Fertility & Homeopathy
Becoming a parent is one of the most profound experiences we can have on our life journey. Every part of the process offers unique challenges starting with the initial decision to have a baby all the way through to pregnancy, labour & delivery, and into the awesome responsibilities of parenting a small and dependent human being. Homeopathic medicines are particularly suited to these vulnerable life transitions as they are gentle and low dose. In fact, a remedy is taken only as long as is needed to stimulate the body’s own healing response. Our bodies do the rest!
Unfortunately, not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to become parents on their own schedule and there are many potential causes for infertility. About 40% of fertility challenges in women relate to medical or hormonal issues and another 40% to medical factors which can include how old a woman is when she chooses to conceive, uterine scarring, endometriosis, or blockage of fallopian tubes. Unfortunately, in the remaining 20% of cases of infertility there is no known cause. With or without a known cause, couples struggling with infertility can benefit from the support that a complementary medicine like homeopathy can provide.
How I work with women struggling with infertility
Start with what we know
Usually my office is not the first place a woman comes to get help with infertility, so we begin by discussing what has been done up to this point including any diagnoses or treatments. I find it helpful, at this stage, to share the promising research that has been done into the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment when it comes to a number of issues related to infertility. They include: the treatment of pelvic pain associated endometriosis, separate studies looking at the treatment of subfertility in men and in women, and the treatment of ovarian cysts or tumors.
More often, however, it is women and couples that are left with no cause related to their infertility who seek a complementary medicine like homeopathy. Through homeopathy’s whole-person approach, my clients have the opportunity to look at other challenges that might be preventing them from becoming pregnant – the biggest among them being any unresolved emotional stress or trauma.
Exploring the mind-body connection
When we hear stories of women becoming pregnant after adopting a child, or when finding a new partner after years of infertility, it is a reminder that our mental and emotional health can play a part in fertility just as it does in other areas of our lives.
According to Christiane Northrup in Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom not only can unresolved stress or trauma be a factor in infertility, but also a woman’s views on pregnancy and motherhood. A woman may, for instance, look forward to pregnancy but be conflicted about their ability to be a mother, or conversely that she looks forward to motherhood but not to being pregnant.
During homeopathic treatment, these emotional issues are explored and homeopathic remedies are prescribed to help balance the emotions which are an integral part of our overall health. This is good news because homeopathy has a long history of treating a wide range of mental and emotional issues from sleeplessness to anxiety and depression.
Partner Inclusion & Support
Statistically, about 1/3 of infertility issues are attributed to the male in the relationship so it is important that men seek treatment and support along with their partners.
In addition to discussing anything in their medical history that may be impacting their fertility, my conversation with men focuses on exploring lifestyle factors as it has been found that exposure to a range of environmental toxins and certain chemicals, like pesticides, are contributors to lower sperm count along with cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol. Prescription drugs for high blood pressure, ulcers and psoriasis have also been found to affect sperm.
A man’s feelings about becoming a father may also bring up unresolved or traumatic events in his own life that could benefit from being examined through homeopathy or other therapeutic modalities.
Nourish the Terrain
After learning about my clients and their unique challenges and situation, I develop a treatment plan which includes prescribing a homeopathic remedy and lifestyle recommendations taking into account limiting exposure to environmental toxins, managing stress, and providing nutritional guidance. My goal in this is to help couples who struggle with infertility increase their overall state of health and wellbeing and where possible to remove any barriers that we find in the assessment.
Championing Wellness
The challenge of infertility causes stress and strain, both personally and within a the couple’s relationship. My role, as homeopath, is to be a health and wellness champion for women and couples who are hoping to conceive so that they feel supported on their journey and feel better prepared for whatever may come – including parenthood.
If you are struggling with infertility, or are planning to start a family sometime soon, consider booking an appointment with me so we can optimize your health and prepare you for a bright future.