Good morning, OBE readers.  I thought I’d begin my column today by addressing some of the comments regarding my last article on female fertility.  I must admit I’m (pleasantly) surprised with all the attention Natural Fertility Management received.  I agree – it is a shame that we aren’t taught more about this in school, as it’s such a useful tool for providing insight on what’s happening month to month with our bodies.

Firstly, to clarify the connection of menstruation and the lunar cycle, I quote Dr. Christiane Northrup, MD from her very well known book Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom;  “Even in modern society, where we are cut off from the rhythms of nature, the cycle of ovulation is influenced by the moon.  Studies have shown that peak rates of conception and probably ovulation appear to occur at the full moon or the day before.  During the new moon, ovulation and conception rates are decreased overall, and an increased number of women start their menstrual bleeding.  Scientific research has documented that the moon rules the flow of fluids (ocean tides as well as individual body fluids) and affects the unconscious mind and dreams.  The timing of the menstrual cycle, the fertility cycle, and labor also follows the moon-dominated tides of the ocean.  Environmental cues, such as light, the moon, and the tides play a documented role in regulating women’s menstrual cycles and fertility.  In one study of nearly two thousand women with irregular menstrual cycles, more than half of the subjects achieved regular menstrual cycles of twenty nine days’ length by sleeping with a light on near their beds during the three days around ovulation.”

Secondly, regarding the phases, the menstrual cycle is divided into 2 phases.  The first phase is called the follicular phase and the second is the luteal phase.  From my clinical experience and that of my colleagues and teachers, the follicular phase leading up to ovulation is the most variable among women.  Once ovulation has occurred, the days of the luteal phase – before bleeding starts – tends to be a little more predictable for most women.

Quantifying lengths of each phase is based on averages…as is every laboratory reading in medicine.  Numbers are based on what is most commonly seen among the population.  While important, it doesn’t take into account bio-individuality, or our own personal norms.  Hence another reason to chart…to discover what your ‘normals’ are.

Female fertility is a complex subject and all areas can’t be addressed in one 1000-word article.  Learning about menstruation and our body’s signs is an important aspect, but really only the tip of the iceberg.  I would be delighted to write a follow up column(s) on women’s fertility and discuss naturopathic medicine’s role in promoting conception and assisting conventional medical interventions used in achieving pregnancy.

And now on to the task at hand.  I figured I’d follow up May’s female fertility article with a June’s male reproductive health column.  It does take two…!

When couples are experiencing difficulties achieving conception, it is equally important to review the health of the male partner as well as the female.  Some studies have shown that as much as 68% of infertile couples are due to issues with male reproductive health.

When assessing our man’s reproductive potential, often semen analysis is required to determine viscosity, volume, clumping, sperm concentration, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology.  All these semen parameters can be affected by age, poor nutritional status, alcohol and caffeine consumption, cigarette and drug exposure, environmental oxidative damage to the sperm, radiation exposure and testicular varicoceles.

More and more research is concluding that men do indeed have a biological clock.  Age does seem to affect the vitality of the sperm which plays a role in the long term health of the resultant fetus.  One study concluded that children of men who became a father after the age of 40 were 5.75 times more likely to have an autism disorder compared to those whose fathers were younger than 30.

A study on schizophrenia found that the risk of the illness was doubled among children of fathers in their late 40s when compared with children of fathers under 25 and increased almost threefold in children born to fathers 50 and older.

Sperm are much more vulnerable to damage then the female egg.  They are 1/200th the size of the egg and they are produced and stored in the testicles which are essentially located outside the body and thus are that much more exposed to the external environment.  As well, sperm require 80 days to mature and therefore the health of those sperm are not only affected by the health and lifestyle choices of the man at the time of examination but also for the 2 1/2 months prior.

While a full extensive workup of the man’s health is required to determine the root cause of infertility, there are a number of general naturopathic treatments that can be incorporated to help optimize reproductive health.

Zinc is a well known mineral vital for healthy cellular genetic functioning.  Deficient levels of zinc in males have been associated with reduced sperm counts and lower levels of testosterone, a hormone that directly influences sperm production.  It’s also important to consider that roughly 25 mg of zinc is lost during every ejaculation.

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant used to protect sperm DNA from free radical damage, resulting in improved sperm counts, motility and morphology.  Selenium, another potent antioxidant, plays a similar role, as well as increasing secretion of testosterone.

CoQ10 functions in the energy production pathways of the body provide antioxidant protection for the sperm, and also plays a role in the sperm’s swimming capabilities.

L-arginine is an amino acid found in many foods and is required for the production of sperm.  Stress, in particular, has been found to decrease the levels of arginine in the sperm production pathways.  Supplementing with L-arginine can improve sperm count and motility.

L-Carnitine is another amino acid that exhibits protective antioxidant effects and it improves all sperm parameters when used as a treatment for infertility.

Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin needed to maintain healthy blood cells, energy levels and improve sperm counts.  Folate plays a role in the production of sperm in the testicles by supporting DNA synthesis and cellular division.

Botanical medicine can have dramatic effects on male fertility and the encouragement of optimal hormone and sperm production.

Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is commonly used for enhancing male reproductive health due to its ability to help the body adapt to stress, improve mental and physical energy levels, protect sperm from toxic exposure, promote sperm production and support better sperm motility.  Astragalus (Astragulus membranaceus) is another adaptogen and plays a role in improving sperm motility.

Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris) plays a role in increasing testosterone production and therefore sperm production, as well as improving sperm motility and morphology.

Reproductive health is very much influenced by our environment, our diet, our lifestyle and our mental emotional health.  For many men, addressing these issues commences the journey into fatherhood.

© Dr. Amy Wells, Naturopathic Physician  250.871.2600