Is It Infertility or an Adrenal Imbalance?

Why HPA Axis Dysfunction May Be the Hidden Root of Fertility Struggles

When fertility challenges arise, the focus is often placed solely on the reproductive system—tracking cycles, testing hormone levels, and timing ovulation. While those are important pieces of the puzzle, they don’t always address the full picture. One often-overlooked factor that can significantly affect fertility is the health of your adrenal system and its connection to chronic stress. At my practice, I help women explore the role that adrenal imbalance and nervous system dysfunction may be playing in their fertility struggles—and how restoring balance to the body as a whole can create the conditions needed for conception.

The adrenal glands are responsible for producing cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. When you’re under ongoing physical, emotional, or environmental stress, your body shifts into survival mode and begins prioritizing immediate safety over long-term functions—like reproduction. This happens through a system called the HPA axis, short for the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The HPA axis governs your body’s response to stress, and when it’s dysregulated, it can disrupt the delicate hormone signaling needed for regular cycles, ovulation, and overall reproductive health. In other words, even if your hormone levels appear “normal” on paper, your body may still be in a state of dysfunction that prevents conception.

HPA axis dysfunction may not show up on standard fertility labs, but its impact can be profound. Chronic stress and adrenal dysregulation can lead to irregular or missing periods, low progesterone, poor egg quality, and increased inflammation—all of which can make it harder to get pregnant. This stress doesn’t always come from obvious sources. It can result from under-eating, overtraining, poor sleep, digestive issues, unresolved trauma, or even long-term overwhelm from trying to “do it all.” These stressors signal the body that it’s not a safe or optimal time to reproduce. And when the body senses that safety is lacking, reproduction is the first system to be down regulated.

At my office in Costa Mesa, I take a holistic approach to fertility support. That includes looking at postural alignment, nervous system regulation, blood sugar balance, gut health, and hormone signaling—all of which are deeply interconnected. Through chiropractic care, applied kinesiology, targeted nutrition, and functional lab testing when appropriate, I help patients uncover the root causes of imbalance. By supporting the nervous system and reducing physiological stress, we help the body shift out of survival mode and into a more balanced, receptive state. For many women, this shift alone can lead to more regular cycles, healthier ovulation, and a renewed sense of hope.

It’s important to remember that fertility is not just about reproductive organs—it’s about the whole body working together in harmony. If you’ve been struggling to conceive and feel like something is being missed, your adrenal health and nervous system function could be key pieces of the puzzle.

If you’re curious whether adrenal imbalance might be affecting your fertility, I invite you to book a free 15-minute consultation. Let’s take a deeper look at what your body needs to feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive.

— Dr. Kendra Kautz Chiropractor | Holistic Health Consultant | Women’s Wellness Advocate

Costa Mesa, CA | Virtual Appointments Available for California Residents

Text or Call: 714-540-0455 to schedule