Posted on: Saturday, October 30, 2004
PRESCRIPTIONS
Natural medicine can help fertility by restoring balance
By Laurie Steelsmith
If you're planning to have a baby, taking natural medicine can help you conceive. In America, one in eight couples seek treatment for infertility, and 10 to 15 percent of those couples are diagnosed with "unexplained infertility." This means they are not suffering from common medical causes of infertility such as ovulatory dysfunction, cervical and pelvic problems (including scarring or fallopian tube disease), or poor sperm quantity or quality.
Natural medicine helps in many ways, such as creating a strong foundation of health. Women in great health are more apt to conceive because they are more likely to have balanced hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers released by glands in order to target tissues elsewhere in your body. A woman's menstrual cycle is dependent on hormones from her hypothalamus and pituitary (glands located in her brain). They signal her ovaries to release estrogen and progesterone and allow for ovulation to occur. If not released at the right time, it can lead to late ovulation and imbalances in women's hormones, resulting in infertility. A strong foundation of health is built on a lifestyle that allows you to achieve and maintain optimal vitality.
A number of ubiquitous environmental toxins, such as PCBs and DDT, can mimic estrogen in the body. Reduce exposure to them by buying organic food and use a water filter.
Natural medicine from an Eastern perspective also has much to offer couples interested in enhancing their fertility. The book "The Infertility Cure," by Randine Lewis, can help women use Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and herbs, to impact fertility.
For women undergoing infertility treatment, a study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility in 2002 found acupuncture increased pregnancy rates when used before and after in vitro fertilization.
Reach Laurie Steelsmith at www.drlauriesteelsmith.com. This column is for information only. Consult your health provider for medical advice.
