This week, April 24-30, 2016 is National Infertility week in the U.S. If you do not live in the U.S. I am sure you can imagine the amount of articles and social media posts spreading awareness of this issue. I did a little digging and found a study on male infertility, A unique view of male infertility around the globe, which estimated that 48.5 million couples are affected by infertility worldwide. It is very hard to conceptualize 48.5 million couples in one place but it is even harder when I realize that if the couples where broken up into individuals that would mean an estimated 97 million people globally are affected by infertility. 97 million people! This is larger than the current population of Vietnam which is 94,444,200 at the moment I am writing this.
According to the World Health Organization one in every 4 couples in developing countries are affected by infertility. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did a national family growth survey from 2006 to 2010 and found that 1 out of 7 couples in the U.S. have trouble conceiving. Unfortunately, this number has been projected to climb to 1 out of 3 in the next ten years. I am astounded by both the current and the projected increase rates of infertility all over the world but yet it makes a lot of sense when I sit back and think about it. Global health has been steadily declining and when the body is not able to function optimally the reproductive system is affected.
Infertility is a complex chronic condition much like any other health condition out there. Which is why it is often treated by conventional medical methods first and lifestyle changes second.I prefer the Functional Medicine approach, figure out the root cause first.
- Some examples of root causes include:
- hormone imbalance
- nutrient deficiency
- underweight
- overweight
- muffled communication between the nerves and the systems they communicate with
- chronic stress
- exposure to toxins
- internal build up of toxins
- decreased immune system
- MTHFR genetic mutation
Once you figure out the root cause, which may or may not be one of the examples given, you can then begin to move forward with the steps needed to regain harmony within the body systems to regain fertility. Keep in mind there are cases in which infertility cannot be reversed through lifestyle, medications, or surgical procedures. Infertility,no matter the source is very hard to go through on so many levels. My heart goes out to all those who walk through the journey.
For the cases of reversible infertility through lifestyle changes I want you to pay close attention to this next part……
- The lifestyle changes made to regain fertility based on the examples previously given are not limited to these benefits:
- hormonal balance
- have adequate nutrients in the body so it can function to its best ability
- healthy weight
- open communication between the nervous system and the rest of the body
- decreased stress response
- decreased toxin build up
- decreased toxin exposure
- improved immune system
- managed MTHFR genetic mutation
These lifestyle changes not only supports couples to reach their goals of conception but allows them to provide their baby with the building blocks needed to develop and have a healthy start to life. This is the responsibility of both parents. Far to often women are the focus when it comes to improving their health before they become pregnant. Men and women equally provide half of the genetic material that is used to create a baby. The man and woman’s health or lack thereof impacts this genetic material and will affect the baby’s development in the short-term (embryo to fetus) and their health in the long-term.
In the short-term the genetic material from both parents tell every single cell that make up the sum of your baby’s whole body how it will need to develop and function.This ranges from the arms, legs, heart, brain, lungs, eyes, nails, hair….you get the idea; to the systems that operate it such as the metabolic system, nervous system, respiratory system, immune system, reproductive system….again you get the idea.
How the baby’s systems where programmed to function affects the baby’s health for the long-term. This programming sets the stage for what lifestyle habits they adopt will put them at risk or provide protection against chronic diseases well into their adulthood.
When both parents focus on improving their health prior to conception, regardless of their knowledge of having fertility issues or not, they are already taking the necessary steps that allows them the opportunity to have a healthy baby.
Another fascinating knowledge bomb is that the health of the parents prior to conception also affects their further grandchild.
While your baby is developing their reproductive cells are developing too, regardless of their sex. Girls are born with all the eggs they will ever have and the eggs mature up onto the onset of menopause. Baby boys are born with undeveloped sperm cells and the entirety of a man’s sperm production stems from the original. How a baby’s reproductive cells develop and the genetic and epigentic information they contain are linked to the parents before them (a.k.a grandparents).
As you can see there is more to fertility and creating a baby than most realize. Making lifestyle changes to improve your health for fertility will also set the the path for a legacy of health that will be imprinted on your future baby’s genes.
Before we close I wanted to provide you with a few resources I think would be beneficial to you and your loved ones struggling with infertility.
- Infertility Etiquette for family and friends
- Fertility Care Centers of America
- Creighton Model Fertility Care Systems
- Dr. Hilgers co-developer of the Creighton Model
If you live in Arizona there is an event coming up that you may be interested in attending.
On May 22, 2016 the Arizona Birth Network will be hosting an event called Perceptions of Conception. There will be a nutritionist there, an embriologist, fertility expert to talk about cycles, and yours truly.
I hope to see you there!
Here is a snippet of the topic I will be covering:
Passing down better health is more than genetics
We are familiar with the saying, “It takes two to make a baby”, however we often leave out the discussion about how equally important it is for both parents to prepare for their future baby’s lifelong health when planning to start a family. The health of your baby begins prior to conception. This is your moment, your opportunity to do what is in your control to give your baby a healthy start to life. So many families we know and even our own are affected by chronic disease but you have the ability to change this cycle. Are you ready to pass down health as your family legacy?