(In)fertility Explained - from an East meets West perspective
Unexplained infertility diagnosis
After a year or more of trying to conceive (TTC) without success you may decide it's time to go see your family doctor or a fertility specialist. This is a great idea. A Western medical professional can recommend blood work to check your hormones and imaging (an abdominal or endovaginal ultrasound) if there is reason to believe there might be a problem in your reproductive organs. Fertility clinics can also test your partner’s (if you have one) sperm to see if male factor infertility might be at play.
If something is found to be ‘abnormal’ with your test results you may be relieved to learn you now have something to work on or fix. But, for many couples, the results often come back saying that there is nothing wrong, leaving a feeling of frustration about this ‘unexplained infertility’ diagnosis.
Many of my client often find themselves asking the question: “If the Western medical system says there is nothing wrong with me, then why can't I get pregnant?”
Here is my answer for you from an East meets West perspective.
The 5 Koshas (layers of the body)
The Western medical system uses a system of inquiry and chemical tests that look only at your physical body: ie. your organs, tissues, and systems (mainly reproductive and endocrine). However, according to Eastern medicine and the yoga tradition, everyone of us has not only a physical body, but also 4 other bodies or sheaths (you can read more about it in this article from Yoga International) called Koshas.
In this model, optimal health and wellness is dependent on the proper functioning of all 5 sheaths (Koshas) and therefore infertility could be caused by a dysfunction in any of the sheaths (and not just in the physical one). Unfortunately the Western medical system does not have tests to look for dis-ease in the non-physical sheaths of the body, therefore we must turn to Eastern medicine or holistic practitioners who specialize in this domain.
Here is a summary I’ve assembled of potential imbalances or dysfunctions you may have in any given Kosha as well as what type of holistic practice/practitioner might be able to heal that imbalance.
Annamaya Kosha and Fertillity
Western Equivalent
reproductive organs
endocrine system
nervous system
Imbalance / Dysfunction
Torsion (twisting) in the tissues
Sex hormones are out of balance
adrenal fatigue
deregulation of the ANS (sympathetic nervous system in overdrive)
How to Heal / Restore Balance
osteopathy to release the fascia
abdominal massage
dietary changes (work with a naturopath who specializes in fertility)
fertility yoga + breath work
Pranamaya Kosha and Fertility
Western Equivalent
energy body
Imbalance / Dysfunction
lack of movement + too much sitting = misalignment in energetic conduits in the body (nadis in yoga or meridians in Chinese medicine)
conception requires functional energetic conduits
How to Heal / Restore Balance
more movement (of any kind: walking counts)
acupuncture (works specifically to bring balance to the meridians so chi can be delivered optimally to the body + reproductive organs)
yoga (postures and breath work)
Manomaya Kosha and Fertility
Western Equivalent
mind (action organ)
sensory organs (how we perceive the world)
Imbalance / Dysfunction
negative thoughts (through beliefs and self talk) leading to negative emotions
How to Heal / Restore Balance
therapy
hypnotherapy
coaching
meditation
asana (yoga postures)
Vijnanamaya Kosha and Fertility
Western Equivalent
Intellect
Will
Discernment
Determination
Imbalance / Dysfunction
weak / sluggish will
How to Heal / Restore Balance
therapy
hypnotherapy
coaching
meditation
asana (yoga postures)
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused by this table, do not despair! Take some time to wrap your mind around it and let it fuel your curiosity to gather more information. Also note that yoga and meditation can help heal each sheath. This is why yoga is so transformative: because it is one practice that works on all the koshas at the same time.
Over the years I’ve noticed that many of the women who come to me for private fertility consultations seem completely overwhelmed by all the information and misinformation out there on holistic fertility practices. The number one recommendation I have for them is: work with only ONE holistic practitioner at a time. Often, there seems to be a need to do ALL the things at once- but you don’t need to do all the things: you only need to do the right thing for YOU. And sometimes determining what that 'right thing' is takes time. In the scientific method we change only one variable at a time, so we can accurately determine if that variable is giving us results. I urge you to do the same.
If you are currently TTC with an unexplained infertility diagnosis, please know that there is hope. And know that you have more options than IUI/IVF. Although natural fertility practices may not have tons of peer reviewed studies to support their effectiveness, that doesn’t mean they don’t work. There are many, many success stories out there of women who changed their diet, or lifestyle, or beliefs, and became pregnant naturally against all odds.
