Can A Naturopath help with Fertility Issues?

Reasons for fertility problems:

Low rates of Vitamin D

It is essential to check your Vitamin D status when you are trying to conceive as Vitamin D operates as a hormone and is carried in the blood to Vitamin D receptors present in almost all tissues. Vitamin D reduces inflammation and plays an important role in biological functions including facilitating normal immune system function, which is important for implantation when you’re trying to conceive. Vitamin D supports brain and nervous system health as well as your fertility, as it is involved in steroidogenesis of sex hormones. A 2018 analysis showed that women with lower vitamin D levels had issues with implantation.

Amenorrhea and anovulation

The presence of regular menstrual cycles with ovulation occurring every cycle is very important when looking at fertility. Many women do not realize they are not ovulating (anovulation) until they begin trying to conceive. Amenorrhea (no menstrual period) and anovulation (lack of ovulation) are symptoms which must be investigated. For example, presence of polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid imbalances, stress, sudden weight loss or gain, over-exercise, can all contribute to amenorrhea or anovulation and once corrected will restore your fertility.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition that can cause severe menstrual pain, scarring, and adhesions within and around the reproductive organs that may affect fertility.  Treatment for endometriosis involves reducing inflammation, balancing immune system, correcting high levels of estrogen, reducing scarring and adhesions by supporting the body’s natural healing ability, and addressing the emotional component that is often present with this condition. By treating the underlying cause associated with endometriosis, pain can be greatly reduced.

Advanced maternal age

As long as women are menstruating and ovulating, we can support the body’s natural fertility. Treatment involves supporting conception by using supplements to support egg quality, stress management, and supporting the body’s progesterone levels that typically decline with age. Additionally, we will focus on preventing miscarriages and pregnancy complications, which are at a higher risk with age.

How A Naturopath helps with fertility issues?

Naturopathic medicine can help optimize sperm motility, morphology, overall counts, and DNA fragmentation rates for a male partner. For a female partner, Naturopathy can help by regulating menstrual cycle, optimise quality of oocytes and balance hormones. Our Women’s Health Naturopath treatment in Sydney combines naturopathic medicines, lifestyle changes and supplements to improve or optimize fertility in both men and women.

Can naturopathy be combined with traditional medical interventions for fertility?

At Solutions to Health, we support your decision to seek additional help from Fertility clinics offering IVF. There are times that assisted reproductive technology might be beneficial and combining both methods work well together.

When should naturopathy be considered for fertility issues?

Many patients seek Naturopathic consultation prior to trying to conceive, but others seek help after failed natural attempts, after unsuccessful IVF or after miscarriage. 

Ways to increase your fertility with naturopathic medicine

Fertility Naturopath will take a comprehensive look at your overall health and review factors that may be influencing your fertility such as nutritional status; toxic exposure; stress management; the presence of a chronic disease or autoimmune condition; use of coffee, alcohol, nicotine, over-the-counter medications; weight loss and body fat distribution; digestion disturbances; age; hormonal imbalances.

You will receive a detailed assessment of your case with a thorough and in-depth history-taking, which may include additional lab tests to evaluate factors inhibiting fertility. This testing may include but is not limited to standard hormone assessment, stress hormone testing, thyroid panel, food sensitivity testing. If testing has been done by another practitioner, they do not need to be repeated and should be brought to your initial consultation if you can obtain a copy. These results can also be requested with your consent.

The natural fertility specialist will than provide nutritional recommendations, which are the building blocks for creating an optimal environment for growing a baby.

Specific recommendations are given about proper supplements and herbs to support the individual couples’ fertility concerns such as: supporting ovulation, balancing hormone levels, improving egg quality, reducing oxidative damage, etc… It is strongly recommended not to self-prescribe as supplements/herbs can have adverse effects. Any supplementation/herbal intake should be done under the supervision of a health care practitioner. The quality of the supplement is very important as we don’t want to be ingesting harmful substances during this period.

Through an individualized detoxification plan, Women’s Health Naturopath treatment will help you reset your hormone levels and remove toxins from the body. Toxins can accumulate in fat cells, over many years of living in a polluted environment and consuming inflammatory foods. Endocrine disrupting chemicals and foods can lead to issues with fertility. Stress management during fertility treatments is critical. Your Naturopathic specialist will assess your stress hormones and determine the most appropriate treatments and strategies to improve your resilience.