| THE BASICS Numerous factors effect your fertility. If there are problems with either the sperm or egg your body will try to prevent conception. If conception does take place a miscarriage may result. Sometimes there are common sense reasons why you appear to be infertile. If the body perceives too great a stress, physically or emotionally, for an optimum pregnancy, it will prevent it. If your body has too few reserves nutritionally and with weight a pregnancy might be difficult to sustain and your body may try to prevent it. These factors are in place for the protection of both mother and baby. It is not in nature's best interest to allow pregnancies in very poor conditions which place hardship and lower chance of health and survival for them both. This is a good thing to keep in mind as you evaluate your fertility and improve your health and lifestyle. A preconception care period of three or four months shapes your baby's future, both mentally and physically. An approach to fertility (pioneered by Foresight) that looks at the fundamentals of health, including lifestyle, diet, pollutants, infections, and environmental and occupational hazards gives an unprecedented 80 percent success rate. The focus here is balance - of hormones and nutrients - and will thus potimize your overall health and positively affect your fertility. The Four-Month Preconception Plan outlined in the book Natural Solutions to Infertility by Marilyn Glenville, Ph.D. consists of: Eating a healthy diet, checking and correcting your nutritional status, adopting a healthy lifestyle, being screened for any infections, avoiding environmental hazards, timing your fertility investigations. NUTRITION A survey of mothers with CF in the UK has shown that those who received nutritional advice before conceiving had significantly greater weight gain during pregnancy and gave birth to significantly heavier babies. Click www.cysticfibrosismedicine.com/htmldocs/CFText/pregnancy.htm to view the article in entirety. In our current world, the well-balanced diet is a myth. We simply cannot get all the nutrients we need from our food because of inferior food and soil quality. However, supplements are not a substitute for good food. It is still extremely important to have a healthful, varied diet. Malabsorbtion, as a result of CF, can leave you deficient in vital nutrients. Several deficiencies are common among people with CF including folic acid; vitamins A, D, E and K and the B vitamins; zinc (essential for fertility); and iron. Doctors are not generally trained in nutrition beyond perhaps a few lectures on the basics. Even hospital-employed dieticians are surprisingly uneducated in nutrition. Therefore, be careful when receiving advice to supplement one specific nutrient without being advised of its interrelation with other nutrients that could maximize or reduce the recommended nutrient's efficacy. Optimum nutrition is essential. In order to maximize your health, and thereby your fertility, you need a nutritional assessment to ascertain which supplements are required to correct any deficiencies. Likewise a hair and/or blood sample can determine any minerals or toxins of which you have too high a level. A naturopath with experience in fertility is very helpful and can perform these tests for you as well as make the necessary recommendations for change. A good multivitamin and mineral supplement should be used as the basic foundation and then add in other individual nutrients on top based on your individual needs. I recommend Reliv products (www.reliv.com). Nutrition is the most important factor in fertility and this should be your prime focus. The most success is to be found in combining nutrition and herbs. WEIGHT If a woman's body fat drops too low, then her periods can stop. If a woman is overweight it can stop her ovulating. Being very underweight or very overweight can make conception difficult or impossible. To improve your fertility you should aim for a BMI (body mass index) within the normal range of 20-25, the optimum being 24. Calculate your own BMI with this formula: BMI= Weight in pounds x 704 (Height in inches)2 DIET Eat whole foods. This means eating foods as close to their natural state as possible. A very large portion of your diet (75% if possible) should be raw in order to retain the most nutrients. If you do cook your vegetables, lightly steam them. When purchasing produce, buy organic whenever you can. If you cannot purchase organic produce, peel your fruits and vegetables to remove much of the surface chemicals and/or use a special wash designed to remove surface toxins, preservatives and waxes. Shun unnaturally white foods like rice, flour, bread and pasta. Instead opt for whole wheat, whole grain versions. Increase your intake of fiber. Fiber helps to keep your body eliminating the old hormones and toxins as well as keeping your circulatory system strong. Fiber is found in wholegrains, vegetables and fruits. Fibrestore, a Reliv product, is excellently absorbed and has both soluble and insoluble fibers for gut maintenance as well as circulatory health. Use a home water filter to remove pesticide residues, flouride and heavy metals like lead. You will then find yourself drinking more water because it looks clearer and tastes fresher. It is more cost efficient and may be healthier to install a water filter on your kitchen faucet than to purchase bottled water that comes in plastic containers. Eat oily fish. Mackerel, tuna (fresh or frozen, not canned), salmon (eat the bones), sardines and anchovies contain high levels of essential fatty acids and are less likely than commercial beef, pork and poultry meats to contain high levels of antibiotics and hormones. Avoid mineral oil. It can interfere with your absorbtion of calcium and phosphorous and as it passes through your body, mineral oil can pick up and excrete the oil-soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K). Cook with cast iron, enamel, glass and stainless steel and avoid aluminum and coated (such as non-stick) cookware. Cooking in cast iron pans can help increase your iron intake especially if you cook acidic food (more likely to bond with the iron) in them Eat small, frequent meals no more than three hours apart. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) can cause PMS and the inability to use your natural progesterone. Likewise, poor eating habits that cause high blood sugars can predispose you to diabetes or aggrivate your current condition. To avoid bouncing blood sugars, always eat breakfast (oatmeal or meuslix is a good choice), drink diluted pure fruit juice, eat plenty of unrefined, complex carbohydrates (wholewheat bread and pasta, potatoes, brown rice, grains, oats and rye), and snack on fruit. Reduce, and preferably avoid, caffeine. Caffeine-containing stimulants include tea, coffee, chocolate and carbonated soft drinks. Caffeine depletes the body of vital nutrients and causes dehydration. The carbonation found in soft drinks can temporarily decrease your lung capacity. Reduce or eliminate your use of sugar, which depletes the body of valuable nutrients.Rely on the natural sweetness of foods or choose maple syrup, concentrated apple juice, barley malt, date syrup and raw local honey. Raw local honey has the added benefit of reducing pollen and foliage allergies when taken in a dose of about one tablespoon daily either in/on foods or alone. Drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water per day. This will keep you well hydrated and keep your kidneys flushed out. It will give you energy and support your cells usage of nutrients. If your cells are dehydrated they cannot take in as many nutrients or as much of each nutrient. Six glasses is a minimum for optimum health; eight glasses is ideal. Eliminate alcohol. Alcohol depletes the body of vitamin B6, iron and zinc. It inhibits the proper functioning of the liver to detoxify and filter out old hormones and dehydrates your body as well as having disastrous effects should you become pregnant unknowingly. SUPPLEMENTS The supplement I recommend and have seen the best results (for myself and numerous others) with is Reliv. Reliv is formulated to give you not daily minimums, but nutrients balanced for optimum nutrition. You will find that its balance of vitamins and minerals surpasses that of most shelf brands. It is also formulated with nutrient interactions specifically accounted for. As such, if you are taking the recommended maintenance dose of Reliv (1 scoop Now or Classic, 1/2 scoop Innergize twice daily) when optimizing your fertility, you may or may not need any additional supplements based on your individual assessment. Reliv is a natural choice for people with CF because its composition is made to be quickly and easily digestible. Be ware of pill or capsule forms of supplements as they are less well absorbed and not as readily usable as a liquid form. They have to be digested and thus are only effective as your own digestive and absorption process. If you choose not to use Reliv as your base supplement, you should refer to Natural Solutions to Infertility by Marilyn Glenville to see her recommended list of nutrients needed for optimzing fertility. You can then use her guidelines to find a base supplement and what additional supplements you may need. HERBS Herbs are best and most effectively taken in a tincture. In the liquid form the herbs, like vitamin and mineral supplements are already dissolved and are therefore absorbed more efficiently. Herbs differ from drugs in that herbs stop the symptoms because they are treating the cause. The effect of most drugs simply masks the problem by alleviating symptoms which return rapidly once drug treatment has ceased. Angus Castus (Vitex/Chasteberry) - stimulates the function of the pituitary gland which controls and balances our hormones by producing luteinizing hormone. Can help bring down high levels of FSH so that IVF can be performed. Works by restoring the balance, whether it is a hormone deficit or an excess. Dong Quai (Angelica Sinensis) - tonic for the female reproductive system. Tones a weak uterus, regulates irregular periods, alleviates menstrual cramps, reduces spotting and restores absent periods. False Unicorn Root (Chamaelirium Luteum) - has a balancing effect on both male and female hormones Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Serrulate) - one of the best herbs for the male reproductive system. Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum) - for detoxification - one of the best for optimizing liver function, this herb can increase the number of new liver cells that are produced to replace old damaged ones. Dandelion - helps cleanse the liver, the major organ of detoxification, which gets rid of accumulated "old" hormones. TOXINS Along with improving your nutrition, you will want to avoid toxins to which you are exposed. Improved nutrition will help your body defend against those toxins that are unavoidable, such as traffic polution. The most common toxins with which we come into contact are household cleaners and yard treatments. Reduce or eliminate your use of household cleaning chemicals. Instead, use baking soda or salt, vinegar, and tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract. There are also numerous "green" cleaning products, but these can be expensive. Vinegar and water in a spray bottle cleans windows and surfaces. Baking soda scours sinks, pans and coffee carafes. A few drops of tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract with water in a spray bottle cleans showers, refridgerators, window sills and even mildew on clothes or linens. Reduce or eliminate your use of chemicals on your plants and yard. Plant marigolds, nasturtiums, onions and garlic throughout your garden to keep pests away from plants. Fertilize with humus, peat moss, manure and compost. You can make compost from any organic refuse (do not use animal products: meat, fats, grease) including vegetable and fruit peels, crumbs, egg shells, raked leaves and lawn clippings. EXERCISE Regular, moderate exercise is highly beneficial in alleviating menstrual pains by increasing circulation to the pelvic region, reducing stress, and releasing endorphins which make us feel happier, calmer and more alert. It can also have a direct effect on controlling estrogen, reducing risk for breast cancer up to 58% (if done for four hours per week) and having a positive effect on conditions of excess estrogen like PCOS (Polycystis Ovarian Syndrome), fibroids and endometriosis. SEEKING MEDICAL HELP Although it is important to investigate any possible medical problems, Marilyn Glenville suggests that most couples are better advised only to start these investigations once they have implemented their preconception dietary and lifestyle changes by following the four-month plan. They should then try to conceive on their own for approximately six months. This is because many of the factors that will be tested---such as hormone levels, ovulation and sperm quality---will start to improve very quickly of their own accord, once both partners have established the recommended changes. The only exceptions to this are couples where the woman is older than 35 or couples who have reason to believe that they have a medical problem (such as symptoms of infection or suspected/diagnosed CBAVD). DIAGNOSTIC TESTS The first step is to see your physician who will usually offer you a blood test to measure your progesterone levels. This "21-day" test is done seven days after ovulation and can indicate if you have actually ovulated. Make sure the doctor knows if you have an irregular cycle, otherwise the test may be done on the wrong day and therefore be inaccurate. If your levels appear low, you will probably be referred to a gynecologist. A gynecologist may suggest: Laparoscopy - a narrow instument with a telescopic lens is inserted into your abdomen through a small incision below your navel to see the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and other organs. Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) - and X-ray procedure in which an opaque dye is inserted through the cervix to see the inside of the uterus and the openness of the fallopian tubes. Hystersalpingosonogram (HSS) - similar to the HSG, but uses ultrasound instead of X-ray to assess your tubes and is particularly valuable for examining the uterine cavity. Hysteroscopy - a lighted scope is inserted through the cervix in order to view the inside of the uterus. MONITORED CYCLES This new process involves taking a number of "snapshot" tests over one menstrual cycle to identify the particular point where the cycle is not functioning. This method looks at the hormonal balance and reproductive function and the way they work together. Using Saliva This is a very simple test which is done at home and sent to the lab for analysis. 11 saliva samples are collected over one cycle at specific times to map the level of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is a very convenient first step and can reveal early ovulation, anovulation (no ovulation), problems with the phasing of the cycle and problems with maintaining progesterone levels. This test can still be done even if you have irregular cycles. The kit can be obtained from Marilyn Glenville. Her contact information is in her book Natural Solutions to Infertility and at the bottom of this page. Saliva is the best way to determine hormone levels. Although it isn't popular with most average ob/gyns, it is much more reliable than bloodwork. By the time hormones reach the bloodstream they may or may not be at the same levels they were when they were affecting your brain and organs. Much filtering happens before they reach the bloodstream. Where possible, choose this option. Using Ultrasound and Blood Tests This method gives extra information and involves taking blood tests to measure certain hormone levels at critical points in the cycle as well as using ultrasound and HSS to monitor the development of the follicle and the build up of the uterine lining. These investigations must be prescibed and carried out through a gynecologist. FERTILITY TREATMENTS If you are planning to have fertility treatment, you should follow the four-month preconception program outlined in Natural Solutions to Infertility by Marilyn Glenville, Ph.D beforehand. This will give the procedure the best possible chance of success by ensuring that your egg and sperm are as healthy as possible. Homeopathy and Acupuncture are complimentary approaches to conventional medicine that can also offer help with fertility. (Please read Natural Solutions to Infertility by Marilyn Glenville for a full explanation of the four-month preconception plan and for more details on diet, supplementation, herbs, and treatments. It is an easy and information-packed read, vital for both men and women concerned about maximizing their overall health and optimizing their chances of conceiving--ed.) For appointments and inquiries: Dr. M. Glenville, the Natural Health Practice, Danegate, Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9JA Tel: 011-44-01892-750511 Fax: 011-44-01892-750533 (If these natural things and improved overall health to not result in your becoming fertile, you may want to consider whether you feel it is in your family's best interest to override your body or whether you should accept your situation and consider other options. Keep in mind also that just because you are not fertile right now, even after improving your lifestyle, does not mean that you will never be. Consider my own experience. I was declared infertile and anovulatory only seven months before becoming pregnant. I did not alter my lifestyle, nor did I know about many of these things then. My body simply wasn't ready and then...it was!--ed.) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition: How Your Diet Affects Your Menstrual Cycles and Fertility by Marilyn M. Shannon (This book covers reasons and solutions for both female and male fertility problems--ed.) |
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| Suggestions based on Natural Solutions to Infertility by Marilyn Glenville, Ph.D and various other sources |
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| So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his maidservants. Then they bore children; for the LORD had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife. Genesis 20:17-18 |