Newsletter Optihealth March 2009
Fertility: Blues or Pinks?
Optihealth Wellness Cntre, 2249 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K2B-7E9, (613)829-7100 Fax (613)829-2608, www.optihealth.ca
Your Path To Natural Wellness…
Newsletter written by: Dr. Joel Lee Villeneuve Naturopathic Doctor & Wellness Consultant
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Why be concerned?
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1/8 Couples have fertility concerns (Health Canada 2008)
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The rates of number of children per woman are continuing to decline with an all time low of 1.52 children per woman. (Health Canada 1979-1999)
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From 1979-1999 the fertility of Canadian women aged 20-24 decreased nearly 40%, 25-29 decline about 25%. Fertility rates among women 30 and over however have increased in Canada.
Why is this happening?
Fertility rates are falling for a number of reasons, including, tendency to delay starting families, due to career. It is predicted that within 20-25 years if the current trend continues, deaths will soon exceed births in Canada. ( *Published in the annual Report on Demographic situation in Canada,1999*)
What are the Health Connections related to this trend?
• Anatomy of Stress- the balance in the nervous system, the adrenal gland, the thyroid and their relationship to hormones. The pathway from beginning to end is shown in the Health Wellness Spectrum( HWS)©: ( For more details of the HWS © see the April 2008 Newsletter Allergies, Asthma and Eczema)
Detoxification & the Liver- role, for both female and male, Liver organ in which hormones are conjugated and broken down – 2 phases of detox.
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PMS estrogen dominance
Environmental Concerns such as:
PCBs- Since 1938, sperm counts of men have plunged by an average of 50 percent. PCBs found in baby bottles and water jugs, chlorine compounds that bleach paper resemble the human sex hormone estrogen.
Estrogen like pollutants are being linked to breast cancer, endometriosis, and painful inflammation of the uterine lining
What are our Top 10 Natural Treatment Options?
A Complete Approach Includes a Wellness Team
Ideally it is recommended to start Wellness Care for Fertility at least 1 year in advance.
Top 5 Female Treatment Options
1. Detoxification - for both the future mother and father to promote the most optimal environment for the baby. Often infertility can be related to the change of hormonal balance that results from toxicity in the body. heavy metal toxicity may impact ovulation or sperm count and may be detected via hair analysis.
2. EFAs-
a. Evening Primrose Oil- Increases fertile quality cervical mucus ie watery, clear and stretchy which easily aids the sperm to swim thru to the egg, Contains GLA, Converted to PG E1- hormone like activity. ( Take only in the first half of the cycle and should not be used during pregnancy as it may cause uterine contractions)
b. Flax Oil– Hormone balancing lignans and phytoestrogens help stabilize a womans estrogen-progesterone ratio ( Take in the second half of the cycle)
3. Vitex- Increases Luteal Phase Defects and helps to lower high Prolactin levels. Its impact is aiding regulation of hormones via Pituitary Gland ie LH which helps to increase progesterone. Note It is contraindicated with Clomid, Pregnancy or Other Hormone Therapy.
4. Phytoprogesterone Cremes - Assists survival of the fertilized egg. It maintains the secretory endometrium which feeds the ovum and resultant embryo. The progesterone surge at ovulation is the source of libido.
5. Acupuncture- A study concluded that women who underwent acupuncture with IVF had conception rates of 43%, compared with women who did not have the acupuncture and had conception rates of 26%. (April 2002 in the Medical Journal Fertility and Sterility),
Top 5 Male Treatment Options
1. Vitamin C- Low levels can lead to agglutination of sperm (Agglutination of Sperm, Dr. Earl Dawson , M.D., Ph.D., U of Texas, 2007) Note – it is not recommended in additional dose for woman as it may dry up cervical fluid
2. Vitamin E- Antioxidant and plays a role in male sperm production ( cell membrane) . ContraIndication or Caution – if on blood thinners
3. Zinc- Involved in activation of key sperm enzymes. Low amounts reduce Testosterone and lowers sperm count
4. Ginseng- Can raise testosterone levels, increase sperm count and mobility
5. Pycnogenol- Procyanidins, Bioflavonoids, Antioxidant. Improved the quality and function of sperm in men with fertility concerns by a mean of 38% and 19% respectively, after 90 days use ( Clinical Trial by Dr. Scott Roseff Director of the West Essex Centre for Advanced Reproductive Endocrinology, J of Reproductive Medicine , Oct 2002)
6. Flax Oil – May help keep sperm healthy and assist male impotence
Can you naturally influence Pink or Blue?
Fertility Management for Increased Sex Determination
With the advance of medical research it may be possible to alter your opportunity to buy pink or blue for your newborn. The strategy is based on the Shettles method. Developed three decades ago by Landrum B.Shettles, MD,PhD, the plan involves 3 parameters:
1. Timing and PH level changes, 2. Dietary changes and 3. Positions
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Boy |
Girl |
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Timing of Intercourse |
Closest to Ovulation - Male(Y) sperm is smaller, faster and more short lived |
2-4 days prior to Ovulation so by this time the healthiest, more resilient female (X) sperm remain |
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Ph |
Alkaline Environment |
Acid Environment |
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Position |
Rear entry-sperm is as close to the opening to the cervix as it is most alkaline here |
Missionary |
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Diet Changes |
Increase Green Food Reduce alcohol |
Increase Dairy Limit Salt, Caffeine |
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Other: |
Male partner to increase sperm count by lowering the body temperature Female partner orgasm before your partner as it releases an alkaline fluid Both- intercourse at ovulation and minimize other times of the month to keep sperm count high |
Male partner to lower sperm count slowly via increased heat to the pelvic area and for the Female partner to avoid orgasm as it promotes alkalinity and may induce ovulation. Both- intercourse every 2nd day to reduce sperm count ending 5 days before ovulation. |
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The Shettles method has reportedly been effective at least 75% of the time.
Note- Ovulation can be tracked by looking at the cervical mucus and temperature changes. Ovulation may occur when a woman’s Basal Body Temperature drops, when it starts to rise or when its half way up or when you get two temperatures that are the same on the rise up. When the temperature drops the ovulatory mucus changes from a wet watery mucus before ovulation to The cervical mucus at ovulation changes from watery to Slippery and can be stretched from 1 – 10 inches.
Reference: Choose the Sex of Your Baby, Hazel Chesterman- Phillips , 1997 Clays Ltd.
Taking Charge of your Fertility , Tony Weschler , 2002 First Quill
