Trying to Conceive

Enhancing Fertility with Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Manual therapy and visceral mobilization techniques performed by physical therapists can optimize fertility, especially for those experiencing mechanical infertility.

🩺 Mechanical Infertility Explained: Mechanical infertility can occur when organs are restricted or not moving properly, impacting blood flow and hormone production. This can be due to tightness in the round ligament and pelvic organs, which can alter the shape of the uterus and hinder successful implantation.

🌿 Traditional Wisdom: Abdominal manual therapy techniques have been used in Central and South American cultures for years to support fertility by enhancing organ mobility and function.

💡 The Role of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: By utilizing techniques such as visceral mobilization, pelvic floor physical therapy can:

☑️Reduce tension and tightness in the pelvic area

☑️Improve blood flow to the uterus and ovaries

☑️Alleviate pain and enhance hormonal production

☑️Create a more favorable environment for conception

If you’re experiencing challenges with fertility, consider exploring these therapeutic options. They offer a holistic approach that could make a significant difference. 

Stress Induced High Cortisol Levels Can Lead to Lower Progesterone Levels and Make it Harder to Get or Stay Pregnant

Progesterone levels rise in the second half of the menstrual cycle to prepare the uterus for implantation and help maintain pregnancy 🤰. High levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, can interfere with progesterone production and lead to hormonal imbalances that may affect fertility and reproductive health.

Both cortisol and progesterone are steroid hormones produced by the adrenal glands, and cortisol production can compete with progesterone for the same precursors. Managing stress and cortisol levels is important for optimizing fertility and promoting reproductive health.

Lack of sleep😴 can also increase cortisol levels. Establish a consistent and relaxing routine. Consider activities like spending time in nature, exercising, taking a warm bath🛁, reading a book📖, journaling, or meditating🧘‍♀. @insighttimer is a great relaxation app!

Strive to get 7-9 hours of sleep😴 per night. This helps down-regulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to improved pain sensitivity, energy levels, and tissue healing. Aim to wake up at the same time every day (including weekends) and expose yourself to bright natural light☀️ in the morning. Falling asleep between 9 and 11 PM is a helpful guideline as it often aligns with natural circadian rhythms.