Digestive Bugs; a Hidden Cause of Infertility in Women

It's exciting to share a new hidden link to unexplained fertility challenges in women and the great news is, there is herbal and nutritional support that WILL make a difference.

Although I have previously discussed digestive flora before from it's influence on serotonin and ovulation, new findings directly link it to poor glycaemic control and unexplained infertility – and after 16 years of practice, it really makes so much sense!

Recent research has shown that digestive health, plays a significant role in both obesity and diabetes, primarily due to a deficiency in a protein called toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5), a regulator of digestive flora in our gastro intestinal tract. This allows harmful bacteria to multiply and taking probiotics can actually make it worse!

In short, a TLR5 deficiency changes your metabolism and this change has a direct influence on hormonal balance, egg quality, ovulation and implantation. Without addressing this influence, the chances of conceiving and maintaining a healthy pregnancy are low.

This influence is increased if you have Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder or Ovarian Cysts.

The reason being, the food you eat is absorbed at a faster caloric rate than it is meant to. This triggers hormones associated with glycaemic control such as insulin and also changes the way you uptake and utilize your thyroid hormones - both of these hormones are linked to infertility.

This means, if you have unhealthy digestive flora and a 'gut bug', although you eat healthy, you may extract more calories from your foods, even if they are 'healthy', gain more weight and experience symptoms of infertility such as irregular ovulation, poor implantation or recurrent miscarriage.

This is why you may be doing everything right, but still struggle to conceive.

Top three causes of toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) deficiencies

• Gram negative digestive bacteria
• Chronic infections
• Genetics
• Chronic stress
• Antibiotic use

Symptoms 

• Infertility 
• Cravings and increased appetite
• Unexplained weight gain & stubborn fat around the middle 
• Bloating, digestive disturbances
• Unexplained high cholesterol
• Unexplained high blood pressure 
• Unexplained fatigue
• Unexplained pain and inflammation
• Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder

Test results may show

1. Elevated CRP
2. Digestive dysbiosis or inflammatory bowel conditions
3. Elevated Free Fatty Acids
4. Auto immune markers
5. Poor glycaemic control
6. Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder or Cysts
7. Hormonal changes not supportive of fertility

3 Easy Steps to Stopping This Cycle Today
1. Don’t wait. I can guarantee you, it won’t 'fix' itself, it will only get worse.
2. You MUST reduce bacterial levels and restore balance
3. You MUST restore glycaemic control and improve insulin sensitivity

To Join or Not To Join?

Deciding to make the change is often one of the hardest steps, simply because making change takes energy. You may even be exhausted from trying to find solutions!  There are so many reasons why you may need help to get your body baby ready. But with the right expert advice, you can make a difference, starting today.

Making a change is easy. Just join my $149 program at
http://www.bumpfertility.com.au/f_form.php and let me know if you are on
board and ready to go so I can coach you along the way.

If you would like further information or for me to call you, please email me at info@bumpfertility.com.au
Warmest regards,

Narelle Stegehuis
MHSc. Naturopath. Medical Herbalist.

Tel. 1300 133 536 or www.bumpfertility.com.au

The Truth About Premature Ovarian Failure & Fertility

Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) or primary ovarian insufficiency, affects  approximately 1 in 3 Australian women.  It is a symptom that describes a stop in the normal functioning of the ovaries in a woman younger than age 40 and is a leading cause of infertility. Although medical treatment to reverse POF is limited, identification and reversal of the underlying cause with  medicinal herbs and orthomolecular therapy, can improve a woman’s ability to have a baby naturally.

What are the symptoms of premature ovarian failure?

The most common symptom of premature ovarian failure is skipping or having irregular periods.  

Some women with premature ovarian failure also have other symptoms, similar to those of women going through natural menopause.   

What causes premature ovarian failure?

Firstly, POF is different to premature menopause.  Researchers know that in women with ovarian failure something happens to stop the normal functioning of the ovaries; but in most cases, the exact cause is not identified.

This is why it is important to not just treat the symptom, but address the cause.   The factors that cause POF are multidimensional and complex.  Although most research focuses on a problem with the follicles in the ovaries, identifying and reversing the underlying cause is the key to improved fertility.

Getting to the cause takes time, expertise and an individual approach. 

Although there is no proven medical treatment to improve a premature ovarian failure, many women have successfully turned their fertility odds around.  The best way to improve your fertility with POF is to take a different approach.  

This Was The Case in Tracey's Fertility Journey. Read Her Story.  

To fall pregnant with POF, you need to look beyond the boundaries of a general 'symptom based' simplistic consultation and reverse the cause.

At BumpFertility we apply segmentation based, multilayered, diagnostic techniques, that combine over 14 years of experience with modern research and technology. We then support your body’s natural balance by using medicinal herbs, orthomolecular therapy and diet.

Together, these elements provide a solid platform to redefine your health and help you to fall pregnant faster.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative endocrinology and fertility, with over 14 years clinical experience.  She is both an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor for the Complementary Health Care Council.  A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles.  She can be contacted at  www.bumpfertility.com.au

Discover Your NEW Fertility Path

Fertility profiling and conception mapping are the first steps towards falling pregnant and maintaining a healthy pregnancy, as Kathryn*, 42 years of Melbourne discovered.

Kathryn’s Story

After I started my new job, my health changed.  For starters, I always felt bloated and my periods had become painful.  To top it off, a family trauma left my immune system so low that I was constantly run down.  In spite of several courses of antibiotics, I just couldn’t get well again and now I was suffering from thrush!

It was when my periods stopped that I knew I was really unhealthy and that my chances of conceiving were low. 

Over the next 12 months we tried to conceive naturally, with no luck and my symptoms worsened; (weight gain, poor immunity, bloating) and I was also constantly fatigued.  I was no longer ovulating so I had a scan.  Although I had ovarian cysts, I didn’t have enough to be diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder.  At least I had an explanation, but with no answer, I was rapidly giving up hope. 

There had to be a reason why I could not fall pregnant and was so unwell –  I knew I had to find it. I had tried Chaste Tree, Evening Primrose Oil and Acupuncture and although they were helping a little, I felt they were not enough. 

We tried IVF but could not achieve a healthy implantation.  I cried for days when I was told that our chances of conceiving were slim.  But I just could not give up hope.

Narelle’s Comments

Kathryn’s story is a perfect example of how important fertility profiling and conception mapping is.  We see all too often the effects of ‘blanket treatments’ that treat the symptom rather than the cause. It is important to remember that to restore fertility and long term health, you need to identify the initial cause and this takes time and expertise.  Investing time into getting to the ‘root’ cause of Kathryn’s health challenges is what made the difference.  This is what Kathryn’s ‘conception’ map looked like:

After chatting to Kathryn, I established her fertility profile and a conception map that was not only going to restore ovulation and implantation, but also improve egg quality.  These three factors, combined would not only improve her fertility, but also her energy and overall health.   

Kathryn’s  treatment strategy included a personalized tonic using traditional medicinal herbs such Golden Seal and Gentian to restore  digestive infection and Withania combined with Albizzia and Rehmannia to restore adrenal health, lower inflammation and improve immunity.  Other herbs such as Paeonia, Angelica and Pasque flower were included throughout her treatment  to support hormonal balance and improve glucose control. 

Targeted dietary changes to support fertility health according to her personalized profile including limiting broccoli and eating more blueberries were provided in an easy to understand format, that fitted well with Kathryn’s busy life. 

Personalized orthomolecular therapy and nutritional therapy, formed part of Kathryn’s long term plan.  These changes, combined with gentle detoxification techniques; gently guided her fertility health to new levels.  Her new conception plan was a must for overcoming her symptoms of period pain, fatigue, bloating, lowered immunity, hormonal imbalance, weight gain and unexplained infertility.

Outcome:

Today, Kathryn has restored energy levels and is no longer bloated.  Her immune system is healthy and she has lost weight.  She feels healthy again and has conceived naturally.

Discover your conception map.  Start by completing your Assessment online at: www.bumpfertility.com.au/f_form.php

Trans Fatts Linked to Infertility and Endometriosis

Women who eat lots of tuna, salmon and other foods rich in essential omega-3 oils might be less likely to develop endometriosis than those whose diets are loaded with trans fats, US researchers have reported. Read more ...

Heavy Metals, Toxins and Fertility

Do you know if your body is baby ready? Finding out is so important, especially when you consider the impact heavy metals and toxins can have upon your fertility.

This is because heavy metals directly impact your chances of conceiving, and recent research indicates that they can slow down your chances of falling pregnant faster by up to 30%.

So, what are heavy metals?

Metallic elements such as zinc and copper, are heavy metals, however our bodies need these in small amounts. The problem is though, even these can be dangerous at high levels.

The challenge is, due to the industrial growth of our world today we now have a much higher exposure to heavy metals than ever before and they are having devastating affects on health and fertility.

For example, the United States EPA conducted a study that found that women with levels of lead, cadmium and mercury in their blood and follicular fluid who were undergoing IVF treatment had a lower level of conception while on the program.

The Importance Of Removing Heavy Metals To Make Pregnancy Possible

Heavy metals can also act as hormone disruptors, triggering conditions such as Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder, Endometriosis and irregular ovulation - all common causes of lowered fertility in women.

Heavy metal accumulation can also interfere with mineral absorption which can lead to a deficiency of key minerals that are important for a healthy conception and pregnancy. Heavy metal exposure has been linked to repeated miscarriages through having a negative impact on hormonal balance. There are also strong links between heavy metal exposure and childhood problems such as delayed mental development , behavioural issues and autism.

A study was conducted by the Environmental working group on newborn babies that found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in their umbilical cords. A frightening fact when you consider the links between heavy metal exposure and childhood disorders.

If you have been TTC for a period of time with no results, I highly recommend a full fertility profile to identify hidden causes of why falling pregnant may be so challenging.

For more information visit www.bumpfertility.com.au or call 1300 133 536 for more information

Best in health,

Narelle Stegehuis ND

Fertiltiy Diet - What Foods Make You Fall Pregnant Faster

Dietary choices have a direct impact on your reproductive health and subsequently on your fertility. The type of fat you incorporate in your diet may be a risk factor for disorders such as Endometriosis, Fibroids, PCOS and Fibroids and all of these conditions lower your fertility.

A diet rich in tuna, salmon and other foods rich in essential omega -3 oils might mean you will be less likely to develop female reproductive disorders. US researchers have reported there is a strong link between diets loaded with trans fats, and female reproductive disorders such as Endometriosis, Fibroids and PCOS.

Is Your Diet Triggering Hormonal Imbalances that lower your fertility? Find out now with my FREE online test.

So what are Trans Fats?

Trans fats are formed when liquid fats are hardened to make something more resembling butter or lard and found in common everyday foods such as processed breakfast cereals and pre-packaged foods.

The type of fat in your diet, rather than the total amount, may be a risk factor for female reproductive disorders according to researchers in a study published online in the journal Human Reproduction.

Within this study of more than 70,000 nurses it was found that women who ate the most omega-3 fatty acids were 22 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with female reproductive disorders such as endometriosis than women who ate the least.

According to Dr. Stacey Missmer of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston who led the study, trans fats increase the body's level of many inflammatory markers. These inflammatory markers have been shown to be associated with the establishment of endometriosis and its progression. Dr Missmer also found that there is a likely increase in risk because of a chronic inflammatory response to the trans fat.

The researchers looked at the diets of 70,709 women followed for 12 years in the US Nurses Health Study. Women who ate the most trans fats had a 48 per cent increased risk of the condition compared with those who ate the least, the study found. Similar studies have been linked to PCOS and Fibroids.

"Many women have been searching for something they can actually do for themselves, or their daughters to reduce the risk of developing the disease, and these findings suggest that dietary changes are something they can do," says Missmer.

Find Out What You Dietary Changes You Can Make To Improve Your Fertility by Clicking Here.