat to thrive at every step of her journey—from fertility to menopause and beyond.

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Hey amazing ladies,

Hope you’ve had a lovely week, and a beautiful Valentine’s Day!

With the theme of love – for our partner, family, friends, and most importantly, ourselves and our health – this week we’re picking up where we left off with the Slow is Fast mindset, and applying it to another life stage: fertility.

Because at this time in your life, you deserve to take it at your own pace, feel confident in your own preparation and your body’s capability, and be content through the process.

Most of us in the Modern Women’s Nutrition community are women aged 30+, which means we’ve all likely faced that question at some point (probably more than once!):

“So… when are you thinking about starting a family? Having another baby?”

Once you hit 30, and/or get married, it’s nearly impossible to avoid. And no matter how you feel about it, it can feel invasive and get your wheels spinning.

And then at 31, 32, 33…:

“You don’t want to wait until too late!”

Thanks. I am aware I’m getting older.

Or even worse, knowing people in your life are talking behind your back about what they think you should be doing with your family-building choices. And whenever the topic comes up, everyone goes silent.

But they don’t know what you’re going through. They don’t know if you’re just really not ready, you something else in your life that takes priority, you don’t know if having a baby is what you want. Or perhaps you’re trying, and things aren’t going as planned. Which is so common.

With all of this in mind—Remember that this is your life and your journey. We’re in an age where we get to write our own story, go off script, and we can prioritize OWR OWN lifestyle and health alongside our decisions in our 30’s and beyond.

In a time where the birth rate is falling and the age of first-time mothers is steadily increasing (source), it’s important to know that if having a family is something you want, there are small but powerful changes you can make to prepare your body for when the time is right.

So that you can continue to feel like you, the best you can.

The Power of Pre-Conception Prep

Whether you’re actively trying to conceive or simply aiming to improve your menstrual health and hormonal balance, this post is for you. I’ve got you!

Following on from last week’s Slow is Fast post, today we’re applying the same approach to nurturing your body for hormonal health and fertility. Small, intentional changes made consistently over 6–12 months can significantly improve your chances of conception while enhancing your overall well-being.

No quick fixes or extreme measures, just slow, steady shifts that help your body thrive in the long run. Let’s dive in.

For Anyone with a Menstrual Cycle

Even if you’re not planning to get pregnant, improving your hormone health can have a significant impact on your overall quality of life. Some key benefits include:

• Better periods – More regular cycles, less menstrual pain, and fewer PMS symptoms. (Period Repair Manual, Natural Treatment for Better Hormones and Better Periods, Lara Briden, 2017)

• More energy and balanced moods (Diet, Energy, & Hormone Regulation, Elaine J. Santino, 2007).

• Clearer skin and better sleep (Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2016).

If you are trying to conceive, preparing your body early can improve your chances naturally and support a healthy pregnancy. Starting this shift now also helps reduce the risk of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia.

Small Steps, Big Payoff

Our bodies have been growing and nurturing babies for thousands of years, but with the knowledge and technology we have today, we’re better equipped to prepare than ever. The information we have now is empowering, and it’s so worth using to your advantage. There’s a wealth of apps, books, blogs and resources available.

—> Book example: I just met with Leslie Schrock last week, author of Fertility Rules. Check it out!

So, it’s a great time to get engaged with the topic of fertility if you’re interested in planning a family.

If you plan to conceive in the next 6–12 months, here’s how to start preparing: