Monday, April 10, 2017
The PCOSGurl's Blog: PCOS and Infertility: What to do When Your Body Wo...
The PCOSGurl's Blog: PCOS and Infertility: What to do When Your Body Wo...: PCOS and Infertility: What to do When Your Body Won’t Mind You! Guest Post by: Gretchen Kubacky, Psy.D. E...
The PCOSGurl's Blog: PCOS and Infertility: Misconceptions aboutConcepti...
The PCOSGurl's Blog: PCOS and Infertility: Misconceptions aboutConcepti...: PCOS and Infertility: Misconceptions about Conception By Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), Naturopathic Doctor As a naturopathic doct...
PCOS and Infertility: Misconceptions about
Conception
1.
It can be done! Many newly diagnosed women with PCOS are
fearful that they may never be able to bear children. PCOS clearly presents
some difficulties for women who are trying to conceive. There are different “types” of PCOS, some
will make conception more difficult than others. What each of the different PCOS types has in
common, is absent, irregular or inconsistent ovulation. Obviously to conceive, one has to
ovulate. To ovulate, one has to know WHY
ovulation isn’t occurring consistently. Nine times out of ten, the women I see
who have been diagnosed with PCOS have not had thoroughly sufficient blood
testing done to determine why they are not ovulating.
2.
Be your own advocate. PCOS is still fairly poorly understood by
many doctors and often goes undiagnosed.
If you are having trouble to conceive, a full battery of hormone blood
tests and a pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound need to be done. Hormone tests
need to be taken at specific points in your menstrual cycle in order to be
interpreted in context. If you aren’t
having regular cycles, try to be aware of symptoms that may indicate that your
body is trying to have a period and track periods that you do have in a period
tracker app. Context is crucial to
accurately assess hormones for fertility.
3.
I will have to have expensive
fertility treatments like IVF to conceive.
Not necessarily. Many women that
I treat conceive on their own without expensive treatments or aggressively
manipulating their hormones with drugs.
The key is to really understand the specific hormone imbalance that is
messing with ovulation and then there are diet adjustments, lifestyle changes,
vitamins, minerals, acupuncture and herbs that can help restore balance. It may take a lot more work than your friends
who don’t have PCOS, but at the end of the day you’ll be healthier for it, your
baby will be healthier for it and you will cut your risk of heart disease,
endometrial cancer and diabetes significantly.
None of this can be said for fertility treatments.
4.
“Your AMH is too low or too
high”. AMH stands for Anti-Mullerian
Hormone. It’s a hormone that is released
as egg follicles are in the process of maturing between their resting state
(primordial follicles) and when they get released as an egg. Often women with
PCOS will have a high AMH because there are many egg follicles trapped in the
middle of maturing that don’t make it all the way to a mature egg follicle that
is ready to release the egg. The solution is to remove the obstacle to the egg
follicle maturing all the way, often in PCOS, that’s high testosterone. But, be aware that high testosterone only
accounts for about 60% of cases of PCOS, the rest are due to some other hormone
imbalance. Assumptions are often made
that every woman with PCOS has high testosterone. This is an incorrect assumption, even in
women who “look” like they have high testosterone. Low AMH is often presented to patients as
evidence that they don’t have many egg follicles left. This is also incorrect information. Low AMH means not many egg follicles are in
the process of maturing into an egg. The
solution to a low AMH is to determine why that is and correct it. It could be that testosterone is blocking
follicles from maturing, it could be that there isn’t enough estrogen, it could
be that prolactin is too high, it could be that DHEAs is too high, it could be
that your thyroid is too low and so on. Good
detective work is paramount in fixing fertility problems for anyone and is often
lacking even in those at fertility clinics.
5.
Diet and lifestyle are super
important for PCOS women with high testosterone. The best thing you can do to improve your
fertility is to cut back on your carbohydrate intake, reduce your stress, get
enough sleep and exercise daily. These
all help lower insulin and therefore lower testosterone, which then allows eggs
to mature and get released normally.
Want a bucket list
of PCOS related testing that may help? Visit
http://www.naturopathtoronto.ca/pcos-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome/
and scroll to Tests for PCOS to download a list.
Want some help
conceiving?
Contact a licensed
naturopathic doctor who specializes in PCOS and infertility.
PCOS and Infertility: What to do When Your Body Won’t Mind You!
PCOS and Infertility: What to do When Your Body Won’t Mind You!
Guest Post by: Gretchen Kubacky, Psy.D.
Everyone’s telling you to “just relax and you’ll get
pregnant,” or “take a vacation and it’ll
happen.” Isn’t that a huge pressure,
besides the basic fact that getting pregnant hasn’t proven to be so easy for
you, because you’ve got PCOS? Getting
pregnant can be so frustrating when it involves medical procedures, carefully
timed intercourse, self-tests and monitoring, medication, and the like. The good news is, even when it seems like
your body just won’t do what you want it to do, there are relatively simple and
inexpensive things you can do on your own to support yourself in your fertility
journey.
If you’ve been dealing with infertility for a while, you’ve
likely tried or at least considered some alternative medicine or holistic
health practices that you hope will help you conceive. In my health psychology practice, I always
suggest that people look at the whole range of medical options, from Western
medicine to Eastern medicine and anything in between. Here’s why you should
consider some of the more common approaches to decreasing stress and improving
overall health, which include:
- Acupuncture is an ancient healing art, part of the system of Traditional Oriental Medicine. It has been used successfully for thousands of years to enhance fertility; you may even find that your physician is able to offer you a referral. Acupuncture is nearly painless – in spite of the needles – and works in conjunction with your traditional treatments. Many acupuncturists also offer nutritional support. Most larger communities have at least one acupuncture school, and their student clinics offer carefully supervised sessions for as little as $20/treatment.
- Nutrition – Decreasing or eliminating caffeine, refined sugar, and refined flour will give your body a rest, reduce stress on your digestive system, enhance your immunity, and make your body an optimally healthy place for both you and a baby. If you’re saying “yeah, yeah, yeah, I know all that – and it’s too overwhelming” – start today with a small change, like switching out regular coffee for decaf, or trading in a soda for some iced herbal tea. Your nerves will thank you too. Women with PCOS are much more prone to anxiety and depression, and improving nutrition is an important part of healing your mental health as well as your physical health.
- Yoga - is another traditional dating back thousands of years. Yoga is said to massage and stimulate or “tonify” the internal organs, thereby leading to increased health. The slower-paced forms of yoga, such as hatha yoga, or yin yoga, are relaxing practices. But in my opinion, the best thing about yoga is that it helps you love and accept your body, precisely where it is today – not where you hope it will be. If you’re daunted by those fancy yoga studios, head on over to your nearest YMCA or other gym for some great introductory classes. There are also a number of studies proving that yoga is helpful specifically to women with PCOS!
- Meditation - can be as simple as closing your eyes and focusing on the sound of your own breath for just three to five minutes. It can also be a complex and evolving process, if you choose to expand your practice. Regulating your breathing, clearing your mind, and giving yourself time for introspection are all benefits of meditation. If you want more information, do a search for the terms “meditation” or “the relaxation response.” There are also several great free or low-cost apps you can download that will walk you through meditation. I like Simply Being, Meditation Timer, Insight Timer, Calm, Pacifica, Simple Habit, and Headspace. If you don’t like the first one you try, keep trying – there are a lot of different styles, voices, personalities, and tones.
- Positive Thinking/Mindfulness/Visualization – although these are all distinct techniques, the overlap is that they are conscious ways of re-orienting yourself towards remaining in the present, focusing on what is, and using the power of your mind to create the future – or at least improve your experience of the future. As with meditation, the internet is full of information on these techniques, or you may wish to consult with a mental health clinician who utilizes such techniques in her infertility practice. I’m hopeful that trying meditation, as described above, will serve as the gateway to curiosity about other ways to decrease stress and improve physical and mental well-being.
Optimizing fertility is an activity in which you, the
patient, play a very active role. Of
course your doctor will want to know what other things you’re doing to support
your fertility, but you can start right now to take steps to improve your
overall physical health and state of mind, thereby reducing the stress
actively, instead of just hoping that it will happen “somehow.”
Dr. Gretchen Kubacky is a
health psychologist in private practice in West Los Angeles. She specializes in counseling women and
couples who are coping with infertility, PCOS, and related endocrine
disorders. If you would like to learn
more about Dr. Kubacky or her practice, or obtain referrals in the Los Angeles
area, please visit her website at www.DrGretchenKubacky.com. She has also created a special website
with much more information just for PCOS:
www.PCOSwellness.com. You
can also follow her on Twitter @askdrgretchen.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Teal Eggs for PCOS Basket Contest April 1-14
We are so thrilled to be bringing our community members some awesome prizes for PCOS and Infertility during our #TealEggsforPCOS Campaign this April!!!!
Starting April 1, 2017 to celebrate with Resolve.org #NIAW National Infertility Week we will be hosting a month of events dedicated to PCOS and one of its most prevalent symptoms…. Infertility!
Our #TealEggsforPCOS PCOS Challenge Basket Contest will give those in our community facing PCOS and/or infertility an opportunity to win some greate prizes to offer help, hope and inspiration.
Community members will be asked to make creative Easter Egg Baskets with Teal tied Eggs and messages that offer hope for PCOS Infertility…..
Contest Submissions will be accepted from April 1 – April 14
Contest Rules:
1. Submission must include a photo with teal dyed eggs in an Easter Basket
2.Photo must include inspirational messages for PCOS and Infertility
3.Photo Submissions must include your personal infertility story not to exceed 500 words
4.All submission must be received by @PCOSgurl – Ashley Levinson via Private Message on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook by 8pmEST 4/10/17
5.All contest winners will be determined and announced by PCOS Challenge Monday April 17 on social media
Thanks to our wonderful sponsors, you will have a chance to receive books, services, awareness items, treatments, courses and more…..
Some of our Basket Donations Include:
Essential Oils Mini Course with PCOS Diva – http://www.pcosdiva.com
Spring (May) Jumpstart Program with PCOS Diva – http://www.pcosdiva.com
Planting the Seeds of Pregnancy Book by Dr. Lora Shahine http://www.pnwfertility.com/about-us/dr-lora-shahine
Jamberry
Christine Hansen - Covered By Design https://coveredbydesign.jamberry.com
https://www.jamberry.com/us/en/shop/marketplace/coveredbydesign?pageSize=24
Ovasitol Gift Packs from Theralogix - http://www.theralogix.com/
PCOS Paracord Bracelets from Jesus and Alisha Contreras Cysters and Their Misters - https://www.facebook.com/groups/487000444775555/
8 Steps to Revers your PCOS Book by Dr. Fiona McCullough – http://drfionand.com
Period Repair Manual by Dr. Lara Briden - http://www.larabriden.com/
Nutritional Counseling Session with Martha McKittrick - http://citygirlbites.com/
Conceivable Coaching with Misty Reed - http://conceivablecoach.com/
PCOS Workbook by Angela Grassi PCOS Nutrition Center http://www.pcosnutrition.com/
PCOS Cookbook by Angela Grassi PCOS Nutrtion Center http://www.pcosnutrition.com/
Two private phone consultations with Dr. Gretchen Kubacy - http://drgretchenkubacky.com/
PCOS T-shirts and Tanks from PCOS Support Girl Shelby - https://teespring.com/stores/pcos-positivity-es
Love and Infertility Book and CD by Kristen Darcy - http://www.kristendarcy.com/
Counseling Session with Dr. Pamela Frank - http://www.naturopathtoronto.ca/
Tree of Life Oil Diffuser Necklace with Essential Oils from @PCOSgurl
PCOS Awareness Bracelets
Flame Stag Creations https://www.etsy.com/shop/FlamingStagStudios?ref=hdr_shop_menu
If you are an independent distributor or have PCOS or fertility products you feel may offer hope help or inspiration to our community members and would like to be a sponsor please message me....
#TealEggsforPCOS #Infertility and #PCOS Campaign Chat Series
This April join in as we bring awareness to #Infertility for #PCOS
#Infertility affects 40% of women with #PCOS.
Approximately 90%–95% of anovulatory women presenting to infertility clinics have PCOS.
#PCOS is believed to be responsible for as much as 70% of #infertility issues in women!
For many, treating #Infertility with PCOS may be limiting , due to cost of treatments, misdiagnosis, undiagnosed or hormonal issues which need intervention from a specialist.
We are thrilled to partner with
RESOLVE - http://www.resolve.org/
The National Infertility Association
to bring more information and awareness to infertility and PCOS...
Visit our event page:
https://www.facebook.com/TealEggsforPCOS/
#TealEggsforPCOS CHAT SERIES
April 17
2PM EST
Lunchtime Live with Dr. Shahine
Planting seeds to Pregnancy
Twitter Live
Dr. Lora Shahine http://www.pnwfertility.com/
April 18
7PM EST
Preparing your Hormones
Lara Briden, ND
Goggle Hangouts Live
Lara Briden, ND
http://www.larabriden.com/
April 19
12PM EST
Lunchtime Live with Misty
Alternatve approaches to
PCOS & Imfertility
Twitter Live Chat
Misty M. Reed, L. Ac.
http://www.conceivablecoach.com
April 21
7PM EST
411 #PCOS & #Infertility
INSTAGRAM LIVE
Ashley Levinson - @PCOSgurl
https://www.facebook.com/PCOSgurl/
April 22
12PM EST
Lunchtime Live with Shelby
A journey of PCOS & overcoming Infertility
Instagram Live
PCOS Support Girl - Shelby http://coachshelby.com/pcos-support-girl-meet-surviving-shelby/
April 23
7PM EST
Infertility Talk Live
GOOGLE HANGOUTS
Kristen Darcy
http://www.kristendarcy.com/
April 24
7:30PM EST
Nutrition for PCOS
FACEBOOK LIVE
Martha McKittrick, RD, CDE
http://marthamckittricknutrition.com
April 25
12PM EST
InfertilTY & PCOS
FACEBOOK LIVE
Dr. Mark Perloe
http://www.ivf.com
April 26
6PM EST
The psychology of PCOS
FACEBOOK LIVE
Gretchen Kubacy, Psy.D.
http://drgretchenkubacky.com/
April 27
TIME: TBA
Options for PCOS
FACEBOOK LIVE
Dr. Fiona McCullough, ND
http://drfionand.com/
April 28
12PM EST
Nutrition for PCOS & Infertility
FACEBOOK LIVE
Angela Grassi, MS, RDN, LDN
PCOS Nutrition Center
http://www.pcosnutrition.com/
April 29
9AM EST
Natural Approaches PCOS & Infertility
FACEBOOK LIVE
Dr. Pamela Frank, ND
http://forcesofnature.ca/
MORE WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY
#TealEggsforPCOS BLOGS AND VLOGS
PCOS Support Girl
An intimate journey with PCOS
VLOG
Dr. Pamela Frank
PCOS and Infertility
BLOG
Dr. Gretchen Kubacy
The Psychology of PCOS
BLOG
Dr. Kristin Bendikson
PCOS and infertility
VLOG
Dr. Kristin Bendikson - USCFertility
http://uscfertility.org/
Couples Q n A with Ali and Jesus
Cysters and Their Misters
BLOG
Martha McKittrick, RD
Nutrition for Infertility & PCOS
BLOG
Angela Grassi
PCOS Nutrition Center
BLOG
CONTESTS!!!!!
We are teaming up with
PCOS Challenge
http://www.pcoschallenge.org
to bring FABULOUS prizes to those who are struggling to start a family...
Our Community members will submit their teal dyed Easter Eggs in a basket photos along with a story about their struggle with Infertility due to PCOS...
CONTEST SUBMISSIONS: April 1- 13
KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR
CONTEST RULES
Prizes will include books, products, treatments, counseling, fitness items, nutritional items, womens health items and PCOS inspired items....
Winners will be announced April 19, 2017
Options for Treating PCOS Infertility
#TealEggsforPCOS
The infertility rate with polycystic ovaries #PCOS is very high. Women with PCOS usually will have difficulty getting pregnant and usually require treatment to improve chances for pregnancy
In most cases, fertility problems in women with PCOS result from the absence of ovulation (anovulation),
Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, changing nutrition and exercise regimens, supplements, can trigger body changes that facilitate conception in women with #PCOS
However, some may require a more targeted approach when #TTC requiring specialists and specialized treatments....
If you have PCOS-related infertility, your health care provider may prescribe one of the following medications to help you get pregnant:
Clomiphene
(pronounced KLOM-uh-feen),
or clomiphene citrate
This is the most common treatment for infertility in women with PCOS.1 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that clomiphene should be the primary medication for PCOS patients with infertility.
Clomiphene indirectly causes eggs to mature and be released.
Women treated with clomiphene are more likely to have twins or triplets than women who get pregnant naturally. One in 10 women who conceive with the aid of clomiphene will have a multiple pregnancy, most commonly twins.
Metformin (pronounced met-FAWR-min)
Although this insulin-sensitizing drug is normally used to treat diabetes, it may also be used as an adjunct to increase or regulate ovulation in women with PCOS.
Metformin can be used alone8 or used with clomiphene when clomiphene alone is not successful.
Evidence shows that metformin—both alone and in combination with clomiphene—increases ovulation, but it does not increase the rate of pregnancy.9
Metformin is not approved by the FDA for treating PCOS-related infertility.
Letrozole
(pronounced LET-roh-zohl)
This drug transiently slows estrogen production and causes the body to make more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a hormone needed for ovulation.
Letrozole is as effective as clomiphene in causing ovulation,11 but it is still not known whether it improves pregnancy and live-birth rates.
The NICHD currently is doing studies to compare the safety and effectiveness of letrozole with clomiphene for treating infertility related to PCOS.
Studies of letrozole in animals have shown that it causes birth defects if used during pregnancy, but there have been no studies of this drug in pregnant women.
If you do not get pregnant with these first-line medications, your health care provider may suggest one of the following treatments
Gonadotropins
(pronounced goh-nad-uh-TROH-pins)
These hormones, given as shots, cause ovulation.
This treatment is costly and has a higher risk of multiple pregnancies than does treatment with clomiphene.
Your health care provider may need to use frequent laboratory tests and ultrasound exams to watch how your body responds to this treatment.
Ovarian drilling
This surgery may increase the chance of ovulation and may be considered if lifestyle changes and medications have been used without success.
In ovarian drilling the surgeon makes a small cut in your abdomen and inserts a long, thin tool called a laparoscope (pronounced LAP-er-uh-skohp). The surgeon then uses a needle with electric current to puncture and destroy a small part of the ovary. The surgery leads to lower androgen levels, which may improve ovulation.
This surgery may be less costly than treatment with gonadotropin,14 and it does not seem to increase the risk of multiple pregnancies. However, it does carry the risk of scarring the ovaries.
This treatment is not recommended by all professional societies. It is unclear whether the process is more effective than medications for treating PCOS infertility.
If you do not get pregnant with the treatments listed above, your health care provider may suggest in vitro fertilization, or IVF. In this procedure, sperm and an egg are placed in a dish outside the body, in which fertilization occurs. Then a doctor places the fertilized egg into the uterus. IVF may offer women with PCOS the best chance of getting pregnant, and it may give health care providers better control over the risk of multiple births. But it can be expensive and may not be covered by health care insurance.
There are many options to help women with #PCOS ..... It is not impossible it's just sometimes finding the right combination that works for you and your body....
Join us through April for #NIAW and our #TealEggsforPCOS event to raise more awareness for #PCOS and #Infertility
With live chats with experts, blogs, vlogs and contests tgat provide products, treatments, inspiration and services for women with PCOS who are trying to conceive
https://www.facebook.com/TealEggsforPCOS/
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