What No One Ever Talks About: Hormone Imbalance After IVF

You know that infertility is… 

Hard. 

You know that single parenthood is…

Hard. 

IVF is hard too.

We get it.

However you arrived at undergoing IVF treatment…

It isn’t for the faint of heart… and truly for people who want nothing more than to be a parent! 

We see you. 

So, if you’re reading this…

You might be trying to find solutions to the hormone imbalance that can happen from IVF.

Even after delivering your precious baby!

You may have even taken hormones during your pregnancy to make sure IVF was successful.

So, let’s walk through a few ways you can get your hormones back in check after they’ve been out of whack for a while. 

IVF Side Effects and Hormones

Here is a list of hormones you may have been taking during IVF: 

• AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) 
• LH (luteinizing hormone) 
• FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) 
• Progesterone 
• Estrogen
• Prolactin
• TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) 
• hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) 

Wowza… 

That’s a lot for your body to undertake. 

So, here’s what I want you to do…

Take a minute and appreciate your body for everything it went through to get pregnant. You have achieved and endured so much! 

You should be deeply proud. 

Your body goes through hormonal changes during pregnancy, along with added hormones during IVF treatment. It needs a break. 

Wouldn’t you agree? 

Us too. 

In fact, these hormones may have caused…

• Increased appetite 
• Bloating 
• Headaches 
• Unwanted weight gain 
• Constipation 

So, let’s talk about how you can give your body a break from added hormones.

Allow yourself to be open to realignment.

Because you may not feel like yourself right now…

And postpartum hormonal changes don’t make it any easier. 

Signs of Hormone Imbalance After IVF

You may be struggling with hormonal imbalance if you have:  

• Mood swings
• Insomnia or oversleeping 
• Increased fatigue 
• Stomach problems
• Breast tenderness
• Headaches 
• Unexplained weight gain or loss

Speak with your care provider if you need help figuring out the cause of your symptoms and what to do about them. It can be hard to tell where the postpartum stage ends and hormone imbalance begins.

Here are a few solutions that may help you to get things back in balance.

A Few Tips on How to Balance and Realign Your Hormones

Hormonal imbalances can happen outside of IVF treatment…

But it’s nice to know there are options to help get things balanced, no matter the cause. 

Many of these solutions may seem simple to you.

But honestly, we’ve found that the simplest solutions can yield the best results. 

You can quite literally heal yourself through small, incremental decisions.

So, don’t dismiss these too quickly… 

Read on and try some of them out. 

What You Eat Matters (A Lot)

One of the top ways to encourage your hormones to change is through food. 

You eat every day, consistently. 

Nutrition is a way to control what we put into our bodies. Ultimately, we get to choose. 

Promoting better liver function is beneficial for hormone balance. The liver is crucial for metabolizing hormones, especially excess estrogen, and for detoxifying the body. When the liver is overburdened or not functioning optimally, it can lead to hormonal imbalances.

Here are a few foods that are proven to support your liver and detoxify your system: 

• Leafy greens. Keep romaine lettuce, kale, and spinach on your daily menu. Not only are they packed with antioxidants, but also pack a punch of iron and folate. (Amazing for your health). 
• Turmeric. Sneak this spice into any recipe you can. It’s anti-inflammatory, detoxes your liver, and reduces aging effects. Try to aim for 2 to 10 grams of it per day. 
• Kiwi. These are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, which help increase levels of progesterone. Consequently, this can help balance out estrogen levels. 
• Green tea. Don’t spill this tea. Drinking green tea clears your mind, improves brain function, and can decrease anxiety. Make it a habit to drink a few cups each day. 
• Seaweed. This sea vegetable contains iodine, tyrosine, vitamins, and minerals. Helps gut health and balances blood sugar. Throw it in a smoothie or your favorite soup. 
• Pumpkin seeds. A great source of magnesium, which helps keep cramping away. Also, balances progesterone levels. 
• Avocado. You may have heard eating these increases fertility… but they are also essential for gut health. Containing about 14 grams of fiber in each avocado. 
• Salmon. This fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids, which can prevent too much estrogen build-up in your body. 
• Cruciferous Vegetables. This includes broccoli, bok choy, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and radishes. Promotes liver function, which helps with hormone balance. 
• Flaxseeds. These help eliminate extra estrogen in your body. They also satisfy your appetite and help support good heart health. 

These aren’t the only foods that can help with hormone imbalance, but they are a great place to start. Start trying to work them into recipes you already like. 

Acupuncture Could Help

Consider setting up an acupuncture appointment. 

Acupuncture treatments can help balance hormones before, during, and after IVF treatment.  

Acupuncture can relieve various conditions, such as:

• Headaches/migraines
• Nausea
• Dental pain
• Neck pain
• Back pain 
• Cramping 
• Allergies
• Insomnia

Many pregnant and postpartum women decide to pursue acupuncture therapy.

So, it may benefit you and help create more balance in your life and body post-IVF.

Read our full blog on acupuncture here. 

Disclaimer: make sure you always consult your doctor before trying any medical procedure. 

Focus on Mental Health

Reach out for support. 

When your body is out of whack, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what may be causing anxiety and overwhelm. 

So, this is the perfect time to ask for support, in whichever way you need it. 

Here are a few ideas:

• talk to a friend (maybe a fellow mom)
• write in your journal
• get out in nature
• ask for help from your partner
• have someone bring you food
• do something that sparks joy (no matter how small)
• hire a doula to provide physical and emotional support

It usually helps to know that you aren’t facing this alone. Hormonal imbalance can cause thoughts and behaviors that don’t seem like our true selves.

It’s okay.

Be patient and kind to yourself. Leaning on others during this time will make it easier.

Gentle exercise

Sometimes you need to get in your body and out of your mind. 

What do we mean by this? 

Well, the postpartum period is hard enough… 

But on top of it all, you also went through IVF treatment. 

You worked so hard to get to where you are… to be pregnant… to be a parent. 

That is a monumental accomplishment.

Moving your body (as soon as you’re cleared for exercise by your care provider), can help clear your mind. When you exercise, it’s easier to not think about what is troubling you. You can focus solely on your body’s movements, and nothing more. Exercise releases oxytocin which is the feel-good love hormone. Furthermore, exercise raises your energy level and helps to improve your mood and your sense of well being. 

Here are a few great options for gentle exercise: 

• Yoga/light stretching 
• Walking with a friend
• Swimming 
• Pelvic floor exercises
• Pilates 

Listen to your body. It will tell you if you’re overdoing it. Only you know your limits! Also, please wait for your doctor to clear you for exercise. 

Protect Your Sleep

We get it…sleep can be fleeting during the postpartum stage. Your hormones may be causing insomnia or overtiredness. Both of which make it hard to sleep.

But then not getting sleep is causing more problems with your hormones.

On top of that, your baby is probably not sleeping through the night.

It can turn into a never-ending battle.

But… it’s not impossible to get a good night’s sleep. Even during this chaotic, unpredictable time.

Here are a few things that can help you protect your sleep:

• have a solid nighttime routine (for everyone)
• keep electronics (phones, tablets, TV) out of your bedroom
• use a sleep mask or blackout curtains
• sleep in a well-ventilated, cool place
• maybe skip that extra Netflix episode…

You get the idea…

All of these small steps added together can make a huge difference.

We Can Help (Even With Hormone Imbalance)

Maybe your postpartum world is becoming too much… With hormone imbalance, a new baby, and everything else on your plate, allow us to take on part of the load.

Our postpartum doulas offer a range of services:

• Daytime support
• Overnight care
• Live-in care
• Emotional support

And… a sigh of relief (ah).

Furthermore, we even have a free weekly support group you’re invited to join: Bumps & Babies, New Parent Circle. Feel free to drop in anytime.

If you’re curious as to how we can help, reach out to us here.