When it comes to infertility treatments, naturopathic medicine is a natural choice. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained in both traditional and alternative therapies, making them uniquely qualified to treat the whole person.
There are many reasons to love naturopathic infertility treatments. For starters, they are safe and effective. In addition, NDs take a holistic approach to treatment, which means they consider all aspects of your health – physical, emotional, and spiritual. This approach helps ensure that you receive the most well-rounded care possible.
Naturopathic treatments for infertility also focus on restoring balance within the body. This can be especially helpful if you are struggling with infertility due to hormone imbalances or other reproductive health issues.
Another benefit of naturopathic medicine is that it is affordable. In fact, many insurance plans cover naturopathic treatments for infertility.
If you are considering natural infertility treatments, NDs should be your first choice. Contact a local ND to find out more about how they can help you achieve your fertility goals.
Common causes of infertility
The common causes of infertility I frequently see include:
- Scar Tissue (including pelvic scarring, or fallopian tube adhesions or scarring)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Fibroids
- PCOS/Ovarian Cysts
- Endometriosis
- Thyroid Disease
- Short luteal phases (Day 15-28 of your cycle)
Addressing the more common causes of infertility
Many common causes of infertility, such as cysts, fibroids, low thyroid function, and shorter menstrual cycles, can be treated with botanical medicine (or herbs). Herbs are extremely effective at regulating hormones, and I have seen firsthand how beneficial they are not only for fertility but also for women’s overall health.
Female infertility can be caused by a variety of factors. Some women respond well to natural methods, while others require surgical or medical intervention at times. The goal of naturopathic treatment for female infertility is to correct nutritional deficiencies, correct hormonal imbalances, and improve overall reproductive health.
Detoxification
When women come in to talk about getting pregnant, they always start with a detoxification program that should last 3 months but can last up to 9 months for some. This is for every woman, whether it is her first or fourth child. This ensures that you are assisting the body in getting rid of toxic build-up, which can include heavy metals and various other environmental toxins, which can be problematic for some children’s overall health. The goal is to keep the mother’s body as healthy as possible for a growing baby. The program includes botanical medicine to support liver function, exercise, and detoxification nutrients like glutathione and cysteine.
Importance of nutrition
It is critical that the diet be as healthy as possible in order to ensure that the body receives all of the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids needed to build a child. Encourage women to consume foods that are hypoallergenic, anti-inflammatory, and high in good fats.
Some key tips:
- Refrain from drinking caffeine
- Discontinue smoking cigarettes
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Balance blood sugar
- Increase foods that contain good fats such as avocado, meat that is hormone-free, and aim for lots of color from fruits and vegetables
Specific nutrients that support fertility and help prevent miscarriages
- Bioflavonoids — Help strengthen the uterus by promoting healthy blood vessels.
- Vitamin C – Besides its antioxidant properties, it assists in ovarian function and egg development, along with helping increase serum progesterone levels.
- Folate (methyl folate) — To prevent folate deficiency during pregnancy, which can cause neural tube defects in the fetus, it is suggested that folate supplementation starts three months before conception. (See below for an explanation on folic acid vs folate.)
- Vitamin B-6 — Has been established as a vital nutrient for women’s reproductive health and helps balance estrogen and progesterone levels.
- Vitamin E — Helps prevent miscarriage by protecting reproductive cells (the follicles)
- Selenium – a deficiency can be a culprit for miscarriages.
Folic acid vs Folate (Methylfolate)
Vitamin B9 can be found in a variety of forms, the most common of which is folic acid, a synthetic form of vitamin B9. Once folic acid enters the body, it must be converted to folate (methyl folate) before it can be used.
Genetic mutations in the enzyme required to convert folic acid to folate have been discovered thanks to advances in laboratory testing. It is estimated that 40% of the population has a mutation in this gene, known as MTHFR. This is now one of the leading causes of miscarriage, and once addressed, hundreds of women are achieving full-term pregnancy. It is critical to ensure that your prenatal supplement contains folate, which will be labeled as 5-mthf or L-methylfolate.
Do You Need a Naturopathic Doctor Specializing in Fertility in Gilbert, Arizona?
Atlas Health Medical Group in Gilbert, Arizona specializes in providing Naturopathic Fertility Treatment to the East Valley including Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, San Tan, and Queen Creek. When women with PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome start thinking about becoming pregnant, they find that it can be challenging and they may suffer from infertility. Infertility is defined as struggling to become pregnant after trying for 1 full year, or if you are over 35 years old- after 6 months of trying. Some women have even been told by their ob/gyn that they won’t be able to have a baby without IVF or a fertility specialist. However, we have worked with many women diagnosed with PCOS and I have been able to help them reach hormone balance in order to naturally conceive! We pride ourselves on setting the standards of patient care and result-driven treatments. This approach has allowed us to become the leading Naturopathic clinic in Gilbert, Arizona. Our patients return to health and live the life they intended. Contact us today for your first appointment!
