By Jackie

Some conventional infertility treatment options do not align with the rules of the Catholic Church. In vitro fertilization (IVF), a procedure in which a woman’s egg is united with a man’s sperm outside of the body, is one such treatment option.

One of our former Catholic patients, Jennifer, struggled with infertility for seven years. Her doctor insisted that IVF was her best option to conceive, but Jennifer told us, “As a practicing Catholic, I knew this was not a good choice for me.” She spoke with several Catholic priests who emphasized the importance of obeying the church’s rules on sanctity of life.

Determined to follow God’s guidance, Jennifer searched for other female infertility treatment options. Her sister-in-law, a medical director of a hospital, read an article about Clear passage Therapies (CPT) and suggested that Jennifer try the treatment for female infertility.

After examining the literature, Jennifer decided to give it a try. Three months later she took a pregnancy test. “It was positive!” She said. “I never cried so hard in my life!” After seven years of infertility, Jennifer gave birth to a baby girl. She is now expecting her second child.

Any infertile woman who feels she is out of treatment options deserves to know that the Wurn Technique ® an option. CPT firmly believes a woman has the right to pursue (or not pursue) any treatment option. To learn more about treatment at CPT, read What is the Wurn Technique? You may also find this post helpful: 8 Steps to Decide if Our Treatment is Right for You

By Jackie

Premature Ovarian Failure (POF), when a woman’s ovaries stop working before the age of 40, can be a life-changing diagnosis for any woman. Former plans of children can suddenly be cut short, in addition to a woman dealing with symptoms of menopause. Many women find themselves re-examining their lives or battling depression.

A study published by Fertility & Sterility (March 2007) examined the functional and spiritual well-being of women with POF (average age of 28). The study found a positive correlation between spiritual well-being and functional well-being. More specifically, they found that women who had higher levels of “meaning” or “inner peace” were more likely to function better in their lives. The study suggests that improving spiritual well-being may be an affective therapeutic approach to reducing “the emotional suffering that accompanies the life-altering diagnosis of POF.”

If you have been diagnosed with POF, you may find it beneficial to take some time to examine your personal life. Even if you do not prescribe to any religion or spiritual belief, you can still benefit from examining what gives you “meaning” in life and what brings you peace. Have patience with yourself, as answers to spiritually deep questions are not always easily unearthed. You may find assistance by becoming more active in your church, reading a book designed to help you discover your inner self, speaking with a psychologist, or taking time to meditate each day.

If you would like to learn more coping techniques for female infertility or treatment for premature ovarian failure, please visit our website.