Free Webinar | Inflammation: The Silent Factor Affecting Fertility

Note: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) was renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) in May 2026. Read what the rename means for your hormones and fertility.

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About this webinar

Inflammation is one of the most talked-about topics in health right now, yet it remains one of the least addressed factors in fertility care. We hear a lot about hormones, egg reserve and sperm counts, but the role of chronic, low-grade inflammation in reproductive outcomes is rarely discussed in a clinical setting, even though the research is increasingly compelling.

Low-grade inflammation is not the same as the acute inflammation you notice when you cut your finger or develop a fever. It is a quieter, systemic process, one that may not cause obvious symptoms and will not show up on a standard blood test or fertility panel. Yet evidence suggests it can disrupt virtually every stage of the reproductive process, from the development of eggs and sperm, through to ovulation, fertilisation and implantation.

In this free one-hour webinar, Fertility Nutritionist Raquel Monroy will explore the science behind low-grade inflammation and its relationship with fertility, explain what drives it, and share practical, evidence-based nutritional and lifestyle strategies that can help bring the body back into balance.

Whether you are trying to conceive naturally, preparing for IVF or another assisted conception cycle, or simply trying to understand why conception has not happened yet, this session is designed to give you clarity, insight and actionable next steps.

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What the webinar will cover

• What low-grade, systemic inflammation is and how it differs from normal inflammatory responses
• The evidence linking chronic inflammation to unexplained infertility and poor reproductive outcomes
• How inflammation affects egg quality, sperm health, ovulation and implantation
• Why standard fertility tests often miss inflammatory factors entirely
• The connection between gut health, the microbiome and reproductive inflammation
• The role of diet, stress, sleep and environment in driving inflammatory load
• The inflammation-fertility connection in endometriosis and PCOS (PMOS), and what can be done about it
• An introduction to anti-inflammatory nutritional strategies that are evidence-based and practical
• Key supplements that have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and support fertility
• How to identify whether inflammation may be a contributing factor in your own fertility picture

Who should attend

This webinar is suitable for anyone who is:

• Trying to conceive naturally and wants to understand all the factors that may be at play
• Preparing for IVF or another assisted conception cycle and looking to optimise their chances
• Dealing with unexplained infertility or repeated implantation failure
• Living with endometriosis, PCOS (PMOS), thyroid dysfunction or an autoimmune condition
• Concerned about sperm health and how inflammation may be affecting it
• Interested in a proactive, evidence-based approach to reproductive health
• Supporting a partner through fertility challenges and wanting to understand the shared biology

This session is designed to be accessible, informative and grounded in real clinical experience.

What is low-grade inflammation?

Acute inflammation is a normal and necessary immune response. When the body detects a threat, whether infection, injury or irritation, it mounts an inflammatory response to deal with it. This is healthy and protective.

Low-grade or chronic inflammation is different. It occurs when the immune system remains in a state of low-level activation over an extended period, producing inflammatory signals, including cytokines and reactive oxygen species, that gradually interfere with normal tissue function. Because it does not cause the obvious signs of classical inflammation, it often goes undetected for years.

Research published in Reproductive Sciences and by the NIH has shown that this kind of systemic inflammatory burden affects hormonal signalling, ovarian function, sperm DNA integrity and the receptivity of the uterine lining, often without any obvious clinical sign. Studies estimate that silent, low-grade inflammation may account for a significant proportion of unexplained infertility cases.

The important thing to understand, however, is that there are a number of things you can do about it. Raquel will be unpacking how low-grade inflammation impacts fertility, the most common underlying drivers, and crucially, the practical steps you can take to optimise your body for conception success.

Raquel Monroy, Fertility Nutritionist

Raquel Monroy is a Registered Nutritional Therapist, trained at the College of Naturopathic Medicine, with additional specialist training in fertility nutrition through the Fertility Nutrition Centre. Her advanced study reflects a deep commitment to clinical excellence and the highest standards of evidence-based nutritional therapy for fertility.

From her private clinic near Manchester, Raquel supports clients across the UK and internationally, working with individuals and couples facing a wide range of fertility challenges. Using functional testing and fully personalised nutrition and lifestyle protocols, she works to uncover root causes rather than simply manage symptoms. Her approach is grounded in the belief that understanding the body's biology, including the role of inflammation, gives people genuine clarity and a practical roadmap forward.

The research behind the topic

The connection between inflammation and fertility is increasingly well-supported in the scientific literature. Here are some of the key areas of evidence that will inform this webinar:

• A 2025 review in PubMed Central confirmed that chronic inflammation negatively impacts oocyte quality, folliculogenesis, hormone production and immune signalling in ways that directly affect fertility. Read the study
• Research on inflammation and implantation published in PMC highlights the dual role of inflammation in reproduction and the consequences of dysregulation for embryo implantation outcomes. Read the study
• A 2022 evidence review on anti-inflammatory diets in fertility concluded that adherence to anti-inflammatory dietary patterns improves fertility outcomes, IVF success rates and sperm quality. Read the review
• Tremellen (2008) in Human Reproduction Update established oxidative stress as a key driver of male infertility, with inflammatory activity as the underlying mechanism. Read the study
• A 2025 review in Frontiers in Immunology identified immunometabolism as the critical link between inflammation, oxidative stress and declining male fertility. Read the review

Frequently asked questions

Is this webinar really free?

Yes, completely free to watch. Simply scroll down to the video below.

When did the webinar take place?

The live session took place on Thursday 19th March 2026 at 8pm GMT. The recording is available to watch below.

How long is the webinar?

The session runs for approximately one hour, with time for questions at the end.

Does inflammation affect both partners?

Yes. The evidence is clear that chronic inflammation affects sperm DNA integrity, motility and morphology just as it affects egg quality and the uterine environment. This webinar covers the biology as it applies to both partners. If you are looking for male-specific support, the Zita West male fertility supplement range includes targeted antioxidant support for sperm health.

My fertility tests have all come back normal. Is this webinar relevant to me?

Absolutely. Standard fertility investigations do not routinely screen for inflammatory markers or immune factors. Low-grade inflammation is increasingly recognised as a key driver of unexplained infertility and is rarely identified through conventional testing alone.

I have PCOS (PMOS). Is this webinar particularly relevant to me?

Yes. The webinar covers the inflammation-PCOS connection in depth, including the role of oxidative stress and insulin resistance in disrupting ovulation and hormone balance. The Zita West PCOS Support Pack has been formulated to address many of these underlying factors directly. It contains NAC for oxidative stress, Inositol and Folate for insulin sensitivity, Omega-3 for anti-inflammatory support, Femceive probiotic for gut health, Psyllium Husk for blood sugar regulation, and Vitamin D for immune and hormone health, covering most of the nutritional ground Raquel discusses in the session.

I am currently in an IVF cycle. Is this relevant?

If you are mid-cycle, this session may be better used as preparation for a future cycle. However, the information will be valuable for understanding what to focus on in the months before your next attempt. The Zita West IVF supplement range is formulated to support the key nutritional factors discussed in this session.

Will I receive personalised advice during the webinar?

This is an educational session rather than a clinical consultation. If you would like personalised support on which products are right for your situation, you can book a free 1:1 fertility product consultation with the Zita West team.

What is low-grade inflammation?

Low-grade inflammation is a state of persistent, low-level immune activation that does not cause obvious symptoms but can disrupt normal biological processes over time. In the context of fertility, it can affect hormonal regulation, ovarian function, sperm health and the implantation environment. It is driven by factors including diet, gut health, stress, environmental exposures and sleep quality.

Can inflammation be reduced naturally?

Yes. Nutritional therapy, dietary changes, targeted supplementation and lifestyle modifications have all been shown to reduce markers of chronic inflammation. This is a core part of what Raquel addresses in her clinical work, and it is a key focus of this webinar. Supplements including NAC, omega-3 and CoQ10 all have good evidence behind them for reducing oxidative stress and supporting reproductive health. If you would like guidance on where to start, book a free 1:1 fertility product consultation with our team.

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