Fertility and Infertility
Infertility
Infertility is much more common than most public assumptions figure. Below we have put together some general information and current statistics that help shed light on this common misconception and the struggle between men and women seeking to grow their families.
Causes & Factors According to Western Medicine
Infertility is defined as not being able to become pregnant (conceive) after one year of unprotected sex. Women who do not have regular menstrual cycles or are older than 35 years and have not conceived after 6-months of unprotected sex. Infertility is also defined as an inability to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy for a full term.
It is estimated that about 20-30% of infertility cases are due to male infertility, 20-35% are due to female infertility, and 25-40% are due to combined problems for both. In 10-20% of cases, no cause is determined according to the CDC.
CDC/WHO data for the U.S. （2011-2015）published on May 2018:
- Percentage of women ages 15-44 with impaired fecundity: 12.1%
- Percentage of married women ages 15-44 that are infertile: 6.7%
- Number of women ages 15-44 who have ever used infertility services: 7.3 million
- Percent of women ages 15-44 who have ever used infertility services: 12.0%
Women’s Infertility
- Long-term use of birth control pills
- Genetic factors
- Sexually transmitted diseases（STDs）
- Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Vaginal factors
- Fallopian tube obstruction
- Age
Male Infertility
Fertility is not something that usually comes to mind when it comes to men’s health issues. However, stats show that 35-40 percent of all fertility issues are male conditions. Studies have shown acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very effective at improving sperm quality and the instructional integrity of the sperm. Therefore, many acupuncturists who focus on fertility issues treat both the male and the female as a team.
Lifestyle & Dieting
Incorporating a healthy lifestyle and diet is essential for the greater function of your body, mind, and natural cycles. Whether you are working on improving your fertility, chronic pain, or any number of other issues, working exercise into your life and cutting out unhealthy eating habits should be at the top of your list. Whether you are capable of rigorous exercise or not, even adding 30-minute routines into your daily activities can impact your health and fertility in a powerful way. Even light exercises like swimming and walking can make all the difference when it comes to daily practice.
Eating healthily and smartly is also very important to keep stable cycles and improve fertility for women and men alike. Certain foods like inflammation causing like red meat can be counter-productive towards your fertility health goals. Some common anti-inflammatory food options are tomatoes, olive oil, green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards, also nuts like almonds and walnuts.
So when it comes to improving your fertility, increase your intake of more health-conscious foods, and if you aren’t already, start a daily exercise routine.
Please be sure to consult your doctor before starting any drastic changes in your diet and lifestyle.