Naturopathic Approach To Fertility
Naturopathic treatment for infertility involves a holistic approach to address the underlying causes of infertility. Getting to the root cause of infertility is key and may include laboratory testing such as blood tests as well as functional testing of hormones, intestinal health, and any other health markers that can affect fertility. Naturopathy treatment for infertility involves the use of naturopathic modalities such as herbal therapies, nutritional supplementation, lifestyle counseling, acupuncture, and more.
Causes of Infertility in Men and Women:
The causes of infertility are vast. That’s why it’s important to work with a naturopathic doctor to get to the root case of why you’re experiencing infertility. Causes for infertility can include, but aren’t limited to, underlying hormonal conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, and thyroid disorders, underlying diseases such as diabetes, poor nutritional status and undereating, exposure to environmental toxins, exposure to radiation, stress, medication and drug use.
Causes of male infertility and causes of female infertility can differ. Causes of male infertility focus on underlying conditions and environmental factors that can affect sperm quality, while causes of female infertility involve underlying conditions and environmental factors that affect egg health and ovulation as well as maintaining the necessary hormone levels for implantation. Causes of female and causes of male infertility are both affected by environmental toxins and endocrine disruptors, which are chemicals that have been shown to decrease fertility.
Types of Fertility Treatments
Types of fertility treatments by a naturopathic doctor always begin by getting to the root cause of your infertility, which is unique to everyone. Types of fertility treatments will focus on correcting the underlying causes and creating an optimal environment for implantation and pregnancy. Fertility treatment types include laboratory and functional testing to determine the root cause, followed by a patient-focused plan that may include herbal therapies, nutritional supplementation, lifestyle counseling and acupuncture.
Pre-IVF and IUI support
A big part of fertility treatment involves IVF support and IUI support for patients before, during, and after IVF and IUI treatments. A naturopathic doctor can work with you to assist in supporting the body to prepare for IVF and IUI treatment. IVF support and IUI support can involve, but is not limited to, supplementation and nutritional therapies to assist in reducing inflammation, improving hormonal health, and preparing the uterus for implantation, acupuncture before and after IVF and IUI to improve implantation, and lifestyle coaching to reduce environmental toxins and so much more.
Lifestyle tips to improve fertility
Improving fertility tips:
- Eat the rainbow: A well-balanced diet is one of the best fertility tips to offer. Eating a diet with a variety of colors ensures the body has the proper nutrients it needs to balance hormones and blood sugar and reduce inflammation.
- Don’t skip meals: When life gets busy, it’s easy to forget about taking care of ourselves – and eating often takes a back seat! Making sure you eat consistently throughout the day will keep your blood sugar stable and your hormones happy.
- Don’t overdo it at the gym: Overexercising can increase the stress hormone cortisol, which creates a more difficult environment for conception.
- Know your cycle: If you are a woman looking to get pregnant, knowing when (and if) you ovulate is another one of those crucial fertility tips.
- Detox your environment: Swap your home and care products for toxin-free alternatives to reduce toxin and endocrine disruptor load!
How can naturopathic help with fertility?
Naturopathic doctors can work with you to optimize your health and fertility, increasing your chances of success!
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FAQ’s
Frequently Ask Questions
Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant after 6 months to a year of trying (depending on age).
Secondary infertility is referred to as not being able to get pregnant or successfully carry to term after you’ve been pregnant before. Secondary infertility shares similar underlying causes of infertility as primary infertility.
Causes of Infertility include but aren’t limited to:
- Anovulation
- Underlying hormonal imbalances
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids
- Primary Ovarian insufficiency
- Age
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- Being underweight or overweight
- Structural problems
- Autoimmune conditions (such as SLE)
- Metabolic conditions (such as Cushing’s)
- Lifestyle factors
- And more
Causes of Infertility in men include but aren’t limited to:
- Underlying hormonal imbalances
- Low sperm production
- Abnormal sperm
- Functional issues that prevent sperm delivery
- Structural issues that prevent sperm delivery
- Lifestyle factors and more
Male infertility can have multiple origins and getting to the root cause of the reason for infertility is the best approach. Male fertility can be boosted through dietary and lifestyle changes as well as correcting underlying issues and deficiencies.
Infertility is considered to be a common problem. About 1 in 5 women are not able to get pregnant within one year of trying.
Age is a factor in women’s fertility but it is not the only factor.
Just like for female fertility, a male’s fertility does decline as he ages however it does not have a significant impact until later in life as sperm decreases by 1-2% a year.
You should consult a fertility doctor if you are under 35 years of age and have been actively trying for 12 months OR if you are over 35 years of age and have been actively trying for 6 months.
Fertility testing is usually unique to everyone’s personal case and health needs however, some fertility testing that can be beneficial for every women include
- Pelvic and Transvaginal Ultrasounds
- Laboratory testing:
- Full Thyroid Panel
- Sex Hormones (Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterones)
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- Fasting Insulin
- Vitamin D
Infertility treatments by a naturopathic doctor is unique to every individual. The best way to treat infertility is getting to the root cause of your infertility. Treatments by medical doctors can include methods such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and InVitro Fertilization (IVF).
Naturopathic doctors help address fertility and infertility by finding the root cause of infertility and removing any obstacles that can make successful conception difficult such as poor nutritional status and hormonal imbalances.