I admit I didn’t think much about my fertility as a teenager; I was mainly irritated once a month. Like many young women, I assumed becoming a mother would be natural and effortless.
Today, many people face heartbreaking infertility and never get to live that dream.
Fertility expert Dr. Aumatma joins the Healthy Parenting Connector to explain why we should be talking to teens about fertility and how a “fertility lifestyle” begins with the habits we form early in life—even in childhood.
This conversation offers a fresh perspective on healthy eating and parenting. Topics covered include:
- Why infertility rates are rising
- Why teens should care about their future fertility
- How cycle awareness empowers teens and adult women and can reduce mood swings and PMS
- Interventions to try when cramps or menstrual issues are disrupting life
- Practical steps for moms to reduce exhaustion and sugar cravings
- The most important habit to establish with children from birth that supports lifelong health and fertility
Can’t see the video? View Healthy Fertility for Life on YouTube.
If you don’t have time to watch, here are the highlights and practical notes from the interview.
Healthy Fertility for Life
- Dr. Aumatma explains how she became focused on fertility and why her approach differs from conventional fertility care.
- At her clinic, many couples under 38 achieve an 80% success rate after working to optimize fertility—her goal is to improve underlying fertility health rather than promise a baby as the sole objective.
Why Is Infertility Increasing?
- Environmental factors such as air pollution and mold exposure can reduce fertility.
- Food quality and nutrient density are critical. Diet trends often become commercialized, and people can follow a named diet yet rely on processed convenience foods. Prioritizing real, nutrient-dense foods supports reproductive health.
Does Birth Control Balance Hormones?
- Long-term use of hormonal birth control can negatively affect fertility. Many teens are prescribed the pill to “manage” hormones, which can mask underlying issues for years.
- If a reproductive system has been suppressed for a decade or more, it often takes time and intentional healing to restore fertility after stopping hormonal contraception.
- Social and cultural changes—later childbearing, career prioritization, and greater toxic burdens—also contribute to rising infertility rates compared with earlier generations.
Talking to Teens About Healthy Fertility
- Teens live in the present and may not think about future fertility. Parents can help by teaching foundational health habits that protect future reproductive function.
- Many girls are not taught to connect with physical changes during puberty. Periods are often hidden rather than used as a clue to overall health. Understanding the menstrual cycle is a key part of health education.
- Encourage daughters to learn their cycles and to work with the natural rhythm of their bodies. Dr. Aumatma uses the analogy of four seasons to describe the menstrual phases, which can make cycle awareness intuitive and practical.
Common Period Problems and Solutions
- Cramping, heavy bleeding, and PMS are common complaints. Rather than defaulting to hormonal birth control, consider addressing root causes like diet and inflammation.
- Dairy and excess sugar are frequent contributors to hormonal imbalance. Removing added sugars for several months can reveal improvements; from there, introduce small amounts of natural sweeteners if desired.
- Living a fertile lifestyle is essentially living with vitality: adequate sleep, hydration, real food, and emotional processing. These foundations support hormones and overall health.
- Quality sleep is the top priority for hormone balance; stress management is the second. Improving sleep and stress resilience has broad benefits for mood, appetite, energy, and fertility.
Supporting Healthy Hormones for Moms
- Many postpartum mothers experience prolonged hormonal disruption and exhaustion. Supporting adrenal health and prioritizing recovery after pregnancy is important for long-term wellbeing.
- Dietary timing can help: a protein-focused breakfast, balanced lunch with protein and vegetables, and carbohydrates mainly at dinner can stabilize energy and hormones. This approach is sustainable and avoids extreme restriction.
- Small, consistent habits set early in life matter. Dr. Aumatma highlights sleep as the foundational habit to cultivate with children of any age—good sleep supports appetite, movement, emotional regulation, and long-term health choices.
- Practical, gentle sleep coaching can improve family sleep without leaving children to cry alone.
Resources and Practical Tips
- Prioritize real, nutrient-dense food; minimize processed convenience items even if you follow a named diet.
- Reduce added sugar and evaluate dairy if period symptoms are severe.
- Improve sleep quality: aim for consistent schedules, a cool dark room, and wind-down routines.
- Manage stress through daily practices that increase capacity—breathing, movement, connection, and purposeful rest.
- Encourage cycle awareness in teenage girls so they can use their menstrual cycle as feedback about health and make informed choices.
Dr. Aumatma is a naturopathic doctor and nutritionist with nearly 15 years in practice. She specializes in women’s health, authored a bestselling book on fertility, and supports couples and practitioners worldwide. Her work emphasizes optimizing fertility through lifestyle, nutrition, and individualized care.
In short: teaching teens to understand their bodies, prioritizing sleep and nutrient-rich food, reducing environmental and dietary toxins, and addressing hormone imbalances early can improve lifelong health and fertility. These are practical, evidence-informed steps parents can begin today to support their children’s future reproductive health.