3 Common Reasons for Infertility in Women
Few things are more frustrating than trying and trying to conceive without success. But even though you might not believe it (when it seems everyone you know is having babies except for you), infertility in women is more common than you might think: in the U.S., an estimated 12% of women of childbearing age have trouble getting or staying pregnant.
Infertility is defined as one year of unsuccessful trying for pregnancy in women under 35. If you’re over 35, that time frame shortens to six months. If you’ve been trying for months to conceive and haven’t yet, it’s time to get checked out. Both men and women can suffer from infertility, so it’s important to schedule an exam for both of you. But today’s post is just for women.
There are a number of things that could be preventing you from getting pregnant. Some of these are genetic, some are structural (such as blockages in the fallopian tubes), and some are hormonal. Today, let’s take a look at three of the most common hormonal causes of infertility.
3 Hormones You Should Ask Your Doctor to Check if You Suffer From Infertility
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – This condition is one of most common hormonal problems in women, but unfortunately often goes undiagnosed. Signs and symptoms of PCOS include:
- Weight gain, especially abdominal weight
- Irregular or absent periods
- Excess facial or body hair
- Problems regulating blood sugar
- Acne
This condition is best treated with diet, exercise and lifestyle changes along with natural remedies to help your hormones come into balance.
Hypothyroidism- Most doctors know to check for this common cause of infertility in women, but often they will just check your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels to see if you’re hypothyroid. You should know that there are multiple hormones that can cause this condition, so be sure you insist on a comprehensive thyroid check. (Watch my video above for a list of exactly what you should have checked.)
If you do suffer from hyperthyroidism, there are a number of things we can do to help you conceive, including both conventional and natural therapies.
Obesity – Many doctors don’t’ want to bring this issue up, but being overweight really can interfere with your fertility. That’s why we always run a body fat analysis for women who are struggling with infertility issues. We want to see you at what I call your “fighting weight.” But don’t worry – that doesn’t mean you have to starve yourself! Often, just a 5% loss of body weight is enough to do the trick.
Watch my video above to learn the exact body fat percentage numbers you should aim for to improve your chances of pregnancy.
A medically supervised weight loss program can help you lose those extra pounds while making sure your body has the energy and nutrient reserves it needs to carry and deliver a healthy baby. At Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness, we offer a number of weight loss programs, so it’s a matter of finding the one that is best for you.
Struggling with infertility?
If you’ve suffered from infertility for some time and need help, call our Patient Care Concierge today. She’ll get you set up with one of our doctors who can help figure out exactly what’s going on with your and/or your partner’s body, so we can get you on the right track to success.
