The Catholic Fertility Podcast

If you've ever felt confused by your cycle, overwhelmed by fertility tracking, or wondered whether the Creighton Model or Marquette Method is right for you for natural family planning, this episode is for you! In this episdoe, I'm joined by Laura Golden, a registered nurse, mom of four, and certified Creighton Model and Marquette Method instructor, to talk all things natural family planning (NFP), cervical mucus, ovulation, and hormone health.

We break down the differences between Creighton and Marquette, why fertility tracking can look so different postpartum and while breastfeeding, and what your cycle might be telling you about your overall health. We also dive into PCOS, progesterone, luteal phase health, blood sugar balance, and the importance of choosing a fertility awareness method that works for your season of life. As a fertility dietitian, I especially loved connecting the dots between cycle charting, nutrition, and the underlying factors that can impact ovulation and fertility. Whether you're trying to conceive, navigating infertility, or simply wanting to understand your body better while staying aligned with your Catholic faith, this conversation is full of practical insights.

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.

IN THIS EPISODE

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[02:13] Laura's personal fertility journey, PCOS diagnosis, and how Creighton charting helped her find answers

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[07:01] Creighton vs. Marquette: Understanding cervical mucus tracking and hormone monitoring

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[10:39] How the Marquette Method works postpartum and while breastfeeding

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[13:01] Mira fertility monitor, estrogen, LH, and whether more hormone data is always better

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[24:14] Cervical mucus explained: What your discharge reveals about ovulation and fertility

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[34:30] PCOS, irregular cycles, and what your cycle length and luteal phase can tell you

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[46:14] Progesterone, myo-inositol, blood sugar balance, and supporting fertility through nutrition

LINKS AND RESOURCES

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Connect with Laura Golden: Holy Family Fertility Coaching on Instagram

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Learn about Creighton and NaProTechnology: Pope Paul VI Institute — https://popepaulvi.com/

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Work with me & download our guide: ⁠https://savorli.co⁠ Instagram: ⁠@catholic.fertility.dietitian⁠

FERTILITY TOOLS + DISCOUNT CODES

Ultrahuman Ring — Save 10%:⁠https://www.ultrahuman.com/ring-pro/buy/?referral=29h21b⁠

Tempdrop — Save 10%:⁠http://www.tempdrop.com/discount/AFCATHOLICFERTILITY⁠Use code: AFCATHOLICFERTILITY

Mira Fertility Monitor — Save $80 on the Mira Ultra4 Fertility Monitor Kit with code 2HARMELING

Remember, your menstrual cycle is so much more than just your period. It's an incredible source of information about your health, and understanding it can help you make more informed decisions about your fertility.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow The Catholic Fertility Podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with a friend who would love to better understand her cycle.

Your support helps more women discover a faith-aligned, root-cause approach to fertility and hormone health!

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not provide individualized medical or nutrition advice. Please talk with a qualified healthcare provider about your individual health.

Have you ever noticed that your hunger, cravings, mood, or energy change throughout your menstrual cycle? What if understanding those changes could actually help you heal your relationship with food and learn to trust your body again?

In this episode of The Catholic Fertility Podcast, I'm sharing how charting my cycle became an unexpected part of my intuitive eating journey. After going 10 years without a period, healing my relationship with food, and eventually getting my cycle back, I began to see my body in a completely different way. We're talking about cycle charting, the Creighton Model, hunger and cravings during the luteal phase, and how understanding our hormones can help us approach food and fertility with more compassion instead of restriction. If you've ever struggled with food guilt, irregular periods, or feeling disconnected from your body, I hope this conversation reminds you just how beautifully and intentionally God designed you.

In This Episode

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How cycle charting helped me rebuild trust in my body and heal my relationship with food

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What intuitive eating really means and why it goes beyond simply eating whatever you want

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The connection between menstrual cycle phases, hunger, cravings, and emotional changes

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Why tracking cervical mucus and ovulation can offer valuable insight into your reproductive health

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How to recognize when painful periods, severe PMS, or irregular cycles deserve more attention

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Why understanding your body's natural rhythms can support your fertility, nourishment, and overall well-being

Links & Resources

Continue Listening

•

Episode 12: Natural Family Planning and Fertility Charting with Haley Yeager

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Episode 1: My fertility story: How I Conceived Naturally After 10 Years Without a Period

Books & Intuitive Eating Resources

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Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch

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The Intuitive Eating Workbook

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Intuitively Full: Trust Your Body, Change Your Life

Work With Me

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Explore my functional nutrition and fertility services

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Apply to work with me

Connect With Me

•

Instagram — Catholic.Fertility.Dietitian

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Website —www.savorli.co

A Little Reminder

Your body is constantly communicating with you. Learning to understand those signals can be such a beautiful step toward nourishing yourself, supporting your fertility, and living with more grace and peace.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, sister, or mom who needs to hear it. And if you're enjoying The Catholic Fertility Podcast, please follow the show, leave a rating and review, and help more women discover these conversations.

Thank you so much for being here. I'll see y'all next time!

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.

If you’re a Catholic woman trying to conceive naturally, understanding whether you’re actually ovulating and charting your cycle is the most important part.

In this episode of The Catholic Fertility Podcast, I’m joined by Haley Yeager, certified Creighton Model instructor and founder of the Truth & Fertility Project, for a conversation about cycle charting, ovulation, natural family planning (NFP), fertility awareness, PCOS, and NaPro Technology. We talk about how to recognize patterns in your cycle, the differences between fertility charting methods, and signs on your chart that may be worth sharing with a Napro provider healthcare provider.

Haley also shares her personal fertility story—from being prescribed the birth control pill to learning to chart her cycle and receiving a PCOS diagnosis. We discuss why simply having a period isn’t the whole picture, why ovulation matters beyond conception, and how learning your cycle can help you optimize your fertility sooner.

IN THIS EPISODE

[5:08] - Haley’s experience with irregular periods, birth control, and searching for answers

[8:11] - Why ovulation matters—even when you aren’t trying to conceive

[10:00] - PCOS, cycle charting, and Haley’s journey toward identifying what was happening with her cycles

[18:10] - What your menstrual cycle and ovulation can tell you about your health

[20:23] - How fertility awareness and cycle charting work

[26:21] - Cervical mucus, basal body temperature, LH strips, and choosing a fertility tracking method

[56:09] - Cycle charting patterns that may be worth discussing with a fertility-aware healthcare provider

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

We cover questions I hear frequently from Catholic women who are trying to conceive naturally: How do I know if I’m ovulating? What should a healthy menstrual cycle look like? What is a healthy luteal phase? Can you have a period without healthy ovulation? Which fertility awareness or NFP method should you use? What can cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and LH tell you about fertility? And when could irregular cycles, spotting, unusual bleeding patterns, or a short luteal phase warrant additional support?

We also discuss the Creighton Model, NaPro Technology, FEMM, symptothermal methods, Marquette, fertility tracking apps, wearable temperature trackers, and how to choose a method you can realistically use in your current season of life.

HALEY YEAGER

Truth & Fertility: https://truthandfertility.com/
Instagram: @truthandfertilityproject

Haley’s podcast episode with her surgeon on ovarian wedge resection:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/31nDJ3nRvvjpUZ29GCJZZC?si=b1c00628f73d419a

RESOURCES MENTIONED

The Fifth Vital Signby Lisa Hendrickson-Jack

ChartingMethods: Creighton Model,SymptoPro, and Marquette.

Charting Apps: ⁠FEMM⁠, ⁠Read Your Body⁠, ⁠Kindara⁠, ⁠Neo Fertility⁠,

ABOUT YOUR HOST

I’m Lucia Harmeling, MS, RDN, LD, The Catholic Fertility Dietitian and founder of Savorli, a functional fertility nutrition practice.

I help Catholic women who are trying to conceive support their fertility through root-cause nutrition, functional lab testing, cycle-informed care, and faith-integrated fertility support.

Work with me & download our guide: https://savorli.co/
Instagram: @catholic.fertility.dietitian

FERTILITY TOOLS + DISCOUNT CODES

Ultrahuman Ring — Save 10%:
https://www.ultrahuman.com/ring-pro/buy/?referral=29h21b

Tempdrop — Save 10%:
http://www.tempdrop.com/discount/AFCATHOLICFERTILITY
Use code: AFCATHOLICFERTILITY

Mira Fertility Monitor — Save $80 on the Mira Ultra4 Fertility Monitor Kit with code 2HARMELING

If this episode was helpful, please follow the podcast, share it with another woman who is trying to conceive, and leave a rating and review. Your support helps more Catholic women find these conversations when they need them.

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not provide individualized medical or nutrition advice. Please talk with a qualified healthcare provider about your individual health.

Can acupuncture support fertility? How does acupuncture change throughout your menstrual cycle? And what should you expect if you’ve never tried acupuncture before?

In this episode of The Catholic Fertility Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Anzola, a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine and founder of Templ Wellness in River Oaks, Houston, to talk all about acupuncture for fertility, traditional Chinese medicine, nervous-system regulation, menstrual health, pregnancy, and fertility support for couples. Whether you’re actively trying to conceive or simply want to better understand how acupuncture may fit into a holistic approach to women’s health, Sarah makes this ancient practice feel approachable and easy to understand.

This conversation is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized care.

We talk about:

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How acupuncture is used as part of fertility and women’s wellness care

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What traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is and how it approaches the body

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What happens during your first acupuncture appointment

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Acupuncture for fertility and nervous-system regulation

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Stress and the emotional side of trying to conceive

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Why blood flow comes up in conversations about fertility

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How acupuncture treatments may change throughout the menstrual cycle

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Acupuncture during pregnancy

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Acupuncture and fertility support for men

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Cervical mucus, libido, PMS, sleep, and other changes women may notice

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How Chinese medicine practitioners approach pulse diagnosis

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The difference between acupuncture and dry needling

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What to look for when choosing a qualified acupuncturist

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Finding fertility acupuncture and holistic wellness support in Houston

[00:00] - Welcome and introduction to Dr. Sarah Anzola

[01:35] - Sarah’s journey from pre-dental studies to acupuncture and Chinese medicine

[05:40] - Discovering women’s wellness through doula work

[11:32] - What is traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)?

[14:13] - Understanding energy flow through Sarah’s “traffic jam” analogy

[17:09] - What to expect at your first acupuncture appointment

[23:19] - Acupuncture, stress, and nervous-system regulation

[25:38] - Why blood flow matters when supporting fertility

[28:34] - How acupuncture changes throughout the menstrual cycle

[30:12] - Is there a wrong time for acupuncture while trying to conceive?

[31:27] - Acupuncture support during pregnancy

[34:24] - Acupuncture and fertility support for men

[39:43] - Signs your body may be responding to acupuncture

[41:58] - Cervical mucus, libido, and other subtle changes

[42:35] - Can an acupuncturist sense an early pregnancy?

[47:34] - Ovulation and an interesting conversation about baby sex

[48:35] - Sarah’s encouragement for women trying to conceive

[49:45] - Acupuncture vs. dry needling: what’s the difference?

[52:09] - Finding Dr. Sarah Anzola and Templ Wellness in Houston

[53:16] - Closing remarks

Link and Resources:

• Connect with Dr. Sarah Anzola: www.instagram.com/templwellness

• ⁠A Catholic Woman's Guide to Unexplained Infertility: The 5 Labs You Need To Get Pregnant⁠
• ⁠Apply to work with our team 1:1⁠

Connect With Me

Instagram: ⁠@catholic.fertility.dietitian⁠

Website: ⁠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. 💛

Acupuncture for fertility, fertility acupuncture, acupuncture and fertility, acupuncture for women’s health, traditional Chinese medicine for fertility, TCM fertility, acupuncture while trying to conceive, acupuncture during pregnancy, menstrual cycle acupuncture, nervous system regulation, stress and fertility, holistic fertility support, natural fertility support, fertility wellness, fertility support for men

Does inflammation affect fertility? It's a question more women are asking as they navigate hormonal imbalances, unexplained infertility, or the challenges of trying to conceive.

In this episode, I explore the connection between inflammation and fertility, sharing my own experience with elevated inflammation markers and what I learned after noticing dramatic changes in how I felt while spending time away from home.

We discuss how chronic stress, blood sugar balance, sleep, gut health, movement, nutrition, and even your everyday environment may influence inflammation in the body. If you're trying to conceive and looking for practical, faith-centered ways to support your fertility, this episode will help you think beyond supplements and diets and take a more holistic look at your health.

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.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why inflammation is one of the biggest hidden factors affecting fertility
• What elevated CRP can reveal about your overall health
• How your physical environment influences stress and inflammation
• Lessons learned after spending two weeks in Colorado
• Why slowing down and spending more time outdoors supports hormone health
• The importance of circadian rhythm, sunlight, and walking for fertility
• How balancing blood sugar can improve progesterone and ovulation
• Common hidden causes of chronic inflammation, including gut health and poor sleep
• Antioxidant-rich foods that naturally reduce inflammation
• Questions to ask yourself about whether your current environment is supporting your health

Timestamps:

• [0:00] Welcome back & celebrating Episode 10
• [2:00] Elevated CRP, inflammation, and why it matters for fertility
• [5:30] Why environment impacts inflammation, stress, and overall health
• [8:45] Lessons learned from traveling to Colorado and feeling physically better
• [13:00] Living with less stress: creating a "vacation mindset" at home
• [16:30] Circadian rhythm, sunlight, and spending more time outdoors
• [19:30] Exercise balance: why walking became more beneficial than running
• [22:00] Nutrition changes that reduced cravings and inflammation (the yogurt bowl experiment)
• [24:45] Blood sugar regulation, progesterone, and supporting fertility
• [27:00] Other hidden causes of inflammation: gut health, sleep, and chronic stress
• [29:30] Antioxidant-rich foods that support fertility and lower inflammation
• [31:45] Reflecting on whether to move to Colorado and evaluating your environment
• [33:32] Free fertility guide & closing remarks

Links & Resources

• ⁠Intuitively Full⁠ Lucia’s book on healing, food, and faith
• ⁠Download our free guide!A Catholic Woman's Guide to Unexplained Infertility: The 5 Labs You Need To Get Pregnant⁠
• ⁠Apply to work with our team 1:1⁠
• Brick device to minimize scrolling/screen time

Connect With Me

Instagram: ⁠@catholic.fertility.dietitian⁠

Website: ⁠www.savorli.co⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be so grateful if you would follow the Catholic Fertility Podcast, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with a friend or couple who could benefit from it. Your support helps this podcast reach more women and families seeking faith-filled, evidence-informed fertility education.

Could your oral health be affecting your fertility?

In today’s episode of the Catholic Fertility Podcast, I sit down with biological dentist Dr. Katie To for a conversation that completely changes the way we think about fertility and whole-body healing. We dive into the often-overlooked connection between oral health, chronic inflammation, and reproductive health—and why the mouth may hold important clues if you’re struggling to conceive.

Dr. Katie shares her incredible personal journey of healing from heavy metal toxicity, how it transformed the way she practices dentistry, and why issues like hidden infections, root canals, cavitations, mouth breathing, and poor airway health can impact far more than just your teeth. If you’ve been dealing with unexplained infertility, chronic inflammation, or recurring health issues, this episode is packed with practical insights and hope.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

•

• What biological dentistry is and how it differs from conventional dentistry
• Why airway health and nasal breathing matter for fertility
• Dr. Katie’s journey from heavy metal toxicity to root-cause healing
• How hidden infections, root canals, and cavitations affect systemic health
• The connection between oral bacteria, inflammation, and pregnancy outcomes
• Why “trimester zero” matters before trying to conceive
• The top daily habits to support both oral and reproductive health

Timeline

[00:00] – Introduction to Dr. Katie To and why biological dentistry matters

[02:14] – What biological dentistry is and how it supports whole-body health

[03:07] – Dr. Katie’s personal story: heavy metal toxicity, infertility struggles, and transforming her dental practice

[05:23] – The role of airway health, oxygen, and nasal breathing in healing

[09:01] – Lifestyle changes that dramatically improved Dr. Katie’s health

[10:23] – Detoxing, foundational health, and why healing takes time

[14:17] – The connection between inflammation, cycle health, and conception

[18:07] – Oral bacteria, inflammation, and reproductive health

[25:20] – Real patient stories: treating hidden infections and successful pregnancy

[29:30] – Hidden infections, cavitations, and systemic disease

[34:03] – What cavitations are and why they matter for fertility and overall health

[40:04] – When you should see a biological dentist

[41:21] – Top 3 oral health habits for couples trying to conceive

[44:37] – How to connect with Dr. Katie To

Links & Resources

•

Instagram: @drkatieto

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Dr. Katie To Center for Wellness Dentistry

•

Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART)

•

PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin)

•

The Wellness Dentistry Podcast

If this episode blessed or encouraged you, please follow, rate, review, and share the podcast with someone who would love to learn more about this.

Your support helps us reach more women seeking faith-filled fertility guidance. 🤍

Looking for root-cause functional fertility support to get pregnant naturally? Apply to work with our team.

Improve Heart Rate Variability (HRV) & Boost Fertility

Could your HRV be a missing piece to your fertility ?

In this episode of the Catholic Fertility Podcast, I’m breaking down Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and why it matters for fertility, hormone health, and nervous system regulation. HRV is one of the most powerful metrics for understanding how well your body adapts to stress—and it can reveal whether your nervous system is stuck in “fight or flight" or in a place to support a nourishing pregnancy.

We discuss how chronic stress, poor sleep, under-eating, over-exercising, mouth breathing, blood sugar imbalance, and inflammation can all lower HRV and impact fertility. Lucia also shares practical ways to improve HRV naturally so you can better support ovulation, hormone balance, and overall wellness. This is a must listen if you've been trying everything to improve your HRV and fertility and nothing is working.

If you are trying to conceive naturally or improve your hormones, this episode will help you understand the connection between your nervous system, heart rate variability, and reproductive health.

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.

In this episode, we cover:
• What HRV is and how to interpret your numbers
• Why trends matter more than a single HRV score
• The link between stress, hormones, and fertility
• How HRV changes throughout the menstrual cycle
• Why low HRV may signal nervous system dysregulation
• The surprising role of airway health, sleep, and blood sugar
• Practical strategies to improve HRV and support fertility

Episode Timeline
[00:00] Why HRV matters for fertility and overall health
[03:02] What HRV actually measures
[04:25] What counts as a “good” HRV score
[05:39] HRV changes during the menstrual cycle
[09:22] Hidden causes of low HRV
[15:47] Nutrition, hydration, and mineral deficiencies
[28:36] Research linking HRV and IVF outcomes
[30:10] Why male fertility is affected too
[32:36] Lucia’s best tips to improve HRV naturally

Links & Resources

• LMNT Electrolytes
• Redmond Relyte - Code Savorli for 15% off
• Cure - Code Savorli for 20% off
• Lucia’s Mineral Guide
• Oura Ring - Save 10% through my fullscript account
• UltraHuman - Save 5% with this link
• Stelo - The glucose monitor I use in my practice
• My Favorite Magnesium Bedtime Spray
• Signs Your Fertility Is Improving | Episode 5

Connect with Lucia
Instagram
Website

If this episode encouraged you, please follow, rate, and review the podcast—it helps more couples discover faith-based fertility education.

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

• Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) - get your minerals tested with me!

• Blood Sugar & Fertility Podcast Episode

Connect with Lucia Harmeling:
Instagram @catholic.fertility.dietitian
Website: 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.

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

• ⁠Apply for 1:1 fertility support

• ⁠⁠Intuitively Full⁠⁠ Lucia’s book on healing, food, and faith

Connect With Me

Instagram: ⁠@catholic.fertility.dietitian⁠

Website: ⁠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.

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

Free Guide: A Catholic Woman's Guide to Unexplained Infertility

Apply to work with me

IG:catholic.fertility.dietitian

Website: 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.

Episode Summary

If you’re a Catholic woman trying to conceive, dealing with missing periods, or feeling stuck in the world of “unexplained infertility,” this episode is for you. In this very first episode of The Catholic Fertility Podcast, I open up about my personal journey—what it looked like to go over 10 years without a cycle and how I eventually conceived both of my children naturally.

I’m walking you through what actually restores fertility—not quick fixes, but rebuilding your foundation, nourishing your body, and learning to trust God’s timing in the process. We’ll talk about the real root causes behind hormone imbalances, how stress and nutrition play a role, and what it means to approach fertility in a way that aligns with your faith.

What I Cover in This Episode

• My story: going over a decade without a menstrual cycle
• The connection between stress, undernourishment, and hormone health
• Why foundational healing matters more than quick fixes
• Birth control and why it doesn’t restore natural cycles
• Misdiagnosis vs. identifying the true root cause of amenorrhea
• Healing your relationship with food and your body
• The role of faith in your fertility journey
• Cycle tracking and understanding your hormones
• What it looked like to conceive naturally after years of struggle

Timeline Highlights

[00:00] – Welcome + introduction to the podcast
[00:30] – My story: 10 years without a cycle
[02:21] – Dieting, body image, and early patterns
[03:48] – College years + chronic stress
[07:27] – Medical approaches vs. foundational healing
[08:25] – Nutrition, sleep, and creating safety in the body
[10:13] – Healing in the right order
[11:04] – Birth control explained
[11:34] – PCOS vs. true root causes of missing periods
[12:02] – Faith and being led toward healing
[13:27] – Getting my cycle back
[14:24] – Learning through cycle tracking
[16:01] – Trying to conceive
[16:57] – Pregnancy story
[18:21] – A faith-aligned approach to fertility
[18:49] – Encouragement for your journey
[19:47] – Resources
[20:17] – Closing thoughts

Links & Resources

• Intuitively Full Lucia’s book on healing, food, and faith

• A Catholic Woman's Guide to Unexplained Infertility: The 5 Labs You Need To Get Pregnant

• Apply to work with our team 1:1

Connect With Me

Instagram: @catholic.fertility.dietitian

Website: 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.

If you’ve been told your labs are “normal,” but you’re still not getting pregnant, this episode is for you. Especially if you’re a Catholic woman trying to conceive and feeling stuck in the frustration of not having answers.

In this episode of The Catholic Fertility Podcast, I’m sharing how functional lab testing shifted my own fertility journey postpartum—when I knew something in my body was off, even though conventional labs didn’t show anything wrong. We’re talking about what functional testing actually looks like, why “normal” labs don’t always mean optimal health, and how to uncover the root causes behind hormone imbalances, missing ovulation, and unexplained infertility.

I also walk you through the deeper factors that impact fertility—like nutrient deficiencies, undernourishment, gut health, and postpartum depletion—and how to begin restoring your body in a way that aligns with your faith and supports natural conception.

What I cover in this episode:

• What functional lab testing is and how it’s different from conventional labs
• My postpartum experience and discovering nutrient depletion
• Why “normal” labs don’t always mean optimal fertility
• The connection between under-eating, depletion, and hormone imbalance
• How minerals, gut health, and nourishment impact ovulation
• Why data + interpretation matters in fertility care
• Advocating for yourself when something feels off
• Trusting your body and God’s design in the healing process

Timestamps

[00:00] – Introduction + why functional lab testing matters
[02:00] – Postpartum depletion and early symptoms
[05:00] – “Something feels off”: learning to trust your body
[07:00] – Functional labs vs. conventional labs
[10:00] – Why “normal” labs don’t mean optimal health
[13:00] – Nutrient deficiencies and hormone imbalance
[16:00] – Restoring nourishment + getting your cycle back
[19:00] – Gut health and deeper healing work
[22:00] – Advocating for yourself in your fertility journey
[25:00] – Trusting God’s design and next steps

Links & Resources

• Download our free guide: A Catholic Woman's Guide to Unexplained Infertility: The 5 Labs You Need To Get Pregnant⁠

• Apply to work with our fertility team

Connect With Me

• Instagram: catholic.fertility.dietitian
• Website: 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.

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— My book on healing your relationship with food

📖 The Intuitive Eating Workbook⁠— A step-by-step guide to reconnecting with hunger cues

📖 ⁠The Intuitive Eating Book

🧪 Download Our Free Guide: The Five Fertility Labs to Help You Get Pregnant

💛 Apply here to work with our team

Connect With Me

Instagram: ⁠catholic.fertility.dietitian⁠

Website:⁠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.

💛 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
• Apply to get 1:1 fertility support

• Blood Glucose Monitor (Stelo)

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 Catholic Fertility Podcast is for Catholic women who want to support their hormones, restore cycle health, and conceive naturally while honoring the faith and the design of their body.

Hosted by Lucia Harmeling, MS, RDN, LD—functional dietitian, women’s health expert, and mom of two—this podcast explores the root causes behind hormone imbalance, irregular cycles, PMS, infertility, and miscarriage.

Episodes launching May 1, 2026!

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.