Endometriosis, infertility.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: Herbal remedies for infertility
From: "Kay Henson" <no-one.nowhere.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2000 21:41:07 -0600

> Wondering if anyone can help me find herbal remedies for infertility or endometriosis.
> Have tried various infertility treatments. Secondary infertility for 2.5 years now. Wanting to try alternative treatments before having to undergo any more!!
> Also any remedies for hormonal imbalance.
> Fiona

Here's some information on endo, then the infertility....

Endometriosis is a condition caused by mislocation and overgrowth of uterine endometrial tissue and attachment of this tissue to other organs. It's normal tissue growing in abnormal places.

Common Causes: Excess levels of estrogen, deficient progesterone, hormone imbalance thatcauses abnormal biochemical processes in the edometrium; sexually transmitted chlamydia, cervical dysplasia or vaginal warts; magnesium deficiency; hypoglycemia; EFA deficiency and prostaglandin imbalance; X-ray consequences; high fat diet with too much caffeine and alcohol.

I'm treating two women currently for both endo and fibroids. They have changed their diets to mostly fresh foods. One of them has detoxed using a fasting method. The other one plans to detox, but hasn't yet. They are both using wild yam cream with DHEA and these herbs....
Dong Quai Root, Blessed Thistle, Siberian Ginseng, Squaw Vine, Cramp Bark, Black Cohosh, Ginger Root, Red Raspberry, Dandelion, and Nettles. One is using Evening Primrose Oil, the other Flax Seed Oil. I also have them use ginger compresses or baths for cramping and pain when needed. Both of them had been put on birth control pills, one had also been on depo-provera. One has also had D&C's. One has three children, the other has none. None of these things had worked for either of them. The one with the three children has been recommended for a hysterectomy, and is scheduled to see another doctor for a second opinion, but is currently pain free. The other one has already gone through all the doctors and currently isn't seeing one, but she is also pain free right now.

Try calling the endometriosis hotline for more information...(800) 992-ENDO There is also a Dr. Redwine who has some very interesting theories regarding endometriosis. He has done follow-up studies on the type of surgery he performs, which show approximately 75% of his patients experience complete relief of symptoms, 20% an improvement in symptoms so that they are only in minimal pain. Only 5% report no relief whatsoever. You might want to contact his for information on his procedure, even though it includes a surgery. You can obtain information on Dr. Redwine and his approach at this address...

Here's an article by a midwife friend of mine on infertility....

Help in Achieving a Healthy Pregnancy by Cindy Cornia, midwife

A woman's fertility depends upon a complex interaction between several hormones that induce ovulation and maintain conception after ovulation. If you are having difficulty achieving pregnancy, there are some natural things you can do to increase your odds of conceiving.

Maintain good nutrition. Eat plenty of whole grains. Be sure to include at least one large serving of green vegetables per day, and one large serving of a Vitamin A-rich food (like carrots or apricots).

Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamin B6. Some experts highly recommend a supplement called Optivite. Optivite was formulated to help control PMS. Many couples find Optivite is useful in correcting fertility problems related to hormonal imbalance. Optivite is expensive and may be difficult to find.

Underweight or too lean. Having too little body fat can affect fertility. Fatty tissue converts androgens (male hormones) into estrogen, providing one-third the total estrogen in the normal woman. Ten to fifteen pounds above the so-called "ideal" weight provides a better balance of estrogen and is more beneficial to conception.

Know your mucus. Within one to two weeks after the end of your menses you will begin to notice some vaginal mucus. At first the vaginal mucus may be white or cloudy with a "tacky" feel to it. As ovulation approaches, the mucus becomes more profuse, clearer, and stretchy. Fertile mucus looks like raw egg whites. For more detailed information on fertility awareness contact the Couple to Couple League at PO Box 111184, Cincinnati, Ohio. 45211. CCL teaches a very affordable and effective course in natural family planning. By writing the address above CCL, can refer you to a teaching couple near you.

Position. Along with the proper timing of intercourse, you can increase the odds by using the missionary position. Use this position (male on top) with a pillow under the women's hips to utilize gravity. If at all possible don't get up immediately after intercourse; stay in this position for 15 to 30 minutes.

Pull out the night light. Women who carefully reduce the night lighting in the bedroom typically experience improvement in their mucus patterns within one to three cycles. For most women, the sources of night illumination in the bedroom are easily identified and controlled -- hall lights, digital clocks, street lights, and so forth. The body has a definite "biological clock" that resists resetting. This rhythm is trained by the day-night cycle. Nerve impulses originate from the light receptors of the eyes and ultimately affect reproductive hormones. The influences of light on
fertility are not fully understood by the scientific community. In many native cultures women trying to conceive are advised to have intercourse during the dark phase of the moon.

As we move into our 30's most women experience a reduction in both the quality and quantity of fertile vaginal mucus. Adequate mucus is essential in fertility because it provides the best means of sperm motility. Cervical mucus also has nutrient qualities that nourish the sperm in transit. There are three things you can do to increase your mucus.

1. Increase Vitamin A-rich foods (Also Optivite).
2. Use raw egg white as a coital lubricant. Consider taking a cough medicine with guaifenesin in it (Robitussin&REG expectorant) after your period, and up to ovulation. This drug has been shown to liquefy mucus of all types, including vaginal mucus.

What Husbands Can Do.

1. Avoid tight underwear or anything that increases the temperature of the testicles, such as hot baths or Jacuzzis.
2. Increase your Vitamin C intake to 1000 mgs. a day. A study done in 1987 found that vitamin C supplementation can increase the sperm count by as much as 140%.

Hope these suggestions will help you out.

-- Kay

http://www.herbcare.com