If you’re trying to conceive, natural infertility treatments can help enhance your fertility. While having a baby is an aspect of life that most couple take for granted, in reality, the most minor stresses can have a negative effect on the body and its ability to conceive. Following are 5 natural infertility treatments that can help increase your chances of getting pregnant and giving birth to a healthy baby.
Mind/Body Therapies
Research has shown that using mind/body therapies, including deep breathing techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy and imagery, improve fertility. A recent study carried out by Alice Domar, PhD of the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health at Boston IVF found that the women in the study that received VF treatments, along with mind/body sessions, became pregnant after two IVF cycles, compared to only 20% of those who didn’t have the therapy. While one method typically doesn’t work for everyone, a combination of relaxation training, group support, lifestyle changes and cognitive therapy, will work for most patients.
Herbs
For centuries, Chinese herbs have been used to treat a wide range of health issues. Certain herbs can actually enhance fertility by assisting the natural functions of the fertility and ovulation process. Because herbs can be toxic, trigger allergic reactions, or remain in the body too long, it’s highly recommended that you consult with a physician who is well versed in herbal therapies for infertility.
Hypnosis
When it comes to natural fertility treatments, hypnosis helps you get physically, emotionally and mentally ready for conceiving. Hypnosis works on the unconscious, so that you don’t feel as anxious about your next try at conception and emotions won’t end up negatively affecting hormone levels. Stress is at the top of the list when it comes to fertility problems. Hypnosis helps lower stress levels and can also help prevent tubal spasms that can cause ovulation and conception problems brought on by stress.
Yoga
While there’s no research that indicates that yoga is a legitimate treatment for infertility, it is an exceptional relaxation approach. There is a lot of evidence that shows that strenuous exercise can decrease the ability to get pregnant. Yoga provides a safe way to exercise without negatively affecting fertility.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice that increases fertility by increasing blood flow to reproductive organs, reducing stress and balancing the endocrine system. One of the most popular natural infertility treatments, acupuncture can address a wide range of fertility issues. When applied in combination with Western fertility treatments, acupuncture has been shown to increase conception rates by 26%. When IUI and TCM treatments were combined, 65.5% of one test group were able to conceive, in contrast to 39.4% of the control group, who didn’t receive acupuncture or herbal therapy. For over 4 million couples that experience infertility every year, acupuncture may very well be just what the doctor ordered.
Before you consider acupuncture for infertility treatment, consult with your physician. They may be able to recommend a qualified practitioner, especially an acupuncturist because combining the practice with Western medicine has become fairly common.
