hormonal therapy. This type of therapy never made sense to me for
two reasons: It’s not very successful; and it’s relatively easy to balance
the hormonal status, often resulting in conception. If the more conser-
vative approach fails, one still has the option to try more extreme
measures.
The most common cause of infertility I have seen is carbohydrate
intolerance, probably by reducing the important sex hormones estro-
gen and progesterone. Alleviating carbohydrate intolerance through
dietary changes helps remove stress from the adrenal glands, which
can increase DHEA and other sex hormones. Ultimately, this
improves fertility, sometimes even in the most stubborn cases. (And
sometimes when conception isn’t wanted — so if you’re of child-bear-
ing age doing the Two Week Test — be careful.)
In the case where fertility takes place but maintaining pregnancy
is difficult, similar problems may exist. The difference is in the hor-
mones that are most deficient. In many cases of early miscarriage,
progesterone is too low. The same dietary factors may be important,
but in addition, a natural preparation of progesterone may also be
needed.
Sexual function is a normal, natural and healthy aspect of human
performance, one that should take place throughout life, not just dur-
ing youth. Imbalances in the aerobic system or the adrenal glands can
adversely affect the sex hormones, resulting in sexual problems.
Many common side effects of aerobic or stress-related dysfunction,
such as fatigue, poor circulation or depression, can adversely affect
sexual performance as well.
226 • IN FITNESS AND IN HEALTH