Is your body baby-friendly? Various factors affect your ability to conceive and carry a healthy baby to term. A successful embryo transfer doesn’t necessarily translate into a successful pregnancy (that is why the average success rate for IVF is only 20 to 40%). You may have been trying to conceive naturally for months or years, or perhaps you have attempted IUI or IVF without success. You may feel frustrated, especially if your fertility doctor says there is nothing else to do but keep trying or keep harvesting eggs. If you are feeling stuck, you are not alone. More can be done! The reasons behind your fertility struggles may be different from someone else’s, so it is vital to find a fertility expert who is willing to take the time to investigate and unravel the keys to your fertility success.
Below are some important laboratory tests and things you should consider if you are struggling with fertility:
- Reproductive immunology. The late Dr. Alan E. Beer was a pioneer in the field of reproductive immunology who believed that it is not simply due to bad luck that some women fail to conceive or have repeated miscarriage. Research tells us that the complex interplay between immune cells, the molecules they secrete, the cells they interact with, and hormones is crucial for pregnancy establishment. A fetus may be rejected by the body due to an overreactive immune response or it may be attacked by unregulated inflammatory cytokines. In her practice, Dr. Yik uses extensive diagnostic assessments including testing for inflammatory markers, auto-immunity, specific T-lymphocytes which impact fertility and miscarriage, certain antibodies that may drive excessive inflammation, etc. in addition to the general blood tests that look at immune function, thyroid function and vitamin D (on a side note, did you know that you are more likely to experience miscarriage if you are deficient in vitamin D? Read more below!). If something shows up on these tests, it is vital to restore normal immune and inflammatory responses prior to IUI or IVF treatment.
- DNA testing for basic biological functions. Each individual is unique, and the reasons why you are struggling with fertility may be different from someone else’s. DNA or genetic testing looks at how well your body is functioning at the cellular level, particularly in the areas of detoxification, insulin resistance, DNA (cell) replication or repair, inflammatory regulation and oxidative stress. How your body is genetically wired can have a huge impact on fertility. For example, increased toxic load or high oxidative stress affects egg quality as well as sperm quality. Another example is, women with an MTHFR gene mutation are more susceptible to recurrent miscarriage, pre-eclampsia and a baby born with spina bifida. For those with genetic mutations or defects in areas that affect fertility, Dr. Yik will go through your DNA test results with you, and see which specific areas require increased support and intervention to off-set the impact of the genetic variants you carry.
- Could you be nutrient-deficient? Studies show that women with low vitamin D levels are at a significantly increased risk of miscarriage. Other research shows that vitamin D can improve fertility and IVF indicators not only in healthy women but in those diagnosed with PCOS. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is linked with preeclampsia, insulin resistance, gestational diabetes mellitus, bacterial vaginosis, and an increased risk for caesarean section delivery. Before you add vitamin D into your supplement regime, get tested first so your practitioner can determine the appropriate dose for you. Taking too much vitamin D or taking it at the wrong time may increase risk of kidney stones. Another key nutrient is selenium. Studies have suggested that selenium can help improve ovarian function as well as reduce risk of miscarriage and preterm birth in women. In men, selenium is essential for making sperm’s strong whiplash tails, and low selenium levels in men have been associated with low sperm motility or morphology.
- Fertility experts agree that what you consume has a direct impact on your fertility. According to a study carried out by the Harvard School of Public Health, women who ate the highest amounts of monounsaturated fat had triple the chance of IVF success. These women were 3.4 times more likely to have a child after IVF. In contrast, women who ate mostly saturated fat, found in butter and red meat, produced fewer good quality eggs for use in fertility treatment. Another study that involved 4000 Danish women found that women who drink five or more cups of coffee a day actually halve their chance of getting pregnant via IVF. Furthermore, a 2018 study from Human Reproduction concluded that women who consumed a Mediterranean diet had significantly higher success rates of IVF compared to other women. These studies confirm that what we eat can either boost our fertility or curb it.
- Could it be the toxins? A detox (for your body, for your liver) can be a great way to remove toxins which have accumulated in your body all these years. A study done in Hong Kong on 150 infertile couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) versus 20 fertile couples found that the infertile couples had significantly higher blood mercury then the fertile group. Over 1/3 of infertile men had abnormally high mercury and about 1/4 of the infertile females had high mercury levels. High levels of PCBs have also been linked to IVF failure. A detox and liver cleanse (scheduled 3 to 6 months prior to conception) can help to remove toxins, rebalance hormones and improve reproductive health. For those who use TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), Dr. Yik advises patients to make sure they know the source of the TCM herbs- often, they are sourced from China and may contain harmful heavy metals or contaminants. In practice, Dr. Yik uses GMP-certified Nong’s Chinese medicinal herbs, every batch of which has passed vigorous tests (of heavy metals and pesticides) before going into the market.
- What about age, you ask? Yes, it’s true that fertility decreases as you age. But did you know that your biological age may be different from your chronological age? The good news is, you can lower your biological age through lifestyle (and naturopathic medicine under the direction of a trained practitioner). There are ways to prevent aging and in some cases, even reverse it. Check out Dr. Yik’s article: Can I get pregnant after 40?
Dr. Yik uses a root-cause, patient-centric approach to health and fertility, exploring the various factors that affect your ability to conceive and carry a healthy baby to term. Her comprehensive approach plays a pivotal role in helping countless women understand their bodies better and optimizing the body’s functions for successful fertility outcomes.
SOURCES:
Dr. Ardyce Yik ND 