infertility

An Exciting New Approach for PCOS Sufferers

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picture of a woman with PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome trying to eat right for PCOS
How to Manage PCOS

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) impacts many aspects of a woman’s health. This disease affects her moods, her weight, and her fertility, among many other things. This surprisingly common condition is difficult to diagnose and treat. That’s in part because conventional medicine practices are often geared towards tackling the symptoms without truly getting to the underlying reasons for those symptoms. Natural treatments for PCOS address this frustrating condition from all angles. We address the whole system with a special focus on fixing the root cause.

What Is PCOS?

Simply put, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal problem that affects women during their reproductive years. It’s marked by irregular ovulation. Many, but not all women, also experience higher than normal levels of the “male” hormones or androgens such as testosterone. The name refers to changes that occur in the ovaries when eggs don’t develop properly and get released. Your ovaries become filled with small cysts as a result of these hormonal imbalances.

Because PCOS is difficult to diagnose it’s a bit uncertain how common it is. Estimates say that about 5 to 10 percent of women experience it during their reproductive years.

The Symptoms of PCOS

The symptoms of PCOS often start to appear slowly and worsen over time. These changes are often easy to dismiss as normal. They may be common, but they are far from normal.

If you experience the following symptoms, it is time to talk to a naturopathic doctor:

Irregular Periods

Some women with PCOS cease to menstruate at all. Others get a period every 5-8 weeks. Some will develop very heavy and/or painful periods.

Infertility or Difficulty Conceiving

Cystic ovaries, as well as the accompanying hormonal imbalances, make conception difficult. The cysts indicate irregular ovulation. The conditions are clearly not ideal to release a good quality egg. This leads to the need for extra interventions to get and stay pregnant. Correcting the hormone imbalances that cause PCOS allows eggs to mature and get released normally, improving fertility.

Weight Gain

Are you gaining weight without any particular change in your diet or lifestyle, especially around your belly? Women with PCOS often develop an “apple” shape in which their body fat collects in their torso area. Thyroid problems also trigger weight gain and irregular periods. It’s important to have thorough hormone and thyroid testing done to identify the cause of unexplained weight gain.

Acne

Male hormones contribute to facial and back acne. They are particularly associated with deep, painful cystic-type acne along your jawline. Other skin conditions such as dark patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans) and skin tags also often go hand-in-hand with PCOS.

Hirsutism

Hirsutism means the presence of extra hair on your face and body. You may particularly notice it on your upper lip, chest, and back as a result of hormonal imbalances.

Hair Loss

Women with PCOS endure not only excess hair in undesirable locations, but also loss of hair, thinning hair, or lack of hair growth on their heads.

Mood Changes

The changes in hormones that accompany PCOS bring on an increased risk of depression and anxiety. Hormones regulate how well your neurotransmitter receptors in your brain work. The neurotransmitter receptors that take up your feel-good neurotransmitter, serotonin, and your calm and relaxed neurotransmitter, GABA, don’t work properly without the right levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

What Are The Underlying Causes Of PCOS?

Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a major factor in PCOS. About 70 percent of women with PCOS also have insulin resistance. Obesity, high blood sugar, inactivity, and stress all lead to insulin resistance. However, in PCOS insulin resistance seems to be both a symptom and a driver of the condition. Despite common misconceptions, insulin resistance affects all body types, not just overweight women. Thin women can be insulin resistant too.

Genetics

It is very difficult to determine one precise cause for PCOS. Many factors contribute to its development. Genetics do play a role, however, so if your mother or sister has PCOS, you are more likely to develop it too. A parent or grandparent with type II diabetes also raises red flags about your risk for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Weight

Carrying extra weight also contributes to PCOS. Of course, this creates a frustrating dynamic since PCOS makes you more likely to keep gaining weight. These hormonal imbalances also make it harder to lose that extra weight. Correcting the hormone problems is the key to losing the weight.

Stress

As well as the more measurable factors, some research suggests that high stress levels play a role in the development of PCOS. That’s because stress wreaks havoc on your hormones. Stress increases cortisol production, increasing blood sugar, resulting in an overproduction of insulin. Higher insulin leads to higher testosterone.

PCOS Frustration

Not only is it difficult to diagnose PCOS, it is also tricky to treat. Conventional treatment simply masks the symptoms by putting women with PCOS on birth control pills. The pill provides an artificially induced period each month. The hormones in the pill cover up the symptoms.

One clear flaw to this approach is that birth control pills won’t help women who are trying to conceive. More importantly, this approach isn’t getting to the root of the problem, in fact, it may actually make it worse. You see, birth control pills that contain estrogen raise blood sugar levels in addition to carrying other health risks. The goal should be to restore overall health, not to add the potential for more problems.

The Natural Approach To PCOS

A naturopathic approach considers the whole person in treating PCOS, or any other health problem. That means addressing the underlying causes of hormonal imbalances. The goal is to improve all aspects of a person’s health – and consequently, reduce Polycystic Ovary symptoms.

Treatment starts with a thorough evaluation of your health history as well as thorough hormone testing. Although the exact protocols will vary by patient, here are some proven tips for treating Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Weight Loss Plan

If you’re overweight, work with your naturopathic doctor to create a healthy weight-loss plan. Losing even small amounts of weight can make a big difference in PCOS symptoms. Even losing 10% of your current weight helps. However, you want to approach weight loss in a way that doesn’t create more stress on your body. Stress has a negative effect on insulin levels. That’s why it’s important to work with your naturopathic doctor.

Get Enough Sleep

A good night’s sleep is an essential part of hormone regulation. Interestingly, studies have found that sleep problems are twice as common for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Hormone imbalance contributes to sleep dysregulation. Getting your hormones better balanced will help you go to sleep and stay asleep. So be sure to pay attention to your sleep habits.

Get some healthy exercise for PCOS

Moderate exercise helps with weight loss. It also relieves stress and balances your cortisol levels. One study found that a mix of high-intensity interval training and strength training helps women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome specifically. However, talk to your naturopathic doctor about the best approach for you as many women with Polycystic Ovaries do better with gentle exercise. Very heavy weight training increases a potent form of testosterone known as DHT and may make symptoms worse.

Natural, Whole Food Diet

Eating whole foods without preservatives or other endocrine disruptors is the best approach to fully nourishing your body’s intricate, endocrine system.

Balance Protein And Carbs

You don’t have to eliminate carbs altogether, but do try to reduce your intake. If you do eat them, choose unprocessed, low glycemic index, complex carbs. Balance them with sources of lean protein. As well, keep your blood sugar stable by eating 3 meals at regular intervals. Intermittent fasting is an effective way to lower insulin levels.

Improve Gut Health

By improving your gut health to reduce inflammation and improve elimination, probiotics help to regulate your hormone levels. Prebiotic fiber also helps correct imbalances in your gut flora. It also fuels a healthy gut lining. Your microbiome impacts not only your digestive and immune systems but also has an impact on your metabolism, weight and blood sugar levels as well.

Choose Foods High In Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are the building blocks for anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. These are chemicals in your body that reduce inflammation. Inflammation is a common phenomenon in women with PCOS. A deficiency in EFAs is also very common. Good food sources include fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring or sardines, as well as eggs, nuts, and seeds.

Talk to your naturopathic doctor about supplementation

Depending on your personal profile, helpful supplements could include magnesium, vitamin D, and calcium. In particular, inositol (a B vitamin, also called vitamin B8) is effective treatment. Chromium helps your body to metabolize sugar and stabilize your blood glucose levels. The right hormone testing and nutrient testing by your naturopath uncovers any deficiencies that you may have. It helps us devise a uniquely targeted supplement protocol based on your specific needs. There is no “one size fits all” approach.

Take Control of Your Hormones

Yes, this disease is frustrating. However, much research has been done recently on functional medicine testing and effective natural, holistic treatments. By treating your body as an integrated set of systems, you can get to the bottom of your symptoms and get on the path towards true balance and long term well-being.

Ready to take control of your hormones? Call the clinic at 416.481.0222 or book online and we can get started!

Medically reviewed by Naturopath Dr Pamela Frank

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References

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2012/591654/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464617307727

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3277302/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4135453/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28595797

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pcos

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6250088/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5655679/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5461594/

Infertility Rates are Rising

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graphic of hands holding baby saying protect your fertility

Here’s How to Enhance Your Fertility

Fertility is something that we often take for granted. In fact, many of us spend a lot of money and effort in preventing pregnancy until the timing is right for baby-making. However, even when the timing is right, our bodies don’t always cooperate. Timing is important because so many different elements need to be considered. Timing is a key component, both in terms of your chronological age and the timing of conception.

Infertility Statistics

Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in infertility. One study found infertility rates increased from 5.4 percent in 1984 to 15.7 percent in 2011. This is a substantial increase in such a short amount of time. Because infertility is increasing so quickly, it’s a good idea to be proactive about improving your fertility. Even if you never intend to have children, fertility is indicative of a healthy hormone balance. Hormone balance affects much more than just whether you can make babies. Hormones influence your mood, energy level, sense of well-being, cognitive function, weight, libido and even your immune function.

An Integrative Approach To Fertility

What makes infertility particularly frustrating is that it’s often hard to determine the exact cause as to why a couple is having difficulty conceiving. Infertility problems are often multi-factorial. Many different elements of a couple’s health need to be considered to understand the potential causes of infertility. Only by taking a detailed history, doing extensive investigation and customizing treatment can we fully optimize your ability to conceive. That’s why our integrative approach, that takes into account your lifestyle, genetics, stress levels, diet, hormone balance, vitamin and mineral status and overall health is best.

What is the Definition of Infertility?

In general, a couple is considered infertile if they’ve been trying for a year to conceive without success.

Factors That Affect Your Fertility:

What’s contributing to the increase in infertility? Medical scientists can’t pinpoint one specific cause, but many lifestyle factors can play a role.

Some factors that affect fertility include:

  1. Your hormones
  2. Genetic factors
  3. Your age
  4. Your weight
  5. Thyroid health
  6. Stress levels
  7. Chemical exposures

Hormone levels

Many hormones work in tandem to create optimal conditions for conception, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (estrogen), luteinizing hormone (LH), DHEAs, testosterone and progesterone. Perhaps not surprisingly, even a tiny variation in your hormone balance can affect your fertility.

That’s why the first step to any fertility treatment is often thoroughly testing hormone levels. Knowing how your hormones are working together gives your healthcare practitioner an excellent starting point.

Genetic history

If you have a relative who had difficulty conceiving, you may also be at risk for fertility issues. Some fertility problems seem to run in families, such as endometriosis and PCOS. Recent research has found genetic components to some chromosomal problems. Certain genetic defects, like MTHFR mutations, increase the risk of fertility problems or recurrent miscarriage.

Your Vital Stats

Age & Fertility

It’s often frustrating for women to realize that age is one of the biggest factors that can contribute to infertility. After all, for many women, it can feel like a narrow window between being financially and emotionally ready to have a baby and being young enough to conceive.

Of course, we all see many examples of women well into their 40s having babies. And it’s definitely possible. However after the age of 40, the odds of getting pregnant decrease at a faster rate. Simply put, the conditions to conceive and carry a baby are more ideal when you are younger. As we grow older our risk for factors that negatively impact fertility increase.

Still, it’s important not to overstate the decline women experience in their 30s. Consider these stats:

  • Percentage of 27-to-34-year-old women who conceive after a year of having sex at least twice a week = 86 percent
  • Percentage of 35-to-39-year-old women who conceive after a year of having sex at least twice a week = 82 percent.

So through our 30s, the odds of conception don’t decline very dramatically. However, fertility rates do drop faster after 40, so about 30 percent of women between 40 and 44 will experience infertility.

Weight & Fertility

In addition, your weight impacts your fertility. That’s because excess weight influences your hormone levels. Fat cells secrete estrogen. Fat cells are also pro-inflammatory. Inflammation damages eggs and can lead to conditions like PCOS that cause irregular ovulation. The good news is that studies have found that losing even a small percentage of your body weight makes a difference.

Paradoxically, women who are underweight (with a BMI of less than 18.5) experience similar problems. That’s because not having enough body fat also impacts your hormone production. When you are underweight, your body perceives that resources are scarce. As a result, your body will shift into resource conservation mode. That means that your body will prioritize body systems that are vital and shut down those that are not. Your heart, lungs and liver are vital, your reproductive organs (ovaries, testes) are not.

However, it’s not just the number of your BMI. Body composition (the amount of body fat and lean muscle) and activity levels also play a role.

Of course, it takes two people to conceive. Scientific studies have found a clear link between male obesity and low sperm levels. In fact, men whose BMI places them in the obese category (30 or higher) have 60 percent less seminal fluid than men of normal weight. That’s a pretty significant difference. Underweight men also have lower amounts of seminal fluid, so it’s all about having the right balance — as with many aspects of your fertility.

Stress Levels

Can stress affect your infertility? The answer often is yes. For some couples, this is an added source of frustration. After all, dealing with infertility is stressful in itself. However, from an evolutionary perspective, it makes sense. Your body knows that when you’re stressed, you need to conserve energy. In our busy modern lives, stress is often chronic. It’s day in and day out at work, and then very little time to socialize, have fun, relax and have downtime. When you’re stressed, your adrenal glands produce more of the “stress hormones” adrenaline and cortisol. Stress also increases a hormone called prolactin. All of these suppress ovulation, not to mention causing low libido (which is definitely counterproductive for conception!)

Thyroid Health

Another hormonal issue that can affect ovulation is having low levels of thyroid hormone, a condition called hypothyroidism. Also hyperthyroidism, or high levels of thyroid hormone, can affect ovulation. You’re probably starting to understand why achieving the right hormone balance is so important! Your thyroid hormone plays a big role in letting your ovaries know when to ovulate or regulating the speed with which your testes are working. So when your thyroid hormone levels are out of whack, ovulation and sperm production can be too.

Signs of hypothyroidism include difficulty losing weight, easy weight gain, slow metabolism, hair loss, feeling tired or sluggish and feeling chilly all the time. Signs of hyperthyroidism include heart palpitations, weight loss, anxiety, difficulty sleeping or insomnia.

Chemical Exposure

Exposure to certain chemicals – in your foods, packaging, your clothing, cleaning products, beauty care and elsewhere – impacts fertility levels for both men and women. You don’t have to work with toxic substances to experience the effects. Even a fairly healthy standard American diet introduces pesticides that negatively impact our reproductive systems. Removing the toxins from your system requires our naturopathic doctors‘ professional guidance but it’s well worth it for improving your overall health and fertility.

How You Can Take Charge Of Your Fertility

As we can see from the list above, treating infertility is complex. Is there anything you can do on your own to improve your fertility? The most important thing is to act now if you have concerns. Don’t forget: Conception requires careful timing, so you do want to address any issues right away. It also takes some time to create optimal fertility. Here are some steps that help with fertility issues.

1. Visit a Naturopathic Doctor that is infertility-trained.

Proper testing to see what’s really going on with your whole body gives us a better picture. Treating infertility involves addressing your overall health, not just your reproductive system. While your hormones play a key role so do many other factors. We will work together to help prepare your body for conception. We’ll eliminate the stress of wondering if there is more you could do and relieve your feelings of overwhelm about where to start!

2. Manage your stress levels.

We understand that this is easier said than done, especially when you’re worried about fertility. It’s a bit of a vicious cycle if you start to get stressed about being stressed! Meditation is a good way to consciously address your emotional concerns. Fertility-centred psychotherapy is also a good idea to help you take the edge off. Adding in as many stress-busting activities as possible also helps. Exercise, massage therapy, yoga, reading a book, taking a long walk outside, or having a warm bath all help to lower cortisol levels.

3. Improve your diet.

One recent study found that women who ate a lot of fruits and vegetables with high pesticide levels were less likely to conceive. So choose organic produce when possible, or opt for produce that doesn’t typically have as many pesticide residues. Think of produce with a thick skin that protects the fruit like avocados or oranges. An excellent resource for finding the produce with the least pesticide residues is the Clean Fifteen list, published by the Environmental Working Group. They also publish a list of which produce to either avoid or only eat if it is organic called The Dirty Dozen.

In addition, certain foods have been associated with higher fertility levels. Your Naturopathic Doctor will help you to determine the best diet for your needs. In general, you want to ensure you’re getting adequate levels of folate, Omega 3’s, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D.

4. Limit toxic exposure.

Both males and females should think about the chemicals they’re exposed to every day when they’re trying to conceive. In addition to possible herbicides and pesticides on produce, frequent exposure to x-rays, radiation, cigarette smoke, alcohol, toxins in the home and self-care products that you use every day all impact infertility. In addition, workplace hazards like exposure to lead and cadmium damage eggs and sperm and upset the hormonal balance required for peak fertility.

Next Steps

If you’re concerned about your fertility, give us a call at 416-481-0222. Together we can dive deeper and see where your issues are, and create a clear treatment program. Fertility is a common issue, just know that you are not alone and that we successfully treat many men and women with fertility issues at our clinic, even people who have been unsuccessful at fertility clinics.

Authored by Dr Pamela Frank, Bsc(Hons), ND

Sources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279129/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3885174/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016043/

Pollutants Linked to Lower Fertility in Both Men and Women

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/05/27/meditation-fertility_n_5256027.html

Pesticides in produce linked with reduced fertility in women

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31035310

Is There Such a Thing as Fertility Massage?

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massage for Parkinson's disease by a registered massage therapist or RMT

Does Fertility Massage Help?

Yes, it does, but please don’t take this as massage alone can fix your infertility or cause you to become fertile.

Here’s How Massage Can Improve Fertility

The pelvic floor contains your uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, rectum and the ligaments and connective tissue surrounding them. The intent of fertility massage is to release restrictions of your pelvic floor.  These restrictions may present themselves as lower back or hip pain, digestive issues, idiopathic infertility or painful menstruation. As a massage therapist, I would identify which restriction could be involved by gentle manipulation and release of the adhesions so that your organs can have full, healthy function.

What are the benefits of fertility massage?

  • Eases anxiety and stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system (rest, digest & relax)
  • Increases blood flow to the digestive tract and reproductive system
  • Restores vitality and balance to affected organs

 Who would benefit from a fertility massage?

Stress and Fertility

Fertility is like a waltz, you and your partner need to be in sync or you start stepping on each other’s toes.  Your body as a whole needs to be functioning as one.  The delicate balance of hormones to create the production, release, fertilization and implantation of an egg can’t happen if the balance is off. The number one cause of this is stress in the body. This can be as simple as daily hassles or a single big stressor because the release of cortisol (the stress hormone) can interrupt the rhyme of the waltz which is so crucial to creating a life.

Research suggests that stress can change the length of your cycle, your ovulation date and create tubal spasms. Stress can amplify many feelings like fear, worry, emptiness and anger.  These feelings create physical and mental reactions which are manifested in your body.

This type of massage therapy uses techniques to help to break the stress cycle by encouraging relaxation. These techniques address adhesions and mechanical factors that contribute to female infertility.

Book an appointment for fertility massage by calling 416-481-0222 or book online any time here.

by CJ Paterson, RMT, at Forces of Nature Wellness Clinic