In the quest for conception, many women are exploring a range of strategies to enhance their fertility. One growing trend is the use of complementary medicine—an umbrella term for non-mainstream practices used alongside conventional medical treatments. But what happens when a woman integrates complementary medicine with fertility treatments?
I can’t speak for other types of complementary medicine, but I will say as an Ayurvedic practitioner and someone who taught yoga for many years too, these methods are often chosen to address stress, improve overall well-being, and potentially enhance the effectiveness of treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or medication cycles. I regularly do cleanses with people at a couple of key points in the IVF process. While there aren’t always a lot of studies that get funded on complementary medicine, the evidence base exists in other forms, including practices that have been continually utilized for thousands of years, and that regular people (including me) have utilized and can attest to.
Ayurvedic treatments, yoga and meditation may not only be what is missing for your fertility, but the whole point is to help you feel well in the process. Anyone who has been through IVF knows it’s generally not an enjoyable process.
In episode 147 of Wisdom of the Body, I cover some of the questions people ask about holistic and natural interventions when considering or undergoing medical fertility treatments like IVF. I discuss the most optimal times to explore an Ayurvedic cleanse during the conception journey when utilizing IVF, and women we get out of balance when undergoing fertility treatment. You’ll learn why herbal formulas that say “women’s formula” can be very misleading, and what you can do instead to ensure you are taking the most impactful herbs for your fertility, and personalizing your self-care.
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