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Questions and Answers About HPV and Newest Vaccine

April 1, 2019 By Karen Reynolds 1 Comment

Welcome to my three-part blog series, examining Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and the most recent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil 9. This is Part II where I am addressing common questions and answers about HPV and the newest vaccine. As I was reviewing research, it became clear that HPV infections have serious impacts to millions of people in all countries. Long term community health risks of HPV infections, development and use of HPV vaccines, and opposition are all complicated topics. Please know that as a public health issue & research focus, HPV extends well beyond our United States. The World Health Organization has published on HPV as well as Australia, France, Japan, Scandinavia, and Italy to name only a few other countries.

For more detailed information about recommended ages for Guardasil-9 vaccination, please see Part I of this series at: https://kreynoldsacupuncture.com/womens-health/what-are-the-recommended-ages-for-the-new-human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccine

The topics of vaccine ingredients, legal issues of clinical research, and community responses will be discussed in Part III of this series. My hope is that you consider the information for yourself, discuss with your medical team, and make decisions which are personally best for you and your loved ones.

How do you get an HPV infection?

HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex. It can be passed even when your partner has no signs of infection.

Are all types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) the same?

The short answer is no. There are some 200 different types of Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) and a small number of those are known causes of cancers. HPV related cancers can happen in both men and women. Specifically: HPV is linked to cervical cancer. As I’ve stated in Part I of this blog series: 500,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and 250,000 die of it.1 

Please know that cervical cancer is not the only type of cancer which HPV infections cause. (See below for further detail). That being the case: most people agree that HPV is a giant public health dilemma.

Your body’s immune system will clear most HPV viruses, most of the time. However, there are some types of HPV which lead to cancer. HP 16 is the type of HPV which is most likely to cause cancer and HP 18 is the second most risky. Therefore: not all HPV infections are the same.

This is also why the newest Gardasil 9 vaccine is designed to target the 9 specific types of HPV which do most harm. Scientific research findings showed that simply vaccinating for one type of HPV does not give protection for other types.

Here is a sobering quote from esteemed NIH researcher Dr. Douglas R. Lowy:

Guadasil9 vaccination targets the 9 most dangerous forms of HPV which lead to cervical, anal and oral types of cancers.

HPV infections and the cancers they cause are world wide public health issues. HPV vaccinations prevent HPV related cancers later in life.

“Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are attributable to HPV infection.” 2

At what age should you get tested for HPV?

It is recommended that women start being tested at age 21. Please note that that HPV vaccination is recommended for both sexes.

When do HPV related cancers develop?

HPV related cancers typically develop 15-25 years after an initial infection. This means an unknown exposure during youth can have life threatening risks in midlife.

HPV cancers occur long after and HPV infection: 15-25 years

HPV is the known cause of many cancers such as cervical and oral cancers. These cancers typically occur 15-25 years after an initial infection.

What types of cancers does HPV cause?

HPV infections are known to cause: cervical, throat, anal, vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers. HPV also causes genital warts, which are not cancer per se.3

Does Gardasil 9 contain HPV?

No. The Gardasil 9 vaccine is made with lab technology using what are called virus-like particles (VLP). VLP are not dead HPV cells. So: the vaccine does not expose your body to human papilloma virus or the genetic viral material of HPV. Instead the laboratory made VLP particles are proteins which copycat the ones normally found on the outside (capsid) of HPV.

Copycatting the “envelope” of the HPV stimulates your immune system to make cells (antibodies) to immediately attack anything your body sees as being similar. Having a hardy army of antibodies to crush HPV before it creates an infection is important.

Why should I get a vaccine if cervical cancer, genital warts, and other HPV related problems are treatable?

The short answer is this: it is far easier, cheaper and less stress to your body to prevent infection than treat it. It is preferable to prevent disease than to treat it after it has developed. Consider this: would you rather develop cancer and need to undergo surgeries and medical treatment as opposed to preventing the cancer from ever happening at all? Which possibility would you prefer for your daughter or son?

An absolutely reasonable argument is that HPV vaccines are expensive and pharmaceutical companies are profiting from them. I agree. That being said: consider costs for surgical procedures, monitoring, medications, office visits, travel time, recovery time off work and all of the fall out of needing to treat an HPV related cancer.  It is overwhelmingly less expensive to prevent HPV related illness than to treat cancer.

Why is the vaccine recommended for males and females as young as 9 years old or a child who is not even sexually active?

HPV vaccinations are recommended as young as 9 years of age because the immune system response better in that age range.

Adolescent aged children have superior immune systems as far as making antibodies which prevent HPV infections. Their immune system is even better than a teenager or young adult.

For most vaccines, your body responds most efficiently when you are young. Remember: your making antibodies is required to prevent HPV infections. Adolescent aged children produce higher levels of antibodies than even teens or adults. In fact, research found that adolescent aged children who had only 2 of the recommended 3 doses of the vaccine during a  6-month period had antibody levels equal or better than 16 to 23-year-old individuals who completed the recommended 3 vaccinations within 6-months. Considering the physical strength of the immune system of a young person, the HPV vaccine is best given before initiation of sexual activity. 4

Thank you for reading! In Part III of this series I will address controversial ingredients of vaccines, some legal regulations which influence development, testing and release of vaccines, as well as opposition opinions.

  • Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them.
  • If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate liking my Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/KarenReynoldsLAc

  • All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish.
  • For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: http://www.kreynoldsacupuncture.com/

 

1Lowy,  D. R.  (2016)  . HPV  vaccination  to prevent  cervical  cancer and  other  HPV-

associated  disease: from  basic  science to  effective  interventions.  Journal of Clinical Investigation,  126(1) ,  5-11. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI85446.

 

2Ibid.

 

3DiPinho,  R. A.  (2015) .  A  Shot to  End  Cancer: HPV  Vaccination.  Retrieved  from    American  Society of  Clinical  Oncology website:  http://www.ascopost.com/issues/december-25-2015/a-shot-to-end-cancer-hpv-vaccination/

4 Lowy,  D. R.  (2016)  . HPV  vaccination  to prevent  cervical  cancer and  other  HPV-

associated  disease: from  basic  science to  effective  interventions.  Journal of Clinical Investigation,  126(1) ,  5-11. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI85446.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Public Health, Women's Health Tagged With: HPV infections, HPV related cancers, HPV vaccine, protect your children from HPV

What are the recommended ages for the new Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine?

January 17, 2019 By Karen Reynolds Leave a Comment

The newest HPV Vaccine is now recommended for women and men up to 45 years of age. It is called GARDASIL 9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant).

In 2006 the first version of the Gardasil HPV vaccine was released. At that time, it was recommended for girls and women 11 to 26 years of age. Currently as of October 2018, the FDA is advocating broader age ranges and is urged for both men and women. The newer Gardasil-9 vaccine covers a total of 9 different types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). In comparison: the original Gardasil vaccine addressed only 4 types of HPV. 

What kinds of cancers does HPV cause?

Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, distinguised NIH researcher has devoted more than 30 years to the study of HPV and preventing the cancers which it causes.

The source is Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, MD. Dr. Lowy is an NIH distinguished researcher of the Center for Cancer Research in Bethesda, Maryland. For more than 30 years, he has focused studies on HPV. Each year approximately 500,000 women develop cervical cancer and 250,000 die from it.1

Cancers caused mainly by HPV

  • Malignant anogenital tumors
  • Anal carcinomas
  • Vulvar cancers
  • Vaginal cancers
  • Penile cancers
  • Oropharyngeal cancers ¾ of which are in men2

“Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are attributable to HPV infection.” 3

~Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, MD. (Chief of Laboratory Cellular Oncology & NIH distinguished researcher of the Center for Cancer Research in Bethesda, Maryland)

Tomorrow I am posting an expanded blog about HPV and this newest vaccine. Is this vaccine good for you or your children? Please visit my blog to help make a decision for yourself.

Thank you for reading! 

•Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them. 

~Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish. 

Citations 1,2,& 3:
Lowy, D.R. (2016). HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancer and other HPV-associated disease: from basic science to effective interventions. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 126(1), 5-11.

Filed Under: Women's Health Tagged With: new HPV vaccine, new HPV vaccine for both women and men up to age 45, should you get the new HPV vaccine

How do you prevent the spread of contagious infections?

January 12, 2019 By Karen Reynolds Leave a Comment

We are officially in cold and flu season. Do you get a yearly flu shot and/or regularly see an acupuncturist during cold and flu season? That is perfect to boost your immune system and keeps you safer from inevitable exposures. That being said, how do you prevent the spread of contagious infections? Beyond the common cold or flu, some people will develop more severe infections this season. Many such infections are very contagious. 

This blog helps you prevent the spread of highly contagious infections. Below are recommended precautions if you or a loved one is diagnosed with a highly contagious infection. I have noted the specific infection names below so you can keep them in mind.

You will see 3 transmission precaution categories for patients in hospitals or care facilities. 

Contact precautions

Contact Plus precautions

Droplet and Airborne precautions

Highly contagious infections like those noted in this blog can be transmitted by contact or in some instance can be airborne.
Handwashing and personal protective gear like gowns and gloves are required for Contact precaution infections.

Contact precautions are for:

  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
  • Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE)

MRSA and VRE need Contact precautions because they are spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient’s environment. Therefore being in the same room with your loved one means you need safety precautions. These types of infections often occur after a hospitalization or while in skilled nursing facilities. 

What are Contact precautions?

Before entering the patient room:

  • Wash your hands with a sanitizing gel OR soap and water.
  • Put on a disposable gown over your clothing. (Remember to tie your gown securely.)
  • Put on gloves. (Pull gloves over your gown cuffs.)

When exiting the patient room:

  • Remove your gown first then gloves. (Pull gloves off so that they roll inside-out as you dispose of them.)
  • Wash your hands with a sanitizing gel OR soap and water.

Contact Plus precautions are for:

Handwashing before and after contact with individuals with contagious infections is key. See this article to determine additional recommendations for protective gear such as gloves and gown as well use of hand sanitizer.
Contact Plus precautions for infections such as Clostridium difficule and Norovirus require handwashing specifically with soap and water after contact with the patient. Hand sanitizer is not effective on spore forming agents.
  • Clostridium difficile (CDI)
  • Norovirus

Clostridium difficile (CDI) and Norovirus are also spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient’s environment. However, with these infections, spores are shed by the body. Additionally, patient rooms and equipment need to be cleaned with sporicidal agents like bleach. Also: when you exit the room of a person with a virus requiring Contact Plus precautions, you must wash your hands with soap and water, not just sanitizing gel. 

What are Contact Plus precautions?

Before entering the patient room:

  • Wash your hands with a sanitizing gel OR soap and water.

Put on a disposable gown over your clothing. (Remember to tie gown securely.)

  • Put on gloves. (Pull gloves over your gown cuffs.)

When exiting the patient room:

  • Remove gown first then gloves. (Pull gloves off so that they roll inside- out as you dispose of them.)
  • Wash your hands with a soap and water, NOT sanitizing gel. 

Droplet precautions are for:

  • Bordetella Pertussis
  • Influenza virus
  • Neisseria meningitidis
General face masks are required for being near people with infections requiring Droplet precuations. This includes: Pertussis, Influenza, and N. Meningitis.
Infections, which are spread by droplets suspended in the air, require visitors to wear general masks to preven spread of infection.

Some pathogens like Pertussis, flu and Neisseria meningitidis cause coughing or runny nose. These infections can then be transmitted by droplets which hang in the air. Hand washing and wearing a simple mask creates a barrier to help prevent contracting illness. 

What are Droplet precautions?

Before entering the patient room:

  • Put on general face mask.

When exiting the patient room:

  • Remove mask.
  • Wash your hands with a sanitizing gel OR soap and water.

Airborne precautions are for:

  • Rubeola virus aka Measles
  • Varicella virus aka Chickenpox
  • Mycobacterium Turberculosis aka TB
Infections like Measles, Chickenpox and TB require Airborne precautions to prevent infecting others. This is because infected droplet materials can remain in the air over long distances. Specific N95 or PAPR face masks are recommended.
Specialized protective masks are needed for infections requiring Airborne anti-transmission precautions. These include N95 masks and/or PAPR masks.

You may notice that Airborne precautions are similar to Droplet precautions. However with Airborne precautions, you need face masks with advanced filtration. Airborne precautions are for infections in which droplets hang in the air and travel over very long distances. This is used for Measles, Chickenpox and TB. Loved ones who are hospitalized and require Airborne precautions will also be placed in special Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms (AIIR), aka negative pressure hospital rooms.

What are Airborne precautions?

Before entering the patient room:

  • Wash your hands with a sanitizing gel OR soap and water.
  • Family members typically wear N95 Respirator masks
  • Staff may wear a Powered Air Purifying Respirator mask (PAPR)

When exiting the patient room:

  • Remove N95 Respirator masks or Powered Air Purifying Respirator mask (PAPR)
  • Wash your hands with a sanitizing gel OR soap and water.

These are the infectious disease and currently recommended safety precautions for you. I hope that you and your family will remain happy and healthy this season. If your loved one does develop some of the specific infections discussed here, I hope this blog will be helpful to you.

Thank you for reading! Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them. If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate liking my Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/KarenReynoldsLAc

All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish. 

For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: https://kreynoldsacupuncture.com/

Filed Under: Women's Health

Breast Infections (Mastitis)~What You Can Do

June 25, 2018 By Karen Reynolds 1 Comment

 

Are you postpartum or post-piercing and having breast redness or pain?

If so: you may be suffering from “mastitis”. Mastitis is a general term for breast infections. These can happen while breast feeding, but also can develop even in women who are not breast feeding. Some non-breast feeding related causes are: cracked skin of the nipples or when healing from nipple piercing. Skin breaks from dryness or trauma can allow bacteria to get into your milk ducts and wreak havoc.

beast infection mastitis

Are you having breast pain related to breast feeding or a piercing?

Common signs & symptoms of mastitis (breast infection)

  • Breast tenderness and warmth.
  • Classic wedge-shaped area of redness pointing toward the nipple.
  • Fatigue.
  • Body aches and flu-like symptoms.
  • Increased pain or burning during breast feeding.
  • Fever often 101 F or greater.

 

Specific causes of mastitis

Milk back up in your breast’s milk ducts is one mechanical reason for mastitis. This might happen if your baby favors one breast over the other or has some trouble with attaching. It may also occur if your baby is eating irregularly. With nursing challenges, you’ll find consultation with a lactation specialist helpful.

Other causes of mastitis can be bacterial infections. It is important to be examined by your MD to be certain a mastitis is not bacterial in nature.

Usual bacterial culprits:

staph MRSA

Bacterial causes of mastitis most often are from staphylococcus aureus or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Staphylococcus aureus

or

Methicillin-Resistant

Staphylococcus

aureus (MRSA) (“mer-sa”).

Staphylococcus aureusis normally found on the skin and in nasal passages.

About 20% of the general population are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA but have no symptoms. It can also be transmitted from your baby to you from the infant’s mucous membranes.

 

MRSA is typically found in institutions such as hospitals, gyms, schools, athletic facilities, military barracks etc. To get it, you usually have to come into direct contact with someone carrying MRSA. To survive, MRSA needs moist settings like your skin after a work-out or exercise. A nasal swab culture is the most common way of testing to see if you or someone you know is a MRSA carrier.

 

Things to do to help prevent staph infections

  • Shower routinely & immediately after exercise.

    MRSA staph infections

    Staph infections & MRSA are frequently found in gyms, schools, hospitals & crowded locations.

Various types of Stapholcoccus can enter the body through hair follicles. MRSA also can live on the skin. However if it’s only a short contact, it can be washed away. So: the sooner you shower after exercise the safer you keep yourself.

Keep sportswear, sports bags & equipment clean too. Regularly wash gear like elbow pads& knee pads.

 

  • Place silica gel packets in your gym and sports equipment bags.                 Silica packs enclosed in many types of shipping boxes are excellent to reuse by dropping them in the bottom of gym bag pockets. They will dry moisture and make it inhospitable for staph to grow. Do of course take care to keep gel packs away from small children.

 

Things you can do at the start of a suspected breast infection

Used at the earliest stages of discomfort, I have seen the options below be quite successful. However, I do want to stress that seeing your MD & taking antibiotics may be necessary if a mastitis is worsening. It can progress to what is called a breast abscess, which is far more serious condition.

If you are having rising fevers, increasing pain, thirst, or hard areas forming on your breast, it is best to seek medical attention.

Sometimes clients in my private acupuncture practice are very concerned that antibiotics will be disruptive to their baby’s bodies and to the necessary E-coli in their baby’s intestines. It is true: issues can occur after courses of antibiotics. However, the risk of a breast infection becoming widespread in your system is a substantial. Please keep in mind there is a time and place for medicines. The ultimate health of you and your baby is the prime factor so please discuss in detail with your doctor.

 

topical compresses for mastitis

Topical compresses can help reduce pain for breast infection/masititis

For an acute mastitis:

  • Get acupuncture and use topical Chinese herbal compresses/washes.    There are classical acupuncture protocols, used for thousands of years, which alleviate pain, improve circulation and help detoxify the breast. The treatments are quick, relaxing and relieve pain. (By the way: acu-points directly on the breast are NOT used.)

 

  • Get breast massage from an experienced practitioner such as a doula, a lactation specialist or birth educator. Proper massage will encourage your blocked ducts to open and relieve pain. Essential oils mixtures of lavender, tea tree, German chamomile, Roman chamomile, & thyme can be used during breast massage too. Consult an essential oils specialist for recommended amounts and carrier oils.

 

  • Sometimes women erroneously think they must stop breastfeeding if they develop mastitis. Usually this is not the case, but do consult with your MD if you have questions. In fact, continuing to breast feed and/or using a breast pump can help open congested ducts and ultimately ease the situation.

 

Topical remedies for acute mastitis

  • Apply cool cabbage leaves 

    to the breast. Leaves can be tucked into the cups of your brassiere.

  • Pain alleviating natural compresses for reddened breast areas 

Moisten the affected area with water. Sprinkle a small amount of papain extract (meat tenderizer) on the affected area.

Saturate a cloth in chilled vinegar. Hold cloth against the breast directly over the area to which the papain was applied.

Do not use this remedy on broken skin.

Do notapply this remedy to the nipple or aerolar area.

Only apply papain/compress to the red area, not the entire breast.

Cleanse the breast before breastfeeding.

Note: this remedy works exceedingly well for bee stings too.

 

I hope these options will be useful for you in the event that you are developing mastitis (breast infection)-like symptoms. Always consult with your doctor as well and never allow for symptoms, pain, or fevers to worsen.

Thank you for reading!

  • Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them.
  • If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate liking my Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/KarenReynoldsLAc

All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish.

 

For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: https://kreynoldsacupuncture.com/

Be well!

~Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

Statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. All information on this site is provided as education and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. No information on this site is intended to replace or delay the use of any conventional medical treatment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Women's Health

Antiphospholipid antibodies and miscarriage

August 17, 2017 By Karen Reynolds Leave a Comment

antiphospholipid antibodies and recurrent miscarriage

Antiphospholipid antibodies associate with blod clots & recurrent pregnancy loss.

Welcome back to my Autoimmune Fertility series. The topic of this blog is anti-phospholipid antibodies and miscarriage. Antiphospholipid antibodies are commonly abbreviated aPL in literature and on lab work. You will see this abbreviation as well as some others explained in this article. Could anti-phospholipid antibodies be affecting your ability to have a healthy pregnancy? Let’s discuss and you can consider for yourself.

Antibody quick review

Here is a quick review about antibodies in general. Antibodies are normal and needed parts of your immune system. They circulate in your blood stream and in body tissues to keep you healthy. Typically, antibodies seek out intruders or foreign substances. These intruders might be bacteria or viruses. In some cases, antibodies can attack your own tissues or in the case of pregnancy: the fetus. This is the nature of autoimmune problems: the body is attacking itself.

Antiphospholipid antibodies and miscarriage

 

The presence of Lupus anticoagulant, Anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and Anti-beta-2-glycoprotein I antibodies significantly increases risk of blood clotting and loss of pregnancy

Various types and levels of aPL in your system can contribute to repeated miscarriages.

Anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) are a specific type of antibody found often in women and men with autoimmune issues, such as Lupus erythematosus. Do keep in mind that persons without obvious disease processes can also have measureable amounts (known as titers in the blood stream) of aPL. Even experts do not know exactly aPL works in your body. However medical research recognizes that the presence of aPL, even in small amounts, is significantly associated with: blood clotting, pregnancy complications and pregnancy loss.1

Treatment success for antiphospholipid antibodies and miscarriage

Treatment enormously improves pregnancy outcomes in women with aPL. Eight research studies reviewed by the 14th International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies found that treatment improved live birth rates by 71-83%.2 My next blog post this week will include most common conventional medicine as well as complimentary medicine treatment approaches. A healthy pregnancy and baby is the key point you. For my part: I strongly advocate testing especially if your history reflects patterns such as those below.3 Additional valuable information is available through local genetic counselors too. These are conversations well worth having with your health care team.

SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME

Blood clots

(aka Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT)

Transitory ischemic attacks (TIA)
History of miscarriage Rashes with lacy or web-like patterns

(aka Livedo reticularis)

History of stillbirth Chronic headaches or migraines
High blood pressure in pregnancy

(aka Preeclampsia)

Heart valve diseases
Stroke

Bleeding tendencies

(aka Thrombocytopenia)

 

What tests check for aPL?

Blood testing for aPL’s is available. Currently the 3 most clinically important aPL’s related to reproductive health are:

Lupus anticoagulant                                          (abbreviated as LA)

Anti-cardiolipin antibodies                             (abbreviated as aCL)

Anti-beta-2-glycoprotein I antibodies         (abbreviated as ß1GPI)

 

It is possible to have only one or two of the above types of aPL in your body or even all three present at the same time. It is recommended to have aPL blood work titers drawn and then redrawn again 12 weeks.4 This is because some brief infections are associated with false-positive results, especially with the aCL test. Please note: there are other types of aCL antibodies beyond those listed above. Tests are available for them as well. However, detailing them goes beyond the scope of this article. If you have further questions, do please leave me a message in the comments section.

 

This quote is taken from a 2016 extensive review of research in Reproduction journal:

“…there is growing acceptance that LA’s are strongly correlated with disease and that patients who are positive for all three aPL are the most risk of disease (Ruffatti et al. 2011, Galli 2012, Roggenbuck et al. 2012).” 5

 

Live birth outcomes increase by as much as 71-85% with treatment of aPL

Treatment of aPL significantly improves live birth outcomes

Pregnancy problems considered to be related to Anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL):

  • Recurrent spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) before week 10 of pregnancy.
  • Development of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (high blood pressure) before the 34th week of pregnancy.
  • Development of placental insufficiency before the 34th week of pregnancy.4

The good news is that both conventional medicine and complimentary medicine treatment drastically improves pregnancy outcomes for women with aPL. Stay tuned for my next blog which addresses both aspects of treatment.

 

Thank you for reading!

  • Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them.
  • If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate liking my Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/KarenReynoldsLAc

 

All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish.

 

For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: https://kreynoldsacupuncture.com/

Be well!

~Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

1De Jesus, G. R., Agmon-Levin, N., Andrade, C. A., Andreoli, L., Chighizola, C. B., Porter, T. F., Salmon, J., Silver, R. M., Tincani, A., & Branch, D. W. (2014). 14th International Congres on Antiphospholipid Antibodies Task Force Report on Obstetric Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Autoimmunity Reviews, 13, 795-813. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2014.02.0031568-9972/
2 IBID.
3 Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/antiphospholipid-syndrome/symptoms-causes/dxc-20307662
4 Pantham, P., Abrahams, V. M., Chamley, L. W. (2106). The role of anti-phospholipid antibodies in autoimmune reproductive failure. Reproduction, 151, R79-R90.
5 IBID.

Statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. All information on this site is provided as education and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. No information on this site is intended to replace or delay the use of any conventional medical treatment.

Filed Under: Fertility, Pregnancy, Women's Health Tagged With: antiphospholipid antibodies and pregnancy loss, antiphospholipid antibodies and recurrent miscarriage, antiphospholipid testing, aPL and fertility

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