Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Signs and Symptoms with Dr. Stefani Hayes, ND, LAc
Nov 28, 2023
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Dr. Stefani Hayes, a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in fertility, discusses Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) with Dr. Smeaton. They explore POI impacts on hormone health, early detection signs, causes, and treatment options. The episode highlights the importance of proactive healthcare, genetic factors, autoimmune aspects, and optimizing ovarian health through natural medicine interventions.
Early detection of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency is crucial for long-term health beyond fertility and can impact bone, heart, skin, and mental health.
Understanding the various factors contributing to POI, such as autoimmune conditions, genetic factors, lifestyle choices, and in utero exposures, aids in early intervention and holistic treatment approaches.
POI is a condition that affects women's health, characterized by menopausal symptoms and irregular periods. Dr. Hayes emphasizes the importance of early detection, as POI can impact long-term health beyond fertility, affecting bone, heart, skin, and mental health. Testing for POI involves monitoring FSH levels, estradiol, and AMH, aiming to catch early signs of ovarian dysfunction. By addressing POI early, patients can make informed decisions about family planning and proactive well-being strategies.
Causes and Factors of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
POI's causes remain largely unexplained, with only about 10% attributed to known factors like ovarian trauma or endometriosis. Potential contributors include autoimmune conditions, genetic factors like Turner's syndrome, and in utero exposures to toxins. Lifestyle choices and stress levels throughout life may also impact ovarian health. Understanding these factors can aid in early intervention and holistic treatment approaches.
Assessment and Treatment Approaches for POI
Assessing POI involves blood testing, focusing on FSH, estradiol, and AMH levels, providing insight into ovarian function and potential dysfunction. Dr. Hayes advocates for integrative approaches, including acupuncture, abdominal therapy, and addressing gut health to support ovarian function and hormone balance. Lifestyle recommendations such as stress management, adequate sleep, hydration, and exercise play a crucial role in improving ovarian health and overall well-being.
Navigating Treatment Options and Fertility Planning
When addressing POI and fertility planning, Dr. Hayes emphasizes personalized care tailored to individual goals and needs. A holistic approach considers mental health, blood flow optimization, and addressing autoimmune factors that may influence ovarian health. Collaborating with a healthcare team and exploring integrative interventions can provide a balanced approach that minimizes stress and empowers patients in making informed decisions about treatment options and family planning strategies.
Dr. Stefani Hayes is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist who specializes in helping fertility patients. In this week’s episode, she joins Dr. Smeaton to dive into a very mysterious aspect of infertility called Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). POI is becoming an increasingly frequent problem in women and, unfortunately, it’s typically identified far very late when it’s already progressed through the disease process. We don’t know for sure why it happens, but we do know that POI has impacts on a patient’s overall hormone health, so we need to understand it.
You'll hear why infertility is a lot like the canary in the coal mine that can help providers get a clearer picture of the trajectory of their patients' health. Plus, you’ll learn what to look for when assessing POI, why this could be happening, and what you can do about it.