Yoga Therapy practices for Infertility
It’s National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), April 18-24, 2021. As someone who has been there and does what I do because I’ve been there, it’s time we talk about something that is rarely ever addressed in clinical settings when referencing fertility. And, this is important whether or not you want to conceive a child.
We must start talking beyond the physical diagnosis and start addressing the roots of why infertility is presenting itself in the first place. These roots include the physical health, yes, and also the energetic, emotional, mental, and even spiritual health of a person, too. This is what will lead to healing…not the endless road of tests and specialists.
I’ve shared pretty candidly about my experiences with Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, a condition that essentially shuts down the female reproductive system. Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA) occurs when the body and/or mind is so taxed and stressed that it stops ovulation and thereby the menstrual cycle. It’s a form of bodily survival. Reproduction isn’t necessary for survival and you need ovulation to reproduce. What I’ve seen by working with many other women struggling with fertility is that they are experiencing this intense amount of stress, too, which affects their bodies whether or not they develop symptoms of HA.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), infertility affects 10-12% of women between the ages of 15-44. THAT’S A LOT.
Most cases of female infertility are problems with ovulation, making up about 30% of problems a Stanford study shows. I could really nerd out on even more stats (this was my thesis for yoga therapy study), but we’d be here all day. Problems with ovulation include things like HA, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), irregular ovulation, Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), and issues with the Hypothalamus and/or the Pituitary gland.
Of course, there are also structural infertility causes (scar tissue, polyps, fibroids, fallopian tube issues, tilted uterus, etc.) and even some of those can also be tied back to hormonal issues.
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Here’s the point: Hormones can be supported. Infertility/fertility can be supported with the right mix of physical/emotional/energetic/spiritual supports, not solely the physical/clinical components. Sometimes we focus so much on blood tests and hormonal levels that we miss the point of what actually brings those hormones back into balance (without medication). This is what I love about Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy - we work with the body and with nature’s elements to bring healing.
The pieces that remain missing from most infertility clinical practice and treatment - and I say this from experience - are:
Addressing the body’s nervous system
Recognizing physical/emotional habits, and whether they are nourishing to the body-mind system
And, considering whether there is literal space in your life, whether you want to conceive a baby or not (but especially if you want to conceive a child)
When I was trying to find a diagnosis for my lack of a menstrual cycle, I bounced around for TWO years seeing different medical professionals. It took one and half years to diagnose me with HA, and another six months of injecting dyes into my fallopian tubes, blood work, being told I was an “interesting project,” a comment about chromosomal defects, being told I’d never naturally conceive on my own, a denial that the birth control pill was detrimental to my cycle (it was, but that’s a whole other post), pushing medications and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), before my soul spoke up and said, ENOUGH. She was loud, but firm. I’ll never forget it. So I stopped all tests, opting for healing instead.
When I work with other women who are seeking to restore their fertility and/or improve their chances at conception, they experience very similar paths. Tests on top of tests. Doctors on top of doctors. Blood work on top of blood work. But, these pathways do not unearth the root cause of infertility (or any dis-ease) in the first place, even if they do point to an imbalance somewhere in the system (unless the cause is purely structural).
According to medical professionals, my weight was “normal,” but it was not normal for me. My stress was “normal,” but it was not normal for me. My iron levels were “normal,” but not normal for me. Because if normal worked for me, I wouldn’t have had HA, right? THIS is why when working with infertility, we must address the individual, NOT the diagnosis and dig into the many layers of the body - the nervous system, the emotional/mental health, the relationship to bliss, etc. There isn’t a “normal.” The symptoms are the signals, regardless of the statistics in front of you. Yes?
In my own experience:
My body’s nervous system was wrecked. I was anxious all the time. I was obsessed with climbing a ladder and giving 150% at work. I exercised intensely all the time. The sound of a car horn going off was enough for me to jump out of my skin. I didn’t feel safe in my own body, and, worse, I didn’t trust her. I didn’t know how to relax, and in fact thought that relaxing and receiving weren’t productive/worthy enough of my time.
I did NOT have a good relationship with my body. I liked my body only when she looked and performed the way I wanted her to. I obsessively watched every morsel I put in my mouth. I was way too hard on her opting for solely running and power/hot yoga. I couldn’t see that she was crying out for help with brittle nails and hair and an inability to sleep.
There literally wasn’t any space in my life for my Self, let alone a child. See above. How did I ever think a child would fit into my life with all the excessive movement, career advances, and a filled to the brim calendar/lifestyle? There was no space for joy, little space for bliss. Honestly, the pressures we put on ourselves and those of society are ridiculous, and yet we need support in re-patterning and programs our routines/habits.
I was searching for all the answers outside of my Self. At some point, I realized that it was time to trust my intuition. Yoga teaches us that with consistent practice and awareness, we can realize the answers that we seek, and that identifying with constantly changing information outside of ourselves will not bring us peace. This doesn’t mean that certain care providers and medical professionals aren’t necessary, but it DOES mean that your own knowing is just as important as any information they share.
So began my healing journey. To heal is different than to cure. And, to conceive a baby, I knew that I needed to heal my body, my mind, and my heart first. I had to learn how to feel safe in my body. I needed to learn what nourishment really looked like.
I needed to slow down, create more space for rest, actually cook my own meals slowly and lovingly, to get into nature as often as I could. I needed to re-learn how to breathe and how to adapt my movement practices that gave energy and life force to my body, rather than leaving me exhausted. I needed to learn how to release pent up energy. There’s actually a term for this - conscious conception.
With my own yoga therapy practice and the support of an incredible Chinese medicine doctor, I DID heal. I did restore my cycles naturally. I did conceive our son, Bodhi. It IS possible. We DO need support and guidance on a journey like this. And, these practices of healing our hearts, our minds, of learning to nourish our physical bodies are just not talked about enough when it comes to infertility.
Can I promise this will work for every instance of infertility?
No. I can’t, but I can promise it will help. I’ve worked with numerous women in their infertility journeys, and several this last year who lovingly conceived healthy, beautiful babies with these practices (during a pandemic!). Some were undergoing IUI, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), some with unexplained infertility, some with no outside treatment. And, EVERY interaction led to either a restoration of the menstrual cycle, a healthy baby, and/or a deeper connection, acceptance, and love of the Self.
If you or someone you know is struggling with fertility/infertility, multiple miscarriages, or simply need help restoring your menstrual cycle to wholeness (i.e. PCOS, endometriosis, HA, etc.), please reach out to me by hitting reply here. I will support you over 12 weeks with various assessments, treatment plans, and practices for your body and mind to heal. The infertility journey can be lonely, but it doesn’t need to be. I always offer a free 20 minute consultation to see if we’re the right fit for each other. And, if it’s not yoga therapy, find another practice that focuses on the health of the whole person. These modalities can be beautiful when paired with Western medicine.
And, if you know of someone walking the infertility path, please be there for them, too. Listen. Reach out to say hello. Hug them if you’re comfortable. Your willingness to be compassionate to their pain matters.
With love,
Leanne
P.S. I adore working with those who are on their conception and fertility journeys. Recently, I worked with Jess who is expecting a baby in June. Here’s what she shares:
“I had been struggling with infertility for almost 2 years when a dear friend introduced me to Leanne. I was about to embark on my third IVF cycle and my anxiety was at a peak. I had never heard of yoga therapy, but after reading Leanne’s description it seemed to be exactly what I needed...and it was. During our sessions, I was able to find the peace that had eluded me for so long. I learned a lot about my mind, body and spirit in the process, and Leanne gave me tools to cope with my anxiety outside of our sessions as well. Leanne was an invaluable source of comfort and positivity during one of the most challenging times in my life. I am thrilled to say that my fourth IVF cycle was a success! Then, Leanne was there to genuinely share in my joy. She was a key member of my support system during my fertility journey, and for that I will be forever grateful.” - Jessica Wardell
If you’d like support on your fertility/infertility journey, please write to me at leanne@yogadear.com. I have space for 2-3 more one on one yoga therapy clients, starting in mid-May. Read more about my approach to yoga therapy here. I am sending so much warmth and love to those experiencing this process. You are not alone. And, if you know of someone who needs to read these words, please share. With <3.
