81. The Fertility-Sabotaging Hormone No One Talks About (And How to Lower It)

You’re eating clean, taking supplements, and tracking your ovulation—so why does your body still feel out of sync? If you’ve been feeling anxious, exhausted, or “wired but tired,” there’s one hormone that could be quietly sabotaging your fertility and energy—and no, it’s not estrogen or progesterone. In this episode, we’re digging into the stress hormone cortisol and how it impacts your cycle, hormones, and ability to conceive. You’ll hear what really happens inside your body when cortisol stays high, why “normal” labs can still leave you feeling off, and how to tell if your nervous system has been running on overdrive for too long. We’ll talk about the surprising everyday habits that spike cortisol (even the “healthy” ones), how to start calming your body’s stress response naturally, and a science-backed tool that’s been helping women restore balance, sleep better, and finally feel like themselves again. If your body’s been screaming for rest but you’ve been too busy pushing through, this episode will help you understand why peace—not pressure—is the missing piece to your healing and fertility journey. Next Steps: Start with phototherapy: susangladstein.com/phototherapy Go deeper with The Rooted Reset™: susangladstein.com/reset Join us in Costa Rica for the Rooted Reset Retreat: susangladstein.com/retreat Join the Faith Over Pharma community: faithoverpharma.org Connect on Instagram: @susangladstein.co Get the Faithful in the Wait Devotional: faithfulinthewait.com