Why A Diagnosis of Premature Ovarian Failure is not always what it seems ...
I have just finished treatment with a 31-year-old patient who was told by more than one doctor that she was in Premature Ovarian Failure (essentially early menopause) and would need donor eggs.
Since starting treatments in October 2019 she's had 2 periods and has ovulated twice according to her ovulation predictor kits...
...once in Nov, and once in Dec.
Apparently, her ovaries weren't "failing" at all.
And, because she is still relatively young (based on my 10+ years' experience in this realm), I'm predicting she'll be pregnant within 3-6 months at the MOST.
The human body is an incredibly intelligent and highly nuanced living, breathing, feeling entity.
It is not a machine, nor does it ever forget how to express its most natural state.
Whether it's ovaries not producing eggs, or a uterus overwhelmed with endometriosis, or a PCOS-driven endocrine loop, or a poorly functioning thyroid gland...
What to us looks like "malfunction" is, to the body, intelligent adaptation.
The secret to treating these conditions lies in understanding the subtle language the body is expressing via signs and symptoms, not just lab tests.
See... in the case above, doctors simply looked at numbers on a piece of paper and made a pronouncement of "Ovarian Failure".
They did not ask their patient any of the following:
- Her sleep patterns and quality (which tells me certain things about her neuroendocrine state that can impact her ovulatory cycle)
- Her hydration habits and level of thirst (which tell me certain things about the metabolic and oxygenation states of her cells)
- Her general mood and energy level (which tell me certain things about her energy reserves and dominant neurotransmitter patterns)
- Her body temperature at different times of the day (which tells me about circulatory and circadian oscillations)
- Her eating habits (both when and what she eats AND what she craves - which tell me about hormonal ebbs and flows and glycemic/insulin dynamics)
ALL of the above can have HUGE impacts on the body and its internal state.
ALL of the above can shift the body into adaptive vs. regenerative dominance.
ALL of the above absolutely have the potential to impact ovarian function, thyroid function, hormonal dynamics, and inflammatory states.
Reading numbers on a piece of paper is certainly ONE way to gather data.
And that data is potentially useful, so I'm not saying that laboratory testing doesn’t have its place.
The difference is knowing how to have CONVERSATIONS with patients, and in having the time to listen to them in such a way that we access, and understand the body's innate language of signs and symptoms - which is an expression of the most advanced technology there is...
The Human Body-mind.
Never underestimate or dismiss the power of NATURE, the root of ALL technology, to self-sustain, self-correct, and self-protect.
And... NEVER assume that a number on a piece of paper is anything more than a single data point that MUST be considered in the context of a rich and varied mix of many data points...
Not the least of which is...
The HUMAN LIFE that is producing those signals.
Why not book in for a Free 15 minute mini-consultation - Come in and spend some time talking about your health. Whether you decide to work with me or not, you will leave the session knowing that there are concrete things you can do to feel better on your own.
Cathy Bell, Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Registered Acupuncturist AHPRA
Yin Studio:
Founded in 2006 by Cathy Bell, Yin Studio has become a sought-after health and wellness clinic, known for its warm, inviting atmosphere and sincere, compassionate care for its patients.
Cathy Bell provides results-oriented, natural wellness care for people of all ages. Her goal with each patient is a long-term, self-sustained shift in core factors that determine health and wellness. These core factors bridge all levels of being — physical, psychological, even spiritual.
My mission is simple: To support YOUR health and goals, and help you make the most of them. Whether you want to complement your conventional medical treatments with natural support, or go with a 100% natural solution, I do my best to help you achieve the best outcome possible. Treatments are based on getting results as quickly and efficiently as possible. Results matter, and I am proud of a proven history of positive outcomes.
Your body’s natural healing intelligence never forgets how to restore balance and vitality to every cell, tissue, and organ. All you have to do is give it the right support. At Yin Studio you are an active participant in the healing process. You will be educated on the proper way to get your healing system back on track via a targeted, customised treatment plan that will include one or more of the following: acupuncture, nutrition, herbs, lifestyle/mind-body coaching.