Hormones, Conception & Pregnancy
By: Laurie Morse, L.Ac.
The definition of hormone is:
1. a. A substance, usually a peptide or steroid, produced by one tissue & conveyed by the bloodstream to another to effect physiological activity, such as growth or metabolism. b. A synthetic compound that acts like a hormone in the body. 2. Any of various similar substances found in plants and insects that regulate development.
A hormone is a chemical substance produced in by any of the glands comprising the endocrine system. These chemical substances carry specific messages through the bloodstream to regulate the functioning of specific locations or systems. How the endocrine system functions is adjusted through feedback loops that go through the "Hypothalamus-Pituitary Axis" located in the brain. The endocrine system, along with the nervous system, affects every aspect of our physiological function.
An Endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in endocrinology. For example, if a woman is diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), she may be referred to an endocrinologist because this is a condition that is related to hormonal imbalance. On the other hand, you may never need to see an endocrinologist.
If you are having difficulty trying to conceive and you haven't had a hormone panel, you'll want to have a baseline for the following hormones:
- Estrogens and Progesterone Levels: A minimum amount of estrogen is needed to support healthy ovulation and sufficient progesterone required to retain fetal growth.
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Day 2 or 3 levels of FSH hormone via blood test is one way of checking ovarian reserve. If your FSH levels are borderline or high (depending on the lab assays), that is indicative of lower ovarian reserve, which means it will be more difficult for you to conceive.
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH): Stimulates ovulation and the development of the Corpus Luteum, which must develop in order for fertilization to occur.
- Thyroid Hormones: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH); T3 and T4 levels might need to be checked via a blood test. If your day 2 through day 6 basal body temperature averages below 97.4, consider having your thyroid tested.
- Adrenal Hormones: Our adrenal glands secrete cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), epinephrine, norepinephrine and aldosterone. Even though Adrenal health is extremely important in fertility, it is not routinely tested, so be assertive if you suspect you need this test. (see the Stress & Fertility page for more information about this.)
Your Primary Care physician or OB/GYN should make recommendations based on your overall physical health, family history, age and fertility workup. It's important to get a hormonal baseline so that you and your health care provider know which options are the best choices for you regarding fertility treatment.
Hormones are a crucial element of your fertility success.
Remember...
The biggest secret of all to successful conception & pregnancy is the one you are least likely to learn from your primary care provider, conception specialist, or even CAM provider!
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Laurie Morse, L.Ac., is the author of the revolutionary e-book "7 Strategies to Fertility Success," providing skills and exercises to help women turn their fertility switch on by "pulling their weeds," optimizing their terrain and planting pregnancy seeds with their intentionality. She is the director of Holistic Health Services in San Diego CA , where she has successfully treated fertility for the past decade. In addition, she provides workshops and tele-classes on fertility success. For more information go to: http://www.myfertilitysuccess.com