Are you trying to begin a family? Are you finding it challenging, frustrating or just want some advice to ensure the best environment for your baby?

The causes of infertility in men and women are many and include poor diet, obesity, stress, and a toxic lifestyle (alcohol and smoking).

Drivers affecting fertility may include:

Male

• Poor sperm health: low sperm count, low motility, poor sperm quality.
• Low testosterone
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Obesity
• Increased toxic load
• Stress

• Hormonal imbalances
• Obesity
• Stress
• Gut imbalances
• Nutritional deficiencies

What can you do to help yourself?

• Reduce low processed foods. Avoid sugar, caffeine, alcohol, trans fatty acids and anything that moves away from a wholefood diet.
• Eat plenty of different colours of fruit and vegetables (organic if possible)
• Increase exercise/physical activity
• Avoid smoking and alcohol (both men and women).
• Avoid chemical exposure i.e. paints, solvents, fumes, chemical products, perfumes, and hair spray (to name a few)

What can a naturopath do to help you?

• Assist in weight loss (if required)
• Encourage optimal eliminatory pathways
• Assist stress levels and support adrenals
• Address nutritional deficiencies.
• Support optimal general healt
• Help you with diet and lifestyle

References:

• Hechtman, L. (2011) Clinical Naturopathic Medicine pages: 1302,1321
• Metagenics (2011) Better Babies pages: 5, 64, 89