Have you been told your fertility tests are normal, but you’re still not pregnant? You’re not alone—and it’s not “all in your head.” What many call “unexplained infertility” is often a sign that we’ve stopped looking at the whole picture: mind, body, and soul. This blog explores why normal results don’t always mean optimal health—and what you can do when your body says something different.
“Everything looks normal.”
“There’s no reason you shouldn’t be pregnant.”
“Just relax—it’ll happen when you stop trying.”
If you’ve heard these phrases, I’d bet good money you’re here because—while well-meaning—they’re not cutting the mustard. They’re not explaining what the F is going on with your body, and they’re definitely not shedding any light on what YOU or your partner can do to feel less powerless and more in control.
Because here’s the truth: hoping, praying, and waiting for “one day” gets exhausting.
I get it. It’s not just annoying—it’s infuriating.
At least couples who have a diagnosis know what they’re working with. They have a label. A plan. A direction. But if you’ve been told “everything’s fine” and “just keep trying,” you’re left in no man’s land—with no map, no answers, and no sense of what comes next.
My love, I got you.
Helping couples turn that confusing, painful in-between space into something way more hopeful and empowering is my superpower. Because I deeply believe this:
Unexplained infertility isn’t unexplained—it’s just misunderstood.
So… let’s start right there.
What Is “Unexplained” Infertility?
Unexplained infertility is when you’ve been trying to conceive for a year (or 6 months if you’re over 35), all your fertility tests come back “normal,” and yet month after month—nothing happens.
- No PCOS.
- No blocked tubes.
- No low AMH.
- No obvious reason.
Just silence.
In the UK, unexplained infertility accounts for about 25% of cases. And with infertility rates rising overall, I’d argue that number may actually be higher.
Diagnosis is a process of elimination—and it can take 12–18 months to reach. The NHS typically won’t offer IVF for unexplained infertility until after two years of trying to conceive. That’s two years of waiting. Hoping. Wondering. And not feeling seen.
Why Unexplained Infertility Is Misunderstood
Here’s my issue with how unexplained infertility is currently approached:
It’s based almost entirely on lab results.
And after over a decade in the holistic health space, I can confidently say—fertility is never just about lab results. If something’s not making sense, we need to zoom out and look at the whole picture.
That means: mind, body, and soul.
Fertility is not just a biological event. It’s a reflection of how your whole system is functioning—and how it’s interacting with your life, environment, and emotional state.
And that’s where standard testing falls short.
Why Normal Fertility Test Results Can Be Misleading.
Here’s the thing about “normal” lab results: they don’t always tell the full story. In fact, they often miss it altogether.
Let me explain:
1. Normal Ranges Are Broad and Generalized
Lab ranges are designed to flag major problems—not subtle imbalances that can still affect fertility. They’re based on population averages, not your optimal functioning.
2. “Normal” Doesn’t Mean Ideal for YOU
You are not a textbook. Your hormonal sweet spot is unique to you. A test result might technically fall within the “reference range” but still be out of sync with your body’s needs or timeline.
3. Context Is Everything
Medical results are often viewed in isolation. But fertility isn’t one hormone or one organ—it’s a symphony. Ovaries, thyroid, gut, nervous system, immune system… they’re all in conversation. A “normal” FSH result doesn’t mean much if you’re also experiencing irregular cycles or signs of low progesterone.
4. Tests Miss Subclinical Issues
Standard fertility panels don’t detect:
- Egg or sperm quality (only quantity)
- Mild endometriosis
- Implantation failure
- Autoimmune dysfunction
- Silent inflammation or oxidative stress
So yes, your tests may be “normal”—but that doesn’t mean your fertility is thriving.
Your Fertility Is More Than Your Lab test results.
This is just a snapshot of your fertility picture. It doesn’t tell you about:
- Your emotional health
- Your nervous system state
- Your gut health
- Your stress levels
- Your mental health
- Your trauma history (big T or little t)
- Your exposure to environmental toxins
- Your financial and relational stress
- And my personal favourite: your attachment system
Your body isn’t a collection of numbers.
It’s a deeply intelligent system that holds your story, your biology, and your lived experience.
And that’s why unexplained infertility isn’t “nothing wrong.”
It’s just that we’re not looking wide enough, deep enough, or personally enough.
Why a Mind-Body Approach to Fertility Is Essential
If unexplained infertility has taught us anything, it’s that we can’t keep looking at fertility through a one-dimensional lens.
This isn’t just about ovaries and sperm.
It’s not just about cycles and lab values.
Fertility is the end result of a much deeper system of communication happening within your body. And when something’s off—especially something subtle—it’s often not found in the bloodwork, but in the broader context of your life.
Here’s why a multi-faceted, mind-body-soul approach is non-negotiable:
1. Your Nervous System Sets the Tone
Chronic stress, fight-or-flight patterns, and emotional burnout don’t just affect your mood—they impact ovulation, hormone signaling, digestion, sleep, libido, and even implantation.
If your body doesn’t feel safe, it’s far less likely to prioritize reproduction.
This is biology, not mindset fluff.
2. Your Emotions Carry Intelligence
Grief, fear, shame, or disappointment can live in the body, especially when you’re cycling through monthly hope and heartbreak. These emotions aren’t “just in your head.” They live in your tissues, your energy, your nervous system—and they matter.
Healing work that integrates emotional release and support can have profound impacts on fertility outcomes.
3. Your Gut, Thyroid & Immune Systems Are Connected to Fertility
We now know that gut health influences everything from hormone detoxification to immune tolerance in early pregnancy. Autoimmunity, inflammation, or even subtle nutrient depletion (like low B12, iron, or zinc) can all block conception.
But standard fertility testing rarely checks for these.
4. Trauma Lives in the Body—And the Reproductive System Is Highly Sensitive
Whether it’s childhood experiences, medical trauma, relationship patterns, or cultural shame around your body—your nervous system remembers. And that memory can quietly interfere with fertility without you even realizing it.
Supporting your body to feel safe enough to receive is one of the most powerful and under-addressed elements of fertility work.
5. You’re a Whole Human—Not a Uterus on Legs
The body doesn’t compartmentalize the way the medical system does.
Your relational patterns, sleep, sex life, beliefs, creativity, and even sense of identity all feed into your biology.
A holistic fertility path asks:
- What’s draining your life force?
- Where do you need nourishment—not just nutritionally, but emotionally, energetically?
- What parts of you are trying to protect you by holding back?
Fertility is not about fixing what’s broken. It’s about creating the conditions where your body feels safe, supported, and ready to open.
A Shout-Out to My Neuro-Spicy Women
If you’re someone who identifies as neurodivergent—whether that’s ADHD, autism spectrum, sensory-sensitive, or just the kind of person who feels everything deeply—this part is especially for you.
Your body often processes hormones, stimuli, and stress more intensely. You might experience stronger PMS, more dramatic cycle shifts, or feel completely dysregulated by minor changes in routine or environment. That’s not in your head—it’s in your wiring.
Unfortunately, traditional fertility medicine rarely takes this into account. But your nervous system sensitivity is key to your hormonal health. The more we understand and support your unique rhythms, the more we can bring safety and regulation to the system that governs your fertility.
And Now… Let’s Talk About Your Attachment System
If you’ve never heard of the attachment system in the context of fertility, you’re not alone—but this might just be the piece that changes everything.
Your attachment system—formed in early life through your relationships with caregivers—shapes how safe you feel:
- In your body
- In relationships
- In receiving care, love, and nourishment
- In tolerating uncertainty and vulnerability (sound familiar?)
This internal system also impacts your nervous system baseline, your stress response, and yes—your hormones. A body that’s constantly scanning for emotional safety may unconsciously suppress reproductive function, not because it’s broken, but because it’s trying to protect you.
In other words: the same patterns that show up in your relationships can show up in your fertility.
When we begin to gently explore and rewire attachment wounds—especially around safety, control, trust, and surrender—your body can soften. And that softening is often what creates the shift.
The Somatic Fertility Method: A 120-Day Journey Back to Your Body
If you’ve read this far, you already know this isn’t just about your uterus. It’s not just about test results, medications, or ovulation windows.
This is about you.
Over the years, I’ve developed something I call The Somatic Fertility Method—a 120-day journey that brings you back to the core of your health, your body, and your sense of inner safety.
My gift—and my deepest passion—is helping women and couples uncover the true root causes of what’s going on beneath the surface. Beyond what conventional medicine sees. Because I don’t just look at data—I look at patterns, behaviours, cycles, stories, and subtle body signals that most people miss.
I don’t believe you’re broken. I believe your body is wise—and it’s communicating with you in a language that might need translation.
What Makes This Work Different?
What I care about most isn’t just helping you conceive (though we absolutely hold that vision if it’s what you want).
What I care about most is this:
That you don’t feel like a victim of your diagnosis.
That you come out of this journey with more tools, more self-trust, more embodied wisdom, and more peace than you started with.
I believe in giving couples skills, awareness, and education that extend far beyond fertility. This process is person-centred, not fertility-centred—because when we tend to the person, fertility often follows naturally.
This Is for You If…
- You’re tired of being told “everything’s fine” when your body says otherwise
- You know there’s more to your story than labs and numbers
- You’re ready to feel empowered, not powerless
- You want support that honors your biology and your humanity
- You want to transform—not just get through—this chapter of your life
Whether or not a baby is the end result, you deserve to feel whole, held, and in control of your journey.
If you’re ready to step into a more compassionate, body-led, and person-first approach to fertility—I’d be honoured to walk that path with you. Check out my services for Fertility here>
Not quite ready to take the leap? That’s totally okay. Take your time, explore the blog, and soak in what resonates. I’m only just getting started—but over time, I hope this space becomes a home for insight, inspiration, and gentle guidance on your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How common is unexplained infertility in the UK?
A: Around 25% of couples with fertility issues are diagnosed with unexplained infertility in the UK. This means no obvious medical cause is found after standard testing.
Q: Does IVF work for unexplained infertility?
A: Yes. IVF has comparable success rates for unexplained infertility as it does for other diagnoses—often around 30–40% per cycle, and higher cumulatively.
Q: Can stress or trauma really affect fertility?
A: Absolutely. Your nervous system, emotional health, and early attachment experiences all influence hormonal balance and reproductive readiness.
Q: What is a somatic approach to fertility?
A: A somatic approach considers the whole person—body, mind, and emotions—rather than just focusing on lab results. It helps restore balance and safety in the body to support natural fertility.
Q: Can you still have fertility issues even if all your tests are normal?
A: Yes—this is at the heart of what’s often called “unexplained infertility.” Just because your hormone levels, cycle, or scans fall within the normal range doesn’t mean your body is functioning optimally for conception. Subtle imbalances, stress, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation can all impact fertility, even when conventional testing doesn’t detect them.
Q: What does a somatic approach to unexplained infertility actually involve?
A: A somatic approach focuses on the connection between your body, emotions, and nervous system. It might include nervous system regulation techniques, exploring attachment patterns, trauma-informed support, stress reduction, body-based practices, and uncovering root causes beyond lab results. It’s about restoring safety and connection in the body—so that fertility can follow as a natural outcome of deeper healing.
Q: Can I use the Somatic Fertility Method alongside IVF or while I wait for treatment?
A: Yes, 100%. The Somatic Fertility Method is designed to support your body and mind at any stage of your fertility journey—including alongside IVF, IUI, or while waiting for treatment. In fact, it can enhance your experience by helping regulate your nervous system, reduce stress, support hormone balance, and address emotional or energetic blocks that IVF alone doesn’t touch.
Hi, I’m Rebecca — Holistic Fertility Guide & Founder of the Somatic Fertility Method®
After more than a decade in the holistic health field, I’ve worked with hundreds of women and couples who’ve been told “everything looks normal” and yet still struggle to conceive. My work is rooted in the belief that fertility isn’t just a biological event—it’s a full-body, emotional, and energetic experience.
Through my Somatic Fertility Method®, I help people move beyond the limitations of conventional testing to uncover the true root causes of fertility challenges. I specialize in nervous system regulation, attachment repair, hormone literacy, and helping neurodivergent women navigate hormonal sensitivity.
But most of all, I care about turning this season of life into something transformational—not just fertility-centered, but person-centered. Because your healing matters whether a baby is the outcome or not.
You can find me in my beautiful Chapel in East Devon working face to face and I have a selection of spaces available for online clients too!
