Infertility is rising in Western countries. Luckily, there are now interventions that can help increase your chances of conceiving.
If you can’t undergo or don’t want these artificial interventions, there’s another option. Naturopathic fertility treatment can address the underlying causes of infertility. And it works for women and men.
Are you and your partner searching for a fertility treatment alternative? If so, naturopathy may be the treatment you need. Keep reading for more information about this treatment option.
What Is Infertility?
Doctors define infertility differently depending on your age.
If you’re under 35, you can get an infertility diagnosis after one year of difficulty getting or staying pregnant. If you’re over 35, that time limit decreases to six months.
There are also some early signs of infertility, including:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Short menstrual cycles
- Spotting in the days preceding your period
Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? If so, it may be time to speak to a doctor before you start trying to conceive.
Infertility Causes
Infertility has many causes. Direct causes include poor sperm quality or quantity and poor egg quality. Also, emerging research shows that imbalanced hormones may play a role.
Lifestyle (e.g., obesity) and environmental factors (e.g., cigarette smoke) can also contribute to infertility.
What Is Fertility Treatment? Traditional Fertility Treatment Options
As we mentioned, modern technology has enabled infertile couples to conceive. These types of fertility treatments include medications and surgeries. The goal of these interventions is to balance hormones and improve ovulation.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is another option. The most common types of ART are:
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
If these options don’t work for you, you could also consider a sperm and/or egg donor.
The downside to these interventions? The traditional fertility treatment cost is prohibitive for many US families. And no insurance covers fertility treatments.
Unfortunately, these interventions’ success rates also drop at age 35. That’s why so many couples choose naturopathy instead.
What Are Naturopathic Fertility Treatments?
Naturopathy is a form of holistic treatment. It addresses all aspects of health, including diet and lifestyle. Naturopathic medicine focuses on natural treatments that are safe, affordable, and highly effective.
The goal of naturopathic fertility, then, is to achieve natural fertility. That means you could conceive without the need for IVF or other traditional fertility interventions. Plus, these natural interventions work for men and women.
For men, naturopathy can improve sperm count, motility (movement), and morphology (shape). Women can benefit from more balanced and regular menstrual cycles. And these two factors may help improve egg quality.
Who Is a Candidate for Naturopathic Fertility Treatment?
Naturopathy is an excellent choice for infertile couples. It’s also a good choice for couples that suspect they may be infertile. It’s safe, effective, and more affordable than traditional interventions.
You may also want to consider naturopathy if you’ve tried a fertility intervention, but it didn’t work for you. You can also combine naturopathic fertility treatments with more traditional treatments.
What to Expect from Naturopathic Fertility Treatments
Naturopathic fertility treatments begin with the initial consultation. Your naturopathic doctor will sit down with you and your partner. You’ll discuss things like your medical histories and your families’ medical history.
Your doctor may also ask about you and your partner’s:
- Diet
- Exercise regimen
- Sleep pattern
- Stressors
Of course, you’ll need to share information about your menstrual cycle. And both you and your partner should be prepared to explain the steps you’ve taken to conceive so far.
After the evaluation, you’ll undergo tests to evaluate the cause of infertility. Your doctor may also order blood work, imaging, and nutritional profiles. The results of these exams will help your doctor determine if you or your partner is deficient in any critical nutrients.
You’ll get your diagnosis in a follow-up appointment. Your naturopathic doctor will explain your results. Then, they will design a treatment plan to address your fertility challenges.
This treatment plan will include the following.
Acupuncture
Research shows that acupuncture can increase fertility in men and women.
In men, acupuncture may improve sperm quality. It may also increase the function of the ovaries in women.
Further, acupuncture plays a role in combatting stress. Stress can throw your body’s hormones out of balance. And this commonly leads to issues with fertility in both males and females.
Acupuncture may also help increase blood flow to the uterus. When used alongside infertility interventions like IVF, implantation rates may improve.
Hormone Balancing
One of the main goals of naturopathic fertility treatment is achieving hormonal balance.
In women, hormone imbalance can lead to problems with ovulation. These issues can even increase the risk of miscarriage. Similarly, male hormonal imbalances can affect sperm production.
During your initial consultation, your doctor will test your hormone levels. Using this data, they can identify environmental factors negatively impacting your hormones.
Then, your doctor will provide a treatment plan to restore balance.
Nutrition
Nutrition is critical for all aspects of health, and fertility is no exception. Diet has a particularly robust effect on hormones. And, as we’ve mentioned, hormonal imbalances are one of the top causes of infertility.
Before treatment, your doctor will analyze you and your partner’s body composition. That way, they can prescribe you a custom diet plan to increase your chances of conceiving.
For example, antioxidants are known for increasing egg and sperm health. Your doctor may recommend eating more antioxidant-rich foods for this reason.
Your diet plan may also include nutraceuticals (AKA supplements) to address nutritional deficiencies. Your doctor might recommend nutraceutical vitamins, minerals, or omega-3 fatty acids.
Emotional Support
Reductions in stress correlate with higher fertility rates. At the same time, though, infertility often causes stress. After all, fertility treatments can be stressful, whether naturopathic or not.
To improve your chances of conceiving, you and your partner need to be as stress-free as possible. That’s why naturopathic fertility treatments include emotional support.
Your naturopathic therapist can counsel you on emotional processing. They can help you improve communication with your partner.
Your fertility counselor can also serve as a voice of reason. They can help manage your expectations throughout the treatment process.
Fertility Treatment Center in Arizona
Naturopathic fertility treatment is an excellent alternative or supplement to traditional fertility interventions.
Do you think naturopathy is right for your journey to conception? Contact the Desert Wellness Clinic to learn more about our natural fertility treatment steps.