Female Fertility

Female infertility may be broken into several categories:

1.  Ovulatory problems

2.  Cervical factors

3.  Pelvic and tubal factors,  

4.  Uterine factors

Often, a combination of these problems exists.  Some of the causes of infertility readily respond to natural medicine, while others do not.  The specific cause of infertility should always be diagnosed by a physician before considering possible solutions.

Are you Ovulating?

Ovulation is a complex event in which hormonal signals and physical events are linked in a delicate balance.  Women ovulate most effectively in their late teens and early twenties.  By age 35-38, most women may experience a decline in the ability to ovulate effectively.  Ovulation can be seriously affected by abnormalities of the thyroid gland, overproduction of prolactin (a hormone leading to breast milk production), excessive male hormone (androgens), physical stress, psychological stress and extreme lifestyle changes.  Ovulation can be disrupted by disturbances in the menstrual cycle.  Instead of an unwavering pattern repeated from month to month, infertile women frequently complain that their periods are irregular or have stopped altogether, and some women have never experienced menstrual flow.

The Three Types of Menstrual Patterns

The Regular Menstrual Period

Your period is regulate from month to month, beginning like clockwork every twenty-five days or every thirty-five days.  The consistently irregular menstrual cycle, however, where one month you begin menstruating after twenty-five days, the next month after thirty-four, and the next in thirty, may indicate that you have a fertility problem.  If a women reports a regular menstrual history, take supplements that may help strengthened their other reproductive system such as the uterus, etc.

Irregular Menstrual Periods of Amenorrhea for Six of More Months

This is the most common complaint found with fertility problems.  The woman's menstrual periods occur infrequently and at unpredictable intervals.  At some point their periods stopped altogether.  Because these women are capable of menstruating (as demonstrated by their history), there is a good chance that with supplement that can help them to regulate menstruation may help restore normal ovulation.

Nonexistence of the Menstrual Period

Women who have never menstruated may have genetic abnormalities, congenitally deformed reproductive organs, delayed puberty, or a pituitary malfunction.  If by the age of sixteen a woman has not started menstruating, she should be concerned.  It is important to diagnose the problem early and to determine if such women will respond to hormonal therapy or surgical correction.  The emerging new technologies offer the most promise to these people.  Consult a physician.

Cervical infertility involves inability of the sperm to pass through the mouth of the uterus due to damage of the cervix.  This may be caused by inadequate cervical mucous, narrowing of cervical, infections of the cervix with common sexually transmitted diseases, and immune attack of sperm.  Consult OB-GYN for treatment.

Pelvic infertility causes include and disruption of the normal pelvic anatomy such as scar tissue, endometriosis, blocked, scarred, or distorted fallopian tubes, and fibroids of the uterus.  Consult OB-GYN for treatment.

Uterine infertility includes thin or abnormal uterine lining and other anatomic problems.  Consult OB-GYN for treatment.  There are some herbs that may help strengthen the uterus such as Kacip Fatimah.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO INCREASE FEMALE FERTILITY

Reduce Caffeine Intake:  Caffeine consumption equivalent to more that two cups of coffee per day has been linked to tubal disease and endometriosis--both of which can cause female infertility.  As little as one to one and a half cups of coffee per day appears to delay conception in women trying to get pregnant.  Some studies find one cup of coffee per day cuts fertility in half, although others report that it takes two or three cups to have detrimental effects.

Caffeine is found in regular coffee, black and green tea, some soft drinks, chocolate, cocoa, and many over -the-counter pharmaceuticals.  While not every study finds that caffeine reduces female fertility, most doctors of natural medicine recommend that women trying to get pregnant avoid caffeine.

Avoid Smoking:  The more women smoke, the less likely they are to conceive.  In fact, women whose mothers smoked during their pregnancy are only half as likely to conceive as those whose mothers were non-smokers.  It's important to quit smoking.

Avoid Alcohol Consumption:  Even moderate drinking in women is linked to an increased risk of infertility.  Women wishing to conceive should avoid alcohol.

Maintain Healthy Body Weight:  Excessive or insufficient weight can also be causes of female infertility.  Infertile women who are overweight or underweight should consult a nutritionally oriented physician.