Clinic Blog

Oxidative stress - we hear this word a lot when it comes to fertility, but what does it mean? “Reactive oxygen species”  (“ROS”) are chemicals generated during many cellular processes. They play a big part in our immune system, energy production within our mitochondria, cell communication and more. When controlled, they are a necessary part of our biology.

I have seen a common phenomenon not only in myself but in the people around me and my patients. I have seen healthy, energetic people go through periods where they lose all motivation and fail to move forward on a clear path. They have no energy, their get up and go, has gotten up and gone! It's not laziness or depression. No matter how hard you push or dig deep into your will power it just feels like too much.

Your microbiome consists of trillions of cells (bacteria, viruses, etc.). They outnumber your own human cells by a lot, roughly 10:1! They play an important role in maintaining a healthy gut barrier. They provide key nutrients to energize the gut cells, secrete a protective layer, and communicate with your immune system regularly. 

I want to talk about one aspect of your microbiome today: "LPS", and how it may impact fertility.

Quite a few of my patients have emailed me the past month updating me on their cycles since lock down. Thankfully for many of them, the consistency of their past treatments have awarded them the lasting benefits of continued menstrual relief. But for a handful of them, the lack of consistent treatment along with the added pandemic stress resulted in an increase in symptoms.

Childbirth is one of the ultimate times in our life, where we must surrender to our body's innate ability to do what it was created to do. Currently however, we no longer have access to all of the support we normally would have during our births.

One of the leading causes of infertility in women is PCOS, a metabolic syndrome characterized by a number of signs and symptoms. Many new patients coming into the clinic seek treatment for this diagnosis.

Taking care of yourself during social isolation is not cancelled. When I say “investing” in your health during social isolation, I’m not just referring to financially, but how to best utilize your time and energy to optimize your health so you not only feel healthy, happy, and relaxed during quarantine but ready to take on the world when everything is back to normal.

Understandably, stress may have been a little high over the last few weeks. If you’ve noticed a change to your menstrual cycle - longer cycle, more PMS, acne, etc., this is not too surprising because stress can have a direct impact on your reproductive hormones.

Stress & Your Cycle

The Acubalance docs are here for you, bringing you tips to stay healthy during social distancing and self-isolation.
The current global health crisis has created an unusual social situation, that of social distancing and self-isolation, that has far-reaching implications for our health. Beyond the risk of contracting Covid-19 or caring for family members affected by illness, the mental health effects of social-isolation will eventually be felt by all of us.