An Extremely Common Sleep Disorder Impairs Fertility

If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, you’re likely already familiar with how many factors can influence fertility—hormones, nutrition, age, stress… But one lesser-known piece of the puzzle might surprise you: sleep.

More specifically—insomnia.

What Is Insomnia?

Insomnia is more than just the occasional sleepless night. It’s defined as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early at least three times per week for three months, paired with daytime fatigue or dysfunction.

It’s not a rare issue either—up to 15% of the global population is believed to suffer from chronic insomnia. And biological females are disproportionately affected.

If you’re reading this and also dealing with sleepless nights, know that you're not alone. And if you’re also facing infertility, it might not be a coincidence.

How Sleep and Fertility Are Connected

Sleep is when the body repairs, regulates, and recalibrates. When sleep is compromised, so is your hormonal health, immune function, and—yes—possibly your reproductive health.

Here’s how insomnia may be contributing to infertility:

1. Oxidative Stress and Gamete Damage

Insomnia increases oxidative stress in the body—an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. This is particularly harmful to gametes (eggs and sperm), which are extremely sensitive to oxidative damage.

In insomnia sufferers, antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase are often found at lower levels, making it harder for the body to protect reproductive cells.

2. Disrupted Circadian Rhythms and Clock Genes

Sleep is regulated by something called clock genes—especially BMAL1, CLOCK, CRY1, PER1, and PER2. Expression of these genes, particularly in the superchiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus gland, is deeply tied to hormonal rhythms, sperm health, and testosterone production.

Altered expression of these genes has been linked with asthenozoospermia (reduced sperm motility), as well as lower testosterone levels in males. When these circadian signals go off track, fertility can be negatively affected.

3. Hormonal Chaos: Cortisol and Melatonin Imbalance

Insomnia disrupts melatonin—a hormone that not only helps us sleep but also acts as a powerful antioxidant and regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a critical hormonal cascade.

When melatonin drops and cortisol (your stress hormone) surges due to lack of sleep, it can impact the delicate balance of reproductive hormones like testosterone and estradiol—further perturbing fertility potential.

More Than Just Sleepless Nights

When insomnia is combined with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—another common but underdiagnosed condition—the effects are compounded. Together, they can increase the risk of:

• Erectile dysfunction

• Lower testosterone production

• Depression

• Reduced libido

These are major contributors to sexual dysfunction and potentially infertility.

So, How Much Sleep Do You Need?

The magic number for optimal health and fertility? 7 to 9 hours per night.

But when falling or staying asleep feels impossible, getting that amount consistently can feel out of reach.

Where Do You Go From Here?

If you're struggling with insomnia and infertility, it’s important to know that you don’t have to navigate this alone. At our clinic, we focus on uncovering the root causes behind fertility struggles—and sleep health is one of the several areas we assess.

We combine evidence-based naturopathic care with personalized sleep and hormone support so that your body—and your future family—have the best chance to thrive.

You deserve answers. You deserve rest. And you deserve to feel hopeful again

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your Naturopathic Doctor before starting any new supplement, especially during fertility treatments like IVF.