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 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...
Read MoreCaffeine Effects on Fertility
Take a second to count the number of cups of coffee or black tea you drink a day. Now consider this: these caffeine-containing beverages have zero nutritional value. Caffeine is immensely addictive and found in chocolate, sodas and many over-the-counter medications. Caffeine can elevate the mood, energize, delay fatigue, and stimulate the central nervous system. It can also cause hands to tremor and the heart to palpitate. So, why is caffeine our national drug of choice? Caffeine feeds our cultural addiction to fast-paced lifestyles. There are numerous reports on this topic, all of which you are welcome to sift through on PubMed. Caffeine consumption equivalent to more than two cups of coffee per day has been linked to tubal disease and endometriosis1. As little as 1-1.5 cups of coffee per day appears to delay conception in women trying to get pregnant2. Some studies find one cup of coffee per day cuts fertility in half3, although others report that it takes two4 or three5 cups to have detrimental effects. Caffeine is found in regular coffee, black and green tea, some soft drinks, chocolate, cocoa, and many over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. While not every study finds that caffeine reduces female fertility6, most doctors of natural medicine recommend that women trying to get pregnant avoid caffeine. Even decaffeinated coffee has been shown to be linked to spontaneous abortion7. It is thought that the tannic acid found in any kind of coffee and black tea may contribute to infertility8. During Pregnancy: Crosses the placenta and effects the fetus Enters breast milk Other health complications: Results in nervousness, irritability, insomnia and dizziness Exacerbates anxiety and lead to panic attacks Raises blood pressure Causes or aggravates heart rhythm disturbances Aggravates ulcers and heartburn Stimulates acid secretion in the stomach Acts as a laxative and can create dependency Causes loss of key nutrients, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc Grodstein F, Goldman MB, Ryan L, Cramer DW. Relation of female infertility to consumption of caffeinated beverages. Am J Epidemiol 1993;137:1353-60. Hatch EE, Bracken MB. Association of delayed conception with caffeine consumption. Am J Epidemiol 1993;138:1082-92. Wilcox A, Weinberg C, Baird D. Caffeinated beverages and decreased fertility. Lancet 1988;ii:1453-6. Williams MA, Monson RR, Goldman MG, et al. Coffee and delayed conception. Lancet 1990;335:1603 [letter]. Stanton CK, Gray RH. Effects of caffeine consumption on delayed conception. Am J Epidemiol 1995;142:1322-9. Joesoef MR, Beral V, Rolfs RT, et al. Are caffeinated beverages risk factors for delayed conception? Lancet 1990;335:136-7. Fenster L, Bubbard A, Windhan G, Hiatt R, et al. A prospective study of caffeine consumption and spontaneous abortion. Am J Epidemiol 1996;143 (11 suppl);525 [abstr #99]. Cramer DW. Letter. Lancet 1990;335:792....
Read MoreLow Cholesterol and Hormones
Next time someone tells you to watch your cholesterol, consider this: low-cholesterol diets have actually been shown to cause hormone-imbalances, obesity and diabetes. The emphasis on a low-fat diet reduces the intake of fat and causes an increased consumption of carbohydrates and trans fats. For women, lack of adequate levels of cholesterol in the body can be a real issue of hormone imbalances, which may affect fertility. Why cholesterol is the most important molecule in the body: It is the main component of cell membranes and plays a major role in the endocrine system. It serves as precursor (a chemical compound that makes another compound) in the synthesis of steroid hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids. It is vital for hormone-making (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, aldosterone, cortisol, and DHEA) It is necessary for rescue-work (cholesterol plaques are formed when there is injury to the blood vessel wall) Is there such a notion as low-cholesterol? Absolutely. But if you do not have enough cholesterol, you will not be able to make the hormones you need! In these cases, it is critical to explore the hormone imbalances all of which play an important role in the body’s hormonic orchestra. If you have low cholesterol: Increase your consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids, primarily omega-3‘s (fish oil, salmon, sardines, coconut oil, avocados Avoid low-fat, low-cholesterol diets and foods Consider having your hormones checked...
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