Fertility
Fertility and Gut Health
How is fertility linked to the gut?
Many of my clients struggle to conceive. Today’s latest research is showing that the immune system plays such an important role in pregnancy. Did you know 70% of the immune system resides in your gut? And that mould toxins (Mycotoxins) are associated with miscarriage? and when we have taken one too many antibiotics or steroids, had a diet too full of sugar, alcohol or stress, as a result of these things, often by the time we are ready to conceive we have low stomach acid and gut dysbiosis in our small intestine.
Over time this gut dysbiosis leads to malfunction of the microvilli in the intestines which reduces how much vitamins and minerals we are getting from our foods. Having too many bad bacteria and yeasts in our microbiome leads to a syndrome called leaky gut, overtime little holes appear in this gut barrier.
When you get leaky gut toxins, large protein molecules from food, and the wrong microbes filter through these little holes and go into your bloodstream this in turn causes a low level of inflammation to occur. Inflammation can be the reason behind many health conditions and this includes infertility. If the healthy microbial balance is damaged by too many harmful bacteria and yeasts particularly in those who are overweight or those that consume a diet high in fat this can lead to a whole series of chronic inflammation to occur in your body. This in turn plays its part in poor egg quality and disruption in embryonic development.
The gut microbiome of the vagina is greatly influenced by the gut microbiome of your intestines. The same probiotic species that are found naturally in the gut are found in the vagina so it makes sense to improve the microbial diversification in the gut to produce a healthy supportive environment for fetal implantation in the vagina. Certain yeasts and bacteria raise the vaginal pH and make it a habitat for harmful microbes to live in. For this reason women experience frequent vaginal thrush, kidney infections, cystitis etc. If you have these persistently they could be signs that your gut is not in the condition it needs to be in. If the microbiome is altered this could in turn affect fertility. Your gut health has a big impact on the production of the hormone oestrogen, the gut microbiome regulates oestrogen via an enzyme however if the gut microbiome is imbalanced and there is two large of a number of unfavorable bacteria or yeast this process interferes with the detox of oestrogen and this can lead to elevated oestrogen levels also known as oestrogen dominance. Oestrogen dominance causes problems with reproductive health and fertility such as PCOS and endometriosis as well as reduction in sperm production in men. Fully optimizing your gut bacteria you can greatly reduce the amount of information and support. I can do a test to see if you have bacterial or fungal overgrowth or leaky gut and advise you how to nutritionally support yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fiona a Doctor?
No, Fiona is a medical scientist, who has 25 years of experience investigating and researching health because of her own and her families functional bowel, mental health, digestive, hormonal and gut health struggles. She resolved her own acne, complex trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, low mood, digestive issues, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia like illness through years of working with doctors, naturopaths, functional practitioners, following protocols, trial and error of supplements, medication, herbs, hormones, peptides and making many lifestyle changes and is well known for her success through sheer determination to support her clients cases. She has worked in the field of microbiology and in medical sales and marketing of drugs and skin products for 15 years, she is trained in nutritional mineral analysis, reading functional blood chemistry and a naturopathic doctors advanced clinical program and is doing ongoing case study training with naturopathic doctors. Fiona is not a medical doctor, a nurse or a registered dietician, or a nutritionist. Fiona is not a medically qualified professional and does not medically diagnose any condition or symptom.
Is the coaching covered by VHI?
No, but you can put receipts and supplement bills under health expenses on your med 1 tax return at the end of the year. We will give receipts for all.
Will one appointment be sufficient?
This depends on how many symptoms you have, and for how long, if you are suffering decades no, it will take time to unravel root causes and treat them. You need to be aware that what you are embarking upon is not a quick fix but will require daily effort to achieve health goals, that involvement is a long-term commitment and failing to implement any part of my program will reduce chances of success. You should see a doctor if I think you have a medical condition. You receive health coaching suggestions to improve your health but there are no guarantees regarding these suggestions as everyone is biochemically so different. Fiona does however give you enough paperwork for you to do about 2 years of work behind the scenes as she wants to give you value for money to keep working on your health even outside appointments provided you commit to doing bloods twice a year as supplements or programs can change the cellular health and everything must be monitored.
Why do I have to do a package and not just one appointment?
Fiona likes to support a client in the initial weeks after their first appointment so they put into practice what is given in the protocol. She is there to provide support via WhatsApp Or Instagram Dms if you have any quick questions. 30-60mins of time is included in the package for these support minutes. Whole body wellness is not a quick fix as many systems in the body have to be addressed to get the gut well. I help you work on your digestion, absorption, detoxification pathways, your lymphatic, adrenal, enteric nervous system to help your body recover from illness that begins in the gut. It takes time to get ones body into healing mode, it took me 3 years in total to get my gut from not digesting at all to eating everything in sight.
What is included in my package?
Fiona prides herself on being with the person as they embark on their journey but she has to charge for her time in helping you make progress after your first appointment. Post call support minutes can be purchased for 125 euro at any stage this gives you 12 contact points for quick questions. NO long emails or phone calls can be included in this. All minutes are recorded and taken out of your time. Each contact point is 5 mins.
The €250 package (2hrs of time) includes review of the consultation form and notes taken prior to the call (20mins), a 1hr consultation call, 20 mins links for writing supplements post call, a doctors referral letter or 20mins post call support. No emails will be written with all specifics for your programme but a general document will be sent after call and you will have your notes taken from the consult on what to do from it. This is our cheapest package and is useful for someone who is not able to commit to deeper work, may not be ready to make major continuous changes or just wants more info on their symptoms.
For €375 3hrs as above but with 1.5 hr consultation and 30mins support minutes
For €500 4hrs as above but 90 mins support minutes after call. These can also be used for a review of bloods or a test that incurs after the first appointment or a written email with instructions of any changes you need. This is the minimum for complex cases of 4 or more long standing issues.
For €625 5hrs of time.
For €750 6hrs of time
For €875 7hrs of time
For €1000 8hrs of time- this will cover a few months and maybe 4 tests review in that time and continuous guidance. Best for the person who has time to commit to their healing or is at the end of their tether and their symptoms are seriously effecting their ability to work, care for family, their marriage is in jeopardy or they are too ill to consider getting pregnant.
Can Fiona prescribe medicine, peptides or hormones or GLP-1s?
No, but Go With Your Gut Clinic may provide you with information relating to products that we believe might benefit you, but such information is not to be taken as an endorsement or recommendation. Some such products may not be available without a prescription, but we do not dispense or prescribe any prescription products. The information provided is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice or used as a substitute for medical care. We are not responsible for any adverse affects or consequences that may result, either directly or indirectly, from that information. We may mention to you to see another doctor or health practitioner during the course of your care.
How to do the HTMA Mineral Hair test/Nutritional Deficiencies test
To take hair sample: Hair has to be natural, clean, no products in it. If your hair is dyed it has to be the undyed root hair grown out part you cut out. About 8 weeks regrowth is needed. Cut 5 x 1 inch deep hair from root, each about half inch wide, and then cut off dyed hair part and dispose it. If you have a natural hair sample cut it to max 2 inch length from root. Place hair in a small envelope, write your name and sample type: hair on the small envelope. On form make sure you fill in patient details section, max 5 symptoms and your bank card details, 3 digit code and its expiry date (on bottom somewhere of form). About 85-90euro will come off your card when it’s processed in about 3 weeks, after you post it off. Put the small envelope with the form into a big envelope and post to
For Irish and UK clients post to
Mineral Check LTD, Bull Cottage, Lenham Health Rd, Lenham Health, Kent, ME172BP, UK
For USA Clients post to
Trace Elements, Incorporated 4501 Sunbelt Drive, Addison, Texas 75001-0514
When results back I will contact you.
