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Unexplained infertility or sub fertility is usually diagnosed when a couple has tried unsuccessfully for over twelve months to conceive a child. It is important to uncover the reason behind this apparent infertility, and is therefore recommended that at the onset, several tests should be undertaken.
The man should have a semen analysis and a full blood count, to detect any deficiencies.
The woman should have a hormone level test on day 20 of her cycle (or 7 days past ovulation), as well as a full blood count, to detect any deficiencies (deficiencies relating to sub fertility are outlined in the dietary recommendations). Ask your GP to test for these levels specifically.
There are many possible reasons for sub fertility, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, stress, as well as other external factors such as over exposure to EMF, lifestyle choices such as smoking etc. Once we can recognize the cause, we can then work on the solution, and help you to achieve the desired outcome, the conception of a healthy baby.
It may be necessary to balance your reproductive hormones, by stimulating the sex glands, increasing the nutritional content of the food you ingest, introduce exercise and relaxation or meditation, and by avoiding synthetic hormones. Stimulation of the sex glands, eliminating toxins from the body, and increasing circulation, can be done with the use of herbs, vitamin and mineral rich fruit and vegetables, by taking a reputable multi-vitamin and mineral formula and by having some natural therapies such as reflexology, homeopathy natuopathy, Chinese herbs or acupuncture.
It is advisable to avoid all drugs, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and to reduce your intake of highly processed foods, saturated fats, salt, refined carbohydrates, deep fried and pre-packaged food, refined sugar, and full fat dairy products. After trying some natural techniques you see no improvement it is advisable to seek the opinion of an obstetrician, having all of your cycle details charted will help them to help you.
Detoxification to improve fertility
Detoxification takes place through the digestive, urinary, immune, lymphatic, and circulatory and respiratory systems as well as the skin. Through the use of antioxidants, vitamin and mineral rich fruit and vegetables or supplements and cleansing and stimulating herbs you can detoxify your bodily systems slowly over the course of a 10 days.
You must seek the advice of your GP or naturopath before beginning a detoxification program and introduce the herbs or make dietary changes slowly.
Detoxification is important to remove toxic substances from the body and these herbs are effective - Calendula, kelp, ginkgo biloba, juniper, echinacea, sarsaparilla, St Johns wort, marjoram, cleavers, ginger, garlic, cayenne, dandelion root, false unicorn root, golden seal, fenugreek, ginseng, rose hips, red raspberry leaf, red clover, hops, peppermint, comfrey, lemon balm, parsley, turmeric, alfalfa, lemon grass, black cohosh, blue cohosh, valerian, barberry, bilberry, bayberry, nasturtium and salvia.
Vitamins, minerals and foods for detoxification
Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, calcium, zinc, iron, chromium, selenium, magnesium, manganese, garlic and onions, celery, legumes, citrus fruit, bananas, apples and pears, black tea and green tea, wheat germ, wholemeal and whole wheat products, soy products, brown rice, seeds and nuts, beans, peas, sprouts, lentils, free range eggs, deep sea fish, asparagus, brussel sprouts and cabbage, all vegetables and fresh vegetable juices, olive oil, flaxseed oil and linseed oil. Avoid all poultry, red meat and meat products for the first 4 days and reintroduce organically grown meat and poultry slowly starting from day 5.
Drinks
Purified or spring water is essential for detoxification, you should drink between 2 and 3 litres per day, as well as vegetable juices and herbal teas including black tea and green tea. A glass of water first thing in the morning with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon will do wonders.
Exercise and relaxation
Undertake light exercise like walking or swimming daily and breathe lots of clean fresh air, include gentle stretches or yoga to help you to reduce stress. Meditation can do wonders to lower your stress levels and help to correct hormone imbalances.
A hot sitz bath (bath up to the hip/abdomen level)
With 500gms of Epsom salts added will also help to eliminate toxins from the skin. Essential oils can be added to the bath water for added effect - geranium, calendula, cleavers, peppermint, ginger, hay flower, horsetail, mustard seed, thyme, camomile, lavender, sweet violet, nettle, bittersweet, eucalyptus or sandalwood.
Sitz baths (with or without Epsom salts) have shown to be very effective at stimulating the ovaries, promoting circulation and digestion, lymphatic function and improve general wellbeing. The bath should remain hot - you may need to top up the bath with hot water at intervals and take a 20 - 30 min sitz bath at least 3 times per week. A sauna is also an effective way to eliminate toxins from the skin. A body brush or loofa is also helpful just prior to a bath or shower, to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation. Essential oils can be added to the bath water for added effect - geranium, calendula, peppermint, ginger, hay flower, thyme, camomile, lavender, sweet violet, eucalyptus or sandalwood. You can use herbal tea bags or a few drops of pure essential oil.
Massage
Lymphatic massage or drainage is another technique to eliminate toxic substances form the body; this is also useful in weight loss as it increases circulation. A pressure point to stimulate pituitary function is located underneath the foot in the centre of the big toe, massage or pressure on this point can help to 'wake up' the pituitary gland and can help to treat pituitary dysfunction.
Food for healthy ovaries
alfalfa, all sprouted seeds/beans, soy products, tofu, tempeh, linseed, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, millet, cucumber, wheat germ, and herbs - aniseed, parsley, sage, hops, red clover, black cohosh, kelp, fennel, liquorice, dong quai, St Johns wort, wild yam, peony, and ladies mantle.
To balance the hormones
Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin E, zinc, magnesium, chromium, vanadium, and herbs - false unicorn root, dong quai, black cohosh, liquorice and peony
Increase Male and Female Fertility with Tribulus
Tribulus terrestris is a herb used by men and women to help increase sexual function, the increased LH increases testosterone production in men which increases the procuction, mobility motility and viability of sperm.
In women tribulus stimulates the secretion of LH and follicle stimulating hormone which results in the production of increased oestradiol but not testosterone. When given from day 5 until day 14 of the menstrual cycle (I.e. from the end of menstruation till ovulation), Tribulus will promote the development and maturation of the ovarian follicle. This in turn will make a better egg and improve fertility and after ovulation, will result in a larger and more productive corpus luteum. The corpus luteum produces progesterone in the latter half of the female cycle and a progesterone deficiency is a major contributor to PMS and other menstrual disorders. It will improve fertility levels and libido.
You can find Tribulus online or in pharmacies or health food stores. Most often the dosage is 250-500mg three times daily with meals.
What are normal hormone levels?
| Hormone |
follicular |
mid cycle |
luteal |
| Estrogen |
100-750 |
370-1500 |
370-770 |
| FSH |
2-12 |
12-90 |
2-12 |
| LH |
2-12 |
15+ |
2-15 |
| Progesterone |
.5-4.5 |
|
10-89 |
| Testosterone |
6-86 |
|
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The ratio of LH : FSH in the follicular phase is usually close to 1: 1, but if the LH is higher, it is a possible indication of PCOS. Testosterone - High testosterone levels can be lowered with the use of the herb Chaste tree. Although you must not use chaste tree if LH levels are also high. Luteinizing Hormone - High LH levels can be lowered with the use of these herbs - Black Cohosh, Bugleweed and Hops. Progesterone - These herbs can be helpful in raising progesterone levels - Wild yam, sarsaparilla, true unicorn root, blue cohosh, fenugreek, beth root, yucca and mistletoe. Natural progesterone creams have also proven very successful in treating estrogen dominance.
Caution During the first trimester avoid all medications. Some medicines, herbs, essential oils etc. are not safe for pregnant women or should be monitored carefully to avoid potential side effects ~ some of these include acetaminophen (tylenol, dantril), ampicillin (omnipen, polycillin), antacids (alka-seltzer, di-gel, gelusil, maalox, pepto-bismol, rolands, tums) antihistamines, asprin, cold pills, cough remedies, decongestants, estrogens, etretinate (tegison), isotretinoin (accutane), shark cartilage, and
some Herbs you will need to be cautious about ~ angelica, arbor vitae, barberry, basil oil, bitter orange, black cohosh, blue cohosh, cats claw, cayenne, celery seed, chamomile oil, cinnamon, comfrey, cowslip, dang gui, elderbark, fennel, fenugreek, feverview, ginseng, goldenseal, greater celandine, green tea, juniper, lady’s mantle, lavender, licorice, marjoram mistletoe, motherwort, mugwort, myrrh, nutmeg, parsley, passionflower, pennyroyal, pokeroot, rhubarb root, rue, sage, senna, shepherds purse, southernwood, tansey, thyme, vervain, wild yam, wood betony, wormwood and yarrow.
Seek the advice of your health care practitioner before taking any preparation if you suspect that you could be pregnant
Regulate your ovulation
If your cycles are longer than 30 days, or shorter than 27 days it is recommended that you follow these simple daily exercises.
The womans menstrual cycle is changeable and is often thrown off course by hormonal, emotional or other outside influences such as oral contraceptives, drugs, alcohol and caffeine. You can regulate your bodies hormonal ovulation cycle back to a more reasonable cycle length through relaxation, auto suggestion and affirming your natural cycle.
This technique can be used to regulate irregular cycles, however in some instances, where hormonal problems exist medical advice is recommended. It is essential that your hormone levels are within the normal range, our dietary recommendations can help to stimulate the sex glands and promote a healthy hormone balance.
Some women find that by using this technique they have instant results, noticing one extra long or an extra short cycle, others may take a few months.
Before you begin the exercises check your "natural conception dates" supplied by Smart Stork, and note how many days until your next natural conception date. We will be aligning these dates to your mid cycle ovulation over the next few months. You may find it easier to make a tape and listen to it daily until you remember your affirmations.
Exercise 1
Take 10 minutes to relax in a quiet and comfortable setting
Once seated or lying down begin by taking deep breaths and clear your mind
Close your eyes, continue to take deep breaths in and out
Repeat to your self these simple affirmations:
I am healthy and happy, my hormone levels are balanced.
My ovaries and reproductive system are in perfect condition.
My cycle is in tune with my body's natural rhythm.
I will ovulate mid cycle, and my ovum will be healthy and mature.
My fertile days will begin in _____days (12 days past your period date) and I will ovulate on the_____(cycle day 14).
My cycle will continue to be regular and I will continue to ovulate mid cycle
I will conceive a healthy baby (boy/girl) when I make the conscious decision to do so.
Continue to relax and take deep breaths, and believe in yourself, for you are incredible.
When you feel ready, open your eyes and congratulate yourself for you are taking charge of your own fertility.
Exercise 2
Remind yourself at different intervals throughout the day that you have taken charge of your own fertility, and that in _____days you will be fertile.
Remind yourself that in your upcoming fertile days you will notice the appearance of clear, wet, runny, cervical mucus, and anticipate when it will start.
Exercise 3
Affirm to yourself everyday that your body is unique and has its own natural cycle and believe that you are in tune with your own, not anybody elses' menstrual cycle. |
