Treating infertility by regulating the hormonal profile
For this reason, it is necessary to try to avoid it, as well as to properly prepare the couple before any such attempt. In recent years, our knowledge of the processes of Reproduction has been increasing. At the same time, we are discovering that conditions that until a few years ago were considered normal, as they did not affect a person’s overall health, can make conception difficult. They are conditions of mainly hormonal origin. A few years ago, these couples would have been classified as having unexplained infertility, that is, the absence of any factor that could explain the inability to conceive. The most classic cases are related to the function of the thyroid gland and are subclinical hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
In subclinical hypothyroidism, the values of the hormones that control thyroid function, while within normal limits for the general population, are considered disturbed for a woman who wants to become pregnant. In thyroiditis, the body produces antibodies against the thyroid gland, and this condition, which was previously uncontrolled, even if it does not affect hormone levels, can be a cause of infertility and even spontaneous miscarriages. Something similar happens with prolactin, a hormone that is secreted by the brain and increases, among other things, in stressful situations. Particular emphasis should also be placed on regulating the woman’s weight, which also leads to an increase in the chances of natural conception and the chances of success of IVF.
While it is relatively old knowledge, it often tends to be downgraded. Newer studies show that we should even prevent very overweight women from undergoing any Assisted Reproduction procedure before they first try to lose weight. When they achieve this, there is a high probability that they will have become pregnant before entering the IVF process (if there is no specific untreatable cause of infertility), but in any case, they increase the chances of success and also enter the pregnancy with better conditions. Over time, other substances are gaining ground in Assisted Reproduction. One of these is vitamin D, an important substance for many functions of the body.
Newer studies show that it also plays an important role in the success of in vitro fertilization. Although its levels are related to the action of solar energy on the skin, we also observe in our sunny country a large percentage of women with low to insufficient levels of vitamin D. The role of another hormone, melatonin, is gradually emerging. Its reduced levels are responsible for the lower conception rates observed in Scandinavian countries during the winter months. In conclusion, the correct regulation of the expectant mother’s hormonal profile will not only help her enter an IVF attempt with better conditions, but it often “unblocks” the conception process in a remarkably simple way, and there are many times when the couple achieves pregnancy shortly before IVF.
This article was published in the current issue of DIVANITY magazine, which is the official magazine of the DIVANI hotel group.
