Naturopathic Fertility Support

According to the CDC, approximately 12% of women age 18-44 in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term.  As naturopathic doctors, we are prepared to assist your fertility goals through a personalized and comprehensive approach.

Here at Richmond Natural Medicine, we view fertility support as a small part in the overall support for vitality in both partners. Addressing the health of the whole body translates to greater ease in conceiving and carrying a healthy pregnancy. This means that in addition to looking comprehensively at hormonal health, our Naturopathic Doctors also investigate chronic ailments throughout the physicial body and take interest in any mental or emotional symptoms. Inviting an ND into your larger care team means having an expert who can assess both partners as whole people and provide non-toxic, effective, and individualized care options. Our doctors also work collaboratively with reproductive endocrinologists, midwives, and OB/GYNs.

How Can RNM Support Your Fertility Journey?

In our practice, it’s common to see patients who have previously been diagnosed with conditions like endometriosis or erectile dysfunction. Naturopathic medicine & doctors are well positioned to support these patients because their goal is to discover the root cause of a diagnosis by using modalities such as herbs, supplements, diet, lifestyle changes, and homeopathic remedies to support and strengthen the body. After reviewing a patient’s medical history, an ND may explore specialty hormone or gastrointestinal health assessments, cortisol patterns, heavy metal toxicity, and chronic infections. But more important to us than a diagnosis is the individual behind the diagnosis. We want to know your whole picture as a person.

That said, these are some of the medical conditions involving infertility that naturopathic medicine can address:

Medical Conditions In women

• Endometriosis
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Hormonal imbalances (estrogen, progesterone, FSH, thyroid and/or adrenal)
• Diminished ovarian reserve, premature ovarian failure
• Poor egg quality
• Difficulty with ovulation
• Ovarian cysts from stimulation medications
• Thin uterine lining
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• History of recurrent miscarriages
• Autoimmune factors affecting fertilization or implantation
• Fibroid tumors
• Anxiety or depression
• Low libido

Medical Conditions In Men

• Low libido
• Low sperm counts
• Poor morphology
• Poor fertilization
• Hormone imbalances (estrogen, testosterone, thyroid and/or adrenal)
• Erectile dysfunction

The Goals of Naturopathic Fertility Support

The changes we strive for when optimizing women and men’s fertility are highly individualized. When your ND addresses whole-body health and sees your chronic ailments improve, the effects on fertility may include:

For Female Fertility

• Increase blood flow and nutrition to the reproductive system
• Relaxation of the uterus to enhance implantation
• Hormonal regulation
• Regular ovulation
• Reduce mental or emotional stress
• Supporting unresolved emotional or physical trauma that can impact the endocrine system
• Efficacy of fertility medications and interventions
• Counteract side effects of fertility medications
• Support liver and lymphatic detoxification pathways to help the body process environmental toxins that impact the endocrine system

For Male Fertility

• Increase blood flow and nutrition to the reproductive system
• Increase sperm count
• Enhance morphology
• Reduce mental or emotional stress
• Support unresolved trauma that can impact endocrine system
• Hormonal regulation
• Supporting liver detoxification pathways to help the body process environmental toxins that impact the endocrine system

Tailored Support During Pregnancy & Beyond

Bringing a child into the world is sacred. The events and experiences that have impacted your physical and emotional health can also impact the health of your child. There is significant research supporting this. Thus it is about being intentional to prevent from these things imprinting. Thus, naturopathic fertility support includes helping pregnant females prepare emotionally, physically and spiritually for having healthy pregnancies and post-partum experiences. It is about being the healthiest person you can be and preparing for the healthiest family with a team. Each trimester has unique challenges that we seek to help:   

First Trimester

The first trimester can be an exciting but difficult time for some women because the excitement of parenthood can be masked by physical discomfort. Naturopathic doctors can help your mind and body transition more smoothly throughout the beginning of your pregnancy. Common areas of support include:

• Decreasing nausea and vomiting
• Improving energy
• Relieving musculoskeletal pain
• Assisting with tissue integrity
• Improving sleep
• Mood support

Second Trimester

The ssecond trimester can be a great time to enjoy being pregnant. Often, nausea subsides and growth increases significantly in both mom and baby. However, some health concerns can arise. Naturopathic medicine can be very effective in reducing ailments such as:

• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Hypertension
• Gestational diabetes
• Low back pain
• Leg cramps
• Hyperemesis gravidarum

Third Trimester

During the third trimester the focus is on the comfort of mom and preparation for labor. Some musculoskeletal complaints may emerge, such as low back pain, and your ND can recommend some techniques to relieve muscular discomfort. Digestive discomfort is also often a concern and your ND can also provide strategies to optimize digestion and elimination. Pre-birth support is directed at:

• Ripening the cervix
• Maintaining the baby in the best position for labor
• Supporting energy levels for women going into labor
• Decreasing the amount of time spent in labor
• Reducing the incidence of induction or cesarean section

Fourth Trimester: The Postpartum Period

This time is marked your family’s transition into this new and wondrous chapter of life. Like any transition, it will require intentional support for both mom and baby. Common conditions that can be addressed with naturopathic medicine during this time include:

• Fatigue
• Insufficient lactation
• Insomnia
• Depression and anxiety
• Cesarean recovery
• Bowel irregularities
• Blocked ducts and mastitis

Naturopathic medicine can be an excellent tool in the process of enhancing you and your partner’s overall health and wellness, which can then lead to a healthy conception, pregnancy, delivery, and post-partum period. It is our honor to work with future, expecting, and current mothers in their fertility and pregnancy journey.