Case Study: PCOS, Long Menstrual Cycles, Infertility

Client: Mrs. M
Symptoms: PSOS, Long Menstrual Cycles, Infertility
Goals: Pregnancy

My Conclusion: PCOS, long menstrual cycles, and infertility often stem from an excess of the estrogen hormone. This imbalance can happen over a period of time, or in a short period due to a sudden stress on the body and its emotions. Outside sources such as medications and the foods we eat have a great influence on the hormone balance in the body. The following suggestions are ways that you might be able to help the body regulate its hormones to a balanced state.

Dietary Suggestions: Focus on whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and filtered water. Use as many organic foods as possible. Try to avoid dairy products, or keep them to a minimum. Avoid pre-made and pre-cooked foods as much as possible. The refinement, enrichment, and additives in these pre-made foods have the potential to cause hormone imbalance. Try to keep your microwave use down to a minimum. Studies have shown that extensive microwave use (and food eaten after microwaving) can weaken the reproductive organs in men and women. NEVER eat anything that has artificial sweeteners (Aspartame, Acesulfame K, acesulfame potassium (just remember Ace), Sucralose, and their brand names: NutraSweet, Splenda, and Sweet n’Low.) Artificial sweeteners are very dangerous this is not a myth! Use sugar sparingly. Use as many foods that market their Omega 3 value as possible (Smart Balance, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Free Range Eggs, etc.)
Until pregnancy is accomplished: Avoid meat. When you do eat meat, try to only eat chicken, and only the chicken that says that it has not been treated with hormones. Animals can be treated with many types of hormones and other things that have the potential to cause hormone imbalance. When the body is already struggling, it is best to avoid these foods.
Feel free to browse through or follow my Healthy Mama’s Kitchen blog for some healthy eating ideas and tips.

Recommended Herbs and Nutrients Including Dosage: ** Highest Importance.
**Continue taking your Prenatal Plus vitamins. I personally recommend the Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal vitamin. It is slightly different then Prenatal Plus because it has higher dosages of certain things, as well as a few other things that the Prenatal Plus does not have. However, you also have to take 6 pills every day, which isn’t always easy. I consider Prenatal Plus to be a good vitamin.
Add the following to your daily supplement regimen:
**Four grams of Essential Fatty Acids. I recommend NSI Mega Omega. Omegas are just as they say, essential to the health of the whole body. In your condition, they can aid with inflammation, and balancing the hormones in your body. These should be taken throughout pregnancy and the rest of your life.
Extra Vitamin B. No less then a 150mg per day B-Complex (pill form). Sublingual will be the easiest to absorb into the body. Birth control pills as well as some of the prescription medications that you have taken or, are taking, tend to block or deplete the B vitamins from absorbing into the body. These will be helpful throughout your pregnancy.
One round of a liquid Iron supplement. Iron deficiency causes weakness to all of the body’s systems. Liquid Iron with vitamin C absorbs much easier then other iron supplements. This would be helpful to do on an occasional basis throughout your childbearing years.
**Vitex (Chasteberry) (as recommended on the bottle). This herb has been successfully used to balance the estrogen and progesterone hormones in the body. It is easy to use because you can take it throughout the month and not have to worry about which week to take it. It has also been used with the Metformin without known problems, and with success. Take this regularly, as it has been known to take time to take effect. However, it has also been known to work within one cycle. Stop taking this as soon as pregnancy is achieved.
There are other herbs that can be added to Vitex. But I would recommend trying this regimen for 3 months before adding to it.

Lifestyle Modification/Changes:
MORNING LIGHT and MOON LIT NIGHT: The menstrual cycle depends heavily on our body clock to cycle properly. The body systems use bright light during the day (particularly morning) to set the awake/asleep clock. It relies on moonlight to regulate the menstrual cycle. Darkness may be one of the biggest reasons menstrual cycles become irregular. Studies have shown that “Light Therapy” helps to regulate the menstrual cycle. You can use direct natural sun light or BLUEWAVE lights for this therapy. The directions are as follows:
BLUEWAVETM Therapy 15-30 minutes in the morning and evening to extend your active day length. BLUEWAVETM light technology is specially designed to produce the active hormone, serotonin and suppress melatonin. Melatonin is often called the ‘hibernation hormone’ and is thought to restrict other hormones that promote a healthy menstrual cycle. Your body produces higher levels of melatonin during the winter, and when you don’t get enough bright light.
Nighttime light. Use a 50-watt table lamp approximately three feet from your bedside. You only have to use this light on days 13 through 17 of your cycle. This will replicate the level of a bright, moonlight night and should regulate your cycle within a few weeks. This level of nightlight will also help control the production of melatonin.
In short, this is saying that it is important to spend minimum 15 minutes outside in the bright morning sunlight every day. If this is not possible on a regular basis, BLUEWAVE Technology lights might be a consideration.

Relaxation Techniques and Exercises:
I recommend Yoga and Pilates. These techniques aid in ways such as weight loss, circulation, and relieving stress.

Personally Authored Forum Topic: Parasite Symptoms While Breastfeeding

Two years ago, I began my serious journey to optimum health. I had just experienced a pregnancy miscarriage due to low progesterone and the loss of my twin daughters at 25 weeks gestation due to Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Before I go on, you need to know that my grief is under control, and that is not an issue (and No, that is not denial!J) My body was weak from 6 weeks of bed rest and a rough pregnancy. I began eating well, walking daily, and taking a series of great vitamin supplements. I have continued this lifestyle for the past two years. In between the two years, I became pregnant (had a rough but not Horrible pregnancy) and gave birth to a healthy baby boy. I’ve continued the healthy life style, and by this point in my journey, if you knew me and the details in between, you would think I should be living in a clear state of optimum health. But I am not. These are my problems:

I was diagnosed with Severe Anemia. I focused on quality iron supplementation for three months and the tests show that I am back in the normal range. I cannot maintain a good mood balance without antidepressants (Paxil 10mg). From research I know that I have low Serotonin and above average Dopamine. My whole body is in a state of chronic pain (muscle and skeletal). This can be managed as long as I take my supplements, but even with them, the pain seeps through (especially after laying down or sleeping). I have managed to lose several pounds. But I can’t seem to lose the weight in my belly section. I have stomach pains throughout the day. I still struggle with constipation even after eating over the RDA of fiber every day. I have to deal with gas and bloating, as well as what I thought were hemorrhoid symptoms. I also struggle with very strong sweets cravings especially in the evenings.

Let me get to the point: After studying the Toxicity section of Modular 1, I am afraid that I have some form of a parasite and that it is blocking the absorption of all of the nutrients that I am trying to feed my body. The WORST part about it all is that I am breastfeeding my 11 month old baby. I would simply stop breastfeeding him and do a cleanse, but he still would prefer to nurse around three feedings each day as well as at night. Technically, he is old enough to wean, but I take feeding him breast milk Very Seriously and I won’t wean him until I know for sure that it is the best thing to do. The next problem is that I am ready to become pregnant again. But I really want to feel better (probably do a cleanse) before I get pregnant again. I am hoping for your quality help and suggestions!!

FORUM RESPONSE:

Hi MammaBaron

Congratulations on continuing to breastfeed and "taking it seriously". As I lactation consultant and a searcher for optimum health myself, I hope I can assist you with some of your health issues. 1. Have you actually been tested for parasites? Seeing that you are breastfeeding and it may be challenge to treat for parasites, it may be helpful to get a stool sample evaluated so you know for sure. I did some research on antiparasitic treatment and found a natural antiparasitic treatment called Vitaklenz, but its absolute safety during breastfeeding could not be supported by the manufacturers unfortunately. I am mentioning it however, because it may be an option in the future for your child- may be used for 2 years and older.
See http://vitaklenzforkidz.com/vitaklenz4kids.htm for more information.

I did, however, find a great article from the Journal of Human Lactation, in which Porto states that amongst the 5 most common anthelmintics, invermectin in the only one reviewed by the American Academy of Pediatrics as safe during lactation. It is suggested that exposure can be minimized by taking the drug before the longest sleep interval for the infant. A word of caution: invermectin is contra-indicated for liver disease. Porto, I. 2003. Antiparasitic drugs and lactation: focus on anthelmintics, scabicides, and pediculicides. J Hum Lact. Nov; 19(4):421-5. 2. In regards to mood disorders- I would encourage you to consider researching further on 5 HTP. A wonderful resource I would like to share with you is http://www.womentowomen.com/ the following is an excerpt: "Serotonin is synthesized in the brain and the digestive tract, which is also the source of its precursors. This is yet another reason why what you eat and how well you digest are crucial to how you feel! L–tryptophan, an essential amino acid found in food and supplements, is converted in your body into 5–hydroxytryptophan (5–HTP), and then into 5–hydroxytryptamine ( 5–HT), which is the chemical name for serotonin".
From http://www.womentowomen.com/depressionanxietyandmood/antidepressants.aspx
3. Please also consider supplements of omega 3 fatty acids if you are not already taking one "Nordic Naturals" is a quality reliable supplement. Please also consider a supplement of Vitamin D3 1000-2000 IU daily see http://www.grassrootshealth.org/ for more information.
There is an article by Bruce Hollis entitled "Vitamin D Requirements during Pregnancy and Lactation" http://www.grassrootshealth.org/_download/Hollis%20GrassrootsHealth.pdf
I hope you find this helpful. Best wishes Sharon
- Sharon Johnson HHP student

MY RESPONSE:

Hi Sharon, Thank you so much for your clear and detailed answer and suggestions. I am actually waiting for the results of a stool sample as well as some blood tests from my doctor. I will follow up here with the results. I am also going to find a practitioner who can do a hair and live blood cell analysis for me. I will follow up with those as well. Thank you again!
Lena HHP Student

Forum Topic: Trying To Concieve And Detox

AUTHOR: Roberta Laudanski aka Robin HHP, MH, NC Student
"Hello everyone, I'm wondering if there is any cleansing/detoxifying regime which would be appropriate for a couple which is trying to conceive? Would it be acceptable to use Science Detox or Colonix in a lower dosage? If the woman becomes pregnant while using something like Science Detox are there direct risk factors for the development of the fetus or is the risk factor because of the abdominal contractions created through the cleansing, or is it something else? I guess what I'm actually wondering is if a woman who was on a detox regime became pregnant would the use of the regime result in a miscarriage or something else?"

Question From Instructor: Heather Johnstone PhD RN BC APN AMP-C RYT Director GCNM/Director GIFAM
"Students, What happens while you detox? How might that impact your hormonal axis as preparation for conception? How might it impact your vaginal pH? How might your in utero environment be impacted? How might the embryo and then fetus be impacted?"

My Response:
When a person detoxifies the body by using a colon cleanse, the toxins and dangerous matter that has collected in the colon as well as the blood gets “stirred up” within the body. If all goes well with the colon cleanse, then these negative things will be quickly lifted away and eliminated out of the body. However, during that time of upheaval, all of those dangerous toxins cause a moment of imbalance in the body as a whole (just as they did when they entered the body.) Toxins negatively affect the endocrine system as a whole. Therefore, a woman who is trying to conceive will have to deal with the teeter-totter effect of imbalanced hormones due to the temporary cleansing. Another factor about cleansing is that many herbs that help the body cleanse itself, also cause the uterus to contract. These contractions (even though they are not necessarily felt) make it more difficult for the egg to implant into the uterus. If the woman is already pregnant and she is early in her pregnancy, these contractions could cause a miscarriage of the pregnancy. In addition, the stirred up toxins that are in the mother’s blood can seep into the placenta, which will then enter into the baby’s bloodstream. This is all very dangerous for the baby.

Daily Research: Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

I have a four year old son who has a serious problem with grinding his teeth at night. It has gotten to the point that it is beginning to wear on his teeth. I was studying my GCNM Text: The New Optimum Nutrition Bible, by Patrick Holford. He gives a great analysis of all of the different vitamins and their benefits as well as their deficiency signs. According to Holford, teeth grinding is a sign or a deficiency in vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid.)

I decided to do further research in this to find another source to confirm this as well as any further information and suggestions about the matter. I found a source that gives suggestions that confirm Holford's diagnosis as well as a good list of remedies for the condition. The information is as follows:

Health911.com

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

" Grinding your teeth at night can cause a number of problems, such as seriously wearing down your teeth, loosening the teeth, gum reduction, jaw joint problems, and may be a cause of headaches during the day. You may not realize you are grinding your teeth unless somebody sleeping with you notices it. Otherwise you may notice symptoms to alert you to the problem, such as headaches, aching jaw muscles, loose teeth or gum problems.

Studies have shown that one of the causes is a deficiency in pantothenic acid (one of the B-vitamins) and calcium. Pantothenic acid, an anti-stress vitamin, reduces the production of certain hormones from the adrenal glands. A lack of pantothenic acid is a factor in the control of motor activity; bruxism is a sign that motor activity is not under control. A calcium deficiency causes muscle cramps or involuntary movement of muscles in the mouth resulting in grinding of the teeth. Chew a few calcium or bone meal tablets before bedtime. This remedy seems to reduce contractions of the jaw muscles. Another idea is to crush the tablets and combine them with wheat germ oil and mix with food or drink to make it palatable.

A magnesium deficiency may be another cause. A deficiency can cause spasming, and seems to affect people at night. Leg cramps and teeth grinding are just two ways a magnesium deficiency manifests itself at night. See our remedy below.

Another possible cause of bruxism is parasites. Pinworms, a common parasite, can cause teeth grinding. A large percentage of the population has some form of parasitic infestation, so have a stool analysis test to determine if you have parasites. Then try an herbal parasite cleanse, not a drug remedy.

Some people who have bruxism are internalizing their anger. There are many ways to deal with anger, but it is not the scope of this section. However, meditation, tai chi, and exercise are a few methods to try. Anything that will help you relax will be beneficial. A method called Emotional Freedom Technique may be helpful in dealing with stress and anger.

Tips
To eliminate your tooth grinding problem here are several suggestions: try taking a warm bath before bedtime; drink less alcohol. Your dentist will be able to assess the extent of tooth damage caused by this problem. The dentist may recommend a custom-fitted mouth guard (expensive) to be worn while you sleep or you may purchase one from a sporting goods store. If the problem persists, consider cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Changes to Make
Supplements

Take supplements or foods rich in pantothenic acid and calcium to help relieve your tooth grinding problem.

Calcium Take calcium before going to bed. This will help relax your muscles.

Lavender Mix 3-4 drops of lavender essential oil in a teaspoon of almond or olive oil and massage in onto your jaw and neck close to the jaw. Also, drink some lavender tea regularly.

Magnesium Take 4-500 mg of magnesium before going to bed. This, too, will help relax your muscles and will prevent leg cramps, too.

Pantothenic acid is found in multivitamins, and should be taken daily.

Valerian Mix 3-4 drops of valerian essential oil in a teaspoon of almond or olive oil and massage in onto your jaw and neck close to the jaw. Also, drink some valerian tea regularly." - Health911.com

I really liked these suggestions. As a mother, these suggestions are very doable. As a HHP these suggestions are in line with the education that I have gained so far as a student, including the suggestion that teeth grinding might be a sign of a parasite.

Module 1 Subject: Worms and Parasites

This subject was disturbing to me, of course! The thought of having a worm inside my body or the body of my husband or children motivated me to take extra action to prevent the possibility as much as possible.

According to my GCNM text, it is possible that up to 85-95% of the adult population of North America is infected with at least one form of parasite (worms are considered a parasite). Humans can play host to over 100 different kinds of parasites from microscopic ones to tapeworms that can grow to be several feet long. With this prediction it is most reasonably possible that you and I are facing this fact.

There are dozens of negative health symptoms that could be considered signs of a parasite infection in the body. As you can imagine, the majority of those symptoms are related to the digestive system. However, there are many symptoms that one might not even consider a parasite being the cause. Such as teeth grinding, cravings for sweets, moodiness, depression, anemia, sinus congestion, and water retention.

Parasites feed off of their host. They either literally feed on the blood and cells of the host, or they intercept the nutrients going into the host and consume them. This is why people infected with parasites can become so ill.

SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF HOW TO PREVENT BECOMING A HOST:

• Parasites thrive in warm and humid environments. So if you live in a climate that is warm and humid, Take Note!
• Parasites thrive in soil and sand. Walking barefoot leaves one open for contamination.
• Animal (and human) feces and urine are prime breeding ground for parasites. Be careful to use gloves while changing litter boxes, and handling these things. This includes baby diapers. Use a sealed diaper pale and keep in mind that parasites can also be in the air.
• We are all taught to wash our hands after using the restroom. This is Prime Reason for doing such things!

HOW TO ELIMINATE PARASITES:

If you suspect a parasite might be cause for concern, a colon cleanse might be a very good idea. Even if you do not have a parasite a colon cleanse is a good thing. A high quality colon cleanse will always include the herbs and ingredients required to rid the body of parasites. Look for products that contain: Wormwood, Cloves, Garlic, Yellow Dock, Pau d' arco, Black Walnuts, and Pumpkin Seeds. It is also a good idea to discuss your concerns with a Holistic Health Practitioner. They will be able to help you throughout the process of cleansing your body systems as well as rebuilding your nutrient base in the body.

I recommend this Herbal Colon Cleanse. I have personally used it and I recommend it: Colonix (Always read product warnings before beginning such things, and follow them!)

I also recommend this Colon Cleanse as an alternative to a Herbal Colon Cleanse: Oxy-Powder