Ep. 196: Autoimmunity & Infertility: What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You - With Dr. Elissa

EPISODE SUMMARY:In this episode, I sit down with my practitioner Dr. Elissa to unpack how autoimmune disease impacts fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and implantation. We break down what ANA and ENA testing really means, the role of the gut and vaginal microbiome in immune regulation, and why so many women are told their labs are “normal” when their bodies are clearly struggling. We also explore the deeper patterns behind autoimmunity, drawing on Dr. Gabor Maté’s work - where chronic stress, self-abandonment, and broken boundaries often show up as immune dysfunction. If you’ve felt dismissed or know there’s more to your fertility story, this episode will help you connect the dots.ABOUT DR. JANE’S PRACTICE:Dr. Jane is a Naturopathic Doctor and a Natural Fertility Expert. She and her team of expert practitioners help couples navigate infertility for 1+ years, get to the root cause of their struggles, heal, and bring healthy babies home.After having a family member struggle with infertility and experiencing a miscarriage herself, Dr. Jane realized how little support and education women receive. She is on a mission to change that. Since 2020, she has dedicated her practice to fertility, where she and her practitioners work with couples 1:1, running functional lab work, customizing treatment plans and providing her couples with the support they need to get pregnant, have a stress free pregnancy and a healthy baby.Learn more about Dr. Jane’s practice: www.drjanelevesque.com/practiceApply to work with Dr. Jane & her team: www.drjanelevesque.com/applicationJoin to receive Dr. Jane's weekly Fertility Files: https://link.getcmm.com/widget/form/JStvkHpRAamc7VwPMEQE CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Autoimmunity and Fertility01:50 Understanding the Impact of Autoimmunity on Fertility06:10 Diagnosing Autoimmune Diseases09:27 Standard and Functional Testing for Autoimmunity12:45 The Role of Genetics in Autoimmunity15:02 The Connection Between Microbiome and Fertility16:01 Challenging Conventional Beliefs About Autoimmunity17:36 Genetics vs. Lifestyle in Autoimmune Disease19:09 The Role of Stress and Inflammation22:03 Identifying and Treating Autoimmune Triggers25:52 The Importance of Partner Health in Treatment27:32 Mental and Emotional Components of Autoimmune Disease33:01 The Path to Healing: A Holistic ApproachTAKEAWAYS:Autoimmune disease can be the underlying cause of unexplained infertility.Lab testing is crucial for understanding fertility issues related to autoimmunity.The immune system's dysregulation can significantly impact implantation and pregnancy.Chronic stress and lifestyle factors can trigger autoimmune responses.Both partners should be involved in fertility treatment to address shared microbiome issuesABOUT NATURAL FERTILITY:Pregnancy is a natural process, so if it’s not happening or it’s not sticking, something is missing. Join Dr. Jane, a naturopathic doctor and a natural fertility expert, every Tuesday at 9am for insightful case studies, expert interviews and practical tips on optimizing your fertility naturally.If you’ve struggling with infertility, pregnancy loss, women’s health issues or just want to be proactive and prepare yourself for the next big chapter in your life… this show is for you.SUBSCRIBE TO & FOLLOW NATURAL FERTILITY:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0WjrEeP...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...CONNECT WITH DR. JANE:Website - www.drjanelevesque.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/drjanelevesque/?hl=enFacebook - www.facebook.com/dr.janelevesque.ndYouTube - www.youtube.com/@dr.janelevesque7319 ----------------------------------------------------------Join to receive Dr. Jane's weekly Fertility Files: https://link.getcmm.com/widget/form/JStvkHpRAamc7VwPMEQE Individualized care is essential for effective treatment of chronic fertility issues.