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Do orgasms during menstruation cause endometriosis?

According to results of a 2019 study of 555 women, vaginal intercourse and sexual activity leading to orgasm during menstruation increases the risk of endometriosis! 

The finding supports one of the theories of what causes Endometriosis—retrograde menstruation. This theory describes the backflow of menstrual blood into the pelvis as leading to endometrial cell adhesion outside of the uterus—cells from the uterine lining sticking where they are not supposed to.

Good to know! So apart from refraining from orgasms during your bleed, how else can you tackle endometriosis naturally? How can you prevent endometriosis from reoccurring and stop it from progressing if you already have it? 

Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture:  

Chinese medicine is used widely to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms associated with endometriosis. While it is not guaranteed to reverse lesions, it may help limit tissue proliferation, that is, slow down its progression. This is crucial for preventing the condition’s development and the recurrence of endometriosis after surgical removal of adhesions. 

According a study acupuncture can reduce dysmenorrhea (pain) associated with endometriosis (1). Another study (2) showed Chinese Herbal medicine was able to increase pregnancy rates in endometriosis patients. 

In Chinese Medical theory, endometriosis is effectively blood stagnation. A good practitioner will asses what is the underlying cause of this stagnation, as it’s different for different people. They will use acupuncture to move blood, resolve pain and reduce inflammation and herbs to warm the uterus, resolve masses and stop heavy bleeding. 

Avoid Inversions :  

We saw above in the ‘sex study’ that back flow of blood may not be the primary cause for endometriosis,  but it is a contributing factor. I advise my patients that inversions in yoga and pilates should be avoided during menstruation.  

Love your liver and get down with Cruciferous vegetables  

Endometrial tissue proliferates with the exposure to some types of estrogen. So by adding a cup of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussel sprouts into your diet daily, you can help your liver clear excess hormones.  

DUTCH testing  

Whether you have been diagnosed with endometriosis or not, a urinary DUTCH test is an amazing assessment of sex and adrenal hormones to identify markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. (4) It is the gold standard to understand how estrogen is being metabolised in the body and you can then work with your practitioner to design a supplement and nutrition plan tailored to how your body is working. 

I can organise a DUTCH test for you in clinic or online via https://www.freedomchinesemedicine.com/booking

Written by:

Dr Jessie Fayers

Acupuncturist & Herbalist

Dr. Jessie Fayers is a passionate and knowledgeable practitioner. She has been practicing acupuncture and herbal medicine for over a 15 years in Australia and abroad.

Jessie supports her clients to achieve optimal well-being through treatments that include gentle Japanese style Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Medicine. She uses functional pathology testing with in depth case history to provide you with a individualised treatment strategy utilising your diet, supplements and herbal medicine to get sustained changes and guide you to optimal health and vitality. Some of the tests she prescribes regularly are Complete Microbiome Assessments and Hormone panels. Jessie’s special interests include digestion, fertility and women’s health.

Jessie has worked in a variety of healthcare roles in Indonesia, USA, India, Nepal and Uganda and recently in Australia as a volunteer acupuncturist at the Asylum Seekers Resource Center. She lives on a country property with her partner and 2 border collies and is a ceramicist and gardener.

Jessie is available:

Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays 
Call (03) 9486 5966

Book Your Appointment with Jessie TODAY

References

1. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-herbs-endometriosis/chinese-herbs-show-early-promise-for endometriosis-idUSTRE56L5YB20090722/ 

2. https://cdn.amegroups.cn/journals/amepc/files/journals/8/articles/86291/public/86291-PB17-8819- R2.pdf 

3. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ 

endometriosis#:~:text=Key%20facts,age%20women%20and%20girls%20globally. 4. https://dutchtest.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Endometriosis_March-2022.pdf

Still trying? Want to make sure you have all your ducks in a row? Wondering if there’s something amiss? The fertility journey can be full of doubts. I remember. I had 3 years of trying with doubts. It can be so tough. Knowing what to try can make it easier. One of the most important parts of my work in fertility, is helping people remove common obstacles to conception. Working out the obstacles that often get overlooked. Even by high profile fertility specialists. Whether you’re trying naturally or via IVF/ IUI, these things are worth checking..

1. Vitamin D level. Your GP might have said your Vitamin D level is in the normal range (50-100nmol/L). However, studies show that women with Vitamin D levels above 75nmol/L have an increased likelihood of pregnancy and live birth. Interestingly, those in the study who corrected their Vit D levels BEFORE conception were associated with less miscarriages.
   This study found that Vitamin D levels affected IVF success rates. Those with Vit D deficiency were “less likely to develop mature eggs and would produce poor quality embryos.
   Supplementation with vitamin D alone during pregnancy probably reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and the risk of having a baby with low birthweight.

What to do next?
Get tested. Some people need a little extra Vitamin D, some people need a lot.
Sunshine and diet changes are great to help maintain Vitamin D levels, but to boost them rapidly, it’s likely you’ll need a supplement.

Organise a restest in a few months to make sure what you’re doing is working!

2. Luteal Sufficiency means that atleast 12 days passes between ovulation and when your menstrual flow (not spotting) begins. Atlease 12 days between these two events is sufficient for implantation of a fertilised egg. Nothing less. How Do I Know if I’m Ovulating?

Luteal Insufficiency is often overlooked. It is common in women with short cycles but can still happen in 28 day cycles. It can be linked with low progesterone. Which is also often overlooked in people with infertility and recurrent miscarriage.

3. Tubule Patency. This means that your fallopian tubes are open and working properly – not blocked or spasming. A Tubule Patency Test or HyCoSy is done under ultrasound. This test is worth doing if you have not conceived after 12 months of trying (6 months if over 35) AND if you haven’t conceived for 5 years prior. This test can be painful. It is worth taking a painkiller the day of the test. Some clinics advise this but some don’t. Mine didn’t and I wish they had!

4. Sperm Quality.

Here’s a little-known fact; the bar has been progressively lowered on acceptable semen values. Especially morphology (sperm shape). For example:
In 1987, the level for normal morphology was 50%, now it is only at 3%. That is, 97% abnormal sperm shape (2 heads or 2 tails), is considered OK. This is OK for IVF, espcially ICSI where they can select normal sperm. However, if you’re trying naturally, even between IVF/IUI cycles, you can imagine that you’d want higher odds of normal sperm reaching an egg. Most natural fertility specialists say to aim for 10-15% normal morphology.
Morphology is the most significant semen parameter. Research shows that the percent of morphologically normal sperm are significant predictors of time to pregnancy. Even independent of sperm concentration.1
Remember; Semen analysis results can vary from lab to lab. And results can vary from month to month.

And remember; it only takes one sperm to fertilise an egg.

5. Caffeine intake. Unfortunately, caffeine can increase miscarriage risk. Even caffeine intake before pregnancy. Studies indicate that miscarriage risk begins to rise with just one cup of tea or less than half a cup of coffee per day.

6. Toxins in our Environment. There are a bunch of toxins in our environment that have been proven to reduce our fertility and increase the chance of miscarriage. Yes, we can’t avoid all of them. Yes, our grandparents did OK without this knowledge. But they didn’t live with the multitude of hormone disrupters (mainly plastics) that we now do. There are a few main offenders. Let’s focus on them. And the simple steps we can take to reduce our exposure ..
https://freedomchinesemedicine.com/detoxing-to-increase-your-chances-of-getting-staying-pregnant/

Written by:

Dr Elaine Hickman

B.H.Sc.TCM (Acupuncture), Cert.Cl.Ac. (Beijing)

Elaine has trained and worked in various settings, both in Australia and China.  She has over 25 years experience in treating many health problems.  Elaine loves to provide a health care experience for people that is respectful, effective, empowering and enjoyable.  Elaine has particular expertise in Women’s Health, Children’s Health, Family Medicine and Wellness promotion. She brings extra understanding and knowledge to the table having been through infertility herself.

Elaine is available Mondays & Tuesdays at Freedom Chinese Medicine in Ivanhoe, Melbourne or via video chat most other days. Her trusted Associates are available all other weekdays. Click here to book.

REFERENCES
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4254491/

Cooper, 2007, (ESHRE campus meeting)
https://www.eshre.eu/~/media/sitecore-files/SIGs/Andrology/Thessaloniki-2009/Menkveld.pdf?la=en
https://www.eshre.eu/~/media/sitecore-files/Accreditation/Certification-embryologists/Barratt.pdf

Chen LW, Wu Y, Neelakantan N, Chong MF, Pan A, van Dam RM. Maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and risk of pregnancy loss: a categorical and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Public Health Nutr. 2016 May;19(7):1233-44. doi: 10.1017/S1368980015002463. Epub 2015 Sep 2. PMID: 26329421; PMCID: PMC10271029.
Gaskins AJ, Rich-Edwards JW, Williams PL, Toth TL, Missmer SA, Chavarro JE. Pre-pregnancy caffeine and caffeinated beverage intake and risk of spontaneous abortion. Eur J Nutr. 2018 Feb;57(1):107-117. doi: 10.1007/s00394-016-1301-2. Epub 2016 Aug 29. PMID: 27573467; PMCID: PMC5332346.
Association of preconception serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations with livebirth and pregnancy loss: a prospective cohort study

Sunni L Mumford, PhD, Rebecca A Garbose, MD, Keewan Kim, PhD, Kerri Kissell, MD
Daniel L Kuhr, Ukpebo R Omosigho, et al.
Published:May 30, 2018DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(18)30153-0
https://fertilityfirst.com.au/vitamin-d-deficiency-could-be-a-key-fertility-factor/

Palacios C, Kostiuk LK, Peña-Rosas J. Vitamin D supplementation for women during pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD008873. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008873.pub4

(BBT = Basal Body Temperature)

1. Obtain a proper fertility thermometer. which is a digital thermometer which has 2 decimal points. You can buy one from most pharmacies. Or online via the download below if it’s more convenient. Dedicate that thermometer to BBT checking and clean it with an alcohol swab regularly.

2. Obtain a app or a chart. Remember that every woman’s cycle is different, or even be the same month to month and Apps have different parameters. You want to keep the thermometer next to your bed, so that when you wake up, your eyes open – before you drink, eat, have sex, or even sit up in bed – take your temperature the thermometer goes in your mouth or vagina. Most thermometers keep memory of last read so you don’t even need to record it straight away.

3. On the first day you get your period (proper flow, not spotting), fill in the date and day of the week under cycle day 1. Continue noting the dates of your cycle until the first day of your next period.

4. You can also note the time you took your temperature. Try to take it at about the same time each morning. If you cannot or did not, just make a note.

5. At least 3 hours solid sleep is required beforehand (to get a basal temperature read). So if that didn’t happen, just make a note for that day. No need to take your temperature.

6. Conditions affecting your temperature may include things like a late night, fever, a cold, broken sleep or alcohol. These may cause abnormally high or low temperatures, resulting in inaccurate chart interpretation if not noted down.  So, ignore minor fluctuations. It’s trends & patterns we’re looking for over months.

You may find this a little overwhelming at first; however, it doesn’t take long to get into the routine. And after about 3 cycles you will start to see an obvious pattern and be much more aware of your fertility 😊    

Written by:

Dr Elaine Hickman

B.H.Sc.TCM (Acupuncture), Cert.Cl.Ac. (Beijing)

Elaine has trained and worked in various settings, both in Australia and China.  She has over 25 years experience in treating many health problems.  Elaine loves to provide a health care experience for people that is respectful, effective, empowering and enjoyable.  Elaine has particular expertise in Women’s Health, Children’s Health, Family Medicine and Wellness promotion. She brings extra understanding and knowledge to the table having been through infertility herself.

Elaine is available Mondays & Tuesdays at Freedom Chinese Medicine in Ivanhoe, Melbourne or via video chat most other days. Elaine’s trusted Associates are available most weekdays. Click here to book.

If you are trying to conceive via IVF, and your clinic advises freezing the embryo/s, what else can you do after egg retrieval to improve the odds of your frozen embryo implanting?

Here’s 5 natural things you can do:

1. Take a good prenatal. What’s a good prenatal?

– One that contains natural folate or methylfolate. This is preferred over poorly absorbed synthetic folic acid.

– One that contains active forms of Vitamin B6 and B12

– One that contains Iodine and Selenium. Minerals that are important for fertility and are not always included in prenatal supplements.

Or simply take a recommendation from your practitioner at Freedom Chinese Medicine. We stock 3 different quality prenatals in the clinic.

Having adequate levels of these vitamins right from the start of pregnancy is important for the health of the baby.

2. Take Vitamin D.

Refer to our supplement guide or your practitioner for dosing instructions.

Vitamin D is important for reducing the risk of miscarriage and preterm birth.

3. Take Vitamin E 600mg daily.

Studies have used 900IU, which is a fairly high dose. To get close to that level, you could take 2 capsules per day in the month before embryo transfer.

In 2019, a study of women with repeated implantation failure found that supplementing with Vitamin E significantly improved lining thickness. Vitamin E boosts blood cell numbers in the uterine lining and promotes the development of new blood vessels.

4. Take L-arginine 6g daily.

Not recommended before egg retrieval as it may compromise egg quality. It has been found that L-arginine can increase endometrial thickness at a dose of 6 grams per day, divided into 4 doses. To be taken after egg retrieval until the transfer.

L-arginine dilates blood vessels thereby improving blood flow.

5. Have acupuncture!

Acupuncture is surprisingly relaxing. Research has consistently found that in women undergoing IVF, acupuncture reduces the level of the stress hormone cortisol.

After transfer, you can stop the Vitamin E and L-arginine, but continue with Acupuncture, Vitamin D and your prenatal until you get a positive test.

If you are trying to conceive naturally, here is information on supplementation for you.

Written by Dr. Elaine Hickman

B.H.Sc.TCM (Acupuncture), Cert.Cl.Ac. (Beijing)

Elaine has trained and worked in various settings, both in Australia and China.  She has over 22 years experience in treating many health problems.  Elaine loves to provide a health care experience for people that is respectful, effective, empowering and enjoyable.  Elaine has particular expertise in Women’s Health, Children’s Health, Family Medicine and Wellness promotion. She brings extra understanding and knowledge to the table having been through infertility herself.

Elaine is available in clinic in Ivanhoe, Melbourne or via Telehealth/ phone or video chat.

Book Your Appointment TODAY

References

1. Hashemi Z, Sharifi N, Khani B, Aghadavod E, Asemi Z. The effects of vitamin E supplementation on endometrial thickness, and gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and inflammatory cytokines among women with implantation failure. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2019 Jan;32(1):95-102. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2017.1372413. Epub 2017 Sep 12. Update in: J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2022 Dec;35(25):6841. PMID: 28847198.

2. Takasaki A, Tamura H, Miwa I, Taketani T, Shimamura K, Sugino N. Endometrial growth and uterine blood flow: a pilot study for improving endometrial thickness in the patients with a thin endometrium. Fertil Steril. 2010 Apr;93(6):1851-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.12.062. Epub 2009 Feb 6. PMID: 19200982.

3. So EW, Ng EH, Wong YY, Yeung WS, Ho PC. Acupuncture for frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Reprod Biomed Online. 2010 Jun;20(6):814-21. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2010.02.024. Epub 2010 Mar 4. PMID: 20382081.

Dr. Elaine’s top tips for stress relief

It’s that time of year when life can seem to speed up, get much busier. Do you feel more stressed this time of year? Here’s 8 things that you can do to help.

First, accept it; there is no need to fight with stress. It can be used as a creative energy. Accept the feeling, it is perfectly okay. Stress is simply an indication that the body is getting ready to fight with the situation. Enjoy the challenge! There is no need to be worried. Work it out, use the energy that is coming up: walk up and down, go for a run, go for a long walk. Plan what you want to do, what the mind wants to do. Rather than trying to relax, which is sometimes not possible. In fact if you have worked through the stress totally you will come to relaxation automatically; you can go on only so far, then the body automatically relaxes.

If you are overwhelmed, having trouble focusing on what you need to do to next to work through the stress, try these:

1. Stop & breathe, even for 30 seconds. Stop what you’re doing, focus on your breath, elongate your breath out, ideally make it twice as long as your breath in. Breathe through your nose if you can. This one of the quickest ways to decrease your sympathetic (excitatory) nervous system activity.

2. Be present. Focus on one thing at a time and give it your full focus. Let yourself be immersed in this one task, letting go of the feeling that you need to quickly rush through it, that you need to get on to the next task. There will always be a next task — the nature of task lists is that they’re never-ending. So let those other tasks come later.

3. Make space between appointments. Rushing is a common stress trigger so minimise rushing by allowing space between appointments. Allow time for the unexpected to come up, as it often does. Be a master of your time, not a slave to it.

4. Laugh. It’s one of the quickest ways to get those happy chemicals flowing. And it’s fun. Take 5 mins to watch a funny video. Ask the person next to you to tell you a joke. Try laughing at yourself or the ridiculously busy day you have planned. It can be liberating:)

5. Rest if you’re tired. Ah so simple but we often find this one challenging. “But I’ve got so much to do” says our programming. The simple truth is that you’ll be able to complete any task much more efficiently after you’ve had even a 5 minute rest.

6. Take a brief walk. When things are getting stressful, take two-three minutes to take a walk and clear your mind. A short walk does wonders.

7. Let go. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with tasks, work out what you can delegate or simply drop it for now. Ask yourself~ does it really matter right now?

8. Drop the sugar. Seriously. Sugar is a stimulant, will send your blood sugar high which will soon come back down, this can affect our mood and stress response.

You can also come in for a relaxing Acupuncture or  Massage session 🙂