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Little girls are still raised with the expectation that one day they will meet their Prince Charming, produce perfect progeny and live happily ever after!  For increasing numbers of New Zealand women the fairytale ending comes tragically unstuck.   Infertility is an unexpected and shocking surprise for many women delaying their reproductive attempts until their mid thirties or older.  Today's women want it all... a stimulating career, travel, independence and children.  While there are no rule books saying this can't be so,  the expectation has led to a noticeable aging of first time mothers.  There is no longer a social stigma attached to being a pregnant thirty five or forty year old.  While society approves, human biology often thinks otherwise.  From the age of thirty female fertility begins to decline rapidly, with a spectacular dip between the ages of 35 and 40. Deciding to have a child in your mid thirties, and actually conceiving can be two different things.

Modern medicine offers a spectacular array of technological miracles, and nowhere more so than in the pursuit of the creation of life itself.  Reproductive medicine has  experienced explosive growth and development in the past ten years.  Despite the increasing success rate of IVF, Complementary therapies  have become increasingly popular in the pursuit of an illusive pregnancy.   Many couples choose a holistic approach to fertility enhancement in the hope of avoiding the  expensive and invasive medical options.  When age related time pressures are not an issue, the gentle, none invasive approach of Holistic medicine is often appealing.  Similarly, couples who have had unsuccessful IVF attempts often turn to holistic therapies looking for their miracle.

There are a multitude of different causes of infertility.  Sperm problems, lack of ovulation, blocked fallopian tubes, female hormonal imbalance, poor quality eggs to name a few.  Perhaps one of the most frustrating diagnoses is that of “inexplicable infertility”.    For these couples complementary therapies such as nutritional therapy, herbal medicine,  acupuncture and osteopathy or chiropractic have much to offer.  An emphasis on increasing wellness through lifestyle modification, optimal nutrition,  structural alignment, and life force enhancement, can be of great benefit.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture and TCM are responsible for the conception of many New Zealand babies.  Clinical studies and research attest to their efficacy in the treatment of many types of infertility.  Acupuncture is also a useful adjunctive therapy during IVF treatment.  A recent European trial involved 160 patients undergoing IVF.  Acupuncture was administered to 80 patients 25 minutes before and after the replacement of the fertilitsed embryo.  After controlling for confounding variables, the pregnancy rate for the group receiving acupuncture was 42.5% compared with the control group at 26.3%

It is still not fully understand exactly how acupuncture enhances fertility, from a western physiological perspective.   It is thought that acupuncture helps to regulate the important interconnection between the hypothalamus and pituitary (glands in the brain) and the ovaries.  Numerous studies have demonstrated the ability of acupuncture treatment to regulate the menstrual cycle and improve a variety of female hormonal imbalances.  Another way acupuncture may improve the chances of conception is through its ability to reduce the negative biological effects of stress.   Infertility is an immense stress in itself, which can stimulate the secretion of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.  Excessively high amounts of these stress hormones in turn cause problems with the menstrual cycle and the important relationship between the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture has also been shown to improve the quality and quantity of sperm.  A 1984 German study involved 28 men with fertility problems.  They each were treated with acupuncture, receiving 10 treatments over a 3 week period.  Sperm  tests and hormonal levels were checked before and after the course of treatment.  In each case researchers found a statistically significant improvement in the total count, concentration and motility of the sperm.

Traditional Chinese Herbal medicine has much to offer in the treatment of infertility.   There are no “rote” formulas for treating infertility the Traditional Chinese way.  Each prescription is based exclusively on the energetic imbalances of the individual patient.   TCM herbalists and acupuncturists treat the whole person rather than the condition (infertility), and always attempt to get to the root cause of the problem rather than simply treating symptoms.

Herbal Medicine

Western herbal medicine is another popular option for New Zealand couples struggling with fertility problems.   It is particularly useful in cases involving poor sperm count or motility; or female hormonal imbalance.  Herbs used to address fertility issues are characterised by their ability to nourish and strengthen the uterus; strengthen the entire body; calm and balance the nervous system; balance reproductive hormones and strengthen libido.  While there are numerous herbs with fertility enhancing properties, the most commonly prescribed include:

Vitex (Chaste Tree) has been used for centuries to help balance female hormones.  Via its effect on the pituitary gland, Vitex decreases FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and increases LH (leutenizing hormone) and the hormone prolactin. It is an effective treatment for absent or irregular menses; infertility where progesterone levels are abnormal; and it is also useful for reestablishing the menstrual cycle after coming off the oral contraceptive pill.

False Unicorn Root (Chamaelirium Luteum) comes from the American Indians, and is revered as a uterine and ovarian tonic. Used to treat irregular menses, pelvic congestion, chronic pelvic inflammation, infertility and uterine prolapse.

Don Quai (Angelica Sinensis) is a highly revered female tonic used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  An energetically warming herb, it is considered a powerful blood tonic, and is used for exhaustion and debility, scanty or absent periods, and infertility.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) a tea made from the flowers is rich in minerals (calcium and magnesium for the nervous system) and vitamins, and is considered a powerful uterine tonic.  Red clover also alkalinizes the body and is useful to balance the acid/alkaline level of the vagina and uterus, thus enhancing fertility.

Damiana (Tunera Diffusa) is a herb known for its aphrodisiac effects, as well as acting as a nervous system tonic in cases of weakness and exhaustion.  It contains alkaloids with a testosterone like effect, and is helpful for increasing male sperm count.

Chinese or Korean Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) has been used for centuries to enhance male fertility.  It is also a powerful sexual tonic with the effect of strengthening erections, increasing sexual desire, raising testosterone levels, increasing sperm count and sperm motility.

Naturopathy

For many couples with fertility problems, a Naturopath is the first complementary health practitioner they seek advice from.  Naturopaths are considered to be the “general practitioners” of complementary therapies.  Often their approach to fertility problems  involves a fairly radical “lifestyle overhaul”.  Stress management, exercise programs, nutritional therapy, dietary guidance and herbal therapy may all be combined to increase wellness, vitality, and hopefully fertility too!

Clinical Nutritional

Many naturopaths use nutritional supplements to help balance the function of the body, and correct underlying nutritional deficiency.  A number of nutrients have a direct effect on male and female fertility.  Some of these include:

Vitamin C – an antioxidant which helps protect sperm from free radical damage.  Prevents “clumping” of sperm and has been shown to improve sperm count and motility when supplemented in doses of 1g or more daily.  The use of the fertility drug Clomiphene is enhanced when women supplement with vitamin C concurrently.

Carnitine – an amino acid necessary for normal functioning of sperm.  Several studies have shown supplementing with 3g per day for four months helps to normalise sperm in men with poor sperm quality.

L-arginine – an amino acid shown to raise sperm count and motility when taken in doses of 2 – 4g a day.

Zinc – this mineral is the most widely studied nutrient in terms of both male and female fertility.  Zinc deficiency in women increases risk of miscarriage.  Zinc plays a major role in protecting sperm.  Semen contains high concentrations of zinc.  Has been shown to increase sperm count taken in doses of 30 – 60mg per day.

CoQ10 – an antioxidant nutrient.  Studies indicate that as little as 10mg a day over a two week period helps to increase sperm count and motility.

Essential Fatty Acids – a high dietary intake of essential fatty acids is essential for optimum fertility and healthy hormones.  EFA's are essential for male fertility because semen is rich in prostaglandins which are produced from EFA's.  Men with poor sperm quality, or a low count or motility have inadequate levels of these beneficial prostaglandins.

Chiropractic and Osteopathy

Both Chiropractic and Osteopathy are based on the understanding that the structure of the body (especially the spine) intimately effects the function and physiology of the body.  Spinal misalignments affect local nerves, and consequently, because the nervous system functions as a whole, spinal defects adversely affect the organs of the body, all of which are controlled by the nervous system.   In the case of fertility problems, lower back misalignment can effect the health and functioning of male and female sexual organs.  Similarly neck and cranial problems can directly effect the functioning of the pituitary and hypothalamus, both glands vital for normal hormonal balance in men and women.

There are a number of clinical studies which demonstrate the efficacy of manipulation in the treatment of fertility problems.  A review of 14 Chiropractic studies looked at women with vertebral subluxations (misalignments) with a history of difficulty conceiving.  They  each had stress histories including car accidents, childhood falls, blocked fallopian tubes and work stress.  After detecting and treating their subluxations through chiropractic treatment, all of the (previously infertile) women became pregnant.

Reproduced with kind permission from Fitness Life Magazine.