Infertility is the inability to conceive after having regular unprotected sex. It can also refer to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. Females who cannot carry a pregnancy to full term are also included in this definition.
Infertility is defined as ‘failure to conceive after frequent unprotected sexual intercourse for one to two years.’ by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
Infertility cases can be the result of both male and female conditions. Studies have indicated that 50% of infertility cases are as a result of female conditions.
Reasons for infertility
The following reasons for infertility were collected from patient registration forms for IVF treatment.
- male factor – 29.7%
- female factor – 28.5%
- multiple male and female factors – 10.3%
- unexplained – 23.9%
- other factors – 4.7% (includes those with numerous multiple diagnosis)
What are the risk factors of infertility?
- Age – a woman’s fertility starts to drop after she is about 32 years old, and continues doing so. A 50-year-old man is usually less fertile than a man in his 20s (male fertility progressively drops after the age of 40).
- Smoking – smoking significantly increases the risk of infertility in both men and women. Smoking may also undermine the effects of fertility treatment. Even when a woman gets pregnant, if she smokes she has a greater risk of miscarriage.
- Alcohol consumption – a woman’s pregnancy can be seriously affected by any amount of alcohol consumption. Alcohol abuse may lower male fertility. Moderate alcohol consumption has not been shown to lower fertility in most men, but is thought to lower fertility in men who already have a low sperm count.
- Being obese or overweight – in industrialised countries overweight/obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are often found to be the principal causes of female infertility. An overweight man has a higher risk of having abnormal sperm.
- Eating disorders – women who become seriously underweight as a result of an eating disorder may have fertility problems.
- Being vegan – if you are a strict vegan you must make sure your intake of iron, folic acid, zinc and vitamin B-12 are adequate, otherwise your fertility may become affected.
- Over-exercising – a woman who exercises for more than seven hours each week may have ovulation problems.
- Not exercising – leading a sedentary lifestyle is sometimes linked to lower fertility in both men and women.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – chlamydia can damage the fallopian tubes, as well as making the man’s scrotum become inflamed. Some other STIs may also cause infertility.
- Exposure to some chemicals – some pesticides, herbicides, metals (lead) and solvents have been linked to fertility problems in both men and women.
- Mental stress – studies indicate that female ovulation and sperm production may be affected by mental stress. If at least one partner is stressed it is possible that the frequency of sexual intercourse is less, resulting in a lower chance of conception.
What are the causes of infertility?
There are many possible causes of infertility, although in about a third of cases no cause is ever established.
Can Homeopathy Help?
Simply put? Yes! Homeopathy can help, and indeed it is our experience from the many clients we treat that result in successful pregnancies. Every case is handled with care and in complete confidentiality. Treatment is offered in accordance with the laws of Homeopathy.
What are the main conditions we treat?
Clients usually visit us with a range of conditions, these include:
- Period problems, including heavy, painful, irregular periods, or periods that are too light.
- The symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and endometriosis.
- Unexplained infertility
- History of hormone treatments, such as the pill, Depo Provera, Mirena coil or Zoladex implants, which some clients report has disrupted their natural hormonal cycle.
- History of miscarriage.
- Hormonal imbalances since a previous pregnancy, miscarriage or emotional causes.
- Fluctuating moods and low sex drive.
- Male infertility, low sperm count, motility or morbidity problems, low libido.
Further reading:
Daily Mail – Complementary therapies to help boost fertility
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