Male and female infertility literally affects us all and the survival of our species. 1 in 7 UK couples suffer with fertility issues and its 1 in 5 in the USA. The cause is split 60% female and 40% males.
Female causes: not ovulating regularly or at all, blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, drug toxicity
Male causes: low quality sperm, undescended testes, untreated STIs, enlarged veins in testes, testicular tumors
Sperm counts have been dropping rapidly in the last 40yrs or so.
1989: 71 million/ml of semen
2005: 49 million/ml of semen
Yes it only takes 1 sperm to fertilise an egg, but this is a very worrying trend. Conventional treatment for infertility is Clomid tablets, IUI (in-utero insemination) or IVF (in-vitro fertilization). These methods rely on synthetic hormones, as well as a barrage of invasive tests for the woman before even starting the treatment.
I feel very strongly about this topic as I suffered from ‘unexplained’ infertility alongside my husband. There is nothing as painful as the possibility of not being able to have your own children. My blog about is and other challenges I faced is here. I’m very open about speaking about this issue as I feel there is still a stigma or taboo around it. Strangers certainly don’t think before they speak when asking awkward and often painful questions.
Here are my top 5 tips for infertility:
- Acupuncture treatment.
My 2 healthy daughters would not be here if I’d not had acupuncture treatment before and during my IVF cycles. Please contact me if you need the number of the local acupuncturist who I saw. My husband and I both had treatment and I’m convinced that I wouldn’t have fallen pregnant without it.
- Don’t use KY Jelly!
Use a conceiving-friendly lubricant or increase foreplay to make sure you are ready for sex! You can also use water or egg-whites.
- Act as if you are pregnant.
Eat fresh healthy food. Stop smoking/vaping. Decrease stress and cut down on alcohol. If you feel comfortable, share the process with a supportive friend or family member. Or engage the services of a specialist counsellor. In Japanese cultures they prepare their bodies for conceiving, years in advance! Use a Brita filter for your tap water and turn the Wi-Fi router off when you head upstairs to sleep. Do NOT keep your phone in your bum pocket! Men keep your crown jewels cool and away from phones/laptops.
- Zita West books.
Zita has written several books on fertility, including one called ‘Your guide to getting pregnant’. She is a trained acupuncturist and gives practical tips which are all based on working with your body naturally.
- Hair mineral analysis.
I had my husband’s and my own hair analysed for mineral and heavy metal content. We then took particular tailored supplements based on the extensive report from the lab. I truly feel this helped us to conceive my second daughter. I do offer this as a service so please to contact me if this sounds interesting to you.
My top homeopathic remedies here are: Sepia, Agnus castus, Nat mur, Nux vom, Moonstone, and Blue.
Lastly I will add that I understand your pain if you are reading this and needing help. The pain was no less the second time around, even though I love my first daughter dearly. Please to get in touch, even if you just need an understanding ear.
