Health and Fertility

There is a health trend of infertility currently in our modern world. The inability to conceive a child is one of the most heart breaking situations facing couples today. Unfortunately it seems that fertility is decreasing due to reduced sperm counts in men, exposure to environmental toxins and hormones and other modern day factors. As a result, more and more couples are finding themselves unable to conceive the child they long for.

In the U.S, an estimated 14 percent of couples have infertility problems and just over 10 percent of women between the ages of 21- 44 experience some kind of impaired fertility. Infertility between men and women in percentages is around equal and the remaining cases attributed to unknown factors.

Infertility is defined as the inability to become pregnant after a year of trying to conceive. Women in their twenties are told to have more patience and it is usually more than a year before they seek medical help. Couples in their mid to late thirties are advised to seek help if they have not been successful within a year.

The first step is to find out which partner is infertile or whether both partners may be affected. This page will offer some natural health strategies to use that both partners can use to enhance conception.

Causes of Female Infertility

There are a number of reasons why women can become infertile. Ovulation being irregular is an important factor, as this is related to aging. More women are seeking to start a family later in life, and long periods of time on the contraceptive pill that suppresses ovulation, may well be a health factor.

Other reasons include: problems in the structure or function of the fallopian tubes from pelvic surgery and past infections like pelvic inflammatory disease. This could prevent eggs from traveling through the tubes normally. Fibroid growths in the uterus are another factor, which could prevents the fertilized eggs from being implanted.

Endometriosis, where fragments of the womb lining become detached and travel to other parts of the pelvis causing pain and bleeding is another common cause of infertility. Certain drugs, such as hormones, antibiotics, antidepressants, pain killers, and aspirin or ibrufen when taken at mid-cycle can also interfere with conception. Medical conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, epilepsy, thyroid conditions and diabetes can also affect fertility.

Factors in the environment and lifestyle include: drinking alcohol, exposure to chemicals, radiation, and cigarette smoke. Dramatic weight loss, (especially if you also take vigorous exercise) lowers progesterone and this can inhibit conception as well.

Causes of Male Infertility

The most common health problems entail a low sperm count, which can be caused by imbalanced hormones. Other factors include: A failure of one or both testes to descend, Cystic Fibrosis, which can cause an absence of sperm, Blockage of the ducts, caused by repeated infection, inflammation or a development defect. A metabolic disorder called haemochromatosis where iron gets deposited in the testes also affects sperm production.

A defect called retrograde ejaculation, involving the muscles of the bladder and varicocele which can alter the temperature of the testes can also cause infertility. Environment and lifestyle factors can all have a role to play in male fertility, such as smoking, excessive alcohol, chemical exposure and toxins, as well as a poor diet.

Several reports have detailed the evidence of decreased sperm counts in men who live in developed countries over the last 50 years. This has led to the theory that this trend may be because of increased toxins in the environment, and exposure to oestrogen-like compounds in food and water.

What can Enhance Fertility in Women?

There are a number of nutrients that support and enhance fertility for women: