Many couples going through fertility treatments wonder if there are other natural steps they can do to increase their chances of becoming pregnant. Reflexology is one of the natural treatments gaining attention, with many couples attributing increased fertility and successful pregnancies to the natural treatment.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is an ancient healing art that was further developed in modern times. It is believed that certain points on the feet corresponds to related organs, glands and the nervous system. It is believed that applying pressure to these points, it positively influences health. It recent years, reflexology has gained attention as part of an overall treatment plan for some couples experiencing infertility.

How is Reflexology Thought to Increase Fertility?

Reflexology adherents believe that there are specific points on the feet strongly associated with the reproductive process. A series of applied pressure to the points associated with egg production and hormones may correct imbalances that may be hindering fertility. Reflexology is thought to increase fertility in these ways:

• The reduction of stress. The fertility process is undoubtedly one of the most stressful times a couple will encounter, and that stress can impact fertility. High levels of stress can trigger neuro-chemical changes which can hinder the release and maturation of the eggs.
• Help in balancing the endocrine system. Stimulating the ovary reflex point can help the body in ovulating.

What Evidence is There that Reflexology Can Increase Fertility?

Unfortunately, studies in this area have been few and the evidence remains largely in personal experiences. Since it has not been the subject of many large studies, any success  which could otherwise be attributed to the treatment goes uncounted. Additionally, any increase infertility in a couple undergoing traditional fertility treatments in conjunction with reflexology would also be attributed to the traditional treatment. If it is factored in at all, the medical community largely attributes any success to the reduction of stress which positively impacts fertility. However, many women who have been told that there was little point in undergoing fertility treatments due to high hormone levels, suggesting the ovaries may have stopped producing enough estrogen, have reported increased fertility with reflexology.

Are There Any Negative Side Effects?

As a natural treatment, there are no known side effects to reflexology treatment. It is for this reason that many women will undergo treatment in conjunction with other fertility treatments. Also, many feel that it is worth the effort, regardless of whether or not it has a stamp of approval in the medical community or not because the anecdotal evidence is so strongly in favor of increased fertility with the treatment.

Reflexology Does not Claim to be a Cure-all

The foundation of reflexology does not claim to be the cure all for any fertility problem. Rather, it is a safe and natural treatment that uses pressure to reduce stress,  increase blood circulation and strengthening the immune system. All of these factors play a role in fertility, and improving them can increase fertility.

Infertility can be an exhausting journey filled with many difficult decisions. One of the most difficult may be whether or not to use sperm donation as an infertility help and solution. There are many reasons a woman or couple may consider sperm donation as an option, an each of them comes with a complex set of things to consider by all those involved. Ultimately, it is a very personal decision and one that requires much consideration.

Personal Considerations of  Sperm Donation

For many couples, there is a great deal of uncertainty even after the decision has been made to consider sperm donation. Most fertility specialists, as well as others who have personal experience with infertility recommend therapy with someone who specializes in infertility issues and can offer help and insight into the many emotional issues involved. There are no right or wrong feelings and many are caught off guard by their own deepest thoughts. In addition to therapy, local and online infertility help support groups can help in dealing with many of the issues which may include:

• Male guilt and grief over the lost hope of a child biologically related
• Feelings of inadequacy
• Female guilt over the desire to be pregnant
• Spouse not fully understanding the desire to be pregnant
• Feeling like you are somehow unfaithful to your spouse
• Feeling that the spouse is putting too much of the decision making process in your lap
• Secretly not being on the same page
• Concerns of the husband is outwardly supportive but inwardly resentful
• Fears that the spouse may not feel as bonded to the child
• Fears of not knowing the donor
• Fears of using a known or related donor
• The unwanted, uninformed or misinformed comments
• The pressures of family to have a child
• Worries of whether or not family will accept the decision, or the child
• Feeling you may somehow be judged by friend or family for the choice of infertility help

Practical Considerations

When the decision has been made to pursue sperm donation as the best course of infertility help, a whole new set of considerations open up. One of the most important of the considerations is whether to use a known or unknown donor.

Known Donor

For some couples, using a known donor provides a great deal of comfort. One popular course of action is using the donated sperm of someone related to the husband, because though the child may not be the spouse’s biological child, it is still related. This can be very legally complicated and involves a significant waiting period before the sperm can be released from the bank after testing.

Unknown Donors

Using an unknown donor from a sperm bank is by far the most commonly used method of sperm donation. Though the child is not biologically related to the husband, it does allow you to browse through a profile book of donor and choose from someone who has similar traits. The sperm has already been tested for things like HIV and processed, so there not a long waiting period.

The decision to use sperm donation is a difficult one but is right for many people. One of the most important things to remember, particularly when choosing between sperm donation and adoption,  whether or not the child is yours biologically, it is a product of your union and because of that, every bit your own.