Dr. Natalie Stradiotto, ND

04/29/2022

It’s National Infertility Awareness Week 💛

The journey to try to conceive can be a long and difficult one for many. It can be isolating. It can be scary. It can feel confusing.

And the impact can change your relationships. It can require you to invest everything you have both mentally and financially. It can be filled with loss and disappointment.

For many it can include a variety of emotions—anger, resentment, anxiety, fear, and sometimes shame...

And on top of that, many facing infertility challenges have to face the unsolicited advice from others, the invalidation from family/friends or care providers, and the immeasurable mental load.

So this week is dedicated to those who have been touched by infertility.

Did you experience infertility challenges? If you feel comfortable, can you share your story down below to help others feel less alone in this? Shame has a hard time surviving in connection and vulnerability. We are here for you 💛

02/02/2022

Polycystic ovarian syndrome

One of the most common endocrinopathy disorders among reproductive-aged women. Although the pathophysiology of the syndrome is complex, it is hypothesized that insulin resistance is a key factor. It is also important to note that if there are clinical/biochemical findings of elevated androgens as well as oligomenorrhea/anovulation (greater than 35 day cycles or lack of ovulation) the diagnosis of PCOS can be made.

Signs and symptoms include:

Hyperandrogenism – this refers to an increase in certain hormones that lead to:
-Male pattern baldness
-Facial hair growth
-Acne
-Biochemical findings on lab work which suggest elevated androgen hormones.

Menstrual irregularities – most often related to anovulation (lack of ovulation) resulting in lengthened cycles of more than 35 days apart.

Polycystic ovaries (containing 12 or more follicles) seen on ultrasound imaging.

*exclusion of endocrine disorders is also present in the workup.

Some manifestations of PCOS include:
-Weight gain
-Infertility
-Type 2 diabetes

Blood sugar and insulin resistance management is a large component to treatment including dietary recommendations as well as nutraceuticals. The important part of PCOS is when well managed, symptoms can resolve and fertility can be supported! Looking for more hormonal support, look at booking an appointment to discuss further 😊

01/31/2022

NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are medications most commonly prescribed for pain. Naproxen being a common NSAID prescribed for period pain.

Awareness for women looking to conceive and undergoing fertility support should be mindful of their monthly NSAID use.

Ongoing research is continuing to investigate the effects of NSAID drugs as a frequently overlooked cause of anovulation and infertility. Screening should be completed by those investigating into causes of anovulation or fertility concerns regarding monthly NSAID use.

Results of a study investigating NSAID use and ovulation rates among women found that, “of the women receiving NSAIDs, only 6.3 percent (diclofenac), 25 percent (naproxen) and 27.3 percent (etoricoxib) ovulated, compared with 100 percent of the control group.
These findings suggest that readily available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could have a harmful effect on fertility, and should be used with caution in women wishing to start a family."

There are wide variety of contributing factors that could have an impact on your menstrual cycle, ovulation, and fertility. Having a thorough assessment including lab work and identifying factors that could be negatively inhibiting your cycle is always important.

Looking to discuss more about hormones and fertility support, let’s chat. You can book a free 15 minute appointment in the link in my bio. ☺️

01/19/2022

Feeling like a different person from part of the month to the next? What if I told you it wasn’t you and it could potentially be your hormones. There is a great deal of hormonal fluctuation that occurs through out the menstrual cycle that can be a contributing factor to making you feel differently or potentially exacerbating another underlying condition. It may be in and around day 3 of your period where energy starts to increase, and your motivation for goals increases.

In addition to optimizing hormones, navigating your cycle and understanding your body at a specific time in your cycle, is also important. Even subtle changes in food groups, for example incorporating more healthy complex carbohydrates in the second half of your cycle can better manage those extreme cravings. It may even be education regarding how you’re feeling at a certain point in your menstrual cycle and making it OK and acceptable to give your body the rest it is asking for.

Let’s talk all things period for individuals who experience monthly menstrual cycles and optimize your go get ‘em phase and your let’s maybe relax and take it a bit easier phase.

Dr. Natalie, Naturopathic Doctor offers naturopathic medicine that encompasses hormonal health, women's health, digestion, skin health, eczema, food sensitivities stress and insomnia. Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Natalie includes nutritional services, acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments.

01/19/2022

The connection between oxidative stress and fertility for both female and male fertility. Oxidative stress occurs when the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other radical species exceeds the scavenging capacity by antioxidants due to excessive production of ROS and/or inadequate intake or increased utilization of antioxidants.

When supporting couples through fertility challenges, one of the common avenues explored is egg and s***m quality. Integrating naturopathic medicine into your fertility journey can help improve s***m quantity, motility and quality in addition to improving egg quality. REMINDER: male factor infertility  accounts for 50% of infertility cases, and should not be overlooked.

Naturopathic medicine can help improve egg and s***m quality through specific high dose antioxidant protocols, improving dietary antioxidant intake as well as reducing exposure to oxidative stress.

If you are currently seeking fertility support, working alongside fertility specialists, preparing for a IUI or IVF procedure, it may be beneficial to have a naturopathic doctor on your team!

01/06/2022

Are you getting enough protein in your diet?

Recommendations for the general population is 0.8g of protein per kg of body weight. These recommendations can fluctuate and change based off activity level, muscle mass, age and certain conditions such as decreased kidney function. Protein tends to be one of the macronutrients most individuals struggle with reaching optimal daily amounts.

Protein supports:
- Blood sugar
- Maintains lean muscle mass
- Supports weight management
- Skin and hair health
- Energy levels
- Neurotransmitter production like serotonin - as the building blocks to these neurotransmitters are the amino acids found in protein.

Aim to add some protein to each meal and snack. You’ll experience less blood sugar and energy crashes!

12/17/2021

I was joined by Dr. Sara Gottfried in a recent episode of The Doctor’s Farmacy to talk about why our hormones get out of whack and how to get them back in balance.

We dive into the problem of normalizing hormonal imbalances and why women are the most susceptible to this issue. Dr. Gottfried shares with us the primary drivers behind hormonal dysfunction, which includes food as a key culprit. Through her own personal health journey and in helping patients, she’s seeing that dialing in macronutrients can have profound implications for whole-body hormone balance. She shares more about this and her protocol for nutritional ketosis throughout our talk.

Take a listen to the full episode here: https://bit.ly/3cIsUjZ

12/11/2021

Are you aware of the negative impacts sugar may be having on your body? You may not want to have as much trust in the food industry. Learn more about nutrition and disease prevention with a naturopath who focuses on incorporating nutrition and lifestyle intervention into treatment plans! 👏🏻

We have remained at the forefront of medicine by fostering a culture of collaboration, pushing the boundaries of medical research, educating the brightest medical minds and maintaining an unwavering commitment to the diverse communities we serve.

11/12/2021

Let’s talk energy and ferritin (iron) levels!

If you have a history of heavy menstruation it may be best to speak with your naturopathic doctor about looking into lab work including a CBC with ferritin to check your body’s iron status and the impacts it may be having on your red blood cells and overall energy.

I often speak with women who suffer from heavy periods and low energy about the connection. We check their ferritin, and sure enough it’s deficient or low. The change in energy can be IMMEDIATE as we begin correcting those iron stores.

The range for “normal” ferritin is quite large, ranging from values of 5-272 ug/L. So if you’re “normal” sitting in at a level of 20 and you’re tired, then your iron most likely still needs optimizing. Striving for optimal levels is key!

Be mindful not all iron supplements are formulated the same, as low quality forms can lead to digestive upset and constipation. Speak with a naturopath to note which forms of iron can bring you the most absorption with less gastrointestinal side effect.

**always speak with a healthcare practitioner before starting any supplement regimen.

11/11/2021

Acupuncture for supporting pregnancy.

Acupuncture is a supportive adjunct that can be used through out pregnancy from the preconception phase to third trimester labour and delivery preparation.

Preconception Acupuncture
- support ovulation and menstrual regulation
- support assisted reproductive technology (ART). Including Intrauterine insemination and pre and post embryo transfer acupuncture during IVF

Frist trimester
- reduce risk of miscarriage
- reduce symptoms of nausea and migraines
- reduce anxiety

Second trimester
- reduce pain and discomfort that could be related to sciatica pain
- reduce anxiety

Third trimester
- reduce pain and discomfort that could be related to sciatica pain
- at around 35 weeks, acupuncture can be introduced weekly to support the body in preparation for labour and delivery

Book an appointment to learn more about how naturopathic medicine and acupuncture can be incorporated into your fertility and pregnancy journey.

Dr. Natalie, Naturopathic Doctor offers naturopathic medicine that encompasses hormonal health, women's health, digestion, skin health, eczema, food sensitivities stress and insomnia. Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Natalie includes nutritional services, acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments.

11/10/2021

Are you suffering from period pain? A component to period pain can be related to inflammation. Prostaglandin production (an inflammatory marker) during the menstrual cycle is a reason as to why individuals may experience painful periods. The physiological process of the period is quite inflammatory, and it’s these inflammatory markers that can be contributing to pain.

“In a study by Lundstrom and Green, prostaglandin levels in women with menstrual pain versus healthy controls were compared. They evaluated prostaglandins (PGF2α) and its metabolites in plasma and endometrium. Plasma samples were taken on the first day of menstruation, while endometrial biopsy was performed before menstruation and on the first day of menstruation. They obtained a significant difference in the plasma concentration of the metabolite of PGF2α prostaglandin between the group of women without painful menstruation and the pain group. Additionally, a significantly higher concentration of prostaglandins was demonstrated in the endometrium in women suffering from pain. “

When it comes to treatment support for patients with painful periods, the ideal goal is to work towards reducing the body’s production of some of these inflammatory markers. This can be done through nutraceutical support, specific dosing and dietary changes.

Although there are several factors, hormones and specific conditions that can be associated with painful menstruation, inflammation is one that should not be overlooked!

PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32069859

** always important to speak with your healthcare provider before starting on any supplement regimen.

10/30/2021

Nutrition is so important to our overall health and well-being. Learn more about nutrition and receive individualized nutrition plans.