The Hidden Epidemic: Why Infertility is Rising and How Fertility Awareness Can Help
Infertility is a growing challenge for many couples hoping to start families, affecting approximately 15% of couples across the world. The rise of infertility worldwide calls for a deeper understanding of its causes and alternative approaches to addressing it, and Fertility Awareness-Based Methods (FABMs) have emerged as a powerful, science-backed tool to help couples not only understand their fertility but also address underlying health issues contributing to infertility.
The Current Landscape of Infertility
Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse, affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infertility impacts approximately 15% of reproductive-aged couples globally. A multinational study identified female infertility as the sole cause in 1/3 of cases, male infertility in another 1/3 of cases, and combined factors (or unknown) in 1/3 of couples. These numbers reveal that infertility is a complex issue influenced by both men and women and attributed to a wide range of factors.
The most common causes of female infertility include:
Ovulatory disorders (25%)
Endometriosis (15%)
Pelvic adhesions (12%)
Tubal blockage (11%)
Other tubal or uterine abnormalities (11%)
Hyperprolactinemia (7%)
Additionally, testosterone levels in reproductive-aged men have been rapidly declining in the past few decades. A study conducted in 2007 compared testosterone levels in men from 1987 to 2002, and showed that average testosterone levels are declining by approximately 1% every year. And many other studies reveal the same. Lower testosterone levels can negatively impact fertility by significantly decreasing sperm production, which can lead to a lower chance of conception.
Despite advancements in medicine, the United States’ total fertility rate (TFR) has remained below replacement level for the past four decades, averaging around 1.9 children per woman. Historically, fertility rates have been influenced by socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, but declining fertility today highlights deeper systemic challenges.
Factors Contributing to the Rise of Infertility
Delayed Childbearing: While maternal age is often cited as a major factor in infertility, history tells a different story. In the early 1900s, women commonly had children well into their 30s and 40s, often giving birth to multiple children. However, societal changes such as prioritizing careers, education, and financial stability have led to delayed childbearing, which correlates with a natural decline in fertility.
Interestingly, research shows that biological age and chronological ovarian age do not always align. Biomarkers such as anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are now used to assess ovarian reserve and provide a more accurate picture of a woman’s fertility potential.Lifestyle and Environmental Factors: Modern lifestyles have introduced stress, poor dietary habits, and exposure to endocrine disruptors, all of which negatively impact fertility. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothalamic amenorrhea, often linked to lifestyle factors, are increasingly common causes of infertility.
Male Factor Infertility: Male infertility, responsible for 8% of cases in the WHO study, is often overlooked. The generational decline of testosterone levels and sperm counts is also a significant factor, with men on average seeing a 1% decline in testosterone levels each year. This is largely attributed to environmental toxins and poor lifestyle choices, which have become significant contributors to the fertility crisis in both men and women.
Medical and Reproductive Health Issues: Conditions like endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and untreated sexually transmitted infections can damage reproductive organs, leading to structural and functional challenges in both men and women.
Fertility Awareness: A Revolutionary Tool for Addressing Infertility
Fertility Awareness-Based Methods (FABMs) give women and couples the tools to understand their reproductive health by tracking biological markers of fertility. These methods offer more than just an alternative to conventional family planning; they provide critical insights into underlying health issues and actionable data to improve fertility outcomes.
1. Identifying Fertile Windows:
One of the core principles of FABMs is identifying a woman’s fertile window, the period during which conception is possible. By tracking biomarkers such as cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, women can pinpoint ovulation and time intercourse for optimal chances of conception. For couples struggling with infertility, this information can be transformative, reducing the guesswork and emotional strain often associated with trying to conceive.
2. Uncovering Underlying Health Issues:
FABMs are not just about tracking cycles; they provide insights into hormonal imbalances and other health conditions that may impact fertility. For example:
Irregular cycles may indicate PCOS or thyroid dysfunction.
Short luteal phases can point to low progesterone levels, affecting the ability to sustain a pregnancy.
Absence of ovulation can highlight issues such as hypothalamic amenorrhea or premature ovarian insufficiency.
By working with a trained fertility awareness educator or healthcare professional, individuals can use this information to seek targeted medical interventions or make lifestyle changes to improve their fertility.
3. Addressing Infertility Holistically:
FABMs offer a natural, non-invasive, and cost-effective approach to improving fertility. By addressing root causes such as hormonal imbalances, dietary deficiencies, and stress, these methods can help couples conceive without the need for invasive treatments. In many cases, simple lifestyle changes guided by fertility awareness insights have led to successful pregnancies.
FABMs can also be instrumental in identifying and diagnosing ovulatory disorders or other issues that may be causing infertility. Medical professionals trained in methods like NaPro Technology and FEMM can offer targeted medical intervention (such as reproductive surgery by laparoscopy or hysteroscopy), when needed, that addresses the root cause of infertility and allows couples to conceive naturally.
The Future of Fertility Awareness
Despite its proven effectiveness, fertility awareness is often misunderstood and remains a little-known option. Greater awareness and education are crucial to making these methods more accessible to more women. Organizations like Natural Womanhood and FACTS About Fertility are at the forefront of this effort, providing resources, training, and support to individuals and healthcare providers.
Additionally, advancements in technology, such as wearable devices and FABM-friendly apps, have made cycle tracking more user-friendly and accurate. These tools, when combined with education, have the potential to revolutionize the way we approach fertility and reproductive health.
Conclusion
The rise of infertility is a multifaceted issue, but solutions exist that offer promise. Fertility awareness offers a holistic, empowering approach to addressing infertility by equipping women with the knowledge and tools to understand their bodies, identify potential issues, and take proactive steps to improve their chances of conception. Whether used as a standalone method or in conjunction with supportive medical treatments, FABMs provide hope and clarity in an often overwhelming journey.
As awareness grows and more people embrace these methods, fertility awareness has the potential to not only transform lives but also address the global infertility crisis. By taking charge of their reproductive health, couples can build the families they dream of while improving their overall well-being.
Interested in learning more about fertility awareness? Sign up for our upcoming webinar on Unlocking Men and Women’s Fertility, or schedule an appointment with me to start learning the FEMM Fertility Awareness Method.
Sources: