Published September 6, 2003 in the North Island Weekender
One in five couples in the world are infertile. Infertily is diagnosed when,
after one year of unprotected intercourse, conception is not achieved. Major
causes include: sperm factors, ovarian dysfunction, abnormal tube dysfunction,
cervical factors and other unidentified causes. Male infertility is responsible
for 50 per cent of infertile couples although in developing countries pelvic
inflammatory disease accounts for 77 percent of infertility and only 21 per
cent to male infertility. The major causes of pelvic inflammatory disease are
the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasma species which effects
tubal function in women and urethritis, prostatitis, kidney disease and
infertility in men. Both are often found in conjunction with each other and
often are present without symptoms and therefore are not tested for.
Male sperms counts are declining and environmental factors such as pesticides, exogenous estrogens (estrogens we absorb from the environment), heavy metals, nutritional deficiencies and radiation impact the formation of sperm. In my treatment of infertile couples I always treat the male even though sperm count and motility tests are normal and I include nutrients such as zinc, natural source carotenes, omega 3 essential fats, selenium (all men should be taking this as it prevents prostate cancer 60% as well!) vitamin E and vitamin C. I counsel both partners about the confusion exogenous estrogens create in the human body and discourage the use of microwaving food and drinks especially with plastics, switching to organic dairy and meat products as non-organic sources are typically high in hormones of many types, and organic produce to avoid pesticide ingestion. Radiation is also a huge stress on our bodies in this era. Taking a flight that is cruising at 30,000 feet for three hours or more is like having a full body xray without the heavy lead protection apron over your thyroid and reproductive organs! Wearing cell phones near breasts or inguinal areas in men is also not a good idea due to the frequency generated by a cell phone that is turned on. Radiation leads to damaged DNA, mutated genes, damaged chromosomes and cell death.
There are treatments and preventive measures using herbs to treat all of the above. Herbal therapies that are used for bacterial infections include Echinacea, goldenseal and andrographis. Anti-oxidant herbs for radiation exposure include gingko, grapeseed, green tea, turmeric and rosemary, and herbs to stimulate the immune system include astragalus, ginseng, ganoderma and burdock.
In my practice I have seen the use of birth control pills for more than five years greatly increases the incidence of infertility. Preconception care for three months before conception is attempted is an important concept in naturopathic medicine. When infertile couples come to see me I encourage them to follow this program for three months before they attempt conception: 1: detoxify, 2:treat nutritional deficiencies, 3:screen for infections, 4: avoid toxins in food and the environment, 5: treat underlying diseases such as endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, unfriendly cervical mucous and under-active thyroid, 6:timing of fertility needs to be clarified and 7: exercise and stress management is crucial. Once a woman is pregnant then naturopathic care continues during the pregnancy for the best outcome.
Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com