Tuesday Night Lecture Series With Dr. Diana Draper

Promoting Fertility

Back in Balance Family Chiropractic & Wellness Centre2325 6th Ave Castlegar BC

250-304-4401www.drdianadraper.comwww.backinbalance.ca

www.facebook.com/drdrapernd

OverviewIntroductionThe Physiology of FertilityHow to Track Your CycleChallenges to FertilityConscious ConceptionPromoting FertilityQuestions

IntroductionDr. Diana Draper grew up in Castlegar, BCLived in 5 citiesTravelled to 9 different countries Undergraduate degree in English and

Professional Writing from the University of Victoria

Bachelor degree of Naturopathy from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto

Introduction

Services Provided by Dr. Draper:Nutritional CounselingLifestyle CounselingIV TherapyAcupunctureProlotherapyHomeopathyBotanical Medicine and Supplements

Introduction

What is a Naturopathic Doctor?

Your health advocate

Your health educator

Your health advisor

A member of your health team

The Physiology of Fertility

The Menstrual Cycle◦Average 28 days◦Day 1-14 - Follicular Phase◦Ovulation◦Day 15-28 – Luteal Phase

The Physiology of Fertility

The Main Female Hormones Involved:GnRHFSH – stimulate follicle developmentLH – Stimulates endometrium growthEstrogenProgesterone

The Physiology of Fertility

Sperm comprises 10% of ejaculated fluid

Sperm undergoes capacitation in the

vagina which allows it to swim and penetrate egg

Capacitation decreases dramatically after 72 hours

The Physiology of Fertility

Ovulation – the egg is released from the ruptured follicle

Women are fertile 7 days before ovulation and 1 day after◦Women are most fertile 48 hours before

ovulation and within 24 hours of ovulationThe embryo reaches the uterus around

day 5 and implants between days 5-9

The Endometrium

How to Track Your Cycle

Basal Body TemperatureHormonesUltrasound at ovulationOvulation urine stripsSympto-therm method

How to Track Your CycleOvulation:Cervical mucus is apparent about 6 days

before ovulationBasal Body Temperature rises 0.6-0.8F just

after ovulation due to increased progesteroneAround ovulation cervical mucus is thinnest,

very elastic, and will stretch ◦The last day of this is your “peak day”◦ Ovulation occurs 2 days before or after your peak

day

Challenges to FertilityInfertility is the failure to conceive◦After one year in women under 35 years old◦After six months in women over 35 years old

Affects 10-15% of reproductive aged couples

Infertility:◦Female infertility accounts for 50% of cases◦Male infertility accounts for 19%◦17.6% combination◦10.5% unknown cause

Challenges to FertilityIn Women infertility is due to:◦15-20% ovulation problems◦15-40% blockage of fallopian tube◦5% issues with cervical mucus

In Males infertility is due to:◦Low sperm count◦Low sperm motility◦Increased number of abnormal sperm

Challenges to Fertility

Other Considerations:Stress and lifestyleHealth of the fetusPartner compatibility◦Allergy to sperm

Health of the parentsPhysical challenges

Anatomic Abnormalities

Conscious ConceptionGenerally started one year before

conception◦Ensure adequate nutrient levels◦Proper detoxification◦Establish healthy life habits◦Establish healthy menstrual cycles

The health of our future depends on the health in the womb

Conscious ConceptionPrevention:◦Practice safe sex◦Avoid environmental chemicals and toxins◦Reduce stress◦Avoid smoking and excess alcohol intake,

reduce caffeine◦Maintain optimal weight◦Treat underlying medical conditions

Endometriosis, PCOS, thyroid dysfunction

Conscious Conception

Environmental Toxins:As science evolves the impact

environment toxins have on our health, and the health of our children, is becoming a focus in preventative medicine

Conscious Conception

Conscious Conception

Conscious Conception

Conscious ConceptionNutrients to Decrease Heavy Metals:Vitamin CVitamin E mixed tocopherolsZincSeleniumAlpha lipoic acidNACMultivitaims

Conscious Conception

Other Methods to Decrease Metals:IV and Chelation TherapyComplex homeopathicsAvoidance Regular detoxingAlkaline dietSauna

Promoting Fertility

Nutrients for Men:Vitamin C and E – antioxidants that

decrease sperm DNA damageL-carnitine – for normal functioning

spermB12 – deficiency can cause low sperm

count and reduced motility

Promoting FertilityWomen’s Health Diet

1. Eat Primarily Organic

2. Eat an Alkaline Diet – 80%

3. Eat Low-Glycemic Carbohydrates

4. Eat High-Fiber Foods

5. Eat at Least 8 Servings of Fruits and Vegetables Daily – 1 serving = 0.5 cups or a large piece of fruit

6. Consume 40 grams of protein a day

7. Avoid Food-Borne Toxins

8. Eat Soy and Other Phytoestrogens Daily*

Promoting Fertility

Women’s Health Diet con’t…

1. Avoid sugar, saturated fats, alcohol

2. Limit Dairy

3. Avoid known food sensitivities

4. Eat ‘super’ foods1. flaxseeds, turmeric, garlic, raw nuts and

seeds, shiitake mushrooms, blueberries, strawberreis, raspberries, extra virgin olive oil, organic green tea, legumes

Promoting FertilityNutrition:Eat almonds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds

regularly for mineralsOnly use extra-virgin olive oil and unheated

flaxseed oil in foodMultivitamin and mineral formula with extra folic

acid (800mcg), calcium (800mg), and magnesium (400mg) daily

Uncontaminated fish oil (3000mg) daily

*Dosing based on healthy individuals not taking other medications

Promoting Fertility

Lifestyle:Reduce stressExercise 40 minutes daily 3 months

before conceivingDo 100-hour sauna detoxDo not eat food stored in styrofoam or

plastic – store food in glassAvoid canned food and aluminum

cookware

Promoting FertilityDevelop a meditation practice – even 5

minutes a daySurround yourself with people you loveFeel receptive towards having a child,

rather than pushing for itTalk to your partner about raising a childResolve areas of conflict in your family

so the child enters a harmonious environment

Trust

Questions?