Why Libido and Energy Drop During a Fertility Journey in Switzerland and What Actually Helps

Marco and Elena, a couple from Lausanne, had been trying to conceive for eight months when they noticed something neither expected: exhaustion had quietly replaced desire.

This is one of the most common yet least discussed struggles couples face: a real libido drop during fertility treatment, paired with constant fatigue.

If you are experiencing an energy drop during your fertility journey months, you are far from alone.

As Switzerland’s Swiss Vegan Fertility Leader, Plusbaby works with doctors and couples across Zurich, Geneva and Bern who quietly navigate low desire, exhaustion and stress while trying to conceive.

This article breaks down why fertility treatment in Switzerland often affects your body and mind this way, and what genuinely helps.

The Hidden Link Between Fertility Struggles and Low Libido

Hormonal medications, ovulation tracking, and scheduled intimacy can quietly turn a natural act into a stressful task. Here is what is actually happening in the body:

Hormonal shifts

• Many women report low libido during IVF cycles specifically, since hormone-stimulating medications shift estrogen and progesterone rapidly
• These shifts are recognised fertility treatment side effects, not a sign that something is wrong with you or your relationship
• Men can experience temporary testosterone dips during high-stress treatment windows too

The stress hormone connection

• Cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, rises during fertility journey stress and libido challenges
• Elevated cortisol directly suppresses testosterone in men and estrogen in women, the two hormones most responsible for sexual desire
• The pressure of timed intercourse can turn desire into an obligation rather than intimacy

Understanding this hormonal loop is the first step; it is not you, it is biology under pressure.

Why Energy Crashes During a Fertility Journey

Beyond emotional strain, there are real physical reasons behind tiredness during fertility treatment:

Physical and logistical load

• Frequent bloodwork, injections, and clinic visits disrupt sleep and daily routines
• Travel to appointments and time off work add to daily fatigue
• Sleep is often broken by anxiety, medication timing or physical discomfort

Nutritional depletion

• Many hormonal protocols deplete key nutrients, iron, B12, magnesium and CoQ10, needed for cellular energy production
• This is one of the most overlooked fertility treatment side effects: patients focus on ovulation and embryo quality while ignoring the basic fuel their body needs
• An energy drop during the fertility journey is not laziness; it is often a nutritional and hormonal deficit that compounds over weeks, leaving little left for work, relationships, or intimacy

The Psychological Toll: Stress, Anxiety and Relationship Pressure

Reproductive health research consistently highlights the psychological burden of infertility, often compared to that of chronic illness. Couples experience anxiety, grief cycles with every negative test, and communication breakdowns.

Hormonal therapy side effects, including mood swings, irritability, and fatigue, add another layer of difficulty to already strained relationships.

This is where fertility journey stress and libido challenges intersect most visibly: when both partners are anxious and exhausted, physical closeness naturally takes a back seat.

Recognising this as a shared burden, not an individual failure, helps couples reconnect instead of drifting apart during treatment.

Since men’s and women’s nutritional needs differ, compare the best libido supplements for men vs women before choosing the right option for your fertility journey.

What the Science Says: Medical and Nutritional Contributors

Clinical literature increasingly links nutrient deficiencies to sexual and physical fatigue during fertility treatment. Imbalances in inositol, thyroid hormones, and prolactin frequently coincide with both low libido during IVF protocols and chronic tiredness.

Dr. A. Fischer Stoca, FMH Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, notes that supporting the body nutritionally during fertility treatment in Switzerland can meaningfully ease both sexual and physical fatigue.

Not all Maca supplements are created equal. Our guide to the best Peruvian Maca capsules in Switzerland explains how to choose a high-quality supplement for libido and fertility support.

What Actually Helps: Evidence-Based Strategies

The good news: there are proven ways to improve libido naturally during the fertility journey months, without adding stress to an already demanding process.

Learning how to boost energy during fertility treatment starts with small, sustainable habits: consistent sleep, reducing caffeine and alcohol, and prioritising nutrient-dense meals.

Understanding that IVF side effects, such as libido changes, are temporary and manageable helps couples set realistic expectations instead of assuming something is permanently wrong. Combining lifestyle changes with clinically studied natural ingredients, like Maca root, gives the body real tools to recover.

Looking for a practical routine? Follow our one-month fertility boost plan using Myo Inositol, Maca, and fertility vitamins to support hormones, energy, and reproductive health naturally.

How Plusbaby +maca Supports Energy and Libido Naturally

Plusbaby’s +maca is formulated with 100 percent Peruvian Maca root, selected for its researched effects on stamina, hormonal balance, and desire.

As a trusted name in fertility support in Switzerland, our formulas are vegan, additive-free, and developed under Swiss GMP and ISO manufacturing standards.

+maca is designed to complement +fertiwomen Inositol and +fertimen, giving couples a complete, doctor-formulated approach to fertility, energy, and intimacy together.

Many couples looking to improve libido naturally during fertility journey months choose +maca specifically for this dual benefit, rather than relying on treatment alone to restore how they feel.

If you are wondering where to buy trusted Maca supplements, read our guide on where Swiss couples buy quality Maca supplements in Lausanne and Bern to learn what to look for before purchasing.

Scientific References and Studies

• Shin et al. (2023). Efficacy and Safety of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Patients with Symptoms of Late Onset Hypogonadism: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial. World Journal of Men’s Health. Available at: PMC10307657
• Psychological assessment in infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2022). Frontiers in Psychology. Available at: PMC9650266
• Wallace, W.H.B. and Kelsey, T.W. (2010). Human ovarian reserve from conception to the menopause. PLoS ONE. Available at: PLoS ONE

These findings reinforce that addressing hormonal therapy side effects holistically, nutritionally, physically, and emotionally offers real, evidence-based relief.

Conclusion

Struggling with a libido drop during fertility treatment or ongoing tiredness during fertility treatment does not mean something is wrong with you; it means your body is working incredibly hard.

As Switzerland’s Swiss Vegan Fertility Leader, Plusbaby believes real support means addressing hormones, nutrition, energy and intimacy together, not in isolation. With the right combination of medical guidance, lifestyle changes and doctor-formulated nutrition, it is possible to feel more like yourself again, even mid-journey.

FAQ

Question: How does infertility affect libido?
Answer: Infertility affects libido through hormonal shifts, rising stress cortisol, and the pressure of timed intercourse. These combined fertility treatment side effects can turn intimacy into a task rather than a connection. Desire usually returns as hormones and stress levels stabilise.

Question: At what age are 90 percent of your eggs gone?
Answer: A peer-reviewed study by Wallace and Kelsey (University of Edinburgh/St Andrews) found that by age 30, women retain only around 12 percent of their original egg reserve, and just 3 percent by age 40. (Source: PLoS ONE) This natural decline is one reason experts encourage earlier conversations about fertility support in Switzerland.

Question: Is it normal to lose libido after IVF?
Answer: Yes, completely. IVF side effects, including libido changes, are extremely common and well documented in clinical literature. Hormonal fluctuation and treatment-related exhaustion are the main drivers. Most couples see desire gradually return post-cycle.

Question: Can a woman with low libido get pregnant?
Answer: Yes, low libido affects desire, not fertility itself, so conception is still possible. That said, persistent low libido during IVF or natural attempts is worth flagging to your doctor. It can signal a hormonal imbalance or nutrient deficiency worth addressing.

Disclaimer:
Plusbaby resources are intended to provide general information and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.