Using mind/body medicine to treat infertility

by Karen Asp

Using mind/body medicine to treat infertility It may be useful for women undergoing traditional infertility treatment to add mind/body techniques to their lifestyle.

Infertility affects 6.1 million Americans, or 10% of the reproductive age population, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Many women with infertility turn to modern medicine to increase their chances of conceiving. Yet medical treatments may be only part of the solution. Some peope believe that adding mind/body techniques to the treatment plan may help women heal mentally and emotionally, thus opening their bodies pathways to conception.

No one knows this better than Katie Boland, author of I Got Pregnant, You Can Too! For three years, Boland underwent infertility treatments. In her third year, she was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease.

"You feel like youre going crazy," she says. "And its so unlikely youll get pregnant when youre crazy."

So Boland changed her attitude and her outlook. She banished negative thoughts, practiced meditation, joined a support group, ate healthfully, did gentle exercise, and stopped her life from spinning further out of control. Soon enough, she had a daughter of her own.

Today, Boland is not only a mother but also the founder and director of the Mind/Body Institute of Los Angeles, which helps people deal with the physical and emotional aspects of infertility. Boland doesnt guarantee that women will get pregnant, but she does promise that theyll reclaim their lives.

"Men get their wives back, and women get their lives back," she says.

Bolands 10-week program is modeled after the prestigious Mind/Body Infertility Program at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Although women are the focus of the program, men also learn the techniques and gain a deeper understanding of what their partners are experiencing.

Although these programs arent designed to get women pregnant, evidence is mounting to support mind/body techniques as a way to increase the odds of conception, says Alice D. Domar, PhD, director of the Mind/Body Center for Womens Health at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Domar notes, however, that mind/body techniques should complement, not substitute, medical treatments.

In one study, researchers from the Boston program analyzed data from 284 infertile women. Forty-two percent of the women, some of whom were the most depressed and "stressed out" upon entering the program, were pregnant within six months of completing the program.

So, how is it that mind/body techniques may help with conception?

"Mind/body programs teach women various skills to become mentally and physically healthier, which will maximize their chance of getting pregnant," Domar says. "As a result, they reclaim joy and meaning in their lives and relationships."

In addition, women using mind/body techniques usually take their stressed, anxious, and depressed minds off of getting pregnant. After all, stress is a proven contributor to infertility, says Sheila Scharnowski, RNC, MS, a clinical nurse specialist in reproductive endocrinology in Colorado.

"Womens emotions can cause negative responses in the body, like tubal spasms and irregular ovulations," she says.

Women who are depressed, thanks to failed attempts at conceiving, are also less likely to get pregnant, Domar says.

Through these programs, women learn eight mind/body skills four physical and four psychological to help them take control of their situation rather than letting the crisis of infertility control them. They practice physical relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques, and learn about healthful eating, exercise and "cognitive restructuring," which means challenging negative thoughts. They meet with other women in their same situation and discover how to let go of anger and take care of themselves again.

Boland encourages women not to blame themselves for their difficulty conceiving, but, instead, to embrace techniques to cope with their situation and still live life.

"You have to take care of yourself first," she says. "If you can let go of all those crazy emotions, youll find peace, and you have to find that before you can get pregnant."

Although you can enroll in these programs, which are often offered in weekend-long workshops around the country, you can also be your own mind/body coach at home. You can use many of these techniques not only to help you cope with the experience of infertility, but for all of lifes stresses and challenges.

Restructure your thoughts

You might be thinking dozens of negative thoughts each day without being aware of it. Perhaps you keep telling yourself youll never get pregnant. If you think that, your body may believe it. "Dont say anything you dont want to come true," Boland says.

Join a support group

Domar says many women going through infertility have never talked with other women in their situation. Doing so can allow you to share thoughts and feelings with a kindred spirit.

Put pen to paper

"Empty your head and dump your feelings into a journal," Boland says. Release your anger or sorrow so that you can move forward.

Achieve peace

Turn off your minds incessant chatter by meditating, praying or doing yoga.

Breathe

Deep breathing relaxes in any situation. To do it, first breathe normally. Then take a slower, deeper breath. Try to bring the air into your lower belly. Alternate between the two breathing patterns. Then do only deep breathing, inhaling and exhaling slowly.

Do "minis"

Mini-relaxation can be a powerful tool in calming your emotions. Start breathing deeply as explained above. As you inhale, count to four. As you exhale, count backward from four. Do this as often and for as long as you desire.

Practice guided imagery

Sit comfortably in a quiet place. Take several deep breaths. Think about a place you love and revisit it. See it, smell it, hear it, live in it again.

Explore your passions

You may have been so focused on getting pregnant that you forgot about doing things that make you happy. Allow at least 30 minutes every day to do something you love, whether thats taking a peaceful walk or hike in the woods, reading, getting a massage, or bathing in bubbles.