5 Tips to Improve Fertility
By: Jess Pedersen
It is estimated that nearly 10% of all women who experience infertility have a condition called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which leads to ovulation and menstruation irregularity. I was one of those women. Each time I saw a new fertility specialist, he would say, “You don’t fit the profile of someone with PCOS.” Once he took a look at ultrasound images of my ovaries, he knew immediately that my diagnosis was indeed true. Many doctors can look at a woman and make the assumption whether she has PCOS or not. Common physical signs include acne, facial hair, and excess weight – often caused by an imbalance of androgens or male hormones.
My only symptom was irregular periods. At the time of my diagnosis, I was 23 years old, skinny from lingering disordered eating, no signs of abnormal facial hair, minimal post-teenage acne, and six to eight periods per year. It wasn’t outwardly obvious that my ovaries were encased with cysts. But they were.
There are several factors that may contribute to PCOS. These factors include genetics, insulin resistance, obesity, excessive male hormones, environmental conditions, and chronic inflammation. PCOS is thought to be a metabolic disorder where several processes within the body are out of balance. PCOS is not just a disease of the ovaries – the whole body is involved. Therefore, it is important to implement a whole body, or holistic, method of treatment to reduce the symptoms of PCOS.
I recently wrote an article for Without Child that shares my five tips for women with PCOS to improve their fertility and increase their chances of conceiving naturally. The first tip was posted this week — Reducing Inflammation: pH and PCOS. Check it out and let me know if you’ve had success or experienced positive health benefits by increasing alkaline foods in your diet.
Jess Pedersen is a Health Coach currently completing her training at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Her focus as a health coach is to help women with unexplained infertility, PCOS, and hormone imbalances discover a holistic approach to improving their fertility and ability to conceive. For more info, please visit http://bemamabewell.com
I love this. It helps to have an integrated approach to fertility. I teach a Fertility Yoga workshop where we not only balance the body by releasing the appropriate muscles, but we also work to balance the energies, remove past influences and eliminate fear. The psyche can also be a barrier to conception. I’d love to touch base with you to better help my students.