Causes of Infertility
The most common causes of infertility are:
- Ovarian failure: insufficient number of eggs or poor viability
- DNA damage: which increases with age. This can begin in the womb. A female child can be affected by oxidative stress to the primordial follicle.
- Stress: surges of epinephrine impairs the circulation to the uterus. High cortisol, the stress hormone, steal progesterone. This prevents pregnancy or causes miscarriage.
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): irregular ovulation that is typically caused by insulin and testosterone imbalance.
- Hormone imbalance: thyroid disorders, estrogen dominance, and insufficient progesterone all contribute to infertility.
- Endometriosis: can be a cause in 50% of women with "unexplained' infertility¹. Infertile women are 6-8 times more likely to have this condition than fertile women.
Correct the Cause
Visiting your doctor and knowing the cause of your infertility is the first step towards being in control of your health. If you have an overt condition, your doctor will tell you the necessary measures to take for correcting your unique condition. The purpose of this article is to provide information on how to support your body in the healing process.
Control the Stress
Controlling stress levels is not a luxury in your case. It's a necessity. Stress increases the carrier molecules that transport hormones in your body (aka sex hormone-binding globulins). This leaves less free hormones for cellular activity. Stress also steals progesterone, as I mentioned above. Since both progesterone and cortisol are synthesized from the same raw material, cholesterol, higher cortisol levels will reduce the available raw material for progesterone.
Adopt more frequent, intentional self-care. Every woman knows best what the root cause of her stress is. Sometimes it's a high-intensity exercise. Sometimes, it's rushing all day. Organize your time and take several breaks during the day. Try yoga, meditation or gratitude journaling to reduce stress.
Reduce toxicity
Pesticides, endocrine disruptors in personal hygiene products, hormones through animal food, chemicals added to food, heavy metals from mercury fillings, or lead... I can go on and on. If your body does not detoxify properly, due to a genetic mutation or insufficient nutrients that are needed for the detoxification process, your body will not be able to get rid of these toxins. Start reducing whatever you have control of. Buy organic whenever possible and especially pesticide-laden crops. Replace your store-bought creams, shampoos, and toothpaste tubes with natural ones from local companies.
If your body does not display the belief that it has a high success rate for carrying a baby, it will not allow you to get pregnant. Whether this information is based on your stress levels, the intensity of exercise, the level of toxicity, the low level of nutrition. All of these factors are translated into your body as one thing: stress.
Supply the nutrients
Don't expect your body to thrive on a high-refined food diet. Eat a rainbow of vegetables in every meal to allow a variety of nutrients in your body. Make sure you test for the important vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, vitamin A, zinc, magnesium, selenium, and iodine. Make conscious decisions every day to include a variety of nutrients in your body.
Some mucilaginous herbs are known to increase cervical mucus. Some women suffer from dry cervical mucus and this can hinder the travel of sperm to the fallopian tubes. Marshmallow root, dandelion, and Oregon grape root are known to help this condition. Also, evening primrose oil in the first 14 days of the cycle and a high-quality fish oil supplement will help.
It takes two to tango
Although the female body carries the baby, your partner's role is as important as yours. The quantity and quality of the sperms transferred to you affect fertility levels. The male factor is involved in 40-50% of cases of infertility. Third of the cases of infertility are caused by male-only problems, a third by female only problems, and a third of the cases are a combination of both partners. Today's environmental deterioration also affects the male side. Mental/emotional stress and toxins can cause sperm DNA damage due to oxidative stress. Smoking, obesity, and excessive alcohol affect male fertility. The heat from tight pants or laptops can affect sperm quality. Vitamin C and zinc can have a positive effect when corrected. Testosterone supplementation can negatively affect fertility by reducing sperm production.
Studies have shown that the best pregnancy result comes from sexual intercourse 6 days before ovulation day³. Ovulation day is usually day 14 in your cycle (if your cycle is 28 days) or just subtract 14 days from the last day of your cycle (right before the first day of menstruation). Short term abstinence increases both semen and sperm volume. This should be followed by 6-7 days of daily sexual intercourse the full week before ovulation.
Supplements
The choice of supplements should be done by a qualified health-care practitioner and according to your unique condition.
- Chastetree berry helps if you suffer from low progesterone and/or estrogen dominance.
- For PCOS, Berberine, cinnamon, chromium, and Alpha lipoic acid are known to improve insulin sensitivity. Check my article if you suffer from PCOS. A combination of licorice and peony was proven effective at reducing testosterone in PCOS patients. Licorice is contraindicated in hypertension and the combination should be stopped after conception.
- Supporting your thyroid gland as needed. If you suffer from a thyroid condition, you might want to check your zinc, selenium, iodine, and iron levels. Correct as needed.
- Maca root is an adaptogenic herb that has been used for hundreds of years to improve fertility.
- Tribulus root works for both men and women. It improves testosterone levels in men and both follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol in women. Used in the first half of the cycle if you or your partner suffer from low hormone synthesis.
- Bee propolis is helpful for women who suffer from endometriosis. This study shows 3 times the success rate in conception than placebo.
I hope that after reading this article, you realized the importance of a holistic approach to managing your fertility problem. The mind is not separated from the body. Everything is connected. I wish that you achieve your goal of becoming a mom soon!
Sources:
1. Carlo Bulletti, Maria Elisabetta Coccia, Silvia Battistoni, Andrea Borini
J Assist Reprod Genet. 2010 Aug; 27(8): 441–447. Published online 2010 Jun 25. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2941592/
2. Verkauf BS. Incidence, symptoms, and signs of endometriosis in fertile and infertile women. J Fla Med Assoc. 1987;74(9):671‐675. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2961844/
3. Allen J. Wilcox, M.D., Ph.D., Clarice R. Weinberg, Ph.D., and Donna D. Baird, Ph.D. Timing of Sexual Intercourse in Relation to Ovulation — Effects on the Probability of Conception, Survival of the Pregnancy, and Sex of the Baby N Engl J Med 1995 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199512073332301
