We’ve talked before about chemicals affecting fertility, but as it’s hit the news again in the last week or so we thought we’d bring these new findings to your attention. Chemical toxicity in the system does seem increasingly likely to be a factor amongst couples struggling to conceive.

This is due to the use of flame-retardant chemicals also known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the last 30 years, which can now be found almost everywhere; in the soil, sediment, food, air and house dust.  As a result of their widespread use research has shown that ‘97% of Americans have detectable levels in their body’.  The effect these chemicals are having on our general health, and more specifically fertility, is now being questioned.

According to a recent Economist article, ‘Kim Harley of the University of California, Berkeley, and her colleagues decided to look at whether levels of PBDEs in women affected their fertility. They took blood samples from 223 women on low incomes living in California, most of whom were Mexican, and asked them how long they had taken to become pregnant.  Their research, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, found that each tenfold increase in the blood concentration of PBDEs was linked to a 30% decrease in the probability of becoming pregnant each month.’

Although this research is fairly conclusive about the negative effects of PBDEs on fertility, more research is needed to know the full extent of the problem.  At Juno Natural Fertility a key part of our treatment involves carrying out a Mineral and Toxicity Analysis.  Based on the results we’re able to give you tailored homeopathic remedies and supplements to detox any chemicals found in your system and restore mineral levels in the body.

You can read the Economist article in full here, and to find out more information about our Mineral and Toxicity Analysis visit our website.

We’ve talked before about minimising potentially harmful chemicals if you’re trying to conceive, and some newly published research agrees.

The Telethon Institute of Child Health Research in Australia has found a possible link between women working in certain industries and a common birth defect.[1]

They looked at pregnant women who are exposed to heavy metals in labs, petrol stations and in the defence industries. The sons of these women were two and a half times more likely to be diagnosed with hypospadias, a problem that affects the penis.

Sons of women who work as hairdressers or in the beauty industry are also thought to be at higher risk of this diagnosis as they are often exposed to phthalates, a group of common chemicals found in many personal care products, detergents and plastics.

The researchers are keen to point out that more work needs to be done to get more detailed information about the risk, and these are only preliminary findings.

So to reduce your risk of exposure to toxic chemicals when you’re trying to become pregnant, look at the common household items in your home, and consider swapping them for natural products. If you’re concerned or think you’ve been exposed to a lot of chemicals through your work, you can always check your toxic levels with a Mineral & Toxicity Analysis.

We thought we’d get back to some basic stuff this week and talk about your menstrual cycle and the part progesterone plays in it.

If you’re having difficulty in conceiving or are dealing with miscarriage, you’ll probably be advised to have a progesterone level test to check your ovulation. You’ll also probably be told that you should have it on day 21 of your cycle. But… is your cycle 28 days long? If not, then having a test then won’t yield an accurate result.

You need to have the test seven days before your period - so work out which day is the one for you, and book it then.

Progesterone is important in the second half (or luteal phase) of your cycle. It prepares the lining of the uterus for holding a fertilised egg, and women who have low progesterone may not be able to carry a successful pregnancy. If you’ve heard the term ‘luteal phase defect’, this is what it means.

For women, the interaction of fertility hormones is very complex, but as long as you know your own cycle, you’ll be well placed to get the most accurate results from your tests.

We’ve just launched our new service - the Juno Fertility MOT.

If you’ve been trying to conceive without success for six months or more, or you’ve suffered repeated miscarriage, you could benefit from the Juno Fertility MOT. You’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you’re doing everything you can to improve your chances of getting pregnant.

It’s very simple: just complete our questionnaire in your own time at home, and we’ll undertake a full analysis of your fertility situation. You will receive a comprehensive report containing detailed information about factors which may be preventing you from conceiving, plus individualised advice for both partners to increase your chances of conception and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

The Juno Fertility MOT costs just £54.99 so give us a call on 0845 423 8962 or go to our products page to find out more.

If you’re coming to The Fertility Show on 6 and 7 November we’re offering you a Juno Fertility MOT for only £43.99 - a 20% discount on the regular price! So come and visit us on Stand 12. Not booked your tickets yet? Go to our links page and check out the Fertility Show website for more information.

Did you know that vitamin and mineral deficiencies, or an excess of heavy toxic metals can hinder your chances of a successful pregnancy? One of the simplest ways of discovering whether you’re deficient in some essential nutrients or are overloaded with heavy metals is to have a hair mineral analysis.

Hair cells are among the quickest growing cells in our bodies and ‘record’ all the good and bad stuff we’re exposed to - whether in our diets or from the environment. In a hair mineral analysis, a small sample of hair is laboratory-tested, and a picture emerges of the levels of minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, manganese and chromium in your body. In addition, it measures heavy metals including mercury, aluminium, lead, cadmium and arsenic.

Once you know where you are, supplements and/or a simple course of homeopathic treatment can rectify any deficiencies, as well as cleaning your body of toxins. This will give you the best chance of getting pregnant.

So - if you’d like to find out more about having a hair mineral analysis done, contact us and we’ll be happy to advise you.

Candida Albicans is a yeast which most of us have in our bodies. When we’re healthy it doesn’t bother us, as it lives harmlessly alongside beneficial gut bacteria. But when our natural balance is disturbed, it can overgrow and change to a fungal form, causing a variety of symptoms from headaches, bloating, mood swings, sugar cravings, thrush and skin problems, to problems with fertility and conception.

If you’ve had multiple prescriptions of antibiotics over the years, even as a child, or if you’ve used the contraceptive pill, your natural yeast and bacterial balance may have become disturbed, predisposing you to Candida symptoms.

And if you recognise any of the symptoms listed above, it may be worth checking out whether you’ve got Candida if you’re trying to get pregnant.

To encourage the Candida to die off you’ll need to cut out the things it loves - sugar and yeast - to starve it, and take a good quality probiotic supplement. Homeopathic treatment can also help to eliminate Candida and restore the natural balance to your body.

It’s very possible to get rid of Candida symptoms and you’ll feel healthier as a result, plus you’ll be in a far better position to get pregnant.

If you think you may have Candida symptoms, why not post a comment below and we’ll advise you on the best steps to take.