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What About Unexplained Infertility?

by Hethir Rodriguez, MH, CMT

istock_000006241728xsmallUnexplained infertility is a term we hear a lot in the reproductive world. Basically it is the term used when there is no found cause for infertility. Usually a couple has gone through all of the testing available and everything comes back clear. This is good news, but can be so frustrating if you have not gotten pregnant yet. In the case of unexplained infertility it can be hard to figure out what to do next.

The great thing about herbs and natural therapies is that the focus is on bringing the body back into balance. With unexplained infertility there are couple of areas you can look into. A simple program to follow is outlined below covering these three common reasons for unexplained infertility.

Hormonal Balance
If the hormones are not balanced or the menstrual cycle is off, pregnancy can not occur. Nourishing the reproductive system and cleansing the liver with herbs is a natural and gentle way to balance the hormones. The Fertility Cleanse Kit is a great way to cleanse the liver of excess hormones and toxins while balancing hormones and nourishing the uterus.

Once the body is cleansed and ready for trying to conceive you may want to add pregnancy preparation herbs to your mix. There are specific herbs that help prepare the body for healthy conception, promote ovulation and keep the hormones balanced. My favorite herbal blend for this is Pregnancy Prep.

Cervical Mucous
Low cervical mucous is one of the simplest yet important factors to becoming pregnant. If the cervical mucous is scant, non existent or too acidic, then the sperm will not be able to make there way to the cervix. There are natural remedies that help the body to produce more, sperm friendly cervical mucous as well as sperm friendly lubricants.

Nutritional Status
Having a nutritional deficiency can cause the menstrual cycle to become imbalanced, may cause a lack of beneficial hormones to be produced, or the body to lack overall health. For example iron is necessary for ovulation. Calcium is detrimental to healthy menstruation. And folic acid is required prior to conception to prevent birth defects in the baby.

Eating a nutrient dense fertility diet is so vitally important. It is the foundation of any fertility program or journey. In addition to a whole foods fertility diet there are two supplements that should be taken in addition. A whole food prenatal multivitamin and Omega 3 Fatty Acid.

A sample program for someone who is experiencing unexplained infertility:

Step One/Month One: Fertility Cleanse, Prenatal multivitamin, Omega3 Fatty Acid
Step Two/Month Two+: Pregnancy Prep herbal blend, Prenatal multivitamin, Omega3 Fatty Acid

There are some other nutrients that you may want to add to this sample program such as:


Fertility Enzyme Therapy: This is helpful for situations of autoimmune infertility, where the body attacks and rejects the embryo or the sperm. Fertility Enzyme Therapy is also helpful if scar tissues or stagnation may be present. Examples of stagnation are conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS, or blocked tubes.

Maca: Maca is a wonderful fertility superfood that helps to balance hormones and boost libido. It does not contain hormones so it is safe to take on a daily basis. We have had many successes with Maca. It is a great herb for both women and men.

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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }

Alexandra 02.19.09 at 5:42 AM

Hi Hethir,

Im 32years old and recently diagnosed with either endometrioma(more likely) or cyst filled with blood. I would love to know which of your products is better for me- ovarian cyst kit or kit for treating endometriosis. My GP wants me to have a laparoskopy but im not so sure:-( is it possible to get rid off my cyst without having a surgery? thanks for your answer. Alexandra

Dalene 02.19.09 at 5:09 PM

Hi Alexandra,
I think the kit you choose should be the one you think will be of most benefit for your particular situation. The Ovarian Cyst Remedy Kit is designed to support the body in helping to clear out ovarian cysts naturally. The herbs and supplements in this program both help to balance hormones thus slowing cyst growth and dissolving existing cysts through Fertility Enzyme Therapy and therapeutic abdomen packs. The Endometriosis Fertility Kit is designed to help clear the body of excess endometrial tissue, balance the hormones, bring circulation to the reproductive system, and prepare the body for conception. This kit is filled with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fertility superfoods, and nutrients to help create a healthy body and reproductive system specifically for women with endometriosis. Both kits contain many of the same products, but The Ovarian Cyst Kit is more focused on preventing and dissolving the cysts. Before starting either kit you may want to look into doing a Fertility Cleanse, which may help your body and uterus to rid itself of excess hormones, toxins, old stagnant blood and mucous and help the liver to function properly, which is imperative to hormonal balance and a key step in reversing endometriosis and the formation of cysts. Remember all of these therapies take time to be effective, they require consistency and patience!

Best Wishes!

lori 02.20.09 at 9:17 AM

I am 38 years old undergoing fertility treatments. My progesterone and estriadol levels were low. I have not undergone an acutal insimination proceedure as of yet, but am still in the testing phases. I have been diagnosed
with Sjogren’s Syndrome and possible Lupus. I also have hypertension and was told my insulin levels upon fasting were high at 10.5. I had an appointment with my R.E. yesterday and she was checking two more hormone levels, one
of which is the FSH. My cycles have been irregular since September. One
cycle lasting 7 weeks, the next 3 weeks both of which were very heavy and
had clots that resembled grape jelly. This last cycle was about 7 days and not
heavy at all. She said that from the labs I did not appear to ovulate. If the last
two hormone tests come back low she said my only other option was possibly donor eggs or adoption. I know I have not gone through menopause. I haven’t really had any other symptoms and all the women in my family didn’t even begin
going through it until their mid to late 40’s. I have to say I was very discouraged upon leaving. I am so in love with the idea of this child. Do you feel my window of oportunity may be gone as the doctor said, or is their hope?
Thank you.

Lori

lisa 03.29.09 at 10:01 PM

Hi, i have uderactive thyroid and ttc 2 years now, i have 2 children but longing for no 3, what can you recemond for me?

paula 03.31.09 at 3:51 AM

I have been off the depo shot for 5 years and have been unable to concieve. Doctors say since I have normal and regular periods that there should be a 50/50 chance. i would like to increase that chance. I admit I am 45 but had no problems before the shot, is there any hope?

Dalene 03.31.09 at 5:18 PM

Hi Lisa,

I have known many women with underactive thyroid and this can effect your entire life, including your fertility. Please consult your doctor about options to help with this condition.

Best Wishes,

Dalene

Dalene 03.31.09 at 5:27 PM

Hi Paula,

You may want to begin with a Fertility Cleanse. Because Depo Provera effects your hormones a cleanse may be a good place to begin. When you are preparing for conception, it is a good idea to start out with a cleanse to renew your body, blood, and uterus. There are specific herbs that help the liver to get rid of excess hormones and toxins. There are also herbs and nutrients that help to cleanse the uterus of old contents and stagnant blood.

You may also want to have your hormone levels tested to see if you are having any hormonal imbalances.

Eat a Nutrient Dense Fertility Diet and make sure you are taking a prenatal vitamin, we like Baby and Me Multivitamin.

As we age, especially after the age of 35 we begin to ovulate less, sometimes we may even have menstrual cycles where we don’t ovulate. Vitex helps to regulate ovulation.

Best Wishes,

Dalene

Lami 04.04.09 at 1:01 PM

Hi Hethir,
I want to get pregnant but the problem I have is Fibroid.can you let me know where to start from because I want to order but do not know which one to order.

Thank you,
Lami

Dalene 04.06.09 at 4:24 PM

Hi Lami,

The Fibroid Remedy Kit is designed to support the body in helping to clear out fibroids naturally. The herbs and supplements in this program both help to balance hormones thus slowing fibroid growth and dissolving existing fibroids through Fertility Enzyme Therapy and the herbal blend.

Best Wishes,

Dalene

Kelly 04.08.09 at 6:20 AM

I am 28 years old, have a 6 year old daughter already and have been trying for a year for a second child. After a fertility workup, i was told that my ovaries are not releasing the eggs like they should be. I was told it could be due to hormonal imbalance, excess estrogen. I have completely regular periods, 28 day cycle. I have experienced alot of clotting recently during menstruation. I have ordered the Fertility Cleanse but I am unsure if there is anything else I can do to naturally help my ovaries function properly. I am so discourage because I don’t know what is wrong or how to fix it.

Dalene 04.09.09 at 4:03 PM

Hi Kelly,

Have you looked into taking Vitex? Vitex helps to regulate and normalize ovulation. That means not just regulating your entire menstrual cycle, but aiding your body in the actual process of releasing the egg. Vitex is an incredible hormone balancer, which adapts to women’s different needs. Vitex has been shown to normalize heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), relieve amenorrhea (absent menstrual cycle), and decrease polymenorrhea (too frequent periods). I think it is a good idea that you have first decided to begin with a cleanse. Did you ask your what can be done to help with your ovaries releasing the egg? I think it is important to have a good, open line of communication with your health care provider.

Best Wishes,

Dalene

Peggy 04.15.09 at 3:20 PM

I am 28 years old. I had only one depo shot. I was scheduled for the second shot March 2, but I didn’t go.My husband and I want to have our last baby. We have five children. I have always had a very regular 28 day cycle. Thus, getting pregnant have never been a problem. I started taking One A Day vitamins about a week ago. So will there be any signs of ovulation before I start my cylce?

Dalene 04.16.09 at 2:34 PM

Hi Peggy,

There are a couple things you may notice as you ovulate- a change in your cervical mucous and/or a pain in your ovary on the side of you body of the ovary that is releasing the egg.

Marie Zendak has written a great article on charting your fertile times. Click here: Charting Your Signs of Fertility

Best Wishes,

Dalene

Lorrie 05.07.09 at 6:04 AM

Hi, I am 42 years old and have not been on birth control pills since the age of 23. I have been testing from one end to the other from several RE’s and OB’s and they have never found anything wrong with me. Unfortunately, I am under the ‘unexplained infertility’ catagory. At this age I have come to my end of any hope. I was working with a fertility clinic for the last 7 months. I have done 5 medicated IUI’s and one IVF cylcle this past April. All failed. They say they can’t find anything wrong with me. Infact, they are really amazed at how at my age I’m producing a good count of follicles and my blood work levels are really great every cycle. I really thought IVF would be my ticket and I am crushed beyond words that it didn’t take, especially having paid $10,000 because we don’t have the coverage.

So here I am, confused, depressed and really don’t know what to think. I started thinking as I have thought about this for many years, that maybe my body kills the sperm or/and the embryos. I did some research and I found a thing called ‘Natural Killer Cells’. I am really wondering if that’s something I might have. I’m really at a loss. What do you think?

Lorrie

hethir 05.07.09 at 2:09 PM

Hi Lorrie,

Unexplained fertility can sometimes be caused from the bodies immune system rejecting the sperm or the embryo. There is a good book called “Is Your Body Baby Friendly” that talks about the tests and research behind this theory. The only down side is that the medications that they give you during pregnancy are the same medications which organ donors take to prevent their body from rejecting the organ. The treatments are considered dangerous by most doctors. But the good news is that there was a study done on the use of systemic enzymes (such as Zymessence) that showed to have great results with recurrent miscarriage due to immunological embryo rejection.

Rowan 06.06.09 at 7:50 PM

I’m kind of young, 21 to be exact, but I have been married 3 years and my husband and I are interested in children. Unfortunately, I’ve never had a regular menstrual cycle. Ever. An endocrinologist discovered my lack of a cycle was due to an elevated prolactin level, but she was never able to figure out what was causing the excess prolactin.

Cabergoline seems to have lowered the prolactin and jump-started things so I’m having a cycle, but do you have any additions that might help raise my fertility in a more natural way?

hethir 06.08.09 at 8:13 AM

Hi Rowan,

An herb you should do more research on is Vitex. It has been shown to reduce prolactin levels. As with most herbs, it will take some time to do its work, but it works amazingly. It is best to not combine Vitex with Cabergoline (medication) since they both have the same effect. Talk to your doctor about that.

http://natural-fertility-info.com/vitex

Sita 06.17.09 at 7:25 AM

Hi Hethir,

I am so thankful for your website. I’m 31 years old and have had 4 miscarriages and have also suffered from dysmenorrhea since I first started menstruating. I have been told by the doctors that there is no reason for the recurrent miscarriages and they see no reason for me to try again. I have absolutely no problem getting pregnant and haven’t used Birth Control Pills since my teens. I had an IUD removed over 4 years ago. I am pregnant again and I’m scared. I don’t know what to expect and have eaten well and been on “bed-rest” for my last 4 pregnancies. I don’t stress a lot and maintain a somewhat healthy diet. Do you have any advice?

Cate 06.17.09 at 9:06 AM

Hi Hethir,
Can I continue drinking the fertility smoothie during the 30-day Fertility Cleanse period?

My husband and I are both in the mid-30s and we are trying to get pregnant for 15 months now and I have been through all the fertility tests and was told that I have unexplained infertility. My menstrual cycles have been regular, 26-31 days, and I do not have any other ovarian problems, no blood clogging in the fallopian tubes. But I would get PMS like lower back pains a few day before I get my period and would get stomach cramps days 1-2 during my period. Occasionally I would get brown and dark red bloods. I have been getting acupuncture treatments for 6 months and taking prenatal vitamins for over a year. We would like to try to get pregnant naturally and reserving IUI and IVF for last. I am hoping that the Fertility Cleanse would help with the cramps, the back pains and clear up the bad bloods and perhaps get pregnant soon without any needs for IUI which would be next on our list.
Thanks,
Cate

Cate 06.23.09 at 2:06 PM

Dalene,
I just received the Fertility Cleanse kit and am wondering if it would be okay or safe to start using the products on day 10 and while trying to conceive. I start ovulating around days 13-16. I read the Q&A posting (see below) and it would not recommend the fertility cleanse while trying to conceive. However, we cannot take any month off from trying to conceive, my husband and I are in our late 30s and we have been trying for 18 months now and our fertility test results were unexplainable. Please advise. Thanks, Cate

Q: When is the best time to try to conceive while I am on the Fertility Cleanse?

A: I recommend that while on the Fertility Cleanse you take a month off from trying to conceive. The reason for this is the herbs in the cleanse are not meant to be taken while trying to conceive. The actions of these herbs are to cleanse and clear out the body. The cycle following the cleanse would be fine to start trying to conceive again.

Dalene 06.24.09 at 11:53 AM

Hi Cate,

We suggest not trying to conceive while Fertility Cleansing because if you do become pregnant you could pass toxins on to your baby in utero. Also there are herbs in the cleanse kit that are not recommended to use while pregnant. It would be best to wait a month and try on your next cycle.

Best Wishes,

Dalene

Judy 08.05.09 at 6:07 AM

Good afternoon. I’m 40 and am getting pretty frustrated. Over the past year my husband and I have gone through 5 IUI’s and 2 IVF’s. We had complete fertilization failure even with ICSI - which happens less than 2% of the time. All of my tests and hormone levels (including egg reserve) were normal. They retrieved 8 seemingly mature eggs with the first IVF and 11 with the second. We had my husband tested for y-chromosome abnormalities and everything else under the sun and he was fine. We were ultimately told I have an egg quality issue. I find this really hard to believe. Is there something I can take to increase the quality of my eggs? Thanks so much.

Judy

Hethir Rodriguez 08.06.09 at 7:38 AM

Hi Judy,

You can learn more about increasing your egg health here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/increase-egg-health

Kelly 08.31.09 at 2:06 PM

I have had 8 unexplained miscarriage. My menstrual cycles are very regular. I have been to two reproductive endocrinologists and have undergone every test imagineable, which have all come back normal. I had a uterine septum removed after my third miscarriage and still continue to miscarry. I really want a child, but am scared to try again. Is there anything else I can try?

Hethir Rodriguez 09.01.09 at 8:53 AM

Hi Kelly,

Have you had autoimmune testing done? You may want to look into the book ” Is your Body Baby Friendly” it helps to explain some of the testing that can be done. While his treatment methods are questionable there are natural things that can be tried if you are able to determine the cause. You may want to book a Natural Fertility Consultation so we can look into your health history and diet. How far along are you when you miscarry? Are they blight ovums?

I just got an email from a client/reader that had 3 prior miscarriages, changed her diet and used maca into her first trimester and now has a healthy 5 month old. FYI :)

Connie 09.07.09 at 6:47 PM

Hello there, I have a beautiful son from a prior relationship who just turned 3. I’m now 27 and married to a great guy and we’ve been TTC for over a year. My gyno. ran blood tests and did a vaginal w/s after my primary Dr. thought I was PCOS. Turns out my gyno. wanted us to get a sperm analysis which we haven’t done yet and told me I was normal. She said I was ovulating when they did the u/s and all that. My friend gave me some maca pills for my hubby so he just started on them today. Now I wanna figure out why we aren’t getting prego. I gained 80 lbs with my son and lost all but 15 of it last summer and gained 25 back putting me back up to 190 lbs (although I think my scale is broke and I seem a bit thinner) but my gyno. did not think my weight was a factor in me not getting pregnant. Is there anything I can do to help us? I wanna try the fertility smoothies-they look really good and gonna check which fruits and that are on the TTC a girl diet. Please help!! We want to start our family so bad….

Hethir Rodriguez 09.08.09 at 5:25 AM

My best suggestion would be to book a Natural Fertility Email Consultation so I can make personalized suggestions based on your health history, diet, and menstruation details. You can learn more about this here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/natural-fertility-email-consultations

nicky 11.11.09 at 8:33 AM

hello…i have a question, when i had my last child 14yrs ago (1995) i had a tubel which i regret now…Ive did alot of reading up on ivf and tubel reversel and there both costly…i know that the dr..tied them…by taking the Zymessence will thay help as far as maybe eating away the scar tissue at the end of the tubes?

Dalene 11.12.09 at 9:55 AM

Hi Nicky,

Zymessence could help with scar tissue formation after a tubal reversal, to help keep the tube open, but Zymessence will not untie your fallopian tube. You will need a tubal reversal or IVF to conceive again.

All the Best,

Dalene

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