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The best fertility treatment is beating stress

Research shows that STRESS may well be one of the leading causes of female infertility, preventing thousands of otherwise healthy women from starting a family.

Many women who struggle today to conceive could increase their chances greatly by learning to cope more effectively with the stress of daily life, scientists say. Research in the United States has shown that psychological treatment designed to relieve stress can achieve spectacular results, restoring fertility to women who do not ovulate or menstruate.
The findings suggest that teaching stress-reduction techniques could be one of the most effective ways of treating this condition, known as amenorrhea (lack of periods), which affects up to one in ten women of reproductive age, and is caused by stress about half of the time. The work could also be significant for a much larger group of women, who still ovulate and have periods, but whose fertility is impaired by the effects of stress, researchers told the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference in Prague.
“We think there are women who have sub-clinical forms of stress and who are infertile as a result, though they are hard to recognise,” said Professor Sarah Berga, of Emory University in Atlanta, USA, who led the study. “Some have normal menstrual cycles, but still have insufficient progesterone to support a pregnancy.”
Other papers presented at the conference yesterday also found that reducing stress during IVF treatment can dramatically improve the chances of success.
One of the studies, from an Israeli team, found that entertaining patients with a clown after embryos were transferred to the womb, using humour to alleviate stress, increased pregnancy rates from 19.3 per cent to 35.5 per cent.
In Professor Berga’s study, 16 women aged between 20 and 35 with stress-related amenorrhea, none of whom had had a period for at least six months, were split into two groups. One group was observed but not treated, while the other eight women were given a 20-week course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a “talking treatment” in which strategies for coping with stress are taught.
“A staggering 80 per cent of the women who received CBT started to ovulate again, as opposed to only 25 per cent of those randomised to observation,” Professor Berga said.
“This study underlines the important contribution that lifestyle factors make in determining overall health and reproductive health in particular.”
Two of the women who had the cognitive behaviour therapy responded so well that they became pregnant soon afterwards, where previously they had not been able to ovulate.
The treatment appeared to reduce the high levels of cortisol, a key stress hormone that was in many women significantly  higher than normal in all the patients at the outset of the study. There was no corresponding decline in the untreated group.
Though the results come from a small trial, and need to be confirmed by larger studies, they offer the best evidence yet that combating stress can restore fertility without recourse to hormonal drugs or IVF.
Professor Berga’s work also fits with the outcome of her previous research on monkeys. This found that stress, which was induced by changing the animals’ living arrangements on a regular basis, often induced amenorrhea, particularly when combined with poor diet and excessive exercise. Both behaviours are common among women with high stress levels.
She is about to start a much larger investigation of up to 4,000 American nurses, in which levels of the stress hormone cortisol will be checked against reproductive hormones that work as indicators of a healthy menstrual cycle. “If the study confirms our earlier results, we will have very strong evidence for offering stress reduction as an effective therapy for a significant group of infertile women,” she said.
The women in the study were generally young professionals with no obvious signs that they were stressed. All were of normal body weight and did not suffer from eating disorders, which are known to cause amenorrhea.
 
Mark Henderson, Science Editor,
Times Online June 2006
 
Eric’s comment: I believe that it is important to check every infertile woman’s salivary cortisol levels, to determine their degree of adrenal involvement. I can speak from personal experience here, my wife took 7 years to conceive before we had our first child. I know it was stress, we were both studying and working full-time. Pregnancy occured once we gave up trying, and were looking to adopt. With 1 in 6 couples now having difficulty conceiving in most Western countries – is it not worth checking for adrenal involvement? One of the best ways to effectively balance the adrenal gland is to try Dr. Wilson’s Adrenal Fatigue Program for a period of 4 – 6 months. For the price of a cup of coffee daily, it could well  be more cost-effective and effective than expensive IVF therapy.
 

Life should be fun, NOT if you are tired!

Life should be more fun, how many times have you said that to yourself?
 
 
You may have told yourself many times: "what is the point of it all, I feel like a rat on a treadwheel", particulary as you wait in traffic jams, find that you have piles of unexpected bills or have had enough of your work. For life to be enjoyable we all need challenges that we feel we can cope with. Sadly we are all, at times, faced with insurmountable challenges that we feel we cannot cope with and it is then that we may experience stress. The 21st century has become the century of stress, and if we understand how stress affects us as an individual, and if we are prepared to makes the necessary changes to our lifestyle and diet, then we sure can mitigate the affects that stress has on our bodies. It is important to remember that showing signs of stress does not mean you are a weak individual who cannot cope! It means you are a normal human being like everyone else, but a person who is being affected by stress.  All people react differently to the situations they have to face because they are all unique individuals. Some may be very passive personalities whilst others may be very competitive and dominating. Their life experiences will vary enormously as will their overall conditioning. Their state of health will also vary – it is far more difficult coping with the pressures of every day life when one is feeling tired and simply "worn out". Women today are under a higher load to achieve than even before in history, and it is taking its toll. A survey last year found that literally hundreds of thousands of women are "burned out" in Australia, and in 1999, a New Zealand survey found that 61% of NZ doctors are significantly stressed. I could just imagine the sheer numbers of women and men in America who suffer from stress and burnout that are diagnosed as "depressed", and told to get on with their lives. I grew up in the 1960’s, and life today is sure different.
 
My 78yr old mother told me the other day that people today are far too rushed, and that a woman living in the 50’s and 60’s certainly did face stress, but nothing like today! My mother, like many women in the past, was a "stay at home mum" who looked after the household and then could relax at night and in the weekends. Women today have "two shifts" – the job and the household. Is it any wonder they become tired, irritable and have little time left for their close intimate relationship?
Living in the 21st century has become so very time pressured and competitive. Sadly marriage/partnership breakdowns are becoming extremely common and long-term job security seems, for many, to be something of the past. It is hardly surprising that at times people feel they just cannot cope. The recent financial crisis has really hit hard for so many – only to add more financial stress on top of what many are already experiencing! Life goes on but the bills have to be paid.
 
You probably know a few people around you yourself who are finding it all too much. Try reading this: Are you heading for burnout? So what are the common signs of stress?  Hint – they are some of the most common reasons why people visit their doctors. It has been estimated that about 90% of all doctor visits are stress related. And of course, we have become a society where there is a "pill for every ill". How convenient – a person comes into the medical clinic with insomnia, then let’s give them a sleeping pill. A person presents to their doctor with a headache, then let’s give them a headache pill, etc. But the most surprising thing for me recently was to speak with a medical doctor here in New Zealand who came to hear Dr. Wilson speak about Adrenal Fatigue in November 2008. This doctor was quick to tell me that he could recognise about half his patients in Dr. Wilson’s presentation, but sadly said that "we generally prescribe an anti-depressant when a patient complains about fatigue". Are you tired and feel "down" about things? Perhaps it may be a wise decision on your part (before jumping into taking a drug) to complete Dr. Wilson’s Adrenal Fatigue Questionnaire to really determine if you suffer from real depression or are just plain fatigued leading to anxiety and depression. The Questionnaire is available from your health care professional who specialises in Dr. Wilson’s Adrenal Fatigue program. To be honest, I have personally seen many patients improve on the Program, that anti-depressant therapy was no longer required. Did you know that in 2007, over 1 million prescriptions were prescribed for anti-depressants in New Zealand – a country with just a little over 4 million people? Imagine how many anti depressants are being prescribed in USA to adrenally fatigued patients, just imagine!  but then again, the truth is often stranger than fiction.
 
Some of the most common signs of stress are:
  • Mood swings, depression 
  • Anxiety, irritability
  • Skin problems
  • Tiredness, exhaustion 
  • Muscle tension 
  • Poor concentration
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Changes in eating patterns
  • Low self esteem
  • Poor memory
The common answer to many of the above problems can be to drink a little too much alcohol, eat junk foods, smoke tobacco or cannabis, self medicate with drugs such as headache pills, sleeping pills, etc, etc.. Is this really the solution? I always ask my patients this question (depending on their addictions or compulsions) – "Why do you drink alcohol daily?"  (or drink several cups of coffee, smoke cigarettes, or have other compulsive or addictive behaviours)
The common reply is "Because I like it, it makes me feel good". The operative word here is "feel good". If you are always looking for something to make you "feel good", or looking for a boost, or something to give you a kick, hit, lift or whatever it may be, then you are almost certainly adrenally fatigued. 
 
It is very important to take positive action when faced with stress as, if experienced over a period of time, it can seriously impair your mental and physical health. The following proven coping strategies can really start to help you reduce he effects of any stress in your life.
  • Be aware of your own warning signs – maybe this could be a sudden feeling of anxiety, extreme tiredness, feeling very tearful, catching every cough and cold – feeling run down.
  • Review what is really causing stress for you? You could be surprised! Think about what action you could perhaps take to change things. How much of your stress is caused by you? Are your expectations of yourself and others realistic for example?
  • At times of stress we often fall into the trap of not eating properly, smoking more or turning to alcohol as a supposedly helpful crutch. (That possible hangover, let alone "guilt trip" the next day could just add to your problems!) Instead:
  • Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and keep sugar intake to a minimum. This can help to support your immune system in its fight against colds and flu – ailments you so often get when run down.
  • Try eating for fatigue. Eat on time, and the right kind of foods. What a difference this can make to your energy levels and moods!
  • Eating for your adrenal glands is an excellent source of information for you to make the right choices in the kitchen.
  • Drink plenty of water, it will help you rehydrate your body, and only drink alcohol in moderation.
  • Try and keep caffeine and alcohol consumption to the minimum.
  • Try not to turn to nicotine or any other self prescribed drugs.
  • Do not feel guilty about including a period of relaxation every day. We all need to turn off from time to time. Do something you enjoy and fits into your life. This could, for example, be reading, listening to music, doing yoga or meditating, enjoying a warm bath with perhaps some aromatherapy oils added to it. It does not have to take long – or be considered a luxury or time wasting. It is a vital part of life.
  • Make sure exercise is part of life. Exercise which is suitable for you. If you have any doubts as to the correct sort for you ask your doctor.
  • Time management. Do you often find yourself saying "yes" when in fact you mean "no"? Are you always late for things? Do you get frustrated knowing you could have done a better job if you had organised your time better? Learn how to be more assertive and manage your time properly. Many of us waste so much time – often making excuses for things we have not done! There are some excellent courses available as well as books on both these subjects.
  • Consider attending a stress management training course. You do not have to be stressed to attend one of these. It is far better to know fully what to do prior to experiencing stress than during!
  • We would be happy to supply information about Dr. Wilson’s Adrenal Fatigue Program, and can refer you to a practitioner in New Zealand who has knowledge of this amazing, unique and highly effective program aimed at restoring your energy and vitality. We have many practitioners who are experiencing incredible results with their patients. So – what are you waiting for? Why be tired when life can be so much more fun – if you could only increase your energy levels.
 
 
 Eric Bakker ND

Eating For Fatigue Tips

We all know of the importance of nutrition and diet with maintaning our weight, as well as the link with a poor unhealthy diet and heart disease risk. But what do we really know or understand about the relationship between fatigue, tiredness and what we eat? I believe that for several reasons it is very important to eat a healthy and balanced diet when you suffer from adrenal fatigue, fibromyalgia or thyroid problems.

 

 

Adrenal Fatigue and low blood sugar. One of the biggest points to bear in mind is that those with adrenal fatigue can be notoriously stubborn when it comes to eating on time. Eating at the right time is probably just as important as eating the right kind of food. This is because the fatigued person will have lower than average cortisol levels, and cortisol is one of the main hormones produced by your body to regulate blood sugar levels. Many of those with adrenal fatigue can be hard on themselves as far as taking a break during the day is concerned. They "just need to get this job done" and may not find enough time during the day to eat a wholesome breakfast or lunch. Many will quickly grab something fast to eat and pay the price later, I know, I used to be one of them. I used to have something "quick" for lunch, only to feel weak and end up with a headache late in the afternoon. If you have fatigue, it is not wise to eat fruit and yoghurt for breakfast. This lack of sufficient protein, essential fatty acids and too much sugar (fructose, sucrose, etc) in the fruit will only worsen the symptoms of adrenal fatigue.

Sugar, salt and fat cravings. It is interesting how the take-away food industry has done so well with their high fat, sald and sugary foods. Fatigued people learn over time that foods and drinks like coffee, potato chips and take-out foods can help to drive them further when they are tired. As fatigued people stimulate their flagging adrenal glands with these divitalised foods over the years their bodies become only more deprived and deficient. So, the leson to learn here is to eat as little sugar as possible, be cautious with your carbohydrate intake (like breads, crackers, cookies, etc)  Several pieces of fruit daily is not a wise choice for the adrenally compromised patient, and you may well still hold the belief that the key to good health is lots of fruit.

Weight gain and cortisol levels. The cruel thing is that tired peole often eat more (of the wrong kinds of foods) to boost their flagging energy levels. This temporary excess cortisol level which is produced by eating more foods causes the person to develop fat around their middle, giving that "spare tire look". Unfortunately, this added weight adds to the fatigue and lethargy, allowing the vicious cycle to continue of low cortisol leading to fatigue and cravings, and then inappropriate snacking and high cortisol levels leading to overeating, obesity and eventually "insulin resistance" and what has become know the past few years as "Syndrome X". This condition is now affecting as many as one in four currently in America, and Australia now leads he way in childhood obesity with New Zealand not far behind. Syndrome X will often mean high blood pressure, blood sugar dysregulation, cholesterol problems, and a whole host of other issues. So many people try to lose weight, I just try to get people to have a sufficiently energised lifestyle. My belief is that if you can allow a fatigued person to reclaim their energy back, their desire to get up off the couch will vastly increase. Their self-esteem will come back with their renewed energy. And of course weight loss will occur as part of an energised lifestyle.

When should you eat? One of the biggest issues that adrenally fatigued patients face is not eating soon after they wake up. It is very important that if you are a fatigued person, that you eat before 10.00 am at the latest. You need to replenish your waning stores of blood sugar (glycogen). After all, breakfast is exactly that – you are "breaking a fast" which your body has experienced overnight as you slept (fast). Even a small, nutritious snack is better than nothing at all, or just a cup of coffee. Your cortisol levels are at thier highest level around 6.00am – 8.00am, and some folks may have very high cortisol levels which may make them feel like not eating. This will be particularly so if their liver is congested. Dr. Wilson mentions that it is actually common to find the combination of por adrenal function at the same time as a sluggish liver. You must have some nutritious food by 10.00am to keep your body from trying to play "catch-up" during the rest of the day.  Have an early lunch, particularly if you suffer bad with morning fatigue (feeling really tired after you wake in the morning).  Between about 11.00am – 11.30am is usually the best time for lunch. It also makes sense to have a snack around 2.00pm – 3.00pm to sustaing you dip in cortisol levels which typically occurs betwen 3.00 – 4.00pm. Your evening meal is best taken around 5.00pm – 6.00pm. Problems at night sleping? Then try a small protein snack before bedtime. This may well hold the key to successfully getting you through the night without panic attacks, sleep disturbances, anxiety reactions, or feeeling wrecked in the morning.

Fatigued people often have food allergies or hypersensitivities. Many people who suffer with fatigue have compromised immune systems, and are sensitive to chemicals and additives that are found in processed foods. Work with your doctor or naturopathic physician who should be able to help explain the most allergenic foods and how to adjust your diet. Be particularly careful of cow’s milk, ice cream, bananas, eggs, corn, oranges, sugar, and wheat and/or gluten.There are many foods which you may be potentially reacting to, be sure to work with your practitioner who should be able to assist. Dr. Wilson writes almost 20 pages on food allergies and sensitivities in his book, be sure to read a copy for more understanding.

Here are a few places you can start with your diet: (Dr. Wilson’s Adenal Fatigue book contains a 41 page chapter on foods)

1. Eliminate or limit your intake of refined sugars, (ie: biscuits, cakes, candy, Coke and fizzy drinks, cordials, drink sachets containing sugars, etc.), natural sugar from fruits are fine.
2. If you don’t eat vegetables, start eating one serving a day, if you already eat one serving a day, try to start eating two….(you see where I am going with this, right?). Not all vegetables are created equal, for instance; spinach, broccoli, green beans, are really good for you, but corn, potatoes, iceberg lettuce, just so …..but better than nothing.
3. Increase your “lean” protein intake, (ie: chicken, fish, pork, lean beef). Salmon once a week is a great idea, and you can now get it in frozen, single portioned packages. Also, try venison for a change.
4. Replace all (or most) soft drink (sodas) intake with water. There is nothing about soda, diet or regular, that is good for you. If you are drinking it for the caffeine, coffee is better for this purpose than "fizzy drinks".
5. Eliminate or cut back your use of processed foods, (ie: frozen dinners, anything with a "powder packet").
6. Increase your intake of fiber, oatmeal in the morning is good for this.
7. Don’t be afraid of a little more salt in your diet. People under stress, adrenally compromised people, often have the need for a lttle more sodium in their diets.
 
These are just a few ideas. Obviously there is much more to good nutrition, but we need to start somewhere! Don’t do it all at once, make small changes, and gradually work your way into eating a healthier diet. You will begin to see that you feel better when you eat healthier than you do when you are eating junk, this will then become your motivation to keep it up.
 
Eric Bakker ND
 

Happy couples have lower salivary cortisol levels

Couples who spend more time hugging and kissing have lower levels of stress hormones in their bodies, new research suggests.

A Swiss study has found proof that intimacy improves psychological health – but you need to have a close relationship, preferably a marriage, to benefit.

Researchers from the University of Zurich in Switzerland studied 51 mostly married German couples for one week, and found those who reported more physical contact, from holding hands to sexual intercourse, had lower levels of the so-called stress hormone, cortisol, in their saliva.

Cortisol is responsible for several stress-related changes in the body and is secreted in higher levels during the body’s fight or flight response to stress.

The finding, reported in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, found that couples who reported more problems at work had the biggest drop in levels of the hormone through intimacy.

Lead author Dr Beate Ditzen said intimacy was thought to improve hormone levels simply by boosting mood.

But she stressed that couples should not race to express more intimacy as such, but rather find things to do together that create positive feelings for both partners.

Intimacy means different things for different couples, Dr Ditzen said.

"This means that there is no specific behaviour that couples should show in everyday life," she said.

"Rather, all kinds of behaviour which couples themselves would consider intimate. . . might be beneficial."

Did you know that you can easily test for the stress hormone at home yourself? Salivary hormone testing is so easy, reliable, accurate and convenient. Please contact us for further information regarding salivary testing of cortisol/DHEAs, and we can explain the procedure and even help to refer you to a practitioner who does this test in New Zealand.

 

Regards,

 

Eric Bakker ND

 

61% of Doctors “significantly stressed” in New Zealand

In January 1999, 411 doctors, 330 surgeons and 400 randomly sampled community pharmacists were surveyed in New Zealand regarding their job satisfaction, psychological morbidity and stress level. All three groups were satisfied with their jobs, but pharmacists were significantly less so. There is a growing international literature about the impact of stress, job satisfaction, psychological symptoms and morale on health professionals. It is recognised that a syndrome of increasing stress and psychological symptoms is not restricted to the traditionally highly stressed groups of junior hospital doctors, but may affect senior hospital consultants, general practitioners and other health professionals. New Zealand has been faced with the changes and challenges of significant health reforms yet there remains little published literature about health professional job satisfaction and levels of psychological distress in the current working environment. A study by Richards (5) identified significant stress in 61% of a sample of New Zealand doctors and there is evidence of high levels of burnout in rural practitioners.

Results: Response rates of the study were 70.5% for physicians, 69% for surgeons and 76% for community pharmacists. Job satisfaction scores for surgeons were similar to scores for general practitioners. Pharmacist and physicians scores were lower. Job satisfaction varied according to gender, the relative amount of time spent in public practice and the perceived ill effects of work on health. Pharmacists had the highest number of cases with significant scores on the GHQ-12 scale, with physicians and surgeons scoring similar to general practitioners. In each of these health professional groups approximately 10% described a level of symptoms that is associated with more severe psychological disturbance. According to the 1999 survey, although general practitioners were satisfied with their jobs overall, work was perceived as affecting the physical health of 46% of the sample and 57% had often contemplated leaving general practice. Approximately one third (31.4%) of those general practitioners had a score higher than 4 on the GHQ-12 indicative of a significant level of psychological symptoms and 10% scored more than 8 indicating significant psychological distress.
 
 
The major causes of stress and lack of medical job satisfaction
 
·         Excessive paperwork
·         Excessive hours
·         Health reforms
·         Bureaucratic interference
·         Compromised family or social life
·         Public practice (more stress than private)
·         On-call practice
 
 
This survey has been repeated with specialist physicians, surgeons and pharmacists to provide a comparison with general practitioners. Pharmacists more frequently contemplated giving up their job due to work stress, than all other groups. They were also less interested in their job due to work stress, and felt less able to remain competent at work than GPs. Pharmacists also felt more overwhelmed by paperwork, reported more financial concerns and very high levels of frustration at bureaucratic interference than physicians or surgeons. Family and social life was frequently compromised among all groups, and all groups set aside time for stress-relief less often than the mid point on the likert scale. Physicians and surgeons perceived public work as more stressful than private. However, similar levels of satisfaction were reported for both public work and private work. There was a significant correlation between job satisfaction and other question responses for pharmacists, physicians, and surgeons. Low job satisfaction correlated with contemplation of giving up work due to stress. Physicians and surgeons were more likely to have lower job satisfaction scores if they felt unable to remain competent in their field of work. Lower job satisfaction for pharmacists and physicians correlated with bureaucratic interference. Increased time spent in private practice correlated with increased job satisfaction for physicians and surgeons. Respondents from all health professional groups commented about stress related to
the impact of government reforms and ‘bureaucratic interference’.
 
 
Eric Bakker ND: My concern with this amazing survey is the fact that if 61% of New Zealand doctors are significantly stressed, they may actually find it difficult to recognise stress in patients themselves. Many medical professionals in fact do not even believe that adrenal fatigue  actually exists. It must be hard to recognise stress and fatigue in your patients which you yourself may well have a degree of suffering from. I encourage all healthcare professionals to study and understand stress and the adrenal gland, and how this functional syndrome can affect not only their own health, but that of their patients as well.  I now know that over half of my patients have this syndrome, which is all too often just conveniently labeled as "depression".

 
 
Abstract NZ Medical Journal 2001, 114:540-544
This study was a Wellington School of Medicine Summer Studentship Project.
“A survey of job satisfaction, sources of stress and psychological symptoms among New Zealand
Health Professionals”
  
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