Causes & Treatment
What to Do if Your Infertility is ‘Unexplained’
Eloise Edington | 29 Jun 2021
Unexplained infertility is not a diagnosis anyone is ever satisfied hearing. Where do you turn to when you hear those words? We know our Fertility Help Hub readers who haven’t had answers to their infertility don’t know where to turn when it comes to next steps in having their much-wanted family. The vast range of medical and holistic fertility treatments out there can be overwhelming, so that’s why, today, we’ve asked The Zita West Clinic (a boutique fertility clinic in Central London), to answer some of the most common fertility questions surrounding unexplained infertility.
Read on for suggestions on what to do without a definite infertility diagnosis.
Words by The Zita West Clinic
What is Unexplained (In)fertility
At The Zita West Clinic, we empathise with anyone diagnosed with unexplained infertility and understand the uncertainty this can cause. Unexplained infertility does not mean that you cannot get pregnant; it means fertility specialists cannot identify a cause for why you are having issues when trying to conceive. Approximately 20% of couples struggling to get pregnant are told they have unexplained fertility issues.
When might you be diagnosed with Unexplained (In)fertility?
If you have been trying to conceive for over twelve months, or sooner if you are over 35 years old, it is likely to be investigated. Unexplained infertility might be diagnosed when:
- Fallopian tubes are not blocked
- Ovarian reserves are at a reasonable level
- A semen analysis shows a healthy sperm count and motility
A fertility consultation would assess all of the above, looking at your medical history in-depth and doing fertility investigations. Blood tests, tubal patency and a laparoscopy may also be advised to rule out endometriosis. Tests may differ depending on the fertility clinic, and not all fertility tests and investigations are the same.
Are You Fertile?
We prefer to use the term unexplained fertility at The Zita West Clinic, especially when it doesn’t mean that the person is infertile.
Zita West, the Founder of The Zita West Clinic, says:
“Getting pregnant is like a jigsaw puzzle. For some, all of the pieces are in place: they get pregnant quickly and have a healthy baby.
For others, pieces are missing. When faced with an unexplained fertility diagnosis, it’s essential to look at absolutely everything going on in your life before taking both a holistic and medical approach.
It also doesn’t mean that you will definitely need IVF; there may be other fertility treatments that you can look at beforehand, depending on your age and how long you’ve been trying to get pregnant.
And that’s what we do at The Zita West Clinic. “
Related Article – Preparing Your Mind and Body for IVF by Zita West Fertility Clinic
Next Steps when diagnosed with Unexplained (In)fertility
What can I do about my unexplained fertility diagnosis?
It is essential to work within a timeline where possible, looking at everything going on in your life and deciding where you can improve your lifestyle.
Managing Stress and Uncertainty
We know that unexplained fertility often causes stress and uncertainty. Studies show that meditation or breathing techniques for 20 minutes a day can reduce stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol).
Lifestyle
When trying to improve fertility, we recommend stopping smoking or drinking entirely to see if this makes a difference.
After your diagnosis, although you may feel disheartened, we recommend that you continue to have regular intercourse with your partner. Please don’t give up; carry on trying to conceive; it’s extremely important at this stage.
Related Article – 5 Things to Help When Trying To Conceive Naturally
Additional Therapies
Hypnotherapy can help you to focus on a positive mindset, work on unhelpful habits and reduce stress. Hypnotherapy taps into your subconscious and acts as a form of therapy. At The Zita West Clinic, a team of leading hypnotherapists help patients achieve their best possible mindset whilst on their fertility journey.
Fertility acupuncture is used alongside Western medicine and is often known to reduce stress. The Zita West Clinic has a fertility Acupuncture Affiliate Network, showcasing a national network of affiliated acupuncturists that specialise in all aspects of fertility and male and female reproductive health. All network members have received training in Zita’s unique holistic approach.
It’s vital to ask yourself if there is anything you feel is stopping you from getting pregnant? It could be a past termination, low self-esteem or abuse in the past. Many, many factors can affect your mindset.
The most important thing to do is look at your age at the time you’re trying to conceive and coming up with a plan of action.
Nutrition
To make healthy eggs and sperm, you need energy. Therefore, we recommend that you get a nutritional plan in place, along with fertility supplements that focus on any underlying factors that may be preventing you from getting pregnant. In addition, our fertility nutritionists at The Zita West Clinic offer an individualised plan that guides you on what eating and lifestyle habits may support you. We provide a rationale behind our advice and base this on the latest research.
As you may know, being overweight or underweight can be a significant factor when looking at fertility. We acknowledge that losing or gaining weight can be difficult, so we are here to support you. Underlying issues with your thyroid or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also contribute to fertility issues.
Related Article – Zita West’s Top Nutrition Tips for a Healthy Conception
Getting Started
One of the most crucial factors to consider with unexplained fertility is time and age. Therefore, we recommend that you make the most of ‘valuable fertility time’ when trying to conceive.
At The Zita West Clinic, we are committed to supporting you through your entire fertility journey.
If you would like to look into hypnotherapy, fertility acupuncture and other various treatments for unexplained fertility, visit The Zita West Clinic website for more details.
