A-Z fertility supplements Articles

Having and nurturing a baby can be one of the most joyous parts of a woman’s life, but for some women, getting pregnant can be a serious challenge and a source of frustration. From a natural point of view, there are many ways to support and optimize your fertility.

What is Infertility?

Doctors define infertility as failure to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. Infertility occurs in 15% of couples, and the rate increases after age 35. Many infertility cases result from identifiable causes. However, doctors cannot identify a cause in 20% of couples.

Understanding Female Reproductive Organs

While most people are familiar with the fact that women have a vagina that leads up to the uterus, with a small muscular ring called the cervix in between, many people get a little fuzzy after this. Suspended on either side of the uterus are the ovaries, which hold all of a woman’s eggs at the moment of her birth. There are tubes connecting the uterus to each ovary, called fallopian tubes. Each of these ends in small finger-like projections called “fimbriae”. During ovulation, the ovary releases an egg. The fimbriare guide the egg into the fallopian tube. There, sperm can fertilize the egg. The fertilized egg then travels to the uterus for implantation.

Key Causes of Infertility

In women, there are many different physical causes of infertility. Any physical deformation of the uterus or fallopian tubes can block the proper travel of the egg and implantation of the fetus into the uterus. Fibroids, or scarring and inflammation from pelvic infections, endometriosis or surgery, can cause this type of blockage. In some cases, a woman can have an immune reaction against her partner’s sperm that results in their destruction. Some people refer to this immune reaction as a sperm allergy. Hormonal problems can occur anywhere along the endocrine chain. Ovarian or pituitary dysfunction can impair fertility. Previous hormonal contraceptive use may also affect fertility. Stress, malnutrition, weight changes, intense exercise, and toxins can suppress fertility. These factors may signal unfavourable conditions for pregnancy.

Fertility Support: Combat Infertility

Balancing Hormones

Balancing hormones is crucial to maintaining optimum fertility. You can help your body maintain healthy hormone levels in a few different ways. Progesterone is a hormone that is essential for maintaining the egg and the lining of the uterus after ovulation. It can also help balance out excess estrogen levels. Excess hormones can create changes in a woman’s reproductive system such that eggs may not be produced at the right time, or may die before they can be fertilized and implanted. Detoxification of excess hormones and toxins is vital for healthy fertility.

Detoxification in Preparation

The fat stores in our bodies are storage warehouses for the toxins that we have taken in throughout our lives, which we cannot properly break down and release. The body naturally sheds toxic products through the liver and the kidneys. When there is excess exposure or overall poor health, waste matter can accumulate in the colon, and toxins get reabsorbed through the intestinal wall. These toxins can then accumulate in the body and cause fatigue and reduce ovarian function. Toxic waste accumulation can also cause a part of the colon to distend and press against the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg from reaching the uterus.

Taking a complete fibre supplement with supporting herbs can help to relieve the build up of accumulated waste matter. If you have been experiencing constipation on a fairly regular basis, then this may be a factor for you. Even if conception and a successful pregnancy are taken to term, the body’s toxic stores will be slowly turned over and shed into the breast milk while the mother breastfeeds, increasing the newborn’s exposure to toxins during the first months of life. Doing a detoxification protocol prior to conception is often a good idea. That being said if there is any chance of an accidental pregnancy, then do NOT start a Detox program. During detoxification, the levels of toxins in the blood are significantly higher as the body processes them for release. Your new fetus will be exposed to these high levels, which can result in damage or even pregnancy loss.

Fertility Awareness Technique

Fertility awareness techniques can include observing cervical changes and basal body temperature. These techniques may be learned as a fertility method, such as the Justisse or Rhythm method. The following chart gives examples of nutrients and supplements that support the ovaries and sex hormones. There are also testing kits available that use saliva or urine to monitor peak fertility periods and to predict ovulation. While this won’t improve fertility, it can help to maximize your chances of conception.

Lifestyle Changes

Having a healthy lifestyle can make significant improvements in fertility. This means not smoking and avoiding alcohol consumption. Several prescription and nonprescription drugs can decrease fertility, including acid inhibitors, and harmful illicit drugs like marijuana. Fertility can be improved by regular exercise and using stress reduction techniques. Women should avoid douching and using vaginal lubricants, as these can irritate the vaginal lining and damage or destroy sperm. Women should also chart their cycles to understand when they are fertile (see the methods above).

Dietary Support to Enhance Fertility

Eating a healthy, balanced diet can also benefit fertility. Be sure to eat enough calories for your body size and sufficient protein, because malnourishment decreases fertility. Include pumpkin seeds for essential fatty acids and zinc. Eat leafy green vegetables and wheat germ for vitamin E. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, animal fats, fried foods, junk foods, sugar, coffee, tea, colas and chocolate.

Supplements for Fertility Support

If your diet is failing to provide all of the nutrients that your body needs, you can rely on nutritional supplements to help fill in the gaps. A good way of doing this is to take a complete multivitamin, especially one targeted for women, as they will usually have higher levels of nutrients important for fertility. These include B Vitamins, Iron, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and minerals like Zinc and Selenium. Be sure to choose one that also contains Folate, or add 1mg of additional folic acid to your routine to help prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida. You could also consider a Greens Powder to add extra nutrition to your daily intake. They contain a full complex of nutrients, antioxidants, and cleansing herbs in a form that’s very easy to absorb. Be sure to get sufficient Omega-3 essential fatty acids from a rich source like Fish Oil.

Infertility in men is usually defined by a low sperm count or low sperm motility (“swimming” ability). This does not include when the man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection or is unable to achieve ejaculation. While these disorders can contribute to infertility, sperm quality, motility and delivery are all influenced by essential nutritional and lifestyle factors. Let's explore the male reproductive system and male infertility support tips.

Understanding The Male Reproductive System

Sperm and Seminal Fluid

Men pass DNA to their children through sperm cells called spermatozoa. Each sperm carries DNA in its head. It uses a tail powered by a motor-like structure for movement. Men release 20 to 40 million sperm during ejaculation. Only one of these can successfully swim to meet the woman’s egg inside her body and fertilize it to make the beginning of a baby. Each sperm cell is manufactured and matured in the testes located inside the scrotum. This process requires a number of nutritional factors, as well as strict temperature control. Sperm matrure and travel through small tubes to the seminal vesicles. They then pass through the prostate. During orgasm, glands add fluids to sperm. This mixture forms semen, the ejaculated seminal fluid.

Causes of Male Infertility

Much like female fertility, male fertility requires many of our body systems to be working in harmony with one another. Healthy fertility requires optimal nutrition, proper temperature control, healthy hormone levels, and a balanced body. Taking care of your health, eating a nutritionally rich diet, avoiding tobacco smoke, exercising and avoiding recreational drugs (particularly marijuana) are all great ways to give you a better chance at optimal fertility. Infertility is often complicated and can be caused by many different factors. See below for potential nutrient deficiencies. Stress can also significantly impact fertility and deplete the body’s resources. Several factors can contribute to male infertility. These include undescended testicles, infections, smoking, and drug use. Frequent intercourse, impotence, heat exposure, and tight underwear also increase risk.

Male Infertility Support Supplements & Lifestyle Modifications

Zinc

A deficiency in the mineral zinc can result in a low sperm count. Zinc supports healthy sperm production. The prostate also uses zinc to produce seminal fluid. This fluid helps transport sperm during ejaculation. Insufficient production of seminal fluid leaves sperm exposed to the harsh acidic environment of the vagina. This can often pose as much of a challenge to a man’s fertility as low sperm count. As a bonus, zinc can also help to prevent future prostate conditions. Since it can be difficult to get sufficient zinc from food these days (due to soil depletion), supplementation is often a good idea for men looking to impregnate their partner.

Arginine

Sufficient protein intake is very important to the healthy production of sperm. It provides important amino acids, such as arginine, which plays many roles in male fertility. Arginine is necessary for the production of healthy sperm cells, maintaining sperm motility, and for the production of seminal fluid. It can also help to optimize testosterone production, the main male hormone, and to promote healthy blood flow to help with erections.

Hormone Balance

Hormonal fluctuations in men may also have an impact on fertility. Sufficient levels of the hormone testosterone are required for healthy sexual organ function. Some pollutants from the environment, especially those from plastics and petrochemicals, can have an estrogen-like effect in the body. These estrogen analogs work against the natural testosterone in your body, reducing its potency. This can have an effect on fertility as well as sexual desire and sexual function. Reduce your exposure to these pollutants by drinking clean water and avoiding the use of plastic containers and wrap, especially in the microwave. Your healthcare practitioner can perform lab tests to evaluate your toxic exposure.

Detoxification

If you believe previous exposure to toxins may be affecting your fertility already, there are a number of options available for detoxification. Use the nutritional supplement glucarate to help your liver break down these harmful pollutants more quickly. You can also use milk thistle and Alpha Lipoic Acid to support the liver in its cleansing functions.

Stress Reduction

Stress redirects nutrients away from reproductive organs. They body prioritizes survival systems like the heart and muscles. Taking the time to relax and do deep breathing exercises, or yoga or meditation classes, can make a big impact on stress levels and help the body relax and focus on fertility once again.

Timing of Intercourse

How often you have sex can also impact your fertility. Having sex too often actually depletes the semen reserves and forces the body to expel sperm that have not yet achieved full maturity, or to release a smaller number. When hoping to conceive, a man should ejaculate no more than every two days to allow the sperm time to replenish in number and quality. You should also avoid hot tubs, saunas and tight underwear because these all increase testicular temperature and can damage developing sperm.

Diet and Supplementation

As with everything else health related, we are what we eat, and the generation of healthy sperm and semen requires proper nutrition. Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, and ensuring adequate water intake, can help supply your reproductive needs. Eating fish or other sources of healthy Omega 3 fats can help to provide the building blocks required for proper sperm and hormone synthesis in the body. Interestingly, cholesterol is required for testosterone synthesis, so make sure you are getting enough in your diet (without going overboard). Eating eggs (with the yolk) is a great way to get healthy cholesterol. When your diet just can’t meet your nutritional needs, consider supplementing with a Greens supplement and some of the essential nutrients listed above to help support your body’s natural function.

Herbal Fertility Support

When you have managed all of the above details, but are still having difficulty with your sperm count or motility, there are always herbal options to help things get running smoothly again. Some herbs, like saw palmetto can help to support the health of your prostate, while others, like Tribulus can help to optimize testosterone production. Your healthcare practitioner can help you determine which herbs would best suit your particular needs.