When to Seek Fertility Care?

Knowing when to seek care for conception health can be a grey area for women. Identifying potential physical, emotional and environmental risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes early is important when focusing on optimizing health outcomes for mom and baby. Through education and counseling, Naturopathic Doctors focus on helping you get to know your body and prepare it so that when the time comes, you can optimize your chances of conceiving naturally.

YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT CONCEIVING WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR

If you are ready to conceive in the near future you want to make sure that your body is ready to support itself and baby. Cleansing your body allows for restoration of health and preparation for conception. Look to remove dietary allergens through IgG Testing or an Elimination Diet to reduce inflammation in the body that could negatively impact fertility. Manage your stress. Not all stress can be avoided. Focus on eliminating the stressors in your life that you can. This will create space in your life for you to have fun and relax. Implementing these early will allow your body to have the time and proper support it needs for healthy conception.

YOU HAVE DISCONTINUED ORAL CONTRACEPTION

Oral contraceptives (OCPs) are beneficial for their use as reversible contraception. Upon discontinuation of OCPs there can be a delay in return of menstrual cycles. As well there are many nutritional deficiencies that are induced by long-term use of OCP. Deficiencies of these vitamins and minerals can lead to fertility issues, among many others. A Prenatal Vitamin is advised for women who are looking to conceive as they contain a number of vitamin and minerals that are protective against birth defects. However, additional testing and supplementation may be required for these women to re-fill their levels.

YOU HAVE IRREGULAR OR ABSENT PERIODS

The cause of absent or irregular periods can vary between women to women. Women who are not menstruating on a consistent basis are likely not ovulating either. Ovulation is essential for fertility as this is the time in your menstrual cycle when your ovaries release an egg that travels through the female reproductive system and waits to meet your partner’s sperm for fertilization. Naturopathic Doctors have numerous tools in their toolbox to support a women’s menstrual cycle and promote ovulation monthly. The Fertility Awareness Method allows women to determine if they are ovulating and at what time in their cycle. Work with a Naturopathic Doctor to regulate your menstrual cycle and enhance your chance of conceiving naturally.

YOU HAVE A KNOWN REPRODUCTIVE ISSUE

There are numerous endocrine disorders that can affect ones chances of conceiving. A diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis, Premature Ovarian Failure, to name a few, may lead to troubles conceiving. This is often a result of hormonal imbalances or deficiencies, along with a dysregulation in the immune system. Naturopathic Doctors can provide treatment to optimize the body’s ability to process hormones, as well as support the immune system. Dependent on the condition, implementation of dietary and lifestyle approaches are done to best support the individual.

YOU HAVE A THYROID CONDITION

Thyroid Disorders are one of the most common conditions affecting pregnancy. If your thyroid is under-functioning (Hypothyroid) or over-functioning (Hyperthyroid), both of these impact fertility. Naturopathic Doctors request Complete Thyroid Assessments that your medical doctor may not, to assess the functioning of your thyroid and determine if it needs support. Some women may have normal laboratory values, yet are still experiencing symptoms of constipation, dry skin, or weight gain, to name a few. If this is you, you likely will benefit from thyroid support. Make sure to have your thyroid assessed if you are considering conceiving in the next 6 months to assure there are no concerns.

Seek the care that you need! Naturopathic doctors work in collaboration with your health practitioner to improve maternal and fetal outcomes by offering preconception care when you need it. Take the guesswork out, get your hormones tested today!