Many women trying to conceive are told to "just relax," track their ovulation, or reduce stress. But what if the root cause of their fertility struggles lies in something as fundamental – and fixable – as blood sugar?

As a Registered Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist specialising in metabolic health and diabetes, I’ve worked with countless women who didn’t realise their fatigue, irregular periods, cravings or mood swings were signs of deeper hormonal imbalances driven by poor blood sugar control. The good news? Once blood sugar is balanced, ovulation often returns, energy improves, and the body becomes more receptive to conception.

Let’s explore how and why blood sugar matters so much – and what you can do to support your fertility from the inside out.

## Why Blood Sugar Matters for Hormonal Health

Glucose (blood sugar) is essential for life – but too much, too often, disrupts hormonal harmony. When we eat a high-glycaemic (carbohydrate) diet, glucose levels spike and insulin surges. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance – a state where cells no longer respond efficiently to insulin's signals. This metabolic dysfunction plays a key role in many fertility-related conditions.

Most notably:

- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Around 70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, which interferes with ovulation by increasing androgens (male hormones) and disrupting the LH/FSH ratio essential for regular cycles [1].
- Ovulatory Dysfunction: Even without PCOS, insulin resistance can impair follicular development and progesterone production, reducing the chance of conception [2].
- Egg Quality and Inflammation: High insulin and glucose promote oxidative stress and inflammation – both of which negatively affect mitochondrial function and egg quality [3].

## How to Tell if Blood Sugar is Affecting Your Fertility

Many women experiencing subfertility or cycle irregularities don’t realise they’re dealing with early-stage insulin resistance. It’s possible to have "normal" fasting glucose but elevated fasting insulin, impaired glucose tolerance, or reactive hypoglycaemia – all of which create hormonal chaos.

Signs of possible blood sugar dysregulation include:

- Cravings for sweets or carbs, especially mid-morning or mid-afternoon
- Energy dips or shakiness between meals
- Mood swings or irritability when hungry
- Acne or facial hair (linked to androgen excess)
- Irregular, missing or painful periods

Tests to consider with your practitioner:

- HbA1c (long-term glucose marker)
- Fasting insulin and glucose
- Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
- Vitamin D
- Nutrigenetic testing

## Evidence-Based Ways to Improve Blood Sugar for Fertility

### 1. Prioritise Protein at Every Meal

Protein slows glucose absorption and stabilises energy. Aim for 25–30g per meal, especially at breakfast – think eggs with avocado, full-fat Greek yoghurt with seeds, or cottage cheese with berries and flax. In a 2023 study, higher protein intake at breakfast reduced post-meal glucose by 30% and improved ovulation markers in insulin-resistant women [4].

### 2. Cut Refined Carbohydrates Strategically

You don’t need to go zero-carb, but reducing refined grains, sugary snacks and liquid carbs (like fruit juice) can dramatically improve insulin sensitivity. Many women benefit from a moderate low-carb or whole-food ketogenic diet during the preconception phase – personalised to their needs and cycle. Research supports low-carb diets improving menstrual regularity and ovulation in women with PCOS, independent of weight loss [5].

### 3. Time Your Meals to Stabilise Energy

Eat every 4–5 hours, including protein and healthy fats, to reduce blood sugar spikes and crashes. Avoid grazing or skipping meals, which can dysregulate cortisol and lead to compensatory sugar cravings.

### 4. Consider a Nutrigenomics-Informed Approach

Genetic variations in insulin signalling, detoxification, or nutrient metabolism may increase your individual risk. Testing can guide tailored nutritional strategies for metabolic and reproductive resilience.

### 5. Support Key Nutrients for Hormonal and Blood Sugar Balance

Inositol (Myo- and D-Chiro): Improves insulin sensitivity and ovulation in women with PCOS [6].

Magnesium: Low levels are associated with insulin resistance and inflammation.

Omega-3s: Reduce inflammation and improve hormone signalling.

Vitamin D: Deficiency is common in women with metabolic syndrome and linked to poor ovarian reserve.

Chromium & Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Help stabilise glucose and support mitochondrial function.

## Final Thoughts

Whether you're just starting to try or have been on a fertility journey for a while, balancing your blood sugar is one of the most powerful steps you can take to optimise your hormones, egg quality, and overall reproductive health. 

It’s not about perfection – but about creating a stable internal environment where your body feels safe to conceive.

## Author Bio

Kristina Triebow BSc (Hons) N.D. mBANT rCNHC, is a Registered Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist specialising in blood sugar balance, metabolic health, and nutrigenomics. She helps women worldwide improve fertility, energy and long-term health through personalised nutrition and sustainable lifestyle change.

## References

Dunaif, A. (1997). Insulin resistance and the polycystic ovary syndrome: mechanism and implications for pathogenesis. Endocrine Reviews, 18(6), 774–800. DOI: 10.1210/edrv.18.6.0318

Palomba, S. et al. (2009). Metformin improves ovulatory function in obese women with PCOS independent of BMI change. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 94(8), 2905–2912. DOI: 10.1210/er.2008-0030

Ruder, E. H., Hartman, T. J., & Goldman, M. B. (2009). Impact of oxidative stress on female fertility. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol, 21(3), 219–222. DOI: 10.1097/gco.0b013e32832924ba

Wang, F., Dou, P., Wei, W. et al. Effects of high-protein diets on the cardiometabolic factors and reproductive hormones of women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr. Diabetes 14, 6 (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41387-024-00263-9

Moran, L. J. et al. (2013). Dietary composition in the treatment of PCOS: a systematic review. J Acad Nutr Diet, 113(4), 520–545. DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2012.11.018

Unfer, V. et al. (2017). Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol in PCOS: restoring ovarian function and metabolic balance. Int J Endocrinol, 2017. DOI: 10.1530/EC-17-0243



Let’s explore how and why blood sugar matters so much – and what you can
do to support your fertility from the inside out.

large_pexels-asphotograpy-1001897.jpg

How Blood Sugar Affects Fertility — and What You Can Do

How Blood Sugar Affects Fertility — and What You Can Do