Few medical conditions affect us more intimately than infertility and sexual dysfunction. Although many medical conditions cause uncomfortable symptoms and different types of functional impairment, infertility is a dagger to the very heart of our identity as women and men. For this reason, infertility statistics from sources such as the CDC and the Cleveland Clinic indicating that the condition now affects 10-20 percent of couples in the US, perhaps 50 percent more than decades ago, they are more than a matter of concern to maintain a stable population as a country; infertility has now become a contributing factor in millions’ feelings of guilt, worthlessness, stigmatization and despair.
To be clear, infertility, as discussed here, is not a voluntary choice not to have children. Unfortunately, many conventional sources of information describe the general decline in the number of children born over generations as “infertility,” often even described in favorable terms, without making the critical distinction between couples who voluntarily choose not to have children and couples who cannot conceive. children despite intent and sustained effort. The causes, consequences and remedies for infertility discussed here refer only to the latter group.
For the growing percentage of women and men affected by infertility, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Much government and scientific information, for example, focuses on factors that are largely out of our control, such as age, medical conditions, and “endocrine disruptors” such as chemicals and plastics in our environment , which can alter hormonal function. Without local solutions to these problems, helplessness is a common individual reaction. Perhaps worse, the most commonly approved treatments for infertility are prohibitively expensive for many and show limited success rates. From this daunting perspective, infertility is a rapidly growing problem caused by a series of external forces that may require years and many thousands of dollars to treat.
Being a parent continues to be a source of joy and meaning for many adults.
Source: OpenClipart-Vectors/Pixabay
Fortunately, there is an increasingly science-backed approach to treating and even reversing infertility that is completely under our personal control. This approach requires only a commitment to healthy lifestyle changes and a basic understanding of the relationship between health behaviors and hormonal function. In a previous post, I discussed the important role that a condition called insulin resistance has on depression and cognitive function. Insulin resistance is critical to our mental and physical health because every cell in our body responds to insulin. Therefore, when cells become insulin resistant and unable to respond normally to insulin, they are unable to perform the vital processes that allow us to think, feel, and function optimally.
Insulin resistance and infertility
It turns out that sex hormones and sexual function are among the long list of vital activities affected by insulin resistance. The most common cause of infertility in women, for example, is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). And what is the most common cause of PCOS? Insulin resistance.
Resulting primarily from lifestyle factors such as lack of sleep, lack of exercise, chronic stress, and especially diets composed of high levels of sugars and refined carbohydrates, insulin resistance progressively compromises a woman’s ability to convert androgens ( eg, testosterone) into estrogens. Without sufficient estrogen levels, your menstrual cycle cannot start, and with excessive androgen levels, you may experience male side effects such as hair loss and central adiposity (weight gain in the stomach area that is most strongly associated with cardiovascular disease) .
The same unhealthy lifestyle patterns lead to insulin resistance and hormonal changes behind infertility in men. As men become more resistant to insulin, for example, a vicious cycle ensues. Your insulin resistance contributes to excess body fat, and these fat cells secrete an enzyme called aromatase that converts testosterone into a type of estrogen. The result is a pattern of reduced testosterone and feminizing side effects, sometimes referred to as “male PCOS” (1).
However, insulin resistance also causes male infertility through a second mechanism. Insulin also interacts with cells in our blood vessels called endothelial cells. Among other functions, endothelial cells help regulate the expansion of our arteries, thus also regulating blood flow. As endothelial cells become resistant to insulin, they lose their ability to dilate our arteries in times of need (such as during sexual activity). For a man, compromised endothelial function is a common cause of erectile dysfunction (note that drugs like Viagra improve sexual function in men by temporarily improving blood flow, but do not improve underlying insulin resistance. If insulin resistance itself is not treated, unfortunately, medications often become ineffective over time).
Although these biobehavioral connections may seem intimidating, they are overwhelmingly good news for people suffering from infertility. Although genetic factors and aging contribute to insulin resistance, insulin resistance is primarily caused by health behaviors. As a result, insulin resistance can be completely treated through behavioral changes.
Multiple recent clinical trials, for example, focused only on consuming low-carb diets (i.e. no other lifestyle changes required, etc.) demonstrated impressive rates of PCOS reversal, resumed menstrual cycles, and even new pregnancies in women who previously struggled with infertility and got better. testosterone, sperm quality and erectile function in men (2-5). Notably, the results of these studies were achieved with just 3 to 6 months of dietary programs that eliminated low-quality sources of nutrition, such as ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages. And its results would likely have been even more impressive if combined with regular exercise, better sleep habits, and stress management techniques.
Summary
Infertility has gone from a rare problem to a widespread problem in the US in just a few decades. Although infertility has many causes derived from modernity, insulin resistance caused by poor lifestyle habits is perhaps the most common for both women and men. As science continues to clarify our understanding of the connection between health behaviors and hormonal function, we increasingly appreciate that our daily lifestyle choices have profound and pervasive effects on our physical and mental health.
Source: www.psychologytoday.com