Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

by Tanya Keam | Jan 31, 2024 | Acupuncture, chinese herbal medicine, Chinese medicine, Client information, Fertility, Gynaecological, Menstrual cycle, PCOS, Period pain, PMS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, pregnancy, Self care, Sunshine coast

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Name: Tanya Keam Wellness - Acupuncture & Holistic Health
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal problem that happens during the reproductive years. If you have PCOS, you may not have periods very often or your cycle is rarely a monthly cycle. Or you may have periods that last many days (1).

PCOS is classed as a hormonal and metabolic health imbalance affecting approximately 1 in 10 women. The male hormones androgens are higher in women with PCOS, as well as problems with insulin. Insulin is a peptide hormone secreted by cells of the pancreas to help maintain normal blood glucose levels, regulating carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism and promoting cell division and growth through its mitogenic effects (2). When insulin becomes resistant, that’s when disharmony with weight and hormonal changes can occur in women, thus having an impact on their reproduction.

What are the symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian syndrome?

Irregular or no periods
Excessive hair growth on the face or body
Hair loss
Skin conditions such as acne or excessive skin tags
Difficulty falling pregnant due to irregular ovulation
Difficulty losing weight and/or weight around the waist
Mood changes and/or specifically anxiety or depression

Possible causes for Polycystic Ovarian syndrome

Genetics may play a role in PCOS, with up to a third of women having a female relative with PCOS or similar without being diagnosed. However lifestyle, diet and environmental factors show to be contributing factors also.

It is important to note that females can experience irregular periods without any of the other above symptoms. This is classed as polcystic ovaries (PCO); when you have multiple “cysts” on the ovaries. They aren’t actually cysts, they’re eggs that haven’t developed properly. It might occur after hormonal conceptive use in the reproductive years that confuse the body, and/or lifestyle or environmental factors. Insulin and weight are usually not of concern with PCO. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), describes the interaction between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are located just above the brainstem, while the adrenal glands are found on top of the kidneys (3). The HPA can receive the wrong signals resulting in eggs that haven’t developed properly (cysts), thus causing lack of ovulation and periods (4). Distinguishing between PCOS and PCO is important.

What can help Polycystic Ovarian syndrome?

PCOS treatment is mainly focussed on symptom management by reducing additional metabolic risk factors like heart disease and diabetes. Other ways can include:

Regular exercise – managing potential weight gain and maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system
Dietary changes – as PCOS has a somewhat inflammatory component, reducing inflammation via appropriate foods (a Mediterranean diet). Moderating carbohydrate intake in a similar way to balancing diabetes (insulin imbalances). Minimising exposure to foods that contain hormones that have been purposefully added to increase production – animal products usually.
Acupuncture – can help with pain associated with PCOS and help regulate the nervous system which in turn has an impact on hormones
Managing stress – stress impacts any health condition. Learning to manage life’s stressors is vital for general health and well being. Low stress also equals low cortisol release (the stress hormone). High cortisol leads to weight gain thus impacting the metabolic pathways exasperating PCOS
Reducing exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals – did you know that IVF clinics do not allow perfumes/deodorants into their clinics as research has found that they can disrupt the endocrine system. In the armpit for example, products get directly absorbed into the lymphatic system. Going as natural as possible with skin care, body products and cleaning products will surely benefit

What does research say about Chinese medicine and Acupuncture for PCOS?

A study done in 2018 on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, obesity, lipid metabolism disorders, and major depression was recorded as common symptoms for PCOS enrolled patients. Multiple common Chinese herbal formulas were included in the study based on the patients symptoms such as period pain, abdominal pain, constipation and uterine contractions.

The present findings revealed that patients with PCOS had a relatively high tendency to consult TCM practitioners (89.22%) due to Western medicine not having a treatment protocol directly. Among these prescription chinese herbal medicines (CHM) trialled showed hepatoprotective effects, as well as beneficial effects in treatment of hyperglycemia, insulin intolerance, dyslipidemia, and anovulation. These findings indicate that Chinese herbal medicine might serve as a potentially effective therapeutic option for PCOS (5).

Another study showed that following transfer of fresh or frozen-thawed embryos available from the same stimulated IVF cycle, 47 patients got clinical pregnant and 43 of them achieved live birth with the use of CHM. Among which, 32 patients achieved term delivery in the CHM group. In the non-CHM group, 27 patients got clinical pregnant and 22 of them achieved live birth, among which, 14 patients achieved term delivery (6).

The NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in PCOS undertaken at the Sydney Western University, has already completed a systematic review, and a qualitative study on acupuncture for weight loss in PCOS, with feasibility testing now in sight for a clinical trial. The clinical trial will explore the role of traditional acupuncture as an adjunct to lifestyle interventions for weight loss in PCOS. “Weight loss improves many of the features of PCOS and can reduce the burden of chronic disease from diabetes and heart disease.” (7).

Tanya Keam is an integrative Chinese medicine Doctor and registered Acupuncturist in Nambour in the beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterland in Queensland, Australia. If you’re experiencing the above symptoms or interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture treatment specifically for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or Polycystic ovaries, please reach out to see if Acupuncture, herbal medicine and lifestyle guidance might support your gynaecological health.

You can see Tanya’s training here, call us here, or book online here.

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439
Wilcox. G. 2005. Insulin and Insulin resistance. National Library of medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1204764/
Chrousos GP. Stress and disorders of the stress system. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2009 Jul;5(7):374-81. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2009.106. Epub 2009 Jun 2. PMID: 19488073. https://neuroscientificallychallenged.com/posts/what-is-the-hpa-axis
Chrousos GP. Stress and disorders of the stress system. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2009 Jul;5(7):374-81. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2009.106. Epub 2009 Jun 2. PMID: 19488073. https://neuroscientificallychallenged.com/posts/what-is-the-hpa-axis
Liao, Wan-ting, Chiang. Jen-huai, Li Chia-lung, Lee Ling-Tsung, Su Cheng-chiung, Yen Hung-rong. 2018 J Clin Med. 2018 Jul; 7(7): 179. Journal of Clinical Medicine. Investigation on the Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Nationwide Prescription Database in Taiwan. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6069244/
6. P, Xiaoming. Gu, Yinger. Z Xian. W, Fangfang. S, Biwei. C, Long. W, fangfang. Q, fan. Integrative Medicine research Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2022, 1007752022. Chinese herbal medicine (Bu-Shen-Tian-Jing Formula) for outcomes of IVF in Chinese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A retrospective cohort study. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422021000627
NICM Health Research Institute: https://westernsydney.edu.au/nicmhri/news/trial_to_explore_acupuncture_for_weight_loss_in_pcos

Chinese Medicine helps balance hormones

by Tanya Keam | Jun 4, 2018 | Acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Client information, Daily Rituals, DIY Wellness Tips, Fertility, fertility acupuncture, Food, Hormones, Menstrual cycle, Nambour, pregnancy, Sunshine coast, Wellness, Womens health

Chinese Medicine helps balance hormones with simple nutrition changes. Let’s look at the cultural differences first.

Many Western women treat their menstrual cycle as biological pre-determined:

* Painful or not

* Long or short

* Regular or irregular

* Clear skin or break outs

Many women stay on the contraceptive pill for 15+ years “for reasons such as clearer skin and fewer headaches”, when they haven’t had a proper period since they were teenagers. Remember the contraceptive pill only mimics a period, any bleeding that occurs is due to withdrawal of the pill. Thus, menstrual cycles and having a baby are treated like it’s all an act of fate, that their cycles will automatically regulate post pill – when the contraceptive pill actually turns off ovulation.

While in Eastern cultures, women believe that it is imperative that they take certain care to look after their cycles throughout their entire life.

What does this mean?

Firstly, there are genetic pre-dispositions that we all face with our health, but that doesn’t mean we have to go down the same path as our ancestors. I once heard a quote “Our genes load the gun, but our environment is what pulls this trigger”. In other words our daily life habits and individual environments are important to change these patterns to prevent illness and maintain wellness.

In the east, women live by a rule that it is very important to not eat cold foods during one’s period and to rest for a month after giving birth. Why so?

Chinese medicine helps balances hormones by looking at 4 concepts – hot, cold, excess and deficient. As an example, ‘excess’ means too much, while ‘deficient’ means too little. These concepts describe basic pathological states that are to be addressed in treating gynaecological health. An excess pattern can be seen as Endometrial fibroids inside the pelvic cavity (otherwise known as a blockage), while a deficient pattern can be seen as a very light or no period present at all. In relation to temperatures, the hot and cold nature of food is distinctive from the physical temperature of food, yet both states mutually reinforce each other.

Consuming cold foods during your cycle

Chinese medicine helps balance hormones by recommending to not consume cold foods just before or during the menstrual cycle. The reason is that ‘cold’ has the property of contracting and constricting, while ‘warmth’ is more moving and flowing. The key to healthy, manageable and pain free cycles is to maintain the proper flow of discharge of menstrual blood on a regular monthly basis. This includes the quality of the menstrual blood – not too dark and clotted or too little and light coloured.

Many women visit the clinic and say “My period is always quite painful and I feel like I can’t quite function for a couple of days but it’s just my normal”. Just because this is the way you have always felt in your cycle, does not mean it is okay or healthy. There are better ways so let’s keep reading …

Cold foods and bodily exposure to cold temperatures just before or during menstruation can cause painful cramps and in certain situations lead to ongoing gynaecological issues. Swimming on your period is a big NO NO in Chinese medicine – you guess it.. Cold! While you are menstruating, the cervix is more open, leading the cooler temperature of the water to lodge inside your pelvic cavity. The advancement of tampons made life a little easier for women, but if you can miss a swim on day 1-3 of your cycle, your health will thank you for it.

I have found that in my clinical practice that almost all of my patients with digestive complaints in one form or another have come to understand this basic understanding of temperatures and how Chinese medicine helps balance hormones this way. For these patients, physically cold foods such as salads or too many smoothies with ice and raw fruit, will exacerbate their digestive complaints and therefore upset the natural rhythms of their cycles. Even symptoms such as bloating can be resolved by reducing cold foods and drinking room temperature water.

Some women can object and say they can eat a very cold diet of raw vegetables, drink ice water and swim to their hearts content and have pain free, non-clotted, easy flowing periods! Yes, some women don’t seem to be as vulnerable as others, but that doesn’t validate the principles in general. These women may experience ‘contracting and constriction’ in other areas of their health, such as tension headaches, acne, breast tenderness, mood swings and pain elsewhere in the body.

To learn more about the specific nature of how food is determined cold, neutral or hot, or to learn more about how Chinese medicine help balances hormones with acupuncture and herbal medicine, then get in touch.You can contact me or you can now book online.

Hi, I’m Tanya, an Acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia. I practice Chinese medicine because its safe, logical, relevant and has effectively shown methods of natural wellness for thousands of years (read more about my training here). Life doesn’t need to be complicated and nor does the treatment approaches to get people feeling vibrant and well. I’ve seen people gain a lot from treatments, much more than just alleviating symptoms. It’s exciting to connect with people and share deep wisdom from the classics of ancient and traditional medicine, with modern protocols for todays mind-body living. See you in the clinic !

Research:

C Batres, A Porcheron,G Kaminski et al. Evidence that the Hormonal Contraceptive Pill is Associated with Cosmetic Habits, Frontier in Psychology, 2018; 9: 1459.

Yin nourishing foods

by Tanya Keam | Mar 22, 2017 | Acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Client information, Daily Rituals, Deficiency, DIY Wellness Tips, Emotions, Fertility, fertility acupuncture, Food, Herbal remedies, Hormones, Menstrual cycle, Mental health, Nambour, Nourishing, Nutrition, pregnancy, Stress, Sunshine coast, Wellness, Womens health, Yin

Have you heard of Yin and Yang?

In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang describe how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. Many tangible dualities (such as light and dark, fire and water, expanding and contracting) are thought of as physical manifestations of the duality symbolized by yin and yang.

Yin qualities include:

Darkness, moon, feminine, shade, quiet, inward

Yang qualities include:

Light, sun, masculine, brightness, loud, outward

Example include:

Night (yin) and day (yang)

Yoga exercise (yin) and boxing exercise (yang)

Yin represents the energy that is responsible for moistening and cooling bodily functions. When this energy is depleted your body begins to show signs of “heating up”. This is not a true heat such as a fever, but rather a lack of the moistening and cooling functions that are necessary to maintain a healthy balance.

Women are more yin, while men are more yang – for example yin is all of the fluids in the body for women (breast milk, menstruation, vaginal discharge/lubricant) – men don’t have this. Men do have some yin qualities, as well as women having some yang qualities.

This post is focused on yin foods, thus nourishing the body and rebalancing conditions. These can include dry skin, menopausal hot flushes, tendon and ligament tightness or flaccidity, vaginal dryness, lack of breast milk production, low libido, insomnia, feeling low, scanty menstruation, hot hands and feet, constipation, dull headaches or anxiety.

Why is your yin imbalanced? Well, lots of reasons – genetics, age, stress on the body, trauma, blood loss, excess sexual activity, recreational drug use, too many yang hot foods, poor diet and lifestyle to name a few.

Nutrition is a simple way to balance yin and yang. Yin foods are cool and expanding; Yang foods are warm and contracting. Think of a shell of iceberg lettuce (Yin), and now a chunk of beef steak (Yang), and you will instantly recognise this meaning.

Foods to nourish Yin include:

Grains: barley, millet
Vegetables: alfalfa sprout, artichoke, asparagus, kelp, mung bean sprout, pea, potato,seaweed,string bean, sweet potato, tomato, water chestnut, yam, zucchini
Fruit: apple, apricot, avocado, banana, lemon, lime, mango, mulberry, pear, persimmon, pineapple, pomegranate, watermelon
Beans: adzuki, black beans, black soya, kidney, lima, mung
Bean Products: tofu
Nuts and seeds: coconut milk, sesame seed, black sesame seed, walnut
Fish: fish in general but especially clam, fresh water clam, crab, cuttlefish, oyster, octopus, sardine
Meat: beef, duck, goose, pork, pork kidney, rabbit
Dairy: cheese, chicken egg, cow’s milk, duck egg
Herbs and spices: marjoram, nettle
Oils and condiments: honey, malt,

Common supplements: Ginseng, royal jelly

Examples of every day foods that can be used to build yin, include:

Fruit smoothies with honey and banana or a fruit salad
Fish dishes with coconut milk
Omelettes with cheese
Asparagus and egg salads with sesame seeds
Tacos made with Kidney beans and topped with a small amount of cheese
Baked Potato stuffed with tofu with soya sauce and sesame seeds.
Pork and apple dishes
Miso soup with tofu and seaweed

Foods to avoid:

Stimulating foods such as the following will only further deplete yin: caffeine, alcohol, sugar and strongly heating, pungent spices.

Note: Like yin tonifying herbs, yin building foods have a tendency to congest the digestive organs and promote stagnation if large amounts are consumed. It is therefore important to consume small quantities frequently rather than large helpings irregularly. Such as a large portion if a fish coconut curry late at night is not ideal as it will sit in your stomach, stagnate and not digest properly before bed. Thus a small portion between 5-6pm is more ideal as there is more time before you go to bed to digest it.

Also, It’s not to say that yang foods you already consume such as roast chicken, other types of fish, coffee, tea, black pepper etc are to be completely avoided. Remember yin and yang balance each other out, are contrary forces that are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent of each other.

Other yin tips: meditate; eat more fresh fruit and salads; drink more water, teas and juices; wear pastel colors; wear loose, flowing clothes; stretch; get out into nature; listen to relaxing music; light candles at night.

Take care of you, see you in the clinic,

TK xx

Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.

Temperature charting for women

by Tanya Keam | Mar 3, 2015 | Acupuncture, Buderim, Chinese medicine, Client information, DIY Wellness Tips, Emotions, Fertility, fertility acupuncture, Gynaecological, Hormones, Menstrual cycle, Mental health, Nourishing, pregnancy, Stress, Sunshine coast, Womens health

What does BBT mean?

BBT stands for basal body temperature. It is your lowest body temperature in a 24-hour period.

Why do you map your BBT?

I asked clients to map their BBT if their treatment involves regulating their menstrual cycle, managing hormonal imbalance and for fertility. It is such a useful tool to understand many aspects of them as an individual woman and allows me to pin point specific imbalances. Most unexplained infertility cases are actually not infertile at all, but are actually subfertile. Through looking at charts as well as lab results and symptoms, the cause can often be found. Charting can be an excellent tool for diagnostics, especially in cases of unexplained infertility and is also a great way for woman to be self aware and gain understanding for what is going on in their bodies.

How to record your BBT

Take your temperature (with a thermometer orally or vaginally) upon waking and record it on a simple chart. This means before you get up and do your morning rituals. Your temperature can slightly increase once you are up and about getting breakfast ready, chasing kids around, exercise etc. Try to take your temperature at the same time each day or your reading may not be accurate. If the time varies, please make a note of this, as well as any illness or life changes (cold/flu, stomach bug, migraine, unsettled sleep, a sudden increase in stress etc). I always suggest to keep your thermometer by your bedside table so its always handy.

Your menstrual cycle

A women’s menstrual cycle is approximately 28-32 days. Day 1 of your period is day 1 of your cycle.

The first phase (follicular phase) is the phase in which the follicles develop. Typically we see that this level is low and steady, where Estrogen is the dominant hormone during this phase.

Around mid cycle (day 14), you may or may not see a slight dip in temperature, followed by a strong rise in temperature of approximately 0.3- 1 degree. The day before the temperature rises is the day you ovulate.

Ovulation is when you are most fertile.

The second phase (luteal phase) is the phase in which the egg travels down the fallopian tube and the process of fertilisation or implantation may occur. Typically we like to see that this phase is high and steady. Progesterone is the hormone which keeps the luteal phase at a high temperature.

What do your readings mean?

When the follicular phase is too long, too short, too high or too low in temperature, or your cycle is irregular (such as 23 days long, then 40 days long, then 50 days long, then 22 days long) this can mean there are hormonal imbalances.

What causes hormonal imbalances?

Thyroid conditions – The thyroid gland is located at the front of you neck. Thyroid hormones travel from the thyroid gland through the blood to all parts of the body, where they do their work in affecting your metabolism rate, which means how fast or slow your brain, heart, muscles, liver, and other parts of your body work. The thyroid can be tested through pathology tests to check the levels of specific hormones.

Through BBT charting, we tend to see an abnormally low or high temperature reading in the follicular phase when the thyroid is under or overactive.

Emotional stress and inconsistent sleep patterns – Often shows up as an up and down movement of temperature from day to day.

In the case of stress, we tend to see instability of temperature, and in the case of primary hormonal imbalance we tend to see either an increase or decrease in length of this phase.

Poor ovarian reserve (also known as impaired ovarian reserve, premature ovarian aging or declining ovarian reserve) and poor egg quality – Can be due to a number of reasons.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – is a complex condition in which a woman’s ovaries are generally bigger than average. Polycystic means the ovaries have many cysts or follicles that rarely grow to maturity or produce eggs. Symptoms can include excessive hair growth, moodiness, weight gain, irregular cycles, no periods or a long follicular phase, acne and painful periods.

Diagnosis of PCOS is likely to involve your medical history, an examination which may include an abdominal ultrasound, and tests to measure the hormone levels in your blood.

Through BBT charting we can see if your follicular phase is longer than usual, which for PCOS can indicate insulin resistance or excess androgens (male hormones).

Insufficient nutritional elements – Poor diet and lack of nutrients can be another cause of hormonal imbalance. Diabetes can also be a culprit.

Progesterone deficiency – Mid cycle, we see a spike in temperature, which is related to secretion of the hormone progesterone and is the result of ovulation. The temperature will rise the day after ovulation occurs. If you don’t see this spike, you may not have ovulated. f there is a downward decline occurring earlier than 12 days after ovulating, this suggests that there may not be sufficient progesterone production to maintain pregnancy. Implantation may occur 7 – 12 days after ovulation, in which case you may see an implantation dip on your chart. This is a normal and healthy finding, but like implantation bleeding it is also not necessary for a healthy pregnancy.

Through BBT charting we can see if the temperature reading in the second phase of the cycle (luteal phase) does not remain steady, your progesterone secretion may not be enough to maintain implantation and pregnancy. If the length of this phase is either too long or too short, this can indicate problems with the health of corpus luteum, or nutritional deficiencies (the corpus luteum is the outer part of the follicle left after you have ovulated, which continues to secrete the hormone progesterone allowing you to maintain pregnancy).

Perimenopause and menopause – A woman’s ovaries gradually decrease production of estrogen and progesterone with age.

There are many other more complex breakdowns of the variations in basal body temperature charting as well.

What is helpful to balance hormones?

In Chinese medicine we use diagnostics, acupuncture, herbal medicine, heat therapy, nutrition and lifestyle care to treat hormonal imbalances and other gynaecological factors. Depending on which scenario (above) you are, will determine your treatment.

Treatment plans for preparing to conceive specifically, are designed to optimise ovarian function, sperm and egg vitality, regulate the immune system, reduce stress, promote restful sleep, promote digestion, and weight loss if necessary. Treating gynaecological conditions have also proven success in regulating menstrual cycles and improving fertility.

Chinese medicine can work safely in accordance with IVF to improve the outcome. Acupuncture protocols will help to improve blood flow and drug delivery to the ovaries and uterus during the stimulation phase, improve rates of implantation of embryos and reduce stress and side effects.

IVF is the process of fertilising eggs with sperm outside of the human body. Once the eggs are fertilised, the resulting embryos are placed in the woman’s uterus in the hope that a successful pregnancy will follow.

Information derived from Lyttleton, Jane (2013) Treatment of Infertility with Chinese Medicine, Second edition.

What do the treatments involve?

Depending on why your hormones are imbalanced or other gynaecological factors, will determine the treatment plan and outcome. As a practitioner I advise regular treatments such as weekly, in accordance with health changes you need to do at home, such as nutritional changes or herbal remedies to assist the treatment outcome. The male partners are also advised to receive treatment.

I advise all women seeking treatment to start BBT mapping their cycles and fill in a symptom chart which includes daily symptoms relating to; energy levels, PMS, menstrual cramping, vaginal discharge and mood changes, to name a few. The symptom chart allows me to see what is happening in between your acupuncture treatments so that I can treat you accordingly.

Changes to your plan will be made for IVF protocols and specific gynaecological conditions. Acupuncture can be used to manage anxiety and any side effects you might experience such as fatigue, moodiness, abdomen swelling and discomfort that can be experienced with the IVF process.

Please see the FAQ’s page and What to Expect page for more information.

Other factors to consider regarding your fertility and gynaecological health

Environmental toxins – clean up your environment at work and at home – exposure from various sources such as BPA in plastics, pesticides in food.

Do you exercise? Adopting the right amount of exercise is important, however exercising too strenuously releases the stress hormone Cortisol which can interfere with reproductive organs. Opt for gentle exercises such as swimming, yoga, tai chi and pilates.

Sanitary products with bleach and other chemicals that are being inserted into the body – organic tampons and pads are now easily found in major supermarkets and health food stores and their quality and absorpancy is nothing less. Menstrual cups found here > https://www.menstrualcupsaustraliaonline.com.au/what-is-a-menstrual-cup/ are also becoming more popular as they are sanitary, medical grade silicone, environmentally friendly and save you money (they cost $40-60AU and will last you 10 years!). All you have to do is wash them out and boil them in hot water at the end of your period to kill any bacteria. Many women experience less period pain when using a cup !

Look after your abdominal area – A poor diet can cause your digestive system to malfunction. Unhealthy foods collect in the abdominal environment, blocking the blood circulation needed to nourish the area. Pay attention to foods that cause bloating, fatigue, wind, abdominal cramps, irregular bowel motions or sensitivity. Acupuncture and herbs can stimulate circulation and improve the function of the digestive system.

Start with a healthy body weight – Women who are either underweight or overweight can ovulate less regularly, and men in the same situation will produce fewer and less healthy sperm.

Are you stressed – Physically, mentally or emotionally? Stress is a huge factor for fertility, especially if you and your partner have been trying for a baby for a long time. However other stressors in life such as work or relationships also play a part. Find time to resolve stress and put relaxation time in your diary! Talking to a friend or professional may also be helpful to get things of your chest.

Be aware of your immune system – If you are getting every cold/flu going around, having upset digestion from a gut bug or generally feeling unwell then you are not in optimal health to conceive.

For women – stay warm. In Chinese medicine, we place a strong emphasis on keeping warm to encourage blood flow. Keeping your ‘midriff’ and lower back warm is said to encourage a ‘warm womb’. Swimming on your period is also not recommended, as your cervix is open when menstruating, the cold temperature of the water enters a warm body, causing the ‘cold’ to lodge inside. Remember its all about the warmth and circulation! However for men its important that their testicles are kept cool as heat can affect sperm quality.

Are you sleeping well throughout the night? Even just one week without well-rested sleep plays havoc with your hormones. Opt for the same bed time every night such as no later than 10pm. Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine after 3pm is important so that you aren’t kept awake.

Have you been on the pill for a long time where your hormones have been told what to do for years? Your body will need time to adjust to its own cycle. Acupuncture can regulate the menstrual cycle and manage symptoms such as fatigue, menstrual headaches, tender breasts and mood swings.

Do you have any nutritional deficiencies? For example, your uterus needs a certain amount of iron for the lining of the uterus to thicken for conception, if your iron levels are low then conception decreases.

Do you have a family history of any gynaecological conditions? Ask the women in your family about their fertile health.

Be aware of infection – Previous STD’s and noting any thrush or constant urinary tract infections could make conception more difficult.

Having a GP check up – blood tests, ultrasounds and infection tests are all helpful to rule out anything first.

Lastly, do you have time to welcome a baby into your life? Are you working so many hours already, trying to make ends meet financially or too many other commitments for a baby to come into your life?

Take the time to cover all bases listed above so your health is the priority 🙂

Take care of you, see you in the clinic,

TK xx

Learn more > http://www.tanyakeamwellness.com