What is the cause of fertility disorders?

When we understand the cause of fertility disorders, we can begin to understand how to mange them. Since 80% of fertility issues are diagnosed as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS), I think it is important to have this at the forefront of discussion. Of the 20% others, some are diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, endometriosis, fibroids and others are give a diagnosis of just plain "unknown". Some are told they just have old eggs or they are in early menopause... even though they should be at the peak of their fertile years.

In any case, we see a consistent pattern emerge within these. They are all metabolically based with similarities that overlap. Women diagnosed with PCOS often will have some degree of endometriosis and vice versa. One must ask "why is this?" A little detective work is in order. Since childhood I’ve always loved solving a good puzzle.

 By understanding what the fertility issues have in common, the familiar patterns, it allows us to move forward and gain new perspectives within a medical paradigm that would rather classify and separate us into a narrow category based upon a symptom or lab value, a reductionist view.  For example, in PCOS we often see this done by reducing someone down to a lab value, such as sugar or insulin.  It's important to realize that the individual systems and occurrences in the body are all interdependent on each other.

Instead, let's see what's in common throughout the body in all of these fertility disorders.

• Elevated inflammatory markers

• Elevated stress hormones such as cortisol

• Elevated negative estrogen metabolites or "estrogen dominance"

• Insulin resistance

• A slowing of the metabolism

• Immune dysregulation

• Low fertility,  irregular or absent cycles

Hmm,  what is this pattern? It's actually part of the well-known biologic response to stress. A brilliant Nobel Laureate nominee , Hans Selye, coined the term "stress" several decades ago. He was the first to define clearly the specific biological responses to stress in the body. He published over 1700 research papers and several books. One in 1956, The Stress of Life. Within the book he outlines what he calls the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). It consists of 3 distinct stages:

1. alarm

2. resistance

3. exhaustion

The stress response

Now, the important thing to note is that stress is a natural part of our everyday life and some degree of it is necessary to sustain life. Selye's 3  "stages" show it's only a problem when our energy reserves and adaptive abilities run short with continuous exposure to stressors. Stress occurs for many reasons and not all are perceived as negative:

exposure to extreme cold or heat, emotional trauma, nutritional deficiencies, injury, infection, illness, a cloudy day & lack of bright sunlight for all our waking hours, certain foods including polyunsaturated fats and starches, even very happy events and emotions, persistent cardio exercise, 'estrogenic' substances in our personal care products, pesticides, chlorine, fluoride, bromine, iron, and many others.  

 The 1st stage of stress: Alarm. We can think of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz when she encounters the lion.  The body reacts with the "fight or flight" response. In other words the body shifts its energy to run or fight, she's ready for either. Cortisol and adrenaline rise. Our body adapts to run or fight.   Blood flows away from areas not needed, such as digestion, reproduction, immune, skin, hair and nails. We don't need to reproduce when fighting a lion!

One may experience some of the following:

• Irregular cycles, no cycles and a multitude of fertility disorders

• Gastrointestinal problems  

• Immune & allergy issues

• Difficulty sleeping

• PMS

• Migraine

• Skin, hair or nail problems such as acne, dandruff and dry skin

• Insulin resistance

Stage 2 of stress: Resistance, prolonged exposure to a stressor is at work. Many processes appear to return to normal, but the blood sugar, cortisol and adrenaline are elevated. The body remains on alert.

Stage 3 of stress: Exhaustion. Stressors continue beyond the capacity of the person's ability and they become susceptible to disease and death. This is where latter stage cancers and degenerative diseases would occur.

There are many tools one can implore:

Determine and assess those things are the major contributors in your diet & lifestyle. 

 Reduce exposure to foods that contribute to the stress response.

Add foods, nutrients and hormone support that will help one to overcome stress much more easily.

See the “Let’s Get Started” page for more information