Struggling with Infertility: Try a Natural Approach


By Tonya Pasternak, ND I


t is estimated that over 12% of reproduc- tive age women struggle with infertility. Infertility is defined as the inability to


conceive after 1 year of trying, or after 6 months if over the age of 35. While the emphasis is often placed on causes pertain- ing to the woman, male causes of infertility contribute equally. Reasons why couples struggle with conception vary greatly and are due to unknown causes in up to 20% of situations. Hormones, body composition, structural abnormalities, metabolic condi- tions and lifestyle factors all play a part for both men and women. Because each situa- tion is unique, a proper workup is essential for being able to correct the underlying cause. Treating the underlying cause can help a couple get pregnant naturally and can also increase success rates of various reproductive therapies such as in vitro fertilization.


First Steps of Pregnancy While pregnancy is one of the most


natural processes on earth, there are a surprising number of steps that need to take place in order for it to happen success- fully. The first step is that a women needs to ovulate, or release an egg. The egg needs to be met and penetrated by a sperm and then travel down the fallopian tube to the uterus. Next, the fertilized egg must successfully implant within the uterine lining before it can begin to grow. From here hormones, ge- netics, the immune system, and nutrition all affect whether or not the pregnancy can be maintained. Interference in any of these steps can lead to infertility or loss of pregnancy.


With the first step of pregnancy being


that a woman must ovulate, lack of ovula- tion is a major cause of infertility. Typically if a woman does not get her menstrual cycle or is having fewer than normal cycles, it is likely she is not ovulating. Some of the most


common causes for this include: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, and functional hypothalamic amenorrhea.


Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Ovulation PCOS is a common endocrine condi-


tion in which a woman’s hormonal balance is off, leading to excess androgen hormones such as testosterone. The overall hormonal effects lead to eggs not fully maturing and releasing from the ovary. Additionally there are impairments in the body’s insulin sensi- tivity, oftentimes contributing to the devel- opment of elevated blood sugar or diabetes. Women who have PCOS typically present with irregular menstrual cycles, ovarian cysts, male pattern hair growth, obesity, and impaired insulin levels. However it should be noted that a person could have PCOS without presenting with all of these charac- teristics.


Having polycystic ovarian syndrome


doesn’t mean that a woman cannot get pregnant, however it can pose difficulties. In these situations the goals of treatment are focused on balancing hormones and man- aging weight and blood sugar in order to promote regular ovulation. This can be done naturally through the use of certain herbal medicines, nutrition, and lifestyle habits. If you have PCOS and are planning on getting pregnant in the future, it is best to start these natural treatments sooner than later to give the body enough time to create favorable changes.


Hypothyroidism in Women Hypothyroidism is another common condition that can affect female fertility. When not functioning at the proper rate, an imbalanced thyroid can disrupt a number of hormones necessary for conception. Not only can this prevent ovulation, but it can also lead to miscarriages or difficulties for


the growing fetus. It should be noted that the thyroid could contribute to infertility even at sub-clinical levels, meaning levels in which treatment is not normally required. Luckily abnormal thyroid levels are relativity easy to correct, which can greatly improve the likelihood of becoming pregnant. While this is often done through the use of medica- tions, combining natural therapies promotes proper functioning of the thyroid as well. This is done through monitoring and supple- menting with nutrients required for thyroid hormone production as well as following dietary guidelines that decrease damage and autoimmune attack to the gland. As with treating PCOS, the sooner the condition is addressed the greater the results will be.


Effects of Physical and Emotional Stress on Ovulation The term functional hypothalamic amenorrhea refers to a few different situa- tions in which lack of ovulation is the end result of stress placed on our bodies. This stress can be emotional or physical, and results in a disruption in the normal balance of sex hormones. Physical stress encom- passes being over or underweight as well as partaking in excessive exercise. Because functional hypothalamic amenorrhea is typically the results of lifestyle habits, the effects on the body are reversible assuming the stressor can be removed or lessened. Treatment for this situation is different case- by-case depending on the particular stressor. Maintaining a healthy weight and adequate nutrition is essential in any situation. If the stressors are primarily emotional, there are numerous options to help the body cope including craniosacral therapy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, hypnotherapy and coun- seling. Your practitioner can help you sort through the various treatments to find what would work best for you and your body.


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