After having numerous clients over the last few years that are struggling with infertility and/or repeated miscarriages, I have found 3 things to be the most common causes of infertility and/or miscarriages.
These 3 things are also very commonly overlooked by the conventional medical field.
In fact, some of my clients who have undergone expensive visits and procedures with infertility specialists and in-vitro fertilization had never even heard of all/some of these things which, in turn, ended up being at least a main contributing factor to their difficulties conceiving a child!
It is my deepest prayer that couples are able to use this free information to receive the blessing of a child!
1. Low Progesterone
It never ceases to amaze me the lack of knowledge and/or discussion on the topic of low progesterone in conventional obstetrics. This is the most common cause of infertility and first-trimester miscarriages in America, yet most women struggling with these things are never told to have their progesterone level checked.
I've even had some clients who have clear symptoms of low progesterone that I have advised to have their progesterone checked early on in pregnancy to ensure they will not lose the pregnancy. And in many cases, their doctor refuses to test progesterone if they have not already had at least one miscarriage! This is horrible!
Progesterone literally means "for life" and is crucial for the first stages of a new life. Without sufficient progesterone, a pregnancy will not succeed. And in my experience with many clients over the past few years, I can report that at least 8 out of every 10 women in America are likely to have low progesterone (and high estrogen). Symptoms of low progesterone include:
- Mood changes, anxiety, nervousness, irrational fears, irritability
- Depression
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Hot flashes/night sweats
- Low sex drive / libido
- Menstrual problems such as irregular cycles or heavy bleeding
- PMS
- Menopause
- Breast disorders, pain, tenderness
- Endometriosis
- Pyroluria
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Postpartum depression
- Weight gain and difficulty losing weight
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
After the first trimester, the placenta begins producing progesterone which is when the problem related to low progesterone usually minimizes. Ideally, a woman with symptoms of low progesterone will address this hormone imbalance BEFORE pregnancy.
However, there are definitely things that can be done if a woman has low progesterone in early pregnancy, such as progesterone creams and injections under the care of a knowledgeable health professional.
Progesterone can be tested by either blood or saliva. Saliva is the most accurate for those who are not already on supplemental hormone therapy. If you do not have a local health practitioner that can/will test your progesterone, check out HFFG's Storefor a home Saliva Progesterone test kit.
2. Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (Hashimoto's)
One year, I had a client who had a miscarriage. It was surprising as she was seemingly a VERY healthy woman--thin, fit, and ate extremely (I mean EXTREMELY) healthy. After hearing about her past and current health history and symptoms, I began suspecting an autoimmune thyroid disease and recommended that she get tested for it.
Her doctor refused to test for it.
So she went to a doctor that she had heard specializes in thyroid disease.
The test was done and sure enough, she had Hashimoto's.
The connection between Hashimoto's and miscarriage/infertility is complicated, but suffice it to say that it is another increasingly common cause of the growing difficulties carrying a pregnancy full-term.
With any autoimmune disease, there is a high amount of inflammation throughout the body. Furthermore, the thyroid is part of the endocrine system. Sex hormones are part of that as well, so it's common for thyroid issues to throw off sex/fertility hormones.
Hashimoto's usually comes with underactive thyroid function (hypothyroidism) and can involve the following symptoms:
- fatigue
- weight gain
- increased sensitivity to cold
- difficulty concentrating
- dry skin, nails, and hair
- constipation
- drowsiness
- muscle soreness
- increased menstrual flow
- Goiter/enlarged thyroid (in neck)
However, my client that I referenced above did not have many of these symptoms. Hashimoto's can cause both overactive (hypER) and underactive (hypO) thyroid function so symtpoms can vary widely from person to person. Risk factors for Hashimoto's include past use of:
- Oral contraceptives (birth control)
- PPI's (acid reducer meds)/antacids
- Other things that damage gut health
The best way to determine if one has Hashimoto's is to test thyroid antibodies. To test for Hashimoto's, ask for a TPO test or purchase a home blood spot thyroid panel
.
3. MTHFR Gene Mutation
I can't even count how many clients I have had struggling with years of infertility that came up positive for this gene mutation despite their doctors having no idea what it is and even refusing to test for it.
In short, MTHFR mutation interferes with the way a person's body absorbs (or rather cannot absorb) or utilizes B vitamins like folate and B12, usually resulting in a severe deficiency of these nutrients that are needed for proper formation and growth of a new baby.
Most, if not all, of my clients who tested positive for this mutation had a history of oral contraceptive use which we know from research can quickly deplete these essential nutrients and trigger epigenetic changes that result in this genetic mutation or trigger a pre-existing mutation that would possibly not have otherwise caused any problems. (Click here to read more about that and other problems related to birth control.)
Some of the tell-tale signs I look for in clients that may want to be tested for this mutation are:
- History of baby/babies with tongue/lip tie, cleft palate/lip
- History of baby with hydrocephaly or spina bifida
- History of oral contraceptive use
To test, go here for more information: http://mthfr.net/mthfr-test-options-oral-swab-blood-test-or-saliva/2013/06/26/
Other Contributing Factors
Other possible causes/contributing factors to miscarriage include:
- Bacterial vaginosis (unhealthy microflora):http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/01/microbial_balance_in_vagina_miscarriage_infertility_pre_term_birth_linked.single.html
- Use of pharmaceuticals, such as antidepressants and other drugs linked to miscarriage (Study finds SSRI's double risk of miscarriage: http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1992988,00.html; Aspirin can trigger miscarriage: http://guardianlv.com/2013/07/aspirin-in-early-pregnancy-triggers-miscarriage/; Flu shot causes 700% increase in miscarriage: http://www.trustedhealthproducts.com/blog/2009-h1n1-vaccine-attributed-to-700-rise-in-miscarriage-2400-rise-in-fetal-demise
- Diabetes and Uncontrolled Blood Sugar:http://natural-fertility-info.com/diabetes-and-fertility-how-diabetes-can-affect-your-fertility.html
- Poor diet: Sadly, most women in America today simply do not have the nutritional reserves necessary for growing a new life. There are food ingredients that can greatly affect a woman's ability to sustain or even start new life, including trans fats. A studyfound that for each 2% increase in the intake of energy from trans unsaturated fats (hydrogenated soybean, canola, and corn oils) was associated with a 73% greater risk of ovulatory infertility. That is the amount found in one or two doughnuts or a pack of French fries that causes a 73% increase in infertility!! A nutrient-dense diet should be a woman's first and foremost step (after prayer of course!) for seeking to obtain pregnancy! Aspartame (commonly found in Diet sodas and other "sugar-free" food products) is another major player in pregnancy loss. http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/aspartame-and-pregnancy.html
- Maternal Depletion/Closely-Spaced Pregnancies & Lactation: For some moms struggling with infertility and/or miscarriages after already having children, Maternal Depletion is also a factor. Read my article on that here.
- Exposure to farm/lawn pesticides/insecticides: Women who live on/by chemically-treated farms are at a much higher risk for suffering miscarriages and birth defects. For example: "Pregnant women who live near farms where pesticides are used face a higher risk of miscarriage due to birth defects than unexposed women, according to a study" http://news.sciencemag.org/2001/03/pesticides-raise-miscarriage-risk and Monsanto's Round Up Ready clearly linked to infertility: http://kellythekitchenkop.com/monsantos-roundup-ready-herbicide-clearly-linked-to-infertility-and-miscarriage-in-cattle-horses-pigs-sheep-and-poultry/
- Gluten Intolerance: http://www.healthnowmedical.com/blog/infertility-miscarriage-gluten-sensitivity-may-be-your-problem
As always, it is most important to note that God is the Creator of life, and it is up to Him to create and grow a new life inside of a woman. He can overcome ANY and all obstacles!
If you know someone suffering from the pain associated with infertility and/or repeated miscarriages, please send them this information!
If you have been blessed by this information, please consider using the button on the right side of this website to make a donation and keep the mission of HFFG going!