Hormone Concerns
Infertility & Miscarriage
Roughly 8-12% of couples in Canada experience infertility, with approximately 40-50% of causes being male factors (combination of low sperm concentration, poor sperm motility, or abnormal morphology). Difficulty conceiving can be a stressful process, especially when it lacks answers.
Age (fertility decreases after age 35)
Alcohol and smoking
Irregular menses
Obesity
Suboptimal thyroid disorders
PCOS
Anovulatory cycles
Hyperprolactinemia
Poor egg quality
Fibroids
Obesity
Alcohol and drug use (marijuana)
Low sperm count, motility and morphology
Genetic factors
Anabolic steroid use
Thyroid disorders
Diabetes
Mental stress
How Can Naturopathic and Functional Medicine Help?
Fertility Cycle Monitoring
Following your period tracking app is not an accurate way to determine ovulation, as the results are calculated based on averages and not your unique cycle. Education on how to track ovulation and determine appropriate timing of intercourse (surprisingly, more is not more) can make all the difference in a successful pregnancy.
Naturopathic Fertility Assessment
Naturopathic medicine looks beyond your age, your lab values, the days of your cycle. We use comprehensive hormone testing to ensure your hormones are in check, your adrenal glands are supported, your thyroid is functioning on a systemic level. Through thorough assessment, naturopathic care can provide a proactive and in-depth approach to optimizing chances of conception.
Naturopathic Fertility Treatment
Naturopathy focuses on supporting healthy egg quality, pelvic blood flow, sperm count/motility/morphology, ovulation, endometrial lining, and implantation rates through all natural therapies.
- Naturopathic diet and fertility nutrition counseling specific to each couples unique needs
- Fertility acupuncture
- Nutraceutical support (herbs, minerals, vitamins, etc)
- Fertility lifestyle counseling (cycle monitoring, do’s and don’ts, etc)
- Fertility testing: sex steroid hormones, thyroid assessments, semen analysis, toxicology testing, etc
Miscarriage Prevention
Today’s statistics also suggest miscarriage is unfortunately quite common, with highest likelihood of a dropped pregnancy occurring in the earlier half the first trimester. A 2013 study suggests that overall risk of pregnancy loss after 5 wks is around 21.3%, with rates dropping to about 2-4% by week 8. Other research puts the rates between 10-15%. About 50-70% of pregnancies will terminate before they even register on a pregnancy test at 4 wks.
The biggest risk factors for a lost pregnancy in the first trimester generally surround the quality of the egg and resulting corpus luteal production of progesterone. This is most influenced by age, with quality of eggs declining as they get exposed to oxidative damage.
- Under 35 years old: 15 percent chance of pregnancy loss
- Between 35–45 years old: Between 20 and 35 percent chance of pregnancy loss
- Over 45 years old: About a 50 percent chance of pregnancy loss
Miscarriage in older patient populations that result from progesterone deficiencies are preventable. The use of suppository bio-identical progesterone can used safely and effectively used throughout the first trimester until the placenta takes over to sustain the uterine lining and fetal development. Furthermore, proper pregnancy prep supports optimal hormone product + prevents oxidative damage to the eggs/sperm, ensuring the healthiest oocyte’s/sperm are released. This minimizes potential complications.
Contact Dr. Gupta, ND to find out if Naturopathic Fertility Assessments and Treatments are right for your and your partner. Fees for consultation are covered by extended health care benefits.