If you're hoping to conceive in 2027, the months leading up to pregnancy can be an important time to take a closer look at your health.
You might feel generally well, have a relatively regular menstrual cycle and assume that everything is ready for when you decide to start trying. However, there are certain aspects of your reproductive and overall health that are worth exploring before conception.
Preconception preparation isn't simply about taking supplements or making a few healthy lifestyle changes. It's also about understanding your menstrual cycle, identifying potential underlying concerns and making informed decisions about your health before pregnancy.
If you're planning to start trying for a baby next year, here are five areas I would encourage you to consider reviewing now.
1. Understand whether you're ovulating regularly
Your menstrual cycle is an important indicator of your reproductive health, and understanding your own cycle can provide valuable insight before trying to conceive.
While many women are familiar with the idea of a 28-day cycle, menstrual cycles naturally vary between individuals. What matters is understanding your own pattern and recognising when something may warrant further investigation.
Consider the following:
Are your cycles consistently regular?
Do you experience unusually long or short cycles?
Do you have a clear understanding of when you ovulate?
Is your luteal phase (the time between ovulation and your period) reasonably consistent?
Have you noticed changes in your cycle over the past 6–12 months?
Irregular or consistently long cycles may indicate that ovulation is occurring less frequently or may not be occurring consistently.
If your cycles are unpredictable, it may be worth investigating potential contributing factors such as thyroid dysfunction, elevated prolactin, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS/PMOS), changes in energy availability or other hormonal influences.
Tracking your cycle can be a helpful starting point, but it shouldn't replace appropriate medical assessment where concerns are present.
2. Review your thyroid and hormonal health
Hormonal health is an important consideration during preconception preparation.
Certain hormonal imbalances can affect menstrual cycle regularity, ovulation and the ability to conceive. Identifying these concerns before pregnancy may allow time for appropriate management.
Depending on your symptoms and medical history, a healthcare professional may consider investigating:
Thyroid function
Thyroid hormones play a role in menstrual cycle regulation and early pregnancy development. Both an underactive and overactive thyroid can have implications for reproductive health.
Prolactin
Elevated prolactin can interfere with ovulation and may contribute to irregular or absent periods. Testing may be appropriate in women experiencing cycle irregularities or other relevant symptoms.
Androgens
If you experience irregular cycles alongside acne, increased facial hair or other symptoms suggestive of androgen excess, further hormonal investigation may be indicated.
Ovarian function
In certain circumstances, investigations such as FSH, LH and oestradiol may be considered to help assess ovarian function. These results need to be interpreted in the context of your cycle and clinical history.
Not every woman planning pregnancy requires an extensive hormone panel. The most appropriate investigations depend on your individual circumstances.
3. Check whether your menstrual symptoms need further investigation
It's easy to dismiss menstrual symptoms as something you simply have to live with.
However, symptoms such as significant period pain, very heavy bleeding or persistent changes in your menstrual cycle can sometimes indicate an underlying condition that deserves attention.
For example:
Significant menstrual pain may warrant assessment for endometriosis or adenomyosis.
Heavy menstrual bleeding may contribute to depleted iron stores.
Persistent irregular cycles may indicate an ovulatory or hormonal concern.
Ongoing pelvic pain should be appropriately investigated.
If you have been experiencing symptoms for years, preconception preparation can be an opportunity to finally seek answers.
You don't need to wait until you begin trying to conceive to discuss these concerns with your GP or gynaecologist.
4. Consider whether fertility-related testing is appropriate
One of the questions I often hear from women preparing for pregnancy is: "Should I get my hormones tested before I start trying?"
The answer is that testing can be useful in certain circumstances, but it needs to be guided by your health history and what you are hoping to understand.
Some investigations that may be considered include:
AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)
AMH is a marker that can provide information about ovarian reserve. It is not a direct measure of egg quality and cannot reliably predict whether you will conceive naturally.
It is important to understand that a normal AMH result does not guarantee fertility, and a lower result does not mean pregnancy is impossible.
Thyroid function and relevant antibodies
These may be considered where there is a personal or family history of thyroid dysfunction, symptoms or other clinical indications.
Iron status and nutritional markers
Depending on your diet, menstrual history and symptoms, certain nutrient markers may be worth reviewing before conception.
Other investigations
Additional testing may be appropriate based on menstrual irregularities, previous reproductive concerns, medical history or other symptoms.
The goal is not to undertake every available test. It is to identify the investigations that may provide meaningful information and guide appropriate next steps.
5. Review your health history before pregnancy
Preconception preparation is also a valuable opportunity to review your broader health history.
Consider whether you have any existing health concerns that may need additional support or monitoring during pregnancy.
This may include:
Thyroid disorders
Previous pregnancy loss
Endometriosis or other gynaecological conditions
PCOS/PMOS or irregular menstrual cycles
Digestive conditions
A history of nutrient deficiencies
Chronic health conditions
Current prescription medications or supplements
If you take prescription medication, it is important to review its suitability for pregnancy with your prescribing clinician before you begin trying to conceive. Do not discontinue medication without medical guidance.
It may also be worth reviewing your family history and discussing any relevant concerns with your GP.
Taking the time to understand your health history now can help you feel more informed and prepared as you move towards pregnancy.
When should you start preparing for pregnancy?
Ideally, preconception preparation begins at least three months before you plan to conceive.
However, if you're hoping to become pregnant in 2027, starting earlier can provide additional time to investigate concerns, address identified deficiencies, review your menstrual cycle and establish a plan.
For some women, this may be relatively straightforward. For others, particularly those experiencing irregular cycles or existing hormonal concerns, additional time may be beneficial.
There is no need to feel overwhelmed or believe that you need to have everything perfectly optimised before pregnancy. The purpose of preconception care is to help you make informed decisions about your health.
Preparing for pregnancy in 2027? Let's look at your health together.
If you're hoping to conceive next year, now is a wonderful time to begin taking a more proactive approach to your reproductive health.
At Womankind Natural Health, I support women with menstrual cycle concerns, hormonal health and preconception preparation through individualised naturopathic consultations.
Together, we can explore your health history, menstrual cycle, nutritional foundations and potential areas for further investigation, helping you understand where to focus your attention before trying to conceive.
Whether you're concerned about irregular cycles, want to better understand your hormones or simply feel that you'd benefit from a more personalised approach to preconception care, support is available.
Your preconception journey doesn't need to begin when you start trying for a baby. It can begin now.
Book an initial consultation with Womankind Natural Health
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Fertility and preconception investigations should be guided by an appropriate healthcare professional. Naturopathic care is complementary to, and does not replace, medical assessment and treatment.