Infertility
Description
Infertility denotes an inability to produce offspring in a year of unprotected intercourse. Traditionally, the female has been blamed but, in fact, the cause is just as likely to be the male partner, or due to both partners.
Causes
Female infertility may be due to infection leading to diseased or mechanically obstructed organs but therapy usually centers upon ovulation. Hence the much-publicized multiple births in women treated with stimulatory hormones. Infertility affects 10% of couples, usually as a result of asymptomatic infection.
Endometriosis is a reproductive disease characterized by the growth of endometrial cells at sites outside the uterus. This disease is a serious disorder associated with chronic pain and infertility, which may be present in 6 million women in this country. Experimentally, in monkeys, endometriosis can be caused by chronic exposure to dioxins. Many women are exposed to dioxins from using tampons, containing rayon fibers treated by dioxin compounds.
Patients with celiac disease are subfertile and have an increased incidence of stillbirths and perinatal deaths.
There is clinical and experimental evidence that galactose (lactase) may be toxic to ovarian germ cells. Fertility at older ages is lower and the decline in fertility with aging is steeper in populations with high per capita consumption of milk and lactose tolerance.
Male infertility tends to center around sperm quality and quantity. Impotence is a related problem, most commonly due to diabetes, or antihypertensive medication.
A combination factor could be a low sperm count and “hostile” cervical mucus.
Both of these may respond to nutritional interventions. Otherwise, the sperm may be placed directly into the cervix, or into the ovum (“artificial insemination” although the couple’s own sperm and egg are used).
Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms may be very subtle. The female may have an abnormal period, or simply fail to produce a healthy egg. This is usually identifiable by taking daily temperature readings. In the middle of a regular cycle, there should be a slight rise in temperature with ovulation (from 98°F to 98.5°F). Anovulatory women may record temperatures of around 97°F.
Sperm may look normal to the naked eye but a microscope can reveal low numbers and abnormal shapes. Chemistry can also be a factor, so that low acidity or zinc levels may be found.
Low histamine levels are troublesome, delaying ejaculation in the male and rendering women unable to reach orgasm.
While 90% of women wanting to become pregnant may do so, those couples who experience infertility may still have a 50:50 chance of achieving (and sustaining) pregnancy.
Smoking is especially contraindicated in women who are over 35 and use the contraceptive pill, increasing the incidence of blood clots.
Nutritional Supplements
---------------------------------
General Supplements
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Male
Structure & Function: Men's Health
| B-complex | 100 mg |
| Chromium* | |
| Manganese* | |
| Vitamin C | 1000 mg |
| Vitamin E | 200-400 i.u. |
| Selenium | 200 mcg |
| Zinc | 15-30 mg |
Female
Structure & Function: Women's Health
| B-complex | 50 mg |
| Chromium* | |
| Folic Acid | 1-2 g |
| Iron* | |
| Manganese* | |
| Vitamin B-6 | 50-100 mg |
* Please refer to the respective topic for specific nutrient amounts.
Note:
All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
Failure to become pregnant can become intensely stressful to a couple, itself a negative factor. Relaxation techniques may be useful. “Burn out” may also indicate adrenal exhaustion and the adrenal glands contribute sex hormones. Nutritional support for the endocrine glands can include glandulars, as well as antioxidants and fatty acids together with B-complex.
B vitamins (niacin and folic acid) help raise blood histamine levels.
Changes in diet, especially the consumption of alcohol, can also be tried. Couples, who are obese, or even 15 pounds overweight, are likely to benefit from losing weight and becoming physically more active.
However, crash dieting can be counter-productive: lowering levels of progesterone, slowing down follicular growth, inhibiting the surge of luteinising hormone (LH) and preventing ovulation. Even a gradual slimming program can depresses hormone levels by producing too small a corpus luteum leading to a miscarriage. A reducing diet over a longer period may also affect fertility. Women planning pregnancy require regular and adequate meals during the preconception period. Nutritional status that is barely adequate for fertility may still be inadequate to for a baby of optimum birthweight. There is a recovery period from amenorrhoea when it is wise not to conceive.
Women who suffer from PMS are likely to have low progesterone levels. It has been found that supplementation with vitamin B6 will increase these levels. After PMS has been successfully eliminated for around 6 months, conception becomes more likely.
Women with a frequent history of infection (including urinary tract infections) may respond well to yogurt-type cultures (including yogurt itself!): i.e. lactobacillus acidophillus.
Men, with a high percentage of sperm that agglutinates, thereby failing to impregnate their partners, have found supplementation with vitamin C to overcome this problem. Concentration of ascorbic acid in seminal plasma directly reflects the dietary intake of vitamin C.
Poor motility is another factor. This may improve with an amino acid supplement: L-arginine. Another amino acid, methionine, may be useful in cases of premature ejaculation.
The viability of a fetus has usually been considered to depend entirely upon the nutritional health of the mother. Actually, it is now known that the health of the father at conception also contributes. Even a good food choice can be negative if it is allowed to spoil. Peanuts, for example, in the shell which smell musty could contribute aflatoxins in semen samples, which has been identified with infertile groups of men.
While zinc is the key mineral, for men, it is supported by: calcium, magnesium and sulfur. Zinc supplementation also has a beneficial effect on low female fertility.
Homeopathic Remedy
(Female) Infertility
| Description | Remedy | |
| Anemia | Ferrum metallicum | |
| Female organs | Aurum muriaticum | |
| Inflamed uterus | Sepia | |
| Ovarial cysts | Palladium | |
| Sexual weakness | Agnus castus | |
| Uterine prolapse | Lilium tigrinum |
Treatment Schedule
Over-the-counter homeopathic remedies may be single strength (of fairly weak potency e.g. 6X ) or a blend of several weaker strengths (6X, 8X, 10X).
This may comprise a single remedy, or several remedies.
Doses are administered on a 3 times daily (tid), between meals,schedule and continued for 3 days.
Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose.
Solid preparations are usually 2 or 3 pellets per dose.
Children use 1/2 dose i.e. 1 pellet.
If there is aggravation of the symptoms, stop taking the remedy and consult a homeopath.
References
Murphy, R. : Homeopathic Medical Repertory. Hahneman Academy, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. 1993.
Murphy, R. : Lotus Materia Medica. Hahneman Academy, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. 1995.
Pert, J.C.: Homeopathy for the Family. The Homoeopathic Development Foundation, London. 1985 edition.
Herbal Approaches
Female:
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Herbs
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Black cohosh
Goldenseal
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Mexican wild yam (Dioscorea)
Vitex
Male:
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Herbs
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Magnolia (Chinese)
Panax Ginseng
Pygeum africanum
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Discussion:
The urinary tract may benefit from cranberry juice.
Women who frequently develop infections after intercourse should wash their genitalia with a strong tea of Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis).
Vitex is recommended.
Other herbs can assist with estrogen problems, paradoxically, whether there is too much estrogen or too little! Phytoestrogens include: Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa or “squaw root”), the Mexican wild yam (Dioscorea) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). If there is too little estrogen these herbs can elevate hormone levels. If estrogen levels are high, by competing for estrogen receptor binding sites, these herbs can decrease estrogen effects.
Ashwagandha and Astragalus are reputed to increase sperm count and motility.
Panax Ginseng may be useful for male infertility. (Salvati, 1996)
Pygeum africanum increases prostatic secretions which improves the composition of semen. (Clavert)
References:
Clavert, A et al., Effects of an extract of the bark of Pygeum africanum on prostatic secretions in the rta and man. Ann. Urol. 1986, 20:341-343.
Lin MH et al., Magnolol protects human sperm motility against lipid peroxidation: a sperm head fixation method. Arch Androl, 1995 May, 34:3, 151-6.
Salvati G et al., Effects of Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer saponins on male fertility. Panminerva Med, 1996 Dec, 38:4, 249-54.
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
Male Infertility:
| Angelica Essence, | Basil Essence, |
| Cedarwood Essence, | Clary Sage Essence, |
| Cumin Essence, | Sage Essence, |
| Thyme Essence, | Vetiver Essence. |
Female Infertility:
| Coriander Essence, | Fennel Essence, |
| Geranium Essence, | Nutmeg Essence, |
| Rose Essence. |
Related Health Conditions
Bladder infection
Cystitis
Impotence
Pruritis
Thrush
Urethritis
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Vaginitis
Venereal disease
References
Clark-AM. Et al: Weight loss results in significant improvement in pregnancy and ovulation rates in anovulatory obese women. Hum-Reprod. 1995 Oct; 10(10): 2705-12.
Cordray-JP. et al: [Fertility disorders in 49 hyperandrogenic women desiring pregnancy. Treatment results aimed at obtaining a pregnancy in 40 hyperandrogenic infertile women and in 9 hyperandrogenic women desiring pregnancy]. Rev-Fr-Gynecol-Obstet. 1994 May; 89(5): 267-74.
Cramer-DW. et al: Adult hypolactasia, milk consumption, and age-specific fertility. Am-J-Epidemiol. 1994 Feb 1; 139(3): 282-9.
Dabrowski-K & Ciereszko-A. : Ascorbic acid protects against male infertility in a teleost fish. Experientia. 1996 Feb 15; 52(2): 97-100.
el Borai N et al., Detection of herpes simplex DNA in semen and menstrual blood of individuals attending an infertility clinic. J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 1997 Feb, 23:1, 17-24.
Favier-A. : [Current aspects about the role of zinc in nutrition]. Rev-Prat. 1993 Jan 15; 43(2): 146-51.
Ibeh-IN. et al: Dietary exposure to aflatoxin in human male infertility in Benin City, Nigeria. Int-J-Fertil-Menopausal-Stud. 1994 Jul-Aug; 39(4): 208-14.
Kodentsova-VM et al: Male fertility: a possible role of vitamins. Ukr-Biokhim-Zh. 1994 Sep-Oct; 66(5): 17-22.
Lake JK et al., Women's reproductive health: the role of body mass index in early and adult life. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, 1997 Jun, 21:6, 432-8.
Leke-RJ. Et al: Regional and geographical variations in infertility: effects of environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic factors. Environ-Health-Perspect. 1993 Jul; 101 Suppl 2: 73-80.
Lenzi A et al., Glutathione therapy for male infertility. Arch Androl, 1992 Jul-Aug, 29:1, 65-8.
Lin MH et al., Magnolol protects human sperm motility against lipid peroxidation: a sperm head fixation method. Arch Androl, 1995 May, 34:3, 151-6.
Luke-B. : Nutrition during pregnancy. Curr-Opin-Obstet-Gynecol. 1994 Oct; 6(5): 402-7.
Matorras R et al., Infertile women with and without endometriosis: a case control study of luteal phase and other infertility conditions. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 75(9):826-31 1996 Oct.
Negro-Vilar-A. : Stress and other environmental factors affecting fertility in men and women: overview. Environ-Health-Perspect. 1993 Jul; 101 Suppl 2: 59-64.
Rier-SE. et al: Immunoresponsiveness in endometriosis: implications of estrogenic toxicants. Environ-Health-Perspect. 1995 Oct; 103 Suppl 7: 151-6.
Safe-SH. : Environmental and dietary estrogens and human health: is there a problem? Environ-Health-Perspect. 1995 Apr; 103(4): 346-51.
Sher-KS & Mayberry-JF. : Female fertility, obstetric and gynaecological history in coeliac disease. A case control study. Digestion. 1994; 55(4): 243-6.
Salvati G et al., Effects of Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer saponins on male fertility. Panminerva Med, 1996 Dec, 38:4, 249-54.
Vermeulen-A. : [Metabolic effects of obesity in men]. Verh-K-Acad-Geneeskd-Belg. 1993; 55(5): 383-93; discussion 393-7.
Wynn-M & Wynn-A. : Slimming and fertility. Mod-Midwife. 1994 Jun; 4(6): 17-20.
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