Infertility~

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Infertility

© David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.

 

 

Failure to achieve conception by couples who have not used

contraception for at least 1 year.

Inability to conceive after at least a year of regular sexual

intercourse without the use of contraceptives, can be due to causes

that lie either in the man or the woman or both. Identification of

the underlying causation is the key to successful treatment, but is

extremely difficult. It often occurs in women who have a history of

conceiving and then losing the baby before the foetus is old enough

to support itself outside the womb. Infertility can be either

temporary or, in a small percentage of cases, permanent.

 

Male Infertility

 

Sperm count. The commonest cause in men is no sperm or a low sperm

count. This may be caused by numerous factors including an infection

after puberty which was accompanied by a high fever, unrepaired

undescended testicles, taking certain drugs, trauma to the testicles,

or exposure to large amounts of X-ray. For the most part however, a

low sperm count tends to be related to more easily reversible

conditions. A long illness or a chronic infection may lower general

health, as could poor diet, strenuous physical exercise, lack of

exercise, too much smoking and drinking, over-weight, overwork,

tension and fatigue. A common reason for a low sperm count is

abnormal temperature regulation in the testicles, which function at a

temperature slightly lower than the rest of the body.

 

Low sperm motility. This makes them unable to travel from the vagina,

through the fallopian tubes to fertilize the ovum. This tends to be

related to some of the above factors, and may also be due to

enlargement of the prostate gland, as well as an imbalance of male

hormones in the body. The vessels along which the sperm travel in men

could be blocked by an inflammatory or infectious process or by

varicosity in the area.

 

Female Infertility

 

A wide variety of factors can be at work here. One may be in play or

a complex of interrelated factors may be at work. Common causes

include:

Endocrine problems. Difficulties of the pituitary, thyroid or adrenal

glands, which together regulate the menstrual cycle, may cause a

failure of ovulation. To establish whether you are ovulating at

regular intervals you can keep a record of your body temperature

using a chart and a sensitive thermometer. Before ovulation, when

there is normal secretion of oestrogen, the basic temperature on

waking will be a little below normal, 97 or 97.8deg.F, 36deg.C. After

ovulation it should rise by half or one degree and stays the same for

the next two weeks.

 

Fallopian Tube problems. They could be blocked, sometimes because of

an inherited difficulty, or because of an infection of the womb or

other diseases such as salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian

tubes), endometriosis, and TB; these may cause thickening of the

tubes which either narrow or completely block the passages, or they

can cause the tubes, uterus and ovaries to become matted together by

adhesions, or in the case of endometriosis, by growths of tissue from

the uterus.

 

Prolapse & Fibroids. There could be malposition of the uterus or

fibroids which can lead to sterility. The latter can also cause

miscarriage early on, or a difficult labor. It is best to sort out

this problem before conceiving. Their origin is largely related to a

hormonal imbalance with an excess of oestrogen.

 

Cervical problems. The cervix can also be affected adversely and

cause sterility. Infection or excess mucus from inflammation can

expel the sperm, or polyps may prevent the sperm from entering the

uterus.

 

Non-physical causes. In many women there are absolutely no physical

problems to be found. There may be a slight hormonal imbalance or a

poor state of health through faulty diet and fatigue. In perhaps a

quarter of all infertile women it is emotional problems which are to

blame.

 

There are in addition some causes of infertility which are shared by

both the man and the woman. There can be antibodies to the sperm in

either partner which can destroy the sperm. Occasionally there can be

lack of knowledge about fertile times in a cycle.

 

Phytotherapeutic approaches to infertility.

There is much that herbs can contribute to supporting fertility, but

there is no `wonder cure' here. The suggestions given here will help,

but the practitioner is encouraged to be creative and intuitive in

remedy selection. Each individual woman and man will have plants that

suit them best. Identifying them is part of the skill of the good

herbalist.

 

Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal problems, in either partner, are readily treated herbally.

Whilst not containing hormones themselves, some herbs stimulate the

glands concerned, bringing about production of the right proportions

of hormones and in their right sequence in the menstrual cycle to

promote conception. Vitex agnus castus is the key to success here.

Research carried out in the University of Gottingen in Sweden, found

that although it does not contain the hormone progesterone, it

affects the pituitary gland in such a way that it corrects and

regulates the secretion of progesterone from the ovaries. Vitex also

corrects any hormone deficiency of either oestrogen or progesterone.

 

Chamaelirium luteum also has the effect of correcting hormonal

imbalances. In Britain, the most frequent use of this remedy is for

female infertility, as well as impotence on the part of the man.

Herbalists have been known to warn people of the potency of this

plant should they not want to conceive! It is an effective tonic to

the uterus and ovaries, and is useful to redress almost any imbalance

in either male or female reproductive systems. It helps to prevent

miscarriage, uterine hemorrhage and over-relaxed conditions of the

uterus, even to the extent of prolapse.

 

Debility

Where illness, malnourishment, fatigue, and conditions such as

anaemia, anorexia and kidney problems have lowered vitality and

produced a state of debility which has affected fertility, there are

many herbs which can help to build up the strength of the generative

organs. Bitters, tonics and adaptogens are actions to consider. The

specifics will depend upon the individual concerned, but application

of the model for remedy selection will usually clarify this.

 

True Unicorn Root (Aletris farinosa) is considered beneficial for

habitual miscarriage due to chronic weakness. It can be used safely

throughout pregnancy. It acts to stimulate the uterus and ovaries and

is commonly used for infertility and impotence.

 

Emotional problems

Where emotional problems cause tension and anxiety, or when just

wanting to conceive is producing psychological blockages to

conception, herbal remedies may well be helpful. Perhaps some of the

success of herbal remedies for infertility is related to the fact

that both partners often feel they can relax a bit now that they have

sought help and found a herbal remedy they feel they can rely on.

Important remedies to consider, discussed in more depth in the

section on the nervous system, include:

 

Anemone pulsatilla Leonurus cardiaca Scutellaria spp. Viburnum opulus

V. prunifolium

 

Malposition of the uterus

There are no herbal remedies for infertility caused by this problem.

It might be advisable for structural work to be done. Appropriately

trained osteopaths or chiropractors will be able to give gynecologic

manipulation along with both pelvic exercises and breathing exercises

that will enhance the circulation and improve the function of the

reproductive organs.