Infertility is an all too common disorder in which a person is unable to conceive after a full year of unprotected sexual intercourse or donor insemination in women under the age of 35. After 35, the time frame drops to six months. For those dealing with infertility, there are significant emotional, social, financial, and physical ramifications. Traditional care for infertility is often very expensive, involving hormones, surgeries, in vitro fertilization, and more. Fortunately, there is evidence that chiropractic care is effective in improving outcomes in the treatment of infertility, used alone or in conjunction with traditional approaches.

What Causes Infertility?

In 37% of couples, the female partner is the one unable to conceive. Common causes of infertility in women include disorders of ovulation (when the egg is released from the ovary), endometriosis (a condition in which the lining of the uterus grows outside the inside of the uterus), pelvic scarring and adhesions (often related to prior pelvic infections, surgery, and endometriosis), blockages of the Fallopian Tubes (also often related to prior pelvic infections), and other abnormalities of the reproductive anatomy. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a leading cause of disordered ovulation in women. Essentially, anything that alters the hormones and structures involved in reproduction can lead to infertility. There is also a direct relationship between maternal age and infertility.

Male infertility occurs in 20% of cases and contributes to an additional 30-40% of couples’ infertility. While the vast majority of male infertility cannot be treated, around 18% of cases do have the opportunity for recovery. As with female infertility, males can experience sterility or infertility due to any structural or hormonal defect. They may also suffer from the toxic effects of chemical exposures and certain medications, smoking, and illicit drugs. One significant factor in why men are more susceptible to chemical effects on fertility is that sperm are made in such large numbers on a continuous basis, whereas female reproductive cells, the ovum, are already formed at birth and simply released each month.

How Can a Chiropractor Help?

Much of what regulates reproduction in human beings occurs in the brain, which then messages the reproductive organs to function in a desired fashion. Alter the process of communication with the brain, and things can go astray quickly. A skilled and experienced chiropractor can correct potential anatomical abnormalities of the spine that are interfering with the brain’s ability to regulate the body’s systems and processes. Studies have shown that chiropractic care can improve fertility a great deal. One reason chiropractic care is so well designed for the treatment of infertility is the holistic nature of the approach, which includes all aspects of health and a passion for restoring normal function.

Contact your Bozeman chiropractor, Dr. Cary Gentry, today to get started back on your journal to health and wellbeing. Dr. Gentry and his team at Waypoint Chiropractic are committed to your overall health and wellness, and they can help you through your infertility journey.

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Alcantara, J., Stern, G., Oman, R. “Female Infertility, Subluxation & Chiropractic Care.” Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, and Family Health, 2009 June; 1-10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259865349_Female_Infertility_Subluxation_Chiropractic_Care_A_Case_Series_and_Selective_Review_of_the_Literature

Leslie SW, Soon-Sutton TL, Khan MAB. Male Infertility. [Updated 2022 Nov 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562258/

Walker MH, Tobler KJ. Female Infertility. [Updated 2022 May 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556033/

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