Reproductive System

As many as 85% of menstruating women will report having one or more premenstrual symptoms, with a further 7% experiencing incapacitating symptoms severe enough to impair their daily activities. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterised by recurring physical and psychological symptos during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle; they are often relieved within a few days of menstruation.

Psychological symptoms include irritability, mood swins, anxiety, depression, general dysphoria.

Physical symptoms include bloating, headaches, breast discomfort, headaches/migraines, asthma.

• Dietary recommendations: Adapt low GI diet, eliminate sugar and refined carbohyrates, eliminate caffeine, increase fibre and brassica vegetables.
• Nutritional support: B complex, calcium, magnesium, essential fatty acids, iron, zinc, vitamin E.
• Herbal support: Hormone modulators, HPO regulator, lymphatic, adaptogens, nervine tonic, hepatic tonic

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the endometrial lining grows outside of the uterus. The tissue is commonly located within the pelvis area (e.g. fallopian tubes or ligaments), but can be located anywhere in the body.

Pain associated with menstrual cycle, irregular periods, painful or heavy periods, nausea, abdominal bloating, constipation/diarrhoea, headaches, chronic fatigue, fainting, anxiety or depression, back pain, anaemia.

• Dietary recommendations: Encourage antioxidant rich foods, support gut microflora, encourage immune building foods, decrease inflammatory foods.
• Nutritional support: B complex, calcium, magnesium, CoQ10, essential fatty acids, iron, probiotics, vitamin A, Vitamin D, vitamin E
• Herbal support: Analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, hormonal modulator, uterine tonic, lymphatic, adaptogen

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months or more of regular unprotected intercourse with the same partner. After this time, intervention and treatment is recommended. Infertility is a prevalent problem within Australia, with 1 in 6 couples of reproductive age suffering from infertility problems. However, this is not just a female issue; in approximately 40% of infertile couples, the problem is a male factor. In 40% it is a female factor, in 10% is a joint issue and the remaining 10%, the cause is unknown. There are a vast number of contributing factors towards infertility; extensive background knowledge and testing is often conducted to determine the underlying factors.

Contributing causes of male infertility:
– Primary hypogonadism
– Systemic disorder
– Testicular trauma
– Altered sperm transport
– Secondary hypogonadism
– Hormone imbalance
– Diet & lifestyle factors
– Weight

Contributing causes of female infertility:
– Ovulation disorders
– Tubal factors
– Endometriosis
– Uterine/cervical factors
– Dietary & lifestyle factors
– Age, weight

• Dietary modifications: Provide nutritional sustenance, avoid dietary factors that compound fertility (sugar, caffeine, alcohol, trans fatty acids), address any macro- and micro-nutrient deficiencies (particularly water and protein).
• Nutritional support: Amino acids, antioxidants, B complex, vitamin D, calcium, iodine, magnesium, essential fatty acids.
• Herbal support: Adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, male tonic, testosterone stimulant, hormone modulation, anti-miscarriage.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the consistent or recurrent inability to attain and/or maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual activity. ED affects at least 30 million men in the USA and 152 million men worldwide; it is estimated approximately 322 million men worldwide will have ED by 2025. Classifications of ED include:
– Vascular ED (due to either an arterial insufficiency or inflow problem, or a venous insufficiency or outflow problem)
– Venogenic ED (outflow of blood from the penis is not sufficiently inhibited during erection. Common causes include Peyronie’s disease, plaque formation, traumatic injuries, shunts).
– Neurogenic ED (can occur after disruption of the lower lumbar spinal cord from traumatic or malignant causes).
Other contributing factors include mental health, stress, fatigue, age, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, smoking.

The consistent or recurrent inability to attain and/or maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual activity.

• Dietary recommendations: High quality protein, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant rich foods, wholefood diet, reducing alcohol, caffeine, smoking.
• Nutritional support: Essential fatty acids, zinc, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, protein.
• Herbal support: Male tonics, circulatory stimulants, nervine tonic, cardiac tonic, vascular tonic, peripheral vasodilators, hormone modulators (testosterogenic)