The Hormone Cafe

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson explains how chronic inflammation can quietly interfere with ovulation, implantation, and miscarriage risk. She breaks down the five major sources of inflammation that impact fertility—and exactly how to evaluate and treat each one.

Inflammation isn’t just a buzzword. It can directly suppress hormones, impair egg quality, and prevent implantation.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

🔥 Why Inflammation Impacts Fertility

When the body is inflamed, nutrients are diverted away from hormone production and toward immune response. This can:

• Suppress ovulation
• Affect egg quality
• Impair tubal function
• Disrupt implantation
• Increase miscarriage risk

The goal is to reduce inflammation at its root—not just manage symptoms.

1️⃣ Autoimmune & Pre-Autoimmune Conditions

Conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease can disrupt thyroid function and fertility.

Evaluation may include:

• TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies
• Full thyroid panel (TSH, T3, T4)
• ANA testing
• CRP and ESR inflammation markers

Treatment approaches range from anti-inflammatory nutrition to immune-modulating medications such as low-dose naltrexone, hydroxychloroquine, or IVIG—depending on severity.

2️⃣ Gut Inflammation

The gut is a major driver of systemic inflammation.

Red flags include:

• Constipation or loose stools
• Chronic bloating
• Poor vitamin absorption
• Blood in stool

Testing may evaluate:

• Secretory IgA
• Calprotectin
• Eosinophils
• Stool cultures for bacteria

Treatment can include targeted antimicrobials, antibiotics when necessary, NAC, IgG therapy, fiber support, and personalized food sensitivity testing.

Healing the gut often improves hormone balance significantly.

3️⃣ Endometriosis

Endometriosis is inflammatory tissue growing outside the uterus that can:

• Damage ovaries
• Impair egg quality
• Block fallopian tubes
• Disrupt implantation

Diagnosis may involve:

• Receptiva (BCL6 testing)
• Surgical evaluation

Long-term management includes omega-3s, NAC, curcumin, hormone balance, and addressing gut or autoimmune overlap.

Endometriosis is not just pain—it’s chronic inflammation affecting fertility.

4️⃣ Infection

Inflammation can come from:

• Vaginal infections (BV, ureaplasma)
• Cervical infections
• Chronic endometritis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Dental infections
• Sinus or respiratory infections

The body diverts nutrients toward fighting infection, which suppresses hormone production.

Treatment may include antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, or supportive immune therapy—used thoughtfully and strategically.

5️⃣ Allergies

Chronic allergies elevate histamine and systemic inflammation.

Common signs:

• Persistent sinus congestion
• Rashes or hives
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Seasonal symptoms

Management may include antihistamines, Singulair, cromolyn, steroids, or allergy immunotherapy.

When allergies are controlled, fertility outcomes often improve.

Foundational Treatment for All Inflammation

No matter the source, treatment begins with:

• Anti-inflammatory nutrition (no refined sugar)
• Whole grains and fiber
• Blood sugar stability
• Targeted supplements
• Movement and circulation support
• Stress reduction

Reducing inflammation improves ovulation, egg quality, implantation, and long-term hormone balance.

Key Takeaways:

• Inflammation can silently impair fertility
• Autoimmune, gut, endometriosis, infection, and allergies are major drivers
• Comprehensive testing identifies the root cause
• Treatment is layered and personalized
• Lower inflammation = better hormone production and implantation