It is estimated that approximately 3.5 million people have difficulty conceiving. A wide variety of factors affect fertility, and there are many potential causes of infertility. These range from physical and chemical factors to emotional and psychological factors. A diagnosis of infertility – whether it is explained or unex¬plained – can leave you feeling extremely disappointed and without hope. But does this mean the end of a life long dream? Or are there things you can do to increase your fertil¬ity and help you become a parent?

I have worked with many couples who have wondered if they will ever conceive and have a family of their own. Some of these couples have been trying for a baby for years and some have spent a lot of time and money on medical treatments like IUI (intra-uterine insemination), GIFT (gamete intrafallopian transfer) and IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) without success. In other cases, couples have made the decision to start a family in their later years, only to discover that becoming pregnant is taking far longer than they expected.Regardless of each couples unique situation, they all found their struggles with infertility highly emotional and stressful – which is completely understandable, given everything that they have to go through. The majority of infertile women report that coming face to face with their infertility is the most upsetting experience of their lives.
Unfortunately, their heightened levels of stress and increased feelings of depression can have a very harmful effect on their ability to conceive and carry a baby to full term. Research has shown that stress affects the hormonal system, which may result in decreased fertility. Stress causes tremendous changes in the body’s biochemistry and rhythms. It upsets the body’s natural balance, and over time can lead to infertility and chronic health problems