Outsmarting Infertility

Thyroid disease is estimated to be the second most common endocrinological disease that affects Women of reproductive age. In fact, it might be more common among patients that experience infertility. There is research suggesting that patients with other reproductive conditions, like PCOS for example, are actually at a higher risk of developing auto-immune thyroid disease. It may also be present in patients that have been diagnosed with Unexplained Infertility.

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Over the last few years there has been more research looking in to the impact of the reproductive microbiome and its impact on fertility and reproductive function. There has been research finding that certain reproductive disorders are correlated with an increased risk of imbalance in the vaginal/uterine microbiome (or reproductive microbiome), such as, in patients affected by endometriosis.

Over the years it has become more and more clear how oxidative stress may be a significant contributor to infertility. Particularly when it comes to Sperm health. Oxidative stress can be significantly impacted from our lifestyle, dietary choices, preexisting health conditions, radiation exposure, exposure to certain heavy metals, weight, and much more.

One of the negative impacts of increased oxidative stress on the body is the harmful impact it has on sperm health. Increased oxidative stress can cause damage to the DNA content of sperm cells, particularly because antioxidants (our body’s way to neutralizing oxidative stress) are largely removed from the sperm cells along with cytoplasm to help reduce the size of the sperm head. This leaves sperm cells very vulnerable to damage from oxidative stress. One of the main methods to assess damage to the sperm DNA is the DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI). In most cases, a sperm DNA fragmentation rate above 15% is considered elevated.

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Infertility is continuing to come to the forefront of health issues as a surprising percent of the population is expected to experience infertility. It is estimated that in more than half of the cases of infertility, poor sperm health is the sole or one of the various causative factors. Yet, there is very little that is shared about how to support sperm health and fertility. Patients are in many cases left to their own research using online forums or speaking with additional licensed healthcare providers to help determine what, if anything, can be done to help improve sperm health.

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The research behind progesterone and its impact during fertility treatments and early pregnancy has been growing over the last decade. We continue to see more studies evaluating for the efficacy of different types of progesterone supplementation: oral pills, vaginal suppositories, or intramuscular injections. What we are seeing is a clearer comparison where some forms of progesterone may be more beneficial over others. And we are still learning if and how progesterone might help support pregnancy. Tune in as we discuss some of the most important information to know about how progesterone can be of benefit!

A quick Google search will warn patients about the consumption of Green Peas and how they can prevent you from getting pregnant? Is there actual validity to this claim? Listen to our latest podcast episode to learn if this is fact or fiction!

Vitamin D continues to gather more attention from researchers and in Scientific journals. Tune in to this episode to learn more about how vitamin D may impact Fertility and Reproductive outcomes and when you should be checking for vitamin D deficiency if you are currently trying to conceive!

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after trying for 12 consecutive months and 6 months for patients above the age of 35. Dealing with infertility can quickly become overwhelming. From the range of treatment options, medications/injections, and the cost of treatments, all of these factors and more can contribute to overall stress and emotional wellbeing during the fertility journey.

Still, research has continued to explore additional treatments which can help support pregnancy and reproductive outcomes. The relative success rate of IVF per cycle still rests under 30% on average in Canada (this number may vary depending on number of embryos transferred, age of patient, and previous fertility treatment history). Some of the modifiable risk-factors which can improve fertility and reproductive health include: physical activity, metabolic health and weight, nutrition, lifestyle, and nutraceuticals. A number of studies have now been published and we are now seeing a clearer image of what an optimal diet can look like for patients struggling with infertility. And more importantly, how an evidence-based nutritional and dietary plan may help optimize fertility for patients trying to conceive naturally or with assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs).

And the numbers did not hold back, in fact, one prospective cohort study following over 18’000 nurses found that following a fertility diet reduced the likelihood of experiencing infertility by 66% due to ovulatory disorders and by 27% for all other causes of infertility! While this is an observational study, the results are significant! This is just one of the 100+ research papers published on this topic.

Click here for all the details and to download our Free PDF of the important points from this new research.

Check out our detailed post about the safety of acupuncture during pregnancy here!