“When a woman gets treatment for in vitro [fertilization], she’s giving up her fertility, her womanhood, to a team … and not really getting in touch with her own body,” Mercier said. “I teach them how to get in touch with their own fertility signs.”

In practice since 1999, Mercier has focused on fertility therapies for the last couple of years.

Mercier’s Shared Journey Fertility Program emphasizes hormone balancing, increased blood flow to reproductive organs, and natural supplements to reduce acidity in the body.

It also involves 30 to 45 minutes of pelvic massage therapy three times a week for a month.

Mercier, owner of Sacred Space Naturopathy, is among a small minority of naturopathic physicians who specialize in treating fertility issues.

Click here to read the full story at KCChronicle.com

Sheryl’s comment:
This is another great example of how more natural, less invasive fertility treatments are moving into the mainstream. The article went on to tell the story of a woman who used progesterone cream to naturally boost her progesterone levels (and I am using the term naturally loosely here) as well as pelvic massages and she achieved pregnancy in six weeks.

While every couple’s results will vary, pelvic massage falls under the”doesnt hurt to try” category. If you are going to do it yourself then do not forget to throw in the foot massage for the reflexology benefits and the back massage for the enhanced circulation and chi flow. Enhance your results further with essential oils designed for fertility.

“Symptoms of endometriosis are now cropping up in girls as young as twelve, in some cases even younger. Up to 47% of adolescent females with pelvic pain are suffering from endometriosis. It can be hard to spot in an adult woman but it is even more difficult in a pre-adolescent because the pediatrician may not know the signs or be on the look out for the disease.”
Click here to read the full article at www.cbs5.com

It is absolutely tragic that this article is recommending surgery for these poor young girls when there are other effective and natural solutions. Surgery may ease the frustrating and painful symptoms of endometriosis but it will not get to the root cause of the disease. Endometriosis can be very responsive to changes in diet. Some basic changes (which all involve eliminating estrogen mimics from your diet) you can try before resorting to surgery are:

• Eliminate red meat
• Eliminate soy and all soy products
• Switch to organic (or eliminate) poultry & dairy (this is critical as the hormones in traditionally raised animal products can exacerbate your endometriosis)
• Never use plastic food containers or plastic wraps(especially in the microwave)
• Get plenty of Omega-3 from flaxseeds, flaxseed oil or walnuts

These dietary changes are just a start but they might make enough of a difference to get all thoughts of surgery out of your head. Some experts recommend simply following an anti-Candida diet because it closely resembles and anti-endometriosis diet. Other women have reported great success with acupuncture and chiropractic visits.

Visit the following links to learn more about the endometriosis - diet connection at:
www.endo-resolved.com
www.womens-health.com

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) — Why has infertility increased over the last decade, despite a proliferation of fertility clinics and alternative options? Is it simply that couples wait longer to start families, or is there more to it than that?

There are many fertility routes available today for couples trying to conceive a baby. More couples than ever utilize an array of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), both with and without complementary or alternative support. Other couples are trying to overcome medical limitations of various kinds that appear to be interfering with successful pregnancy. Despite this, a surprising number of couples are suffering because of having been told they have an unexplained fertility problem. What’s more, trying to conceive can be an expensive venture. It is therefore vital to optimize the chances of success, especially because conception assistance programs may not have anywhere near as high a success rate as hoped.

Everyone trying to conceive falls on a spectrum of life energy and intention energy that is somewhere between fertility and infertility. Knowing where one is on that spectrum is crucial. Even though highly experienced fertility doctors and practitioners are aware of this, most rarely assess or sufficiently treat this key fertility factor.

According to Laurie Morse and David Gruder, the developers of the My Fertility Success program, “Teaching women and couples where their energy falls on the fertility-to-infertility spectrum could be an important missing link in their fertility journey.” The step-by- step approach of the My Fertility Success program provides those trying to conceive with a powerful understanding of the difference between “infertility energy” and “fertility energy.” Specific exercises are then utilized to move toward fertility on the spectrum. Says Morse, “This approach appears to dramatically optimize the chances of successful conception and birth, no matter what technologies and/or alternative methods a woman or couple utilizes.”

Laurie Morse, L.Ac. is the director of Holistic Health Services in San Diego, CA. She has a Master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego. A licensed, board certified Acupuncturist, she possesses a rich knowledge of Chinese & Energy Medicine. She has specialized in fertility issues for over a decade.

David Gruder, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and the Executive Director of Willingness Works in Del Mar, CA. He was the Founding President of the International Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology and the principle author of the two-award winning book, Sensible Self Help.

Morse and Gruder are passionate about showing women and couples how to take personal responsibility for their fertility energy in ways that promote successful conception and birth.

For Information:
www.MyFertilitySuccess.com

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/zmte/2669481119/

Author: Sheryl Lyon

So you decided that you are ready to try to have a baby. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones who conceives within a couple of months or maybe you will find yourself among millions of fertility challenged couples. Whether you are ready to start trying tomorrow or you have been trying for a decade, you might want to improve your odds of conception with a method that is quick, painless, inexpensive, and non-invasive. Believe it or not, a visit to the chiropractor may help you conceive.

A series of research papers published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research found that chiropractic had positive results treating infertility regardless of the woman’s age, number of years infertile, previous medical intervention or health history including miscarriages, blocked fallopian tubes, amenorrhea, colitis, or trauma.

Your spine is a central highway of nerves. Just as an electrical cord has to be fully plugged in for an appliance to run, your reproductive system will not function properly if the nerves that lead to them are not functioning or are blocked in some way.

A chiropractor will identify pinched or pressed nerves and fix those spinal distortions, which are called subluxations. The distortions can be caused by many things including childhood falls, illnesses, accidents, poor posture, or even stress.

Once the subluxations are minimized or eliminated, a woman’s menstrual cycle can strengthen, the action that delivers the egg through the fallopian tubes to the uterus can improve, and some cases of endometriosis can begin to reverse.

Holistic websites, chiropractic patients, and chiropractors themselves abound with pregnancy success stories. Some women went to the chiropractor for other reasons only to find themselves pregnant, others have battled infertility for more than 10 years and then suddenly became pregnant within a couple of months or even a couple of visits to the chiropractor. These remarkable results are the same regardless of the technique used by the chiropractor.

Naturally this does not mean that everyone will get pregnant after a visit to the chiropractor only that it has worked for many women. It is certainly an option worth exploring either alone or in conjunction with other infertility treatments particularly if you have ever had an accident or illness.

You should be able to consult with a chiropractor and have an adjustment in less than an hour and the visit will probably cost $100 or less if it is not already covered by your insurance. The adjustments are totally non invasive, in fact they are done with the patient fully clothed. The procedure is painless although the sounds created by the adjustments may shock you at first.

Seeing a chiropractor is a great idea even if you are not trying to conceive because the nerves in the spine lead to more than just your reproductive organs but if you are trying to conceive, the benefits to fertility are just too compelling to ignore.

Does it really matter why or how it works? Or only that it works? Even if you do not believe in chiropractors why wouldn’t you try a proven fertility treatment that is easy, fast, gentle, non-invasive, covered by most insurance, inexpensive, painless and harmless? So do not forget to add an appointment with the chiropractor as part of your preconception plan.

(PRWEB) — Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut, Norwalk, CT, – There is little in the world of infertility quite as stressful for patients as recurrent miscarriage. So, with the release of a new study identifying stress itself as a possible cause of miscarriage, infertility specialists are now examining ways in which their patients can heighten their chances of a healthy pregnancy by reducing stress.

The study, reported in the November 17th issue of New Scientist, concluded that stress releases a “cascade of hormones” that can lead to spontaneous abortion. It followed 864 pregnant women – 55 of whom miscarried. Those who miscarried were more likely to have identified themselves as experiencing stress before or during pregnancy, and were also more likely to have lower levels of progesterone and progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) in their blood, than those who did not miscarry.

Progesterone and PIBF are both critical to a healthy pregnancy, in that they prevent the immune system from attacking the placenta and the fetus as foreign substances. In another leg of the same study, pregnant mice that were exposed to high levels of noise responded with elevated serum levels of cortisol, a hormone liked to progesterone suppression.

Mark Leondires, M.D., a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and Medical Director at the Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT) in Norwalk, agrees that stress can play a factor in recurrent miscarriage. “It can be a vicious cycle,” he explains, “wherein each subsequent loss can exacerbate feelings of hopelessness or anger. And these feelings can cause hormonal imbalances.” Dr. Leondires maintains, however, that stress reduction therapies such as counseling, support groups and even moderate physical activities must be incorporated in a full treatment plan for recurrent infertility.

“There are many other causes of recurrent miscarriage; indeed, there are many other causes of biochemical imbalances,” Dr. Spencer Richlin, reproductive endocrinologist at RMACT notes. For instance, a February, 2004 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism determined that women who suffered from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – a common cause of infertility – were more likely to miscarry due to insufficient levels of two important proteins secreted by the endometrium during pregnancy. Women with PCOS are up to three times more likely to miscarry than those who do not have the condition, the study also found.

What’s more, structural abnormalities involving the uterus or the cervix can also play a part in recurrent miscarriage, as can maternal chronic disease or genetic defects. In fact, while approximately one percent of women experience recurrent miscarriage, it is estimated that a definitive cause can be found in only about 40% of cases. Dr. Leondires advises, “If a patient suffers from recurrent miscarriage – defined as the loss of three or more consecutive pregnancies – she should seek out an infertility specialist for a complete examination. It is important that we gather as much factual data as possible about each patient’s medical history and condition, before incorporating any aspects of a treatment regimen, be it a physical or emotional component.”

When stress is identified as a contributing factor in his patients’ history of recurrent miscarriage, Dr. Leondires refers them to qualified counselors who specialize in infertility issues, and to local support groups like RESOLVE or the American Fertility Association. “It’s important that patients have the opportunity to share their concerns with a professional who can provide positive strategies for de-stressing,” he says, “just as it is beneficial to patients when they find families going through the same difficulties they are, so they know they are not alone.” However, he encourages patients to be sure to choose a support group that is facilitated by a skilled professional who specializes in fertility issues. At RMA-CT, Dr. Leondires and his colleagues have established several support groups that meet regularly under the supervision of a certified infertility counselor.

More information about Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut is available at www.rmact.com.

About Dr. Mark P. Leondires, M.D.
Dr. Mark P. Leondires, M.D., FACOG, is a leading authority on reproductive medicine. Dr. Leondires is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a member of the Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Leondires earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. Dr. Leondires completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

After completion of his training, he fulfilled his military obligation by serving as the ART Director for the largest and most successful program in the military health care system at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During this time he was an Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and clinical faculty for the Combined Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology. Dr. Leondires is currently Medical Director and lead physician with Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut in Norwalk CT.

Along with numerous teaching and research activities, Dr. Leondires has published articles in professional medical journals, national consumer magazines and newspapers, as well as abstracts and book chapters.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/43263502@N00/601792607/

Few Americans can count themselves “viceless.” Whether it’s having a glass or two of wine with dinner, or a midday cigarette break, or even a couple of cups of coffee to get going in the morning, the majority of us indulge in at least one less-than-healthy pleasure. And for the most part, the effects of that occasional indulgence are of little consequence. But for couples trying to achieve pregnancy, many of these lifestyle choices can make getting pregnant much more difficult.

“Achieving a healthy pregnancy is one of the most natural processes the human body goes through,” says Dr. Mark Leondires, M.D., Medical Director at Reproductive Medicine Associates of CT, and a leading authority on reproductive medicine. “Yet, it is also one of the most complex and, at times, elusive. It’s precisely because of the intricacy of the process, and the delicate balance of hormones and timing involved, that we need to take a hard look at lifestyle as a key factor in infertility,” Dr. Leondires adds.

The common denominator for all of these vices is that each one has some kind of effect on the reproductive system, whether at the glandular or organic levels. “Much research has been done in this area over the past decade and the news can be quite sobering,” Dr. Leondires notes. He offers this information and advice on the “Big Four” vices that can contribute to infertility:

RECREATIONAL DRUGS:
Recreational drug use should be stopped for men or for women while attempting pregnancy. In men, cocaine use has been found to lower sperm counts and reduce the sperms’ motility, while increasing the number of abnormal sperm. Also for men, a chemical called THC in marijuana has been shown to lower sperm counts and reduce the amount of seminal fluid, both of which are detrimental to achieving pregnancy. In women, marijuana may arrest the ovulation process and suppress the hypothalamus gland, which regulates hormone function. And cocaine use prior to conception may be linked to a higher risk of birth defects. Dr. Leondires adds, “What’s more, it can take the body months to fully rid itself of residual drugs, so the best thing to do for fertility is to stop recreational drug use as soon as a couple has decided to become pregnant.”

SMOKING CIGARETTES:
Women who want to become pregnant should quit smoking, because the compounds in cigarette smoke have been linked to primary infertility. A recent study found that the compounds in cigarette smoke affect the ovaries, disrupt endocrine function and proper pituitary hormone release, and may contribute to irregular periods, infertility and early menopause. Earlier research identified cigarette smoke as a risk factor for primary fallopian tube infertility. “Cigarette smoking is a vice that can affect not only a patient’s ability to achieve a healthy pregnancy, but also to carry that pregnancy to term. And, it can have long-term health consequences for mother and baby. The best advice is to talk with your doctor about how best to quit prior to attempting conception,” Dr. Leondires urges.

COFFEE:
Caffeine makes conception more difficult, even for fertile women, and studies now suggest that even one cup of coffee per day can reduce a woman’s chances of getting pregnant within a 12-month period by more than 50%. Three cups of day, and the odds drop by more than 175%. In addition, there is evidence that caffeine consumption among smokers is even more detrimental for fertility. “Although the caffeine debate is far from settled, I encourage patients to stay on the safe side and drink plenty of water and other decaffeinated beverages while trying to get pregnant,” Dr. Leondires says.

ALCOHOL:
Alcohol is a depressant that works on sperm as well as on eggs. “From low sperm counts and temporary impotence in men, to disruption of the ovulatory and menstrual cycles in women, to an overall depression of libido for both sexes, alcohol has a suppressive effect on fertility,” Dr. Leondires notes. And the effects are noted for moderate as well as heavy drinkers. Best bet: Abstain until delivery.

It is estimated by the National Institutes of Health that infertility affects approximately 10% of all couples of childbearing age. Dr. Leondires encourages couples who have tried for at least 12 months to achieve pregnancy without success — or six months if the woman is over age 35 — to contact a reproductive medicine specialist for assistance.

Bio:
Dr. Mark P. Leondires, M.D., FACOG, is a leading authority on reproductive medicine. Dr. Leondires is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a member of the Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Leondires earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. Dr. Leondires completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. After completion of his training, he fulfilled his military obligation by serving as the ART Director for the largest and most successful program in the military health care system at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During this time he was an Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and clinical faculty for the Combined Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology. Dr. Leondires is currently Medical Director and lead physician with Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMA-CT) in Norwalk. Along with numerous teaching and research activities, Dr. Leondires has published articles in professional medical journals, national consumer magazines and newspapers, as well as abstracts and book chapters. More information about Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut is available at www.rmact.com.

Source: www.PRWeb.com Norwalk and Danbury, CT (PRWEB)

Author: Sheryl Lyon

Everyone is aware of cycles of the sun and moon. They give structure to our days, months, and seasons. But did you know that the sun and moon can influence your fertility?

When you are in sync with the earth’s natural rhythms and cycles you can boost your fertility. If you work against nature’s rhythms as many of us do, then you may be harming your delicate fertility balance.Your biological clock is intimately linked to your reproductive system by utilizing the same hormones that trigger ovulation and sperm maturation. Therefore both women and men are affected by respecting or ignoring their natural rhythms.

Importance of Bright Light
Getting adequate sunlight or other full spectrum light during the day is key to optimum fertility for many reasons. Vitamin D is created in our bodies when we are exposed to sunlight and Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to infertility.

Adequate sunlight also helps regulate circadian rhythms which allow you to sleep better at night. Regular exposure to the sun also helps you maintain a strong immune system which is necessary to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Women who get more sunlight also have consistent and stronger menstrual cycles.

Finally, bright light prevents your body from overproducing melatonin which suppresses fertility. This might explain why it is easier for women to conceive in southern regions and during the summer months.

Importance of Darkness and Full-moon Light
Many researchers believe that prior to the introduction of electricity into our homes, all women menstruated during the new moon and ovulated during the full moon. This has been proven by studying cultures today that do not use electricity. Women in these cultures sleep in close to total darkness except for the days surrounding the full moon.

The small amount of light from the full moon is enough to halt melatonin production long enough for ovulation to occur. Most women can synchronize with the cycles of the moon in about three to four months by altering the light level while they sleep. Coordinating menstruation not only strengthens your cycle in many ways but it also makes it much easier to pinpoint the optimal timing for intercourse.

Darkness also plays an important role in optimal fertility by triggering melatonin, on most dark nights, which leads to a good nights sleep. Just make sure to prevent overproduction with bright light in the morning.

Deep sleep helps restore and rejuvenate the reproductive system. Lack of sleep can increase cortisol levels, lead to an increased use of caffeine and other fertility reducing substances, disrupt your hormone balance, cause depression which in itself can affect fertility, or it can lead to relationship problems with your partner. In extreme cases sleep deprivation can stop ovulation altogether.

How to synchronize with nature

• Get at least one hour of bright sunlight a day
• Try to get bright light soon after waking
• Use full spectrum indoor bulbs during the winter months
• Use a light simulation device 15-30 min morning and night (particularly in winter)
• Aim for total darkness at night. Use room darkening shades. Avoid all lights
• On the three days of the full moon, try to bathe yourself in soft light while you sleep. A light from a closet, a 75-100 watt nightlight or even opening your blinds to the street light should do the trick.
• Try to go to sleep with sun and get up with the sun. You might be surprised if you do not use lights or TV, how sleepy you get.
• Make love during the full moon
• Keep sleep and wake times consistent and avoid shift work. If you are tracking ovulation signs, then you should taking your basal body temperature at the same time every morning anyway.

Efforts to conceive can be challenging and heartbreaking. The fertility enhancing methods mentioned here are easy, free, and painless. They will boost your overall health as well as your fertility so if you are trying to conceive it can only help and not hurt to synchronize your cycles with the earth.

Some studies have shown a horrifying generational effect of toxins. In these studies, pregnant rats were exposed to certain toxins. Not only were the rats offspring affected but the offspring for three additional generations were affected as well. That means what your grandmother was exposed to while pregnant can impact your grandchildren.

How exactly do these toxins affect your fertility? Only about 5% of the almost 80,0000 chemicals used in the US today have been tested for their reproductive effects. Nobody knows the full extent of the damage these chemicals are causing to our reproductive systems. The following are just a couple of examples of some of the toxins we know of and their effect on your fertility.

TOXIC FOOD

• Vinclozolinis a fungicide used in the fruit industry. Vinclozolin blocks cell receptors that are normally activated by the hormone androgen which is responsible for male characteristics and the development and function of male sexual organs.
• Methoxychlor or MCX is a common pesticide used to kill flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches and other insects and is applied directly to crops, livestock, home gardens, and pets. It was designed as a safer alternative to the now banned DDT. MCX alters a gene in the female reproductive tract and reduces the ability of the uterus to support embryo implantation.
• Estrogen mimics wreak havoc on the human reproductive system. All humans, male and female included, manufacture estrogen. Cells within their bodies contain receptor sites for this estrogen. Estrogen mimics are close enough in structure to trick the body. These mimics are then able to attach to these receptor cells as if they were real estrogen. At best the estrogen mimics may simply block true estrogen from doing its job or they can totally redirect cellular behavior. In females these estrogen mimics can contribute to or cause endometriosis which is a leading factor in infertility. The mimics can cause males to develop without testes, with undescended testes or with abnormally small penises. Estrogen mimics can also contribute to testicular cancer and poor semen quality. Estrogen mimics are also found in paints, toiletries, pesticides, spermicides, & as a breakdown product of the plastics used in some water bottles and baby bottles.
• Xenoestrogens are found in most commercial meat and dairy products as well as soft plastic food storage containers and plastic wrap (particularly after microwaving). Recent Italian research showed women with the highest concentration of meat and dairy in their diet had an 80-100% higher risk of endometriosis.
• Phytoestrogens are found in plants, most notably soy. Soy contains endocrine disrupting isoflavones genistein and diadzen. There is evidence that soy consumption has been linked to infertility, increased cancer risk, and infantile leukemia.
• The common pesticides Kepone, DBCP and ethylene dibromide have been found to reduce sperm counts.
• MSG has also been linked to reduced fertility
• A number of toxic substances are found in fish, including: mercury, PCBs (which have been banned for decades), radioactive materials, stronium, lead, chromium, arsenic, and cadmium. These chemicals have been linked with autism, alzheimers, kidney dysfunction, infertility, MS, thyroid problems, and more.

TOXIC COSMETICS
Use of Phthalates, dibutyl phthalate in particular (DBP) which is one of the most common and potent reproductive and developmental toxins, is widespread. DBP is used primarily in nail polishes, but also in shampoos, conditioners, lotions, antiperspirants, sunscreen, gums, candy, and oral pharmaceuticals.

Phthalates are linked with reproductive damage in both men and women. They are considered dangerous enough that phthalates are banned in the European Union. Phthalates can cause low sperm counts, damaged or absent testicles, and absent prostate glands. They are also linked to premature breast development in girls.

Parabens, the second most common ingredient in household products are estrogen mimics. Parabens are found in bath products and cosmetics everywhere, including baby wipes. Parabens are linked to breast cancer, falling sperm counts, and hormonal damage.

To check the dangers of your cosmetics, visit the fantastic interactive website called Skin Deep sponsored by the Environmental Working Group at www.ewg.org. You can research specific products on the site and find out if they have reproductive or developmental toxicity as well as other health and safety hazards.

TOXIC TOOTHPASTE, TAP WATER AND SOAP
Fluoride is the toxin prescribed to the masses without their consent. In animal studies, fluoride has lowered the total number of offspring, the total number of litters, and the number of offspring born alive. In other studies, countries with high levels of fluoridation in the water supply had a lower total fertility rate. Fluoride has been shown to cause hormone disruption and low sperm counts. Additionally, Chinese studies have found fluoride to cause neurological damage to children in early embryonic life or infancy.

Triclosan, also known as Irgasan and Microban - is found in anti-bacterial soaps, dental care, cosmetics, deodorant, first aid products, small appliances, kitchenware, kids toys, and more. Triclosan is linked to decreased fertility, and altered sex hormones. cancer, allergies and weakened immune systems. In addition to creating antibiotic resistant bacteria, triclosan pollutes our groundwater from the chlorinated dioxins formed when it comes in contact with the chlorine in tap water.

These fertility impairing toxins are just the tip of the iceberg and no one know the true extent of damage that living in a chemical soup is doing to us and our fertility. If you think you are not being exposed to as many toxins as we list, think again. Most people are exposed to most of these toxins and to many more. This list is just a handful of toxins that are known to affect fertility so far. Your fertility can also be affected by over the counter or prescription drugs. Alcohol, cigarettes, and illegal drugs have a very direct and negative impact on fertility. Toxic stress can also be major factor in infertility, particularly in cases of “unexplained infertility“.

The good news is that there is something you can do about it. First you can do your best to detox for fertility through fasting, high fiber diet, deep breathing, sweating with FIR infrared saunas or rigorous exercise, urban rebounding, herbal and nutritional detox plans, colon hydrotherapy, showers and baths in filtered water, and various kidney, liver, lung, gallbladder flushes, dry skin brushing, aromatherapy

Naturally if you are going through the effort to detox your body then you want to minimize any new toxins coming in. Think of your body as a boat. You can expend great energy bailing out the boat but it does not do much good if you are not going to plug the leak. Do not expect to eliminate all toxins from your life it is impossible. You can do your best by:

• eating organic, raw, and vegan
• using water and air filters
• use non toxoc cosmetics
• use safe cleaning and laundry products
• try to meditate or practice yoga to minimize mental stress and clutter
• Do a great detox for fertility at least three months before you try to conceive

Do what you can to detox your body and mind then use this list as a guide to avoid re-toxing, and then get down to the fun business of making babies!

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/pulpolux/118824750/

Learn more at: Pr-Inside.com http://www.pr-inside.com/ano and IrishHealth.com

What is EFT:
EFT is short for emotional freedom technique. It is disarmingly easy to perform on yourself, takes mere minutes and is remarkably effective. This technique is used by countless therapists and natural health advocates such as Kevin Trudeau and Dr. Mercola.

EFT is very similar to acupuncture or acupressure except that you perform it on yourself while addressing emotional issues. To perform EFT, you simply tap specific points of your body with your own fingertips while you recite a mantra. These are powerful energy points and most people are literally amazed at the immediate difference they feel when first practicing EFT.

How Can EFT help with infertility?
There are a number of underlying emotional issues that may impact a couple’s ability to conceive. In many cases it is a fear based issue, such as fear of becoming a mother, fear of repeating the mistakes of your own parents or fear of childbirth.

In addition, the stress associated with infertility and its treatments can compound problems leading to further trouble conceiving. EFT can address these underlying issues allowing your body to do its job without the extra burden of psychological stress, which could subconsciously be preventing conception.

According to and article about infertility and EFT at emaxhealth.com, “EFT targets a person’s disrupted energy meridian system (Chi or Qi) as the real driver behind heightened stress levels, and the inability to conceive. This simple do-it-yourself acupressure technique balances one’s energy and eliminates the body and mind’s stress response. EFT claims an 80% success rate.”

“EFT targets a person’s disrupted energy meridian system (Chi or Qi) as the real driver behind heightened stress levels, and the inability to conceive.”

How to do EFT
While EFT is very easy to learn and practice, the easiest way to learn is often from watching a video. There are plenty of introductory videos, like this one on YouTube and other video websites which you can watch in 5 minutes and understand the basics of EFT. It is tremendously helpful to watch someone else doing EFT on themselves before you do it on yourself initially.

In the video, you will see that there are a number of points on your hand, head, face and body that you will tap repeatedly while you repeat a mantra. Use two hands on the points which have two sides, such as your eyes and one hand on single points, such as under your nose. The following points are the most common used in EFT:

1. The “karate chop point” on the outside of your hand slightly below your pinky
2. The crown of your head
3. At the inside of your eyebrow
4. Near the outside of your eyebrow, near your temple
5. Under your eye where the eye socket begins
6. Directly under the nose
7. The center of your chin
8. Your collarbone
9. A few inches under your underarm
10. Tap your tongue to your palette (although you cannot recite your mantra during this step)

The most important step of EFT is identifying your underlying concern, fear or issue. This may take some work and many people find that they need a therapist or counselor to identify their concerns. Once you identify your fear or issue, you need to break it down into a 2-5 word phrase. Once the phrase is broken down, you insert it into the following sentence and it becomes your EFT mantra.

“Even though I ___________________, I completely and deeply love and accept myself.”

“Even though I ___________________, I completely and deeply love and accept myself.”

If you determine that you have an underlying fear of childbirth for example, you may repeat the following while you tap, “Even though I am terrified of childbirth, I am completely and deeply love and accept myself.” Here are some sample phrases that have helped other women overcome emotional issues related to conception and may help you identify your own issues which in turn may allow you to relax enough to become pregnant:

1. Fear of Childbirth
“Even though I am terrified of giving birth again, I understand and love myself”
“Even though I’m stuck in my fear of panic at birth and it blocks conception, I really love and accept myself.”

2. Fear that you won’t become a Mother
“Even though I am petrified with fear that I will never get to experience pregnancy….”
“Even though I am terrified that this life dream of mine won’t come true…”
“Even though I am scared because I have done all I know how to do and I am still not pregnant…”

3. Fear of Parenting
“Even though I have this fear of not being a good mother…”
“Even though I cannot see myself with another baby…”
“Even though I am afraid of making the same mistakes my parents made….”

4. Anger at your body
Even though I am angry at my body for failing me….”
“Even though my love making has become a means to an end…”
“Even though our love making seems mechanical now….”

5. Anger at the doctors and infertility treatments
“Even though the doctors wasted the best years of my fertility because they didn’t know what they were doing….”
“Even though I am afraid that we will have a mountain of debt and STILL not be parents…”

6. Anger at your friends and family because they don’t understand
“Even though my family ridicules me because I won’t go to the baby shower…..”
“Even though I can’t forgive my sister for being so insensitive…….”

7.Other Emotions
“Even though I feel completely isolated and alone….”
“Even though I don’t feel like I fit in with my friends anymore….”
Even though I’ve lived life by all the “rules” and I am angry that I can’t get what I want…..”
Even though I am feeling guilty that I should have started my family earlier….”
Even though I have this guilt about leaving my father when he was sick…”

8.Fear of EFT or the intangible
“Even though I worry my birth fear wasn’t the problem in preventing conception….”
“Even though there is just one slight niggle and I don’t know what it is, I feel good about myself”
“Even though I don’t know if EFT will work for me …..”

These are just sample phrases to get you started. They may or may not be applicable to your underlying issues. Sometimes it takes multiple phrases to find the one that resonates with you. While EFT cannot magically cure all cases of infertility, specifically ones with an incurable physical cause, EFT can almost always help resolve the underlying emotional issues from both your past and those related to the infertility treatments themselves.

More resources:
The EFT Manual
Free EFT manual
Study Links Stress to Infertility
EFT for Fertility
Emofree.com