Infertility
Traditional Chinese Medicine regards all disharmony as ‘blockage’.
The average length of time that most couples take to conceive is around 6 months. However, figures suggest that around one in four couples (Karma 1987) suffer from some degree of infertility. In other words, it may take far longer to conceive – 18 months is not unusual. Some couples never manage to conceive at all and have to turn to IVF.
But failure to conceive, even after months or years of trying, does not automatically mean complete infertility, If and when a woman conceives depends on a whole range of factors, both physical and psychological. The nutritional status of both partners is almost certainly a key factor.
Where couples are experiencing difficulty in conceiving, women are responsible in approximately two-thirds of cases (Hall 1988), and men in one-third.
However, a survey by friends of the Earth in The Times (1988) suggests that as many as 80% of birth defects are caused by defective sperm from the male. So it is important for the male partner as for the female to improve nutritional status prior to conception.
MALE INFERTILITY: Nutrients that have been shown to improve male fertility include Vitamin C – Vitamin E – Zinc – Manganese – Potassium. Supplements are advisable where it is difficult to guarantee adequate quantities of the right kinds of food.
FEMALE INFERTILITY: Common nutritional deficiencies are Copper – Zinc – Magnesium (and/or manganese) – Selenium. Mothers who supplement folic acid and vitamin B12 before conception have a lower incidence of neural tube defects, it is also recommended for the first trimester.
GOOD FOOD sources include: green leafy vegetables, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, wheat germ, milk, salmon, root vegetables and nuts. FOLIC ACID in food is destroyed by sunlight, heat and an acid environment, and the use of antibiotics also leads to deficiency. Supplementation of 400ug a day us recommended from before conception up until the end of the first trimester (DOH 1992, Smithells et al 1980). This can be obtained on prescription, but maybe cheaper to purchase form the pharmacy if not eligible for free scripts. Natural sunlight is beneficial to detoxifying the body.
WHAT CAN GO WRONG: Allergies or infections in either partner can affect fertility, even though a lack of symptoms may mean that they are unrecognised. For example, blocked fallopian tubes may be the result of an undiagnosed allergy or of low zinc / high copper levels altering the secretions and making them vulnerable to adhesion infections. Altering the diet and improving nutritional health may spontaneously solve the problem. It is also possible that in some cases the woman’s mucus may be hostile to her partner’s sperm, probably because of the presence of an undiagnosed infection, or a high level of a toxic metal, or both. In either case, it may well be that a woman’s body will attempt to destroy sperm that are not in good condition.
TOXINS: Chemicals, metals and minerals, undoubtedly play an important part in the modern diet. Detoxifying through nutrition for both partners is by far the safest way; the purchase of chemical free fresh foods is an obvious benefit. Tests are recommended prior to taking supplements which can play a role with specialist supervision. Protection against toxic influences includes various vitamins, seaweed and foods containing soluble fibre.
MINIMISING Pollution: wash hands before preparing food / eating, wash all fruit and vegetables removing outer leaves, buy organic where possible. Filter water, never drink hot tap water.
Avoid aluminium & copper pans, foil etc., canned food especially unlined tins; avoid all processed foods and preservatives as far as possible – avoid antacids that contain aluminium salts.
Avoid heavy traffic conditions, deodorants and antiperspirants unless ingredients are specified, limit the use of cleaning agents and garden pesticides, do not stand in front of microwave ovens while they are in use. Refuse dental fillings containing mercury.
ALCOHOL badly affects the body’s absorption of B6, iron and Zinc. It also damages sperm, affecting fertility and increasing the risk of birth defects and miscarriage.
COPFFEE: There is also some evidence that spontaneous abortion, premature birth and stillbirth are more common if the father has a high coffee consumption (more than 2 cups a day). (Witchet et al 1985).
STRESS: The simple fact that many babies are conceived while their parents are on holiday suggests that stress plays an important role in fertility. Assistance for stress includes hypnosis see www.hypnotherapy-in-norfolk.com ~ we are not always aware of the stress levels in our lives and hypnotherapy is a gentle way of assisting without re-living the past, unlike some other methods which can disturb the psyche.
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