Infertility

Infertility may be defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy within one year. Infertility is a problem that is shared equally by women and men. The Justisse Method helps to identify the best times in a woman’s cycle for becoming pregnant. With the aid of a HRHP a woman can learn to identify the best timing for certain diagnostic assessments, such as hormonal assays or pelvic ultrasound. Since the chart provides a reliable and non-invasive picture of hormonal events and reproductive health, charting may necessitate fewer assessments. Infertility treatments of all kinds may be more optimally used by a woman who has knowledge of her cycle, and especially in conjunction with her HRHP or a health care provider knowledgeable in interpreting fertility awareness charts. Justisse HRHP use special charts and charting considerations for women who are experiencing difficulty becoming pregnant.  In cases of infertility it is always important to test the man's fertility as soon as there is difficulty achieving pregnancy. A woman's fertility is, for the most part, readily reflected by her chart. Your HRHP is trained to adopt a holistic approach in dealing with infertility issues.

When the following cycle characteristics recur more often than not then a woman may suspect that her fertility is not optimum.

Dry Cycles - there is no mucus pattern observed, nor any sensation of lubrication felt throughout the entire menstrual cycle.

Limited Mucus Cycles - the amount of cervical mucus produced is minimal.

Normal Mucus Cycles - the amount of cervical mucus produced is normal. If all other aspects of the cycle are normal this may lead to suspicion of physical/mechanical rather than hormonal difficulties.

Mono-phasic BBT Curve - there is no shift in the BBT curve. Mucus patterns may or may not be normal. This is an anovulatory cycle, and is only problematic if it occurs chronically.

Shortened Postovulatory Phase - the time from ovulation to menstruation is 9 days or less. A woman may experience problems maintaining pregnancy, or the endometrium may not develop sufficiently to allow ovum implantation.

Long term stress, illness, or strenuous athletic lifestyle - under stress a woman's body reacts in a protective way by not cooperating toward ovulation. She may not ovulate or produce adequate mucus for several months or years. Once the conditions of stress are relieved and the physiological damage created by stress is repaired her body will return to normal fertility.

There are multiple circumstances that may relate to infertility—too many for the scope of this guide. If you are unable to conceive, review your situation with a HRHP who may facilitate your finding the help and guidance you need. Fertility may wan and wax throughout a woman's or man's life. It has been known that some couples experience infertility for years and then unexpectedly achieve a pregnancy. Sterility is a permanent state of infertility, and a completely different diagnosis.