Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is advanced and precise medicine. It is constantly evolving in order to offer couples experiencing infertility additional chances to fulfill their dreams of becoming parents.
In November 2020, the first “fertile” lifestyle and ART partnership was born, since Fertil-In now collaborates with the CPMA Lausanne in Switzerland, a prestigious center for Assisted Reproductive Technology.
Why Fertil-In programs are so important in supporting ART?
Because ART treatments have a special feature: most of the time, they are "extra physiological." They push the body beyond its normal functioning and its comfort zone.
For example, stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) is intended to cause, in most cases, the maturation of 2 to, sometimes, 15 times more follicles than a natural cycle.
Why Fertil-In programs are so important in supporting ART?
Because ART treatments have a special feature: most of the time, they are "extra physiological." They push the body beyond its normal functioning and its comfort zone.
For example, stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) is intended to cause, in most cases, the maturation of 2 to, sometimes, 15 times more follicles than a natural cycle.
It is therefore interesting to ask: how can we support the body in order to allow it to produce in quantity without affecting the quality? This needs are covered in our Fertil-In ART programs (InFIV, InTEC, InIA and InFIVDO).
These programs which take into account each protocol and each phase of it (stimulation, transfer or insemination, expectation, result, pregnancy up to 12 weeks), both physiologically and emotionally, are unique.
These programs which take into account each protocol and each phase of it (stimulation, transfer or insemination, expectation, result, pregnancy up to 12 weeks), both physiologically and emotionally, are unique.
They aim to optimize each factor potentially influencing the chances of success of a protocol. These ART programs were developed and reviewed with a specialist in the field, Dr. Claudine Vasseur, endocrinologist and reproductive doctor.
What are the main focuses of lifestyle to better support the ART?
1. Support the foundation
As mentioned, ART is often supra-physiological: the stimulation pushes the body to give much more than what is naturally expected. Oocytes are not simple cells. They are among the largest in our body. They are the richest in mitochondria (powerhouses of cells). This is quite logical since they have a very specific role: to assume alone with the fertilizing sperm, the first 7 days of intense cell division of the embryo. This requires intense energy resources. Oocytes, like sperm, are also cells that are very sensitive to oxidation.
By understanding the context and the impetus required for hormonal stimulation, it seems obvious that the best conditions must be met to potentiate the protocol and its results. Because, if you would have had to prepare for an extra physiological physical activity such as a marathon, for example, it is obvious that you would first need to adopt your lifestyle and preparation from different angles.
The InConcept pre-conception programs, for men and women, are the pillars of support in the field and aim, a few months before an ART treatment, to prepare your body for the most beautiful "feats".
The InConcept pre-conception programs, for men and women, are the pillars of support in the field and aim, a few months before an ART treatment, to prepare your body for the most beautiful "feats".
2. Reduce the exposure of endocrine disruptors
The purpose of most ART treatments is to work on the hormonal system. Stimulation treatments, for example, act on estrogen. It is therefore easy to imagine that if hormone disruptors (endocrine disruptors) act in the opposite direction to the hormonal stimuli given by ART, the treatment could be compromised ...
Unfortunately, in our daily environment, many molecules have the ability to interact with receptors for our hormones and estrogen, for example. When talking about many, do not imagine ten, but rather hundreds or even thousands! A recent study has already identified 450 and many are still to be discovered. These molecules are called “endocrine disruptors” and their impact on fertility is only too well known.
The Fertil-In programs assess your exposure to disruptors and, if necessary, give ways to reduce them effectively.
Unfortunately, in our daily environment, many molecules have the ability to interact with receptors for our hormones and estrogen, for example. When talking about many, do not imagine ten, but rather hundreds or even thousands! A recent study has already identified 450 and many are still to be discovered. These molecules are called “endocrine disruptors” and their impact on fertility is only too well known.
The Fertil-In programs assess your exposure to disruptors and, if necessary, give ways to reduce them effectively.
3. Reduce the effects of stress
Numerous studies have shown a proportionally inverse effect between stress and the success of an ART protocol. In other words, prolonged stress decreases the chances of a successful ART protocol. It does this through a specific hormone: cortisol.
This hormone, toxic when in excess, would have deleterious effects on fertility in general, but also on endometrial vascularization, immunity, uterine contractions and therefore implantation capacity.
The Fertil-In programs approach this axis from several angles: with a diet that regulates your stress hormones, therapeutic hypnosis and stress management exercises such as breathing and yoga. The goal is not to make you feel guilty for being stressed, but to help you reduce its harmful effects on your fertility.
This hormone, toxic when in excess, would have deleterious effects on fertility in general, but also on endometrial vascularization, immunity, uterine contractions and therefore implantation capacity.
The Fertil-In programs approach this axis from several angles: with a diet that regulates your stress hormones, therapeutic hypnosis and stress management exercises such as breathing and yoga. The goal is not to make you feel guilty for being stressed, but to help you reduce its harmful effects on your fertility.
4. Be accompanied to become acteur.trice of its fertility
As Nadège, one of our user, told us so well:
“Fertil-In allows us to maintain control over certain elements in a procedure where nothing is controlled.”
Going through ART treatments means accepting that you cannot control your ability to conceive and relying on the expert hands of the medical profession. This loss of control and capacity is often resented by couples. However, even if getting help from medicine is essential, it is possible to participate and be an actor in your treatment!
The Fertil-In programs also aim to give targeted action points, keys, to women and men who wish to be in the action in order to optimize all the stages of their treatment, as well as the health of their future child. Because an ART protocol, no matter how medical, requires oriented and personalized actions in order to potentiate its effects and results.
The Fertil-In programs also aim to give targeted action points, keys, to women and men who wish to be in the action in order to optimize all the stages of their treatment, as well as the health of their future child. Because an ART protocol, no matter how medical, requires oriented and personalized actions in order to potentiate its effects and results.
Zerudi.com