Exploring Alternative Fertility Treatments

When a couple is having issues with having a baby and conceiving, they may consider many options like consulting fertility doctors, searching for medical cures, or even turning to In Vitro Fertilization treatment procedures. While all these are valid options to consider, it is also beneficial to consider alternative fertility treatments like natural fertility treatments with or without traditional treatments. Some of these alternative therapies have been around and in use for thousands of years. 

The treatments may also be much more so beneficial to infertility with no known cause. While these treatments are generally believed to be beneficial to couples that are trying to conceive, there has been no significant amount of research that has been done to scientifically back the beliefs. But unlike the more conventional treatments, these alternative treatments do not have any risks or side effects that are associated with them. This makes the treatment attractive because if there is nothing to lose, why not try it out? 

What are some of the alternative fertility treatments that can be tried?

Hypnosis

Hypnosis can be used to treat several conditions like anxiety, eating disorders, and even fertility issues. Experts believe it can improve fertility by promoting relaxation of the body, which may help condition it for conception. This is especially so if the infertility is linked to stress or anxiety. Stress can create a fight-or-flight response that makes the body release cortisol, which disrupts the normal hormonal balance that is required for ovulation, fertilization, and embryo implantation. When the stress is decreased or completely removed through hypnosis the fertility levels can significantly improve. This has not been backed up by research, but it would not hurt to give it a try. However, one should not place all their hopes on hypnosis.

Yoga 

This is an ancient spiritual practice that combines physical postures with meditation and breathing techniques. Some studies show that the fertility rates of women who combined yoga with assisted reproductive technologies saw a significant boost in their fertility levels. This may be through the lowering of stress levels and the possible elimination of the cortisol hormone from their system. Yoga can also help in weight loss which may have been a barrier to the optimum body condition that is needed for conception. Some fertility clinics have even gone a step further by introducing fertility yoga sessions as part of their routines. Again, note that no scientific evidence exists to prove that yoga can boost a woman’s fertility directly. Struggling with conception can be very stressful, so practicing yoga may help relieve some of that stress.

Acupuncture 

This involves the insertion of thin, tiny needles into specific points in the body. According to Chinese medicine, the needles unlock energy (chi) and increase blood flow to promote a state of balance in the body. According to Western doctors, the needles stimulate the nervous system to release chemicals that can help alleviate pain and promote healing. Concerning fertility, acupuncture may improve blood supply to the reproductive organs, regulate ovulation, stimulate hormonal release, and reduce stress. All of these may help increase the individual’s fertility chances.

For men, it may also increase the sperm quality and count. This is why acupuncture is among the most popular natural fertility treatments. The treatment itself can be a standalone treatment on its own, or it may be part of a holistic treatment that may also include herbs, nutritional counseling, exercise, and other techniques. For acupuncture to be effective, it requires regular appointments which may be very expensive. It is also important to a reputable acupuncturist and discuss any additional treatment with a healthcare practitioner.

Weight management

Some infertility cases are usually a result of the individual either being overweight or underweight. So it is imperative that regulating the weight of a person within the recommended levels can boost the chances of conception of that individual. Women with a BMI of 18.4 or less may have issues in making estrogen, which can cause irregular menstruation and affect ovulation. Having a BMI of 25 or higher could cause the body to produce too much estrogen which can also interfere with menstruation and prevent ovulation. Weight gain can also be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome which is a condition that causes infertility in women in their reproductive years.

Exercise 

Exercise can massively improve the fertility levels of an individual by getting their body back into optimal conception states. It can also lower the risks of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes. It can also quicken the time of recovery for most women post-partum. The exercise should be moderate because too strenuous exercise like four hours of high-intensity activities can make it harder to get pregnant. This is because it may be depriving the body of the required nutrients that are needed for pregnancy.

Vitamins and supplements

Getting enough of certain nutrients through supplementation can help boost the fertility levels of an individual and help them massively in their chances of conception. Some studies suggest that some women that are lacking certain nutrients like B6, D, and B12 may have a harder time trying to get pregnant. Some other studies also suggest that ingestion of antioxidants like vitamins C and E may help boost fertility levels by strengthening the body’s defenses against free radicals. When these free radical levels are too high, they could make ovulation harder and interfere with the maturation of the ova.

Chiropractic care

Some researchers state that chiropractic adjustment which is the manipulation of the spine and other areas of the body may enhance fertility levels. This is because the nerves that supply the reproductive system pass through the spine, and manipulating the spine may help improve the hormone balance and boost conception chances. There is no specific research that backs this up, so there is no guarantee that it will work. It is also important to note that the practice can be dangerous in the hands of the wrong practitioner. It is essential to get a referral to a reputable chiropractor as making spinal adjustments can be a very tricky business.