Statistically speaking, 1 in 8 couples will struggle with infertility in the form of being unable to achieve or maintain a desired pregnancy. Infertility is multifactorial and the causes can be vast. The CDC quotes some reasons as being hormonal, genetic, and mechanical/anatomical in nature.
Current offered and common treatments in the United States include medication, surgery, IUI, and IVF. Success rates of these treatments vary anywhere between 5-50%. Unfortunately, many insurance companies fail to support and cover these treatments, leaving couples with thousands of dollars in bills and costs.
Research is now starting to support pelvic rehab as a treatment option for fertility. In 2012, a study including 10 women who were struggling with infertility underwent manual physical therapy treatments over a 3 month period. At the time of therapy, they were not undergoing other therapies. After this 3 month period, 6 out of 10 of them were able to successfully conceive and maintain their pregnancy full-term to delivery.
Due to infertility being multifactorial, a multidisciplinary approach is most appropriate. Adding pelvic rehab providers to that multidisciplinary team can provide an advantageous and holistic perspective to treatment. As specialists in hormones, anatomy, and physiology we can help determine why you’re struggling with infertility and then address our findings.
There are many treatable mechanical abnormal findings including: pelvic pain, scar tissue, ligament/musculature restriction, uterus alignment, etc. This is not by any means an exhaustive list of what could be treated to help with fertility and improve success of other fertility treatments such as IVF and IUI.
If you're struggling with infertility, contact Vital Pelvic Health today to work with me! You can click the link below to the VPH website and fill out a contact form, or call the clinic to schedule/learn more.
Dr. Taylor Seabrook PT, DPT
Pelvic Floor and Fertility Specialist
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