So what is Unexplained Infertility anyway?
Unexplained infertility is a diagnosis given to couples who have been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for a year or more without any medical explanation for the difficulty. This means both you and your partner have gotten all the medical tests but nothing seems to be wrong, except of course you’re still not pregnant!
There are many potential underlying causes of unexplained fertility, many of which are associated with lifestyle, and it’s likely a combination of these are at play. It’s important to consider all possible contributing factors when building a solution.
Possible Reasons for Unexplained Infertility:
- Stress, Anxiety and Depression.
- Hormone Imbalances.
- Poor Immunity & Lymphatic Congestion.
- Misaligned Pelvis, Lower Back and Hips.
- Poor Nerve Conduction to Uterus, Fallopian Tubes and Ovaries.
- Uterus & Ovaries Ligament Misalignment.
- Scar Tissue Surrounding Uterus, Ovaries & Surrounding Muscles.
- Poor Nutrition & Digestion.
Having trouble conceiving, but it hasn’t been a year yet?
Consider taking steps to prevent or correct any of these possibilities before spending a whole year waiting for a diagnosis. Worst case scenario? You and your partner are healthier and have ruled out preventable factors that contribute to infertility.
Have we convinced you to take this issue seriously and adopt a proactive approach to optimizing your fertility? Wonderful. We recommend enlisting the help of holistic healthcare practitioners in this phase of your journey, but there are a few things you can do on your own in the meantime.
High Impact Lifestyle Changes to Treat Unexplained Infertility
Clearing your life of excess stress is a great place to start.
Of course, we aren’t necessarily in control of everything that’s contributing to our stress levels, but that doesn’t mean we’re helpless. Adopting a basic meditation, mindfulness or yoga practice can do wonders for reducing how much we worry about the things we can’t control.
Lowering your stress levels can also have a balancing effect on your hormones. If your body thinks it is in danger, it stands to reason it’s not going to prioritize reproduction.
Getting enough sleep reduces levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
Aim for 7-9 hours each night. Reducing your alcohol and caffeine consumption can greatly improve your sleep as well as benefit your overall health. Try to limit your screen time at least 30 minutes before bed. Read a book, take a bath, or get intimate with your partner instead.
Exercising regularly at a moderate intensity, especially outdoors, can drastically improve mental and physical health.
Be careful not to overdo it though! Over-exercising actually places additional stress on the body, the opposite of what we want. Take your partner on a hike or bike ride, or try out a relaxed group fitness class to get some socializing in too.
Cleaning up your diet can also have a positive impact on overall health and stress levels.
This usually means eating more whole, unprocessed foods (like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and meats raised without antibiotics or hormones) as well as identifying any food sensitivities and staying away from those. Many people find it helpful to think about following the 80/20 rule when it comes to diet (eat “healthfully” 80 percent of the time and whatever you want 20 percent of the time).
It’s important to not get too restrictive when it comes to food because this can also contribute to overall stress. So do your best, but don’t worry too much if you slip up now and again.
Ready to take the next steps?
Once you’re ready to take it to the next level, pay a visit to an osteopath. It will address potential causes of infertility that you can’t correct on your own.
Remember to bring your partner along for the ride! Fertility is a couple’s issue, and both of you need to be functioning optimally to overcome this challenge.
