Natural Treatments for Infertility
Improve the Chances of a Healthy Pregnancy Without Drugs
Nov 21, 2008
It is generally recommended that if a couple has been having frequent, unprotected sex for a year and has not become pregnant, a fertility specialist should be consulted. If the woman is over 35 or if there are known factors to inhibit fertility, six months is an appropriate waiting period.
In the meantime, there are many things a couple can do on its own to improve the chances of getting pregnant and birthing a healthy baby. Improving their overall health, using home strategies, and managing stress may be just the boost a couple needs.
Of course, if a serious obstacle to pregnancy exists, medical treatment may be necessary. A trip to the fertility clinic after a year of trying is advisable, even if the only goal is to have some tests run to pinpoint the problem.
Things to Do at Home to Improve Fertility
Some actions couples can take to maximize their chances of getting pregnant are:
- Increase Sexual Activity. Couples trying to get pregnant should have intercourse 2-3 times per week. Having sex too often, however, can reduce sperm quality.
- Have Intercourse at the Right Time. An ovulation predictor test can help pinpoint when a woman is ovulating. Couples may also want to try basal body temperature charting or buy home-based saliva tests.
Diet Changes to Enhance Fertility
Healthy eating is a good idea anytime in life, but especially important during pre-conception, pregnancy and nursing.
- Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol and Smoking. These substances have a proven negative effect on fertility. While it may seem difficult to cut them out altogether, doing so or even cutting down is good practice for pregnancy, when alcohol and smoking should be completely avoided and caffeine intake limited.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight. There are some studies suggesting that high-fat foods and trans fats can reduce fertility. While there is not a consensus on this, all can agree that being seriously overweight (or underweight, for that matter) can inhibit fertility. Fast foods and trans fats are not healthy for anyone, so limiting intake of these types of foods is a good idea whether a person is trying to conceive or not.
- Buy Organic Produce. Xenoestrogens found in the pesticides present in many foods can cause a hormone imbalance that can affect fertility. Buying organic can significantly reduce a woman’s exposure to these chemicals.
- Supplements and Herbs. There is not wide consensus on the effects of herbs and supplements on fertility. The Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Roger Harms warns, “Unfortunately, the research on so-called fertility herbs and supplements is scant.” (“Fertility herbs and supplements: Do they enhance fertility?,” 2008). Still, some suggest that iron, selenium, zinc and essential fatty acids may have a positive effect on the reproductive systems of men, women, or both.
Some specific diet changes may be useful against fertility obstacles such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, endometriosis, fibroids, irregular ovulation and elevated prolactin levels.
Alternative Fertility Therapies
Complementary therapies like yoga, meditation and acupuncture can reduce stress levels. Stress has been shown to have a negative effect on fertility.
The Duke Fertility Center offers an in-house acupuncturist for its patients and their partners to help with stress. It is also interested in research suggesting that acupuncture can increase pregnancy in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization. The mechanism by which acupuncture might be improving pregnancy rates is unknown.
If you are undergoing medical treatment for infertility, always check with your doctor before introducing herbs, supplements or other non-medical treatments into your regimen.
Natural treatments for infertility do take time, as long as several months, to take effect. If couples are young and not ready to take the plunge into medical infertility treatments, these steps are a good place to start. For those who feel the clock is ticking, or who are already under medical care for fertility problems, incorporating natural strategies may give the medical treatments a better chance of success.
