My Fertility Journey

Since I was 17 years old, I cried to think I may never be a mother ….As the years passed, I realized I had significant reproductive health issues (PCOS and amenorrhea)..AND.. it’s not the easiest thing in the world to find a good husband!

I also felt a deep desire to use my God-given intellect to pursue my current education. I can sometimes be an “all or nothing” person and it was difficult to reconcile my two seemingly conflicting dreams to be a doctor and to be a stay-at-home homeschooling mama.

Along the way, I dreamt of someday adopting a child who needed a home and family. And I poured my love into caring for others’ babies and children…

Fast forward to age 35, I finally started cycling regularly for the first time in my life. I honestly felt like a teenager! I also prayed and meditated on the meaning of spiritual motherhood. I intentionally worked on stepping into that reality. I had made peace with the fact that I may not marry before my reproductive years were over.

BUT… I met my now husband when I was 37 and we were married when I was 39.  Our marriage reignited the desire for trying to conceive.

As a Naturopathic doctor, Creighton Practitioner, and NaPro medical consultant I know that couples can still conceive healthy pregnancies well into their 40s. I have MANY clients around my age who are trying to conceive for the first time… some of them have been trying for years. I want you to know that I am with you – very literally, as I am experiencing the same situation. I wanted to write this message of hope.

Story of Hope

I love blogger Connie of Tales from the Valley. In one of her blogs, I came across a quote from St. Jose Maria Escriva that really struck me:

“God in His Providence has two ways of blessing marriages: one by giving them children; and the other, sometimes, because He loves them so much, by not giving them children. I don’t know which is the better blessing.”

He also said “Often God does not give children because He is asking more”.. WOW… one could sit with that thought for a long while..

As blogger Connie writes in “Tales from the Valley”: You may be thinking: “This quote would only be helpful if I knew for certain that I would never have a baby, then I could pick up and move on.”

This really summarizes our initial gut reaction for most crosses, doesn’t it? “If I knew for sure what the outcome would be, then I could get on with my life.” Have you ever found yourself saying something like that? I sure have. It’s understandable, for sure. After all, we’re all human. We crave stability and certainty. But here’s the thing about the cross:

There is no human certainty in it. There never is.

Jesus isn’t asking you or me to reach a point where we feel safe and sure, and THEN pick up our cross. It can’t work that way – it doesn’t make sense. Instead, Jesus is saying, “Take up your cross and follow me.” He wants us to trust him. And that’s where our certainty comes from, isn’t it?

That’s where our assurance lies: in Christ, who loves us deeply, knows us intimately, and is always at our side.

The True Miracle

As a fertility doctor and woman experiencing infertility, I want to help us remember that children are gifts – not a goal to achieve or a prize to win. Remember that our marriages are inherently good, as are the pleasure and bonding that are part of our sexual union.

Working on improving health and keeping hope alive is so important. At the same time, having a baby doesn’t make us “winners.” God loves us and our marriage whether we have children or not.

What is truly miraculous is our marital love, our availability to nurture others, and how our suffering can be a witness to the grace of God in the sacrament of marriage.

I’m saying all this for myself as well. Some days I have great hope and trust, other days are harder.

For more inspiration and community check out this amazing resource: Springs in the Desert.

Unexplained Infertility Success Stories with NaPro

 Natural Procreative (NaPro) Technology is a couple-centered approach to investigate, diagnose, and treat root causes of infertility. In fact, quite often infertility is a symptom of a deeper issue, not a diagnosis in itself.

NaPro is natural in that it promotes conception occurring through a natural act of intercourse as opposed to any artificial intervention that replaces intercourse.  So, it maintains the unity of bonding and procreation between spouses. It also treats reproductive health issues without suppressing or destroying our natural fertility.

NaPro is 2.5 times more effective than IVF. Interestingly, 20-30 percent of couples with previously unsuccessful IVF will have a successful pregnancy with NaPro Technology.

Unexplained infertility success stories:  NaPro Study

In a large study in Ireland, 95 couples with previously unsuccessful IVF participated in NaPro treatment. 74 of the 95 couples successfully achieved a healthy pregnancy with NaPro.

At the start of the study, 58% of the couples had a diagnosis of “unexplained infertility”. After the NaPro evaluation, none of the couples had a diagnosis of unexplained infertility.  These couples were found to have low progesterone, low estradiol, and limited cervical mucus.  These hormone issues were found because the couples were charting with the Creighton Model FertilityCare System – the foundation and “sister” system to NaPro. The charting allows for more precise, timed blood tests. The charting also allows for the diagnosis and management of unfavorable cervical mucus.

A New Approach to “Unexplained Infertility”

With NaPro, the first step is for the couple to learn to track the signs of fertility with the Creigthon Model FertilityCare system. This provides many distinct advantages over non-users. They can tell, even before they try to conceive, if they may be at risk of miscarriage or infertility based on their charting pattern.  The process of learning how to track the biological markers of fertility leads to couple empowerment, stress reduction, and often to restoration of normal reproductive function.

For male-factor infertility, identifying the time of fertility through Creighton FertilityCare™ charting has even helped couples with severe low sperm count to achieve pregnancy.

A key factor in giving couples the best chance of success is for them to complete 12 effective cycles of treatment which can take from 18-24 months after beginning a Creighton/NaPro program.

NaPro vs IVF

NaPro pregnancies are very different from IVF pregnancies in many respects. The most striking difference is the decrease in premature delivery, which is common in IVF and often results in prolonged NICU stays.

NaPro is a corrective treatment that restores normal reproductive function. This is not the case with IVF which is circumventive and not corrective in nature. Infertile couples generally remain infertile, even after they have had a successful IVF pregnancy.  After NaPro, future pregnancies occur quite easily in most cases.

IVF itself may have an adverse effect on a couple’s fertility potential. It appears that a higher number of past IVF attempts is associated with a subsequent lower NaPro live birth rate.  This effect does not appear to be related to the woman’s age.

Person-centered care for “unexplained infertility”

While every effort is made to help each couple conceive, this goal is not reached at the expense of their health, their sanity, or their relationship. Many couples report feeling healthier and say that NaPro has helped them accept involuntary childlessness in a way that IVF could never do. Restoration of gynecologic health and strengthening of the relationship are also successful outcomes – which deserve further statistical research. Adoption is also viewed as a very positive outcome for the couple if it is not possible for them to have a child of their own.

Naturopathic Approaches to “Unexplained Infertility”

There are many “hidden obstacles” to fertility that are not commonly addressed through conventional OB/GYN visits.

Number One: Low vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for healthy hormones, healthy ovulation, and for helping the uterine lining become more receptive to pregnancy implantation.  There are receptors for vitamin D in ovary and uterine cells.  Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to infertility by interrupting estrogen and reducing AMH, which is involved in ovarian follicle growth Women with higher (optimal) vitamin D levels have a four times higher chance of pregnancy compared to those with a vitamin D deficiency.

Number Two: Hypothyroidism

“Subclinical” hypothyroidism could be a culprit behind infertility. Even very mild thyroid conditions can dramatically increase the risk of “unexplained infertility,” premature ovarian failure, and miscarriage.    Furthermore, testing thyroid antibodies is important for any woman with a history of unexplained infertility, PCOS, premature ovarian failure, or miscarriage.  Thyroid peroxidase antibody (or anti-TPO) should be less than 10 IU/mL. Thyroglobulin antibodies should be less than 4 IU/mL.

If your doctor is reluctant to run a full thyroid panel, including antibody testing, you can order these tests yourself through Rupa or book a consult with Dr. Whelan for a thorough fertility evaluation.

Number Three: Celiac Disease

This is an autoimmune disorder in which gluten triggers the immune system against the body. The most well-known symptoms mimic irritable bowel disease. However, many people with this condition do not have digestive symptoms. It can manifest as headaches, anemia, fatigue, joint pain, or skin disorders (like psoriasis). 

In celiac disease, the immune system severely damages the lining of the intestines, which then prevents proper absorption of nutrients.  This inability to absorb nutrients leads to vitamin and mineral deficiencies that contribute to infertility.

In women with truly unexplained infertility, celiac disease may be a factor in about five to eight percent of cases. Nevertheless, testing may be warranted if you would like to pursue a “no-stone-unturned approach,” or if you have a family history of celiac disease or autoimmunity (like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, ulcerative colitis).

Number Four: Poor Egg or Sperm Quality

Poor egg or sperm quality is a leading cause of “unexplained infertility.”

As we age, the DNA in our eggs (or sperm) is more likely to get damaged. Chromosomal damage can also occur due to nutrient deficiencies and hormone imbalances. Estrogen imbalances in the follicular phase can also lead to abnormal egg development. Ensuring a healthy estrogen profile throughout the menstrual cycle is an important part of evaluation. Furthermore, nutritional supplements and antioxidants can improve egg and sperm quality. Naturopathic doctors may recommend supplements like melatonin, DHEA, CoQ10, and resveratrol to improve egg and sperm quality. Check out my Fullscript store for access to professional-quality fertility supplements!

Number Five: Metabolic Dysfunction

Insulin is a hormone that manages glucose within our bodies. Insulin is involved in hormonal health, the health of the ovaries and eggs, and the health of the uterine lining. High insulin levels cause inflammation in the body. Insulin dysfunction is associated with ovulation disorders, implantation failure, and recurrent miscarriage. It’s essential to note that insulin can be high EVEN IF your blood sugar and HbA1C are normal.

Number Six: Nutrient deficiencies:

The MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) genetic mutation is a fairly common genetic mutation that affects the body’s ability to produce enough folate. MTHFR has been highly associated with clotting, implantation failure, and recurrent miscarriage. Taking a prenatal or multivitamin with folic acid can do more harm than good for these women.

It could be worthwhile getting tested, however, most high-quality, professional-grade prenatal vitamins do have the pre-methylated (most bio-available) form of folate anyway.  Women with MTHFR may require higher doses.

Number Seven: Gum Disease

Gum disease is caused by bacteria building up between teeth and gums, which sometimes can cause bleeding. The most common form of gum disease, gingivitis, affects nearly half of women of childbearing age.  The infection causes an immune response that can result in inflammation and spread throughout the body. Gum disease is a known cause of miscarriage and premature birth.

Gum disease also can increase the time it takes to conceive. On average, women with gum disease took two months longer to conceive. Gum disease is also much more common in women who have taken more than a year to conceive.  All women should get a dental checkup before trying to conceive.

Number Eight: Immune Dysfunction

Testing the immune system is recommended for women experiencing frequent illness, elevated stress, chronic low energy, food sensitivities, chronic muscle or joint pain, eczema or other skin conditions, or a family history of autoimmune conditions.  A starting immune panel lab test includes: Anti-nuclear antibody, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and rheumatoid factor.

Number Nine: Heavy Metal overload

Some of the most common toxic metals include: lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and thallium. Heavy metals can impact fertility in both men and women by disrupting hormone balance, harming sperm and egg quality, causing irregular ovulation, and interfering with implantation.

You may consider getting heavy metal testing if you eat a lot of fish, drink water from older water supply systems, lived or worked in buildings with old lead paint, taken low-quality supplements that may contain heavy metals, have used a lot of plant-based protein powders, have dental amalgam (“silver”) fillings, have a lot of exposure to pesticides or cigarette smoke. 

Conclusion:

Infertility is a symptom NOT a diagnosis. If you’re experiencing “unexplained infertility,” it is worthwhile to find a doctor trained in evaluating the root cause. There has been very little incentive for doctors to properly investigate infertility due to the rise of IVF. However, IVF has a lower success rate of healthy pregnancies and doesn’t address the cause of infertility.

Both Creigthon Model FertilityCare™/NaPro Technology and naturopathic medicine are highly successful avenues for properly evaluating and treating causes of infertility.

All that being said, ultimately procreation is in God’s Hands. Birth (and death) are the ultimate surrender. Your worth and the worth of your marriage are NOT dependent on your ability to have children. Your marriage is GOOD and can be very fruitful regardless.

Studies have shown that the emotional turmoil of infertility is similar to those struggling with cancer or heart disease. You deserve a doctor who will address the emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of the experience of subfertility or infertility.

About Dr. Whelan

Dr Whelan, a licensed naturopathic doctor in Vermont since 2019, is also an affiliated Medical Consultant with the FertilityCare Systems of America.  She specializes in women’s hormonal health, helping her clients achieve optimal fertility, better moods, greater energy, deeper sleep, and easier, predictable, pain-free periods.  Dr Whelan treats teens and women of reproductive age throughout perimenopause and early post-menopause.

Dr. Whelan integrates centuries-old wisdom that regards nature as the most effective healer with contemporary health research. Her approach is rooted in enhancing the body’s innate (and extraordinary) healing capacities. She utilizes treatment modalities that include nutrition, lifestyle medicine, botanical medicines, and cooperative hormone replacement therapies.

Selecting Dr. Whelan as your women’s health expert ensures you receive a doctor who listens to your concerns, identifies the root causes of your health issues, and supports you with preventive care to help you achieve your best possible life.