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.
Meet Sean Quigley
Hello Everyone,
My name is Sean Quigley, a Chinese Medicine acupuncturist now living in the amazing city of Kingston, Ontario – home to wonderfully friendly people and crisp clean air. I grew up not too far from Kingston and have returned to Ontario with my family after twenty years away.
Some of this time away was spent travelling and living in Tainan,
Meet Adrienne Coombs
Hi everyone!
My name is Adrienne Coombs. I’m a Chinese medicine practitioner and have just moved to beautiful Squamish, BC. I have spent time training with Dr. Pentland and his team, learning the Yinstill systems and protocols for taking care of patients with reproductive health challenges.
I am so excited to now be living on the west coast amongst these beautiful mountains.
Do Men Go Through Menopause?
Yes, they do! Male menopause also known as andropause is similar to female menopause, however there are some distinctions. For males, it is a more gradual hormonal shift (it can span 20 years) and not all males experience it. The cause of andropause is a decline in the hormone testosterone and a possible shift to estrogen by an enzyme called aromatase.
Facial Acupuncture: enhance your complexion naturally
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture has been gaining popularity in recent years. Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is also commonly known as Cosmetic Acupuncture or Facial Acupuncture. The unique application of Facial Acupuncture has been around for centuries and is a growing alternative to mainstream cosmetic health surgeries.
What is Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture?
Yinstill is pleased to offer Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture which is a safe,
Depression and The Chinese Herbal Formula: Xiao Yao San
Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed for a period of two weeks or more. It may lead to emotional and physical disharmonies and can decrease a person’s ability to function with everyday work.
Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include the following:
- Feeling sad or low mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue
- Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g.,
On Being Still
Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. This pretty much goes without saying. It really is a wonder that we thrive, that our bodies continue to perform their varied and miraculous functions almost seamlessly through the stress of it all…our hearts continue beating, our muscles contract and release upon constant demand, our hormones continue to be secreted in harmony with our internal physical orchestrations and our perceived external circumstances.
Estrogen in The Body: A TCM Perspective
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).
Summer Diet – Eating with the Seasons
Summer Diet
Summer is a time of openness and expansive abundance. The fresh vital flavors, colors and textures of many fruits and vegetables ripen and so do our senses. According to Chinese medicine, Summer is yang in nature. It is a time of expansion, growth, lightness, outward activity, brightness and creativity. This is why everyone wants to be outside instead of inside,
Liver – what’s it good for?
Taking Care of the Liver
The Liver is one of our largest internal organs and one of the most underestimated organs. It does so much for us, from detoxifying to purifying blood to regulating our metabolism.
Although the liver is wonderful at healing and self-recovery, it does take a great deal of abuse in our everyday lifestyles.
Hot Flashes: What Are They and What Helps Them?
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;
Sometimes you just gotta say F#%K IT…
If you haven’t got there quite yet, then I am sure you have at least thought about it, or see the possibility out there on the horizon. ‘Screw it, I am sick of trying‘. On some level it feels freeing to say and feel this way I am sure, it may even be healing,
What is an “irregular period” anyways?
Women today have many demands in their day to day life which can all affect the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is linked to hormones and when the hormonal balance is not aligned irregular periods can occur. An irregular cycle can mean sometimes early, or sometimes late and is very unpredictable. In Chinese Medicine theory,
