Some 12% of American women, ages 15-45, experience infertility, which actually appears to be a conservative number. Whether you realize it or not, it’s likely that someone you know is struggling to conceive… or else, perhaps, you are.
There are a lot of misconceptions floating out there about infertility. Perhaps the biggest half-truth or myth is this: Fertility is physical (that is, solely physical).
It’s not. Fertility is more than just a physical phenomenon.
Of course fertility is measured physiologically. There are a variety of ways western and/or alternative doctors assess hormonal balance, implantation, ovulation, cervical mucus, sperm health, egg health, etc. Not to mention the fact that after “trying” for a certain amount of time you either do or don’t get pregnant (which for many of you is the first time you give your fertility any thought at all).
So even though infertility is largely conceptualized physically, thinking, “My body either can or cannot get pregnant” ignores many pieces of the puzzle. Diet. Caffeine. Alcohol. Stress. Exercise. Environmental toxins. We can all agree, I’m sure, that these are all important outside factors to look at during preconception, because of their physical impact.
But there’s more. Which is good news – because it means that you can take even more action than you may have realized. Your emotions, your mindset, and your “family stories” (more on that another time) have a huge impact on your ability to conceive.
Take, for example, a woman who is violated sexually (20% of you ladies have been sexually assaulted at least once). She may have a variety of beliefs, conscious or subconscious, that her body is bad, she’s not safe being a woman, she’s better off in her career the less “womanly” she is, etc. If those thoughts are running for long, they will absolutely affect the way her body functions physically.
Stressors, depression, traumas… they all impact your body. Fear, ambivalence about becoming a mom, financial worries about the economy… these will all show up physically after some time.
It’s simple in a way: the body can only effectively process so much fear, and the accompanying chemical ripple-effect that’s set off every time a fearful thought pops up, before it starts being negatively affected.
So for some, chronic toxic fears might be associated with a heart problem. For others, reproductive issues. The point is, if you are struggling with infertility, it’s in your best interest to conduct an emotional exploration to see if there are any toxic thoughts or fears being held in your body. Then, find a way to clear them out!
Infertility isn’t just physical. Nothing is. Our bodies are immensely impacted by our minds and emotions. So think about increasing your fertility rates (healthier eggs, better circulation, normalized periods, whatever!) with a two-pronged approach. Attend to the appropriate physical interventions based on your specific symptoms. Then do as much emotional housecleaning as you can. And if you’re really invested in getting pregnant, hire a holistic counselor or therapist who specializes in fertility-related issues to support your emotional journey.
Your body will thank you. A little emotional support, after all, goes a long way.
There are a lot of misconceptions floating out there about infertility. Perhaps the biggest half-truth or myth is this: Fertility is physical (that is, solely physical).
It’s not. Fertility is more than just a physical phenomenon.
Of course fertility is measured physiologically. There are a variety of ways western and/or alternative doctors assess hormonal balance, implantation, ovulation, cervical mucus, sperm health, egg health, etc. Not to mention the fact that after “trying” for a certain amount of time you either do or don’t get pregnant (which for many of you is the first time you give your fertility any thought at all).
So even though infertility is largely conceptualized physically, thinking, “My body either can or cannot get pregnant” ignores many pieces of the puzzle. Diet. Caffeine. Alcohol. Stress. Exercise. Environmental toxins. We can all agree, I’m sure, that these are all important outside factors to look at during preconception, because of their physical impact.
But there’s more. Which is good news – because it means that you can take even more action than you may have realized. Your emotions, your mindset, and your “family stories” (more on that another time) have a huge impact on your ability to conceive.
Take, for example, a woman who is violated sexually (20% of you ladies have been sexually assaulted at least once). She may have a variety of beliefs, conscious or subconscious, that her body is bad, she’s not safe being a woman, she’s better off in her career the less “womanly” she is, etc. If those thoughts are running for long, they will absolutely affect the way her body functions physically.
Stressors, depression, traumas… they all impact your body. Fear, ambivalence about becoming a mom, financial worries about the economy… these will all show up physically after some time.
It’s simple in a way: the body can only effectively process so much fear, and the accompanying chemical ripple-effect that’s set off every time a fearful thought pops up, before it starts being negatively affected.
So for some, chronic toxic fears might be associated with a heart problem. For others, reproductive issues. The point is, if you are struggling with infertility, it’s in your best interest to conduct an emotional exploration to see if there are any toxic thoughts or fears being held in your body. Then, find a way to clear them out!
Infertility isn’t just physical. Nothing is. Our bodies are immensely impacted by our minds and emotions. So think about increasing your fertility rates (healthier eggs, better circulation, normalized periods, whatever!) with a two-pronged approach. Attend to the appropriate physical interventions based on your specific symptoms. Then do as much emotional housecleaning as you can. And if you’re really invested in getting pregnant, hire a holistic counselor or therapist who specializes in fertility-related issues to support your emotional journey.
Your body will thank you. A little emotional support, after all, goes a long way.
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