It's unfortunate that so many couples spend months on grueling, potentially dangerous, drug regimens with price tags of $30,000 and in a significant number of cases, the treatments failed to produce a baby.

There are other things that should be done long before resorting to any fertility treatments. The following approaches are simple and safe and don't put you at risk of serious side effects.

Diet -- The first and most important factor would be proper diet.

There are several reasons for this.

First, without a good diet, it is very likely that the woman will be nutritionally deficient in some manner. Without the proper nutrients, all of the body systems, including the reproductive system, will not work optimally.

Secondly, a woman may be allergic or sensitive to certain foods, which may trigger responses that impede the reproductive process. For example, there was an article in a past newsletter about wheat and gluten products causing miscarriages in women with subclinical celiac disease.

Most women will never even know that they have these sensitivities or allergies. The most common culprits are dairy, wheat (and other gluten products), and soy, although it could be almost anything. If eliminating these foods does not help, I would recommend being evaluated by a qualified practitioner to find out if there are any other problem foods to be eliminated.

Additionally, insulin resistance has been shown to be associated with infertility, particularly with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Therefore glycemic control is very important, which can best be achieved with a good diet, particularly with the avoidance of sugars, grains and juices.

Thyroid -- Sluggish thyroid function is another common cause of infertility, so the PROPER evaluation of thyroid function is a MUST for women experiencing infertility. The mainstream approach to hypothyroid diagnosis is dreadfully inadequate, and I would suggest reviewing my diagnosis protocol and finding a competent doctor to perform a good diagnostic evaluation.

Exercise -- If there is a weight problem, fertility will be negatively impacted, so proper exercise and physical activity can be effective. In addition, exercise can reduce insulin resistance, which as stated above, can also cause infertility. Exercise can also provide benefit by improving circulation, which provides better oxygenation of the cells.

Stress -- Excess stress will cause adrenal impairment, which lowers cortisol levels. The lowered cortisol levels will distort estrogen and progesterone levels. The best way to check hormone levels is with saliva (see below).

If all of these methods and the fertility prediction methods mentioned above don't work, then there is a good possibility that there are some hormonal imbalances.

Salivary hormone testing is the best way to check hormone levels. The levels of all the sex hormones must be checked throughout the woman's cycle. Very often progesterone deficiency will be discovered, which can be addressed through proper, supervised use of sublingual or oral natural hormonal therapy. Progesterone cream typically does not work well.

Related Articles:

Couples Turning to Infertility Treatments Too Early

Celiac Disease: Fertility and Pregnancy

Mercury and Seafood Linked to Infertility

Viagra May Cause Infertility

Warning: Teflon Can Cause Birth Defects & Infertility

Vegetarian Diet Can Cause Repeat Miscarriages