A couple is considered infertile if a child is not conceived after one year of trying without any form of birth control. The Women's Health website states that both men and women can have reproductive issues that render them infertile. Herbal remedies may help improve your fertility. Before using herbal remedies to boost your fertility, talk with your health care provider about the advantages and disadvantages of using herbs for this purpose.
Female Infertility
Some of the most common causes of female infertility include blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, endometriosis, disorders associated with ovulation, elevated levels of prolactin, polycystic ovarian syndrome, early menopause, benign uterine fibroids and pelvic adhesions or scar tissue. Other possible causes of female infertility include prior surgery, sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, and stress or fear of parenthood. Some women even develop antibodies to their partners' sperm.
Male Infertility
According to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," male infertility accounts for about half of all infertility cases. Possible causes of male infertility include undescended testicles, decreased sperm concentration, impaired sperm shape and movement, testosterone deficiency, various infections, congenital defects and varicoceles, or varicose veins located in the scrotum. In most cases, male infertility is caused by a low sperm count or a defect in a man's reproductive anatomy.
Helpful Herbal Remedies
Certain herbal remedies may help treat fertility issues in men and women. Balch notes that women experiencing fertility problems may benefit from taking damiana, dong quai, false unicorn root, ginseng, gotu kola, licorice root and wild yam. According to Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., a naturopathic doctor and the author of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," herbs that may help treat male infertility include Korean ginseng, Siberian ginseng and African pygeum. Other helpful herbs include damiana and saw palmetto.
Additional Information
Changes in certain lifestyle factors may improve your chance of getting pregnant. Avoid alcohol, as it reduces sperm count in men and can cause problems with the implantation of fertilized eggs in women. If you are carrying excess weight, consider losing this weight, as infertility is more commonly seen in obese men and women. Smoking, or exposure to secondhand smoke, may negatively affect fertility. Consuming a balanced and healthy diet is extremely important for improving your fertility.
References
- Women's Health: Infertility
- Mayo Clinic: Infertility
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D.; 2002
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