How Naturopathic Medicine Can Help You Conceive
Have you and your partner been trying month after month to conceive with no luck?
Are you curious about underlying barriers and what else you can do to conceive, or if there are lifestyle factors that may be impacting your chances of conceiving?
1/6 in couples struggle with fertility challenges. Some couples are just starting their journey and may find out later that there are barriers to conceiving. Others already know there may be barriers and may be undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) to help them start a family. ART can have varying degrees of effectiveness, but nutrition, lifestyle factors, and additional supplementation may not be addressed. Stress can also have a significant impact on success rate, but is not always managed well during this time.
Working with a Naturopathic Doctor can help couples conceive healthy babies by addressing the foundational factors that impact fertility, no matter the preconception journey that you’re on. Studies have shown that nutrition, weight, exercise, physical and emotional stress, and environmental exposure to endocrine disruptors can have a substantial effect on a couple’s ability to conceive and carry to term (1).
Ideally, influential factors are addressed for both partners since both egg and sperm provide 50% of the genetic material to create a baby. Read more about male factor infertility here.
What to expect:
In a one-hour initial consultation, Dr. Andrea Picardo does a deep dive into your health and reproductive history to help determine if further investigation needs to be done to rule in or out other conditions that might be barriers to fertility – these conditions can include:
· PCOS
· Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
· Autoimmune conditions
· Metabolic concerns like insulin resistance
· Ovarian insufficiency
· Irregular cycles – spotting, short cycles, long cycles
Current lifestyle factors will also be considered – nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, energy, digestion. A plan will be set regarding lab work (ND’s can order testing and they may be covered by extended health benefits!), nutrition, lifestyle modification. Evidence-based supplements that will not interact with other medications or ART procedures, but compliment them, may be recommended.
It is ideal to connect with an ND three months before trying to conceive, as this is how long it takes for eggs and sperm to fully develop and mature. Connecting with an ND sooner than this may be beneficial if you have irregular cycles or health concerns that you would like to address. Even though conception is the main goal, fertility involves whole systems health and you may experience improvements in your energy and overall well-being as a bonus!
Interested in learning more?
You can book a complimentary “meet the naturopathic doctor” visit. You’ll have an opportunity to chat with Dr. Picardo ND, ask questions, and find out how naturopathic medicine may help your health concerns. Please note that treatment plans will not be presented at this time.
See my Fertility FAQ session with Angie Stenback, one of the co-owners of The WOMB Milton, here!
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