Lauren Rubal, MD, FACOG

Lauren Rubal, MD, FACOG Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Lauren Rubal, MD, FACOG, Fertility Doctor, 1441 Avocado Avenue , #608, Corona del Mar, CA.

Who else struggles with insomnia but wants to avoid pharmaceuticals? This is important in all phases of life… I know I s...
04/27/2022

Who else struggles with insomnia but wants to avoid pharmaceuticals?

This is important in all phases of life… I know I see this all the time in my fertility patients and those who are dealing with PCOS, irregular periods, anxiety, and depression.

…

Of course, please see a doctor to ensure that there aren’t any other conditions or medications that may be affecting your sleep. This includes alcohol and stimulants, like my beloved coffee.
…

BOTANICALS FOR INSOMNIA

🍃Valerian
▫️used for millennia to aid sleep.
▫️Studies overall support its use in improving sleep quality and decreasing time to sleep.
In fact, one randomized double blind study showed valerian was similar to a benzodiazepine in improving sleep.
▫️If used for a prolonged period, valerian should be decreased slowly and under a physician’s care.

🍃Ashwaganda
Ashwaganda use has exploded. Every juice bar worth its salt seems to carry some iteration of it.
▫️It’s an adaptogen, which means it’s designed to help the body adapt to stress. ▫️from the plant Withania somnifera. That’s right: somniferous. It’s a sedative so it’s best avoided if you want to be alert.
▫️It can take up to a month to have a sedative effect and is especially helpful for the anxiety component of insomnia.
▫️Though people overall tolerate it well, it shouldn’t be used if pregnant, nursing, or if you have liver issues.

🍃Passionflower
This botanical is gentle and slow-acting, and has anti-anxiety and sedative effects.
▫️There isn’t much data examining its use in insomnia but the trials to date are promising for its benefit in sleep quality. ▫️However, don't use in pregnancy.

🍃Kava
This botanical has well-documented anti-anxiety effects, but its use in insomnia isn’t as fleshed out.
▫️Prior trials support its help in decreased insomnia and anxiety, but side effects may include vivid dreams and dizziness.
▫️Avoid use in pregnancy or possibly with liver issues.

🍃Chamomile
Many use chamomile as a sleep aid, though the studies on its use in insomnia are sparse.
▫️It helps decrease anxiety and is considered quite safe.
▫️Therefore, it may be a useful adjunct for insomnia.

…

Next up… SUPPLEMENTS FOR INSOMNIA

Posted • Join one of our LIVE Q&As #1: April 7th 7:30pm CET / 1:30pm ET #2: April 7th 7:30pm PDTThe experts joining u...
04/07/2022

Posted • Join one of our LIVE Q&As
#1: April 7th 7:30pm CET / 1:30pm ET
#2: April 7th 7:30pm PDT

The experts joining us for Q&A #2 are:

⭐️Dr. Lauren Rubal (USC-trained Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility physician)
⭐️Hana Ilg (Fertility Awareness Educator)
⭐️ Grace Stark (Editor of Natural Womanhood).

This is a FREE event! You don’t necessarily have to have watched the documentary, but of course you should if you can!

🩸Have questions related to hormonal birth control and your options?

Join us!

We can't wait to hear from you.

Link in bio to register! 👆✨




Posted • Join one of our LIVE Q&As #1: April 7th 7:30pm CET / 1:30pm ET #2: April 7th 7:30pm PDTThe experts joining u...
04/07/2022

Posted • Join one of our LIVE Q&As
#1: April 7th 7:30pm CET / 1:30pm ET
#2: April 7th 7:30pm PDT

The experts joining us for Q&A #1 are:

⭐️Dr. Mariza Snyder (Functional Practitioner, Women’s Hormone Expert and Bestselling Author)
⭐️Hana Ilg (Fertility Awareness Educator)
⭐️ Dr Nat Kringkoudis ('The Hormone Revolutionist' and Women's Health & Natural Fertility Practitioner)
⭐️ Nicola Cloherty (Menstrual Cycle Awareness Advocate and Women’s business coach)

This is a FREE event! You don’t necessarily have to have watched the documentary, but of course you should if you can!

🩸Have questions related to hormonal birth control and your options?

Join us!

We can't wait to hear from you.

Link in bio to register! 👆✨





Are You Reading This at 2 AM? How to take an integrative approach to insomnia 😴 There’s a reason that sleep deprivation ...
04/07/2022

Are You Reading This at 2 AM? How to take an integrative approach to insomnia 😴

There’s a reason that sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture. You desperately want to sleep, but it’s not in your control and seems like it’ll never happen. You’ve been religious at optimizing sleep hygiene and perhaps you’ve even left your cool, dark room to peruse this with your blue light blockers on.

You’ve come to the right place, o weary one — read on for integrative approaches to insomnia.

WHAT EXACTLY IS INSOMNIA, ANYWAYS?
💤 takes more than 30 minutes to get to sleep
or
💤difficulty staying asleep
💤happens 3 or more times a week for more than 3 months
💤impacts functioning during the day
💤sufficient opportunity for sleep exists and other conditions have been ruled out (sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, bladder issues necessitating nighttime urination)

THE BENEFITS (AND BEAUTY) OF SLEEP
💤repairs our muscles and bones
💤quiets our cortisol and our cardiovascular system
💤 results in decreased risk of heart disease and stroke (compared to insomniacs)
💤insomnia increases risks for
▫️diabetes
▫️obesity
▫️ depression
▫️cancer

With better sleep, we are mentally tougher, physically stronger, and happier.

More to come tomorrow on natural remedies and nutraceuticals for sleep!

The privilege of being a healer, of being a Doctor, is one that we swore to uphold. It’s the road we walk along *with* o...
08/24/2021

The privilege of being a healer, of being a Doctor, is one that we swore to uphold.

It’s the road we walk along *with* our patients, and not *out* on them.

It’s the tailored decision-making for each individual and not blanket mandates for all, without concern or acknowledgment of that person’s background and story.

Bring back our vocation. Bring back the patient-physician partnership. Bring back personalized medicine instead of administrative decrees.



📸 https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/11687364_737-an-old-framed-copy-of-the-hippocratic-oath

What supplements can I take for OBGYN issues? (Part 2/2). 🍄Medicinal mushrooms and their properties were revelatory to m...
07/22/2021

What supplements can I take for OBGYN issues? (Part 2/2).

🍄Medicinal mushrooms and their properties were revelatory to me.
➡️They are immunomodulators, anticarcinogens, antibacterial and antiviral.
➡️Certain species improve focus, decrease fatigue, and optimize blood pressure, sugars, and cholesterol.
➡️I use a blend to optimize mental clarity. It’s so effective that I didn’t realize I hadn’t had my daily latte until I got a raging withdrawal headache.

🟠Uva ursi is what I use to help with a bladder infection.
➡️This botanical has antiseptic and antibacterial actions in the bladder through its conversion to hydroquinone in the liver.
➡️It’s active against common bladder infection-causing bacteria in vitro, like E. coli, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Staph aureus.
➡️And double-blinded clinical trials confirm it may be effective in prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections when combined with dandelion root.

🟠A prenatal vitamin with sufficient choline, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and methyl folate.
➡️This is true even if you’re not actively trying to get pregnant.
➡️It supplies essential nutrients that we may not be adequately intaking from diet alone.

🟠Ginger root powder is a potent anti-inflammatory.
➡️It has been shown in studies to be as effective as pharmaceuticals in decreasing period cramps.
➡️It’s also accepted as first-line treatment of nausea in pregnancy.
➡️In doses greater than 5 grams daily, it may thin the blood.

🟠Valerian root to help with insomnia.
➡️This botanical may also be helpful for anxiety and menopause.
➡️There have been studies comparing this root (in conjunction with passionflower or St. John’s wort) to pharmaceutical anti-depressants and found equivalent improvement.
➡️It can take weeks to become effective, so don’t expect an immediate result.
➡️I combine it with therapeutic toe-tapping and a relaxation 4-7-8 breath (Dr. Andrew Weil has an informative video about this) for sleep readiness.

📸: Landon Parenteau on Unsplash

Peek into an Integrative OBGYN’s Medicine Cabinet (1/9):1. A probiotic specifically made for the reproductive tract.🐛 Ou...
07/16/2021

Peek into an Integrative OBGYN’s Medicine Cabinet (1/9):

1. A probiotic specifically made for the reproductive tract.

🐛 Our microbiome protects us from invading organisms. And these bacterial good guys are organ-specific.
🐛So, even though you’re taking a gut probiotic (which I also recommend!), the species colonizing the reproductive tract are different.
🐛They are mostly Lactobacilli dominant.
Why is this type important?
➡️ produce hydrogen peroxide.
➡️creates as acidic vaginal environment. ➡️this helps fend off the higher-pH-loving bacterial vaginosis bugs, amongst others.

❔Which are the bacteria that are associated with better pregnancy, fertility, and urinary tract outcomes?

🐛Lactobacilli rhamnosus (especially strain GR-1)
🐛L. reuteri (strains B-54 and RC-14)
🐛Lactobacilli crispatus
🐛L. jenseneii

📸 CDC on Unsplash.

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸
07/05/2021

Happy Independence Day!

🇺🇸

Peek into an integrative OBGYN’s medicine cabinet! ::I have a problem with purchasing anything. I dive deep into every p...
06/22/2021

Peek into an integrative OBGYN’s medicine cabinet!
:
:
I have a problem with purchasing anything. I dive deep into every posted review, cross-reference those between different sites, then follow it up by trying to find the best deal. This usually ends with a few gray hairs, slightly gnashed teeth, but also the most economical yet functional blender of 2021.
:
:
But now my headache is your reward. Have you ever wondered what’s in your OBGYN’s medicine cabinet? Here is your chance to see!
:
:
I’ve also exchanged many products once I started my Integrative Medicine Fellowship. So this reflects a more holistic and natural approach to women’s health.
:
:
Any discussion of supplements deserves an explanation regarding quality. I used to think that supplements were the Wild West of medications. This is not true. Though the FDA doesn’t regulate them, they must comply with multiple federal rules.
:
:
However, there is still a large range between brands and their commitment to testing standards. The best quality brands are those which undergo 3rd party testing (examples of this independent quality control include the labels “USP” or “NSF”). What does this stamp actually mean the company is doing?
:
:
💊 Ensuring per-lot testing of suppliers
💊Performing continuous assessment for contaminants
💊Using organic materials to decrease exposure to pesticides
💊Confirming that the supplement has accurate and appropriate potency.
:
:
So, do your research to ensure that you are getting the product you are seeking. This is especially true if you’re using it medicinally. It may takes weeks or even months to see the full effect of these supplements.
:
:
And of course, check with your doctor first before taking any of these!
:
:
Stay tuned for the items holding a coveted spot on my counter!
:
:

What supplements may be helpful for the eggs? (A looong pt 4/4). A) mitochondria support. 🔋Mitochondria are the cell’s e...
06/17/2021

What supplements may be helpful for the eggs? (A looong pt 4/4).
A) mitochondria support.
🔋Mitochondria are the cell’s energy powerhouse.
🔋 unique because their DNA code is outside of the cell’s nucleus.
🔋Unfortunately, they don’t have the same repair mechanisms or the interweaving with histones that also protect nuclear DNA. So mitochondria are vulnerable.
🔋Animal studies support that damage to or aging of the mitochondria may be associated with negative egg and embryo effects.
💊 Coenzyme Q10 is a supplement that most fertility patients on. But why that is isn’t always described. It’s a critical cofactor to mitochondria.

💊Studies also support CoQ10 as effective at preventing or reversing these effects in mice. The data in humans is more sparse but one short-term study suggested benefit.

B) anti-oxidants
🌿Counteract the chromosome-damaging effects of free radicals.

💊N-acetyl cysteine is the precursor to glutathionine, one of the most potent antioxidants. It’s been shown in studies to be associated with benefit in endometriosis and PCOS.

💊Alpha lipoic acid also exerts its effects through glutathione.

💊Resveratrol is a plant polyphenol that may explain the health benefits of red wine.

C) anti-inflammatories
💊Ginger is renowned for its inflammation-fighting properties.

💊Turmeric (and its active component, curcumin) has also been shown in studies to have benefit against inflammation.

4) androgen balancing
☯️ The right balance of male hormones to the female hormone estrogen is critical for proper egg maturation in the follicle microenvironment.

☯️Male hormone levels decline with age.

☯️This isn’t for every patient (and certainly baseline male hormone levels should be assessed to best tailor your response), but using male hormones may be helpful in pregnancy chances.

What lifestyle strategies can help egg quality? (Part 3 of 4!)🥬 Food is medicine. As such, there are clear diet patterns...
06/05/2021

What lifestyle strategies can help egg quality? (Part 3 of 4!)

🥬 Food is medicine. As such, there are clear diet patterns to support a lower state of inflammation.

🥬 Decrease processed foods. This is the one change with likely the greatest impact.

Consume a diet rich in:
🥬omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (wild salmon and walnuts, for example).
🥬monounsaturated fats (keep the extra virgin olive oil flowing)
🥬vegetable and seed fiber (brussels sprouts or kale are powerhouse veggies)
🥬legumes (soybeans)
🥬whole grains
🥬lean protein (grass fed and organic is best)
🥬spices (like turmeric and cinnamon)

Next up, what supplements may help!

📸 Avinash Kumar via unsplash

So, how can I test my egg quality? (Part 2/3)Here’s the crux: there is no test for egg quality. 🔥We presume it based on ...
05/28/2021

So, how can I test my egg quality? (Part 2/3)

Here’s the crux: there is no test for egg quality.

🔥We presume it based on a woman’s age. 🔥Like other cells in the body, the accumulation of cell damage may eventually overwhelm the DNA repair mechanisms that our body has in place.

But herein lies the opportunity.
🔥Studies show that the egg undergoes its final readiness phase in the few months before it lines up for the ‘race to ovulation’, where it either is chosen to be released or, if not released, to dissolve away.
🔥This timeframe leading up to this race is when the effects of free radicals and inflammation may be counteracted by anti-oxidants and strategies to minimize inflammation.

What is the root cause that may be addressed?

🔥Inflammation is one of those responses that has the Goldilocks effect: you don’t want too little or too much, but just the right amount.
🔥It’s designed to aid in the healing process and is composed of activation of different immune cells and substances (like cytokines) to stimulate blood flow, call in immunologic reinforcements, and repair tissue.

🔥But chronic inflammation is too much of a good thing that can lead to tissue damage and harm to various organs. This happens through the nonstop activation of the immune system, new blood vessel formation, tissue fibrosis and its eventual destruction.

Address

1441 Avocado Avenue , #608
Corona Del Mar, CA
92660

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 2pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 2pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 2pm
Thursday 8:30am - 2pm
Friday 8:30am - 2pm
Saturday 7am - 2pm

Telephone

+19494156704

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Lauren Rubal, MD, FACOG posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category