Your reproductive organs need a healthy blood supply to deliver oxygen and nutrients and support normal ovarian and uterine function.
Research has found an association between reproductive blood flow and fertility outcomes. In one study of women undergoing IVF, greater blood flow to the ovarian follicles was associated with higher pregnancy rates.
Another study compared women with unexplained infertility with fertile women and found that the women with unexplained infertility had less blood flow in the uterine and ovarian arteries during the luteal phase.
This is one reason I pay attention to circulation when working with women trying to conceive.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, cold hands and feet are commonly associated with a pattern of cold affecting the body and reproductive system.
Other symptoms traditionally associated with this pattern can include:
These symptoms don’t mean that you literally have a “cold uterus,” and they aren’t a medical diagnosis. But if you tend to have cold hands and feet, I think it’s reasonable to pay attention to your overall circulation and warmth.
And keeping your feet warm is one of the easiest things you can do.
Wear socks.
Don’t walk around the house barefoot on cold floors. Put on a good pair of warm socks (ideally organic cotton or wool), especially during the colder months.
Wear socks AND slippers.
If your floors are cold, slippers provide another layer of insulation and help keep your feet consistently warm throughout the day.
Keep your feet warm at night.
If your feet tend to get cold while you’re sleeping, wear warm socks to bed.
Use a hot water bottle.
A warm water bottle at your feet can be especially cozy on cold evenings.
If circulation is something you’re trying to improve, there are plenty of other things I would prioritize alongside keeping your feet warm.
Move your body regularly.
Walking, strength training, cycling, and other forms of regular movement support healthy circulation.
Don’t sit for hours at a time.
Get up, walk around, stretch, and change positions throughout the day.
Stay well-hydrated.
Adequate hydration supports normal blood volume and circulation.
Eat for vascular and mitochondrial health.
A nutrient-dense diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, omega-3 fats, high-quality protein, and antioxidant-rich foods provides the nutrients your cardiovascular and reproductive systems need.
Don’t smoke.
Smoking has significant effects on vascular function and fertility and is one of the biggest exposures to address when trying to conceive.
Support the bigger fertility picture.
Blood flow is only one piece of the puzzle. Thyroid function, iron status, blood sugar regulation, inflammation, nutrient status, sleep, environmental exposures, egg quality, ovulation, and sperm health all matter too.
Absolutely.
I’m not suggesting that putting on a pair of socks will suddenly improve your fertility. But keeping your feet warm is easy, inexpensive, and a lovely way to support the traditional fertility practice of keeping the lower body warm.
And when you’re trying to conceive, especially in your 40s, I love these kinds of simple habits. They don’t replace the important work of investigating and addressing fertility factors, but they can become part of your daily fertility routine.
Warm feet are one way to support circulation while trying to conceive, but it helps to look at the whole picture. Conceiving is a team effort, so his side matters too, and when you’re told it’s simply your age, “old eggs,” or unexplained infertility, especially without thorough testing, it’s worth looking at what’s really going on. And if you want the complete system to support your fertility and pregnancy after 40, it’s all inside my Fertile After 40 Masterclass.
So put on the socks. Keep your feet warm. Keep your body moving. And give your reproductive system the support it deserves ❤️
References:
PMID: 15374700, 18604254
https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.12418
DOI:10.1016/j.mefs.2014.05.004
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please work with your physician or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your healthcare plan, particularly if you are pregnant, undergoing fertility treatment, taking medication, or managing a medical condition. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.
