Understanding Naturopathic Infertility Treatments
Infertility affects many couples, but naturopathic medicine offers holistic solutions that can help address the root causes. By focusing on nutrition, lifestyle, and natural therapies, naturopathic infertility treatments work to optimize reproductive health naturally.
There has been a decrease in fertility in the last 20 years and according to Pew Research Center, 33% of Americans have turned to fertility treatments or know someone who has. 12% of women have challenges getting pregnant or carrying to term, which also demonstrates the increase in miscarriages. Additionally, women are opting to freeze their eggs because women are working more and/or they haven’t found a partner that they are ready to have a child with.
The most well-known causes of infertility include ovulatory dysfunction, hormone imbalance, pelvic or cervical abnormalities, male factors, or “unexplained infertility.” Conventionally speaking, most of these causes can be identified, until infertility becomes unexplained and this is where Naturopathic Medicine thrives. Additionally, the American Pregnancy Association has found that 25% of women have more than one cause of infertility, which makes it even more vital to rule out every cause with a trained Naturopathic Medical Doctor.
Common Causes of Infertility & How Naturopathic Medicine Helps
Several factors can contribute to infertility, including hormonal imbalances, stress, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental toxins.
How Conventional Medicine Infertility Evaluation Work:
Checking hormone levels, risk factors with age, assessing egg and sperm quality, diagnosing structural abnormalities and maybe looking into some thyroid markers. If something is found to be abnormal, options for treatment usually include hormone prescriptions, specific medications to support ovulation, egg/sperm quality, and hormone modulation or if needed IUI or IVF.
Success rates of these more conventional procedures are between 5-30%.
“Unexplained infertility generally means the physician failed to find the TRUE cause of your infertility.” – Dr. Norbert Gleicher
How a Naturopathic Infertility approach might be:
- Balance hormones naturally with herbal remedies and nutritional support.
- Reduce stress through acupuncture, meditation, and mindfulness techniques.
- Detoxify the body from environmental pollutants that may disrupt reproductive health.
- Improve egg and sperm quality through targeted supplementation.
Naturopathic Infertility Evaluation Beyond Conventional:
In addition to the evaluation of a couple’s health discussed above, Naturopathic Medical Doctors will also assess and maybe begin with assessing nutritional status, stress levels and adrenal health, look into genetics, evaluate immune health such as if autoimmune disease is present, will look into food allergies/intolerances, gut health as well as heavy metals and total toxic burden.
Every one of these aspects of health is a vital component to understand the reason for a couple’s infertility. Some causes may seem so simple or even unrelated, but each body system works synergistically with the rest of the body to create health. So, if something is off, this could cause infertility. And because the body doesn’t do anything randomly, the reason for infertility could be the body’s innate safety mechanism kicking in, but doesn’t mean that it can’t be addressed.
Besides finding the cause of infertility,
diet, sleep and stress must be also managed and optimized.
Additionally, the emotional turmoil of having trouble conceiving must be supported too because it can further exacerbate the struggle! Whether it’s working with a therapist or joining a support group, mental health and mindfulness are important aspects of addressing infertility.
All this considered, the proper conditions to maintain a pregnancy must be created and maintained. Naturopathic Medicine takes the entire individual into account and looks at the deeper and sometimes simpler causes of infertility. If you are experiencing “unexplained infertility” or want to start with a more individualized and holistic approach to find answers, we are here for you!
Natural Therapies for Enhancing Fertility
Naturopathic infertility treatments incorporate evidence-based holistic methods to improve fertility, such as:
1. Herbal Medicine & Supplements
Certain herbs and supplements, like Vitex (Chaste Tree) and CoQ10, have been shown to support hormone balance and ovarian function. Omega-3 fatty acids and prenatal vitamins also play a crucial role in preparing the body for pregnancy.
2. Acupuncture for Fertility
Acupuncture has been widely recognized for its ability to regulate the menstrual cycle, improve blood flow to reproductive organs, and reduce stress—factors that contribute to improved fertility outcomes.
3. Nutrition & Lifestyle Adjustments
A fertility-friendly diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and lean protein can significantly enhance reproductive health. Eliminating processed foods and reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors (like BPA and phthalates) can also support conception efforts.
4. Hormone Testing & Functional Medicine Approach
A naturopathic doctor may recommend comprehensive hormone testing to identify imbalances that could be interfering with fertility. Addressing these imbalances naturally can improve reproductive function and increase the likelihood of conception.
Success Stories & Next Steps
Many individuals and couples have successfully improved their fertility using naturopathic approaches. If you’re looking for personalized guidance, consider scheduling a consultation with a naturopathic doctor specializing in infertility.
Learn More About Our Naturopathic Infertility Solutions
If you’re ready to explore natural ways to support your fertility journey, contact us today for a consultation. Visit our Naturopathic Infertility Program for more details.
There are SO many things to be considered and to be done to help you create the family you desire.
Dr. ACE is our Naturopathic infertility and family medicine specialist. If you have questions about next steps in working with her, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
