Signs of Infertility

There are many factors that contribute to the signs of infertility. Some are:
• Venereal diseases
• Genetic abnormalities caused by environmental poisons
• A deficient diet
• Stress
• Low sperm counts or abnormal sperm
• Hormonal imbalances

Progesterone and infertility are linked through the Pill which can result in temporary infertility after having stopped taking it. Hormone imbalances induced by environmental poisons are a major factor in the infertility of many people. It is also vital for a woman to keep her body fat above 20% of her total weight, otherwise menstruation will cease.
One of the least known but commonest causes of infertility is a lack of progesterone during the second half of the monthly cycle. This is known as a ‘defective luteal phase’.

For pregnancy to occur oestrogen first builds the lining of the uterus, then after ovulation the role of progesterone is to thicken that lining ready for the fertilized egg. Inadequate progesterone reduces fertility.
Research into the causes of infertility has shown that often conception occurs in a fertile woman only to be followed by failure of the egg to embed itself in the lining. A lack of progesterone and infertility go hand in glove as this hormone is vital for pregnancy, but if the interval between ovulation and menstruation is too short (less than 12 days) it means that not enough progesterone has been produced. This could result in a miscarriage as early as the next menstruation.

So, you could be fertile whilst showing all the signs of infertility!

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Oestrogen vs Progesterone

Readers of my blogs and those who know me, know that I’m a strong advocate of Progesterone.

Here’s a list of effects of both, Oestrogen and Progesterone:

Oestrogen Effects	Progesterone Effects
Creates proliferative endometrium	Maintains secretory endometrium
Causes breast stimulation	Protects against fibrocystic breasts
Increases body fat	Helps use fat for energy
Salt and fluid retention	Natural diuretic
Depression and headaches	Natural antidepressant
Interferes with thyroid hormone	Facilitates thyroid hormone action
Increases blood clotting	Normalises blood clotting
Decreases sex drive	Restores sex drive
Impairs blood sugar control	Normalises blood sugar levels
Loss of zinc and retention of copper	Normalises zinc and copper levels
Reduces oxygen levels in all cells	Restores proper cell oxygen levels
Increases risk of endometrial cancer	Prevents endometrial cancer
Increases risk of breast cancer	Helps prevent breast cancer
Slightly retrains osteoclast function	Stimulates osteoblast bone building
Reduces vascular tone	Restores normal vascular tone
Increases risk of gallbladder disease	Necessary for survival of embryo
Increases risk of autoimmune disorders	Precursor of corticosteroids

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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent reproductive problem in young girls and women. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome have:

• Insulin resistance, which in turn leads to weight gain, blood sugar problems, high triglycerides and high androgens;
• High blood sugar level (leading to high insulin, which leads to high androgens. High androgens lead to excess hair, weight problems, acne, suppression of ovarian function, leading to anovulation
• High triglycerides which lead to heart disease;
• Low progesterone levels (as ovulation does not take place, so only half the cycle is being completed);
• High levels of 5-alpha reductase (this converts oestrogen to androgens. Progesterone inhibits 5 alpha reductase).

If insulin resistance is reversed, insulin levels drop, this in turn lowers androgen levels, which in turn prevents the suppression of ovarian function, allowing the ovaries to start functioning normally.

The common treatment for PCOS is the contraceptive Pill (to prevent ovulation) and Metformin (a diabetic drug to bring down sugar levels).
The Pill contains synthetic progesterone and oestrogen, which stop ovulation, but also reduce the level of natural progesterone. Synthetic progesterone or ‘progestins’ increase insulin resistance.

It is crucial that the insulin resistance is reversed before ovarian function returns to normal.

Support for PCOS:

• Reduce insulin levels – eat organic protein (with no growth hormones), avoid all starchy carbs, including fruit, eating only the non-starchy leaves, shoots, sprouts etc
• Reduce androgen levels – use progesterone and avoid all food which converts to glucose, to reduce insulin, which causes androgens to rise
• Use between 200-250mg/day of progesterone cream, this helps stabilise blood sugar and suppresses androgen production. It also helps to correct ovarian malfunction
• The B vitamin inositol is essential for the reversal of insulin resistance
• The amino acid L-glutamine is very helpful. It’s best dissolved in water and drunk throughout the day. The brain can use it in place of glucose for energy, so it stops all binging, tiredness, cravings for sugary foods and alcohol, it heals the lining of the gut, it boosts the immune system and is the most abundant amino acid in the muscles, so helping with muscle weakness
• Have a homocysteine test, if It’s high, take:
  • 150mg B2-riboflavin
  • 75mg B6-pyrodoxine
  • 1000mcg B12-cyanocobalamin
  • 1200mcg Folic acid
  • 3000mg TMG-tri-methyl glycine (anhydrous)
  • 20mg Zinc

As homocysteine could be a contributing factor to polycystic ovarian syndrome, a blood test should be carried out. If the results are higher than 6 then it is essential to take the following nutrients:

• 150mg B2-riboflavin
• 75mg B6-pyrodoxine
• 1000mg B12-cyanocobalamin
• 1200mcg folic acid
• 3000mg TMG-tri-methyl glycine (anhydrous)
• 30mg zinc

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Reflexology and Infertility

I have treated many women for infertility and have helped them to conceive – it can be an emotionally exhausting condition – not to mention expensive.  Thanks to reflexology, a growing number of couples are discovering that this is a key to overcoming infertility.

Reflexology, a traditional healing art dating from the ancient Egyptians and Chinese, involves manipulation of pressure points in the hands and feet and is often used to ease period pain, headaches, sinus and back problems as well as the effects of chemotherapy.

The soles of the feet are like a mini map of the inside of the body and are linked to our inner organs and systems, including the fallopian tubes, ovaries and the endocrine system. Pressure on the different points on the feet unblocks energy pathways in the body enabling it to regain its natural balance and therefore start to heal itself.

Specific points on the feet are associated with a woman’s egg production and others are related to endocrine (hormone) glands (pituitary, pineal, hypothalamus, ovaries etc important in conception and pregnancy) and by manipulation of these areas can correct the imbalances which hamper conception.

The latest research in this subject is a two year clinical trial at the IVF unit at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

In the new study, 150 volunteers will be offered reflexology rather than the fertility drug clomifene, which is usually used to induce ovulation. This drug works in about 70 per cent of patients, but the drug’s main drawback is it can increase the likelihood of a multiple pregnancy.

The volunteers will each receive eight treatments over a two to three month period. In order for the trial to be conducted in a scientific way, patients and hospital staff will not know whether true reflexology or a ‘dummy’ version has been given. Only the reflexologist will know who has had the real treatment.

One in seven couples suffers with infertility. Last year the Plymouth IVF unit saw over 900 patients. Thirty per cent of these were not producing eggs.

Infertility is a complex problem and often what is needed is a ‘kick-start’ to the system and reflexology can do this.  In my experience, reflexology, along with acupuncture/acupressure, hormone balancing advice (ie natural progesterone cream, diet, vitamins and minerals)  is very effective and I have successfully treated many women and have helped them conceive and have seen them right through their pregnancies.

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Natural Progesterone and Endometriosis

Natural Progesterone can be used to prevent menstrual bleeding, which triggers the pain of endometriosis. In his book ‘ Natural Progesterone, The Multiple Roles of a Remarkable Hormone’, Dr. Lee (the pioneer of natural progesterone) explains how, by applying sufficient progesterone from day 10 to day 26 of the menstrual cycle, bleeding and pelvic pain will be considerably reduced and, over a period of time, the body has a chance to recover. Interestingly, none of his patients following this regime had to resort to surgery.

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Reflexology and conception

Infertility is a sensitive, emotional and costly process. I have lots of women coming to see me because they’re trying to conceive. Many are on the verge of undergoing fertility treatment. Yet, after a few reflexology treatments, some guidance and nutritional advice they fall pregnant. More often than not it’s simply a case of balancing the hormones in the body by carefully and systematically working on the corresponding reflex points. Hormones are produced and regulated by a highly complex and delicate endocrine system. There are so many things which throw our endocrine system out of balance: excess oestrogen, contraceptive pill and so on.

A medical study has now been launched to discover if reflexology can really help women conceive. A two year clinical trial at the IVF unit at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth is the brainchild of reflexologist, Jane Holt who approached the unit after 13 of the 23 women she treated with a range of fertility problems fell pregnant.

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