Erin, Author at Yinstill Reproductive Wellness | Vancouver, Surrey, Salt Spring Island Fertility Clinics

Miscarriage yinstill reproductive wellness

How do we get sick? Chinese Medicine theory

Erin / COVID, General Health, Immune, Lifestyle

Health is more than just the absence of disease. Health is a state of balance within your body, with an adequate reserve of energy and resources so that you can thrive.

Balance is the key to health in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is important to have a balance between work and exercise, a balanced diet, a balance in sexual activity, a balance in exposure to climate, and a balance of emotions.

In Chinese Medicine theory,

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Yoga and Chinese Medicine – build Prana and regulate Qi

Erin / General Health, Lifestyle, Women's Health, Yoga

Yoga

The Vedas are ancient texts from India, written in Sanskrit. They are considered to be divine truths revealed to ancient sages after intense meditation.

Meditation is a practice to bring awareness to the nature of our Self. Slowing and observing our thoughts can expose the nature of our mind, how it connects to our body, and what lies beyond the mind. Repeating mantras or the observation of our breath are common meditative approaches.

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Getting to the root of PMS

Erin / PMS, Women's Health

What is PMS?

Most women I have worked with over the years “know” when their period is coming. Some experience a change in their mood, have bloating or sore breasts, develop acne, have abdominal cramping, or a change in their bowels. Some unfortunate women have all of these things, and more.

Today it is estimated that 3 out of every 4 menstruating women will experience at least once in their lives some form of physical or emotional changes after ovulation happens until the menses begins,

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PCOS & infertility yinstill reproductive wellness

Progesterone and Yang: A TCM Perspective

Erin / In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Support, Women's Health

Progesterone, also known as P4, is a reproductive hormone involved in the menstrual cycle. Influencing what is known as the “luteal phase”, it helps prepare the uterine lining for implantation. If implantation does occur, progesterone helps maintain the integrity of the endometrium, helping to secure the new pregnancy. It also plays a role in the development of an embryo.

Where does progesterone come from?

The first half of the menstrual cycle is referred to as the “follicular phase”.

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Estrogen in The Body: A TCM Perspective

Erin / Women's Health

Estrogen is that quintessential hormone of femininity. Also known as oestrogen, it is actually a group of compounds named for their importance in the estrus (reproductive) cycle of humans and animals. It plays an important role in the menstrual cycle and can influence key aspects of fertility. It is used in birth control pills (BCP) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Imbalances of this sex hormone are associated with some kinds of abnormal cell growth, menopausal syndrome,

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Hot Flashes: What Are They and What Helps Them?

Erin / Advanced Maternal Age, Women's Health

Hot flashes and night sweats are something we often work with in women’s health and fertility. Sometimes it happens after a woman has taken fertility medications; sometimes it happens gradually or sporadically. It can happen toward the end of our reproductive years, and it can happen during pregnancy. Sometimes the discomfort is limited to a few surges of heat during the day; but some women wake in the middle of the night and have to change their soaked bedsheets.

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How to practice yoga during an IVF cycle

Erin / In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Support, Lifestyle, Self-Care, Unexplained Infertility, Women's Health

Yoga, including breathing exercises, meditative practices, and specific body postures, is widely practiced for its relaxation and overall health benefits. Many people I work with practice yoga daily and ask me if it is OK if they continue their yoga practice while they are undergoing an IVF cycle. The answer is …

Yes! However, you should be mindful of what you are doing and why you are doing it.

YOGA BEFORE INJECTIONS / OVARIAN STIMULATION BEGIN

Yoga can help reduce stress levels and increase blood circulation,

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Acupuncture and IVF (in-vitro fertilization)

Erin / In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Support

In-vitro fertilization was originally developed to treat infertility due to fallopian tube problems. It is being used today to help couples who are experiencing other issues such as poor sperm quality, surrogacy, advanced maternal age, and unexplained infertility. Recently, clinical research has shown that integrating acupuncture with IVF can contribute positively to how you feel during your IVF cycle, and may also improve your chances for a successful pregnancy.

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Supporting Follicular Genesis with Acupuncture and Self-Care

Erin / Advanced Maternal Age, Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Egg Quality, Endometriosis, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Support, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Unexplained Infertility

The egg you release this menstrual cycle has actually been in its final phase of maturation for the past 3 menstrual cycles. That is when the pre-antral follicle stage began; during this time the follicle grows from 0.2 mm to about 20 mm when the follicle is finally mature and the egg is ready for fertilization. Many follicles grow at the same time during the pre-antral stage. The follicles become “antral” once there is a fluid-filled sac which surrounds the egg.

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CBD2 Cannabinoid receptors regulate & control the production of sperm, in a (perhaps) unexpected way

Erin / Lifestyle, Male Factor Infertility, Men's Health

Sperm & Marijuana – Science Magazine found results contrary to the commonly held belief that marijuana is universally bad for sperm production; rather, isolating compounds has somewhat surprising effects – “both hyper- and hypo-stimulation of CB2 disrupted the temporal dynamics of the spermatogenic cycle”. In other words, your cannabinoid receptors need to be adequately stimulated to produce optimal sperm numbers.

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Erin