Natural Fertility Diaries......The Hormone Balancing Act

The female cycle is ruled by a delicate balance between Estrogen and Progesterone. Making sure that these hormones are present in sufficient and complimentary quantities is imperative to fertility. Lets explore the roles of these hormones in the menstrual cycle.

What role does estrogen play in the female reproductive cycle?
When answering this question, it is imperative to understand the parts of a woman's monthly cycle. Cycle day 1 is considered the first day of menses. This is also the last day of the previous cycle.(It is the alpha and the omega....the beginning and the end.) What happens at this point? The uterine lining is shed. The amount of lining, or endometrium, that is shed is based on estrogen and progesterone levels. The beginning of the cycle (Follicular phase) is a time of very low estrogen production, typically. When estrogen is low, FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) is released by the hypothalamus triggering an increase in estrogen from the ovaries. The estrogen levels rise, and eventually spike, which produces a mature follicle (an egg ready to be released). Ovulation takes place when LH (Luteinizing Hormone)surge is present.This turns the follicle into the corpus luteum (luteal phase) which will produce progesterone until either the placenta takes over (if pregnancy has occurred) or until it withers away allowing progesterone levels to drop signaling the shed of the edometrial lining (menses)
The increased level of estrogen during the follicular phase is also responsible for building the endometrium so it is rich and ready for implantation of the fertilized ovum. We often see problems with fertility stemming from estrogen dominance. Increased levels of estrogen during this phase inhibits the FSH release and thereby reduces the chances of a mature follicle forming. Birth control pills utilize this by preventing ovulation by increasing estrogen levels at this time. When we are exposing ourselves to increased phyto and xenoestrogens we are also inhibiting ovulation by raising the estrogen levels during the follicular phase. It is very important during this time to avoid foods and substances containing phyto and xenoestrogens, not just for fertility purposes, but also to keep from building an excess of endometrial lining which can be difficult to shed during menses. This can lead to painful periods and excessive bleeding. When using birth control as a remedy for this, there is a method to the madness. Just as increased estrogen is present in the follicular phase, and kept consistent to prevent the spike that triggers FSH and LH production,progestins are added to counteract the estrogen dominance that leads to symptoms of low progesterone. The added progestin keeps the endometrium from becoming very thick and hard to shed. In this way, the pill is able to regulate excessive bleeding and some pain caused by hormonal imbalance. When regulating a cycle using natural methods, we must take that into consideration. The best place to start when attempting to regulate your cycle, whether it is for control of pain and bleeding or increasing fertility, we should cleanse the liver of excess estrogen. This requires a bit of patience, but is well worth the effort. Leafy greens and cruciferous veggies have a very powerful effect and results can be seen within a week! A liver supportive diet will continue to provide relief. Be very conscious of phytoestrogens in foods (eliminate soy completely during this time) and xenoestrogens that are found in every day items and products. Inform yourself, and beat the cycle...so to speak.

My liver supportive meal that I love to share is simple and artistic. Balancing color and flavors was the aim. This heightened the experience which is always a way to ensure the full energetic potential of the food is readily accepted by the mind and body.

Yin Yang Soup
one half of the soup is

Organic pumpkin
Chinese Five Spice powder
very finely chopped sweet peppers
Brewer's yeast


The other half of the soup
Split peas
onion
garlic
sea salt
very finely chopped jalapenos

both soups are pureed or cooked to desirable consistency....I wanted my split pea side to have a bit of texture in it so I did not puree it.....
When both soups are complete, serve them by making a Yin and Yang pattern in the bowl. A nice flavor booster (and to make the dots in the symbol) can be some soy or coconut yogurt dollops =) SOOOOOO tasty and pretty too!!
This healthful soup is not only good for the liver by providing plenty of fiber, vitamin A, alpha-lipoic acid (thanks to the brewer's yeast), Omega3, and B vitamins, but is also supportive of gold element, fire and acessory fire, earth, and water. Talk about the balance found in the Yin and Yang =) If the vision alone of this soup does not support peaceful emotions and calm mind, the patience needed when creating it, the joy of the flavors,all of the nutrients, and the positive message you send when serving it to others will certainly boost healing energies!!

454 calories (without the yogurt). 0 refined sugars. 22g fiber. I burned 542 calories by writng 30 minutes, talking on the phone 30 minutes, washing the dishes (30 min) cooking for 30 minutes, studying 45 minutes, and walking 30 minutes at 4mph. =)

Natural Fertility Diaries.......Diagnosing Infertility

Fertility issues often go undiagnosed because, unless a couple is trying to conceive, the underlying causes can go unnoticed. Most couples find success within the first 6 months of trying to conceive. An estimated 85% of couples will conceive after twelve months of unprotected intercourse. Approximately 50% of the remaining couples will conceive within the next 36 months. For the ones that have not conceived, this may be the only sign of infertility.
There can be other indicators of an underlying problem when the female experiences any abnormal menstrual patterns. This can include pain and abnormal bleeding as well as cycle irregularities. This could be indicating hormonal imbalances or a physical blockage or barrier. A male may experience and show signs of sexual dysfunction and abnormal hair growth patterns that may signal hormonal imbalances that could possibly be contributing to the couple's inability to conceive. There are also potential physical blockages in the male that may influence the couple's fertility issues. So how do we figure out the causes??
The first step is to review a complete medical history on the couple to find any clues as to what may be causing the problem. This will include questions about the couple's sexual habits. This is to ensure intercourse is happening in a way that is enabling conception to occur. Often the cause of a physical barrier to conception can be found during an ultrasound if a female's history contains any previous STDs, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), endometriosis, PCOS, ectopic pregnancy, abdominal or pelvic surgeries, or any other uterine abnormalities.Physically manifested problems are estimated to cause approximately 35% of female infertility. In the male, Varicocele, a mass of dilated veins in the scrotum, can cause a physical barrier. Other potential male physical complications could be a result of testicular injury, trauma, surgeries or illness.
The next step, if there are no noticeable signs of disease or dysfunction, would be a fertility work up. This would include a series of tests that check the hormone levels at several points in the cycle for the female and a semen analysis for the male. Anovulatory cycles and reduced fertility due to age can be detected in this manner in the female. Levels of FSH, LH, prolactin, and progesterone are checked. Male sperm quality and quantity are observed.
As we move forward with the Natural Fertility Diaries, I will explore options to improve the chances of conception by looking more closely at these and other potential causes and finding alternative treatments for many. I welcome you to join me on this journey.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infertility/DS00310/DSECTION=symptoms
http://www.womenshealthchannel.com/infertility/diagnosis.shtml
http://www.mayoclinic.org/infertility/diagnosis.html
http://www.sharedjourney.com/dx.html

Natural Fertility Diaries

Infertility is a problem that an estimated 6.1 million couples battle. Some very dear friends of mine are one of those 6.1 million. I have never met a more deserving couple. I cried with them. I prayed with them. I watched this couple struggle with the trials and tribulations, and witnessed their heartache. After a surgery claiming one ovary, staying positive and hopeful was a bit difficult, but they just kept trying. Eventually, they even tried medical fertility interventions, but to no avail. They stopped trying as so many couples do.

My friend had shared my interest in herbal medicine and nutrition therapy and was using this as a means to treat several existing health issues for her and her husband. She had no idea what was in store for them. One fateful day, she entered the hospital, fearful that the pain she felt meant she was going to lose her remaining ovary. Quite to their surprise they found out they were 7 weeks pregnant!!!! They had changed their diets to include mostly organic foods and continued to treat other health issues with herbal remedies. Little did they know at the time that they were also enhancing their fertility!!

So what exactly did they do? What did they change? How did this affect their fertility? Over the next few weeks, I will be looking deeper into their diet and other changes that may have increased the chances of conception. I will take a closer look at other herbal and nutritional recommendations for treating infertility in men and women. I will also cover some topics related to pregnancy as well as hormonal regulation through diet and supplementation. I hope this information will be useful for clients and readers alike when bringing their little miracles into the world.

Where Do We Begin?? A Journey To Nutritional Healing

After much consideration, I have chosen to move forward with my personal research in the areas of detoxification and clinical fasting. I feel that the general health issues I encounter would be far more effectively treated if my clients had a fresh slate to begin with. The diets that I see commonly would more than likely prevent or restrict any benefits of supplementation. A system that is overloaded with toxins and intestines that are spackled with fats and other toxic residues just cannot effectively absorb nutrients from foods or supplements.
I believe that detoxification of the body, cleansing, fasting and purging of wastes would be the most logical place to start. I realize that I will more than once hate myself for choosing this path. I know that experiencing these things for myself may be one of the toughest things I ever do. I know that this means I will curse, cry, and shake my fists at times out of frustration. I also know that, in the end, I will celebrate. I will be able to hold the hand of even the most challenged client and say..."I PROMISE ...If you just hang in there you will be endlessly thankful that you did. I know what a challenge this might be for you, but it will be well worth it."
And so begins my journey..........