There are many treatments that are propagated as cures for infertility in both men and women. The treatment options have various side effects like headache, nausea etc. but homeopathic treatment is the best treatment with no side effects.

Homeopathy therapy works on male and female infertility in following way:

• It regulates and balances the body’s hormones, menstrual cycle and enhances the ovulation process in females. In males, it helps to increase the sperm count, their mobility and also their morphology by naturally stimulating the body.
• It helps with emotional blockages, disturbances and ambiguous thought processes that may affect fertility.
• It can assist with the side effects of other fertility treatments.
• It helps with the stress, anxiety and depression problems for those who are trying to conceive.

Homeopathic remedies for women

• Sepia
• Sabina
• Aurum
• Phosphorus
• Silica
• Lycopodium

Homeopathic remedies for men

• Sepia
• Medorrhinum
• Lycopodium

Homeopathic remedies are prescribed by symptoms rather than conditions, as each case of a particular illness can manifest differently in different people.

What  is infertility

Causes of infertility

Diagnosis of  infertility

TCM basis of infertility

Holistic treatment of infertility

Enhanced Natural Fertility

What is infertility

Infertility is the state of not being able to get pregnant despite of frequent unprotected sex for at least a year. If the cause is due to male factor, it is called sterility.  It is estimated that about 10-15 % couples face this problem.  In about 20% cases, the cause is male factor (sterility). In about 30-40% cases it is due to both male and female factors. In rest about 50% cases it is due to female factors.

Infertility affects about 10 % of all couples and about 50 % of all pregnancies do not proceed beyond 20 weeks and aborts prematurely. But the good news is here. Most of the childless couples can benefit from Dr Anjali Sharma’s alternative and acupuncture treatment of infertility and sterility. Her speciality sterility and infertility clinic in New Delhi India offers safe and effective natural therapies like acupuncture, acupressure and clinical (therapeutic) yoga. The benefit of high success rate adds to the benefit of negligible cost of infertility treatment when compared to other methods of sterility and infertility treatment available in New Delhi, India or even entire world.

Causes of infertility

• Female factors – The common female causes are fallopian tube block or damage, endometriosis, disorders of ovulation, hormonal disorders, ovary disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS or premature ovary failure, pelvic cause like pelvic adhesions, uterus cause like fibroids, disorders of menstruation like amenorrhea, premature menopause etc.
• Male factors – Common male causes are disorders of sperm shape, disorders of sperm concentration, disorders of sperm movement, disorders like varicocele or undescended testicles,absence of semen, hormonal disorders like deficiency of testosterone, infection like orchitis, genetic defect, disorder of semen delivery like impotence, retrograde ejaculation, blockage of ejaculatory duct etc.
• Common or general factors – Age, stress, malnutrition, obesity, alcohol / smoking / drugs, cancer & its treatment, injury, surgery, systemic disease like diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, anemia, exposure to chemicals etc.

Infertility is not being able to start or maintain a pregnancy. Infertility is the term used for women who are unable to get pregnant, and for men who are unable to impregnate a woman, after at least one year of trying. Infertility does not have a single cause because successful pregnancy is a multi-step chain of events. There are many biological causes of infertility, some which may be bypassed with medical intervention. The cause of infertility can rest in the woman or the man, or can be from unknown factors or a combination of factors. In some cases, environmental factors can contribute to infertility.  In other cases, genetic conditions or other health problems are the main cause of infertility.

Women are infertile if:

• Their ovaries do not make mature eggs.
• Damage to the reproductive system keeps eggs from being fertilized.
• A fertilized egg cannot implant and grow inside the uterus.

Men are infertile if:

• Their testicles do not make sperm.
• The pathways that carry sperm are blocked or cut off.

Couples are usually asked to get a medical examination done if they are not able to achieve pregnancy even after a year of unprotected intercourse. A doctor specializing in the field of infertility conducts tests for both the partners and then determines the problems and reasons for infertility. Tests of body temperature, ovulation period, x rays of fallopian tubes and uterus and laparoscopy are usually done for women. For men, the semen count and analysis is given more importance.

When to seek a specialist

If you are experiencing infertility after properly planning the timing of sexual activity and doing everything you know to naturally conceive, seeking advice from a doctor should be a next step.

Female infertility causes

• Ovulation problems – You have an ovulation disorder if you ovulate infrequently or not at all.
• Damage to fallopian tubes – Damage can be caused by inflammation of the fallopian tubes, previous ectopic pregnancy or previous surgery in the abdomen or pelvis
• Uterine factors – abnormally shaped (bicornuate) uterus and Benign polyps or tumors in the uterus can cause infertility
• Endometriosis – it is a condition where small pieces of the womb lining, known as the endometrium, start growing in other places, such as the ovaries and cause infertility.
• Poor egg quality – Eggs that become damaged or develop chromosomal abnormalities cannot sustain a pregnancy.
• Cervical narrowing or blockage – It is caused by an inherited malformation or damage to the cervix. It prevents any sperm from reaching the egg.
• Medicines and drugs – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Neuroleptic medicines and chemotherapy may cause infertility

Male infertility causes

• Male tube blockages – Varicoceles (varicose veins) in the testicles are the most common cause of male tube blockages.
• Sperm duct defects – The tubes that carry sperm (sperm ducts) can be damaged by illness or injury
• Hypogonadism – It is an abnormally low level of testosterone, the male sex hormone that is involved in making sperm.
• Damaging of testicles – damaged testicles can affect the quality of your semen and cause infertility.
• Ejaculation disorders – Some men experience ejaculation problems that can make it difficult for them to ejaculate and in turn cause infertility
• Medicines and drugs – an anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat conditions such as Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis and medicines used in Chemotherapy reduce sperm production.
• Celiac disease – A digestive disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten, celiac disease can cause male infertility.
• Drinking too much alcohol – Drinking too much alcohol can damage the quality of your sperm.

Common Cause of Infertility in both men and women

• Being overweight, or obese
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Severe stress
• Exposure to certain pesticides, metals, and solvents
• Smoking can also adversely affect fertility

Unexplained causes

The term unexplained cause is used when doctors can’t find a cause for infertility after a full series of tests and assessments. Some experts think being significantly over- or underweight, exercising excessively and even environmental toxins may be contributing factors but no direct links have been confirmed.

Infertility Risk Factors for Women

• After age 32, the quantity and the quality of a woman’s eggs begin to decline.
• Being overweight or underweight may inhibit the normal ovulation.
• Heavy alcohol drinking is associated with an increased risk of ovulation disorders and endometriosis.
• Consuming more than the equivalent of six cups of coffee a day may decrease your fertility.
• Pelvic infections, which can be caused by sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia
• Lack of nutrition also the risk factor for women infertility
• Fallopian tube disease
• Multiple miscarriages
• Chronic diseases such as diabetes, lupus, arthritis, hypertension, or asthma
• Hormonal imbalance
• Exposure to workplace hazards or toxins
• Some cancer treatments can reduce fertility or damage the uterus

Infertility Risk Factors for Men

• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Being age 35 or older
• Being overweight or underweight
• Having certain medical conditions, including tumors and chronic illnesses
• Bicycling for prolonged periods, especially on a hard seat or poorly adjusted bicycle
• Undescended testicles
• Mumps after puberty
• History of prostatitis, genital infection, or sexually transmitted diseases
• Being born with a fertility disorder or having a blood relative with a fertility disorder
• Being exposed to toxins
• Exposure of the genitals to high temperatures
• Prescription drugs for ulcers or psoriasis
• Severe stress
• Lack of nutrition

These risk factors do not directly cause infertility but may affect the quality of eggs. These risk factors are thought to interfere with normal sperm production and function. So, they can lead to infertility in both men and women.

Tests and Diagnosis of Infertility in Women

• Medical history – your doctor asks questions regarding your health history, menstrual cycle and sexual habits, history of sexually transmitted diseases, lifestyle and work environment, your pregnancy history and other health problems.
• Physical examination – It will include a pelvic exam, Pap smear, and examination of your breasts and thyroid gland.
• Ovulation testing – Ovulation testing is also used to assess your ability to produce eggs and to determine if your uterus is receptive to pregnancy during the second half of your menstrual cycle.
• Hysterosalpingography – HSG is an x-ray of the uterus and fallopian tubes that is usually performed in the first half of the menstrual cycle.
• Laparoscopy – It is performed under general anesthesia, in which the doctor inserts a small camera and fiber optic light through a small incision in your navel. Laparoscopy allows your doctor to view your ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus to check for endometriosis, scarring, blockages or irregularities.
• Ovarian reserve testing – They include the following tests:

1. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration on day three of your cycle
2. Clomiphene citrate challenge test (CCCT), in which you receive five doses of the ovary-stimulating drug clomiphene citrate
3. A blood test to assess your estrogen level
4. Blood tests to detect other markers of ovarian reserve.
5. A transvaginal ultrasound

• Hormone testing – Testing for specific hormones, such as FSH and prolactin, can determine whether an undiagnosed medical condition might be interfering with your fertility.

Tests and Diagnosis of Infertility in Men

• Medical history – Your doctor will ask questions about your disabilities, illnesses, medications and sexual habits.
• Physical examination – It includes examination of your genitals. It is useful for detecting large varicoceles, undescended testes, and absence of vas deferens, cysts, or other physical abnormalities.
• Semen analysis – Your semen is then sent to a laboratory to measure the number of sperm present and look for any abnormalities in the shape (morphology) and movement (motility) of the sperm.
• Scrotal ultrasound – It uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images inside your body.
• Transrectal ultrasound – It allows your doctor to check your prostate, and check for blockages of the tubes that carry semen.
• Hormone testing – Hormonal tests evaluate levels of testosterone and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) to determine the overall balance of the hormonal system and specific state of sperm production.
• Post-ejaculation urinalysis – It involves collecting a urine sample after orgasm and is checked for the presence of sperm.
• Testicular biopsy – It involves removing samples from the testicle with a needle. It may be used if your semen analysis shows no sperm at all.
• Vasography — To check the structure of the duct system and identify any obstructions
• Anti-sperm antibody tests – These tests are used to check for immune cells (antibodies) that attack sperm.

What Can a Fertility Specialist Do?

Fertility specialists are doctors that focus almost completely on infertility treatment. Infertility is a problem that involves both partners. Therefore, the infertility specialist evaluates both the woman and the man. A fertility specialist can be of great help for couples who are having problems conceiving a child because they diagnose and treat problems related to infertility. Fertility specialists can also evaluate people who have had cancer if there is any damage to the reproductive system which might make it more difficult or totally prevent getting pregnant. They will be able to diagnose the cause of infertility and help them out. There are many tests that are performed on both the woman and man in order to determine what the root of the issue is. Once a problem has been identified, infertility specialists have fertility drugs and surgical procedures as well as other treatments in order to assist in a successful pregnancy.

When to See a Specialist

Seeking a specialist can result in a lot of benefits. There are various factors to consider when deciding when it is the right time to see a specialist.

• If you have tried to get pregnant for over one year but did not succeed
• Women over age 35 who haven’t had success after six months
• Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
• You’ve had at least two miscarriages.
• Anyone with pre-existing conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and low sperm count
• If you are overweight or underweight
• If you suspect that you have a fertility problem
• If you’ve been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• If you are over the age of 35 and have had a miscarriage.
• If you’re difficulty conceiving runs in the family

There are many options available to you and many treatments available for any fertility problems that you may encounter. Talking to your fertility specialist and getting treatment can give you peace of mind and hopefully a baby in your future.

• Talk to your partner – Try talking to your partner. Share your feelings with your partner together. Finding support when dealing with infertility is essential, and friends and family can lend some of that support.
• Learn as much as you can – Try to know about the treatment and their success. The more you know about infertility, including treatments or alternatives like adoption or living child-free, the more in control you will feel.
• Practice relaxation – Acupuncture, yoga, and relaxation techniques are all possible ways to cope with infertility. There are many different mind-body therapies like physical postures called asanas, and breathing practices called pranayama to cope with infertility.
• Friends and family Support – Talking to your friends and family members can help you feel less alone.
• Counseling – Therapist could help you cope with the emotional struggle of infertility. Counseling can also address the strain that fertility treatment can put on your relationship. It may improve your chances of success.
• Other couples – Talking through your experiences with someone else who’s going through the same thing can be helpful.
• Alternatives – Some couples find it a relief to stop thinking about fertility treatment. It may open the way for you to consider alternatives, such as adoption, surrogacy or child free living.
• Don’t let infertility take over your life – Make sure you fill your life and your relationship with other things. Keeping up with hobbies that bring you pleasure is the key to living a satisfying and busy life.
• Keep sex fun – During infertility, sex can quickly become more like a chore, than a fun way to express love for each other. Try to keep things loving and exciting such as Light candles, play fun music, or watch romantic movies, whatever makes you both feel good.
• Infertility support online – Check out bulletin boards, Facebook pages, and other websites to get IVF support and guidance on infertility treatments.

Causes of miscarriage

• Genetic abnormalities in the fetus
• Hormonal problems, infections or maternal health problems
• Implantation of the egg into the uterine lining does not occur properly
• Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs and exposure to radiation or toxic substance
• A problem with the womb or cervix
• Maternal trauma

Warning signs of Miscarriage

If you experience any one of the following symptoms, you should immediately concern a medical facility to evaluate if you could be having a miscarriage:

• Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
• Mild to severe back pain
• Tissue with clot like material passing from the vagina
• White-pink mucus
• Weight loss

Prevention of Miscarriage

• Usually a miscarriage cannot be prevented but one vital step is to get as healthy as you can before conceiving to provide a healthy atmosphere for conception to occur.
• Manage stress
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat healthy
• Take folic acid daily

Once you find out that you are pregnant, you should follow the below things to provide healthy atmosphere to your baby:

• Do not smoke
• Do not drink alcohol
• Check with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications
• Avoid contact sports or activities that have risk of injury
• Keep your abdomen safe
• Avoid exposure to radiation and poisons such as arsenic, lead etc.

• Private adoption – You may consider adopting a child through your own connections of family and friends.
• Domestic adoption – you may adopt a child through the local Department of Child Services in your area.
• International Adoption – you may adopt a child located in a foreign country. You will be required to travel to the country to meet and adopt your child.

An important part of an adoption is having a lawyer. You will want to make sure to hire one that handles adoptions often and know exactly what you need to do through the whole process.

Child’s eligibility for adoption

Before the court can make an adoption order, the court has to be satisfied of all of the following:

• The child was under the age of 18 when the adoption application was made
• The child is not or has never been married or in a civil partnership
• Both birth parents have given their consent to the adoption

In some cases, it is not necessary to get consent from the birth parent or guardian. This happens when the birth parent or guardian cannot be found or the child’s welfare would be at risk if the adoption order was delayed

Adoption is an option that is increasingly being considered by many couples in the world today. It is a wonderful way to build or grow a family. But you need to make sure you are prepared and your whole family should also be prepared for adopting a child.

Your treatment options for infertility will vary according to the cause of your fertility problems. Here are the types of fertility treatments that are available, from the least invasive to the most invasive. You have a number of choices, so you and your doctor should devise a treatment plan, starting with the least invasive options first.

• Fertility drugs – Fertility drugs, such as clomiphene and gonadotropins, regulate your reproductive hormones and trigger the release of one or more of your eggs per ovulation cycle. You may get pregnant using fertility drugs alone, or you may be offered them with other treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
• Keyhole surgery – It is the treatment to unblock your fallopian tubes or remove scarring caused by endometriosis, fibroids, or ovarian cysts. It can increase your chances of conception.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) – During intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a single sperm is injected into a single egg and the resulting embryo is placed in your uterus.
• In vitro fertilisation (IVF) – During the IVF process, eggs are removed from the ovaries and fertilised with sperm in the laboratory. The fertilised egg (embryo) is later placed in the woman’s womb. You will probably need to take fertility drugs to stimulate your ovaries to develop mature eggs ready for fertilisation.
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) – It is a procedure in which sperm are placed directly into the uterine cavity through a catheter near the time of ovulation. IUIs can be performed either with the partner’s sperm or with donor sperm.
• Egg (or embryo) donation – It is one of the options available to help women who are unable to get pregnant. An egg donated by another woman is mixed with sperm and implanted in your uterus. Some couples donate embryos they have not needed from IVF cycles.
• Surrogacy – Another woman carries a baby for you through to birth, after which you legally become the baby’s parents. Your baby may grow from an embryo made from your egg and your partner’s sperm, or from a donor embryo.

The most advanced and expensive treatments are in vitro fertilization (IVF), Intrauterine insemination (IUI), surrogacy etc. Cheaper therapies, such as fertility drugs or surgery, are often very effective. In fact, about 90 percent of couples with fertility problems who have children were treated with drugs or surgery only.

For some couples, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine insemination (IUI) will be necessary for conception.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

For many couples, In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) offers the best chance of achieving a pregnancy. During the IVF process, the sperm fertilises the eggs in the laboratory rather than inside the woman’s fallopian tubes.

The first step in IVF involves injecting hormones so you produce multiple eggs each month instead of only one. You will then be tested to determine whether you’re ready for egg retrieval. Once these eggs have matured, a needle is inserted through the vagina to remove the eggs. The eggs are then placed in a specially-prepared laboratory dish and mixed with your partner’s sperm, which he will have donated on the same day. The fertilized eggs are kept in the clinic under observation to ensure optimal growth. The fertilised embryos grow in the laboratory over two to five days.

For the embryo transfer procedure, a flexible tube, called a catheter, is inserted into the vagina, through the cervix and into the uterus. The embryos are placed in the uterus via the catheter in the hopes they implant and cause a pregnancy. To increase the chances of pregnancy, most IVF experts recommend transferring three or four embryos at a time.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination is a useful treatment for women with open fallopian tubes and a normal uterine cavity and in cases where the man has unexplained infertility. It can be done with sperm from the male partner or a sperm donor, and is often combined with ovulation induction by hormone therapy.

Intrauterine insemination involves monitoring of the woman’s cycle with an ovulation predictor kit. At the time of ovulation, the man produces semen specimens that are prepared in the laboratory utilizing specialized enhancing solutions. The sperm are washed to remove the fluid surrounding them and the rapidly moving sperm separated out. The sperm are then placed in the uterus. IUI is performed in office, without anesthesia, using a thin flexible tube (catheter) that is passed through the cervix and into the uterus. No special bed rest is required after the IUI. Some doctors may repeat the insemination after 24 hours. They usually encourage patients to have intercourse on the night of the IUI, and for 2-3 days after this as well, to maximize the chances of the sperm and egg meeting.

IUI is a simple, inexpensive, effective form of therapy, and can usually be tried first, before going on to more expensive and invasive options.

The various types of medical conditions that might make surrogacy necessary for you include:

• Absence or malformation of the womb
• Recurrent pregnancy loss
• Repeated in vitro fertilisation (IVF) implantation failures

There are two basic types of surrogacy options-

Traditional surrogacy (Straight or Partial surrogacy)

Traditional surrogacy involves sperm from the intended father and an egg from the surrogate. Here fertilisation is (usually) done by artificial insemination or intrauterine insemination (IUI).  In this process, the surrogate woman is impregnated by artificial insemination or intrauterine insemination (IUI), and is genetically linked to the child she carries because her own eggs are used in the process.

Gestational surrogacy (Host or Full surrogacy)

It is the most common of type of surrogacy. In this form of surrogacy, the surrogate mother is not biologically or genetically related in any way to the unborn child. There are three stages to ‘host’ surrogacy:

• The female IP, or the egg donor, undergo special procedures to extract a number of eggs
• The egg is fertilised with semen in the laborator
• The fertilised egg is transferred into the womb of the surrogate mother

Advantages of surrogacy

• The child you will have will be of your own flesh and blood.
• Same sex couples can also try this process to have their own child.
• In some states where surrogacy is legal and protected, there are surrogate agencies that provide great assistance to intended parents.

It is always best to understand the different steps and processes involved with surrogacy because there are many available options on surrogacy and finding the right option would mean less hassle and stress for you and your partner.

Although it goes without saying that a healthy diet is crucial to a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby, many people are unaware of the fact that diet can help to correct hormone imbalances that may affect your ability to conceive. Diet modification is the best initial management for couples seeking to improve their reproductive function. People eat fast foods and pre-packaged foods which are low in vitamins and minerals due to their busy lifestyles. But a poor diet, lacking in nutritional value, has been shown to have a negative effect on a person’s fertility.  By taking the following diet, you can improve the chances of pregnancy.

Fertility-Boosting Foods for Men and Women

• Eat Fruits such as apples, oranges, kiwi, blueberries and melon. Aim for eating about 2 cups of fruits a day.
• Eat green leafy purple and yellow vegetables. Aim for eating about 3 cups of veggies a day.
• Complex carbohydrates like whole grain breads, brown rice, stone-ground cornmeal, and oatmeal
• Eat Low-Fat Dairy products which are full of calcium, vitamin D, potassium and protein
• Eat omega-3 fatty acids which are found in avocados, nuts, sesame and pumpkin seeds, sardines, and salmon.
• Eat vegetable proteins like beans, nuts and seeds
• Choose leaner protein sources like fish, turkey, chicken breast or pork chops.
• Eat Protein from plant sources like beans, peas, and peanuts as they have been associated with increased fertility

Foods to Avoid

There are certain foods and drinks that are known to lower fertility. Both men and women should avoid the following foods for conception.

• Avoid drinking alcohol. Over-consuming alcohol is linked with poor production of normal, healthy sperm.
• Avoid cigarettes and Tobacco as they are linked with low sperm counts and slow moving sperm
• Avoid Trans fats and saturated fats
• Avoid protein from red meat and poultry
• Avoid processed foods
• Avoid caffeine because it constricts blood vessels, slowing blood flow to the uterus and potentially making it harder for an egg to grab hold.

Infertility yoga is a gentle way to enhance your fertility. It is particularly helpful for resolving difficulties with fertility and sexuality. The slow, flowing movements of yoga could be a solution to those who suffer from infertility

Yoga works with the mind and the body, relaxing the mind and exercising the body to bring balance to both. It can be effective for women with blocked fallopian tubes, hormone imbalances or other fertility challenges, and it is also helpful for helping women to relieve stress, relax and prepare mentally and physically for conception. Yoga is best done early in the morning. You could also time your practice two to four hours after a meal. Remember to do some warm-up exercises before attempting any of type of exercise and yoga.

Some yoga practices recommend certain poses and emphases for women struggling with infertility. To start the process both partners should have a comprehensive physical and psychological examination to determine that they are both without physical and mental conditions that could block conception. When entering a fertile time, start practicing restorative poses. As you practice, soften the abdominal area and begin to consciously remove tension from around the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It increases the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain,

Poses that open up the hips and pelvis or relax the belly and abdomen to encourage the downward flow of prana, which may open up a constricted uterine or stressed out nervous system, can increase a woman’s chances of getting pregnant. Breathing is also very important, as it helps you to relax, and increases the flow of oxygen into the body. So when practicing yoga, start breathing more deeply and slowly, and maintain this rhythm of breathing throughout the session.

Exercises to avoid during infertility treatment

• Avoid bouncing activities such as vigorous step aerobics and running
• Avoid any activity that increases your risk of falling, bumping or hitting your abdomen
• Avoid activities such as horseback riding, vigorous racquet sports, downhill skiing or contact sports
• Avoid overexerting your body

Follow the above-mentioned keys for added help in how to prevent infertility. A consistent yoga practice can help restore self-love and a positive relationship to the physical body.

Whether you have been having trouble conceiving a baby, or suffering from repeated miscarriages, acupuncture can help increase your fertility.Acupuncture can be used to enhance fertility health. It is a great alternative for both women and men seeking to enhance their ability to successfully conceive. Medical experts believe that this ancient therapy from China, which involves placing numerous thin needles at certain points in the body, can help improve fertility in both men and women. It can either be used as the main therapy, or as support for treatments like IVF, IUI, and ICSI. Acupuncture works in several ways by reducing stress which weakens the body, by increasing circulation to the reproductive organs and by helping to correct other constitutional conditions individual to each person.

Acupuncture for men infertility

Acupuncture is one of the safest and most effective ways of improving the overall sperm profile. It increases blood circulation, supply essential nutrients to the pelvis and genitals. The needles have also been shown to trigger hormone regulation. This in turn promotes sperm production and quality. It also helps to balance men’s hormones and reduce overall stress, both of which have great impacts on fertility. Using acupuncture, sperm motility improves and the normal sperm ratio will also increase.

Acupuncture for women infertility

Acupuncture improves blood circulation to the pelvic organs in women. It also helps in improving the endometrial lining. It regulates ovulation and the menstrual cycle. It also decreases overall stress levels which weakens the body. It enhances the follicle development and improves the fertile mucous. In cases of tubal blockage or other conditions where surgical procedures may be needed acupuncture can improve circulation and healing after the surgery.

Acupuncture can be used alone or in conjunction with ART (assisted reproductive techniques) including IVF, ICSI, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and other fertility treatments. Acupuncture, used in combination with these treatments is extremely effective.

Whether you are just getting started in your fertility journey, or are already working with a fertility specialist, acupuncture and can increase your likelihood of conception and full-term pregnancy. It is a safe, natural, and reliable form of treatment. Fertility acupuncture treatments help balance the body’s natural hormone levels and reduce feelings of stress and optimize reproductive health.

Acupuncture and IVF work hand in hand to help you get pregnant. If you are dealing with in vitro fertilisation, acupuncture may help you to bring about the natural balance state within your body and to conceive a child with the help of medical science. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, humans have energy flowing along lines called meridians that run through the body. When the meridians are blocked, the flow of energy will be disrupted. This condition can cause many health problems, and one of them is infertility. To improve the flow of this energy, acupuncturists use needles inserted under your skin. The use of needles will make the body function differently.

Benefits of acupuncture in IVF

• Fertility rates during embryo transfer can be doubled with the use of acupuncture
• Acupuncture therapy increase the blood circulation to the ovaries and uterus and hence increase the capacity for conception.
• Acupuncture helps the body to relax and allows the seamless acceptance of an incoming embryo
• Acupuncture can regulate menstruation and balance hormone levels.
• Acupuncture can alleviate the stress of going through an IVF cycle, as well as infertility distress
• Acupuncture can reduce the side effects of hormonal medication.
• Acupuncturist can help alleviate hot flashes, night sweats, headaches and overall irritability that can occur with hormonal suppression and stimulation.
• Acupuncture can improve the hormonal milieu of conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome, luteal phase defect, and poor ovarian response.
• Acupuncture can reduce the likelihood of fetal rejection, and prevent miscarriages which are maternal in origin.
• Acupuncture can also alleviate and reverse ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and fluid accumulation in the uterine lining.
• Acupuncture is safe and has no adverse effects

Acupuncture and IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) combine well together and this ancient Chinese method has been confirmed to be enormously successful in improving the chances of pregnancy in women. You will seek this method to maximize your success with having a baby.

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to help patients support a healthy pregnancy and uncomplicated delivery. Regular acupuncture during pregnancy sets the foundation for a healthy mother and baby. These are just a handful of ways that your acupuncturist can help you get through the 9 months of pregnancy with ease. The following conditions associated with pregnancy can be safely alleviated by acupuncture:

• Acupuncture helps to ease nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, and heartburn. It can help you soothe your digestive system so that food can get where it needs to go.

• Acupuncture relieves psychological issues like stress, worry, anxiety and tension. Acupuncture may increase blood flow, lower the level of inflammation in the body, and give your immune system a boost.

• Acupuncture combined with massage, at regular intervals, will optimise your fuel production and your sleep to maintain you in the best shape throughout your pregnancy.

• Acupuncture can relieve pain and discomfort naturally and without medications. The common conditions that arise during pregnancy are constipation, back pain, leg cramping, insomnia, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids etc.

• Acupuncture may help resolve a breech presentation. In a small percentage of pregnancies, the baby turns into the breech, or upright, position. Acupuncture can successfully turn the baby back into cephalic (head-down) position.

• Acupuncture can help induce labor and can help smooth the labor process. There are specific acupuncture points that can help to bring on labor or assist in the process of birthing. These points can even be massaged during labor to help aid in pain relief.

• Acupuncture lessens pre- and post-partum depression. Acupuncture can alleviate this depression so that women can take care of themselves and their new baby. Depression, if left untreated, can pose risks to both mother and baby.

Acupuncture is a system of medicine that works to bring balance to the entire system there is an overall improvement on the physical, mental and emotional level. Pregnant women seeking to use acupuncture to treat conditions developed during pregnancy should be sure to visit a licensed and experienced acupuncturist. An acupuncturist experienced in treating pregnant women would be more likely to recognize this problem and refer the patient back to her obstetrician.

Once someone is diagnosed with infertility it is completely common and understandable to experience physical, mental, and emotional stress. Stress does not directly cause infertility but Infertility can get worse as a result of stress. Some people manage tension through eating too much and this can also impact fertility negatively. With many strategies of support for infertility, there are many positive ways to cope with emotional distress and optimize your chance of pregnancy

Experts believe there is a relationship between stress and infertility. For some women, too much stress can change their hormone levels, which can delay the release of an egg or cause one to not be released at all. If a man experiences prolonged emotional stress, the amount of sperm he produces may decrease.

When it comes to fertility and stress, it is important to keep your emotional health in check. Learning effective ways to cope with these stresses can help you gain control of your situation and maintain your emotional health.

• Communicating with your loved ones – Talking to your partner about how you feel will make you feel less isolated and will allow you to cope with infertility together. You can also talk to others that have experienced infertility or gone through fertility treatment. They can share their stories with how they coped with the stress of infertility.
• Infertility Support Groups – Supports services can provide information on infertility and fertility treatments, allows the couple to feel less alone, help the couple feels normal about the experience, and provides hope and encouragement. Support group members can also help each other by providing tips and stories on how they are coping with the stress of infertility.
• Counseling from fertility counselor – Mental health professionals can teach couples how to effectively manage stress and help them come to an agreement on treatment options.
• Fertility massage – it is designed to increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, strengthen the immune system, stimulate hormones, and, most importantly, relieve stress. It can especially help deal with the stress of infertility.
• IVF Stories – Another way of coping is hearing other people’s stories, especially stories from people who went through with the same treatment options that you might be considering. This will help you in reducing stress and gaining confidence.

A person who is coping well with stress, feels relaxed and energized, and probably does not face health risks from stress. Get started today by finding ways to eliminate or control your infertility stress and focus on your plan of action to improve your chances for having a baby.

For some couples, getting pregnant is quick and easy. For others, things are not as easy. The journey through pregnancy and raising a child is indeed an exciting time for you and your partner. In fact, 25% of couples have problems conceiving. There are many things you can do right now to double your chances of conceiving.

• Know the cycle – one of the most important steps is to monitor for when you are most fertile. Monitoring your basal body temperature will help you to determine exactly when you are ovulating. Your basal body temperature will increase when you are ready to release an egg. It is important to have sexual intercourse just before an egg is released.
• Positioning yourself – the missionary position (man on top) provides the best opportunity for getting pregnant. This position allows for the deepest penetration which deposits sperm closer to the cervix.
• Have sex regularly – Regular sexual intercourse is important when attempting conception. Having sex every two or three days refreshes semen, resulting in better sperm quality.
• Quit Smoking, Drinking and Drugs – smoking can affect your fertility and lower your partner’s sperm count. Drugs can lead to miscarriages, premature birth, and low-birth weight babies.
• Reduce stress – Try stress management techniques, such as yoga and meditation, which can also help in getting pregnant.
• Improve your diet – Eat plenty of protein, drink around two litres of water daily and avoid Caffeine. Eat vegetables, fruits and nuts rather than chocolate and crisps.
• Increase the Odds – Make your vaginal environment as sperm-friendly as possible. Avoid vaginal sprays and scented tampons, artificial lubricants, and douching.
• Weight Control – Being underweight or overweight can delay the time it takes a woman to conceive. Keeping a healthy weight can help with conception.
• Get enough exercise – Exercise helps to burn off this excess body fat, allowing hormone levels to return to normal. Try low impact aerobic workouts like walking, swimming, and cycling.

With the advancement of medical science, egg donation and sperm donation has become a possibility. Most couples, after getting married, want to begin raising their own families. But if they are facing infertility, the couple can turn to a reproductive clinic which can help the woman get pregnant with the use of eggs and sperm that were donated by other people. Couples who do not have the pleasure of being mother or father due to any of the reason pay a huge amount to buy these sperms or eggs. The can get these eggs or sperms injected in their body as per their need and can easily conceive a baby.

Egg donation

Egg donation is a valid process in which women donate their egg cells to reproductive clinics or egg banks for research or reproduction purposes. This is done by fertilizing the donated egg with the husband’s sperm and implanting the fertilized egg in the woman’s body to achieve conception. There are various banks especially dedicated to it.

Consider the following points if you wish to become an egg donor.

• Egg donors are usually young women above 21 and below 35.
• Healthy height and weight is a must.
• Smoking and Drinking should be strictly avoided
• Cut down on work load 2-3 weeks prior to the procedure and visit clinics for testing

Sperm donation

Sperm donation is commonly defined as the provision of sperms by a man with the sole intention of impregnating a woman or helping a woman conceive. The woman may or may not be the man’s sexual partner. Sperm donation commonly assists heterosexual couples unable to produce children because of ‘male factor’ fertility problems, but it is increasingly used as a means to enable single women and single and coupled lesbians to have children

Pregnancies are most commonly achieved via sperm donation by the use of artificial insemination and less commonly by IVF, rather than by sexual intercourse. A sperm donor may donate his sperm directly to recipient women, at a clinic known as a sperm bank or fertility clinic. Sperm banks evaluate the medical history of the individual before accepting his sperms. Sperms are stored in safe, secure and state of the art storage facilities.

Sperm donation and egg donation has helped many couples across the globe to have a baby. They have proven to be the ideal and most effective solution for infertility.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be used as part of an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment to help you and your partner to conceive a child. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection has helped overcome many of the various barriers to fertilization and has allowed couples to successfully have a child.

ICSI is only used in cases severe male infertility cases such as:

• Oligospermia – low semen volume or a low sperm count
• Teratozoospermia – abnormal looking sperm.
• Asthenozoospermia – sperm doesn’t have the capability to move about spontaneously and vigorously.

The ICSI Process

• The woman will be given drugs which will stimulate her ovaries to develop several mature eggs for fertilisation.
• The doctor will remove eggs using a fine, hollow needle, once her follicle (which holds immature eggs) is at a good size.
• The male will give a sperm sample. A very delicate, sharp, and hollow needle is used to immobilize and pick up a single sperm.
• The needle is then carefully inserted through the shell of the egg and into the cytoplasm of the egg.
• The sperm is injected into the cytoplasm, and the needle is carefully removed.
• The doctors will see if fertilization occurred and that the fertilized eggs (embryos) are healthy.
• Once fertilization is successful, the embryo transfer procedure is used to physically place the embryo in the woman’s uterus and through cervix using a thin catheter.

How long does ICSI treatment take?

One cycle of ICSI takes between four weeks and six weeks to complete. You and your partner can expect to spend a full day at the clinic for the egg and sperm retrieval procedures. You’ll go back anywhere between two days and six days later for the embryo transfer procedure. If all goes well, an embryo will attach to your uterus wall and continue to grow to become your baby. After about two weeks, you will be able to take a pregnancy test.

The success rates for ICSI

The success rates for ICSI are higher than if you use conventional IVF methods. A lot depends on your particular fertility problem and your age. The younger you are, the healthier your eggs usually are, and the higher your chances of success.

The reproductive processes in the male and female are under the complex control of numerous hormones.  Changes in the levels of male and female hormones can be caused by a variety of factors, and can result in impotence or erectile dysfunction in men and infertility and low sex drive in both men and women.

Hormonal disorders which can disrupt male infertility

• Hypothyroidism – Low thyroid hormone levels–can cause poor semen quality, poor testicular function and may disturb libido. Men with thyroid disease can have resulting low sperm count and reduced sperm motility. This condition is found in only 1 percent of infertile men.
• Hyperprolactinemia – Elevated prolactin hormone is found in 10 to 40 percent of infertile males. Greater elevations of this hormone reduce sperm production, reduces libido and may cause impotence.
• Hypogonadotropic Hypopituitarism – Low pituitary gland output of LH and FSH. It causes the progressive loss of germ cells from the testes. If all germ cells are destroyed before treatment commences, the male may be permanently infertile.
• Panhypopituitafism – Complete pituitary gland failure–lowers growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and LH and FSH levels.
• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia – it includes low sperm count, an increased number of immature sperm cells, and low sperm cell motility. It occurs when the pituitary is suppressed by increased levels of adrenal androgens.

Hormonal factors which can disrupt female infertility

• Polycystic ovary syndrome – This syndrome is characterized by a reduced production of FSH, and normal or increased levels of LH, oestrogen and testosterone. It is the most common disorder responsible for anovulation and infertility.
• Malfunction of the hypothalamus – The hypothalamus is the portion of the brain responsible for sending signals to the pituitary gland. If the hypothalamus fails to trigger and control the process, immature eggs will result which leads to ovarian failure.
• Malfunction of the pituitary gland – The pituitary gland is responsible for producing and secreting FSH and LH.  The ovaries will be unable to ovulate properly if either too much or too little of these substances is produced.
• Hypothyroidism – Thyroid disease can cause female infertility by resulting in anovulation (lack of ovulation) and menstrual irregularity.
• Hyperprolactinemia – it is an overabundance of the hormone prolactin. It causes Irregular or absent menstrual periods and increased levels of androgens in women which leads to infertility in women.

One of the methods that are popular for getting pregnant naturally and quickly is acupuncture. It can help in several ways to increase the chances of conceiving naturally. Acupuncture has been widely used as a popular alternative method that has been showing good results in helping women achieve pregnancy. Acupuncturists believe that when energy flow is blocked in the body for different reasons, then the chances of becoming pregnant are reduced. They seek to unblock the energy flow of the body and facilitate conception. They stimulate specific points along your body’s meridians by inserting fine needles. As it removes blockages in your internal systems, your body can receive all the electrical, hormonal and chemical impulses that it needs for fertility and health.

Acupuncture may work by simply helping you to relax and feel less stressed. It effectively stimulates the brain and encourages the release of certain substances, particularly endorphins. These endorphins make a person feel more relaxed, making your body more prepared to welcome conception. Some acupuncturists say that acupuncture can help to regulate your menstrual cycle if you have irregular periods. It also has the power to improve blood flow to the body, which includes your ovaries. An increased blood flow to the uterus allows for a nourishing and thick lining to build up, ready welcoming your baby. Some women have regular acupuncture during pregnancy to maintain optimal health and well-being while others user acupuncture to treat specific problems as they occur during pregnancy. Acupuncture is one of the natural treatments that are used to help turn the baby from the breach position.

Acupuncture can help women with infertility to get pregnant without spending too much money. Acupuncture may also help male infertility by improving the quality of sperm. It is an easy and less painful method compared to other methods. So if you want to become pregnant, acupuncture is one of the most cost effective and viable means to improve your fertility and overall health. Acupuncture is the perfect complement to promoting you and your child’s health. It has no negative effects on your baby in uterus or after delivery. Licensed acupuncturists use high quality stainless steel acupuncture needles that are sterile and disposable. Needles are never reused, not even on the same patient. Enjoy a drug-free approach to your health which is safe to both you and your baby.

Couples dealing with infertility had a higher chance of experiencing feelings of unhappiness with not only themselves, but their marriages as well. One of the more direct stresses that infertility may place on a marriage is sexual tension. Sex may begin to feel less like an enjoyable experience between lovers and more like a task that needs done.

Infertility tends to have a negative impact on relationships. Family and friends often do not understand how difficult the experience of infertility can be. The partners may feel ashamed and blame themselves or each other for “failing” at something so natural as making a baby. This can lead to relationship distress, communication problems, sexual difficulties and disagreements over medical treatments and alternatives. The couple may become estranged from one another and can lose the humor, spontaneity and love they shared prior to the diagnosis.

Finding a way to deal with these stresses is important not only in preserving the marriage, but in reducing stress as well. There are ways to protect your relationship from the potentially damaging stress of infertility.

Steps to Protect Your Relationship from the Strain of Infertility

• Share your feelings with each other. It will surely lessen the burden of infertility on both of you. It will help to balance the intensity and bring you closer with a deeper respect for each other.
• It may be necessary to put limits on the time you talk about infertility to designated periods, such as 20 minutes in the evening, so that it does not overtake all your communication.
• Reduce the stress and anxiety in your sexual relationship. You and your partner might consider taking a month long break from trying to get pregnant.
• Learning how to accept differences in the way each of you handles and deals with your feelings can lessen conflicts. Like many things in life, men and women will feel and deal differently with infertility.
• No matter how tough things get, being able to find something humorous about the situation that helps to relieve the tension. Laughing together is good for the health of your relationship.
• You may consider joining a support group for people going through infertility treatments.
• Avoid finger-pointing each other. Always approach the issues as a team, working together and finding ways to share responsibility regarding treatment.
• Educate yourself and share informationwith your friends and family about your obstacles to conception and available treatment.

Different types of Assisted Reproductive Technologies

• In vitro fertilization or IVF – This procedure involves the combination of sperm and eggs in a dish in a laboratory to create embryos. The embryos are then transferred to the woman’s uterus where they may implant in the uterine wall and develop. There are also drugs that are taken to help produce more eggs which will be retrieved.
• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) – Intrauterine insemination is the most ‘natural’ of all ARTs. It’s very effective with couples in which male infertility isn’t a major problem. It can be done with sperm from the male partner or a sperm donor. The sperm are washed to remove the fluid surrounding them and placed in the uterus using a thin flexible tube (catheter) that is passed through the cervix.
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) – It is a procedure in which a single sperm in injected into a mature egg. The resulting embryo is then transferred to the woman’s uterus or fallopian tube. This may be used in conjunction with IVF to help overcome cases of male infertility. This process is done through a test tube wherein one sperm is directly injected into an egg to achieve fertilization.
• Zygote intrafallopian transfer or ZIFT – it is a procedure in which eggs are removed and fertilized using sperm from the male in a laboratory. The embryos are then transferred to the fallopian tubes rather than the uterus. Laparoscopy is used to make the transfer.
• Gamete intrafallopian transfer or GIFT – If male factor infertility isn’t a major cause, and if the woman’s tubes and uterus are healthy, this can be a very effective treatment. Women are often given hormones to stimulate egg production. Eggs are removed and sperm is collected and unfertilized eggs and sperm are injected into a woman’s fallopian tubes.

 Herbal therapy – Herbs that have commonly been used for fertility enhancement include vitex (chasteberry), dong quai, false unicorn root, and wild yam. Herbs may help to bring back an absent menstrual cycle, while also aiding the body in regulating hormones, promoting ovulation.

Acupuncture – Acupuncture can be used to improve general circulation which can, in turn, enhance the mobility of sperm. It can be used to increase the body’s production of fertility-boosting hormones and to regulate the fertility cycle.

Homeopathy – Homeopathy is safe, natural and effective treatment of infertility and sterility. It regulates hormonal system, treats infertility causing conditions both general and local. It is known to improve reproductive functions and enhance natural conception chances.

Nutritional therapy – Keep an eye on your diet and get a few foods that relieve stress, increase immunity and contain a lot of minerals and vitamins that are necessary for a healthy sperm count and quality sperm. Avoid crash diets, as these are not beneficial for your health and certainly not good for your fertility.

Yoga – It is an energizing form of exercise that encourages relaxation at the deepest level. It includes specialized postures, breathing, guided imagery, relaxation techniques and group support to enhance reproductive function in both men and women.

Massage therapy – It is applied to treat Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, blocked fallopian tubes, ovarian cysts, and many other medical conditions that cause low fertility in women. It increases the function of the reproductive organs.

Hypnosis – helps couples to conceive naturally, and also provides hypnotherapeutic support to women undergoing IVF and other medical procedures. Hypnosis for fertility doubles the success of IVF treatment. It can help you to reduce anxiety and stress and increase your sense of confidence and well-being.

Sterility and infertility, is defined as an inability to conceive a child after trying to do so for at least one year. It can affect both men and women, with the cause involving either one or both parties. Fertility in men and women is a complex process of the fusion of the gametes (male and female) to produce a new organism or new life. However, fertility tends to decrease with increasing age in both men and women due to social, biological, physical and mental, emotional and iatrogenic factors adversely impacting the child-bearing process.

There are many treatments that are propagated as cures for infertility in both men and women. The treatment options have various side effects like headache, nausea etc. but homeopathic treatment is the best treatment with no side effects.

Homeopathy therapy works on male and female infertility in following way:

• It regulates and balances the body’s hormones, menstrual cycle and enhances the ovulation process in females. In males, it helps to increase the sperm count, their mobility and also their morphology by naturally stimulating the body.
• It helps with emotional blockages, disturbances and ambiguous thought processes that may affect fertility.
• It can assist with the side effects of other fertility treatments.
• It helps with the stress, anxiety and depression problems for those who are trying to conceive.

Homeopathic remedies for women

• Sepia
• Sabina
• Aurum
• Phosphorus
• Silica
• Lycopodium

Homeopathic remedies for men

• Sepia
• Medorrhinum
• Lycopodium

Homeopathic remedies are prescribed by symptoms rather than conditions, as each case of a particular illness can manifest differently in different people.