Overview

Infertility is an increasing problem in developed countries. Various reasons have been advanced, including environmental toxins, increased stress, and even genetic damage to the mother's mitochondrial DNA. In some instances problems can be attributed to the father, while in other cases the problem can be attributed to the mother. This web page addresses only a few of the potential causes, and treatments that Dr. Weyrich is prepared to provide.

Please see conventional, complementary, and alternative medical treatments for important background information regarding the different types of medical treatments discussed on this page. Naturopathic, Complementary, and Alternative treatments that may be considered include:

Etiology

In some cases, infertility has been attributed to hypothyroidism of the mother, which may be further attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction [Starr2005, pg 60].

Male infertility has also been attributed to hypothyroidism [Starr2005, pg 147], [Kharrazian2010, pg 10].

Some practitioners have noted an association with inflammatory process mediated by homocysteine [Rogers2008, pg 9]. Note that the common diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) increases homocysteine levels [Westphal2003  🕮 ].

Differential Diagnosis

Treatment

Naturopathic, Complementary, and Alternative Treatments

Thyroid Optimization

In the event that the mother has a low basal body temperature (below 97.8 degrees when measured in the axilla), a trial of thyroid replacement with a desiccated thyroid or synthetic T4/T3 blend has often been found to result in pregnancy within several cycles [Starr2005, pg 60], [Barnes1976], [Hertoghe1914].

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

[LdnResearchTrust_conditions] reports that female infertility is a condition that LDN could help.

[Roozenburg1997  🕮 ] reports use of 25mg naltrexone BID combined with clomiphene to increase induction of ovulation.

[Wildt1993  🕮 ] reports use of naltrexone at doses ranging from 25 to 150mg/day, resulting in complete normalization of the menstrual cycle in 49 of 66 patients.

Dr. Weyrich has been trained to use Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). However, Dr. Weyrich has not treated any cases of female infertility with LDN.

Please see What is Low Dose Naltrexone? for more information.

References