Naturopathic Fertility Protocol
Providing support using Naturopathic Medicine can be very beneficial for those who are trying to conceive. As Naturopathic Doctors we can help to address the underlying root cause of a hormone imbalance in addition to addressing lifestyle factors such as diet, energy, sleep, stress, exercise, digestion and mood. A healthy environment will set yourself up for success in trying to conceive! Here’s a breakdown of what to expect when you consider a fertility focused appointment.
Initial Appointment:
- Review past medical and gynecological history pertaining to fertility and general health
- Review of previous blood work completed
- In depth review of lifestyle factors (ie. energy, sleep, stress, diet, exercise, etc.)
- Recommendations on individualized supplement prescription
- Homework: diet diary
2nd Appointment
- Head to toe physical exam
- Review past blood work if not already done
- Recommendations on individualized supplement prescription
- Review of diet diary and individual recommendations for diet
- Acupuncture appointment (optional)
3rd Appointment
- Follow up on individualized supplement prescription
- Acupuncture appointment (optional)
** Subsequent appointments will involve either following up on treatment plans and lifestyle or acupuncture treatment.
Full Individualized Treatment and Assessment
A full in-depth analysis of your case will be completed using all the information gathered in the first visit along with any lab work previously completed through your family physician or fertility clinic. Lab work can also be requisitioned if required in our office for a fee depending on the lab. This approach requires a great deal of work to ensure that all pieces of the puzzle are analyzed and a clear plan is created. All systems of the body will be considered, your lifestyle and your lab work to create a clear and comprehensive plan.
Natural Cycle Monitoring
One of the first steps in understanding your fertility success is monitoring your natural cycle. This is done by analyzing the signs and symptoms your body presents with throughout the cycle. Dr. Hirji will teach you how to monitor ovulation using your basal body temperature, ovulation stripes or cervical mucous. This will give you a sense as to when you are the most fertile and give you insight into how to increase your chances of conceiving.
Conditions Commonly Treated
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Endometriosis
- Ovulation disorders (ie. anovulation, late ovulation, early ovulation)
- Premature Ovarian Failure
- Thyroid concerns (ie. Hypothyroidism, Graves disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
- Miscarriage
- Unexplained Fertility
- Egg quality support
- Male Factor Infertility
- IUI/IVF preparation and support
- Low Ovarian Reserve
- Poor response to fertility medications
Naturopathic Treatments
The following are specific naturopathic modalities/services that may be recommended based on the patient’s case.
- IV therapy: With IV treatments, nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream. This creates a concentration gradient that allows nutrients to be delivered to the cells passively, with little or no effort from the body. IV therapy can be beneficial for a patient who is trying to conceive by supporting the liver through detoxification, ensuring adrenal glands that produce our stress hormone are balanced, and supporting a compromised digestive system.
- Clinical Nutrition: Building a foundation starts with eating for your body. Choosing the right foods is the first step in building a foundation in the preconception stage. It can be hard to determine which “diet” is the best for you, and this all really depends on your symptoms and current health. You will get a diet that is specific to helping you prepare for a pregnancy.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years! It can help support fertility outcomes by balancing the endocrine system, improving blood flow to the reproductive organs and can reduce stress levels. It recommended to do acupuncture throughout the cycle and before and after IVF and IUI procedures.
- Supplementation: No two patients are exactly the same and deciding on which supplements are best for you can be tough! You will receive a supplement prescription that is individualized to your specific case.
- Botanical Medicine: Using specific botanicals can have a profound impact on fertility. The botanicals products use have been researched and can help to rebalance the natural healing processes of the body.
- Lab tests: Lab work will be recommended on a case by case basis if you have not already completed it with a fertility clinic or your family physician. All lab work done with a Naturopathic Doctor is subject to a fee depending on the lab test.
Outcome of Naturopathic Fertility Treatments
- Hormone balancing
- Improving egg quality
- Regulating cycles
- Stress management and reduction
- Miscarriage prevention
- Improving IUI and IVF outcomes
Timeline for Naturopathic Fertility Treatments
It is important to consider an appropriate timeline when considering any therapy. Remember it takes about 90 days for an egg and sperm to go through its full maturation cycle. Using natural therapies, the aim is to re-establish the natural hormone processes in the body. Try to give yourself at least 3 months with naturopathic therapies to see an optimal response.
