Infertility A Functional Medicine View Patty Powers MD

Infertility: A Functional Medicine View Patty Powers, MD Whole Health Catalysts

The healthier you are when you get pregnant, the more you increase the chance for optimal growth and development for your baby – The egg takes about 90 days to mature before conception

Thyroid problems Stress Menstrual Hormone Dysregulation Inflammation Endocrinedisrupting chemicals Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

STRESSED OUT? – Emotional stress – Dietary stress – Nutrient deficiencies – Pain/inflammation – Sleep problems – Blood sugar problems – Chronic medical problems

Functional Adrenal Testing Saliva Cortisol levels

Thyroid Problems – Autoimmune (Hashimoto’s, Graves disease) – Nutrient and cofactor deficiencies – Iodine – Selenium – Zinc – Iron – Copper – Tyrosine – Essential Fatty Acids – Soy

Thyroid tests – TSH – Free T 4 and free T 3 – Antithyroid peroxidase (anti TPO) – Antithyroglobulin (anti TG) – Reverse T 3 – Ferritin ( a measure of iron storage)

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Xenoestrogens – hundreds! – Bisphenol-A (BPA) – Used to make hard, polycarbonate plastics, some epoxy resins – Plastic water bottles – Linings in food cans – Plastic food storage containers, take out containers, Styrofoam cups – ? what about BPA-free?

Xenoestrogens – Phthalates – Plasticizers – Shower curtains – Vinyl floors – Baby toys – IV bags – Fragrance stabilizers – Air fresheners, perfumes, detergents, fabric softeners – DEHP blocks estradiol production in ovaries → no ovulation!!

GMO foods – Animal studies: decreased fertility in just one generation – Animals infertile by 3 rd generation – ? are these foods safe for people? – Corn, soy, sugar beets – What about Glyphosate that is sprayed on the plants? – Known mitochondrial toxin – Known toxin to gut bacteria

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – Often with low progesterone in second half cycle Appetite changes Depression Mood swings PMS Cyclical headaches Low sex drive Irregular periods Fatigue Weight change Bloating before periods Disrupted sleep Miscarriage in first trimester

References – How to Conceive Naturally – And Have a Healthy Pregnancy After 30 – Christa Orecchio CN, and Willow Buckley, CCH, CD – The Hormone Cure – Sara Gottfried MD – Environmental Working Group www. ewg. org – Great resource for info on GMO, Glyphosate, endocrine-disrupting chemicals

PCOS – High androgens interfere with cycling hormones – Acne – Hirsutism – Thinning hair – Often with insulin resistance, prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes – Darkening of skin in armpits, around neck (acanthosis) – Skin tags, especially on neck and upper torso – Hypoglycemia, unstable blood sugars

PCOS – Goal: improve blood sugar regulation to lower insulin levels – Avoid sugars, processed foods, starchy vegetables – Vitamin & mineral replacement – Chromium, vanadium, biotin, magnesium, vitamin D, essential fatty acids – Metformin – Berberine – Myoinositol – Goal: support progesterone as needed – Vitamin C 750 mg/day x 6 mo resulted in pregnancy in 25% of patients in one study – Vitamin B 6

Blood Sugar Fasting blood sugar <85 Never over 120 “Normal” <100 <140 Borderline 100 -125 140 -199 >125 >200 Ideal Diabetes After eating

Fasting Insulin Ideal Fasting Insulin <5 After eating Never >30

Inflammation – Blood sugar problems – Hypoglycemia, gestational diabetes, prediabetes, insulin resistance – Intestinal inflammation – IBS – Infections – Dysbiosis – Food intolerances – Stool test!

Testing the Menstrual Cycle Hormones – Month-long saliva collection every 3 days – Measures estradiol, progesterone every 3 days – Measures testosterone twice for average level – Support hormones according to individual's test results – Address underlying cause/s of problems

What to Do? – Eat real food, mostly plants, not too much (Michael Pollan, Food Rules) – Supplement wisely – Good quality multivitamin/multimineral – Folate, not folic acid, at least 800 mcg – Iron at least 18 mg – Fish oil – mercury and toxin free – Cod liver oil is great – Probiotics – mix of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, 10 -25 billion CFU – Vitamin D 3: 2000 -5000 units/day to get 25 OH vitamin D in upper half normal range

Patty Powers, MD – www. drpattypowers. com – Schedule free 15 min phone consultation to discuss your concerns – Facebook: Patty Powers MD – Office: 434 -947 -3944