[MUST READ] Natural ways to address root causes of infertility (3)

Have an STD check

Most people believe both they and their partner are free from sexually transmitted diseases. However, there are some STDs which can be asymptomatic, meaning that you may not be aware you have them, as there are no obvious symptoms. One such STD is a Chlamydia infection.

In men, a Chlamydia infection can lead to sperm abnormalities, including sperm antibodies. In women, it can lead to scarring, blocked tubes and miscarriage.

A study found 60 per cent of asymptomatic male partners of infected females attending a fertility clinic were found to be infected with Chlamydia. Most STDs are easy to treat, so it pays for       both partners to have an STD check. There is no point in only one partner going for a test, as the other partner can re-infect.

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Allow for 120 days before trying to conceive

There is a common misconception that egg and sperm quality cannot be improved. In fact, it is possible to improve the quality of your egg and sperm. However, it takes 120 days. This is               because it takes approximately 120 days for eggs to mature and sperm to develop. During the generation and maturation of gamete cells (sperm and ovum) that form an embryo, everything that you and your partner ingest, inhale or are exposed to will influence the health of your eggs and sperm — for better or for worse — and the ultimate quality of the genetic building blocks you pass onto your child.

This is why it’s crucial to follow a good preconception plan for a minimum of four months before conception. A baby is a 50-50 product of his or her parents; therefore, optimising the quality of eggs and sperm is of paramount importance.

Sperm disorders contribute to 40 per cent of infertility cases. Women who suffer from recurrent miscarriages often have partners with low sperm count and visually abnormal sperm. Therefore, both partners should detox, follow a fertility diet, take preconception supplements and avoid reproductive toxins discussed in this article for a minimum of four months before conception.

Avoid coffee, smoking and alcohol

You may not want to hear this, but drinking coffee decreases fertility. A large study from Connecticut, United States of America, found as little as one cup of coffee per day increases the risk of not conceiving by 55 percent. And if you have two or three cups per day, that risk rises to 100 percent and continues to increase with an additional cup up to 176 percent.

And did you know that women who drank coffee before and during pregnancy had twice the risk of miscarriage?

Alcohol is harmful to women’s eggs and men’s sperm and as little as one glass can reduce fertility by 50 percent! This can further lead to damage of the developing embryo and may result in miscarriage. And although it’s been known for a long time that drinking while pregnant is a no-no, drinking before pregnancy has been largely ignored. This doesn’t stop with coffee and alcohol.

Smoking and recreational drugs can also reduce your odds of conception. A study tested the effects of cigarette smoking on semen quality in men and found that sperm motility (ability to propel forward) decreased in light smokers, while heavy smoking produced abnormal sperm shape.

Scientists have discovered that quitting smoking may increase sperm count in men who quit smoking for between five and15 months by 50 percent to 800 percent respectively.

Use good preconception/pregnancy supplement

Regardless of whether you are eating organic produce and a healthy diet, you are unlikely to be getting all the nutrients your body needs for optimal fertility from your diet. This is why supplementation is important.

Getting pregnant and growing a new human being with your own reserves require a surplus of nutrients and energy. In your body’s accounting terms, pregnancy is a luxury, a splurge of energy and nutrients. Some of the key nutrients for fertility are zinc, selenium, magnesium, calcium, B12, B6, Folic acid, Vitamin C, and Omega-3 fats.

IVF vs. root cause of infertility

Conventional IVF and other assisted reproductive technology treatments don’t address root causes of infertility. These root causes include nutritional deficiencies, toxin exposure, stress, food intolerances, allergies and immune deficiencies. These subtle but critical factors interact synergistically to impact the quality of your eggs and sperm, affecting your ability to conceive and the health of your embryo.

Financial cost of IVF

Recent media reports of grandparents funding their children’s IVF treatments in the hope of a grandchild illustrate the financial strain these treatments can pose to couples. While celebrities and wealthy couples can afford it, many struggle with treatments costing thousands of dollars ($5,000-$150,000 per live birth is typical).

IVF, the last option

IVF should be the last option after all natural treatment options have been exhausted. It should never be the first option. The rate of success of IVF is, on the average, 25 percent per single attempt. Studies show that by following a natural preconception programme prior to attempting IVF, the success rate increases to 47.1 percent per single attempt.

I always advise couples to undertake a preconception programme as a first step and reserve IVF as a final option. Most infertility can be treated without IVF. However, if IVF is needed, the success rate of each attempt is nearly doubled by combining it with a natural preconception programme.

 Concluded

- Oladapo Ashiru/Punch

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