Infertility (Female)
Infertility is defined as failure to conceive after 12 months of frequent intercourse without contraception in women under 35 years of age or younger, or after 6 months of intercourse without contraception in women 35 years of age or older.
Infertility | |
Causes | Dietary Factors, Environmental Toxins, Infections, Prescription Medications, Mental/Emotional or Psychological Conditions |
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See Also | Women's Health, Infertility (Male) |
Books | Books on Women's Health |
Articles | Articles on Women's Health |
Naturopathic Assessment
Article | Female Fertility, Oxidant stress and a potential role for antioxidant therapy , IHP ; Nov/Dec 2012 |
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Check out this book | Fertility: A Naturopathic Approach |
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Check out this book | 8 Weeks to Women's Wellness: The Detoxification Plan for Breast Cancer, Endometriosis, Infertility and Other Women's Health Conditions |
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Article | A Naturopathic Approach to Intrauterine Insemination , 2011 February NDNR [1] |
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Article | Female Healthcare Workers and Fertility: Risks and Mitigating Factors, 2012 Fall;Vol12(3) Vital Link |
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Causal Factors
In order to stimulate the innate ability of the body to heal the causes of disease must be identified and addressed. With infertility the causes are variable and include lifestyle and environmental factors. A detailed assessment is required to determine which factors are contributing to infertility.
Lifestyle
- Weight
- Being both overweight[1] or underweight[2] has been associated with ovulatory dysfunction.
- Poor nutrition can result in infertility.
- Excessive alcohol consumption can affect fertility.
- Excessive exercising is associated with amenorrhea and infertility.
Social
- Emotional State
- Infertility can be associated with distressed emotions such as anxiety and depression. These emotions are often a result of infertility as opposed to the initial cause.
External
- Trauma
- Physical trauma can result in the inability to conceive.
Environmental
- Genitourinary or sexually transmitted infections (such as gonorrhea and chlamydia) may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), especially if undiagnosed and untreated. PID can damage the uterus and ovaries thus leading to infertility.[3]
- Chemicals like phthalates and bisphenols can interfere with hormones and reproduction.[4]
- Pesticides and herbicides are known to impact infertility.
Genetics
- Physical abnormalities such as absence of ovaries, or malformed uterus (arcuate, bicornuate uterus) can influence fertility.[5]
Medical Interventions
- Pharmaceutical Medications:
- Some medications are associated with infertility including: allopurinol, colchicine, chemotherapy, cimetidine, cyclosporine, erythromycin, gentamicin, neomycin, nitrofurantoin, tetracycline, spironolactone, sulfasalazine drugs including nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, steroids, and marajuana.
- Prior use of antis|estrogen medication (Lupron, Depo-Provera, danazol) may influence hormone balance.
- Medical Interventions
- Pelvic adhesions (scar tissue) can form as a result of surgery which can impair fertility.
Diagnostic Testing
Testing for infertility is typically only undertaken once a couple, under the age of 30, has tried to get pregnant on their own for at least one year. Since the causes of infertility are so multi-facteted, diagnostic testing can be complicated and exhaustive and may include the following:
- Physical examination including a pelvic exam
- Basal Body Temperature testing in the morning to check if the ovaries are releasing eggs.
- Blood tests such as hormone testing (FSH, Luteinizing hormone (LH), Estrogren, testosterone, prolactin), as well as TSH, T3 and T4, CBC, Food Sensitivity Test (IgG).
- Urine tests including luteinizing hormone, heavy metal urine test
- Imaging tests including a hysterosalpingography to assess fallopian tubes and any potential uterine abnormalities, pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound, laparoscopy, saline sonohystogram to evaluate for polyps, intrauterine adhesions, submucosal fibroids.
Related Symptoms and Conditions
There are many conditions that are associated with infertility including:
- Pelvic infection or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis.[11]
- Autoimmune diseases
- Blood clotting disorders
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Celiac Disease
- There is higher prevalence of Celiac Disease in women with unexplained infertility, therefore it has been suggested that all women with unexplained infertility be evaluated for Celiac Disease.[12]
Characteristics
Infertility is divided into two main categories:
- Primary infertility refers to infertility in a woman who has never conceived
- Secondary infertility is infertility with a history of prior pregnancy.
Infertility is a result of:
- A fertilized egg or embryo not surviving once it sticks to the lining of the uterus (womb)
- The fertilized egg does not attach to the lining of the uterus
- The movement of the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus is blocked
- The ovaries do not produce eggs
Naturopathic Treatment
The goal of naturopathic treatment is to support and work in tandem with the healing power of the body and to address the causal factors of disease with individual treatment strategies. Since infertility can have a number of different causes, treatment strategies will vary.
It is always advisable to work with a naturopathic doctor before engaging in any treatment plan.
Home Care
Home Care strategies include:
- Tracking basal body temperature to determine ovulation and optimize chances for fertilization.
- Quit smoking
Lifestyle
Lifestyle recommendations include:
- Consume a whole foods diet high in vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, fruits, low-fat organic dairy, and fish.[13]
- Choose organic and hormone-free foods.
- Incorporate soy foods and flaxseed into the diet.[13]
- Avoid excess alcohol and reduce caffeine intake.
- Maintain optimal weight.
- Ensure you drink adequate water.
- When trying to conceive reduce excessive exercise or strenuous activity in the 2nd 1/2 of your cycle to prevent spontaneous aborption.
- Regular moderate exercise is beneficial.
- Spending time outside can be beneficial.
- Fertility concerns are commonly very stressful both on the individuals involved and on a marriage. It is important to talk about your emotions and concerns and to seek professional support as needed.
Naturopathic Therapies
The prescribing of naturopathic therapies requires the guidance of a naturopathic doctor as it depends on a number of factors including the causal factors, a person's age, prescription medications, other conditions and symptoms and overall health. It is always advisable to work with a naturopathic doctor prior to taking any natural therapies.
Naturopathic Therapies for infertility include:
- Clinical Nutritional Supplementation includes
- Vitamins such as vitamin B6, vitamin C, folic acid [14]
- Minerals such as iron, selenium[14]
- Amino Acids such as arginine
- Other supplements such as PABA, carnitine, Flax Seed Oil
- Herbs such as Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus), Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis), Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), Crampbark (Vibernum opulus), False unicorn (Chamaelerium luteum), Squaw vine (Mitchella repens).[15]
- Homeopathy has been found to be helpful in addressing infertility concerns and in addressing the stress and emotional impact of infertility.
- Acupuncture can be very effective in addressing infertility. It can also increase pregnancy rates in women undergoing fertility treatment.
References
Reviewed by Iva Lloyd, BScH, RPE, ND [2]
- ↑ Brewer CJ, Balen AH (Sep 2010) The adverse effects of obesity on conception and implantation. Reproduction;Vol140(3):347-64. PMID: 20395425.
- ↑ Krassas GE (Sep 2003) Endocrine abnormalities in Anorexia Nervosa. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev;Vol1(1):46-54. PMID: 16437012.
- ↑ Crossman SH (Mar 2006) The challenge of pelvic inflammatory disease. Am Fam Physician;Vol73(5):859-64. PMID: 16529095.
- ↑ Colacurci N, De Franciscis P (2010 Oct-Dec) Endocrine disruptors and reproductive health G Ital Med Lav Ergon;Vol32(4):461-3. PMID: 21086705.
- ↑ Chan YY, Jayaprakasan K, Zamora J, Thornton JG, Raine-Fenning N, Coomarasamy A (2011 Nov-Dec) The prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies in unselected and high-risk populations: a systematic review. Hum Reprod Update;Vol17(6):761-71. PMID: 21705770.
- ↑ Tsutsumi R, Webster NJ (2009) GnRH pulsatility, the pituitary response and reproductive dysfunction Endocr J;56(6):729-37 PMID: 19609045.
- ↑ Shelling AN (Nov 2010) Premature ovarian failure Reproduction;140(5):633-41 PMID: 20716613.
- ↑ Shibli-Rahhal A, Schlechte J (Dec 2011) Hyperprolactinemia and infertility Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am;40(4):837-46 PMID: 22108283.
- ↑ Brewer CJ, Balen AH (Sep 2010) The adverse effects of obesity on conception and implantation Reproduction;140(3):347-64 PMID: 20395425.
- ↑ Krassas GE, Poppe K, Glinoer D (2010 Oct) Thyroid function and human reproductive health Endocr Rev;31(5):702-55 PMID: 20573783.
- ↑ Bulletti C, Coccia ME, Battistoni S, Borini A (2010 Aug) Endometriosis and infertility J Assist Reprod Genet; Vol27(8):441-7 PMID: 20574791.
- ↑ Shah S, Leffler D (2010 Sep) Celiac disease: an underappreciated issue in women’s health Womens Health (Lond Engl); Vol6(5):753-66 PMID: 20887172.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Pizzorno Joseph, Murray Micheal, Joiner-Bey Herb, 2007, The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine Churchill Livingstone
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Gaby AR (2011) Nutritional Medicine. Fritz Perlberg Publishing.
- ↑ Hudson T (2007) Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health. McGraw-Hill.