As a holistic doctor, every day in practice I have the opportunity to support families dealing with fertility challenges. Some are unable to get pregnancy and some struggle with repeated miscarriages and heartache. Supporting a family during this time is multi-faceted as we must look at the causes and make changes to help the couple better prepare for fertility, pregnancy and parenthood.

According to the CDC, about 6% of married women aged 15 to 44 years in the United States are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying (infertility). Also, about 12% of women aged 15 to 44 years in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term.

What Causes Infertility?

1. Well-documented causes of infertility include:

ovulatory problems such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

sperm disorders

endometriosis, adhesions or tubal disease

abnormal cervical mucus

uterine abnormalities (fibroids)

unexplained sub-fertility; including STD’s (gonorrhoea, chlamydia), scar tissue from previous mumps or appendicitis, cancer drug therapy, congenital issues, lifestyle and oxidative stress

infrequency of sex

2. Choosing to have our children later

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh determined that by the time women are 30 years old, only 10-12% of their non-growing follicles (NGFs) remain and by the age of 40 years only 3% of the NGFs remain. What this means is there are only a small number of follicles remaining that are healthy and viable for conception.

3. Lifestyle factors that may influence the level of insulin in the bloodstream (decreasing the production of sex hormones binding globulin- leading to higher amounts of circulating free testosterone) creating challenges with fertility.

Stress, Alcohol, Environmental Hormone Disruptors - impact insulin levels

Diet

The good news here is that the more couples learn about these factors in some cases they may improve their chances of conceiving naturally by being proactive and making changes to their lifestyle.

The opportunity with fertility challenges is for the couple to come together and create an active plan to address the health on all levels. Many couples are already extremely healthy and conscious in a “clean” and holistic lifestyle. Even so, because fertility challenges are so diverse and complex, the couple has an opportunity to commit even more fully to their emotional, mental and physical health and seek providers that may help them.

Chiropractic helps support fertility by helping the body heal:

1) Stress: Chiropractic addresses stress in nervous system that may be causing a person’s body to be in a state of fight, flight or freeze with an inability to relax. By helping the body harmonize the person is better able to adapt to stress and move into a state of ease and relaxation (activating the parasympathetic nervous system) and supporting fertility and pregnancy.

2) Brain and Body Communication: misalignments in the body can alter the function of nerves and their ability to communicate with organs and systems in the body clearly. Chiropractic addresses these disconnects (subluxations) through gentle adjustments that help nerves heal and function properly; supporting healthy communication with the reproductive system and the rest of the body.

3. Mind, Body & Spirit Connection: As the body heals and aligns naturally, a person may experience greater feelings of wholeness and positive emotions helping prepare the woman for fertility, pregnancy and motherhood.