PCOS Archives - Soul Therapies

Being mindful of your skincare is not only good for your fertility, but also for your general health. Because, if your endocrine system is imbalanced, many areas of your health can be affected too. These include;

Fertility
Irregular periods
Metabolism
Endometriosis
PCOS
Fatigue
Cushings Disease
Graves Disease
Hashimotos
Diabetes
Obesity
Cardiovascular
Endometriosis
Premenstrual Tension (PMT)
Sperm quality
Birth defects
and more.

My skincare products were one of the first things I cleaned up when we were trying to have a baby over 20 years ago. And why is that, you may ask ?

Well, the thing is, everything you put on your skin goes into your bloodstream and around your body. That’s why some medications can be given to you in the form of a patch or a cream. Carefully choosing your skincare products is as important as your favourite everyday beauty products, might be secretly packed with ingredients that are wreaking havoc with your hormones, and you don’t even realise. This can give rise to issues with your reproductive systems and other organs.

WHAT IS YOUR ENDOCRINE SYSTEM ?

The endocrine system is a network of organs and glands that create, store, and secrete hormones. Hormones are chemicals that get carried around the body through your blood, signalling your body what to do and when to do it. When your endocrine system is functioning normally, it will continuously monitor the amount of hormones in your body via the master gland called the Pituitary gland ensuring homeostasis (a balanced body).

WHAT IS AN ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICAL (EDC)

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals are natural or man made chemicals that may mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones, by disrupting the endocrine system and causing many health issues.

These can be found in your skincare, and also in your shampoos, shower gels, makeup etc. They are also found in lots of other things such as plastics, textiles, antibacterials, carpets, children’s toys etc. Here are samples of some endocrine disrupting chemicals to look out for in your skincare;

Parabens

These chemicals are artificial preservatives and are used in a lot of skincare products such as cleansers, moisturisers, toothpastes, sun cream, cosmetics, deodrants, shampoo, conditioners…. Have a check on your product labels for methyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, and ethyl paraben. These are the most common.

Phthalates

Phthalates are liquid plasticizers and are found in many products including nail polish, hair sprays, aftershave lotions, soaps, shampoos, and cleansers. Even small amounts of these chemicals may be unsafe.

According to Jodi Flaws, Ph.D., a professor of comparative biosciences and the director of the Interdisciplinary Environmental Toxicology Program at the University of Illinois. “They can interfere with the production, elimination or binding of any hormones in the body. And the reproductive system in particular is extremely sensitive to these compounds.”

Phthalates are rarely listed as an ingredient on product labels, but keep an eye out for the words “fragrance” and “parfum”. Ditch synthetic frangrances !

Triclosan

Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent now being used in everyday household products which we regularly use including toothpaste, deodrants, soaps, shower gels, cosmetics, shaving products etc. It is known to interfere with the estrogen in women, androgen hormone in males and thus affecting the reproductive system. It influences the concentration of the thyroid hormones. So check your labels and you should be able to find other products which are more natural and do the same job.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

Let’s talk about the packaging of your favourite skincare, soaps, shower gels, shampoos. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) BPA can imitate the body’s hormones and interfere with the production of, response to, or action of our natural hormones. For example, it can behave in a similar way to estrogen and other hormones in the human body. In the right conditions, BPA can then leach in to your product and then in to your body. Attempt to buy your products in glass jars or any packaging which is listed as BPA free. Ditch plastic water bottles.

and lastly…..

It is very easy to become bogged down with what to eat, what not to eat, what to drink and not drink, what to put on your skin and what not to put on your skin. However, if you try to get back to basics as much as possible, that would be good. Go for organic vegetables and meats, readily available in most supermarkets. Try natural and organic skincare, which is just as powerful and works just as well as other well known brands. Use glass or stainless steel containers for your food in the home, avoiding plastics as much as possible.

I have been using clean skincare products for almost 25 year now and I find them amazing. Everything I use in my treatment room is clean and free from troublesome chemicals. I recommend and sell Blumain Organic Skincare products and Zone Face Lift skincare products in my online shop. Both are produced in Ireland. You can visit my shop by clicking on the link …. https://www.soultherapies.ie/product-category/skincare/

I can also highly recommend VICO deodrants. Again, these are produced in Ireland and you can buy them online here … https://vicodeo.com/products/vico-original-irish-natural-deodorant

DISCLAIMER: My name is Catherine and I am a multi award winning Holistic Practitioner in Reflexology (Feet, Hands & Face), Accredited Practitioner in EFT Tapping and a Certified Yoga teacher. My main areas of interest are in Fertility and Pregnancy. I do not diagnose or give medical advice. I educate from personal experience, the numerous trainings I have undertaken, the many books I have read and from the many women I have worked with in my practice.

My intention is to inspire and help those who are on their Fertility Journey, as it is a road I have navigated for many years.

So, what is Fertility Reflexology ?

When I am carrying out a Fertility Reflexology treatment, what I am doing is working the reflex points of the endocrine system on the foot, in a very specific order, to correct any imbalances leading to infertility and thus significantly increasing your chances of having a baby. Each time I work a reflex point, signals are sent to the brain which sends communication signals to the hormonal system. These positively re-balance the organs and systems within the body and specifically the reproductive system. This process also removes blocks in the “energy pathways” also known as meridians, allowing the flow of energy to go exactly where it is needed.

Stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on fertility by raising your cortisol levels and affecting your chances of conceiving. I always start the treatment with a full Reflexology routine to balance the body and the mind before commencing on the Fertility part of the treatment. I also use Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping) to help reduce stress levels and bringing about a positive mindset.

I have successfully worked with clients with the following issues;

Hormonal Imbalances
PMS
Inconsistent cycle
PCOS
Endometriosis.

This would also be a good treatment for ladies going through the menopause.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

Reflexology is amazing if you are trying to conceive naturally or embarking on IVF, ICSI, GIFT, Donor Egg, ZIFT etc. or any other method of assisted conception. It can support both members of the couple both mentally and physically leading towards a positive outcome by keeping stress and anxiety at bay thus giving the treatment the best possible chance of succeeding. The routines used will support you at every stage of the assisted reproductive process and will never harm the treatment. It is good to start fertility reflexology before embarking on your treatment.