FERTILITY ISSUES

Infertility is one of the most difficult of life’s hard situations. It can be a heart-rending journey for a young couple. Waiting for a pregnancy to happen can be an emotional  monthly roller coaster ride. “Maybe this month” is hard on everyone involved, including the midwife or fertility counselor. Alternate remedies meet with success quite often. The words, “Guess what? We’re pregnant!” were some of the most beautiful words I have ever heard.

There are so many possible causes and contributing factors to infertility. In addition, it is a rare occassion when only one factor is the entire problem. Every couple and every situation is so unique that advice such as is offered here can only be general advice. I think of it as a sort of shotgun approach. Try every single thing that you can think of, consistently and for as long as it takes. Experience taught me that, more often than not, we would be successful if we were patient and persistent. In fact, success rates when following the advice and using the remedies listed below, as needed, was very high in my own practice and among others that I associated with.

Possible Factors—

Things that may contribute to fertility issues.

For Women: Being a little bit older—statistically, women over 30 experience more fertility issues. They also tend to have poorer diets and more stress in their lives.  Being overweight or experiencing thyroid disorders or having other glandular issues is also common.  Heavy alcohol consumption, sexually transmitted diseases, environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead (both male and female) can also be creating problems.   There may be emotional issues around pregnancy or parenthood.  There may be  hormone driven issues such as irregular or abnormal ovulation or polycystic ovarian disease.  PCOS is the leading cause of infertility in the United States at this time.  Hypothalamic dysfunction, damaged fallopian tubes, endometriosis, and irregular menstrual cycle without a known cause are also common with infertile women.

For Men:  A couple’s inability to conceive will be an issue with the husband approximately 40% of the time. The husband is, too often, looked at only after all avenues for the woman have been explored.

Possible causes of infertility with the man may include, first and foremost, too few sperm being produced. Men produce sperm throughout their lives, making current health issues and lifestyle habits a likely contributing factor. Another issue may be lack of motility of the sperm. The sperm simply move too slowly to reach their destination while still viable. The sperm may be oddly shaped and lack the ability to penetrate the egg. There seems to be a dearth of research published about the cause of these causes with having viable sperm.  There may also be hormonal issues with the man. These issues may be indicated by such thing as changes in hair growth, sexual function, or emotional stability.

Step One: Foot Zones

Regular foot zones for both the husband and the wife are very important. A Zone treatment can remove physical blocks wherever they might exist.  A zone can  give an overview of the problem from a perspective that is different than the medical perspective. Chiropractic adjustments and CranioSacral treatments have also proven helpful.

Step  Two: Hormones

Balance hormones until they are running perfectly—again, in both the husband and the wife.  Suggestions for hormone balancing essential oils and herbal remedies are listed below.

Step Three:  Nutrition

Investigate what herbs and foods contain which vitamins and minerals. Make sure you are getting everything that you need. One of the most important nutrients to focus on is Vitamin E. If you choose to supplement Vitamin E rather than obtain it from food sources, be sure that the label says d-alpha and not dl-alpha. The “l” indicates that you have a man-made substitute for the real thing. The man-made substitute will not be effective at all.  In addition, it will likely clog receptor sites making the uptake are real Vitamin E almost impossible.

Other nutrients to be sure to include in your diet are Omega 3s, Vitamin C, and folate.  The folate should be from real food sources and not from folic acid supplements).

Step Four:  The Lymphatic System  

Support the lymphatic system every way that you can. Chinese medical philosophy and my own experience tell me that a healthy lymph system is critically important.  The lymph system must carry off waste products if there is to be good health and optimum  fertility.

Step Five:  Caffeine and Soda  

Avoid them like the plague that they are. Caffeine has a definite unbalancing effect on hormones for both men and women.

Step Six:  Smoking  

Absolutely quit smoking!

Step Seven:  Exercise 

Get some exercise.  Not to excess, but a little every day.

Step Eight:  Stress  

Decrease, or learn to manage the stress in your life. Essential oils can be helpful with stress management and with emotional stability, especially as you are waiting for success. Essential oils may be helpful with fertility issues on many fronts.

Step Nine:  Sleep

Get more sleep. Sufficient rest is often a critical factor in hormone balance and general health.

Possible Treatments for Infertility Issues

Endocrine and Glandular Health (hormones)

HERBS FOR WOMEN: YW, KNA, MIN, Blessed Thistle, Blue Cohosh, Burdock, Chaste Tree, Damiana, Dong Quai, False Unicorn, Ginseng, Motherwort, Licorice Root, Milk Thistle,  Raspberry, Thimble Berry, Uva Ursi, and Wild Yam.

HERBS: FOR MEN: MH, BHM, KNA, MIN, Alfalfa, Astragalus, Ginseng, Echinacea, Oregon Grape, and Saw Palmetto.

MINERALS FOR BOTH WOMEN AND MEN: trace minerals including Manganese, Selenium, and Amino Acids (in food is best, also).

ESSENTIAL OILS:^LeBaby Me, ^LeBenediction, ^LeEndoRelief, ^LeEnergy, ^LeEternity, ^LeGrace, ^LeKindred Spirit, ^LeLivN, ^LeMariah, Bergamot, Cilantro, Coriander, Cumin, Davana, Dill, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Fenugreek, Helichrysum, Lemon, Myrtle, Ravensara, Rosemary, Spanish Sage, and Spruce.

BLESSED WATER: Nat-c, Nat-m, Med, Orig, Phos, Plat, Puls, Sabal, Sabin, Senec, Sep, Sil, and Zinc.

Lymphatic Support and Assistance 

This information is found here and in PMS remedies, above.

HERBS: LT—formerly known as Lymph Tonic, Super C, Yarrow/Usnea (both infection fighting and lymphatic drainage), Echinacea, Elderberries, Thyme, Rosemary, Garlic, Elecampane, Ginger, Nettles, Oregon Grape, Parsley, Plantain, Poke Root (especially good for lymphatic drainage), Red Clover, and Cramp Bark.

ESSENTIAL OILS: ^LeAgless, ^LeAutumn, ^LeCherish, ^LeCinnamonBear, ^LeDeeper, ^LeDeliverance, ^LeEndoRelief, ^LeFortitude, ^LeHousewarming, ^LeIntensity, ^LeKey to My Heart, ^LeLiteN, ^LeReflections, ^LeRevitalize, ^LeSeasons, ^LeSunbrust, ^LeSynopsis, ^LeUnDone, ^LeVitality, Birch, Lemon, Orange Sweet, and Ravensara.

BLESSED WATER: Calc, Articum lappa. (burdock, no set abbreviation), Merc-s, and Sulph..

Other Suggestions for Lymphatic Health

Exercise is essential because the lymph system has no pump. It is only the motion of the muscles that moves lymph fluid along in the body. Deep breathing stimulates the flow of lymph fluid. Room temperature, or even hot water, sipped frequently throughout the day will re-hydrate the body and get lymph moving. Make use of clay baths and foot soaks. Gentle full-body massage is believed to push up to 75% of stagnant lymph back into circulation. Structural alignment, instead of mis-alignment, can prevent blockages of lymph flow from developing. Dry brushing of the skin is also helpful. Alternate hot and cold showers are also recommended. (Brrr – not for me and contra-indicated for pregnancy and heart conditions.)

Each of the possible contributing factors of infertility will have herbs, essential oils, and blessed waters that may prove helpful.

Additional Reading:

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