Infertility: Common Causes
The following are some of the common causes infertility, and it is by no means an exhaustive list. Ovarian Insufficiency Declining ovarian function affects the total number of available follicles in the body, and that is what reduce the odds of conception. Although estrogen continues to be produced in the body the ovulation does not occur, which also leads to a decline of progesterone levels. Luteal Phase Deficiency In some women, ovulation may occur normally but the levels of progesterone during the luteal phase are insufficient. Even if the egg is fertilized, this progesterone deficiency may disrupt implantation, or not sustain the pregnancy. Some of the causes of luteal phase deficiency include endometriosis, abnormal follicle development, or most commonly is a result of inadequate progesterone production. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) PCOS is the most common hormone disorder affecting women of reproductive age and is closely associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Large numbers of women with PCOS experience cycles without the ovulation (or, anovulation), and many experience unexplained infertility. Endometriosis Endometriosis is found in more than 50 percent of women with unexplained infertility, and the high cortisol (stress hormone) and prolactin levels induced by stress have been suggested to play an important role in the development of this condition. Thyroid Deficiency Because your thyroid hormones are affected by other hormones in the body, its dysfunction, or imbalance, even with the labs that yield normal values, may be another cause of infertility. A thyroid hormone treatment and/or support may in fact be in part a solution to restore a regular menstrual pattern. Stress Stress, or more specifically the stress hormone (cortisol) can have a profound effect on the ability to conceive, largely because of its impact on the overall hormone balance in the body. Cortisol imbalances, which can be evaluated with a simple test, have the capacity to: exacerbate both estrogen and progesterone levels, and further contribute to luteal phase defect affect blood sugar regulation, which is critical in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) aggravate conditions that contribute to infertility, including hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease, and endometriosis increase prolactin levels and inhibit ovulation reduce cervical mucous Unexplained Fertility This is considered to be a diagnosis of exclusion, or when all tests come back as normal. We believe that this is a “waste-basket” diagnosis, yet it does identify the fact that the body is out of balance. Although hormone testing and/or imaging may be normal, it is essential to consider how other seemingly unrelated body systems contribute to infertility. We often recommend some of our fertility testing options, which can offer additional insight including ovulation patterns, estrogen or progesterone dysregulation during menstrual cycles, food allergies and sensitivities, and...
Read MoreWomen ‘s health: Restore balance and vitality with naturopathic medicine and acupuncture
A woman’s body goes through many cycles in the course of a lifetime. From the onset of puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, with many years of menstruation in between, a woman’s body is in a constant state of change. Naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine work to restore balance and overall vitality to women along any stage of their journey. Some of the more commonly treated conditions with naturopathic and Chinese medicine include: loss of menstrual flow, irregular menses, painful menses, heavy uterine bleeding, pre-menstrual syndrome, infertility, pregnancy-related effects, frequent miscarriage, or the shift into menopause. Menstruation According to both the naturopathic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine the overall health of a woman can be judged by the regularity and harmony of her menstrual cycle. Achieving the correct rhythm, as well as a smooth menstrual flow, can prevent women from having to rely on artificial methods, such as the pill, to maintain healthy periods. Naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine can also help with the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome, which may be a result of emotional and physical stagnation, or blockage, that accumulates and builds during the time before menstruation. Pregnancy-Related There are not many times in your life when you may be forced to grin and bear it through a health issue, but pregnancy may be one. It is typically a time when most women just “live with it” rather then face the unknown of a drug or treatment that may impact the health of her baby. Pregnancy is a time of many adjustments and changes in a woman’s body, both naturopathic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine can help you move more easily through these changes. Some of the more common complaints that we treat are lower back pain, sciatica, morning sickness, carpal tunnel, colds/flus, hemorrhoids, constipation, rashes, pre-eclampsia, and turning breech babies. Naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine can also be essential in the recovery of postpartum depression and exhaustion. Menopause Does anyone need to open a window? Unfortunately the natural transition of menopause is not smooth for many women, and some may experience hot flashes, night sweats, depression, anxiety, insomnia, vaginal dryness, or osteoporosis. Used in conjunction with each other, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine can successfully support women during this final stage of...
Read MoreHealthy brain developement starts in-utero: Prepare for a healthy pregnancy
The importance of every couples’ preparation before conception Although the early years of life are critical to brain development, brain health starts in-utero and is significantly affected by the mother’s health, as well as the father’s age (children of men older than 50 are significantly more likely to have autism). To maximize a baby’s brain power, both parents should start with the preparation phase of our fertility program before the baby has even been conceived. These include stabilizing blood sugar, eliminating foods that cause inflammation, detoxification, balancing hormones (adrenal, thyroid, and sex hormones), as well as repair the gut, which is the seat of the immune system. The health of the mother’s immune system, hormone health, as well as lifestyle significantly impact the development of the baby’s brain. Using TV and videos to take a break? Popping in a DVD for a baby or toddler can provide a brief break for the hurried parent, and playing an “educational” video is an attempt to reduce the guilt of using screen time as a means to accomplish that. Unfortunately, even an educational video featuring classical music, shapes, colors, and early words may do more harm than good according to some researchers. A child’s brain needs constant physical activity and interaction with the environment to develop properly. Even if it’s an “educational” video or a computer game, time in front of the screen suspends that development. Research shows the younger a child begins spending time in front of the screen, the lower they score on language tests, despite being taught language on educational videos or television. Unfortunately, almost 90 percent of children spend two to three hours per day in front of a screen by the time they are two years old. Although watching educational TV or videos won’t necessarily cause a brain development disorder, researchers suggest that it can delay the development of crucial wiring and even delay language development. Alternatives to TV and videos Physical activity and healthy interaction (i.e. play) with the environment are the most vital aspects to a properly developing brain. Babies and toddlers do not need traditional education on TV and videos. Simply becoming part of the world around them is highly educational for them. Ample access to physical movement appropriate for the child’s age (i.e. do not put a child who should be learning to crawl in a walker or leave her strapped in a car seat for much of the day) is vital for proper brain growth, as is playing with age-appropriate toys, loving interaction and touch from caregivers, the ability to safely observe and explore his world, and protection from...
Read MoreChew your food well to better thyroid health
Although what you eat is important when supporting Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, how you eat deserves equal attention. Research shows chewing thoroughly and eating slowly helps prevent weight gain, improves digestion, and is less stressful on the body. When supporting an autoimmune condition such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, you want to facilitate good digestion, which directly influences the health of the immune system. Chewing your food thoroughly suppresses appetite A series of recent studies show chewing each bite thoroughly reduces appetite, lowers caloric intake, and can aid weight loss. That’s because the hormones that leave us feeling satiated don’t kick in until 20 to 40 minutes after you begin eating. For people with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, chewing thoroughly and eating more slowly can be one way to aid weight loss to better manage your autoimmune condition. Chewing your food thoroughly improves your Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism The process of digestion begins in the mouth, not the stomach. Saliva contains enzymes that begin the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Exposing food to saliva for longer periods of time in your mouth creates less stress on the rest of the digestive tract, which frees up more energy so you feel better. Taking the time to eat slowly and consciously also gives the digestive tract ample notice to secrete stomach acid, pancreatic enzymes, gallbladder bile, and other chemicals to completely digest your food for maximum nutrient absorption. By wolfing down your meal you throw improperly digested food into an unprepared digestive system, which can create symptoms of bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or stomach pain. The health of the digestive system is extremely important for those with autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. The immune system resides largely in the gut, which makes improving digestive health and repairing intestinal permeability, or “leaky gut,” vital to managing autoimmune disease. Chewing your food thoroughly will help improve gut health and manage Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Healthier foods require more chewing You may have noticed that many processed and fast foods are so easy to chew you hardly need teeth. Whole foods, on the other hand, tend to require more chewing. Simply choosing a whole foods diet free of refined foods can encourage you to chew more thoroughly. Proper management of Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism also requires following a whole foods diet free of inflammatory foods, especially gluten. You may need some outside reinforcement to develop a better chewing habit. Here are some ideas: Take the time to sit down and calmly eat a meal Take small bites Count so you chew each mouthful 32 or more times—until your food is completely liquid Pay attention to the taste, texture, and flavor of your meals; avoid reading or watching TV while eating Try to make meals into lengthy, relaxing occasions as often as...
Read MoreEnvironmental Effects and Hormone Health
Where do the environmental toxins come from? They are all around us, and can directly affect our health and fertility. Some of the sources include the chemicals and hormone disruptors found in contaminated air, food, water, our homes, and the outdoors. We live in a toxic world. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently has an estimated 65,000 known toxic chemicals catalogued in its databases. There are additional 1,500 applications that the Agency receives annually to manufacture new chemicals. Not to mention the numerous chemicals being released into the environment during the production and the manufacturing processes. The effects of environmental toxins, such as the hormone-disruptors (also known as xenoestrogens) and the organochlorine compounds have been extensively studied and well documented. These compounds’ toxic effects can greatly reduce and impair the health of the reproductive systems in both men and women. High blood levels of organochlorines are shown to be linked to increased rates of infertility and miscarriages. Xenoestrogens have been shown to induce estrogenic effects on the uterine wall (the endometrium), exacerbating endometriosis in women, they have the capacity to potentiate the risk of breast cancer, and reduce fertility in both women and men. Have you ever looked inside your garage? Take a look around and see what it is on your shelves: solvents paints exhaust fumes lawn care and pesticides many others Now take a look in your bathroom: perfumes hair sprays nail polish and remover shampoo and soap many others Make a trip to your kitchen and laundry room: detergent cleaners bleach many others How about your bedroom and all other rooms in the house: furniture carpeting plastics gas or oil heat and the list goes on… Here are some great books that describe the effects toxins on our health and...
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