Holistic medicine has historically been synonymous with the hippie, New Age-y folks who swear by hemp smoothies and chakra alignment. But in reality, “holistic” just means taking a 360-degree view into healthcare so that you are considering the entire interconnected system of a person rather than focusing on treating single-issue symptoms. A great example of holistic treatment can be shown when we have a fever. If the fever is caused by a bacterial infection, the fever will get better with Tylenol, but it’s not going to stop the fever from continuing to occur. That would require additional testing and antibiotics to kill the bacteria which is the root cause of the fever. Holistic methods similarly focus on treating root causes not just symptoms.
Infertility healthcare can be holistic too, and embracing a proper holistic approach of medicine and lifestyle modifications is often a great first place to start when treating infertility. But there’s a catch: not all holistic treatments are effective, and a few of them might even worsen your pregnancy odds. Not all therapies are legitimate, and holistic fertility remedies are also meant to be administered in tandem with traditional medicine rather than in isolation.
You deserve transparency in treating your infertility, and a holistic approach can be just what the doctor ordered for eliminating variables that could be at the root cause of infertility. To discern the best holistic fertility treatments from the deceptive ones, let’s discuss the complex role of alternative medicine in infertility healthcare.
Narrowing Down the Truly Effective Options
Some naturopathic and holistic treatments do contribute to stronger fertility outcomes since they promote a healthy body and mind overall. However, it’s important to separate practical benefits from medically verifiable solutions. For instance, we know that stress makes it harder to get pregnant—duh. Thanks, everyone for telling us we need to chill out once a day - not helpful.
Supplements aren’t going to fix that problem at all, but there’s a good chance some science-backed choices might increase your overall reproductive health and well-being to up your chances of conception. Just remember they’re not anything like a cure-all. If a company is telling you they’re a complete solution, they’re totally the problem.
My advice on this winding road of infertility intervention is to prioritize peer-reviewed science in your treatment. That means clinical studies over pseudo-science. Even clinical trials aren’t all really clinical trials that have been reviewed and agreed upon by scientific experts. Look for verified treatments, especially treatments that have been cleared by the FDA to help people struggling to conceive. The things you put in your body should meet the highest standards—playing roulette with your health in the name of naturopathic wellness isn’t wellness.
So with that in mind, here are some of the best holistic fertility treatments that, when used in conjunction with mainstream methods and techniques, can up your chances of conceiving with a real, science-based boost.
Supplements
The supplement world includes some highly effective products that support your health, as well as some that are completely useless or even dangerous. You’ll find pills touting highly unregulated claims sitting on the shelf next to legitimate advice, and some expertise will be required to navigate the space.
There are many vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can be boosted with supplements like iron or vitamin C, and improving your overall functioning in support of conception with these supplements can be simple enough. There is also no doubt that oxidative stress can negatively impact your ability to become pregnant, as free radicals damage cells and degrade your overall health. Oxidative stress has also been implicated in miscarriages, pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and preterm labor.
There are several prenatal supplements available that are full of antioxidants, and they can potentially reduce free radical damage and boost the quality of your eggs. Also, depending on your treatment protocol, some supplements may work better than others. For instance, melatonin can help with egg maturation during IVF, but that treatment is often a last, expensive resort that’s very far down the line. That doesn’t mean you should just start taking it if you’re trying a first, best option treatment like intracervical insemination (ICI).
Considerations Before Taking Supplements
If you choose to take supplements, it’s important to remember that they do not require clearance from the FDA. That’s right, anyone can literally put sawdust in a capsule and sell it. Make sure to use a well-known brand name and research the correct dose you need to take. It can’t hurt to consult with a provider.
You know you better than anyone
Infertility can be a long, lonely journey, and it’s important to find joy where you can. Does a massage help? Schedule one weekly. Are fresh flowers your jam? Buy them! Find joy where and when you can. And remember, sometimes it’s okay just to be sad. It’s okay to cry–letting those feelings out can relieve stress, too.
We’re not going to patronize you with a listicle on relaxation techniques, but we are going to encourage you to be your own advocate. No one has your best interest in mind more than you. Have a voice in any decision that involves your body and your care. Be a mama bear NOW.
Knowing Your Options
One of the biggest myths to bust in the infertility world centers around the mainstream protocols available and their effectiveness. Many doctors and specialists focus on intrauterine insemination( IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), but these treatments are actually second and third methodologies. A less invasive and far cheaper option is an ICI kit, which is revolutionizing infertility treatment.
An ICI kit comes with everything you need to boost your fertility. It’s intentionally straightforward for easy handling and won’t run you much more than $100—virtually unheard of in the fertility healthcare field, holistic or otherwise! My favorite part is that ICI is just as reliable as in-clinic IUI, so you’re able to raise your chances of pregnancy without even leaving home. You can still have the conception you’ve envisioned with an ICI kit on your side.
Your Best Choice in Holistic Fertility Treatments
PherDal is a sensible first step in treating infertility. It’s safe, low-stakes, and has the same beautiful simplicity that naturopathic medicine prides itself on. Although I’m a scientist by trade, I share your desire for the tranquility and intimacy of holistic fertility treatments, which is exactly why I created the PherDal ICI kit. In fact, it’s the only one on the market to be guaranteed 100% sterile, and it’s the first FDA-approved kit in history! Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and cared for when trying for a baby, and an ICI kit ensures this plus an improved likelihood of getting pregnant.
