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Organic Conception

Using Nature to Boost Your Fertility

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

Infertility affects many couples. While there are treatments to increase the chances of getting pregnant, the cost, time and disappointment takes a toll on emotions and finances. Are other options available?

According to Dr. Mary Lake Polan, chair and professor of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University School of Medicine, achieving optimal fertility health is one of the most important considerations of couples deciding to start a family. "Over 15 percent of couples in the U.S. have difficulty conceiving a child," she says. "In about one-third of cases, the male is infertile; in one-third, the female has infertility issues. The balance is due to both male and female infertility or unknown issues."

The causes of infertility issues and conception difficulty are multifaceted and often correctable. Of the many reasons for difficulty in conceiving, the most common may be due to hormonal imbalances or nutritional deficiencies.

"Nutritional and lifestyle changes can play a major role in fertility health," says Dr. Polan. "Smoking, caffeine, drug use, alcohol consumption, inadequate or ill diet and stress may all impact fertility. Reproductive organs are highly susceptible to free radical or oxidative damage from environmental toxicants and natural aging. We've known for years that good nutrition is a prerequisite for getting pregnant."

Traditional options for infertility and conception problems include:

• In Vitro Fertilization: IVF involves taking eggs from the woman, fertilizing them in the laboratory with her partner's sperm and transferring the resulting embryos back to her uterus, usually two or three days later.
• Fertility Drugs: Medications increase the chance of pregnancy by tricking the brain/pituitary into "thinking" that there is less estrogen around, directly stimulating the ovaries or triggering ovulation. Common infertility drugs include Gonal f, Follistim, Fertinex, Pergonal, Humegon and Repronex.
• Hormone Injections: Manufactured and/or synthetic hormones are given orally or by injection to stimulate normal body functions (such as ovulation, hormone production, etc.) to produce pregnancy. Common hormones used for fertility include human menopausal gonadotropins, urofollitropin, human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone.

Want to see more?

• The Infertility Marketplace: What to Ask a Healthcare Provider
• Trouble Conceiving? Get the Right Medical Care!
• Planning to Conceive: How to Improve Your Odds
• Talk about it!