Jun 14, 2021
I truly believe that switching to clean products and changing some habits helped me get pregnant after years of trying. Although I can’t prove it, and I don’t know if it would work for everyone, I have felt and seen the difference. Let me share.
Disclaimer: Everyone’s infertility struggles are different, including those with endometriosis like me. Unfortunately, lifestyle changes won’t solve everyone’s infertility struggles, and we should remain sensitive and understanding to their circumstances and choices to overcome their desire to have children. I’m only sharing what worked for me and DO NOT claim it will work for everyone. If you’re curious about how changing up lifestyle can help with some menstrual issues, check out this book: Woman Code by Alisa Vitti. You can also check out the author’s website and take a free quiz to evaluate your period at FloLiving.com.
I did not use this book to help me through my menstrual/endometriosis issues. I came across this book, recommended by my sister-in-law after I had already made many of the changes I talk about in this post. But reading the book helped me see that I was on the right track.
And a last disclaimer: I mention quite a few products and services in this post. This post was in no way sponsored by any product or brand mentioned. I share because I love these products and services and have found they work well for me.
The Story
As I’ve talked about in previous posts, Scott and I have been married for over nine years and we’ve been hoping/trying to have a baby for over eight. In 2014, through the help of an infertility specialist, we discovered that I have endometriosis, the only explanation for why it has been so hard for us to get pregnant. You can read more about our experience in my last post: I’m Pregnant!
I’m pretty sure I’ve had endometriosis since I was about 19. That’s when I started having the pains associated with endometriosis. But the OB I went to didn’t think to look for it, and it’s not something that’s easily detectable. While on my religious mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serving in South Korea, my pains actually eased off to almost non-existent. I attribute that to my diet. While in Korea, I ate the best I ever have in terms of quality, and came back super skinny, even though I ate quite a bit of food. (People always fed me.)
But, since my mission, my endometriosis has been a not-so-fun companion.
In late 2018, just before Scott deployed with the Air Force, I decided I needed to start making some lifestyle changes. The endometriosis was actually far from my mind, but I wasn’t happy with the way my body felt. Over the course of the last few years, I’ve slowly made the following changes that have made me feel better and have actually eased my endometriosis pains, and I believe they have also helped with my fertility.
Yoga, Yoga, Yoga
I have bedome obsessed with yoga over the last few years. I needed a good workout program anyway, and yoga fit me so well. I love seeing what I could train my body to do, and I love the way my body feels with each practice.
I specifically embraced hot yoga when my true obsession started. My first hot yoga experience was at a place in Salt Lake City called Salt Lake Power Yoga–If you’re in the area and want to try it out, definitely do. I loved their classes and went almost every day during the month that Scott and I lived in a hotel in Salt Lake (another interesting story).
When Scott deployed, I moved in with my parents just outside of Las Vegas and tried a bunch of hot yoga studios–I was set on it now–and finally settled on TruFusion. This is also where I received my 200 hour teaching certification. Again, another great place you should try if you’re in Vegas. They have also expanded to other cities around the nation–sadly, none near me.
Because the room is hot and humid during hot yoga, you burn more calories and your muscles become more malleable, so you’re able to get into certain poses quicker. It’s also detoxifying because of all the sweat flowing from your body. While living with my parents, and even after, just before the pandemic, I dedicated time every day to hot yoga, and I felt healthier than I had in a long time.
Diet–Eating More Healthy
A big change I made during Scott’s deployment was eating healthier. I specifically used an app called Noom–have you seen all the advertisements? Noom was perfect for me because it focuses on the psychology of eating well, and not so much on restrictions or rules. It was all about helping me choose the eating habits that worked best for me to help me achieve my goals.
I lost over 30 pounds using this app and believe every penny was well wort the spend.
Yes, I did gain some weight back, especially after Scott came home. (We indulged a little much when celebrating all the things we hadn’t done together in a long time). But the things I learned from Noom still have an impact on how I choose to eat. Sometimes I just choose to listen more to the elephant, and I totally own up to that.
Cleaner Skin Care and Hair Products
I’d heard somewhere–I don’t remember where now–that going to cleaner products could help ease symptoms of endometriosis. And I’d heard it could possibly help with infertility. I was willing to give it a try. Plus, I wanted better products anyway.
Hair
I had already been using a pretty good product on my hair that is naturally based–Monat. And while I still use some of their products, I switched my shampoo and conditioner to Aveda because Monat’s just wasn’t working well for my bleached hair. Plus, I had started going to an Aveda salon because I liked their more natural salon products–of course bleach is bleach, but they use other products that make my hair feel healthy without all the additives. Plus, they are built around sustainability and wellness, with their products having Ayurvedic roots.
My favorite shampoo and conditioner are the Nutriplenish Shampoo Light Moisture and the Nutriplenish Conditioner Light Moisture.
Skin
I was a store-bought Loreal user for a long time, but I wanted something better for my skin, that I knew didn’t have all the ugly-word ingredients in them–you know, Parabens and Phthalates, Over the last few years, I’ve tried a few different brands, but finally settled on Aveda. I’ve been using the botanical kinetics™ purifying gel cleanser, botanical kinetics™ exfoliating creme cleanser, botanical kinetics™ toning mist, botanical kinetics™ energizing eye creme for morning, and tulasāra™ brightening sleeping eye masque for night. On top of that, I started using Burt’s Bees Micellar Cleansing Water with Coconut and Lotus Water as a makeup remover. And, another confession, I’ve recently started using their face cleanser, instead of Aveda’s, and I LOVE it way more: Burt’s Bees Sensitive Facial Cleanser.
Makeup
I have tried a few natural makeup lines over the last few years, but not any that I like as much as… Can you guess it? Do you think I’m going to say Aveda? You’re partially right. But the only thing I use from Aveda is their inner light™ mineral tinted moisture. I love how light this is on my face! But the makeup I’m actually in love with is Seint. Many of their products are cream based and feel light on the skin. Their brand is all about helping you show off your naturally beautiful features, and you can build your own pallets instead of relying on what the brand already has put together.
Deodarant
I admit it, I was a Secret gal for a long, long time. But I really wanted to get away from products containing aluminum. I tried one product that I won’t mention here, but they have some awesome, fun ads all over Facebook, and at first I loved them. The deodorant worked, for a little while. And then I started smelling the yuck again. So I went in search of something else. What I found: Primally Pure Charcoal Deodorant. I’ve been using this now for over a year, and I don’t think I’ll ever switch. It does not contain aluminum or anti-perspirant. But it has an amazing smell and that charcoal ingredient that is cleansing and also, somehow, stops the over-sweat. Yes, I still sweat–you’re supposed to as it releases all the toxins from your body. But not like I had been. Not in a gross way. Needless to say, I am in love with this product!
New Tampons
Have you heard the stories about what ingredients are in most store-bought tampons? I say most, because Lola is now sold in stores and they are all about natural. Their tampons are made of 100% organic cotton and are hypoallergenic! I love their tampons! (Their liners and pads, not so much.) And they recently added reusable cups that I’ll have to try after the baby comes. Their’s look way better than the ones I currently have, which I do not like very much.
And That’s It
It’s a long list, yes. But I didn’t make these changes all at once. It was over the course of two years that I slowly switched. And, I did a lot of experimenting during this time to find the products that worked best for me. It’s important to note, again, that everyone’s body is different and everyone’s infertility struggles are different. What worked for me, may not work for others.
I’m so glad I made the changes that I have over the last few years. I have seen a difference in my confidence and the way I feel. And I do feel it helped me with fertility so I could have this beautiful baby growing inside me, that I can’t wait to meet in just six months!
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