It's National Infertility Awareness Week

Image Credit: Resolve

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week, sponsored by the incredible organization, RESOLVE. 1 in 8 couples in the United States experience issues with fertility. That's an incredible amount of people in the United States, who, in my opinion, get very little support for the frustrating, often heart breaking times they endure. Infertility plagues people of all races, both male and female, and all sexual orientations, religions, and abilities. It is truly a disorder that should be at the forefront of our research.

Source: momtrends.com

Many couples who go through diagnosis of infertility experience a lot of shame. I truly believe, as Brene Brown states, that shame comes from the feeling of isolation, the feeling that we are alone in whatever we are going through. I would never ask a couple going through infertility to 'out' themselves if they didn't want to. Everyone deals with this process in their own way. Instead, this is a time for everyone else to come together and voice support of those people struggling with infertility. Awareness and love can be spread through our communities in a way that is non-assuming, gentle, and supportive. We can come together for these friends and family members in our community.

What can you do for these friends and family?

Let them know that you're there for them, and then BE there for them. Depending on your relationship and what they need in the moment, this may look like caring for their other kids while they are at appointments or grieving; coming over when they call because they are so frustrated, angry, or sad; going to hard appointments with them or meeting them afterwards; and so many other things- the main point is to ask "what do you need?". If they say they don't know, let them know that when they do know what they need, that you're there for them.

I see everything going on in the world right now, and I look around and still believe that we can do this. We can do this human family. We can pull together, act with kindness, love and grace. We can be there for each other. All we have to do is live today that way, then wake up tomorrow, and do the same.

Dr. Jen Riegle is a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) who practices in Santa Rosa, CA. Dr. Jen specializes in women's health, infertility, and oncofertility. If you live in the Bay Area and would like to make an appointment, you may schedule on our website or by calling (707)-243-8998.

Childhood Cancer and Your Child's Fertility

When your child gets a diagnosis of cancer, the last thing on your mind is probably 20 years from now. You want to get them through the day, through this year, to their next birthday. But as our treatments for cancer get better and better, and as survival rates go up for childhood cancers, it's becoming more of a concern what your child's future will look like when they make it through this.

The hard facts are that often, cancer treatments affect long term fertility. Even if your child is very young, their fertility organs (testis or ovaries) are very susceptible to injury by chemotherapy or radiation. The time to think about your child's fertility is now, before any treatment. Even though this can be difficult, it is best to have all options available if possible. In an overwhelming time, you may want to take advantage of a patient advocate, the work that I do for oncofertility patients, as well as others do. There are many new advancements in the field of oncofertility have given options to parents who want to consider their children's fertility. Below, options are separated by before and after puberty for males and females.

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For Children Who have Not Gone Through Puberty

Females

• Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation

Males

• Testicular Tissue Cryopreservation

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For Children Who Have Gone Through Puberty

Females

• Ovarian Transposition
• Egg Banking
• Embryo Banking
• Ovarian Suppression

Males

• Sperm Banking
• Embryo Banking

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Additional Options

• Donor Egg
• Donor Sperm
• Gestational Surrogate
• Adoption

For a consult with Dr. Riegle by phone or in person regarding your child's personal risk for infertility, options for fertility preservation, and other resources, schedule here.

Dr. Jen Riegle is a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) who practices in Santa Rosa, CA. Dr. Jen specializes in women's health, infertility, and oncofertility. If you live in the Bay Area and would like to make an appointment, you may schedule on our website or by calling (707)-243-8998.

Have PCOS? Watch out for BPA!!

Research over the last several years has shown that the plastic component BPA (bisphenol A) actually accumulates more, on average in women with PCOS. Not only do women with PCOS have higher blood levels of BPA, they also have higher follicular levels of BPA. That means that the follicles that surrounds the very eggs that potentially make your baby and secrete hormones in a woman's body have high levels of a chemical that we know is toxic. Additionally, there is evidence that BPA may decrease aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen in the body. Remember, testosterone in women with PCOS is often high, causing many issues in the female body.

So what can you do?

1. Number one is REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE! BPA is found in products such as plastic water bottles, plastic food containers, plastic drink containers, canned foods, and receipts from registers. And don't be fooled by BPA free plastics! They have a form of bisphenol that actually may be worse than BPA.
2. BPA is excreted relatively quickly compared to other endocrine disrupting chemicals, so getting your exposure down is definitely the most important. However, you can also SWEAT to get out BPA. Exercise and saunas (not when pregnant!) are great ways to excrete chemical laden sweat.
3. Support your body with the proper NUTRIENTS for detox. For some people you will be able to accomplish this through a proper diet, but for others you may need individualized support from your doctor.

Even some change, even if it's not everything, can help your body deal with PCOS. Try cutting out one thing at a time if you need to, and see where you can go from there. Small, stable, step-wise changes that last a lifetime are often more important that wild shifts back and forth. And if you need support, reach out! Lifestyle change can be hard, and you can always have a community to support you!

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Dr. Jen Riegle is a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) who practices in Santa Rosa, CA. Dr. Jen specializes in women's health, infertility, and oncofertility. If you live in the Bay Area and would like to make an appointment, you may schedule on our website or by calling (707)-243-8998.