Improving fertility, naturally
Fertility is unpredictable. Some try to avoid conception and fail, while others, despite every effort, are unable to conceive. Conception has become a huge industry, with specialized clinics featuring high tech methods to increase the odds of acheiving pregnancy. For those trying to conceive, this can be a draining process, emotionally, physically and financially.
Naturopathic medicine has a lot to offer people with infertility . While it is not always possible with the current state of medical science, to determine the cause(s) of infertility, there are many conditions which can be improved with natural medicine. Furthermore, simply by increasing overall health, potential parents can improve their chances of conception, as well as handle the associated stress when conception is difficult.
Male fertility has been declining over the past few generations. Part of this is due to environmental toxins and exposures. Avoiding exposure and assisting the body to remove toxins can improve male fertility. Eating organic foods whenever possible will decrease toxin exposures, and regular exercise is important for overall health and to remove toxins. For men, botanicals including some forms of ginsengs can specifically improve sperm count and motility. Antioxidants, especially vitamin C are important, as are B12, zinc, the amino acid arginine, and essential fatty acids.
Women as well as men need to avoid any toxic exposures, and eat a balanced, organic diet as much as possible. Regular exercise also contributes to overall health and stress reduction. The female cycle is fairly complex, and can be imbalanced at a number of key places. Careful observation of the menstrual cycle, as well as certain diagnostic tests can identify if there is a problem of this nature. Various botanicals are useful to improve female fertility, depending on the nature of the problem. Angelica, and black cohosh effect estrogen levels, while wild yam, alfalfa, and sarsaparilla have progesteronic effects. Thyroid function as well may need to be optimized. Essential fatty acids and sufficient vitamins and minerals, in particular vitamin B6, are also important to fertile cylces. Ovulation can be affected by light and dark, and our current usage of electrical lighting can be an interfering factor. Sleeping in a completely darkened room for the first half of the cycle, and using a night light on days 13 to 15 has helped some women to ovulate.
Natural treatments can often be used in conjunction with conventional methods to improve the odds of conception, as well as to deal with side effects of conventional treatment. Depending on the cause of infertility, published success rates with different natural treatments vary wildly. In fact, there are a number of studies showing good to excellent results with natural treatments.
There are many reasons for inability to conceive. Regardless of the cause, for someone who truly desires to have a baby, infertility is very painful. Naturopathic medicine cannot promise to enable all infertile people to conceive, but it does offer a safe, inexpensive and promising alternative.
Copyright 2000 Dr. Isis van Loon.