Home Remedies and Herbs for Infertility

Infertility is a condition meaning a couple is incapable of conceiving a child after trying for longer than one year without birth control. Some healthcare providers consider infertility to be after 6 months of trying when the woman is over 35 years of age. This is because female fertility declines with age.¹ It is estimated that between 10 and 15 percent of couples in the United States are infertile. Infertility can affect one or both partners and may involve a combination of factors.² There are two types of fertility:³

• Primary infertility - which refers to couples who have not become pregnant after 1 year of trying without birth control.
• Secondary infertility - which refers to couples who previously became pregnant, but now are unable.

What Causes Infertility?

Infertility causes are due to problems at one or more of the several steps required to reproduce. Every step between ovulation and fertilization needs to function correctly in order to conceive.² Infertility causes can be attributed to problems with the man, the woman or both partners. Infertility causes for both men and women can include different emotional or physical factors.^{2 3} Infertility in women can be caused by:^{2 3}

• Ovulation disorders
• Early menopause
• Cervical and uterine abnormalities
• Damage or blockage to the fallopian tube
• Scarring from endometriosis, sexually transmitted infections or abnormal surgery
• Ovarian cysts or polycystic ovary syndrome
• Diseases, such as thyroid disease, diabetes or cancer
• Smoking, alcohol, obesity and old age
• Poor nutrition and eating disorders
• Exercising too much
• Hormonal imbalances
• Birth defects
• Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs

• Retrograde ejaculation or impotence
• Birth defects
• Hormonal imbalance
• Infection
• Obesity and old age
• Lifestyle habits like smoking, heavy alcohol consumption and drug use
• Cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy
• Exposure to heat for prolonged periods
• Environmental toxins

Infertility Symptoms

The main infertility symptoms are not being able to get pregnant despite trying frequently for over one year. There are sometimes no other obvious infertility symptoms than this. Sometimes, infertility symptoms in women can include having abnormal or missed periods, although this can indicate other problems. Infertility in men may cause symptoms like changes in hair growth and sexual function, although this is not always an indication of infertility.

References

1. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/home/ovc-20228734
3. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001191.htm