Podcast Summary: Diagnose With Unexplained Infertility, Now What? | Listed Some Common Factors & Treatment Options
Podcast Information:
- Title: Fertility Education
- Host: Manali Hirani | Fertility Advisor | Natural Fertility Expert
- Episode: Diagnose With Unexplained Infertility, Now What?
- Release Date: October 2, 2020
Introduction to Unexplained Infertility
In the episode titled "Diagnose With Unexplained Infertility, Now What?", Manali Hirani delves deep into the complex topic of unexplained infertility. She begins by acknowledging the emotional rollercoaster that couples experience when trying to conceive without success despite clear medical reports.
"Unexplained infertility in many cases is not that there is nothing wrong, but simply we are unable to determine what may be causing the infertility."
— Manali Hirani [05:45]
Understanding Unexplained Infertility
Definition and Misconceptions Unexplained infertility is traditionally defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse, despite all standard fertility tests returning normal results. Manali emphasizes that the term "infertility" can be misleading, as it suggests a complete inability to conceive without treatment. In reality, most couples facing this challenge are sub-fertile, meaning they have multiple mild issues rather than a single significant factor impeding conception.
"Most couple struggling to conceive are sub fertile, meaning that they are multiple mild issues rather than one single big factor to not being able to get pregnant."
— Manali Hirani [06:30]
Statistical Insights
- Average Couple: ~20% chance of conceiving each cycle.
- Couples with Unexplained Infertility: ~1-4% chance without treatment.
- Natural Pregnancy Post-Diagnosis: 50% within 12 months, though this decreases with factors like maternal age over 30, prolonged attempts exceeding three years, or a history of miscarriages.
Common Factors Contributing to Unexplained Infertility
Manali breaks down the potential underlying factors that might contribute to unexplained infertility, categorized for both women and men.
For Women
-
Thin Uterine Lining
- Often overlooked in standard tests.
- Symptoms may include unusually light menstrual periods.
- Recommended Assessment: Transvaginal ultrasound post-ovulation to measure thickness.
"A common sign that you may have thin lining is that you may notice that you have a very light period."
— Manali Hirani [12:10] -
Low Progesterone
- Indicators include a luteal phase shorter than 12 days or significant spotting.
- Blood tests for progesterone are unreliable due to fluctuating levels.
- Importance of progesterone supplements during fertility treatments.
"If your luteal phase is 12 days or less or you notice significant spotting during your luteal phase, you may have low progesterone."
— Manali Hirani [14:05] -
Low Egg Quality
- Common in women over 35 or those with diminished ovarian reserve indicators (e.g., elevated FSH, decreased AMH, reduced AFC).
- Linked to higher risks of miscarriage due to compromised egg integrity.
"Low ovarian reserve, which could be one of the factor of low egg quality can also be an issue."
— Manali Hirani [17:20] -
Elevated Stress Levels
- Chronic stress elevates cortisol, affecting blood flow to reproductive organs.
- Impact: Decreased uterine lining quality, reduced implantation chances.
"Elevated stress actually decreases the quality of the uterine lining and making implantation less likely."
— Manali Hirani [21:15] -
Genetic Factors
- Although less common, genetic testing can unveil underlying issues contributing to infertility.
"Go for genetic testing because you know... it can reveal so many things."
— Manali Hirani [28:30]
For Men
-
Sub-Optimal Sperm Health
- Even with normal semen analysis, issues like sperm motility and morphology can impede fertility.
- Importance of enhancing sperm health for better conception rates.
"Sub optimal level are not flat during the sperm analysis so it will go unnoticed."
— Manali Hirani [25:50] -
Physical Factors
- Increased scrotal temperature from sources like laptops.
- Exposure to radiation or electromagnetic fields.
"It could be due to radiation or electromagnetic fields or just as simple as keeping a laptop on the lap all the time."
— Manali Hirani [23:10] -
Chemical Causes
- Lifestyle choices such as smoking, excessive alcohol, marijuana, cocaine use, and high caffeine intake negatively affect sperm quality.
"Chemical causes may include cigarettes smoking or excessive alcohol consumption or marijuana or cocaine use and excessive caffeine intake."
— Manali Hirani [23:50] -
Occupational Hazards
- Exposure to pesticides, industrial toxins (e.g., dioxin, PCBs), and heavy metals.
"Occupational hazards such as some pesticides or industrial toxins like dioxin or PCBs and the exposure to heavy metals may also be linked to infertility."
— Manali Hirani [24:20] -
Lifestyle Factors
- Stress and nutrition play pivotal roles in sperm health and overall fertility.
"Lifestyle factors like stress and nutrition can also play a major role when it comes to improving the sperm health and shooting up the numbers."
— Manali Hirani [24:50]
Treatment Options for Unexplained Infertility
Manali outlines several approaches to tackle unexplained infertility, emphasizing a holistic and individualized treatment plan.
-
Fertility Acupuncture
- Enhances blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.
- Benefits: Improved egg quality, hormone balance, reduced stress, healthy ovulation, and progesterone production.
- For Men: Increased sperm production and concentration.
"Fertility acupuncture helps to improve the blood flow to the uterus and ovaries."
— Manali Hirani [27:15] -
Clinical Nutritional Supplements
- Use of micronutrients to enhance follicle and egg quality, and sperm motility and morphology.
- Focus on antioxidants to reduce cellular damage.
"Antioxidants in high therapeutic concentrations helps to Reduce the damage to the sperm and egg cells and support improved overall functions."
— Manali Hirani [29:00] -
Hormonal Replacement with Progesterone
- Bioidentical progesterone therapy supports implantation and reduces miscarriage risks, especially in the first trimester.
- Critical for those with low progesterone symptoms or histories of early miscarriages.
"The use of bioidentical progesterone therapy can help to support healthy implantation, now support a healthy pregnancy and may even reduce the risk of miscarriage."
— Manali Hirani [30:20] -
IV Therapies
- Intravenous glutathione as a potent antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress on eggs and sperm.
- Often combined with vitamin C for enhanced efficacy.
"IV therapies are future with respect to your skin health, your immune system's health... it can deliver a therapeutic concentration that are not possible to achieve with supplements or diet alone."
— Manali Hirani [31:45] -
Diet and Lifestyle Adjustments
- Tailored counseling to address specific fertility needs beyond general health.
- Simple dietary changes, such as eliminating gluten or dairy, can significantly impact fertility outcomes.
"Sometimes just removing gluten from your diet or just removing dairy from your diet can do the wonders which the IVF treatments couldn't do."
— Manali Hirani [32:50]
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Manali wraps up the episode by reinforcing the importance of a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating unexplained infertility. She encourages listeners to explore various treatment options and maintain open communication with healthcare providers.
"Never know anything can happen. It's all about miracle."
— Manali Hirani [34:10]
She also highlights the value of genetic testing and ongoing communication with fertility consultants to uncover any hidden factors that might be affecting fertility.
Key Takeaways
- Unexplained infertility often stems from multiple subtle factors rather than a single obvious cause.
- Both partners' health play crucial roles in conception, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluations.
- Lifestyle modifications and alternative treatments like acupuncture and nutritional supplements can significantly enhance fertility.
- Genetic testing is a valuable tool that, although not commonly pursued initially, can provide deep insights into fertility challenges.
- Holistic and personalized treatment plans offer the best chances for overcoming unexplained infertility.
Additional Resources
For more in-depth discussions on related topics, listeners are encouraged to explore Manali Hirani's previous and upcoming episodes, particularly those focusing on low progesterone and men's roles in the TTC (Trying to Conceive) journey.
Connect with Fertility Education:
- Email: manalihirani@gmail.com
- Website: infofertilityed.com
- Social Media: Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube under the name Fertilityed for daily posts, IG Lives, and stories.
Stay informed, empowered, and inspired on your fertility journey.