Food is my medicine

Whatever triggers endometriosis, estrogen keeps it going. So my next step is to eliminate foods that increase estrogen and that convert estrogen down the wrong pathway.

Your body should convert estrogen along a C-2 pathway which is healthy and not cancerous. This is the pathway used for healthy reproduction. Unfortunately, when certain foods and toxins are introduced into the body, estrogen will convert along the risky C- 16 and C-4 pathways. I believe this not only worsens endometriosis but can cause cells to become cancerous. I have put together a list of foods that inhibit the secretion of unwanted estrogen and foods that can help eliminate endometrial cell growth!

Healthy Gut = Healthy absorption of estrogen

1. Dietary fiber
2. Flax seed
3. Dark leafy greens
4. Oats
5. Probiotics (kombucha is the bomb y'all)

Avoid excess estrogen and stop C-16 pathways

1. Manage insulin by getting carbs from vegetables and fruits.
2. Omega-3; diets low in omegas cause the body to go through C-16 pathway.
3. High protein diets help the live to eliminate excess estrogen.

Great nutrients to metabolize estrogen

1. B vitamins
2. Zinc
3. Omega 3
4. Green tea
5. Magnesium
6. Selenium
7. Melatonin
8. Vitamin E; low vitamin E is linked to high estrogen and cancer

Avoid drinking alcohol and dairy product
Insert sad face here

Women who engage in high intensity workouts along with a healthy diet see a 75% decrease in symptoms. With the pain I've been experiencing, I'm willing to give it a try. Why not?

I'm not citing MLA right now but I will give the links to the two articles that I got a lot of my information. I'm a high school anatomy and physiology teacher so I'd get struck by lightning if I didn't at least paste the link.

These articles give me hope that I can manage this disease. I can give up ice cream to get the family I've always wanted.

http://main.poliquingroup.com/ArticlesMultimedia/Articles/Article/801/10_Ways_to_Lower_Estrogen_Toxic_Load_.aspx

http://www.pcrm.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/health/pv_endometriosis.pdf

New Diagnosis: Endometriosis

It all started at 15, balled up on the bathroom floor in pain. When I finally walked back to class, I remember my friend behind me brushing the dust off my shirt. The memory seems so silly to me now because it was obvious from the start that something was wrong physiologically.

Fast forward 16 years and I finally get the endometriosis diagnosis . From my previous posts you’ll read that I already have PCOS, so this came with a wave of exasperation and grief. How can I have another disease and how is that going to affect my fertility?

After a long ugly cry alone in the parking lot of the OBGYN, I picked up the pieces and went home to give my baby a big hug. I get so stuck on trying to have another baby, I forget to look right in front of me at my little miracle. I’ll get through this diagnosis like I did the last by using Hippocrates’ methods and use food as my medicine. Follow me through this journey as I try to jump this hurdle and have the family I’ve always wanted.

To work out or not to work out

I have been waiting for this moment for a really long time. I finally have my dream baby inside if me, and I am conflicted. Should I quit Crossfit? Recently every day I go, that night I have cramps that wake me up in the middle of the night. I purposely quit going a for a week, and there weren’t any cramps. I went this Tuesday day, and that night like clockwork cramps return in my left leg and abdomen. My doctor says its dehydration and to start drinking electrolytes, but I know it’s associated with the workouts.

So I am making a decision for my baby, I am quitting Crossfit. Why is this such a tough decision? I link my break in infertility to this establishment. I lost weight, gained muscle, and it let me relax. I feel like I’m cheating on my friend with the local YMCA.

I want to make it clear that I’m not saying Crossfit is bad for pregnant women. It just isn’t working well with my body. I may just be paranoid, but better safe than sorry. Here’s to staying healthy with PCOS.

 

Signs of Hope

I naturally caused my cycle to be 30 days this month! Losing 2% of my body weight, clean eating, along with fertility herbs have regulated my period. I wanted a baby for Christmas, but a regular cycle is the second best. My goal is to lose 10 more pounds this month. My “fertility equation” has been working and I hope that I can give people a success story. I feel hopeful and I will stay strong with PCOS.

Related articles

• The relationship between Vitamin D and PCOS (jenngraham57.com)
• Step 2: Fertility Vitamins (vpodkomorski.wordpress.com)

PCOS Uncertainty

I am late. Typically, the “regular” girls would have taken a pregnancy test, but us PCOS girls are used to this. This month I have lost 12 pounds so I was hopeful that I would be 30 days…regular. Of course not, why would the fertility Gods give me any mercy.

Other than my fertility sorrows, I physically and emotionally feel wonderful. I have more confidence than I’ve had in a while, and I feel like I am truly finding my “true self” and complete Chi.  I have been taking the pressure off of pregnancy to getting healthy, and I am actually succeeding.  I have been thinking lately, and I wonder… Does everything happen for a reason? Was I happy with myself 6 months ago, enough to sustain another life? I’m not sure. Now, I feel more secure and confertable with myself.

So one foot at a time.  Time will keep marching on with or without a baby.  I must find my own journey, even if this ends up adopting or waiting a LONG time to get pregnant.  In my first year of marriage, my husband and I have become closer than ever. This would not be possible if I had gotten pregnant during our first months.  So again, “Staying strong with PCOS. ”

Related articles

• New guidelines for PCOS (princetonfertilityblog.wordpress.com)
• PCOS: Endocrine Society Issues New Guidelines. (zedie.wordpress.com)
• A Uterus from Nothing (part 2) (coupleofatheists.com)