Infertility is now emerging as a global crisis, with around one in six people affected by it at some stage in their lives.
Here in the UK, one study indicates that fertility rates have plummeted to their lowest recorded levels in the last decade. Another study suggests that this surge in infertility may be potentially linked to issues such as poor mitochondrial function, especially in women.
In this article, join Rojo Light Therapy as we explore how red light therapy devices can potentially aid in addressing female infertility.
With the rapid rise of infertility, there has been an equal rise in interest– manifested in treatments and research to treat this problem. According to several studies, red light therapy (RLT) can possibly help deal with this crisis.
A study suggests that fertilised eggs are related to mitochondrial function, and poor performance of your mitochondria can impart DNA mutations within eggs, specifically within older demographics.
Thankfully, red light therapy (also known as low-level light therapy) is a non-invasive and non-harmful alternative therapy that directly stimulates your mitochondria and improves their function by increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production.
While an ATP surplus primarily facilitates faster recovery and pain reduction, it can also aid ovulation – a key factor in addressing infertility.
Japan, in particular, is heavily invested in the effects of red light therapy on female fertility, and has developed a field of research coined under the ‘proximal priority theory.’
The theory suggests that the brain is a ‘central organ’ and that directly applying near-infrared (NIR) light to it would lead to better hormonal and metabolic functions that would reverberate throughout the body, including the reproductive system.
Researchers seem to agree that NIR light can penetrate deep into the body, able to target the uterus and ovaries.
To test this theory, Japanese researchers conducted a trial wherein NIR light was directly applied to the neck of 74 severely infertile females from 1996 to 2000.
After the trial, red light therapy successfully induced pregnancy in 16 out of the 74 severely infertile women (21.7%), with 11 of the 16 (68%) achieving live birth.
While more research is needed on this theory, the successful outcome of the study suggests that NIR light has the potential to treat without pain or highly adverse side effects.
Let’s use another example closer to home. In another study conducted in Denmark from 2012 to 2019, over 400 women aged 34-50 were subjected to three red light therapy sessions a week, with the RLT device placed 1-2 centimetres directly over their abdominal area for 23 minutes.
As further context, those participating had tried varying diets, exercises, counselling hormonal treatments, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to try to induce pregnancy, only to fail.
The researchers found that red light therapy helped about 260 (or 65%) of the women result in a pregnancy with no apparent side effects or discomfort. This is quite remarkable, especially considering that a woman’s fertility begins to decline by age 30.
Based on promising research, there is a possibility that red light therapy - particularly near-infrared light - can help in improving female fertility without any notable side effects or discomfort.
Whether you're struggling with ovulatory issues, hormone imbalances, or other fertility challenges, red light therapy may offer a safe and effective alternative treatment option.
Rojo’s red light therapy devices, in particular, have ultra-low electromagnetic field (EMF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation properties that limit exposure from reaching harmful thresholds, and are certified for use in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Contact us today to get started on your journey towards improved fertility with Rojo Light Therapy.