How to Get Pregnant with High DHEA-S: DHEA-S & Fertility | Ep. 7

How to Get Pregnant with High DHEA-S: DHEA-S & Fertility | Ep. 7

If you’ve been told your DHEA-S levels are high and you’re struggling to conceive, this episode is for you. Today, I’m breaking down what elevated DHEA-S actually means, why it happens, and how high DHEA-S levels can impact ovulation, hormone production, adrenal health, and fertility. We talk about the deeper root causes behind high DHEA-S in women — including chronic stress, blood sugar dysregulation, inflammation, mineral imbalances, and nervous system dysfunction. I also explain common symptoms associated with elevated DHEA-S like acne, hair loss, irregular cycles, weight gain, and unexplained infertility, along with why many women are often told their labs are “normal” despite still experiencing symptoms. This episode will help you better understand the connection between adrenal hormones and fertility while giving you practical steps to begin supporting hormone balance naturally. In this episode, we cover: * What DHEA-S is and why it matters for fertility * Symptoms of high DHEA-S in women * The connection between stress, cortisol, and adrenal hormones * Blood sugar imbalance and insulin resistance * Why inflammation can impact fertility * Why “normal” labs may not tell the full story * Functional testing for hormone imbalances and infertility * Mineral balance, nervous system regulation, and hormone health * Natural ways to support lower DHEA-S levels Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 02:09 – What DHEA-S is 04:26 – Adrenal health and stress response 06:23 – Blood sugar and insulin resistance 08:39 – Inflammation and poor sleep 10:17 – Mineral balance and nervous system health 12:22 – Symptoms of elevated DHEA-S 14:44 – Weight gain, stress, and fertility 16:49 – Why normal labs aren’t always optimal 19:54 – Supporting hormone balance naturally 22:47 – Gut health and minerals 24:07 – Advocating for your health 25:14 – Encouragement for women navigating infertility Resources Mentioned: * A Catholic Women’s Guide to Unexplained Infertility [https://savorli.co/catholic-unexplained-infertility-guide] * Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) [https://savorli.co/htma-testing] - get your minerals tested with me! * Blood Sugar & Fertility Podcast Episode [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1DlY8A5ZufwqQp2ojmL5ZU?si=BaczFkYqR2Ogh6LdorF9cQ] Connect with Lucia Harmeling: Instagram @catholic.fertility.dietitian [www.instagram.com/catholic.fertility.dietitian] Website: www.savorli.co [www.savorli.co] If this episode helped you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with another woman navigating hormone imbalances or infertility. Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a practitioner-client relationship. Please consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or healthcare plan.

Low Progesterone: Signs, Root Causes & Natural Fertility Support | Ep.6

Episode Summary In today’s episode of the Catholic Fertility Podcast, I’m opening up about one of the biggest pieces of my own fertility journey: low progesterone. From charting my cycles long before I was married, to discovering low progesterone during my first pregnancy, I’m sharing the personal story that completely changed how I view hormone health, fertility, and supporting the body naturally. We’re diving into what progesterone actually does, the signs your levels may be low, and the root causes I see most often in women struggling with irregular cycles, infertility, anxiety during the luteal phase, or recurrent miscarriage. Most importantly, I’m walking you through practical, holistic ways to support healthy ovulation and progesterone production naturally — through nourishment, blood sugar balance, nervous system regulation, sleep, stress support, and more. If you’ve ever felt like something is “off” in your body, this episode will leave you feeling seen, encouraged, and empowered with actionable next steps. Timeline: [00:00] - Introduction to progesterone and fertility [01:37] - Lucia’s personal journey with low progesterone and cycle charting [10:57] - Understanding progesterone’s role in pregnancy and hormone health [17:02] - Common signs and symptoms of low progesterone [26:59] - How to naturally support healthy progesterone production Links & Resources * ⁠A Catholic Woman's Guide to Unexplained Infertility: The 5 Labs You Need To Get Pregnant⁠ [https://savorli.co/catholic-unexplained-infertility-guide] * ⁠Apply for 1:1 fertility support [https://4s6wb3idelv.typeform.com/to/GU3xMs1I] * ⁠⁠Intuitively Full⁠⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Intuitively-Full-Trust-Your-Change/dp/1736809083/ref=sr_1_1?crid=UTW7BTPFEXFZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._dfQFArwGTDnIQpv0H9GkEZUKi84-h5Q1CIS_LlqKYpAxPjMsb8Igy7rifjwSVmjwalxV91Idb0zmFdJn1W9BtM-4qVEu-PK3BL4YmMKj4BqrzJScvX5MDDikxly5GzS5y9fka5FP9ilV0PRau7_dFUev5oZG-g31ubu-ujb24xOUO2OFrsIByTWoN1NnRIY_ddF_cUrHrGhZfDd5ga3e3Cgokp_5dwcs3LopDs0Xpw.D27FuOtcKR8kQMMdxmmKpyuK2l4GL4xdN3cmTzyfb5A&dib_tag=se&keywords=intuitively+full+book&qid=1776871261&sprefix=intuitively+full+book%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1] Lucia’s book on healing, food, and faith Connect With Me Instagram: ⁠@catholic.fertility.dietitian⁠ [www.instagram.com/catholic.fertility.dietitian] Website: ⁠www.savorli.co⁠ [http://www.savorli.co/] Loved this episode? Share & leave a review! If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might need this encouragement on her fertility journey. 💛 Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a practitioner-client relationship. Please consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or healthcare plan.

Signs Your Fertility Is Improving (Before Getting a Positive Pregnancy Test) | Ep. 5

Your fertility is improving long before a positive pregnancy test ever appears. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the biggest signs that your fertility is improving — even if you’re still waiting to conceive. Because healing and optimizing fertility is about so much more than one test result. Your body gives you clues every single day that things are moving in the right direction. We’re talking about the connection between nourishment, nervous system regulation, hormones, sleep, metabolism, inflammation, cervical mucus, PMS, energy, mindset, and so much more. I also share why so many women feel discouraged during the fertility journey and how to start recognizing the “small wins” that actually signal your body is becoming healthier, safer, and more fertile. If you’ve been feeling frustrated, exhausted, anxious, or stuck in the waiting, this episode will encourage you and help you understand what real progress can look like before pregnancy happens. In This Episode: * How to know if your fertility is improving * The role nourishment plays in hormone health * Signs your metabolism is healing * What cervical mucus and BBT can reveal about ovulation * Why PMS and painful periods matter * The connection between nervous system regulation and fertility * Inflammation and unexplained infertility * How sleep impacts egg quality * Why mindset and emotional health are part of the fertility journey Timeline Highlights: * [1:42] Why fertility progress isn’t only measured by a positive pregnancy test * [5:18] The importance of nourishment and eating enough for hormone health * [12:07] Set point weight and how your body determines safety * [18:34] Cervical mucus, ovulation, and cycle regularity explained * [25:40] Signs your metabolism and energy are improving * [33:15] Why sleep is one of the most underrated fertility tools * [39:58] Nervous system regulation and how stress impacts fertility * [48:20] Inflammation, brain fog, bloating, and fertility struggles * [55:04] Mindset shifts, anxiety, and supporting your body emotionally * [1:02:11] Why mineral testing can be a game changer for fertility Links & Resources Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) Testing Bundle [https://savorli.co/htma-testing] Free Guide: A Catholic Woman's Guide to Unexplained Infertility [https://savorli.co/catholic-unexplained-infertility-guide] Apply to work with me [https://savorli.co/created-to-conceive] IG: catholic.fertility.dietitian [https://www.instagram.com/catholic.fertility.dietitian/] Website: www.savorli.co [www.savorli.co] If this episode encouraged you… Please take a second to rate, follow, review, and share the podcast with a friend who may need this encouragement on her fertility journey. Your support helps this podcast reach more women who need hope and healing. ❤️ Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a practitioner-client relationship. Please consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or healthcare plan.

Blood Sugar & Fertility: The Missing Piece for Better Periods & Natural Pregnancy | Ep. 4

💛 Episode Summary In today’s episode, I’m diving into one of the most overlooked—but foundational—pieces of fertility and hormone health: blood sugar. If you’ve been told you have “unexplained infertility,” are dealing with irregular cycles, low progesterone, or just feel like something is off in your body… this episode is for you. I’m breaking down how blood sugar impacts ovulation, hormone production, energy, mood, and even your body’s ability to feel safe enough to conceive—all in a simple, practical way. We also talk about why so many women are unknowingly dealing with blood sugar dysregulation (even without a diagnosis), how this connects to cortisol and stress, and what your body might already be telling you through symptoms like fatigue, cravings, or waking up in the middle of the night. Plus, I’ll walk you through simple, realistic ways to start supporting your blood sugar today—without restriction or cutting out carbs. ⏱️Timestamps [00:03] – Why blood sugar is one of the most overlooked factors in fertility [03:30] – “Unexplained infertility” and why I don’t believe in it [06:45] – The Catholic perspective on supporting your body vs. defaulting to IVF [09:10] – How blood sugar signals safety (or stress) to your body [13:20] – The connection between blood sugar, cortisol, and ovulation [18:40] – How high cortisol can lower progesterone and impact pregnancy [23:15] – Common signs your blood sugar may be off (energy crashes, cravings, waking at night) [29:50] – My personal experience using a glucose monitor [33:10] – Simple, practical ways to balance your blood sugar daily [38:45] – Why you shouldn’t cut carbs for hormone health 🔗 Links and Resources: * Free Catholic Woman's Fertility Guide: The 5 Labs You Need To Help You Get Pregnant [https://savorli.co/catholic-unexplained-infertility-guide] * Apply to get 1:1 fertility support [https://4s6wb3idelv.typeform.com/to/GU3xMs1I ] * Blood Glucose Monitor (Stelo) [https://www.stelo.com/en-us/buy-stelo-one-time] If this episode resonated with you, I would love for you to share it with a friend who needs to hear this. And if you haven’t already, make sure to follow, rate, and leave a review—it truly helps this podcast reach more women who are looking for natural, faith-centered fertility support. 💛 Keywords: natural fertility, Catholic fertility, hormone balance, blood sugar and fertility, progesterone levels, irregular cycles, natural conception, women’s health, fertility awareness, cycle health, holistic fertility, cortisol and hormones, blood sugar regulation Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a practitioner-client relationship. Please consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or healthcare plan.

The First Diet Change to Make When Trying to Conceive | Ep. 3

If you feel like you’re doing everything right—eating healthy, taking supplements, tracking your cycle—but still not getting pregnant, this episode might completely shift your perspective. In this episode, I’m sharing the very first nutrition change I make with clients who are trying to conceive—and it’s probably not what you expect. Before supplements, protocols, or advanced fertility testing, your body needs one essential signal to feel safe enough to ovulate: enough nourishment. We’re diving into why under-eating is one of the most overlooked root causes of fertility struggles and how supporting your body with adequate food can be the missing piece. We’re unpacking why eating too little—even when your diet looks “clean”—can disrupt hormones, delay ovulation, and impact progesterone production. I walk you through the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs your body isn’t getting enough fuel and explain how energy intake directly affects your metabolism, thyroid, and menstrual cycle. You’ll also learn how to start nourishing your body in a way that supports fertility, balances hormones, and promotes a healthy cycle—without overcomplicating your routine or feeling overwhelmed. Timestamps [00:00] – Why eating enough is the first step I take with every fertility client [02:23] – Why your body views reproduction as “non-essential” and shuts it down when energy is low [04:11] – The hidden downside of eating “too healthy” (and why low-calorie clean eating can backfire) [07:17] – Common under-eating habits: skipping meals, intermittent fasting, and long gaps between eating [09:32] – How chronic under-eating impacts metabolism, thyroid function, and ovulation [11:52] – Your menstrual cycle as a vital sign: what irregularities reveal about your nutrition [13:31] – Physical signs you may not be eating enough (hint: it’s not about willpower) [16:44] – Waking up between 2–4am? How blood sugar and under-eating are connected [19:49] – The mindset piece: how food restriction creates stress in the body [21:45] – Reconnecting with hunger cues and understanding intuitive eating [24:32] – Practical ways to increase calories without overwhelm [26:39] – Where to start today: simple, sustainable nutrition shifts for fertility Signs You May Not Be Eating Enough * Irregular or missing periods * Short luteal phase (under 10 days) * Light or absent menstrual flow * Always feeling cold (especially hands and feet) * Afternoon energy crashes * Evening cravings for carbs or sugar * Hair thinning or shedding * Waking between 2–4am * Bloating or constipation * Brain fog or trouble concentrating * Irritability or anxiety when hungry * Links and Resources 📖 Intuitively Full [https://www.amazon.com/Intuitively-Full-Trust-Your-Change/dp/1736809083/ref=sr_1_1?crid=UTW7BTPFEXFZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._dfQFArwGTDnIQpv0H9GkEZUKi84-h5Q1CIS_LlqKYpAxPjMsb8Igy7rifjwSVmjwalxV91Idb0zmFdJn1W9BtM-4qVEu-PK3BL4YmMKj4BqrzJScvX5MDDikxly5GzS5y9fka5FP9ilV0PRau7_dFUev5oZG-g31ubu-ujb24xOUO2OFrsIByTWoN1NnRIY_ddF_cUrHrGhZfDd5ga3e3Cgokp_5dwcs3LopDs0Xpw.D27FuOtcKR8kQMMdxmmKpyuK2l4GL4xdN3cmTzyfb5A&dib_tag=se&keywords=intuitively+full+book&qid=1776871261&sprefix=intuitively+full+book%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1]— My book on healing your relationship with food 📖 The Intuitive Eating Workbook⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Intuitive-Eating-Workbook-Principles-Relationship/dp/164848459X/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=186856176136&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.clcRReoqMYGRQrveE1TUZYnnGvyGzbKKLC__lk25c3g_MyeU3Tj-ox-ZogeAGfauT9zli4JkCKqtaKhsYtDUF3hTlLQEIo73JLpnbOms64FGN1WMAcXqd9QYuGeUfSZsOfoVIbuUvnU5ZctziNfN7j1txgj8uUwAjXR98es1pe7gZaafS_S9lyywcX0GWUSK-hvRLVxKHkAJ99mgJ-GFI06_Ni4nSZ1CCWIUlZ_E4ow.dY5O-Pqq_wh4I6YBIYLm1yRBdf4RPkp9BhPpIo_i2xA&dib_tag=se&hvadid=793017393086&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9027583&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=8176986436164927533--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8176986436164927533&hvtargid=kwd-300223611971&hydadcr=20262_13676192_2444877&keywords=intuitive+eating+workbook&mcid=11ef80bb5a96315f8b85b81d8798cb08&qid=1776879248&sr=8-1]— A step-by-step guide to reconnecting with hunger cues 📖 ⁠The Intuitive Eating Book [https://www.amazon.com/Intuitive-Eating-4th-Revolutionary-Anti-Diet-ebook/dp/B084722THN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35EILQME51VQX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RZpq8OaM95wXLErLkSNj8cbm8QCQRdTjz24rbhwSsr0ZDBQfZN-2zkdYobYnMIgbt61Iyx0fm0QRkqfWdlkCNNHbUva-qve5U3Ws9NA3WNIyAO_tCPcLLyEl7KmTGPJe5FJMtSuE0x3FND5-KbX7Xoo3q687gX1Ls-IqFRzL4V0Z-TiD4aulZ7hllZ8KpkDeKm_Uj8VNgdoV3oaw2djPgdoUnClGMX1YvxvpqOxhQ80.QG3C1_h-b1a8zuPqaXTrc3uILK69CCJAIR5-3nPJqsA&dib_tag=se&keywords=intuitive+eating&qid=1776879268&sprefix=intuitive+eating+%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1] 🧪 Download Our Free Guide: The Five Fertility Labs to Help You Get Pregnant [https://savorli.co/catholic-unexplained-infertility-guide] 💛 Apply here to work with our team [https://4s6wb3idelv.typeform.com/to/GU3xMs1I ] Connect With Me Instagram: ⁠catholic.fertility.dietitian⁠ [www.instagram.com/catholic.fertility.dietitian] Website: ⁠www.savorli.co⁠ [http://www.savorli.co] If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might need this encouragement on her fertility journey. 💛 Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a practitioner-client relationship. Please consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or healthcare plan.