Why I am so Passionate About Natural Fertility as a Naturopathic Doctor

As a naturopathic doctor with a women's health-focused practice, fertility is one of the most common things I treat. There is no greater joy than helping a couple get pregnant and bring a new baby into the world, especially if they have been trying to conceive (TTC) for many months or years. I always say that fertility patients are incredibly special - their commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm to make positive changes to their health (and future baby's health) is inspiring and makes me so proud.

Infertility is on the Rise

Infertility may not seem all that common to those who either do not work in this space or have never struggled themselves with it. Those who experience infertility often keep it hidden from loved ones and struggle in silence. Here are some statistics to show just how common infertility really is:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 17.6% of the adult population - 1 in 6 worldwide - is affected by infertility

• Infertility rates are comparable for high-, medium-, and low-income countries, indicating that infertility is a major health problem globally no matter what income status

• The percentage of women in the USA between the ages of 15-49 who have used infertility services is 12.2%, according to the CDC

Definition of Infertility

Infertility is defined as the inability to become pregnant after 12 months of actively trying to conceive in women under the age of 35, or 6 months in women over the age of 35. There are many factors that can contribute to difficulties conceiving, including: PCOS, endometriosis, issues with fallopian tubes, premature ovarian insufficiency, low sperm count or sperm quality, etc. One of the most important things to remember is that both female AND male fertility must be assessed at all times and are equally as important when it comes to conceiving successfully.

• 1/3 of couples with infertility experience male factor infertility

• 1/3 of couples with infertility experience female factor infertility

• 1/3 of couples with infertility have a mix of both

You Don't Have to Wait a Full Year Before Seeking Help: Where Naturopathic Medicine Comes in

In conventional medicine, there is an expectation that a couple must be actively trying to conceive for 1 full year before seeking help from either their family doctor or a fertility clinic. My take on that is the following: why waste time and/or go through a year of heartache before getting answers? As a fertility-focused Naturopathic Doctor, I can investigate hormonal health, nutrient status, lifestyle factors influencing fertility, and so much more before that year goes by. I take a comprehensive health history of my patients, have them complete labs so that I can properly assess their fertility and overall health status, and educate them on cycle tracking, optimal nutrition for fertility, and lifestyle factors that can affect fertility outcomes. We discuss preconception health and add in evidence-based supplements that will improve both egg and sperm health. There is no need to wait a full year before working with an ND and increasing your chances of conceiving.

Is it Really Unexplained Infertility?

Unexplained infertility is defined as no obvious medical reason identified (i.e. fertility testing has not found a specific cause for an individual or couple's infertility). This can be a very disheartening diagnosis for someone to hear, as answers usually provide hope and direction. Conventional treatment options for unexplained infertility are usually IUI and/or IVF, both of which come with a significant cost. A growing number of cases are being defined as unexplained infertility.

Fertility-focused Naturopathic Doctors look at non-medical causes of infertility from a functional and naturopathic approach. This includes focusing on fertility nutrition, herbs, lifestyle medicine, and ensuring that lab results consist of optimal values, not just normal values. It can be very rewarding for a patient to become pregnant after being told they have unexplained infertility and not finding any answers with conventional medicine.

Integrative Fertility: The Best of Both Worlds

In my practice, I support fertility patients whether they are trying to conceive naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies (ART). There is SO much that we can accomplish when we focus on integrative fertility methods. My hope is to empower couples with the knowledge and confidence to journey through the world of fertility and to know that there are options out there to help them conceive.

Book a Fertility Appointment with Dr. Emily:

Dr. Emily sees fertility patients (male and female) in-person at her Antigonish, NS office as well as virtually (available for patients who reside in Nova Scotia or Alberta).

• Book an appointment here: bluebellnaturalmedicine.janeapp.com

• Email Dr. Emily here: doctor.emily@outlook.com

• Follow Dr. Emily on Instagram: @doctor.emily.nd

• Follow our Clinic (Bluebell Natural Medicine) on Instagram: @bluebellnaturalmedicine