FOUNDER FERTILITY NOTES
Reflections on fertility, health, and the human journey toward creating life.
Drawing from more than two decades of caring for people trying to build families, Dr. Spence Pentland shares observations, clinical insights, and ideas that reach beyond tests, treatments, and protocols.
These notes explore not only what we can do to support fertility, but who we may become along the way – offering perspective, direction, and a more human way to understand the fertility journey.
One Woman's PCOS Journey
The following is a great example of typical PCOS case seen at Yinstill. If you think you may have PCOS or have been diagnosed with excess androgens, insulin resistance, irregular menstrual cycles, or cystic ovaries, I encourage you to read this story below, and to venture to youtube to listen to how other women have managed theri PCOS.
Chocolate Kefir Smoothie
Guest Post by Krista A. Parr
Full-fat dairy products should be favored over low-fat and skim milk for those trying to conceive (and probably everyone else!). Kefir, like traditionally-made yogurt, is a fermented milk product so it provides beneficial bacteria for promoting immune and digestive health. Amazingly, fermented dairy also has higher levels of nutrients than their non-fermented counterparts!
Ectopic Pregnancy – My Story
Written by Chantal Pentland
It was my third time around, and I couldn’t believe how blessed I was to be carrying another beautiful baby. We have been very fortunate in being able to get pregnant easily, I attest this to supplements, Chinese herbs, acupuncture and a healthy lifestyle. However this time we were boggled as there was not much action that month,
Foods to Improve Sperm Motility and Morphology
Recent research published in a peer reviewed medical journal, ‘Fertility & Sterility’ displayed correlations between the intake of lycopene and sperm morphology, and carotene and sperm motility. I have always pushed for men to add more colorful foods to their diet, as many studies confirm the importance of good nutrition and sperm quality.
Lycopene Rich Foods for Sperm Morphology:
tomatoes (sun dried are best,
Exploring the link between healthy weight, thyroid function and fertility
If you have been to the grocery store lately and waited in the check out line you will most likely have been bombarded by the annual obsession with weight loss and fad diets. On either side of the line the magazine rack will be taunting you with questions like Are You An Emotional Eater?
Weight Loss: a holistic perspective
*Also read: Exploring the link between healthy weight, thyroid function, and fertility
There is no mystery these days as to why people gain unwanted weight. It is widely known that excessive food consumption combined with inactivity will cause an increase in fat and a decrease in muscle mass and health.
Tell me about your bowel movements…
Well, as my wife says, when you marry a doctor of TCM, you get used to talking about bowel movements, it even may pop up at the dinner table, as food, digestion, and bowel movements are intimately related ! As with any holistic thinking, your bowels are an expression of health, mainly digestive, but also may be great indicators of other underlying problems that should be investigated.
Relearning how to manage painful cramps. By Natalie Woodhouse, RMT
When we experience pain there is often an accompaniment of fearful thoughts, physical tensions, or emotional overwhelm. Whether we are aware of it or not, pain can often trigger a fear response and create anxiety stored in the body. Cramping in the abdomen, that is not linked to high risk pathological concerns but has been confirmed by a doctor,
Sperm Motility & Protein in the Diet
A good place to find out about how to optimize sperm is the dairy and beef industries. Basically, the whole purpose of a bull (stud) is to produce sperm of high quality, and lots of it, so that all the heifers and cows on the farm can make calves, which grow into beautiful heifers, then have calves of their own,
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (Five ancestors) for Male Factor Infertility
Modified version of Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (Five Ancestors) is most likely the most used Chinese herbal formulation for male factor infertility. It is modified according to the needs of each individual client so as to optimize effectiveness for promoting the generation of vital essence and reproductive strength.
- Gou Qi Zi
- Tu Su Zi
- Fu Pen Zi
- Wu Wei Zi
- Che Qian ZiFrom a traditional perspective,
Self-Monitoring for Fertility
For most women I see there is a short period of awkwardness that arises when I first ask them about the size and color of their menstrual blood clots, or the consistency and characteristics of their bowel movements, but it never seems to take long for women to understand the importance of observing their body in all its capacities.
Omega-3 Truffles
Guest Post by Krista A. Parr
Walnuts are one of the few plant sources of Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Our bodies cannot manufacture these essential fatty acids (“EFA’s”) on their own, so they must be obtained through diet. As well as being anti-inflammatory and protective of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and immune systems,
