Natural Option for the 7.3 Million Americans Struggling with Infertility

Each year, more than seven million Americans are affected by infertility, inability to conceive after at least one year of trying to have a baby. It is an unexpected reality that leaves many uncertain of the next steps to take. While there are more options available to couples than ever before, the most well-known methods for overcoming infertility- assisted reproductive technology (ART)- are invasive and come with side-effects. Many couples are not aware of more natural paths they can take to conception.


A recent survey revealed that 21% of women trying to conceive spent more than two years and $10,000 on infertility treatments. In many cases, women who chose invasive procedures have to undergo the process more than once. Alyssa Stepp experienced firsthand the frustration of infertility.

"Several months after the birth of our first beautiful daughter who was conceived through ART, my husband and I decided that we wanted to have another child. After a year and a half of repeated failed, invasive fertility treatments we thought we had run out of options. Flipping through a parenting magazine, I came across an inexpensive at-home conception kit that didn't involve surgery or drugs. We became pregnant on the first try."

In the U.S. today, several factors can affect fertility, including having children at a later age and chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. Dr. Charles Barker, a family practice physician in Michigan, explains: "Between drugs, tests, doctor visits and invasive procedures, couples are spending a lot of time and money trying to conceive. In many cases, couples can improve their chance of conceiving by following some basic nutritional and behavioral advice. Living a health and fertile lifestyle in combination with the use of a simple at-home conception kit can get your pregnant."

Couples looking for more natural ways to conceive have a lot of options. Before assuming the worst about your fertility, check out these holistic lifestyle tips for improving your fertility at any age.

• Stay Aware- Your reproductive health isn't an isolated issue and there are a number of preventative factors that can lower fertility like excessive cell phone usage, certain antidepressants, Vitamin D deficiency and lack of sunlight.
• Timing is Everything- The chances of conceiving greatly improve when you work with your body's natural cycles, so keep track of your cycle and pinpoint the most fertile time with ovulation predictors.
• Your Body's Biological Clock- Your chances of conceiving significantly decrease as you get older, however, there are ways to enhance your natural fertility at any age, such as making healthier dietary choices, keeping careful observations of changes in your body and preserving your mental and emotional wellbeing.
• Believe in Your Body- Tilted cervix, low sperm motility, low sperm count and hostile vaginal environment are common problems that can be overcome without medical procedure. Check out at-home techniques that can help like cervical cap insemination, which has similar success rates to IUI.
  
• You're Not Alone. Get Connected- Infertility affects 12% of women of childbearing age in the United States. For professional resources and more tips, take a look at www.conceptionkit.com or speak to your local specialty pharmacist. For encouragement from other men and women, find an infertility support group in your community or join one online.