The Pill and infertility

Can the Pill affect your fertility? Do a google search and most of the information and research will tell you no. For the majority of women regular menstruation will resume within a few weeks of stopping the Pill. However, the articles and research papers on the internet do not seem to consider the percentage of women who may be sensitive to the effects of the Pill.

There is clinical evidence to show that some women can experience amenorrhea (no periods) and that ovulation can be suppressed for up to two years or more after stopping the Pill. In some cases, the Pill can also change the cervix which affects the production of fertile mucus. Professor Erik Odeblad from the University of Umea in Sweden discovered that a post-Pill infertility was caused by a shrinkage of the crypts in the upper cervical canal that would normally produce fertile mucus. Without fertile mucus, the normal acid environment of the vagina is hostile to sperm and it cannot survive. In fact, there is a natural form of contraception called The Billings Method that is between 97-99% effective when intercourse occurs on the days when there is no fertile mucus. It is simple, no fertile mucus = no pregnancy.

One of the reasons that the homeopathic fertility program has a high success rate is because it can remove the effects of the Pill, stimulate ovulation and allow the body to start producing good quality fertile mucus again. The effects of the Pill and the quality of fertile mucus is a factor that is not addressed by fertility specialists so if IVF has not worked for you then you might like to consider the homeopathic fertility program.

Low Breastmilk Supply

A common reason for giving up breastfeeding is when mothers suspect that their milk supply is low. Sometimes mothers can mistakenly think that their supply is low as they lack confidence in their ability to provide breastmilk and can become worried when their babies seem unsettled. At other times we can confuse normal infant behaviour as a milk supply problem.

However, for some women, low milk supply can be a real problem. It is important to know that the more milk that is taken from your breasts the more milk you will make. Introducing other fluids including artificial baby milk (infant formula) will decrease your milk supply. With the right information and support a low supply can usually be increased. To find out more read my article

Male Infertility

You are probably wondering why I am blogging so soon about healthy sperm but I have just discovered a really good website on all aspects of male fertility and men's health at www.andrologyaustralia.org

It is estimated that about 1 in 8 couples in Australia will have troubles conceiving and are considered to be infertile. About one in five infertile couples the problem lies with the male partner and male infertility is the underlying reason for 40% of couples using assisted reproduction technologies such as IVF.

So what is male infertility? Quite simply it is when a man's ejaculated semen does not contain sufficient numbers of normal, functional sperm to travel and fertilise the female egg.

When a man is diagnosed as being infertile, it can be devastating news but fortunately the majority will still have children. It is important for men to realise that the diagnosis is not related to their masculinity. There are so many things that affect sperm health such as smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs, sexually transmitted infections, tight-fitting underwear, spas and saunas, work environments, lubricants, excessive exercise, medications, injuries, illness, age, blockages, sperm antibodies, diet and nutritional deficiencies. Sometimes sexual problems such as erection or ejaculation issues can prevent couples from falling pregnant. Again this can affect a man's self esteem but usually there is a physical or stress-related cause. Check out the Andrology Australia website for more information.

My approach to treating male infertility is with nutritional supplements and a homeopathic remedy. There are so many studies showing that nutritional supplements increase sperm count and health. A research trial of 45 infertile men showed that homeopathy significantly improved both the number and the quality of sperm. Homeopathy can also assist with any erection or ejaculation problems. Homeopathic remedies need to be individually prescribed by a registered homeopath. If you live outside the Brisbane area, you can find a registered homeopath on the Australian Homoeopathic Association's website at www.homeopathyoz.org

Autism and Homeopathy

If you know anyone who suffers from Autism, ASD or Aspergers you will be excited to know that homeopathy can effectively treat it. In her book Impossible Cure, author Amy Lansky tells the incredible story of how she used homeopathy to cure her son of autism.

Fran Sheffield is an Australian Homeopath who has considerable experience in the treatment of autism and she finds that homeopathy normalizes the system of the patient allowing their body to function properly. It can also reduce the sensory processing overload that ASD children often experience, which manifests usually as an intolerance or fear of loud noises and an inability to cope with highly stimulating environments. In some cases a previously non-communicative child will make eye contact with their parents within hours of taking a homeopathic remedy; but you have to be aware that not all cases respond that fast!

Fran has set up a website dedicated to the homeopathic treatment of autism at www.homeopathy4autism.com where you can find a practitioner and also some interesting articles.

Another exciting development in this area is the current production of a US film titled From Within, Without about a couple trying to help their autistic son and how they came to use homeopathy after reading about Dr Luc De Schepper, a homeopath and medical doctor based in Los Angeles. You can view the film's trailor here http://blinddogfilms.com/within_without.html

Calming Colic with Homeopathy

Yes, homeopathy provides fast, simple, effective and natural relief from the symptoms of colic - often within minutes. For more information about colic symptoms and things you can do to help manage the condition please read my article

Fertility & Medications

After years of trying to conceive, one of my fertility patients has just discovered that her husband's medication is known to reduce male fertility. He had been taking Salazopyrin, a commonly used medication for inflammatory bowel disease, which has been shown to reduce male infertility as well as an increased risk of miscarriage and birth defects if the drug is taken in the three months before conception. The good news is that the effect on male fertility is usually reversed within 2-3 months of stopping the medication but still very frustrating for this couple who were unaware of the effects of this drug on his fertility.

This story really highlights the need to check the side effects of all medications if you are trying to conceive.

There are several prescription medications that can affect both male and female fertility, most of them temporarily but sometimes permanently. Arthritis medication, anti-depressants, high blood pressure medication, antibiotics and cancer medications can cause fertility problems. The reflux medication Tagamet is known to cause abnormal sperm production. Antihistamines can dry up fertile mucus and have a damaging effect on sperm while pain relief medications such as ibuprofen and asprin can affect the ability of the embryo to implant into the uterine lining.

It is important to consult your doctor before stopping or changing any of your medications. In many cases, homeopathic treatment can be effective with no side effects.

More information about the side effects of medications can be found by telephoning the Medicines Line in Australia on 1300 888 763.

Fever- friend or foe?

I am often contacted by parents with young children who are anxious about their child’s fever. We’ve all heard the horror stories of fevers causing convulsions and this often creates fear when our children develop a fever. Most parents will try to reduce the fever with a dose of panadol or nurofen. However, a fever is the body’s way of fighting infection and using medication routinely to reduce it can make it harder for the body to do its job. In fact, studies have shown that suppressing a fever through regular use of panadol/nurofen can prolong some viral illnesses. This makes sense because the fever is needed to fight the virus or bacteria.

I recently attended the emergency department at the Mater Children’s Hospital in Brisbane and the walls were covered in posters reassuring parents that fevers are not dangerous. One such poster states:

Fevers are not dangerous

A fever is simply the body’s way of fighting infection - whether it is caused by a virus or bacteria. They do not harm the body or brain in any way. The body has a temperature control centre which prevents the temperature from reaching a dangerous level. If your child seems happy and comfortable enough there is no need to treat the fever - in fact, studies have shown that suppressing a fever through regular use of panadol/nurofen can prolong some viral illnesses.

Poster @ Mater Children’s Hospital Emergency Department Oct 2009

This information is not intended to substitute advice or instructions from your doctor or health care professional. It is based on the clinical guideline Feverish illness in children which is available at www.nice.org.uk

Welcome to my first blog

Well here I am writing my first blog. As a registered homoeopath and lactation consultant I hope to post a weekly blog on issues relating to fertility, lactation and natural family healthcare.