Fertility Concerns

Couple Fertility:
A couple's fertility may be marginal or absent because of a fertility condition for the man, for the woman, for both, or because of a fertility incompatibility between the two. The NFP classes offered by the archdiocese address some of the fertility issues that 25 to 50 percent of couples encounter in their endeavors to achieve a pregnancy. 

Couples are encouraged to seek the power of prayer. Each year in October at the Most Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, the Archdiocese of Detroit celebrates an annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Mass for couples who wish to conceive a child or who have a child who died. St. Gerard is the patron saint for women who desire to achieve a pregnancy and for mothers with children who are ill. The Mass celebrant will bless each couple desiring a child with a relic of St. Gerard.

Women's Fertility Indicators:
The most important fertility indicator is cervical mucus. NFP classes teach the ability to recognize cervical mucus indicating fertility. Dr. Billings' research shows that without cervical mucus pregnancy cannot take place. This information is taught in Ovulation classes, Sympto-Thermal classes and Creighton Model classes. 

Circumstances that may result in some type of infertility for both Men and Women:

1. Promiscuity (multiple sex partners) may result in STD's, which compromise fertility.
2. Work environment or schedule change may result in stress that affects fertility.
3. Abortions (1.2 million per year) have been known to damage the reproductive organs.
4. Contraceptives and IUD's may affect fertility for an extended time or permanently.
5. Other medications (pills, drugs, OTC, prescription) and medical procedures.
6. Exercise, especially high impact exercise, may affect the reproductive system.
7. Lack of nutrition, vitamins, minerals through use of processed foods.
8. Agricultural methods and synthetic hormones found in most meat.
9. Environmental chemicals, industrial, commercial, agricultural, and domestic such as plastics, paints, dyes, adhesives, cleaners, lubricants, lawn care products, insecticides, automotive fluids, fabrics, body soaps, laundry soaps, detergents, softeners...
10. Ambient radiation from video, microwaves, tanning, high altitude flights, computers, cell phones, cordless phones, quartz timepieces, high voltage power lines, radio & tv transmission towers...
11. Ambient heat in foundries, bakeries, sauna, jacuzzi, heat lamps, heating pads…
12. Ambient noise, industrial, commercial, loud music, especially with a heavy base beat.
13. Ambient light at night such as streetlights, night lights, digital clocks, lighted remotes …
14. Vibration, especially low frequency, found in SUV's, aircraft, massagers…
15. History of marijuana use.
16. Genetic: Some couples have no boys, some have no girls, and this may change over time.
17. Other…

Anecdotal Histories:
About a third of couples with infertility concerns have conceived after being taught an awareness of cervical mucus. This is especially helpful for couples with short cycles, irregular cycles, short fertile times and those with stress affecting the ovulation.

For some couples, a chart of the temperature may indicate a need for medical intervention, such as augmentation of the woman's own progesterone with a natural progesterone product immediately after ovulation when conception is desired.

Men and women whose fertility is compromised by work environment (such as those who work with chemicals, radiation, heat, noise, vibration) have found that a prolonged vacation, or a complete change in work environment has made conception possible. For example:

1. Teachers under stress find that they conceive during summer vacation
2. Flight attendants who wish to conceive may work in ground-based jobs 
3. X-ray technicians and chemical workers may need to transfer to other jobs

Women with insufficient body fat (because of extensive exercise, or inadequate nutrition) need to increase the body fat proportion before conception can occur.