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In Australia, one in six couples are reported to have fertility issues and around 25% of these cases are diagnosed as unexplained infertility. Unexplained infertility is defined as an inability to fall pregnant, despite the results of standard fertility evaluation being normal.

Unexplained infertility can be an extremely frustrating and heartbreaking diagnosis to receive from ones health professional, and the reason why a couple receive a diagnosis of unexplained infertility is a highly individual one.

The reason for one couples hurdle to parenthood is completely different to the next, though there are often similarities to look out for. Couples will often be stressed, frustrated, angry and feeling guilty, especially if they have started their fertility journey later in life. This stress may in turn lead to adrenal exhaustion, a loss in sexual enjoyment and in some cases, erectile dysfunction in men.

So what can you do if you receive this challenging diagnosis?

1. Look at your eating plan:

Alcohol, caffeine, and sugar all rob your body of the essential nutrients needed to create a healthy pregnancy. Go gluten and dairy free if possible. Gluten and dairy create inflammation in the body and may also affect your bodies’ nutrient levels. Increase good fats such as oily fish, a good quality olive oil, avocado, nuts & seeds. Good fats support the reproductive systems and can help reduce inflammation.

2. Reduce toxic exposure:

Avoid your exposure to things such as harmful plastics, household chemicals, pesticides and cigarette smoke. Some toxins can mimic the bodies hormones and reduce egg and sperm quality.

3. Reduce stress:

Stress induces the ’fight or flight’ hormones cortisol and adrenalin, which suppress reproduction. The regular practice of yoga and meditation have been proven to reduce the production of cortisol and adrenalin, but if that’s not your thing, simply sitting down in a quite space or going for a walk can help. Find your zen and make time for it.

4. Exercise:

Among the many other health benefits, exercise can reduce stress, help clear your body of toxins and help with healthy glucose metabolism. Just 30 minutes a day can have a positive impact.

5. Seek help:

The herbs, synthetic hormones or new craze diet that worked for your sister, workmate or couple down the street with their fertility troubles, may not work for you, and in the worst case scenario, may in fact lead to further issues or imbalances. Seek the help of your local naturopath to carry out appropriate in-depth diagnostic testing, assist with dietary modifications and help customise supplementation for your individual needs.

For many, a diagnosis of unexplained infertility doesn’t have to be the end of a couples dream to become a parent. Some simple diet and lifestyle modifications, together with the advice of a natural health professional, couples can optimise their reproductive health and perhaps go on to fulfil their dream of parenthood.

Have you had unexplained infertility? SHARE your experience with us in the comments below.

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  • Sadly sometimes none of these things will help at all but worth a try I guess

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  • This has been informative, thank you.

    Reply

  • my cousin was in this same situation, trying for a baby but not falling pregnant. several rounds of IVF and still nothing. They decided to give up trying and focusing on it and then fell pregnant naturally without trying…and again same situation the second time. i do believe stress and thinking about it too much does hinder it.

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  • We’ve had 5 doctors and specialists say we couldn’t have kids (or any more kids) and we’ve proved them wrong 4 times so far. I remember a close friend saying to ‘stop trying’ to fall pregnant and it’ll happen. Sure enough, once we gave up and accepted we couldn’t possibly fall pregnant, we were back at the doctor a few weeks later. A very emotional roller coaster but worth every step.

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  • When trying for our first baby, we ended up going for fertility tests. First test they do fir everyone is a pregnancy test and I was……pregnant. Yay

    Reply

  • How do you find a quality affordable Naturopath in your area?


    • Great question. Natural Therapy Pages allows you to search for practitioners in your area, or you can try the Australian Natural Therapies Association search page. What area are you in?

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  • This is a really tough diagnosis – so hard emotionally.

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  • Definitely seek help and persist. We were told we’d never have a child due to my husband’s infertility. We managed to retrieve what was needed so we could try IVF. After 2 and a half years and many IVF attempts, they finally looked at me. A laparoscopy seemed to free things up and I got pregnant on my final attempt (with my final embryo). We had a healthy, 9 pound baby boy nearly 15 years ago. I was not prepared to give up on exploring all avenues.

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  • Good tips. I think the stress factor is the most important one as well. Maybe even this whole focus- of trying to conceive, desperately wanting to succeed, the disappointment when there’s no success- makes it impossible to truly relax and get your mind of this topic. Indeed a holiday, focus on something else, can be so helpful in this regard. I’m also a believer of good healthy nutrient rich food for everybody, not just those who want to fell pregnant. We live in a strange world where many people lost contact with their body and need education about healthy food & lifestyle. It’s actually bizar !

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  • The best tip is to reduce stress – how often is it said that the baby was conceived whilst on holiday – stands to reason when the stress is out of your life.

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  • Lke zh

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