Alina and Max came to see me together, fairly distraught. They were both age 39 and had been trying to have a child for the last seven years. They had conceived twice during that time, but each time Alina had miscarried at 10 weeks. They didn’t know the cause of the miscarriages; the NHS will not investigate until it has happened three times.
Alina had, however, been through all the gynecological investigations: ultrasound scans showed a healthy womb lining, hormone tests were normal and laparoscopic surgery confirmed everything was fine anatomically. Her periods were regular. The general practitioner told her there was nothing wrong and suggested that she “just relax” and it would happen. Her reply is unprintable.
Max had not had a sperm test until two years previously—when they’d already been trying unsuccessfully for a full five years. That test had been “borderline,” meaning a few sperm were normal and could swim. This, he was told, was all right because “it only takes one sperm to fertilize an egg.” I wondered, however, about the quality of those sperm. Sperm counts are falling worldwide, in animals as well as in humans; Max was not alone.
I asked Max to do a repeat sperm test, as sperm counts can change rapidly. I then had them both complete a one-week diet diary and take blood tests for all the nutrients that are vital for healthy conception and full-term pregnancy: the B vitamins; vitamin D; vitamin E; the minerals zinc, iron, selenium, iodine and magnesium; and the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6.
This story is from the June/July 2023 edition of What Doctors Don't Tell You Australia/NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June/July 2023 edition of What Doctors Don't Tell You Australia/NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The illusion of the magician
Howrelative risk makes a drug seem effective when it’s not
Of pesticides and PMS
Detoxing from a hormone-disrupting herbicide, along with getting the right nutrition, was the answer to a patient’s debilitating PMS, says Dr Jenny Goodman
Not just a phase
Is your workout working against your hormones? Debra Atkinson explains why and how to exercise with your hormonal cycle for the best results
Foods to fight infertility
Packing your diet with plant foods may help you beat endometriosis and infertility, says dietitian Lisa Simon
Blooming healthy
Anyone can keep their plants and garden in tip-top health with homeopathy, says homeopath Camilla Sherr
Overweight-the killer in plain sight
The BMI measure has given us the obesity paradox—being overweight or even slightly obese protects us against an early death. But iron out the anomalies, and the true impact of extra weight is revealed
What's your poison?
Around 70,000 people are claiming their cancer was caused by the heartburn remedy Zantac, which contained high levels of NDMA, a powerful carcinogen
Root causes
Dental problems and unhealthy gums may lead to cancer and other whole-body issues, says Dr Leigh Erin Connealy. Here’s how to keep your gums and health in the pink
BREAKING THE MOLD
Mold can be the covert culprit behind a shockingly wide range of health problems. Cate Montana looks at how it gets into the body and how we can get it out
Antidepressant blues
SSRIs impair the brain’s reward learning system, new research finds. Celeste McGovern looks at safe ways to get off antidepressants and alternative treatments