Infertility

Reproductive endocrinologists, the doctors specializing in infertility, consider a couple to be infertile if:

• the couple has not conceived after 12 months of unprotected intercourse if the female is under the age of 35

• the couple has not conceived after 6 months of unprotected intercourse if the female is over the age of 35 (declining egg quality of females over the age of 35 account for the age-based discrepancy as when to seek medical intervention)

• the female is incapable of carrying a pregnancy to term.

Healthy couples in their mid-20s having regular sex have a one-in-four chance of getting pregnant in any given month. This is called "Fecundity".

Symptoms-

1 .Male infertility

The history should include prior testicular (penis) insults (torsion, cryptorchidism, trauma), infections (mumps orchitis, epididymitis), environmental factors (excessive heat, radiation, chemotherapy), medications (anabolic steroids, cimetidine, and spironolactone may affect spermatogenesis; phenytoin may lower FSH; sulfasalazine and nitrofurantoin affect sperm motility), and drugs (alcohol, marijuana). Sexual habits, frequency and timing of intercourse, use of lubricants, and each partner's previous fertility experiences are important.

2 .Female infertility

Female infertility occurs when the woman does not conceive after one year of attempting to become pregnant.

3. In both of the above cases stress plays a major factor when no other causes are found out.

Complications-

1. Psychological impact

Infertility may have profound psychological effects. Partners may become more anxious to conceive, ironically increasing sexual dysfunction. Marital discord often develops in infertile couples, especially when they are under pressure to make medical decisions. Women trying to conceive often have clinical depression rates similar to women who have heart disease or cancer. Even couples undertaking IVF face considerable stress, especially the female partner

2. Social impact

In many cultures, inability to conceive bears a stigma. In closed social groups, a degree of rejection (or a sense of being rejected by the couple) may cause considerable anxiety and disappointment

Remedies-

In homeopathic medicine ailments such as food allergy, hypoglycemia, high blood pressure, asthma and digestive disorders are regarded as being manifestations of stress, so treatment is likely to be long-term and constitutional; however, in acute circumstances, one of the following remedies may be useful, according to a person's circumstances:

• Phosphoric ac. for stress due to grief or bad news

• Picric ac. for stress due to overwork.

• Ignatia for stress following emotional upset such as a broken love affair

• Nux for stress brought on by burning the candle at both ends, including smoking, eating or drinking too much, making the sufferer irritable.

The following remedies can be used to treat stress-related conditions, such as anxiety, nervousness, tension, and mental fatigue. Be sure to match your symptoms with the remedy that has the most similar characteristics.

1. Ignatia amara [Ignatia]

Emotional strain; mental stress; negative effects of grief, worry, disappointment, shock; hysteria; sad, moody, sighing; insomnia; headache, often following anger or grief, which becomes worse from stooping; intolerance to tobacco.

Worsened by: suppressing emotions, tobacco, coffee, brandy, smoke or strong odors.

Better from: lying on the painful side, warmth, walking, hard pressure.

2. Phosphorus [Phos]

Symptom: Restlessness; overexcited state that causes weakness and exhaustion; burning pains; chilliness with thirst for cold drinks; expressive, animated, overdramatic; acute senses; bothered by light and noise; nervous- ness and fear; sense that something bad will happen; fearful of being alone and crave company; easily frightened or upset, though can be reassured or distracted; crave salt, spicy food, ice cream; tendency to bleed easily (this should be evaluated medically); nosebleeds.

Worsened by: cold or heat, lying on left or painful side, thunderstorms.

Better from: massaging or rubbing; cold food or drink.

Your homeopath may suggest you learn some form of relaxation or meditation and perhaps take supplements of vitamin B complex; taking exercise may also be advised.

Infertility in females

1. Sabina  for women who have had miscarriages before 12 weeks.

2. Sepia for irregular periods accompanied by a sensation that your womb is about to drop out of your vagina, feeling chilly, weepy, irritable and have a lack of sexual desire.

3. Aurum for tired people with lack of sexual desire and depression.

4. Conium for women whose breasts feel tender, with pockets of hard swelling, and whose desire for sex is ebbing.

5. Lycopodium for women who have a dry vagina and tenderness in their lower abdomen over the right ovary.

6. Silica as a constitutional remedy

Infertility in males

1. Sepia is useful if the man has a dragging sensation in the genitals and no desire for sex.

2. Cannabis sativa is useful if you have a history of marijuana use and a reduced sex drive because of it. You may urinate in a split stream and suffer a burning sensation when urinating.

3. Lycopodium is the remedy of choice if you have wrinkles in your forehead and a tendency to balding on the top of the head, the so-called "monk's-pattern" baldness. You may often suffer from abdominal discomfort and indigestion.

4. Medorrhinum is good if you are nervous and sensitive, with a history of on-again, off-again impotence. You may also have occasional pain on urination, as well as a number of allergies.