Natural herbal & homeopathic help for women with fertility disorders (conception problems)

Female Infertility
HEALTH HERBS & NUTRITION - REMEDIES - FEMALE INFERTILITY

· General Description · Symptoms · Causes · Herbal & Homeopathic Remedies · Helpful Dietary Habits · Dos and Don'ts

What is infertility? The inability to conceive is known as primary infertility if a woman has never had a baby. It is known as secondary infertility if a woman has already been pregnant, even if the pregnancy was ectopic, terminated or resulted in a miscarriage. Most experts define infertility as not being able to get pregnant after at least one year of trying. Pregnancy is the result of a complex chain of events. In order to get pregnant:

A woman must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation). The egg must go through a fallopian tube toward the uterus (womb). A man's sperm must join with (fertilize) the egg along the way. The fertilized egg must attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation).

Infertility can result from problems that interfere with any of these steps. Is infertility just a woman's problem? No, infertility is not always a woman's problem, but female infertility factors contribute to approximately 50% of all infertility cases, and female infertility alone accounts for approximately 1/3rd of all infertility cases. In another 1/3rd of cases, infertility is due to the man (male factors). The remaining cases are caused by a mixture of male and female factors or by unknown factors. How common is female infertility?

Every year, about 12 percent of women in the United States aged 15-44 have difficulty getting pregnant It affects nearly 6.3 million American couples (i.e., 10% of American couples of childbearing age) 25% of infertile couples have more than one reason that causes their infertility The growth of this medical problem may be due to women waiting until their mid thirties to start a family, when their reproductive possibilities are lower

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According to experts, below mentioned are some symptoms or findings that should ring the alarm bells in you:

You are under 35 and have been unable to conceive despite a year of unprotected intercourse, or over 35 and have been unable to conceive after 6 months Your menstrual periods are scant or irregular, and your cervical mucus does not change You have used an OTC ovulation kit for 3 cycles now, but the indication that you are ovulating is negative Your medical history includes pelvic infections, endometriosis, polycystic ovary disease, abdominal or urinary tract surgery, injuries to the perineum, or excessively high fevers You or your partner have suffered from Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease that can destroy the fallopian tubes You have used an intrauterine device You or your mate suspect exposure to some substance like lead that is known to impair fertility

Diagnosing fertility problems Finding the cause of infertility is often a long, complex, and emotional process. It can take months for you and your doctor to complete all the needed exams and tests. So do not be alarmed if the problem is not found right away. For a man, a check will be done on a sample of his semen to determine the health of his sperms. They look at the number, shape, and movement of the sperm. Sometimes doctors also suggest testing the level of a man's hormones. For a woman, the first step in testing is to find out if she is ovulating each month. There are several ways to do this. A woman can track her ovulation at home by:

Recording changes in her morning body temperature (basal body temperature) for several months. Ovulation can be detected in this manner because when the body produces ova, or egg cells, the temperature rises half a degree or so for ten days or more Recording the texture of her cervical mucus for several months Using a home ovulation test kit (available at drug or grocery stores)

Some common lab tests of fertility in women include:

Blood tests to check for infections or a hormone problem Ultrasound of the ovaries Hysterosalpingography, using x-rays to check for physical problems of the uterus and fallopian tubes. With these x-rays doctors can find blockages that may be causing infertility. Blockages can prevent the egg from moving from the fallopian tube to the uterus. Blockages can also keep the sperm from reaching the egg. Laparoscopy to check the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus for disease and physical problems. Doctors can usually find scarring and endometriosis by laparoscopy. A sample check of cervical mucus and tissue to determine if ovulation is occurring. A biopsy of the endometrial tissue that lines the uterus may be made to see if it is responding to hormones produced by the ovaries after ovulation.

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Problems with ovulation account for most cases of infertility in women. Without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized. Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods. Less common causes of fertility problems in women include:

blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy physical problems with the uterus uterine fibroids a problem with the cervix

Ovulation problems may be caused by one or more of the following: A hormonal imbalance A tumor or cyst Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia Alcohol or drug use - Regular drinking of alcohol can affect fertility. Drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly may cause menstrual cycles to be irregular, increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects in the baby. Thyroid gland problems Excess weight - Maintaining a healthy body weight is vital for fertility. Being overweight or obese combined with a lack of exercise leads to excessive fat deposition which may cause ovulation problems, resulting in infertility. Remember, the more fat, the more estrogen produced. Excessively low weight – A low body weight and chronic dieting are also associated with amenorrhea or loss of menstrual cycles, making it difficult for ovulation to occur. Your body fat actually produces and stores the hormone estrogen, which primes the body for pregnancy. When the total body estrogen is too low, just as too high, the system can be thrown off balance. Stress - High stress levels may interfere with ovulation and the body’s ability to conceive. When planning to fall pregnant, women should learn to manage their stress through relaxation techniques. Intense exercise that causes a significant loss of body fat - Female athletes are often predisposed to conditions such as , amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. The female reproductive function is affected by the negative energy balance that results from disordered eating coupled with high training loads. The endorphins, brain chemicals released during vigorous exercises, may, like morphine, affect a woman’s prolactin levels. Elevated prolactin levels may interfere with ovulation. Extremely brief menstrual cycles

Damage to the fallopian tubes or uterus may be caused by one or more of the following: Pelvic inflammatory disease A previous infection Polyps in the uterus Endometriosis or fibroids Scar tissue or adhesions Chronic medical illness A previous ectopic (tubal) pregnancy A birth defect DES syndrome (The medication DES, given to women to prevent miscarriage or premature birth, can result in fertility problems for their children.)

Some other things that increase a woman's risk of infertility? Age  - Fertility peaks for both men and women in their mid-twenties. Most healthy women under the age of 30 generally do not have to be concerned about infertility unless they have been trying to get pregnant for at least a year. If much time has passed, women should consult their obstetrician or gynecologist for a fertility evaluation. Infertility increases with age. Women in their 30's who have been trying to get pregnant for six months should consult with their doctor. For a woman over the age of 35, conceiving may become a problem.   More and more women are waiting until their 30s and 40s to have children. Actually, about 20 percent of women in the United States now have their first child after age 35. So age is an increasingly common cause of fertility problems. About one third of couples in which the woman is over 35 have fertility problems. Aging decreases a woman's chances of having a baby in the following ways:

The ability of a woman's ovaries to release eggs ready for fertilization declines with age. The health of a woman's eggs declines with age. As a woman ages she is more likely to have health problems that can interfere with fertility. As a women ages, her risk of having a miscarriage increases.

Smoking- Smoking may affect your ability to fall pregnant. Women run the risk of developing cervical and tube problems, abnormal menstrual cycles, hormonal imbalances and when they do eventually become pregnant, an ectopic pregnancy may result. Generally, smokers take longer to conceive than non-smoking women. Abnormal cervical mucus may be the cause of your infertility. Abnormal cervical mucus may prevent the sperm from reaching the egg or make it more challenging for the sperm to penetrate the egg. Poor diet - Eating properly plays an important role in your body’s fertility. A balanced diet of low-fat foods packed with healthy nutrients helps to regulate hormones and nourish your reproductive system. Avoid large quantities of sugary foods and caffeine as they have been associated with infertility.   Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) - Infertility can sometimes be the result of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or infection. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, get tested for sexually transmitted diseases to prevent further fertility problems or spread of the disease. Health problems that cause hormonal changes - There are some health issues that may also increase the risk of infertility. Women who suffer from irregular periods or no menstrual periods, painful periods, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids or more than one miscarriage should consult their gynecologist or obstetrician. Not doing it at the wrong time

When is a woman's most fertile time? A woman's most fertile time is during ovulation. Ovulation typically occurs within day 11 to day 21 of a woman's cycle. Counting from the first day of a woman's last period, day 1 is the first day a woman starts bleeding, the 11th day is most likely the earliest day a woman will ovulate. The 21st day is most likely the last. A woman's period comes between the 28th and 32nd day of the cycle. This may differ slightly because each woman's cycle varies. Watching for the cervical mucus may help to pinpoint the time of ovulation.

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Infertility in women may be treated with fertility drugs, surgery, artificial insemination or assisted reproductive technology – however many of these treatment options may have negative side effects like premenstrual symptoms such as nausea, headaches and weight gain. In addition, fertility treatments have also been known to increase a woman’s chance of having twins, triplets or other multiples. The most common fertility drugs are Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) and Gonadotropin-releasing hormone products which trigger the ovaries to release eggs. For thousands of years natural and holistic treatments have been used to enhance fertility in women. Treatments such as herbal and homeopathic remedies have a positive effect on the hormonal system, reproductive organs, and sex drive. Use herbs such as Vitex agnus-castus (Chasteberry) to help balance hormones by stimulating the pituitary gland, which produces sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. A traditional Chinese fertility herb known as Cimicifuga racemosa (Black Cohosh) may help to improve hormone functioning due to its phyto-estrogens. It is also used in the prevention of miscarriage and in the treatment of menopause. In addition, Eleutherococcus senticosis (Siberian Ginseng) has many medicinal uses and helps to improve overall systemic health. It may also help to correct hormone imbalances, boost libido and sexual pleasure, and support uterine functioning. Many women struggle to fall pregnant despite a clean bill of health from their doctors. This could be attributed to emotional factors or subconscious fears arising from childhood experiences. Flower essences can be of great assistance in creating an emotional climate conducive to conception.

Vitex agnus-castus castus (Chasteberry) can be found on the wet banks of rivers in southern Europe and the Mediterranean area. European nuns used Chasteberry to support women's hormonal health. This herb promotes balance, not only with regards to hormones, but also with regards to libido. Therefore, Chasteberry has been traditionally used as both an aphrodisiac and to support regular menstrual cycles and ovulation. This herb has also been investigated for its potential to support fertility. Cimicifuga racemosa (Black Cohosh) has been used for thousands of years by Native Americans, and some forms of the herb have also been used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has become more well-known in the Western world through research on its supportive effect on hormone functioning and support of the female reproductive system. Eleutherococcus senticosis (Siberian Ginseng) is an ancient, highly-respected Chinese tonic. One of the most important active ingredients in Siberian or Oriental Ginseng is the ginsenosides, which help to maintain healthy blood flow to the brain and peripherals, including the female reproductive organs. Siberian Ginseng supports vital energy as well as overall systemic functioning. Used regularly, Siberian Ginseng can support the healthy regulation of the menstrual cycle, hormone balance, and the health of the uterus, thus maintaining conditions conducive to fetal implantation after conception. This herb has also been evaluated for its ability to act as a natural adaptogen to support the body’s ability to strive for harmony and maintain balance in body systems. Evening primrose brings inner calm to the soul. This essence is particularly useful for individuals who experienced rejection or lack of support in childhood as well as those who have difficulties surrounding committed relationships and parenthood. Evening Primrose also aids in alleviation of subconscious sexual repression. Aquamarine (the mermaid stone) is associated with water, peace and the moon. This gem essence has a calming and purifying effect and is helpful in steadying and clearing the spirit and facilitating hope and contentment. Flowering Cherry allows personal surrender to the simple act of being when life presents its pressures and stress. Flowering Cherry brings out the gentle nature of the soul and instills an inner peace. By imparting a quiet strength, this remedy will help you to uncover your ability to cope with adversity and the chaos of life. You will be able to reconnect with and trust your innate endurance and abilities.

Although, failure to conceive may be caused by a range of medical problems in either or both partners, one common cause of infertility is poor nutrition. A survey of women attending fertility clinics revealed that half of them had been trying to lose weight by following diets that lacked vital nutrients (see obesity). Remember, it is crucial for women to maintain an optimum level of body fat – at least 18% of the body weight. If the level drops below this, hormone imbalances can occur which may result in a failure to ovulate and so, in turn, cause infertility. Hence, any women concerned about her fertility must examine her daily diet for important and essential nutrients like zinc, magnesium, iron, vitamin C and essential fatty acids. Dietary changes that may be helpful Stay away from caffeine Consumption of about three or four cups per day of coffee has been associated with delayed conception in women trying to get pregnant. Caffeine consumption equivalent to more than two cups of coffee per day has been associated with an increased incidence of infertility due to tubal disease or endometriosis. Caffeine is found in regular coffee, black tea, green tea, some soft drinks, chocolate, cocoa, and many over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Drinking large amounts of tea is also associated with interference in iron absorption. Caffeine consumption also compounds the negative effects of alcohol consumption on female fertility. Some researchers suspect that the tannic acid found in a kind of coffee and black tea may contribute to infertility.

Avoid or limit alcohol Even moderate drinking of alcoholic beverages by women is linked to an increased risk of infertility in some. Caffeine appeared to enhance alcohol’s negative effect in this study. Women who abstained from alcohol and consumed less than one cup of coffee per day were more than twice as likely to conceive. Based on this preliminary evidence, women who wish to improve their chances of conception should avoid alcohol and caffeine. Drinking too much alcohol can also interfere with the body’s uptake of B vitamins and minerals such as zinc and iron.

Cut down on refined foods You should cut down on foods containing highly refined ingredients, such as white flourand sugar, because they often lack essential nutrients and take the place of more nourishing foods.

Nutrients required Other than those mentioned above (zinc, magnesium, iron, vitamin C and essential fatty acids) manganese and vitamin B6 are also equally important as both promote the action of estrogen. Foods containing these nutrients should be eaten more.

Some rich dietary sources of these nutrients include:   -  Magnesium - Whole grains, leafy green vegetables, millet, figs, meat, fish, Soya beans, bananas, apricots, milk, pulses   -  Zinc - Meat & offal, eggs, milk, oysters, lentils, wheat germ, nuts, crab, chicken   -  Manganese - Nuts, whole grains, rice, wheat germ, buckwheat, lima beans, cockles, sardines, blackberries, figs,      pineapple, coffee, green and black tea   -  Iron – green leafy vegetables, oily fish, offal (heart, liver), red meat, eggs, fortified breakfast cereals   -  Vitamin C – citrus fruits, blackcurrant, vegetables (broccoli, potatoes), red capsicums and chillies, strawberry, kiwifruit,      rockmelon   -  Vitamin B6 – soya beans, whole meal bread, poultry, beef, bananas   -  Essential fatty acids are primarily found in seafood; fish such as salmon (especially Atlantic and red, canned in brine),      sardines (canned in water), mackerel (canned in brine), mullet, tuna etc., and pecans and trevally. Walnuts are also an      extremely good source of omega-3s.