The most common use for oral contraceptive pills is to prevent unwanted pregnancy however, “the pill” has also been used as a band aid solution for many hormonal associated issues such as painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular menstruation, heavy periods (menorrhagia), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and acne.
Although it's often overlooked, it's common for women to be aware of the serious health risks associated with birth control such as blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, gallbladder disease and liver disease. But when it comes to the effects that Oral Contraceptives (OC) have on the brain, women have been left in the dark.
Despite the multitude of uses of birth control amongst millions of women, many are unaware of:
There is so much more to know about birth control and be cautious of, aside from the common known risk of blood clots.
Oral Contraceptives and their Influence on HPA-Axis Reactivity and Mood
Ever since the introduction to the first formulation of the pill in 1960 women have expressed the experience of mood related changes such as depression and anxiety.
Oral contraceptive pills are either combined OCs which include estrogen and progesterone (progestin) or progesterone (progestin)-only OCs.(1)
Progestin (the synthetic form of progesterone) is made by altering the molecular structure of testosterone and has the ability to potentially stimulate our testosterone receptors and cortisol receptors in the body.(2) Multiple studies evaluating the influence of OCs on the HPA-Axis have concluded OCs are associated with abnormal HPA Axis reactivity.(3) Not only does the HPA-Axis play a role in many physiological functions in the body but it is responsible for how we respond to stress. Researchers have revealed that women who take OCs have elevated levels of free circulating cortisol in the blood, similar to those with chronic stress.(3)
When you think about the women you know who are on birth control or have been on birth control in the past, you may recall how common it is to hear women express how they’ve experienced negative effects in their mood and mental wellbeing. This may be due to the fact that chronic stress subsequently resulting in dysregulation of HPA reactivity is associated with mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, mood swings and irritability.
The Effects of Oral Contraceptives on Brain Structure and Function
Another reason for mood disorders while taking birth control can be linked to alterations in the structure and function of the brain while on the pill. In a recent study evaluating the brain activity of women through the use of “emotional memory testing”, which involved recalling images that were either negative, positive or neutral, along with structural and functional MRI evaluations, there were differences in results between OC users and non OC users.
Results showed that women who were on birth control showed higher activity in the prefrontal cortex when looking at the negatively-charged pictures compared to the women who had never taken birth control.(4) This shows that their brains worked harder to remember the negative images, suggesting that women's brains on birth control are more sensitive to negatively charged information.(5) It was also evident that OC use is linked to structural changes in parts of the brain involved in memory and emotional processing.(4)
Are you really attracted to him or is it just the pill?
It almost seems crazy to think that a pill can cloud your judgment when it comes to knowing who you're attracted to, who you choose to date and who you choose to enter a relationship with. Surprisingly, many women have expressed feeling less attracted to their partner who they’ve met while on the pill, once they've decided to come off it.
When it comes to women and men's attraction to one another, there is a biological innate component that plays a role in physical attraction and choosing the right partner to have children with. Genetic quality is associated with offspring survival (immune strength) and reproductive success. Oder acts as a cue for mate suitability and an indicator of compatibility between potential mates’ immune systems.
When a woman goes through her natural menstrual cycle she is more attracted to the odour of men whose immune system is dissimilar to hers.(6) This dissimilarity is preferred because the larger the dissimilarity between immune systems the more enhanced the immune system of their future child will be.
The use of contraceptives deters women from their natural menstrual cycle by mimicking pregnancy subsequently interfering with this innate mate preference. It has been evident that women using birth control actually prefer the odour of partners with similar immune systems to theirs and find these men more physically attractive.(6)
This alteration in women's mate preference may adversely affect the adaptability of the immune system in children who are born to couples who met during contraceptive pill use. A study revealed that children born to mothers who were on the pill when they met their father were more prone to infections, required more medical care and suffered from a higher frequency of common sickness, compared to children whose parents met without the mother being on the pill.
Should women avoid using birth control and seek alternatives?
Ultimately it's a woman's individual choice on what she decides to do with her body. There is power in that choice when women are educated on how certain products and medications can affect their brain health, reproductive health, mental health and overall wellbeing.
With current and growing research on the impact of oral contraceptives in women's health, women should be encouraged to include mental health and brain health in discussions with their trusted health care practitioner about contraceptive drug use. Women should always be able to make properly informed decisions when it comes to their health.
Whether you're just stepping into the world of self-care or you're a seasoned pro, we have some simple tips and ideas to help you start a routine or take your self-care routine to the next level. The goal of these tips is to help you unwind, tend to your needs and just be present with yourself.
Have A Relaxing and Luxurious Bath
A warm bath is a great way to create an atmosphere for relaxation and to unwind. This is the time to give your body the TLC it needs and close the tabs in your mind to recharge. It has also been proven that warm showers or baths help with sleep by supporting the body’s production of melatonin.
Elevate your time for relaxation with your favourite self-care products, relaxing aromatherapy and calm dreamy lighting. Grab your favourite body wash, bath salts, candles, essentials oils, and perhaps a bath bomb for an extra splash of luxury. Bath salts and essential oils are known to decrease stress and anxiety as well as soothe sore muscles. LadyFlow’s Goddess Bath Soak is the perfect addition to your line up for a luxurious self-care bath. The exotic mixture of magnesium bath flakes infused with floral, citrus & mint oils will surely relax your body and put you in a state of tranquility and ease!
To really take this time of relaxation to the next level, once you're done with your bath you can soothe muscle tension with LadyFlow's Soothe Body Oil.
Although LadyFlow’s Soothe Body Oil was made with the intention to help ease the muscle tension and pain from menstrual aches and cramps, it's formulated to soothe the stresses and strains of everyday living. Once you get out of the tub, massage a small amount of the Soothe Body Oil to the areas of need.
Create a Relaxing Atmosphere
The key to feeling truly relaxed is to create an atmosphere that allows you to become fully immersed in your emotions and take you to ultimate levels of relaxation.
First, start by tidying up your space. Put those dishes that have been staring at you from the sink into the dishwasher and fold up your throw blankets! I know what you’re thinking - relaxing starts with work?? But it’s essential to create a non-chaotic environment that allows your mind and body to release tension.
Next, dim the lights and soothe your mind with relaxing scents of aromatherapy. Turning off your overhead lights and switching on your lamp will help to make your space feel more inviting and peaceful, while aromatherapy will completely change your mood. Aromatherapy has so many proven benefits such as:
Some of the best scents for aromatherapy include palo santo and sage, which hold many benefits of their own and assist in creating a relaxing atmosphere! Pair your self-care night with a Santo scented Candle Refill Kit from Everly and take your relaxation to the next level. Santo combines the refreshing, woodsy scent of palo santo with earthy aromas of sage to bring you the perfect scent for days spent taking care of your mind and body.
Spend Time Cooking a Nice Meal
Cooking can be one of the best ways to feel grounded and relieve stress. By getting your hands dirty while cooking, you’re actively engaging all of your senses - from taste to touch. Turn off your devices, turn on some soothing music, and really immerse yourself in the food you’re making.
Cooking is also a great way to destress, especially if you’re trying out an old family recipe. This can stir up some emotions as your food envelops you in the scent of your grandma's favourite casserole dish. If you don’t have a family recipe to recreate - get creative!
Try making something new and see what comes of it! Or, make your inner child happy and recreate your favourite comfort meal - mac and cheese anybody??
Tend to Your Emotional Needs
Self-care is not all face masks and wine nights with the girls - it’s really important that you look after your emotional wellbeing too! Journalling can be the best way to get in tune with your emotions and to give you space from any negative thoughts you may be feeling. Journaling about gratitude will also allow you to step into a healthy and positive mind space as you are reminded about all the things you are grateful for.
Not sure where to get started? Here are our favourite journal prompts to get you started on your self-reflection journey.
Meditation or yoga is another great way to ground yourself and clear your mind. Practicing meditation has so many benefits like increasing self awareness, reducing negative emotions, and focusing on the present. To become even more immersed in the meditative spirit, consider lighting some candles for aromatherapy while you practice deep breathing and grounding techniques.
Treat Yourself To A Warm Soothing Beverage
A warm beverage is a simple remedy to help calm your mind. Decaffeinated tea is a perfect drink to add to an evening self-care regimen. To really make this a relaxing time for you, make the preparation of your tea, a mini ritual of mindfulness. Grab your favourite mug, boil water, steep your tea and slowly take in the herbal aromas, the steam against your lips and warm soothing feeling of tranquility in a cup. Some great herbal teas to sip on are lavender, chamomile, peppermint and lemon balm.
Do Something That Brings You Joy
One important thing in any self-care routine or regime is that you set aside time for things that bring you joy and put you in a peaceful state. If you're not intentionally setting time for joy this defeats the purpose of practicing any self-care regimen. Close your eyes for a moment and think about a time you did something that made you feel good. Maybe you enjoy painting, reading, cooking, watching an episode of your favourite Netflix series or even catching up with friends. Whatever it may be, intentionally schedule some time for joy. Even if it's just 30 minutes of your day, make it an effort to do one that you truly enjoy on a regular basis!
Important Takeaway
Self-care shouldn’t be overwhelming or overlooked. It can be simple and should be prioritized. Not just when burnout comes knocking at your door! Remember, the point of self-care is to tend to your needs and be present with yourself. Whether you choose to incorporate all six ideas mentioned or just one idea, any self-care regimen or routine should be important to you and benefit you mentally, physically and emotionally.
Check out Everly’s sustainable Candle Refill Kits Here!
Check out Ladyflow's Self-Care Essentials Here!
Written by:
Renee Campbell, Lifestyle + Wellness Content Creator
Lauryn Harmel, Marketing Coordinator at Everly
1. Tell us about yourself & why you do what you do.
At this moment in time that is a bit of a loaded question. To be quite honest I’m not fully sure of who I am or what I do. In November of 2020 I gave birth to my beautiful son whom I love more than anything, however becoming a mother has not been the easiest transition. So for now I’ll tell you about some aspects of who I am and what I do: I am a mother, I am an artist, I am a yoga instructor, a nature lover, a travel lover, a food lover, and a lover of finding joy in the small moment. If the past two years have taught me anything (aside from gratitude for occasionally getting to pee without my toddler watching), it is that life is fleeting. I used to often teach about mindfulness in my yoga classes and do my best to practice it myself, but it is now clearer than ever that you blink and its over. Gone forever. So take it in. Right now just stop and notice. You will be amazed by the wonder you can find in the LEAST extraordinary moments.
2. What is your source of motivation?
Right now my greatest source of motivation is my son, but more specifically the person I want to be for him. Of course I'd love to be a perfect person but the reality is that i'm human, so just like anyone I have my good and bad days. I try and take these ebbs and flows as opportunities to learn, and to be patient with myself. I also like to take a balanced approach to life ( when possible) and though he can’t understand yet, show my son that there are so many facets to living that are important: Together time, alone time, work time, play time, active time, rest time and so on. I have spent most of the last 19 months deeply connected to my baby but I will be traveling to Trinidad in July to teach anatomy in my first Yoga Teacher Training. I am extremely excited to be sharing something I am so passionate about with a new generation of teachers.
3. Favourite book ever written and why?
Hands down The Buddha's Brain. It is an incredibly insightful book that explains the neuroscience of happiness, love, and wisdom. This topic first crossed my path in 2016 during my first Yoga Teacher Training. I was instantly drawn in by the neuroscience of why yoga can have such a profound effect on the body. Yes, all “exercise” has an effect on the body, but it is the underlying theme of creating mindfulness that can make yoga so life altering. One of my favourite metaphors for the brain is this: Think of your brain like a dirt road, and your thoughts like a vehicle. Every time you think a specific thought, “I’m too fat” for example, the tire treads of that thought leave a more and more defined pathway in your brain. Eventually you will have created very deep groves in the earth which will make it very hard to stray away that pathway and think different thoughts. If you are mindful though, and every time you think that thought try to change it, eventually you will create new pathways (hopefully with better thoughts) and the old groves will fade away just like every abandoned road. This is a part of what we call neuroplasticity.
4. What (or whom) has had the most positive influence on your life?
That is a surprisingly difficult question to answer because I am lucky enough to have had so many incredible influences in my life. If I am to think back to a pivotal moment that truly changed the trajectory of my life it was in September of 2013. I had just moved from Ottawa to Toronto to start my BFA at OCAD University and like so many I felt extremely lost, isolated, and was in desperate need of community. I had decided to purchase a Groupon for a yoga studio near my residence to maybe give me that sense of home that i was missing. I walked through the doors of Iam Yoga on Yonge street and my life was never the same. That became my “home” for years to follow, and I eventually did my training there and taught yoga there too. So many of the other instructors (too many to name individually) guided me to where I am today and I will be forever grateful to all those who took me under their wing, or accepted me into their lives with open arms. I love you all.
5. Tell us about an experience that has shaped who you are today?
I think one of my most formative experiences was attending a summer camp in northern Ontario called North Waters. It is a girls camp where you go on a ten day canoe trip through the wilderness, you camp on different islands every day, and you learn the true meaning of bravery, self sufficiency, endurance, and your own inner strength. I went for the first time at age 11 and by the following summer I was already carrying the canoe on 1km+ long portages. These days on trail were often long and gruelling but they show you a side of yourself you maybe didn’t know existed. Partaking in these adventures (4 summers in a row), most certainly helped to shape me into the strong, independent, and empowered woman I am today.
6. Talk to us about becoming a mother.
I was very lucky to be a person who had a very easy time getting pregnant, but it sometimes has felt like that was one of the only aspects of this journey that was easy. After finding out I was filled with overwhelming joy, but days later it was followed by overwhelming nausea and almost none stop vomiting. Then again, days later, came the first lockdown of the pandemic and I lost my work when all studios closed. Over the following months I stared to lose all sense of self. I didn’t recognize my body, I didn’t recognize my life, and aside from my incredible partner, the support was practically gone. After 9 LONNNNGGGGG months came the birth. It was a beautiful, painful life altering experience. I was lucky enough to receive care from a number of midwives and to birth at the Ottawa Birth Centre, unmedicated, in a tub. I was instantly in love with my son but spent the better part of the following year barely holding it together. Looking back I can now recognize I had sever postpartum anxiety and depression, but there was no one around to help me realize it at the time. Eventually I started finding more joy in life again, and I was a bit more able to find ease in motherhood. Then when my son was one and a half years old I started experiencing immense cramping and intermittent menstral bleeding. I thought it was the return of my period (i hadn’t had one yet because i was still nursing my son regularly), but quickly found out I was actually experiencing an ectopic pregnancy. After a number of ER visits I was treated with Methotrexate (chemo) to dissolve the pregnancy. It was a devastating experience, and the aftermath was just as bad. I had to discontinue nursing my son because I was then considered toxic, and neither of us were ready for that. The last week has also been deeply emotionally disturbing as I have watched the Roe Vs Wade ruling be overturned. I am baffled that we are living in a time where again women have lost autonomy over their bodies. I am firmly of the opinion that there is NO reason why a woman should not be able to make this sort of decision for herself and am disgusted that so many think otherwise. A woman who is not ready to be a mother, or a woman who has been raped, or a woman who is experiencing a dangerous pregnancy should not be subjected to something so serous as bringing a life into this world. Abortions are life saving, not life taking. Period.
About the Author
Elaine Clark
Founder of LADYFLOW & Nutritionist
1. Tell us about yourself & why you do what you do.
I'm a meditation and Reiki healer by soul, and corporate America by society. I work in corporate because that is what I was brought up to do; however, my soul knew differently. I hold mediations and Reiki sessions because it truly is my souls calling. I want to help others experience joy, love, and support no matter what stage they are at. We are all deserving of support, guidance and love and should be accessible to all in many different ways. I want to help people not feel alone, and I am honoured when they reach out to me and allow me to be their guide through difficult times.
2. What is your source of motivation?
Creating space motivates me. I found having a to do list, and always saying I am busy is such a North American thing. Spending all summers in Europe as a child, and teen taught me to see life as being full. Not busy. Being grateful for having a full life and opportunities to do many different things. Creating space motivates me because I take time off to just be and be open to do whatever feels right in that moment. It takes a lot of pressure of always thinking about an endless checklist. Yes, there are things we HAVE to do - but see them as opportunities, and things you get to do instead of obligations.
3. Favourite book ever written and why?
"Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" by Lori Gottlieb.
It's such a magical book. It left me crying, laughing, and healing all at the same time. It is based on true stories of a therapists appointments with many different people, and at the same time her therapy sessions with a therapist. They are stories about negative experiences people endured and how when they found someone they trust to open up to their lives changed for the better. I love the rawness in creating supportive relationships and seeking help to heal.
4. What (or whom) has had the most positive influence on your life?
My spiritual breakdown or if you want to call it a mental breakdown, so be it.
I hit a point in my early 20's where it seems like every area hit the fan. I literally had the chance, and kind of no choice but to start over. It felt like a second chance to create a life I wanted. Therapy was one of the best things I have ever done, and continue to do. There is something magical about opening up to a stranger and pouring it all out and feeling through all the pain and trauma together. It allowed me to heal so many areas of my life I didn't know needed healing. The most important part was it gave me the courage and strength to open up to my mom about how I feel. I am so grateful that I had a chance to apologize and tell her how I felt months before she passed away.
5. Tell us about an experience that has shaped who you are today?
Losing my mom changed everything for me. My therapist told me that, "when we lose someone we love, we actually find a part of ourselves." That was the biggest wake up call of my life knowing that life truly is too short and we should follow our hearts. My mom, a cancer patient, was the bravest person I have ever met, and I believe the second bravest thing we can ever do is to be who we are and take chances to heal and live our lives the way we want. She made me realize that I want to take the risk and open my own business and help others find their soul path.
6. Talk to us about body image. What advice do you have for anyone struggling with body image?
I’ve had people comment on my weight as early as being 12 years old. It’s really odd to look back and imagine adults making comments about a child. My whole life my body and weight fluctuated. When my body was larger – I received negative comments. All the time. When I lost weight – my body was praised with compliments and gifts. Everyone wanted to buy me outfits. It’s so weird to look back and think about the times I lost weight and people applauded me. I gained weight when I was happier. When my mood and anxiety were healing. When my anxiety came back – I lost weight. That is when people would comment about how good I look.
I am now at my biggest – and I am the happiest I have ever been. I have the life I wanted and manifested, healthy relationships with others, and myself. I have worked on myself and healed past traumas, found my hobbies and interests. I mean, life is good. It’s so weird to think of how people assumed I was happy because I was in a smaller body, and assume I am unhappy with a bigger body. When the truth is I was skinny because I wasn’t eating due to anxiety and depression.
I still struggle with my body image. I gained weight due to covid and I'm now navigating this new body, and how she looks and moves. Somedays it's really hard because I do miss being smaller. But it wasn’t being smaller I miss – it was the way my body moved. I am still getting used to her. Though I know that the people, hobbies, lifestyle, relationships, goals I have in my life and manifesting have nothing to do with what my body looks. And that is freeing
It's not surprising that a lot of us are struggling to keep up when we're bombarded with meditation apps, women-only sanctuaries, fad diets, and living walls.
When we're setting health goals for ourselves, there are so many things we can do — or so many things we feel like we "have" to do — that it can feel impossible to know where to start.
As many of you know, I'm a firm believer that food is the basis of a hormone-happy life. No matter what trends come and go, food — and anything we put inside our bodies — is a great place to start.
Today I want to share with you why herbal medicine has become such a central part of how I maintain my health. I love the complex medicinal properties of herbs and how they rev up our healing time.
While there's no magic herb, here are my top 10 herbal teas for women's hormonal balance.
1. Rhodiola
Rhodiola is a class of herbal medicines called “adaptogens” that can be helpful for improving both physical and mental energy. Rhodiola reduces inflammation, supports blood sugar imbalance, improves immunity and helps fight the negative effects of stress. Rhodiola is especially known for it's effectiveness in relieving anxiety.
2. Chaste Tree Berry
Basically, if you’re a woman, this herb can support you in some way. Chaste tree berry is the queen of herbs for improving progesterone balance, regulating the menstrual cycle and reducing PMS symptoms like depression, irritability, bloating, breast tenderness, cravings and acne.
3. Nettle
Nettle tea is rich in vitamins and nutrients. It's called a “trophorestorative” which means it helps restore the kidneys, adrenals, and ovaries. Nettle helps with inflammation and water retention, making it a win for PMS!
4. Milk Thistle
Milk thistle has been used for thousands of years to support liver and kidney health. Milk thistle contains silymarin, a flavonoid that heals and supports the liver's ability to detoxify excess estrogen.
5. Hibiscus
Hibiscus is high in vitamin C, minerals, and antioxidants. It's been recognized as a remedy to calm nervous disorders, decrease inflammation and speed up metabolism. Hibiscus is also used to regulate the menstrual cycle.
6. Dong Quai
Dong quai has been called the “female ginseng” and has been used as a tonic for more than 2,000 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Dong quai can reduce inflammation and pain before and during menstruation.
7. Red Raspberry Leaf
Red Raspberry leaf is known as “the woman's herb" in that it eases menstrual discomfort, supports reproductive health, and improves fertility by improving the chances of implantation. Red raspberry also contains fragrine which can help strengthen the uterus and the pelvic area.
8. Peppermint
Peppermint tea isn't just for bad breath. In fact, drinking peppermint tea can help reduce menstrual cramps, fight bacterial infections, relieve headaches, and support digestion.
9. Oolong
Oolong is one of the healthiest varieties of caffeinated tea. It supports weight management and boosts brain function. It's rich in antioxidants like theaflavins and L-theanine for relaxing properties. With oolong, you can get your caffeine-kick and a mood stabalizer in one.
10. Rosehips
Rosehips are a source of vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols, catechins and other phytochemicals that promote healthy and vibrant skin.
I hope you’ve found this useful. I'm curious, do you drink herbal teas? What are some of your favourite herbs and why? Let me know in the comments below.
About the Author
Elaine Clark
Founder of LADYFLOW & Nutritionist
It's now become a self-care ritual that I feel like I've been missing out on.
As women, we grow into womanhood thinking that our period problems should be silenced with pain killers. We spend decades of our lives menstruating, and yet as a society, it’s something we rarely seek to support.
It’s a myth that we have to suffer every month, and it’s a myth that drugs address our hormonal imbalances.
Menstrual massage is one way, we as women, can nurture our menstrual health.
Here are the most common questions I often get asked about menstrual massage.
How does massage therapy support my period?
Massage therapy is a natural and effective method for alleviating aches, cramps and spasms. It relaxes the nervous system and helps calm muscle pain, aching joints, abdominal discomfort, and even hormonal headaches.
According to one study from the University of Miami, women who got regular massages had relief from mood swings and pain.
Can I get a massage during my flow? What about when my flow is heavy?
Massage therapy during menses, day 1-7 of your cycle, is safe and supportive.
Gentle pressure around the pelvic area and abdomen can be encouraged during the first few days (day 1-3) when flow is heaviest.
Everyone’s flow is different, so if you're uncomfortable or sensitive to touch, request gentle and relaxing over firm.
Be sure to wear a tampon, sanitary pad, or period underwear and let the therapist know how heavy your flow is that day.
Can massage therapy reduce PMS symptoms?
The PMS phase of your cycle, 7-10 days before your period, is a great time to get a massage.
If you struggle with PMS symptoms like hormonal headaches and mood swings, massage therapy can provide a potent mood boost by prompting the release of feel-good brain chemicals. A bonus if the massage therapy includes aromatherapy!
How does aromatherapy support menstruation?
Aromatherapy (via inhalation, massage, or oral use) has been proven to help with period pain reduction over placebo according to a study in the Journal of Clinical medicine.
Another study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine shows that essential oils can help reduce pain and discomfort possibly by inducing relaxation.
Which essential oils are best for PMS and menstruation?
I hope you’ve found this useful. I'd love to know, have you ever tried a menstrual massage? Let me know in the comments below.
About the Author
Elaine Clark
Founder of LADYFLOW & Nutritionist
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Fertility isn’t just about babies, it’s about a thriving reproductive system. Even if you aren’t thinking about baby making just yet, your lady eggs still need some loving care —especially if (like me) you live in the city!
Your lady eggs are delicate cells that need protection from free radicals.
Unfortunately if you smoke, drink alcohol, live in the city, take prescription drugs (even birth control), or eat processed foods, you might be especially vulnerable to the damaging effects of free radicals on your eggs.
A fertility diet is anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, libido reviving, and PMS protective.
Who doesn’t want more of ALL the above?
Alright lady, here are 7 fertility boosting foods to get you started.
1. Broccoli
Broccoli is rich in phytonutrients and compounds like DIM that help the body get rid of excess estrogen. Excess estrogen can disrupt a woman's ovulation cycle and decrease the chances of conception.
2. Fatty fish
Fatty fish like trout, herring, mackerel and sardines are a source of CoQ10 (ubiquinone). Our eggs are the largest cells in our body and they need CoQ10 to help neutralize free radicals that damage the DNA within the egg. CoQ10 supports the energy needs of maturing eggs and thus leads to better quality eggs and embryos. Research shows that as we age, we don’t produce enough CoQ10 causing eggs to fail when it comes time for fertilization.
3. Papaya
Papaya, known as the “fruit of the Angels”, is a low glycemic fruit that supports healthy insulin levels and is important for hormonal balance. It’s a great source of antioxidants like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and folic acid which are supportive of DNA integrity in our eggs. Papaya also contains the digestive enzyme papain that acts as an anti-inflammatory.
4. Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts offer an incredible source of selenium, a mineral that helps thicken the uterine wall for implantation. Selenium also works as a mild anticoagulant that can increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries to support conception. Selenium works as an antioxidant and prevents oxidation and DNA damage in the egg.
5. Avocado
Avocados are a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids ideal food for boosting the health of your eggs. Avocados are also a source of B vitamins, vitamin E, folate, and potassium important for reproductive health. A study by the Harvard School of Public Health showed that a diet high in avocado and other foods high in monounsaturated fatty acids tripled the chance of success with IVF treatments.
6. Walnuts
Walnuts are a great source of omega-3 essential fatty acids needed for healthy hormone production and cervical mucous production. The healthy fats in walnuts help reduce inflammation, support ovulation, and improve blood flow to the reproductive organs.
7. Beetroots
Beetroots support dilation of blood vessels allowing a rich supply of oxygenated blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. An increase in blood circulation to the uterus and ovaries is important for implantation and healthy menstrual blood flow. Beets also contain high levels of iron important for the development of healthy red blood cells.
There you have it! These are just a few fertility boosting foods.
Of course, a complete fertility diet requires a little more planning and personalized support.
Are you getting these fertility foods in your diet? Feel free to connect with us. We'd love to hear from you below.
About the Author
Elaine Clark
Founder of LADYFLOW & Nutritionist