Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS• 203INFERTILITYInfertility is said to exist if a couple has been having regular sexual intercoursewithout the use of contraceptives for more than a year and the woman has notbecome pregnant. About one in seven couples in the developed world haveinfertility problems; 30 percent because of the male, 30 percent because ofthe female, and 40 percent due to both.Symptoms• Inability to conceive a child despite havingregular sexual intercourse without theuse of contraceptives.CausesMale infertility is usually due to a low spermcount, which may be the result of physiologicalproblems, taking drugs, or environmentalfactors; malformed sperm; or the inability ofsperm to reach the egg. It may also be causedby problems in the testicles or vas deferens,often the result of sexually transmitted disease;or malformation of the testes due to anendocrine (glandular) disorder. Erectiledysfunction or ejaculatory problems may alsoresult in infertility, and this situation may beaggravated by stress, overwork, tiredness, orpsychological problems.The most common cause of femaleinfertility is failure to produce eggs. This maybe the result of a hormonal disorder, stress,problems with the ovaries such as cysts,damaged fallopian tubes caused by pelvicinflammatory disease, or uterine abnormalitiessuch as fibroids. The cervical mucus may betoo stringy for sperm to get through, or itmay contain antibodies that kill sperm. Rarely,defective chromosomes are responsible.Conventional careThe full medical history of each partner isstudied, physical examinations made, and anysexual problems discussed. Semen analysis anda biopsy of the testes can identify a low spermcount. A post-coital semen test can revealwhether the cervical mucus is deterring thesperm. A temperature chart kept by the womanmay help to reveal if and when ovulationoccurs. Hormone levels will be checked andan ultrasound scan performed. A laparoscopycan explore the fallopian tubes and ovaries.Artificial insemination can solve the problemof defective sperm. Hormone treatment can begiven to either sex, and surgery may repaircertain damage to the female reproductiveorgans; in vitro fertilization is also an option.Homeopathic medicineProvided there are no physiological problems,constitutional treatment will try to rectifyimbalances in the body systems controllingreproduction. Remedies are determined largelyby an individual’s symptoms (see page 18). Inmen, Aurum met. is indicated for childhoodatrophy of the testes or painful, swollen testicles;and Causticum for infertility associated withtesticular pain or blood in the spermatic fluid.In women, Nat. carb. is prescribed for the nonretentionof semen; and Sepia when infertilityresults from a hormonal imbalance and anaversion to sexual intercourse. Although notstrictly an infertility problem, Sabina is effectivefor recurrent miscarriage in early pregnancy.Specific local remedies for men includeAgnus castus, for erectile dysfunction and a lackof energy; Conium, for erectile dysfunction,with cramps and cold legs; and Lycopodium,when there is increased sexual desire, butintercourse is spoiled by the anticipation ofthe failure to conceive. Conium is prescribedfor women when infertility is associated withbreast tenderness and suppressed sexual desire;and Lycopodium when there is lower abdominaltenderness and vaginal dryness.LifestyleIt is advisable to reduce intake of alcohol andcaffeine, and desirable to eat organic foodsand those that are high in zinc, such as wholegrains and nuts. Drugs such as anabolicsteroids and tobacco should be avoided.Overexertion is inadvisable, while relaxationtechniques, meditation, and stress-reductionmethods are all beneficial. Men should notwear tight-fitting pants and, if they have a lowsperm count, should abstain from sexualintercourse in the week before the womanovulates. There is some evidence to suggestthat adopting the missionary position duringintercourse, with the woman remaining stillfor 20 minutes afterward, will increase thechances of conception. Women are advisednot to use vaginal douches, and to substituteegg white for KY jelly as a lubricant.CASE HISTORYBob and Alice had two children, the first bya difficult forceps delivery and the seconddelivered normally after some homeopathictreatment. Alice, 35, had then had twomiscarriages, since when she had beenunable to conceive. Her periods wereirregular, and tests showed that she wasnot ovulating. Bob, 42, had been diagnosedas having a low sperm count and poormobility of sperm.PERSONAL DETAILSThe couple had been happily married for15 years. Alice had been upset by herdoctor and hospital staff during the birthof her first child, and she also had problemswith her stepmother (her father hadremarried after his wife died when Alice wassix). Bob was a taciturn, overweight man,who possibly only attended the consultationat his wife’s request.FOOD PREFERENCESBoth had a sweet tooth and ate a lot ofrefined carbohydrates. Bob drank a lot ofcoffee. He had a large appetite and feltbetter for eating. He liked eggs but not fats.GENERAL DETAILSBob felt the cold easily, but sweated atnight. Alice also felt the cold. She wasworse for emotional stress and in theevening, but revived after midnight. She feltbetter for hot baths, eating, and massage.PRESCRIPTION & FOLLOW-UPBob and Alice were put on a diet low inrefined carbohydrates and caffeine, andgiven vitamin and mineral supplements.Bob was prescribed Calc. carb., and AliceStaphysagria. Alice was advised to write,but not send, letters to the medical staffand her stepmother expressing herfeelings. On her return a month later, shereported that Bob had lost 14 lb (6 kg)in weight and felt healthier. Alice feltemotionally relieved but somewhatdetached from reality. She stayed on thediet and was given Anacardium. Onemonth later Alice became pregnant andwas given Pulsatilla for morning sickness.She was treated homeopathically tostabilize the pregnancy and relievesymptoms during the next few monthsbefore giving birth to a boy.