Understanding Female Infertility

Women’s health concerns have been increasingly on the rise and infertility is one of them. The chance that a healthy woman will conceive in any cycle is about 20-40 percent (“Health Issues That May Affect Your Fertility,” 2018). That’s a very low percentage! You see, an increasing number of woman are deciding to have babies later on in their life. Many women in their 20’s and 30’s are completing their education, starting their careers, waiting longer to find the right person, feel unready and financially unstable to have babies (Painter, 2018). And not to mention that a woman’s natural ability to get pregnant begins to decline slowly around 32 and rapidly around age 37 years of age by 3-5%. By age 40 the odds are less than 10% a month (“Female Age Related Fertility Decline,” 2014). And age is only one contributing factor to cause infertility! Infertility is a common health issue affecting women globally. It is defined as inability to conceive after 1 year of trying (Bauman, 2016). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6.1 million women in the United States, that’s an estimated 10 percent, between the ages of 15-44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant. Infertility also affects about 8-10% of couples and it is said that one-third of infertility cases are caused by women’s problems and one-third in men.

There are multiple factors that can cause female infertility. In women, most infertility issues are caused by hormonal imbalances and ovulation. Not being able to ovulate is experienced by 25% of women. Without ovulation, a woman’s eggs can’t be fertilized. Having irregular or absent menstrual periods are considered signs of not ovulating. However, thyroid and adrenal disease are becoming increasing contributing factors because they cause the body to release either too much estrogen, testosterone, or the stress hormone cortisol. These hormonal imbalances can affect normal ovulation cycles. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is another very common risk factor to infertility. Women with PCOS tend to produce levels of insulin and testosterone in their bodies, which prevent normal ovulation (Trimarchi, 2018).

 Other Contributing Factors include: (Bauman, 2016) and (Murray & Pizzorno, 2012):

Deficiencies in diet include vitamins and minerals such as B12, zinc, EFA, folate, and iron (Bauman, 2016). Even exercise can contribute to infertility, whether it’s too much or too little (Nordqvist, 2018). But how does a woman know she is infertile? The following are common signs and symptoms women who are infertile can  experience:

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF INFERTILITY:

·      Irregular periods

·      Painful or heavy periods that can interfere with your life

·      Having no periods at all

·      Pain during sex

·      Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia

·      Exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals

·      Hormonal fluctuations such as thinning hair, skin issues, reduced sex drive, facial hair growth, and weight gain

To minimize the symptoms, correct deficiencies of EFA, B12, folic acid, and zinc, and improve fertility, a nutrient dense, whole foods, organic and balanced diet is recommended. Following the eating for health model by Dr. Ed Bauman is a great guide to get balanced nutrition. It represents a system and not a diet, which promotes high quality foods that are catered to individual needs, tastes, and ethnicities, which also takes into consideration the biochemical individuality of a person along with lifestyle factors (Bauman, 2016). In this case infertility! The goal of the model is to provide optimal amounts of macronutrients, micronutrients and phytonutrients. The eating for health model includes water, seeds/oils, protein, leafy vegetables, crunchy vegetables, unrefined starches, seasonal fruit, and booster foods such as fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, beet kvass), spices, herbs, apple cider vinegar, and sea vegetables. Booster foods are condiments, nutrient dense foods, and food supplements that can aid an individual in boosting their nutrition.

To boost fertility levels, complex carbohydrates rich in phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants such as collard greens, asparagus, carrots, spinach, mushrooms, beets, kale, broccoli should be consumed, especially foods that high in calcium, iron, and folate. Animal protein such as wild caught fish, grass fed beef, organic free-range poultry, pasture raised eggs can also be consumed but recommended in moderation. Plant based sources of protein such as a variety of legumes, whole grains and nuts high in fiber are optimal. And let’s not forget fruits, especially those in the citrus family such as oranges, lemons, kiwi, red bell peppers, and figs and of course healthy fats, nuts and seeds, such as avocadoes, coconut, olive oil, almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds (Murray, 2005). Foods that should be avoided include refined carbohydrates such as breads, pastries, cookies, snacks, pastas. Processed meats, like sausages, bacon, salami, sugar and artificial sweeteners like nutra sweet and splenda, and food additives like MSG, coloring, and high fructose corn syrup should also be avoided. Other list of foods to avoid include fish high in mercury such as tuna and swordfish, trans fats, such as margarine, vegetable oils and cakes, caffeinated drinks, like coffee, black teas, and energy drinks, raw animal products, like sushi and beef carpaccio, and alcohol (Rufus, 2011).

References

Bauman, E. & Friedlander, J (2016) Therapeutic Nutrition. Penngrove, CA: Bauman College

Female Age Related Fertility Decline, 2014.  The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 589, 719-21. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Gynecologic-Practice/Female-Age-Related-Fertility-Decline

Galan, N. 2016. 5 Common Signs of Infertility in Men and Women. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/signs-of-infertility# 

Health issues that may affect your fertility. 2018. Retrieved from https://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/fertility/boost/health-issues-affect-fertility/

Jennings, K. 2018. Top 15 Calcium Rich Foods. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/15-calcium-rich-foods#section11

Kopaei, R. 2017. Systemic Review of Premenstrual, Postmenstrual and infertility disorders of vitex agnus castus. US National library of medicine. 9(1) Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28243425

Painter, K. 2018. As births decline in young women, they keep rising in 40’s somethings. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/05/19/childbearing-why-women-40-s-having-more-babies/624028002/