Infertility Can be Treated Naturally

April 20, 2008

Definition of Infertility

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected trying or to carry a pregnancy to a live birth.

Causes of Infertility

The most common causes of infertility are hormone imbalances, PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis, male factor and “unexplained”.

Hormone imbalances - usually male hormone (androgen) excess, estrogen dominance, poor or no progesterone production, excess pollutants acting like estrogen (xenoestrogens)
PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) - leads to lack of ovulation (anovulation), poor egg maturation and hormone imbalances as described above
Fibroids - benign growths that can protrude into the uterine cavity and prevent implantation of the fertilized egg
Endometriosis - lumps of uterine lining that have escaped the uterus and fixed themselves onto structures inside the abdominal cavity. These growths can enlarge in response to increases in hormones and cause severe pain. They can also block ovaries and fallopian tubes leading to infertility.
“Unexplained” - Factors that cannot be adequately measured fall into this category. Unexplained infertility may be due to poor uterine lining quality, antibodies rejecting the fertilized egg, maybe recurring miscarriages too early for a positive pregnancy test.
Male factor - poor sperm shape, low sperm count, poor sperm movement

Naturopathic Treatment of Infertility

Correct hormone imbalances through proper diet and exercise
Aid liver detoxification of excess hormones and toxins
Herbs to enhance progesterone production
Anti-inflammatory herbs, hormone balancing and acupuncture to help with fibroids
Hormone balancing and acupuncture to help with endometriosis
Anti-inflammatory herbs to help with uterine lining quality, proper diet to help maintain a pregnancy
Herbs, antioxidants, acupuncture and liver detoxification to help with sperm count and quality

Dr. Pamela Frank, ND maintains a busy, diverse naturopathic practice with a special interest in women’s health and fertility. Pamela was twice voted “Best Naturopath in Toronto” by the readers of NOW magazine. She has been the clinic director at Forces of Nature in Toronto ON for the past 9 years and is a member in good standing of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors and Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors. Pamela can be reached at Forces of Nature at 416.481.0222 or by email at PFrankND@ForcesofNature.ca For more information visit http://www.ForcesofNature.ca or http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca

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