The reproductive system is a complex and sometimes even frustrating system. The main goal of the reproductive system is to ensure the survival of the species. It is a complex system in both men and women. There are a lot of components to that system, but space here is limited, so as a Beaver Dam and Watertown chiropractor, I will be focusing on hormones (as always, we can cover a lot more in class). After all, they are responsible for everything from puberty, pregnancy, menopause, sex drive and more!

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Hormones In Males & Females

The reproductive system is run by hormones in both males and females. The main hormone in men is called testosterone which is mainly produced by the testes, but a small amount is also produced in the adrenal glands. Men also produce small amounts of estrogen and progesterone. The main hormones for women are called estrogen and progesterone which are produced by the ovaries and also a small amount in the adrenal glands. Women also have testosterone, but in smaller amounts than men. These sensitive hormones can cause havoc in us because they are easily affected by factors inside and outside the body. Even if test results all come back as normal, you may still be struggling with symptoms of hormone imbalance. In this article, I will focus on different factors that could be affecting your reproductive system.

A factor outside of our body that affects the reproductive system are endocrine-disrupting chemicals which are natural or human-made chemicals that may mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones for both men and women. We encounter many of these chemicals throughout our day without realizing the harm it may be doing to our bodies. One of the most well known is BPA (aka Bisphenol A) which is found in most plastic containers unless labeled as BPA free. This can be from plastic water bottles, plastic storage containers, and any food that comes in plastic packaging. To avoid these plastics, use glass or stainless steel whenever possible.

Another chemical found in everyday products that may be affecting your hormones are phthalates. These chemicals are found in anything with a fragrance such as laundry detergents, perfumes, lotions, household cleaners and candles just to name a few. There are multiple companies that offer great alternatives to avoid these hormone disrupting chemicals. That’s why I became a Norwex representative. Norwex offers chemical free cleaning alternatives as well as healthy body products such as deodorant, and lotions. We sell Norwex products in our office to promote a chemical free environment in your home.

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Inside Of Our Bodies

A factor inside our body that affects the reproductive system is how healthy your gallbladder is. Now what does the gallbladder, which is part of the digestive system, have to do with the reproductive system? The gallbladder is incharge of helping us digest and utilize healthy fats in our diet. If you have issues with the gallbladder, such as gallstones, you aren’t able to digest and utilize fat in order to create your hormones. Without this fat, our body will struggle to produce the correct amount of hormones needed in the reproductive system. If you are having gallbladder issues, please come see me before they get too serious and surgery is needed. I’ve worked with multiple people to help save their gallbladders. If you have already had your gallbladder removed, you aren’t out of luck. We have multiple supplements at our office to help you properly digest your fat to ensure the health of other areas of the body.

The last factor I want to talk about includes both the inside and the outside of the body. The health of your nervous system also affects your reproductive system. The nerves that go to the reproductive system mainly come from the lower back area in both men and women. If you have low back problems, it may be affecting your reproductive system. A chiropractor is the perfect doctor to see if you are having these issues. Chiropractors affect the outside of the body to make a change on the inside. A chiropractor will help to line up the joints the nerves are going through to make sure they aren’t getting pinched or irritated. By correctly aligning the spine, the message the brain is sending to the reproductive system can freely travel to the organs involved, and they are allowed to function as nature intended.

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Take Care Of Your Reproductive Health

Now some of you reading this may think your baby days are over. That may be true, but just because you are done having children, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about the health of your reproductive system. The healthier your reproductive system is at its prime, the easier those golden years of change will be. Hormones continue to be important for healthy aging in both men and women. In later life, hormone levels can cause brittle bones, loss of muscle mass and strength as well as fat deposits to build up in the abdominal area, which increases the risk for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Also the skin becomes thinner and may take longer to heal after an injury.

Taking care of your reproductive system is not only essential for fertility but also for your overall well being. By adopting these practices and staying proactive about your reproductive health, you can optimize your chances of having a healthy reproductive system throughout your life. Remember, your body is a remarkable creation, and nurturing your reproductive health is a meaningful step toward a healthier, happier future.

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At our Wellness Class we will cover more of the reproductive system including diving more into both the male and female systems as well as how to keep this system healthy from puberty to our elderly years. We will also discuss how chiropractic helps to aid in labor and delivery for pregnant women. As always, I will be available to answer questions so bring your questions and get ready to learn! Please join us at our Beaver Dam location for this FREE class on Tuesday, October 17th at 5:30pm.

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Yours in Health,
Dr. Stephanie Tyjeski

Dr. Stephanie graduated in December 2016 with her Doctorate in Chiropractic at Logan University. She continued on at Logan University to receive her Masters in Nutrition and Human Performance. She is also certified as a Digestive Health Professional through the Loomis Enzyme Institute. She currently works at Tyjeski Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center and recently received the Five Under Forty Award