Imagine that you're 18 years old and 100lbs and your belly is so bloated people ask you if you're pregnant on a regular basis.
Imagine every month bracing for pain that is so intense that it causes you to vomit or leaves you bed ridden.
Women often describe endometriosis as feeling like barbed wire is being wrapped around their reproductive parts and pulled tight. Yes. It’s THAT painful. That was me for 15 years. Except I couldn’t and didn’t stay home. I TOOK a ton of NSAIDS and Tylenol by the handful to cope.
I just didn’t know what else to do, AND I thought it was “normal” to have period pain. It took me -15 years to understand what I was dealing with and get diagnosed. By then it was stage 4 endometriosis. This is what I wish I knew...
1) Stop covering up symptoms with over the counter medicine. Pain relievers and NSAIDs affects your liver and kidney function which affects your hormones
2) Don’t wait for your doctor to diagnose you. Ask your doctor for the new blood test (not always accurate but indicative). Doctors are Literally NOT allowed to diagnose without surgery. This tripped me up for years because I didn’t want to further hurt my fertility chances with scar tissue when “I wasn’t sure” I had endometriosis.
3) Schedule your surgery. Don’t wait to get a laparoscopy to diagnose endometriosis. If you are having period pain so intense that it's keeping you from performing daily functions it’s likely endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
4) Be real with yourself about how your diet is contributing to your potential endo. Endometriosis IS affected by what you eat. Focus on reducing your exposure to proteins that contain hormones (go organic if possible) and eat a diet low in inflammatory foods. Limit the amount of unprocessed foods you eat. There are tons of great resources for endo diets. Find one and try it. Today.
5) In addition to changes to your diet add anti-inflammatory supplements to your routine. Turmeric, dark fruit juices such as tart cherry, pomegranate or wolfberry/goji berry juices help with inflammation as do bio-flavonoids from citrus fruits.
I learned about this whole process is no one knows your body better than you do and the infertility journey is full of what if’s and risks. Overall health is the goal and pregnancy is the outcome. If you are determined to get to the bottom of your infertility diagnosis here's another checklist that I put together to help you on your path of infertility.
We all know that the average age of a first time mom is increasing but what if that’s you? What can you do to prepare your body for pregnancy if your TTC after 35? Despite what friends and even your doctor may tell you, don't take a wait and see approach to your fertility after 35. While it’s true that more women than ever are getting pregnant after 35, it’s also true that more women (and men) than ever are experiencing infertility. While you don’t have to rush to see a fertility doctor you should start to actively establish what your fertility health is NOW and work on things in your control to improve it.
Establish if you’re reproductive system is healthy by getting basic physical and blood panel done, a hormone panel and an extended thyroid panel which includes
Preparing your body for pregnancy after the age of 35 requires a proactive approach, rather than a passive 'wait and see' attitude towards fertility. Key steps include undergoing comprehensive health checks to establish a baseline of your reproductive system's status, including a variety of physical exams, hormone panels, and thyroid tests. Such foundational health assessments are often covered by insurance and can be crucial in navigating any potential fertility issues that may arise later.
It's also critical to assess and adjust lifestyle habits and dietary choices, as these significantly impact fertility. Maintaining a healthy weight, prioritizing whole foods over processed ones, and ensuring adequate hydration can dramatically influence hormonal balance and overall reproductive health. Simple yet impactful lifestyle modifications, embraced by both partners, can enhance fertility prospects substantially.
Incorporating high-quality, whole food supplements into your regimen is crucial for supporting fertility. Opt for supplements that contain bioavailable forms of essential nutrients, such as refrigerated probiotics with diverse strains, whole food prenatal vitamins with natural folate, and a comprehensive magnesium complex. Choosing the right supplements can bolster your reproductive health, ease digestion, improve sleep, and address common deficiencies, thereby setting a strong foundation for a successful pregnancy.
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Choosing the right prenatal vitamin is crucial for those trying to conceive, emphasizing the importance of opting for whole food-sourced and non-synthetic options. Synthetic supplements are not only harder for the body to absorb but can also potentially cause toxicity, affecting crucial bodily functions and potentially impacting hormonal balance and reproduction. It’s advised to select vitamins that are devoid of synthetic materials and unnecessary additives, targeting those which clearly state their natural food sources on the label.
Reading labels carefully is paramount, avoiding supplements that contain red, yellow, and blue dyes or gelatin, which may contain harmful levels of glyphosate. High potency vitamins should not be sourced from gummies, which often lack in nutritional value and may not deliver the vitamins in an efficient manner. It’s advised to seek out vitamins where each component is accompanied by its food source, ensuring the body can utilize these nutrients effectively.
Understanding the difference between folate and folic acid reveals a significant aspect of prenatal vitamin selection. Natural folate is preferred over synthetic folic acid due to the latter’s association with potential birth defects. Folate not only assists in preventing neural tube defects but also supports overall health by aiding in red blood cell production, DNA repair, and cellular detox. Thus, choosing the right supplement can be instrumental in maintaining pregnancy health, making informed selection essential for those looking to enhance their fertility and prenatal nutrition.
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