Specifically, your body fat affects the production of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), which is essential for regular ovulation in women and the production of sperm in men. GnRH in turn triggers the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), both critical to the development of eggs and sperm.

Infertility means that a couple are unable to conceive a child inspite of 12 months of regular sexual intercourse without birth control measures (pills, condom, copper’T’, safe period, withdrawal etc).

Key factor’s that affect’s fertility

Fertility can be a complicated affair and there is certainly some individual variation. Beside medical problem, fertility can also be affected by so many other factors.

Medical reason that affect fertility are

- Fertility history (contraceptive pills, genetics, age etc)

- Male factor (Sperm quality)

- Reproductive health.

- Female factor (Uterine, Cervical, Ovarian and Tubal factors)

Women’s issues…..

General life style factors

If lady is trying to get pregnant now or planning to in near future, it’s wise to identify any potential risk factors. The sooner you detect, address and treat problems that may affect fertility, the better your chances of achieving a successful pregnancy.

Here a few of more common health factors that can affect a woman’s ability to ovulate, conceive or carry a pregnancy to term.

Factors that affect Female’s fertility:

A. Age: In today’s society, age-related infertility is extremely common. Women are most fertile between ages 20-24. As women grow older the likelihood of getting pregnant falls steeply while the likelihood of infertility rises sharply.

B. Weight: over weight (obese): Body fat levels 10 to 15% above normal can overload the body with estrogen, throwing off the reproductive cycle.

- Under weight: Body fat levels 10 to 15%. Below normal can completely shut down reproductive process.

C. Medication: Antidepressants, antibiotics, pain killers and other drugs used to treat chronic disorders may cause temporary infertility.

D. Environmental or work place hazards

Prolonged exposure to high mental stress, high temperature, chemicals, radiation or heavy electromagnetic or microware emissions may reduce a woman’s fertility.

E. Life Style Factors: It is essential to make healthy life style choices to avoid infertility. For instance, smoking, drugs, exposure to chemical and pesticides, dietary factors can impair conception.

G. Sleep Disorder: Sleep is not only essential for quality of life and overall health, but it also plays important role on women’s fertility.

Men’s issue:

About 40% of fertility causes can be traced to a problem in man. The following is partial risk factors that may contribute to male infertility.

A. Smoking: Smoking impairs the ability of sperm to more (its motility)

B. Alcohol: Having more than one or two drinks can affect quality and quality of sperms, lower testosterone levels and contribute to erectile dysfunction.

C. Drugs: Cocaine or heavy marijuana use may temporarily reduce the number and quality of sperms on much as 50%.

D. Medications: Some medications such as these for ulcers or psoriasis, can slow or prevent the production of sperm.

E. Job hazards: Chronic exposure to elements such as lead, cadmium, mercury, hydrocarbons, pesticides, radioactivity and X-rays may have an impact on sperm count and quality.

F. Exposing genitals to heat: The frequent use of saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs can temporarily impair sperm production and reduce sperm count.

G. Environmental Assaults: Exposure to toxins, chemicals, or infections may reduce sperm count either by direct effect on testicular function or by altering hormone systems.

H. Lifestyle: Stress, malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies, obesity, bicycling, history of prostatitis or genital infection may also affect sperm quality and quality.

I. Mobile use cuts sperm count: Men who use mobile phones more than 4 hours a day could be risking their fertility.

http://www.holisticfertilityguide.blogspot.in/ checked important information are---

Trying to conceive can create stress on our marriages, work life, and friendships. Others don’t seem to understand what to say to be supportive and often end up hurting rather than helping you feel better.

Weekly topics:

How infertility effects our work and finances
Sexual intimacy
Control and Power (or feeling a lack of it)
Communication with friends, family and professionals
Worry and Anxiety (what to do with it)
Loving Life in spite of it all-How do you move on from loss? What are some things that bring you joy? Where does your spirit get inspired in the middle of all of this?

http://brokenbirdsbees.blogspot.in/2011_11_01_archive.html

Checked and get important below---

AF - period

Beta - blood PG test

BFP - positive pregnancy test
BFN - negative PG test
BW - blood work
CD - cycle day
DPO - days passed O

DPT - days passed trigger

HPT - PG test

IF - infertile

IUI - intrauterine insemination

IVF - in vitro fertilisation

MC - miscarriage

O - ovulation
OPK - ovulation predictor kit

PG - pregnant
RE - reproductive endocrinologist
U/S - ultrasound

The Good Stuff:

It's CD2, my body for the second cycle in a row has managed to get AF without Provera.
A CD30 cycle. Last cycle it was CD31. (Normal is CD21-35, average is CD28. Too short then LP problem, too long then no O.) Two cycles only a day apart in length is good, and amazing for me. It almost seems too good to be true. (Clomid I was CD29 & CD31.)
Ovulation was CD15. (Normal is CD11-17, average is CD14. Too short or too long then lower quality eggs.) Good enough for me! (Clomid I was CD 16 & CD18.)
Luteal Phase (LP) was 15dpo. (Normal is 12-16dpo, average is 14dpo.) The longer the better since there is more time for the lining to develop & egg implant. (Clomid I was 13dpo.)
Post O side effects = high hormones = good.
Progesterone 10.6.

We have decided against injectables for this cycle. I'm not 100% sure what my insurance will cover, even though $500 is pretty cheap if we had to pay it out of pocket. I'm really not looking forward to sticking needles in my body. And the side effects will most likely suck.
I'm going to stick with the Vitex. I'm not sure if that is what is fixing me, if something else is, or if my body is getting its act together. But whatever it is I'm not going to change it.
As long as I stick in the "normal" range then I'll stay away from injectables and the RE.
Psychic Cheri22 told me August for a birth date. Meaning O November 9th to December 9th.

Great Progesterone Test!

I went for my CD21 (really CD22) 7dpo progesterone test today to check to see if I have ovulated.

For my body to be doing something, even at the bare minimum crappy level: 3.3-5 ng/mL

Fertile women on a unmedicated cycle (no fertility drugs): 10

Infertile women on fertility drugs: 15+

So far on fertility drugs I've gotten: 1.7 and a number too low they never bothered to tell me.

I got a 10.6 ng/mL today!

Like a normal person, with two ovaries that actually work. And no fertility drugs.

It's not super high, but it's "functioning" so I'll take it.

Thinking of holding off on injectables.

The meds I'd use for the TI (or IUI) are:

Gonal-f RFF Pen 450 IU @ 75iu/day - Daily injection used for ovulation induction (OI) with FSH hormone from CD4 for a week or two. This makes my ovaries produce lot 'o eggs. This is much like Clomid but for those who don't do so well on it. I can't wait to stab myself in my stomach!

Ovidrel - Once injection of HCG hormone for my ovaries to drop all the eggs. I'll be monitored with several U/S to see when my eggs have fully matured with Gonal, then this shot is used.

I might be on Progesterone also to reduce the risk of MC since my body doesn't produce enough of it on its own.

The injectables come with a higher risk of multiples. I'm pretty sure it made Bean worry a bit when the nurse said that. But it's a 10% chance of twin, and much lower for triples and so on. She let him know there wouldn't be six which I'm sure he was picturing in his head. To be honest we are both pretty excited for twinkies!

Decision:

I'm going to see what the Progesterone comes back as. If it's good then I'll hang out on Vitex and hope to be normal for awhile longer. Or I'll move to TI with the injectables. If it's too low then I'll definitely be moving to TI.

I'm not ready for IUI. We have the money but I feel I haven't had enough time having natural sex to have given it a good shot. I've been having unprotected sex for over a year but very rarely have my ovaries actually released eggs. And a couple my age only has 20% change each time with perfect timing.

I'm also waiting to move since our new home (hopefully) has an Army base that does IVF at a discounted rate and includes the drugs.

Bean is most likely going to be sent back out to sea in the spring. I can do IUI and IVF while he is gone with his frozen sperm. I'm going to use the "fresh" stuff now.

If TI works:

I'll have BW for check my betas (PG test) 14dpo after each TI cycle.

I will stay at my RE until 8-14 weeks before being sent to an OBGYN. My first fetal U/S will be at 6 weeks, then one or two more at a later date before going to the OBGYN.

http://penn-fertility-care.blogspot.in/ checked again for something more valuable.

When is it Time to See a Fertility Specialist?

• Women under age 35 unable to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse.
• Women age 35 and over and unable to conceive after six months of unprotected intercourse.
• Women who have lost two or more pregnancies to miscarriage.
• Women with a history of irregular ovulation/menstrual cycles.
• Men with a low sperm count, poor motility (movement), or poor morphology (structure).
• Men, women or both who have health conditions affecting reproduction or when other infertility treatments have not been successful.

One in seven couples experience infertility, but today there are more options to conceive than ever before, and Penn Fertility Care is ready to help you get started.

Labels: endocrinology-services, female-infertility, in-vitro-fertilization-program, male-infertility, ovulation-induction-(hormone-therapy), pelvic-and-reproductive-surgery, unexplained infertility

Depression in women with PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which a woman has an imbalance of a female sex hormones. This may lead to menstrual cycle changes, cysts in the ovaries, trouble getting pregnant, and other health changes. Symptoms.

Depression is a common mood disorder with significant impact on daily life. Approximately 5% of the general population is dealing with depression at any given time. Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men, although men are less likely to get help. Depression may be related to experiencing a major life event such as a loved one’s death, or not situational and may recur over the course of an individual’s life.Major depressive disorder causes many symptoms that result in an inability to function in daily life in contrast with feeling “sad,” or “down in the dumps.” People experiencing major depression cannot simply “lift themselves out of it,” and usually require psychotherapy and/ or medication to feel better.

Depression and Women

As many as one in four women will suffer from depression throughout their lifetime,and often will experience it during the childbearing years, during pregnancy and within the first year after delivery.Deborah Kim, MD, a Psychiatrist at Penn Center for Women’s Behavioral Wellness and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in the Perelman School of Medicine states, “If a woman is experiencing prolonged sadness guilty feelings, hopelessness or low self esteem,she may be suffering from depression or an anxiety disorder.”

Depression and PCOS

Depression, anxiety and eating disorders often occur in women with PCOS. A 2005 research study of 206 women conducted by Anuja Dokras, MD, PhD and Elizabeth Hollinrake, MD found that 35% of women with PCOS had depression. The study found that women with PCOS are more likely to develop depression or depressive symptoms. Dr. Dokras noted that depression in PCOS patients is significantly associated with both high body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance. This may have some correlation with the psychological and metabolic effects of obesity. Women with PCOS often have abnormal levels male
hormones such as testosterone but there is no clear evidence to link these to depressive symptoms.

Another possible contributing factor to depression is that women with PCOS often struggle with the physical symptoms of the disorder such as weight gain, acne, increased facial hair and hair loss. These symptoms can often lead to feelings of frustration, lack of control over one’s appearance and isolation. Whatever the cause, both Drs Kim and Dokras believe that PCOS women should be treated with a holistic approach. Women with depression and anxiety disorders show improvement when treated with psychiatric medications and to some extent, with a healthy diet and exercise program, nutritional supplements and stress management. Weight loss also helps reduce insulin resistance.

Women with PCOS should be screened regularly for depression and anxiety. According to Dr. Dokras, "Between 50 and 70 percent of women who are treated for depression recover completely, so this is an important target population that we should be both screening and treating." If you are experiencing some of the physical signs of depression (depressed mood, loss of motivation, insomnia, overeating, sleeping
too much and not eating) and feel that you are very overwhelmed with PCOS, you may benefit from seeing a therapist with experience in reproductive issues, infertility or women’s health.

The Penn Center for Women's Behavioral Wellness is a collaboration between the Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics/Gynecology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The center provides clinical consultation and treatment, as well as opportunities to participate in research focusing on conditions related to women’s behavioral health across the lifespan.

Creating a Modern Family through Third-Party Reproduction

Fertility treatments have evolved considerably throughout the last 40 years. These advances are evident in the development of third-party reproduction options.

“Third-party reproduction, also called assisted reproduction, is a process where a person provides eggs, sperm or embryos to another person so that they may become pregnant,” says Anuja Dokras, MD, PhD, medical director of Penn Fertility Care’s in vitro fertilization program. “Another scenario includes surrogacy, where a woman provides her uterus to carry another woman’s baby to term. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common treatment used to initiate this third-party pregnancy and involves implanting an embryo into a woman’s womb.”

“The third party’s assistance is limited to the reproductive process and does not involve raising the child,” explains Dokras. “This may not be a traditional method to have a baby, but these services have helped to build families around the world.”

Low Fat Chicken Caesar Salad ---to remove PCOS

Ingredients:

1 Large head of Romaine Lettuce, torn
2 cups chopped,cooked, skinless chicken-breast
1 cup fat-free or low fat croutons
¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Dressing:

1/3 cup plain non-fat yogurt, drained (or fat-2 free mayonnaise)
2 tsbp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp anchovy paste (optional)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 garlic clove,crushed

Preparation:

Arrange torn Romaine lettuce in a big serving bowl. Top with chicken, croutons and sprinkle with cheese.
Whisk dressing ingredients together and drizzle over salad. Gently toss until combined. Add freshlyground black pepper to taste. Serves 4

Per Serving: Calories 188,
Calories from Fat 39, Total Fat
4.5g (Sat 1.5 g), Cholesterol
54mg, Sodium 328 mg,
Carbohydrates 11.3g, Fiber
2.3g, Protein 25.9g

Roasted Veggies

Ingredients:

4 to 6 small zucchini, cut into ¾ inch chunks
1 large or 2 small (3/4 pound total) sweetonion(s), cut into ¾ inch chunks
2 large yellow and/or orange bell pepper,stemmed, seeded, and cut into ¾ inch pieces
3 tablespoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Six 5- or 6- inch sprigs fresh rosemary or 2 Tbsp dried rosemary

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375
degrees. Have a large roasting pan ready for use. Combine the zucchini, onions and bell pepper pieces in the pan. Add 2
tablespoons of the oil; season with salt and pepper to taste, then toss to coat them. Add the remaining tbsp. of oil as
needed. Place the sprigs of rosemary on the vegetables then continue to roast foranother 20-25 minutes,
or until vegetables are tender and lightly browned. Discard the rosemary sprigs and any loose rosemary
leaves. Transfer to a large bowl, serve warm or at room temperature.
Recipe serves 6

Herb Dip with Raw Veggies

Makes six servings. Each with: 70 calories, 2 grams fat,
225mg sodium, 11 grams carbohydrate
1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise
2 tsp dried dill weed
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp garlic powder
6 cups raw carrots, bell peppers,
broccoli or cauliflower florets,
celery, cherry tomatoes, etc.

Whisk together all ingredients except veggies. Chill several hours to blend
flavors.

Treating Infertility Resulting from PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, can be a cause of infertility, but there are treatments available to help women with PCOS become pregnant. PCOS occurs when the follicle, a small sac in the ovaries filled with eggs, doesn’t mature correctly and release an egg each month during ovulation. Irregular ovulation is a common cause of fertility issues.

Anuja Dokras, MD, PhD, director of the Penn Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Center, talks with FertilityAuthority.com about treatment options for women with PCOS who are trying to become pregnant, including:

Medication management
Minimally invasive surgery
Weight management

Read the full article on treating PCOS.

Do You Know the Symptoms of PCOS?

PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, can be difficult to diagnose. It is not a disease but more a collection of symptoms that point to a common disorder. The symptoms vary in type and severity from one woman to another, but early diagnosis and treatment are important to control the symptoms that include:

Irregular menstrual cycles
Hypertension
Infertility
Insulin resistance/diabetes
Obesity

Anuja Dokras, MD, PhD, director of the Penn Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Center, talks with FertilityAuthority.com about criteria for diagnosing PCOS and explains what the “cysts” really are.

Read the full article on diagnosing PCOS.

The Importance of Staying Fit When You Have PCOS

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have trouble maintaining a healthy weight. Obesity can worsen the symptoms of PCOS, so is important for you to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and keep your weight in check.

Anuja Dokras, MD, PhD, director of the Penn Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Center, discusses recent research findings about PCOS with FertilityAuthority.com and offers PCOS sufferers tips on what types of food to eat and suggestions for successful exercise routines.

Read the full article with Dr. Dokras http://www.fertilityauthority.com/articles/pcos-studies-highlight-diet-and-exercise

Need to be Check more

http://battlinginfertility.blogspot.in/2010/07/semen-analysis-result-what-seems-to-be.html

http://coolhealth.blogspot.in/2012/07/foods-to-increase-sperm-count-in-men.html

http://healthylogica.blogspot.in/2012/05/enhancing-food-quality-and-quantity-of.html

http://wantedpregnancy.blogspot.in/2012/10/male-infertilityhow-to-improve-sperm.html

http://b4tea.blogspot.in/2011/05/fertility-boosting-foods-for-men.html

http://drinkmaca7.blogspot.in/

http://healthyfood-list.blogspot.in/2011/10/foods-to-increase-sex-drive.html

http://radarinformations.blogspot.in/2012/11/how-to-increase-sperm-motility-in-5.html

http://healthtodayandtomorrow.blogspot.in/2011/10/influence-of-diet-on-sperm-quality.html

http://rookiefication.blogspot.in/2011/10/top-10-foods-that-increase-sperm-count.html

http://ayushdarpan.blogspot.in/2012_01_08_archive.html

http://diet4goodhealth.blogspot.in/2013/01/what-to-eat-to-increase-sperm-count.html

http://peydi.blogspot.in/2010/12/ways-you-can-increase-your-sperm-count.html

http://indiaherbsblog.blogspot.in/2010/11/health-article-increase-your-sperm.html

http://infertilityatsrushti.blogspot.in/

http://blossom1healthmatters.blogspot.in/

http://conceiveplusfertilitylubricant.blogspot.in/

http://de-are.blogspot.in/2011/01/healthy-diet-to-improve-male-fertility.html

FERTILITY for MEN

Need to be Check now by rank wise for more information

http://battlinginfertility.blogspot.in/2010/07/semen-analysis-result-what-seems-to-be.html

http://coolhealth.blogspot.in/2012/07/foods-to-increase-sperm-count-in-men.html

http://healthylogica.blogspot.in/2012/05/enhancing-food-quality-and-quantity-of.html

http://wantedpregnancy.blogspot.in/2012/10/male-infertilityhow-to-improve-sperm.html

http://b4tea.blogspot.in/2011/05/fertility-boosting-foods-for-men.html

http://drinkmaca7.blogspot.in/

http://healthyfood-list.blogspot.in/2011/10/foods-to-increase-sex-drive.html

http://radarinformations.blogspot.in/2012/11/how-to-increase-sperm-motility-in-5.html

http://healthtodayandtomorrow.blogspot.in/2011/10/influence-of-diet-on-sperm-quality.html

http://rookiefication.blogspot.in/2011/10/top-10-foods-that-increase-sperm-count.html

http://peydi.blogspot.in/2010/12/ways-you-can-increase-your-sperm-count.html

http://diet4goodhealth.blogspot.in/2013/01/what-to-eat-to-increase-sperm-count.html

http://ayushdarpan.blogspot.in/2012_01_08_archive.html

http://indiaherbsblog.blogspot.in/2010/11/health-article-increase-your-sperm.html

http://infertilityatsrushti.blogspot.in/

http://blossom1healthmatters.blogspot.in/

http://conceiveplusfertilitylubricant.blogspot.in/

http://de-are.blogspot.in/2011/01/healthy-diet-to-improve-male-fertility.html

Top foods for boosting fertility:

Garlic: Garlic is a sexual super food that contains selenium and vitamin B6 in great amount. An antioxidant mineral, selenium prevents sperm damage and boost your sexual virility while vitamin B6 helps to fortify the immune system and regulate hormones. Garlic is an excellent source of allicin, which increases the blood flow to the sexual organs and thus enables perfect erections. Enjoy its benefits by sprinkling chopped garlic on your favorite foods.

Cashew Nuts: Some researches have shown that only a short term deficiencies of zinc can affect testosterone levels and decrease sperm volume. Cashew nuts are rich source of zinc, as essential mineral for a robust body as well as for fertility in both men and women. Also, they are believed to increase testosterone levels. So, include handful of cashew nuts in your daily diet.

Banana: Another sexual super food, banana is a rich source of magnesium, vitamin B1, vitamin A, vitamin C, and protein, which are required to improve and stimulate the production of more sperm. This fruit is also rich in vitamin B and Bromelain, which are powerful sexual hormone regulators that can help to enhance sexual virility. Try to include banana in your daily diet. You can also prepare banana shake and smoothie to enjoy its benefits.

Avocado: Avocados contain a healthy dose of vitamin E that boosts sperm motility and assists the sperm to infiltrate the egg. Also, avocados are high in folic acid and vitamin B6 which help to regulate sexual hormone function that consecutively helps to optimize sexual health. The best way to add avocados in diet is adding a few slices of it to your salad or your sandwich. You can also take it along with other fruits and veggies.

Asparagus: Asparagus is a great vegetable that believed to raise the sperm count. In the medieval era, this vegetable was widely used to treat infertility. Asparagus also contains vitamin C in good amount, which help to increase sperm motility and viability. The best way of taking this lovely vegetable is asparagus salads. You can also try it with other veggies for a mouthwatering treat and a steamy sitting with your partner thereafter.

Tomatoes: Many men who struggle with infertility have low levels of lycopene, as per Ovulation-Calculator. Tomatoes are rich source of antioxidant carotenoid lycopene, which increase the sperm count and motility. Also, this antioxidant is essential for keeping the sperm healthy. Consuming lycopene rich foods help to ensure the healthy sperm. So, you must include this juicy veggie on your diet. Other good sources of lycopene include watermelon, pink grapefruit, tomato juice, tomato sauce and ketchup.

Apple: Apple is believed to be a well nutritionally balanced fruit. When apple is consumed in vinaigrette form i.e. a fruit cider vinegar, it is considered to do wonders. Daily consumption of apple surely increases the sperm count naturally. Some experts recommend that the results are quite nerve-wracking.

Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds are also high in zinc, which is the most important mineral that increases testosterone levels and sperm count. When coming to fertility, a high sperm count is a key factor. Pumpkin seeds are also packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which motivate blood flow to sexual organs and enhance sexual function. Have at least one zinc-rich food daily when you are trying to get your partner pregnant.

Oysters: Oysters are also a great source of zinc, which is needed to formulate the outer layer and tail of the sperm. Nutritionists consider that just 15mg of oysters a day can help to repair sperm that have been injured by chemicals engrossed from the environment. If you can’t afford or digest oysters, then you will find plenty of zinc in nuts, beans, seeds and eggs.

Pomegranate: Drinking pomegranate juice can raise sperm count and help to make healthier sperm. Pomegranate juice also decreases the blood levels of malondialdehyde, which affects sperm production and also helps in erectile dysfunction. As per the Acubalance Wellness Centre, juice of pomegranate may help to manage erectile dysfunction, sperm concentration, sperm motility, augmented sperm cell density, and reduce abnormal sperm.

No.1 Goji berries
No.2 Garlic
No.3 Ginseng
No.4 Pumpkin seeds
No.5 Walnuts
No.6 Asparagus
No.7 Bananas
No.8 Maca
No.9 Dark chocolate
No.10 Oysters

6 Ways to Get Pregnant Fast According to Old Folks

1. Put a pillow underneath your buttocks after sex.

The law of gravity works in this theory that elevating your buttocks after sex will help the sperm swim easily towards the egg. You can also raise your leg and rest it on a wall while your buttocks are supported by a pillow. They say, this should last about 30 minutes to an hour.

2. Choose your position.

A good choice of sexual position, they say, is one of the ways to get pregnant fast. Positions that allow the sperm to travel the shortest in reaching the egg is ideal. The missionary position, or the man-on-top, is said to be the best position that qualifies this requirement. The spoon, or doggie style can also be considered.
3. Oysters as sperm boosters.

It may just be a mere coincidence that oysters may look like the female genitalia but this seafood is rich in zinc that helps boost the production of the sperm, thus men with sperm count issues can help themselves by getting a good amount of oyster in their diet.

4. Add more Moringa oleifera in your diet.

This vegetable tree is packed with tons of nutrients and is probably why old folks would pressure you to get Moringa Oleifera soup to add to your meal. This can also be taken in powdered and capsule form.

5. Massaging your abdomen to set the right placement of your uterus.

I do not know if doctors would even recommend this procedure but old folks swear that it helps make conception easy. Of course, it is not something too harsh but just gentle massaging that allows your uterus to be ‘in place’. Of course, an expert on this procedure is necessary.
6. Dancing the fertility dance.

In a religious society like ours, a lot of old folks would recommend you to join the ‘dance for fertility’ as a prayer ritual to ask for a child. This fertility rite lasts for 3 days where people dance to celebrate the feast of St. Paschal, St. Clare and Our Lady of Salambao, which are said to be patron saints of fertility, wealth and abundance. This fertility rite has been around since the 18th century, and for sure, a lot of couples may have been blessed with a child after joining this rites, as people often recommend it.

Foods to Increase Sperm Count in Men

Getting pregnant is of course, the most amazing experience for couples. However, getting pregnant is not always easy, as many factors influence the same. One of the common hindrances is the low sperm count. Well, after reading this post, you don’t need to worry about anymore. I am talking about some foods that can increase your sperm count as well as the quality.

Banana: This is a really amazing food that offers many health benefits. If you see a banana, you can compare its shape to the organ vital for copulation. Well, banana contains an enzyme, Bromelain, which is responsible for regulating sex hormones. Besides, banana also contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C essential for increasing body’s stamina.

Garlic: We consume more garlic, especially in the winter season. We say that garlic keeps our body warm from inside. Well, the logic is that garlic increases the blood flow and that’s why we feel warm in winter. Garlic also increases the blood flow in genitals also and thus provides strength and endurance. In addition, garlic also contains Vitamin B6 and Selenium to prevent sperm damage and regulate hormones.

Pomegranate: This is one of the most beneficial foods for all. Pomegranate with its dark red seed color signifies its importance in making blood inside the body. It is also one of the best antioxidants known. Drink a glass of pomegranate juice and you will soon realize its importance. It will increase your vigor, and sperm count.

Trying to Get Pregnant?

Getting pregnant and having a baby are effortless for some couples, but there are many other couples who need quite a bit of time and luck. The following article discusses the various aspects of pregnancy including how fertilization occurs, how to detect ovulation, and some do's and don'ts to follow while trying to get pregnant.

Every month, a mature egg is released from the ovaries -- this event is called ovulation, which is influenced by some specific hormones from the pituitary gland. The ovulation generally falls on or around the 14th day of the average 28 day menstrual cycle. However, in many women, this cycle may exceed from 28 days. If a woman is not having a cycle of 28 days or is irregular, the ovulation timing will vary significantly, but usually comes about 14 days before the first day of the next period.

When ovulation occurs, the egg travels through the fallopian tube. The egg then waits for about 24 hours to fuse with the sperm. Since sperm cells can survive in the reproductive tract for about 3 to 5 days, it is always advised to have intercourse during these days leading up to ovulation if one is trying to get pregnant. If the egg meets the sperm, it is fertilized and travels to the uterus in about 4 days. In the uterus, it implants in the uterine lining. Once this process occurs, congratulations, she is pregnant! Her body will begin supporting the embryo and the menstrual cycle ceases during pregnancy. However, if the egg is not fertilized, it will break down to come out of the body as menstrual fluid.

How to detect ovulation? Suppose a woman is having a menstrual period of 28 days. Mark the first day of her menstrual period as day one, the days between 10 and 18 should be her most probable ovulation date. However, if one is not having a 28 day menstrual cycle, it is best to calculate how long her average cycle is, and have intercourse between 12 and 18 days before she expects her next menstrual period to start because this is the probable time she is most likely to ovulate.

In addition, there are other methods used for determining the ovulation period such as cervical mucus method, basal body temperature method, and digital ovulation monitors, among others. In case of cervical mucus method, the thickness of the cervical mucus is determined, which has been found to be somewhat clear and slippery in nature when ovulation occurs. However, in case of basal body temperature method, the temperature of the basal body is slightly higher after ovulation, which is usually between 0.5 and 1.6 degree Fahrenheit. A woman is considered as most fertile between 2 and 3 days before her temperature rises. On the other hand, a digital monitor monitors the levels of hormones in the urine and predicts the ovulation date. Besides, online ovulation calculator is also readily being used for the same by many Internet users.

In order to increase the chance of becoming pregnant -- have sex regularly all through the month and at least once a day near the time of ovulation. Continue a healthy lifestyle -- take balanced diet, exercise regularly, and stay happy, always. Avoid tobacco, smoking, and alcohol drinking habit. And consult with a doctor for any kind of medication. Keep all these important points in mind for getting pregnant.

Enhancing Food Quality and Quantity of Sperm

1. Protein-rich foods

Protein-rich foods such as oysters, lamb, turkey, red meat, wheat, bananas, avocados, beans, nuts, and almonds can add sperm.

2. Foods that contain amino acids

The men also suggested that eating foods containing the amino acid and iron, such as seaweed, spinach, egg whites, or poultry because it is also good for improving sperm quality

3. Lycopene-containing foods

Several other substances are also taking part to produce sperm quality such as lycopene found in tomatoes, red wine and red guava. Substance folate is also required to improve the quality of sperm are found in asparagus, broccoli, oranges, green vegetables, or sugar beets.

4. Vegetables celery

Consumption of raw celery are also good for sperm because it contains androsterone to sexual stimulation and antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, E, and B12 are useful to increase sperm count.

5. Fruit and Vegetables

In a study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility in 2009 said that the number of healthy sperm is associated with the consumption of certain nutrients. Some nutrients can be found in fruits and vegetables. The researchers speculate that antioxidants may improve sperm quality.

6. Fish

According to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, omega-3 found in fish oils can help couples to improve the quality of sperm. Research conducted by the University of Illinois found that mice that convert alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) into DHA omega-3 seem more fertile. Nevertheless, research is still early to make recommendations on how much your partner can consume omega-3.

Healthy Foods: Foods to Increase Sex Drive

Foods to Increase Sex Drive - Decreased sex drive often become one of the problems in the household. It has been believed for a long time about the presence of food that can enhance sexual arousal. Based on these experiences, the researchers have conducted studies of food that can enhance sexual arousal.

Many of these foods list are easily found in everyday life. Scientific explanation is that these foods contain substances enhancer libido (aphrodisiac). In addition to foods containing high protein, there are also some other foods that contain substances to support the sexual activity. Are you interested? Let's see more.

Avocado contain folic acid, vitamin B6 and potassium also can enhance the immune system. In addition to content, perhaps because of its sensual, or taste the delicious avocado, making this fruit has gained a reputation as an aphrodisiac. In addition to juice, avocado can be added to salads, soups, or guacamole. The fruit is very suitable as a dessert.

Almonds and nuts in general are a prime source of essential fatty acids. These are vital as they provide the raw material for a man’s healthy production of hormones.

Honey of good quality nutritious provide instant energy, because the content of glucose is very easily decomposed by the body as an energy source. The experts recommend the consumption of honey to increase stamina. These special substances found in honey mineral boron, which helps the body use estrogen, a hormone for women sexual basis. You can combine the benefits of honey and milk to increase sex drive.

Raw Oysters are also called sea foods rich in iron, which could increase the number of sperm and testosterone production, in addition to contain dopamine, a hormone that is believed to increase sexual arousal. Wash the outside (shell) to remove bacteria and dirt. Open the shell and put it in a container containing ice cubes, if you like, can add a squeeze of lemon juice.

Ginseng has active substances, which greatly help the reproductive system to increase male sperm production. That’s why ginseng is often a mixture of herbs for healthy men.

Asparagus is full of vitamin B known as folate and this benefits in increasing the production of histamine, which is important for a good sex drive in both men and women. It is also well-known for it’s suggestive shape.

Bananas are rich in potassium, magnesium and vitamin B. Vitamin B plays an important role to improve blood circulation, optimizing sex hormones and increase sexual desire. Bromeliads and mineral content of the enzyme can increase libido in men.

Foods That Enhance Libido

Of course, in addition foods to increase sex drive, there are also foods that should be avoided because it can reduce your sexual ability. What are the foods and beverages?

Foods rich in carbohydrates, carbohydrates make the blood sugar rise and then fall dramatically. This makes us lazy and sleepy.

Too much meat makes unhealthy sanitation and the transfer of fat that cause blockage of the arteries thereby reducing blood circulation. Blood supply reduced, it’s fewer blood flow to the genitals.

Energy drinks and drinks too much caffeine. When excess caffeine makes the heart beat faster so make restless and eliminate mood for sex.

Too much alcohol. Often alcohol increases libido, but be careful if you consume too much alcohol. Alcohol will suppress the nervous system and slows the response, resulting in loss of consciousness and drowsiness.

So that’s all about foods to increase sex drive and foods that can enhance it. It's time for your plan. Whether to plan on having sex with your partner or not? Hopefully, this article can be a guide for the harmony of your sexual activities and partners. Let me know what do you think, and feel free to leave a comment.

Health Article: Increase Your Sperm Count Naturally

Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. Infertility may also refer to the state of a woman who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term. There are many biological causes of infertility, some which may be bypassed with medical intervention.

Women who are fertile experience a natural period of fertility before and during ovulation, and they are naturally infertile during the rest of the menstrual cycle. Fertility awareness methods are used to discern when these changes occur by tracking changes in cervical mucus or basal body temperature.

Define Sperm count

It is the number of sperm in an ejaculate; the sperm count is used as an indicator of male fertility.

How it decreases

The leading cause of male infertility is low sperm count. Others may be low sperm motility, bad quality sperm or lack of semen. Generally, most cases of male infertility are due to low sperm count. There are many biologic and environmental factors that can lead to low sperm count. Here is a list if conditions that may cause low sperm count in men.

Age
The effect of aging on male fertility is not clear, however, evidence is growing that it may be a factor. Fertilization rates are usually over 60% for men under 39 but for those over that age, the rates are lower, falling slightly over half.

Temporary and Lifestyle Causes of Low Sperm Count
Nearly any major physical or mental stress can temporarily reduce sperm count. Here are the common conditions –

1. Emotional Stress. Stress may interfere with the hormone GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) and reduce sperm counts.

2. Sexual Issues. In less than 1% of males with infertility problems has proven that issues with sexual intercourse or technique does affect fertility.

3. Impotence, premature ejaculation, or psychologic or relationship problems can contribute to infertility, although these conditions are usually very treatable.

4. Lubricants used with condoms, including spermicides, oils, and Vaseline, can affect fertility. Seek professional advice on what products are best for you and your partner.

Testicular Exposure to Overheating
Overheating (such as from high fever, saunas, and hot tubs) may temporarily lower sperm count. Work exposure to overheating may even impair fertility.

Substance Abuse
Cocaine or heavy marijuana intake appears to temporarily reduce the number and quality of sperm by as much as 50%. Sperm actually have receptors for certain compounds in marijuana that resemble natural substances and which may impair the sperm’s ability to swim and may also cause disability to penetrate the egg.

Smoking
Smoking impairs sperm count, sperm motility, reduces sperm lifespan, and may cause genetic changes that affect the offspring. Additionally, a 1999 study found that men who smoke have lower sex drives and less frequent sex.

Malnutrition and Nutrient Deficiencies
Deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as vitamin C, selenium, zinc, and folate, may be particular risk factors for low sperm count in such cases.

Obesity
Some studies, but not all, have linked obesity and low sperm count.

Bicycling
Bicycling has been linked to impotence in men and also may affect the sperm count. Pressure from the bike seat may damage blood vessels and nerves that are responsible for erections. Mountain biking, which involves riding on off-road terrain, exposes the perineum (the region between the scrotum and the anus) to more extreme shocks and vibrations and increases the risk for injuries to the scrotum.

Genetic Factors
Genetic factors are proving to be important contributors to male infertility. Such genetic conditions may be inherited or caused by environmental assaults. Inherited disorders can genetically impair fertility.

Environmental Assaults
Over exposure to environmental assaults (toxins, chemicals, and infections) can reduce sperm count either by direct effects on testicular function or on the hormone systems, although the extent of the effect and specific environmental attacks involved are often controversial. Some chemicals that affect sperm production men are: Oxygen-Free Radicals, Estrogen emulation pesticidal chemicals (DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, PCPs, dioxins, and furans), plastic softening chemicals like Phthalates, hydrocarbons (ethylbenzene, benzene, toluene, and xylene)

Exposure to Heavy Metals
Chronic exposure to heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, or arsenic may affect sperm production and most often cause a reduced production in otherwise healthy males. Trace amounts of these metals in semen seem to impair the function of enzymes contained in the acrosome, the membrane that covers the head of the sperm.

Radiation Treatment
Radiation treatments and x-rays affect any rapidly dividing cell, so cells that produce sperm are quite sensitive to radiation damage. Cells exposed to significant levels of radiation may take up to two years to resume normal sperm production, and, in severe circumstances, may never recover.

Low Semen Levels
A reduced amount of ejaculated semen (less than 0.5 milliliters per sample) may be caused by a structural abnormality in the tubes transporting the sperm.

Varicocele
A varicocele is a varicose vein in the cord that connects to the testicle. (A varicose vein is one that is abnormally enlarged and twisted.) Varicoceles are found in 15% to 20% of all men and in 25% to 40% of infertile men. It is not clear how they affect fertility, or even if they do at all.

How to Eat better: Healthy Eating Tips

Drink that can relieve stress - Your use of the sedative and supplements to relieve stress, there is a good idea to try a natural way. Here are five drinks that can be enjoyed as a stress reliever.

Low carbohydrate breakfast menu - If you do not have time to prepare breakfast, then it's wrong. This is because with breakfast then our bodies will do the recharge of blood-glucose levels after 8-12 hours of rest.

Get Younger and beauty skin with Spinach - Food and beverages as of natural substances have the efficacy to prevent the face of wrinkles.

Foods that boost antibodies - food is no less efficacious to help maintain and improve your immune system. Here is food that can boost the antibodies and endurance.

Foods to increase sex drive - In addition to foods containing high protein, there are also some other foods that contain substances to support the sexual activity.

How to find Natural Health Food Stores - Natural health-food stores can be found just about anywhere. You will not have to use a GPS and a prayer to find them now.

Soursop/ Graviola benefits for cancer and other diseases - All of that came from research at Purdue University, United States, who proved the soursop fruit is effective at killing cancer cells.

Drinking Alcohol And Health Benefits - Of course good if alcohol is taken correctly. Then, what's the alcohol health benefits? How much should be consumed?

Fruits and Vegetables Color Wheel and the Health Benefits - Scientists regularly report new health benefits associated with the color of fruits and vegetables.

List of Super Foods for Your Healthy Diet - some studies have shown, these foods also help keep your body ideal and while reducing excess body weight.

Foods to avoid during pregnancy - Among the many foods, there are some foods to avoid during pregnancy, or at least reduced.

Milk to prevent breast cancer and vaginal health - Consumption of milk is measured by sending the form to the respondent a history of food consumption.

Benefits of Broccoli and Banana to Prevent Peptic Ulcer - Then is it true ulcers can be prevented by eating certain foods?

Natural healthy hair and scalp care - Here are some lists of food ingredients that are useful for natural healthy hair and scalp care.

Foods for brighter skin color - Expand to eat the following foods if you want a bright and smooth like Cleopatra.

Foods to boost immune system - Source of consumed food is safer because it is natural and easy to obtain.

Tips for Getting Pregnant in 2012 Include Less Medical and More Holistic Treatments

Hopeful mothers that are struggling to get pregnant will often turn to modern medicine for help, but guides with tips for getting pregnant: http://www.tips-for-getting-pregnant.com/ could sway the trend. Many people that are undergoing medical treatment to help them get pregnant find that not only can treatment can be very uncomfortable and sometimes even painful, but the success rate of treatment is not particularly high.
Modern medicine still recommends such treatments however because at the moment in time, they are about the most effective thing they have.Instead, people are turning to ancient methods of conceiving such as natural ingredients that are known to contain certain properties.
Guides have been published that collate a great deal of information on natural medicines and use that information to offer valuable and effective tips for getting pregnant: http://www.ivf-success-rates.net/tips-for-getting-pregnant.html . "Natural medicines have been used for generations and many have been found to be very effective in the treatments they offer", said Lisa Olson, author of Pregnancy Miracle.
In addition to offering tips and advice on what natural holistic treatments can help a woman to conceive, the guides also give more generic advice on how to eat healthily in a way that will encourage the right conditions for conception.
Certain foods can affect the body in ways that may make conditions more or less conducive for conception and the guides offer tips for getting pregnant by way of suggesting diets that can help. Of course, eating a healthy diet can not only help to improve the chances of a woman getting pregnant but it will also help to improve their overall health which is an added bonus to women that follow the advice that is given.
Many women that are trying to get pregnant may be inadvertently taking courses of action that are harming the chances of conception occurring. The obvious examples are things like smoking and drinking but there are many other less obvious factors that should be taken into consideration.
Ashley Spencer, author of Getting Pregnant System, remarked: "Sometimes the reason a woman may be struggling to get pregnant can be a simple thing that is easily addressed. It could be something as simple as stopping eating a particular food, or perhaps taking a single natural medicine could make the difference".
The tips for getting pregnant guides are seeing success rates as high as an astonishing 100%. With such high success rates it is not difficult to see why so many women are turning to ancient holistic treatments for pregnancy rather than modern medicines and techniques.
The natural medicines contain no drugs whatsoever so they are very safe to use. The natural ingredients also contain properties that can help encourage a general all round well-being that will give both mother and unborn child a better way of life.
The guides on tips for getting pregnant are accessible to anybody so fewer mothers will have to go through the anguish of not being able to conceive. The books are readily available on the internet and are available at prices that represent excellent value for money.
With such an excellent proven track record of success the guides are sure to help hopeful mothers that are trying to get pregnant.
Source: How To Get Pregnant In 30 Days

What to Eat to Increase Sperm Count

Diet to increase sperm count studies reveal that a large portion of the male population who complain of unsatisfying sex or have infertility issues have a common problem that is inadequate sperm production. Medications are always prescribed to cure such. But a lot can be tackled and rectified by changing the eating habits. Sounds strange? It is true. Our sexual life depends a lot on the food we eat.
Food has long been associated with good sex. But there are many foods that not only help you enjoy a healthy sex drive but also cure of major sexual dysfunctions. Some food that can be incorporated in a diet to increase sperm count include:-

Oysters are large storehouses of amino acid that help generate male sex hormones in the blood. This increases sperm count and helps one to be sexually active.
Dark chocolate is a delicious dessert that is rich in L-Arginine and amino acids. These are said to increase sperm count and semen volume like a miracle. As a bonus it also increases sexual pleasure by giving stronger and intense orgasms.
Maca plant extracts have long been said to great sexual booster. It increases sperm quantity and quality, semen volume, sperm motility and sexual pleasure.
Bananas contain an enzyme called bromelain, which increases male libido and sex drive. Rich in Vitamin B, it increases stamina and overall energy.
Asparagus is high in Vitamin C. Known for its cleansing and healing properties, it decreases harmful free radicals in the body, increases sperm count, volume and motility.
Walnuts are rich in antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids which reportedly increase sperm production and quality and improve blood circulation to the genitals.
Seeds like pumpkin seed is high in omega 3 fatty acids that help improve blood flow throughout the body. The food boosts sperm count and improves testosterone production.
Ginseng has long been used to improve male virility. It enhances sexual libido and performances. Ginseng also improves erection.
Garlic is known to cure everything, from common cold to cardiovascular diseases. It boosts sperm count and improves blood flow to your sexual organs.
Overheating is a major reason behind poor sperm production. The bright red colored goji berries contain antioxidants that improve blood circulation and maintaining the temperature of the male reproductive organs. It improves the overall stamina, moods and wellbeing resulting in a healthy and active sex life.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are high in folic acid, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. These not only increase sperm count, quality and motility.
Seafood like fatty fish contains essential fatty acids that improve blood flow to the genitals and improve sperm production.

A healthy lifestyle includes a good nutritional diet along with regular exercise. A healthy sex life is very important for the overall wellbeing of an individual. A good diet to increase sperm count can help achieve an active sex drive and an overall healthy mental and physical wellbeing.

How To Increase Sperm Motility in 5 Simple Steps

How To Increase Sperm. Motility could be a distinct characteristic of the sperm cell to shift and swim in the direction of the egg so as to stimulate fertilization. it refers back out to the strength and endurance of sperm cell so, low motility most frequently results to male fertility issues. many ways regarding the best approach to extend sperm motility believed that should be effective embrace eating the very best foods and taking herbal supplements..

isted here are 5 understand how to regarding the best approach to extend sperm motility and combat male infertility..

1. by having vitamin e supplement. vitamin e protects the body against free radicals and unstable molecules which will harm our reproductive system..

2. consultants advise another effective approach regarding the best approach to extend sperm motility through eating the very best foods. zinc rich foods inclusive of oysters, facilitate improve motility and maximize semen volume. alternative food teams who may be rich in zinc embrace liver, lean red meat, nuts and grains..

3. by eating selenium rich food. selenium is made use of by testes to help make selenoprotiens, a very important protein utilized boost semen production. examples of selenium rich food are eggs, brewers yeast, brazil nuts, seafoods and garlic..

4. by eating foods rich in l-carnitine. sperm production uses an amino acid referred to as l-carnitine. medical reports show that sperm motility and quality are enhanced at intervals the span of 4 months by increasing the intake of amino acid l-carnitine. food teams who may be rich in l-carnitine are lean meat, and dairy merchandise..

5. by having herbs like maca root and ginger. each herbs are used by alternative cultures and were proven that should be non-toxic. it is made use of in ancient chinese and south yank drugs to stop infertility in men..

the ways regarding the best approach to extend sperm motility cant be simpler ! with some dietary changes, herbal drugs and time, one will improve sperm motility and boost your possibility of conceiving a toddler..

there will be no magical medication or potions that directly increase sperm motility. though several men have found using natural herbal supplements as a good approach regarding the best approach to extend sperm motility. these special herbs, that formulated to promote overall male sexual health, prove that should be effective in serving to sperm cells become a lot of fertile and motile.

Ways You Can Increase Your Sperm Count, Production, and Motility

These foods increase sperm count, production, and motility. If you’re having trouble getting pregnant, there’s at least a 30% chance it’s because of male infertility. To improve your sperm count and motility, make sure you eat the right foods!

And, here are foods that increase sperm count, production, and motility…

1. Red peppers, carrots, oatmeal, dried apricots. The vitamin A in these foods help grow healthy sperm. “Deficiencies in vitamin A in men have been linked to lowered fertility due to sluggish sperm,” writes Heidi Murkoff in What to Expect Before You’re Expecting. To increase sperm count and motility, eat dark green lettuce, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, and dairy fortified with vitamin A.

2. Asparagus, snow peas, cooked tomatoes, strawberries. The vitamin C in these foods affect sperm motility and viability. Vitamin C and vitamin A are found in many of the same foods: kale, red peppers, sweet potatoes, yellow veggies and fruits. The antioxidants in these foods help increase sperm count by decreasing harmful free radicals.

3. Turkey, eggs, seafood, oysters, pumpkin seeds. “Inadequate amounts of zinc an lead to low testosterone levels and diminished sperm count,” writes Heidi Murkoff in What to Expect Before You’re Expecting. Zinc is actually quite widespread – it’s also found in beef, yogurt, oatmeal, corn.

4. Leafy green veggies, avocados, beans, whole grains. Make sure you’re getting enough folic acid, because low levels can lead to birth defects. Men with low levels of folate have more sperm with chromosomal abnormalities. To increase your sperm count, production, and motility, make sure you’re eating lots of dark green veggies and fruit. You may want to consider a folic acid supplement.

5. Salmon, sardines, anchovies, walnuts. “DHA and other essential omega-3 fatty acids help improve blood flow to the genitals and increase sexual function,” writes Heidi Murkoff in What to Expect Before You’re Expecting. “Fertile men’s sperm contains more of this essential fatty acid than the sperm of infertile men.” Other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids include arugula, crab, shrimp, flax, and chicken. To increase sperm count, load up on foods that contain healthy omega-3s!

Also — you might consider a sperm supplement for male infertility. Sperm supplements and vitamins such as FertilAid for Men may not increase male fertility for all men — it depends on the cause of the infertility or health issues. But, supplements may not hurt! Always talk to your doctor or fertility specialist about supplements for sperm production, especially if you’re taking prescription medication.

Ways you can Increase Your Sperm Count :

Have sex & masturbate less often - the more times you ejaculate, the less dense your semen will be. Maintain a gap of 3 days between two consecutive ejaculations.

2. Refrain from habits like smoking, alcohol consumption etc. - Alcohol affects your liver function, which, in turn, causes a dramatic rise in estrogen levels. Even two drinks a day will have long-term effects on sperm production

3. Exercise regularly.Exercising your PC muscle can help you shoot further than ever before.

4. Eat Nutritious Food - Diet that's low in fat, and high in protein, vegetables, and whole grains is good for your health and for your sperm. Avoid bitter, astringent and spicy foods.Reduce caffeine intake

5. Avoid heating of testicles - Wear loose, cotton boxer shorts, Avoid hot baths and saunas

6. Lose any excess weight, which tends to cause testosterone/oestrogen imbalances.

7. Reduce stress levels by learning relaxation techniques - Keep your mind and body healthy by regular practice of YOGA and MEDITATION.

8. Massage body with herbal oil, which improves blood circulation.

9. Try supplements - Certain natural supplements promise to increase sperm production. Checkout some Natural and Herbal, no side effects supplements at

10. Make love in the early morning or afternoon. Sperm levels are often highest in the mornings.

Influence of Diet on Sperm Quality

Infertility is on the rise throughout the world. This increase has been due to altered lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits and environmental pollution. Of course, part of the problem is genetic in origin. Some recent reports indicate that what you eat also might affect the quality and quantity of the sperms produced by the affected individuals.

Egg being fertilized by sperm

For example, people who consume significant quantities of red meat suffer from decreased sperm motility which is an essential event in fertilization. Sperm motility is also reduced by the consumption of processed foods. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils are rich in trans fats. The intake of trans fats, in addition to increasing the risk for coronary heart disease, also reduces the number of sperms found in semen. Diets rich in fish, fresh fruit, whole grains and legumes and vegetables, increase sperm motility.

Healthy Diet to improve male fertility
The power is in close relation with male fertility and that is as unhealthy as eating or drinking too much alcohol causes a drop in sperm count as well as quality.

Those men who wish to conceive should follow a balanced, nutritious diet. It recommends eating foods rich in vitamin C because then stimulates sperm motility while avoiding the production of those defects.

Foods high in zinc are also essential to avoid reducing the amount of semen and testosterone levels. Declining sperm is also linked to lack of folic acid and why it is important to add to the diet integrated products such as cereals, leafy green or orange juice. He even suggested taking a folic acid supplement. Alcohol should be eliminated from the diet or reduced while there is to eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D as milk, yogurt, or salmon.

Search Suggestion

how to improve male fertility
There are several ways to improve male fertility, including how to increase sperm volume, mobility, and even the strength of erections..
http://www.malefertilitysupplements.com/improve-fertility.htm
improving male fertility
Improving Male Fertility. Even though a couple has been trying for several months to conceive, there may not be any signs of pregnancy on the horizon. .
http://www.wdxcyber.com/ways-to-improve-male-fertility.html
how to improve male fertility
If you want to improve your partner's chances of becoming pregnant, you may be interested in learning how to improve male fertility. This may also help you minimize .
http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-improve-male-fertility
fertility male
Male Fertility, herbs that can help increase male fertility.
http://www.herbal-powers.com/infertility.html
male infertility treatment ebook course
The Male Fertility Regeneration Treatment Programme an Ebook course for men who want to improve their sperm counts and sperm quality.
http://maleinfertilitytreatments.org/index.html
best male fertility supplements
Learn more about male fertility and what you can do to improve it right now. Here are some information that could help you in understanding male fertility. .
http://www.malefertilitysupplements.com/male-fertility-tests.htm
how to improve male fertility causes of male infertility
How to improve male fertility In some cases the man has a fertility problem since his birth. There are some problems which a man faces later in life due to .
http://www.how-to-improve-male-fertility.com/
male infertility improving male fertility top ten tips to
An article about infertility that provides ten easy-to-follow tips to improve male fertility. How to increase male fertility in ten easy steps..
http://www.sharedjourney.com/male/tips.html
male fertility therapies male sexual problems
expert video advice on: What therapies are available to improve male fertility?; What surgeries are performed to treat male infertility? and more. Male Sexual .
http://www.videojug.com/interview/male-fertility-therapies-2
male infertility cure infertility male treatment male
Infertility is a type of disorders where couples are unable to conceive even when they have tried so after at least a year of unprotected sexual intercourse.
http://www.maleinfertilitycure.com/

Male Infertility: How To Improve Sperm Quality

5 Tips to improve sperm quality

Many young men have poor semen quality. They have become accustomed to a life of inactivity, poor diet, little exercise, smoking, alcohol ...
Some men have a poor semen quality, that is, below levels considered normal concentration to conceiving.

So, here we give you five simple tips to get better sperm quality.

1-Food is very important

Fruits and vegetables must be present in the diet because they contain antioxidants (in addition to vitamins C, A and E) that improve sperm motility. Other substances such as coffee also help energize the sperm.

2 - Do not adjust the crocht

Tight pants do not help the sperm. The pressure of the fabric against the testes is not beneficial to sperm activity. So, baggy pants up!

3 - Out snuff, alcohol and drugs

Vices like snuff, acohol and drugs "sleep" sperm.

4 - More activity, better quality

It seems logical. If you want to be good at something, you need training. According to one recent study, ejaculation improves sperm quality. So, increases the frequency of ejaculation if you want to conceive.

5 - Many nature, little city

The field, trees and nature are great friends of sperm. In fact, according to recent studies, men living in rural areas have better quality sperm. Stress and pollution of the city worse sperm quality.

Home tests to determine the fertility rate of sperm
Advances in medicine now provide many benefits, such as home testing fertility and pregnancy.
In the present case, we talk about home tests to determine the male fertility index, ie, the motility of their sperm.
A big advantage of this home test is that can be performed in the privacy of your own home, and will provide you useful information about your fertility status, without having to go through the embarrassment or discomfort that often accompanies a semen analysis in a medical clinic. A low sperm count in the result is one of the main causes of fertility problems in couples with difficulty in conceiving. In other words, when the man produces a few sperm, the smaller is the probability that one of the sperm is capable of successfully fertilizing the egg.
Home checks provide another benefit: The sooner a problem is identified, the sooner you can start treatment. The most common treatments to increase fertility diets usually include, fertility supplements, drugs, or in the most serious cases, surgery of varicocele.

The home test is available in pharmacies and markets. Is easy to interpret, generally, is very similar to a pregnancy test, with a number of bars that appear to confirm the result. It is also recommended because they are inexpensive and easy to use and clear doubts helping avoid primary anxiety states that arise when a couple is frustrated in their attempts to procreate. Of course, you should have a consultation with specialists to confirm results or take therapeutic decisions.

http://wantedpregnancy.blogspot.in/2012/10/male-infertilityhow-to-improve-sperm.html

Fertility issues with Women

http://silkyou.blogspot.in/2009/04/fallopian-tube.html

http://therotundaramblings.blogspot.in/2007/10/blocked-fallopian-tubes-treatment.html

http://pregnancyadviceandsupport.blogspot.in/2009/05/closed-fallopian-tubes.html

http://babiesborn.blogspot.in/2012/12/fertilitytreatmentoptions.html

http://drmukeshraghavphotos.blogspot.in/

http://infertilityanswer.blogspot.in/2009_06_01_archive.html

http://infertilityhouston.blogspot.in/2012/06/is-iui-all-you-need.html

http://sijemaridompot.blogspot.in/2012/05/fibroids-and-pregnancy-at-same-time-is.html

http://bimboraji.blogspot.in/

Another Infertility Cause: Fear Of the Unknown

One of the most distressing comments I hear regularly in my office: “Dr. Kristiansen, I cannot believe I waited so long to seek help getting pregnant. Now that so much time has passed, I hope I can still get pregnant!”

Why am I writing about this? Because we know from studies that a big percentage of men and women avoid seeking fertility treatment because they're afraid. If you've already taken that big first step of scheduling a fertility consultation, you know exactly what I mean. People who are starting to worry about why they haven't gotten pregnant scour the Internet for reasons and solutions, and what they see can scare them away from the very thing that could result in pregnancy.

Here's what I want them to know: An initial consultation with a fertility specialist does not equate to treatment, but it can often add up to more informed women and men who go on to “get it right,” with or without treatment.

What are they afraid of?

Intimacy issues – Who wants an audience to be in on your private dreams of building a family? It's hard enough to discuss with loved ones, but talking to a professional can make you feel even more uncomfortable. Fortunately, I can tell you that my staff at Houston Fertility Center are all long-timers in this medical arena. We understand, in some cases from personal experience, the emotional discomfort that you're going through. Your concerns are treated with utmost dignity and discretion.

Medical procedures – Most fertility patients are of average health and have never gone through any kind of treatment process beyond an occasional round of antibiotics for infection. It's understandable that virtually any medical tests or treatments might seem scary. Many are under the mistaken impression that IVF is the only kind of treatment. Again, simply talking with a fertility specialist does not necessarily include any tests or procedures. That said, a lot of first-time patients do agree that scheduling their initial consultation on Day 3 of the woman's cycle, and undergoing a simple blood draw to determine levels of reproductive hormones, can save time and money in the getting-pregnant process. It's your choice.

Financial costs – It's true that once you decide to become a fertility patient, there will be some costs involved. The financial expenses will vary from patient to patient, depending on health care coverage (or not) and on the causes that are determined to be your own fertility obstacle. Treatment costs vary widely and, actually, most patients do not need IVF to get pregnant. The majority of patients can become pregnant with less costly forms of treatment, like IUI (intrauterine insemination). (I'll address the differences in an upcoming blogpost.) But no one can tell you what your costs will be until thorough diagnostics have been implemented, and you have had a chance to discuss the options.

The important point: There's no way that your research alone or even any online-only consultations can adequately review and assess your fertility status and sum up whatever issues might need to be addressed for you to get pregnant.

Don't let fear of the unknown be your own major obstacle to getting pregnant.

Is IUI All You Need?

Did you know that many fertility patients don't need IVF? With all of the information about in vitro fertilization that goes around the Internet, it might seem otherwise. But the truth is that many people need a far simpler boost in fertility than IVF affords.

Intrauterine insemination, sometimes simply called “artificial insemination”, is very often a first step for fertility patients who have no structural infertility conditions, like blocked fallopian tubes. The insemination itself is conducted in less than a day within the clinic, and patients are able to return immediately to work and other daily activities. Prior to the actual insemination procedure, the woman may or may not use fertility medications – oral or injectable, depending on her body's needs – to optimize the number of eggs she ovulates during that treatment cycle. Then when tests indicate that she is near ovulation, semen (from either a partner or a donor) is introduced to the uterus via a tiny catheter threaded through the cervix.

Placement of the sperm cells directly into the uterus via IUI allows us to bypass what's sometimes called “hostile” cervical mucus, a condition in which the woman's naturally-occurring mucus has properties that prevent sperm from reaching their destination. IUI also works well for women who have timing issues that prevent intercourse from being the optimal route; for example, some active military couples have frozen semen prior to deployment, for use with IUI at a future date. IUI enables even fertile women without male partners to use donor sperm in a clinically safe manner. Women with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) also are often quite successful in getting pregnant with medicated IUI.

There are cases in which trying IUI might be more wasteful of the patient's time, money, and effort, including patients with:

Tubal factor infertility
Ovarian failure, or elevated Day 3 FSH levels
Severe male-factor infertility
Woman's age over mid- to late-30's

It is recommended that patients in such cases consider using IVF, in vitro fertilization.

Summertime Blues Or Time To Get Pregnant?

Summer on the Gulf Coast can be tough on the psyche! First, there's the heat, which adds up to physical discomfort (and a lot of bad hair days!) and your year's highest electric bills. Then, there's the feeling that everything has slowed to a crawl (might be that sweltering heat!) – and that could feel like a burden or a relief. Many of my patients have chosen summer as their go-to time for getting pregnant, for all of these reasons.

If your plan to get pregnant includes the use of assisted reproduction, you can also plan for the process to take up your time in ways that are different from the “old fashioned” path to pregnancy. Even if you're not seeing a fertility specialist because of infertility, the various kinds of techniques – from the simplest to the most complex – require at least a little bit of time and attention before and after the actual “conception event”.

And that “lazy hazy feeling” of summer could be just what some women need to boost their body's natural fertility. I know you've heard “Just relax!” and feel yourself do exactly the opposite! No, just relaxing is not the key to pregnancy, especially for a lot of women with particular infertility-causing disorders. But it is true that your body's so-important endocrine system functions best when you're not feeling keyed up, tense, and on-the-go. When your hormones are flowing in the right order and level, your chances at getting pregnant are boosted with and without fertility treatment.

So for a lot of people, taking summer vacation time to get pregnant makes the most sense.

And for those who are feeling the brunt of the electric bills right now, Houston Fertility Center always offer summer discounts on several fertility services.

When you add up the possibilities – with treatment discounts and a little more downtime on your hands – it could be that a Spring-time baby is in your future.

Fibroids and Pregnancy at the Same Time, Is It Dangerous?

Most women’s first reaction when the doctors tell them that they have uterine fibroids and pregnancy at the same time is probably panic and despair. But the fact is, despite having fibroids, there are many women have successfully conceived and delivered normal and healthy babies.

Fibroids usually develop in women above 30 years, where most of them wish to have babies. The main concern relating to fibroids and pregnancy are:

- Does it cause infertility?

- Does it cause complication during pregnancy or delivery?

According to statistic data, there were only small percentages of women who face problems with fibroids which cause infertility. This usually happened when the fibroid tumors in uterus are large and block one or both of fallopian tubes.

During post conception, uterine tumors may cause the pain during pregnancy as well as causing other symptoms like heavy vaginal bleeding, backache, pain in pelvic region, etc, these fibroids symptoms don’t affect all pregnant women. A lot of women has been proved that they had safe pregnancy and delivered healthy babies despite having uterine fibroids tumors.

This article is focused on the complications, the symptoms and the optional treatment as well as frequently asked question about uterine fibroids and pregnancy which occurred at the same time.

Uterine Fibroids and Pregnancy – The Complications

While small-sized uterine tumors do not always cause any symptoms, uterine fibroids and pregnancy are usually detected at the same time. This is happened when the women were checked with Ultra sonogram to confirm their pregnancy. Mostly, uterine tumors will not cause any major problem during pregnancy for many women. However, there are some complications which can arise when someone has detected to have fibroids and pregnancy at the same time, although they are rare cases and will not cause any harm to the fetus, unless there is a heavy bleeding.

Below are some of the complications in pregnancy due to fibroids:

1. The blocking of birth canal by uterine tumors.

If the size of fibroids tumors is very large, it can block the birth canal and prevent the baby to be born normally.

2. Abnormal position of the baby inside the uterus

This can happened when the fertilized egg which implanted in the uterine wall is closed to the location of fibroids tumors.

3. Fibroids can increase the risk of miscarriage and premature birth

The fibroid tumor which continues to grow will demand both space and nutrition. This kind of tumors can cause miscarriages.

Uterine Fibroids and Pregnancy – The Symptoms

There are some common symptoms when a woman has uterine fibroids and pregnancy at the same time. However these symptoms are not specific, that’s why uterine fibroids can only be confirmed by using USG.

Pain in abdominal area

Digestive disturbance, such as constipation

Frequent urination

Excessive bleeding from vagina

Heavy pressure felt in pelvic region

Fibroids and Pregnancy – The Optional Treatment

Every woman who was told to have fibroids and pregnancy will have “panic” as her first reaction. Then the next question is, is it possible to treat the fibroids during pregnancy? Fortunately, many cases of fibroids and pregnancy are not life threatening and many women had completely healthy pregnancy along with fibroids tumors.

The best treatment of fibroids and pregnancy is to avoid chemical medication and drugs, while pregnant women carried an unborn life. Basically fibroids occur because of hormonal change, and this hormonal balance can be restored by natural methods. It’s safe, no side effect and effective in shrinking the fibroids tumors in natural way. It would be worthwhile to give natural treatment a chance before going in for surgery.

Below are two simple natural methods shared by a friend who diagnosed to have fibroids and pregnancy:

1. Pay attention to your diet

Excess estrogen as well as toxins accumulated in the liver increase the growth rate of fibroids tumors. That’s why a high fat diet, high level of progesterone and deficiency in vitamin B can cause the fibroids to develop.

Choose healthy and right food, it’s not only safe for the pregnancy, but also helps shrinking the fibroids size naturally. Avoid processed food and consume organic food as possible as you can. Our body immune system will be boosted by changing the diet style into healthier food.

Consuming high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables, especially iron-rich green leafy vegetables are a good start. Avoid consuming dairy products, milk or yoghurt. Decrease the consumption of red meat and increase consumption of fish instead. If you can’t avoid red meat, choose organic meat which is free from chemical drugs, artificial hormones and pesticides. This will help you avoiding exposure of harmful substances.

2. Avoid stress life

Using meditation or acupuncture is very effective alternative method of treating uterine fibroids. Be optimist and trust yourselves that you’ll get through fibroids and pregnancy safely.

Fibroids and Pregnancy-FAQ

What is Fibroids?

Fibroids are some kind of tumors which grow in a woman’s womb, that’s why it’s often called uterine fibroids. Normally, fibroids are not cancerous and usually start to develop in a woman above the age of 30.

I was diagnosed to have fibroids tumor in my uterus, is it possible for me to get pregnant? Am I in the risk of being infertile?

Conception will be difficult to occur if:

The location of fibroids is much closed to the cervix.

Fibroids prevent sperm to fertilize eggs while its position is at the end of the fallopian tubes.

If the fibroids located in uterus are too large, it can sometimes prevent implantation.

According to statistic data, fibroids are indeed the cause of infertility in approximately 3-12% of women.

If fibroids are detected after conception, what complications can possibly happened?

Premature delivery is the first risk if the fibroids tumors present under the lining of the womb and cause womb distension.

Heavy bleeding comes as the second risk. This usually occurred during the second trimester of the pregnancy, as the baby grows bigger and the fibroids press on the other internal organs.

More than normal pain during pregnancy.

Increasing opportunity of miscarriages.

How to deal with fibroids and pregnancy to minimize the risks?

Consume lots of fruits and vegetables (organic ones are better).

Avoid processed or packaged food (especially processed meat)

Avoid junk food

Reduce (or avoid) caffeine contained in tea or coffee

Drink at least 2-3 water everyday

Avoid chemical medicine or drugs if possible.

Newer techniques infertility test 2

If efforts to have a baby are unsuccessful, the question ultimately arises, "When do we stop trying?" Though it may not be easy, giving up the effort can have a happy ending, as is clear from the stories of two couples who met through a small social group in a distant suburb of Washington, D.C., and learned about their mutual interest during casual conversation.

The first couple had tried almost everything, including IVF, and, after 10 years of getting nowhere, gave up medical interventions. Two cycles later the woman conceived and — after a difficult pregnancy — bore a healthy baby girl. The other couple took a different route that is available to many couples who abandon hope for a child of their own. They adopted a newborn baby and now wish they had done it a lot sooner.

Judith Randal, a freelance writer in Lovettsville, Va., writes a weekly health feature for Newsday and has published widely on health and science subjects in other newspapers and magazines.

Infertility Tests

Some infertility tests are for women only, others are for men only, and still others cannot be done without the cooperation of both partners.

An initial workup for a woman can take as little as six to eight weeks, or as much as three months or longer because some of the tests may have to be repeated for verification at different specific times in her menstrual cycle.

The initial workup of a man usually can be done faster both because men have no monthly cycles — and because there are fewer tests for men. Diagnostic surgical procedures may be suggested for both men and women to look directly at reproductive structures and to obtain small tissue samples for laboratory analysis.

His

A semen analysis is almost always the first test done on men and is usually repeated several times. After abstaining from intercourse for about 48 hours, the man collects a sperm sample in a container.

The sample is microscopically examined to determine the number, activity and shape of individual spermatozoa (sperm cells) and the characteristics of the fluid part of the semen.

A healthy, potent ejaculate typically contains 1.5 to 5 cubic centimeters (5 cc = 1 teaspoon) of semen and each cc will contain an average of 70 million sperm that look to be of normal size, shape and behavior. If the specimen markedly differs on any of these factors, further tests may be done to determine whether infection, hormonal imbalance, or another problem could be the culprit.

Among these tests may be a testicular biopsy, a minor operation — performed with a local or general anesthetic — in which a small amount of tissue from the testes is removed for laboratory studies. Since even men with sperm counts well below 70 million per cubic centimeter sometimes father children, this test is ordinarily done only when the count is zero.

If damage to one or both of the vas deferens, is known or suspected, an x-ray examination may also be ordered. As an iodine-containing solution has to be injected into the tubes to make them visible on x-rays, the patient is first given local or general anesthesia. If the examination discloses damage, surgical repairs are often attempted at the same time the diagnosis is made.

Other special tests may be ordered if none of the tests already mentioned seems to explain the man's infertility. The most common of these tests are the bovine mucus test and the hamster-oocyte penetration test.

In the first, bovine (cow) mucus (from the cervix, or neck of the uterus where it opens into the vagina) is placed in a special glass column. Samples of the man's semen are applied to the column, and measurements are made of how well the sperm are able to enter and swim through the mucus, giving some indication of their ability to swim through human cervical mucus.

In the hamster-oocyte penetration test, some of the man's semen is mixed with hamster egg cells that have had their outer shells (membranes) removed. If the sperm are functioning normally, they will penetrate the hamster eggs, an indication that they are also capable of fertilizing human eggs. However, failure of the sperm to penetrate the hamster eggs does not always mean that they are incapable of fertilizing human eggs.

Hers

Women-only tests, more varied and extensive, generally begin with a determination of if and when the woman is ovulating. One of the most popular techniques for pinpointing ovulation relies on the typically slight rise in resting body temperature midway in the menstrual cycle, signaling that ovulation has recently occurred.

A woman's body temperature fluctuates throughout her menstrual cycle, and she is instructed to record these fluctuations on a chart after taking her temperature each morning before getting out of bed. If the chart — called a basal body temperature or BBT chart — indicates that the woman has been ovulating, it can often be used to predict when ovulation will happen during subsequent menstrual cycles. The couple can then use the information to attempt to time conception. Several urine test kits, approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale over the counter, can be used by consumers to supplement the temperature chart.

Newer techniques infertility test 1

Newer still than in vitro fertilization are several other techniques that also require the use of fertility drugs. They are:

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT): Similar to IVF except that sperm and eggs are collected and immediately inserted into one or both fallopian tubes, where conception occurs. Unlike IVF, GIFT requires that the woman have at least one healthy fallopian tube. Success rates are similar to those of IVF.

Tubal Ovum Transfer: The woman's eggs are retrieved and put into the fallopian tube close to where it opens into the uterus. The couple then has intercourse or the woman is artificially inseminated. Since this method allows the eggs to be placed beyond the parts of the tube that may be damaged or blocked, it can often be used when GIFT cannot.

Embryo Lavage: A fertile female donor provides the eggs. At the proper time in her menstrual cycle, she is artificially inseminated with the would-be father's sperm. If the donor conceives, the early embryo is washed out of her reproductive tract and transferred to the uterus or a fallopian tube of the woman who is to bear the child. The recipient, meanwhile, has been hormonally treated with fertility drugs to make her uterus receptive to the embryo. This technique allows women who have no eggs of their own to become pregnant — provided they have a uterus.

Surrogate Motherhood: This is an option for women who do not respond to ovulation induction therapies or who have no ovaries or lack a uterus. It also may be an option for those for whom pregnancy might be life threatening or have good reason to worry that they might transmit a serious genetic disorder to the child.

A healthy, fertile woman agrees to be artificially inseminated and also agrees to let the infertile couple adopt the baby. If the female member of the infertile couple can safely provide eggs of her own, these can be fertilized by the IVF process and then transferred to the surrogate woman who carries the fetus to term. In that case, the surrogate mother takes fertility drugs to prepare her uterus. Surrogate motherhood is controversial and has resulted in court cases about custody and parentage, which is rare with other forms of fertility treatment.

Stress and infertility 2

In addition to the stresses of the medical regimens, overwhelming feelings of loss of control and increasing isolation as described by Blenner, there are psychosocial pressures on couples to reproduce. Erickson's "stages of development" theory describes the tasks of human development from infancy's need to establish trust, through the adolescence's search for identity to middle adulthood which includes the task of generativity. Generativity is the task of guiding and helping children. It is the next stage of a human's development, (according to Erickson), but infertility blocks the accomplishment of this task. The couple can't understand why this stage is thwarted when all of life's other developmental tasks occurred without conscious thought.

Compounding the couple's despair, is the societal stigma that accompanies infertility. The couple may feel "defective" and the inability to fulfill the role of parenthood may be regarded as a personal failure. And while the couple grapples with these unpleasant feelings the woman's biological clock continues to tick adding time pressure to their list of stressors.

Researchers have verified that infertility does cause stress. Comar (1992) reported that infertile women experience twice the level of depression when compared to their fertile counterparts. And this elevated stress does compromise reproduction. Facchinetti (1997) documented that the higher a woman's vulnerability to stress the lower her pregnancy rates. Sharma and Sharma (1992) documented double the pregnancy rates in women who took anti-anxiety pills.

Domar, a researcher who works at the Mind and Body Institute in Boston which is associated with Harvard Medical School proposes a model that explains the deleterious effects of stress on the reproductive functions. This model was published in The Wellness Book (1992) by Herbert Benson.

Cycle of Despair

No Conception / Menses

which leads to:
tubal spasm / irregular ovulation / decreased sperm production

which leads to:
frustration / anger / isolation / depression

which leads to:
emotional tension / stress

which leads to:
No Conception / Menses

Adapted from: A. Domar in The Wellness Book. by H. Benson, 1992

To break this cycle, the emotional tension must be addressed. One intuitively knows that the mind (psyche or soul) can influence physiological responses. Just think of the emotion of fear. When one feels fear, there are distinct bodily symptoms such as dry mouth, pounding heart sweaty palms, etc. that accompany this emotional feeling. Perhaps, techniques available for stress reduction could reverse the emotional stress of infertility.

Benson (1992) contends that stress and relaxation can not co-exist. Several research studies have documented the positive effect of relaxation in other fields. Stuart (1987) used relaxation to help patients reduce blood pressure without medication. Mandle (1990) documented less pain medication use and a decrease in anxiety by hospital patients who listened to a relaxation tape. Goodale (1990) was able to document decreased premenstrual symptoms in women who practiced relaxation techniques. And lastly Domar (1992) cited double the pregnancy rates for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) patients who practiced relaxation coping techniques.

The tools for practicing relaxation are so varied, there is something for everyone. The ideas suggested below are activities that enhance relaxation. Enjoying one or more of these activities diminishes the negative effects of infertility induced stress.

Stress and relaxation can not co exist!

Everyone has a different way of reducing stress. The following are some things which can help a great deal. Try some of these techniques during your treatment:

Vacations, Music, Sports, Visualization, Humor, Hobbies, Friends, and Prayer and Meditation

Don't forget the value of a good friend. A friend to lend a sympathetic ear can raise one's spirits and decrease the sense of isolation. Consider friends and relatives as prospective confidantes and share the sadness of infertility's elusive goal. It is natural to resist burdening a friend with personal problems. But try reversing the situation. Wouldn't it be an honor and privilege to have a friend share a problem with you? The opportunity to help ease a friend's burden is gratifying and also an expression of the friend's high esteem for you. Give your friend the same compliment. The stress of infertility can be minimized with conscious effort to honor your emotions and utilization of techniques to counteract the effects of infertility's despair. Use of a variety of relaxation methods will restore a sense of control, decrease the sense of isolation, restore optimism and may help increase the chance of pregnancy.

Stress and infertility 1

For many infertility patients, the achievement of an ongoing pregnancy is maddeningly elusive. The anguish of enduring repeated cycle failures creates overwhelming frustration. As time goes on, the prolonged cumulative effect of this stress can actually cause physiological responses counter productive to reproduction. In the paragraphs below the escalating stages of despair are described and relaxation ideas are suggested to help counteract the deleterious effects of stress. Infertility strikes one couple in six. The older a women the more likely she is to need medical intervention to conceive. In this most intimate area of a couple's life the stress of medical treatments demands escalating amounts of time, emotional investment and money. A woman, undergoing infertility therapy herself, wrote the following quote that eloquently expresses the anguish of an infertility patient.

"My infertility is a blow to my self-esteem, a violation of my privacy, an assault on my sexuality, a final exam on my ability to cope, an affront to my sense of justice, a painful reminder that nothing can be taken for granted. My infertility is a break in the continuity of life. It is above all a wound… To my body, to my psyche, to my soul."
-Jorgensen, l981. On healing. Resolve Newsletter, Dec., 1.

The "wound" to the psyche and soul that Ms. Jorgensen addreesses in her quote is the area where patients can make a difference in their own treatment and is the subject of this article. The physician is providing the very best medical care for the "body" but to treat the "wound to the psyche and soul" will require the mental participation of the patient. This article will empower the infertility client to take charge of the progressive stress levels engendered by infertility treatments by explaining:

The progression of infertility's despair
The consequences to reproductive function that stress can cause
And how to utilize joyful and relaxing activities to diminish stress.

Blenner (1990) describes the predictable progression of infertility's emotional toll. There are eight stages as summarized below. The spiral depicted on the right illustrates the downward drift of emotional health and excalating despair

Dawning of awareness: Couples plan the best time of the year to have a baby; realize it seems to be taking longer than expected, still identify with fertile population.
Facing a new reality: Diagnosis stimulates couples to face reality of infertility. Blaming, guilt arise. Selective perception of success rates and discounting of side effects and risks of treatment. Begin to isolate themselves.
Treatment: Hopeful, excited, high energy.
Intensifying treatment: Infertility major focus of life, financial and time sacrifices intensify. Anger or depression occurs. Increasing isolation, avoids activities with children. Loss of control.
Spiraling Down: Tearful, overwhelmed, enrages by the injustice of infertility
"Letting go": Usually husbands "shut down" first, then wives. Resume social life but activities without children (backpacking). Strong desire to regain control of life, quitting is gradually OK.
Quitting and moving out: Initial feelings of relief, followed by grief. Initiation of adoption for some.
Shifting focus: For childless couples, peaceful resignation. For adoptive parents, focus on the child.

How is infertility diagonized in a woman?

If a woman has an infertility

problem, she will be referred to a doctor who specializes in reproductive endocrinology. Her diagnostic tests may include:

Blood tests and urine tests to check hormone levels.
A Pap smear to study the health of the cervix.
Urine tests to evaluate LH surges.
A basal body temperature test, which checks whether the woman is releasing eggs from her ovaries. A woman's temperature rises slightly during the days she ovulates. The woman will chart her basal body temperature every day for a few months on a graph. She will take her temperature orally or may take her temperature vaginally with a special ultra-sensitive thermometer available at most drugstores.
An endometrial biopsy, in which the doctor removes a piece of tissue in the uterine lining. Examining this tissue will tell the physician whether eggs have been released and whether the corpeus luteum is producing enough progesterone. This test is often done if the results from the woman's basal body temperature chart are unclear.
An ultrasound to look for fibroids and cysts in the uterus and ovaries. This test uses sound waves to picture the uterus and ovaries, causes little discomfort, and is very effective.
A postcoital test, in which the doctor takes a sample of mucous from the woman's vagina. She must have the test during her fertile days and within 12 hours after she and her partner have sex. The test will tell the doctor if the man's sperm can survive in the woman's cervical mucous.

More complex tests include:

A laparoscopy: If the doctor suspects ovarian or fallopian tube scarring or endometriosis, a woman may undergo a laparoscopy. The doctor makes two small incisions at the pubic bone and navel, and carbon dioxide gas is injected into the stomach to enlarge it.

Then the doctor inserts a laparoscope, a long tube with lenses and a fiberoptic light, into one incision and a long probe through the other opening in the skin. With the probe, the doctor can view the ovaries, fallopian tubes

and uterus to check for scar tissue. In some cases, he may cut away scar tissue discovered during this operation.

The woman usually has to undergo general anesthesia for the procedure, but the risks of bleeding, infection and reaction to the anesthesia are slight.

A hysterosalpingogram: This test checks the condition of the woman's fallopian tubes.

The doctor clamps the cervix and injects a needle filled with dye into the woman's uterus. An X-ray is taken to determine whether the dye passes through the open ends of the fallopian tubes. If the dye emerges from the end of the tubes, they are not blocked.

The test may also reveal other fertility problems, such as fibroid tumors, structural abnormalities and endometrial polyps. In some cases, the dye actually clears away blockages in the fallopian tubes, and restores the woman's fertility.

The dye is harmless and is absorbed by the woman's body after going through her tubes. The test may be uncomfortable, but is rarely painful. Unfortunately, it is noted for both false positive and false negative diagnoses.

How is infertility diagonized in a man?

The tests for male infertility are fairly simple and easy. After a medical history and an examination, the man's sperm are tested. He'll be asked to ejaculate into a cup in a private place in the doctor's office or at home, and this specimen will be evaluated. The man should not ejaculate for several days before he takes the test, because each ejaculation may reduce the sperm count.

Health workers will check the man's semen for several factors:

sperm count (20 to 100 million sperm is the normal number)
movement
maturity and shape of the sperm (which reveal its quality)
the amount of sperm produced (one teaspoon is sufficient)
acidity (the semen should be slightly acidic)

The man may be asked to undergo this test twice, because some illnesses such as infections or viruses can affect the sperm. If a man has abnormal sperm, he'll be referred to a fertility specialist, where he'll experience more tests, such as:

Hormonal blood tests.
Imaging tests that check for swollen veins or reproductive system blockages.
A testicular biopsy. This is a procedure done in the office. The doctor takes bits of tissue from the testes, and this tissue is examined to see whether the cells that produce the sperm are working properly.
Anti-sperm antibody tests, which check whether the woman's mucous rejects the man's sperm. These tests also show whether the man produces antibodies to reject his own sperm.
A hamster egg test, which studies the sperm's ability to penetrate a hamster egg. The outer covering of the egg is removed to allow the sperm to more easily penetrate. This test cannot result in a living embryo. It's expensive, however, and sometimes unreliable.
A human zona penetration test, which tests whether the man's sperm can fertilize dead human eggs. Again, this test cannot result in a living embryo, and is thought to be more reliable than the hamster egg test.
A bovine cervical mucous test, which checks whether the sperm can penetrate cervical mucous taken from a cow.

How is infertility diagonized ?

A complete medical history and a physical exam are the first steps in diagnosing a fertility problem. Both partners need to be evaluated. The couple may also need blood tests, semen specimens from the man, and ultrasound exams or exploratory surgery for the woman.

Need To Know:
Your Doctor Will Want to Know
During the initial medical exam and history, the doctor will need information about the couple's sexual and medical history. They should prepare for these questions:

What medical conditions have you had?
What medications do you take?
Have you had any past surgeries?
How often do you have intercourse?
When do you have intercourse?
Do you use a lubricant?
Is there any discomfort during intercourse?
Do you feel anxious or depressed about being unable to conceive?

For the woman:

When did your periods begin?
How regularly do your periods occur, and how long do they last?

For the man:

Do you experience any erection or other sexual problems during intercourse?

Why does a man become infertile?

The most common cause for male infertility is a problem with the sperm - either low sperm count or sperm with poor quality. Sperm with poor quality cannot move rapidly enough or in the right direction, or may be abnormally shaped. Some conditions that may contribute to sperm problems include:

Under-developed testes-usually arising after a mumps infection, a hernia surgery, an injury or birth defect.
Swollen veins in the scrotum.
Undescended testes-a problem often present from birth in which the testes remain in the body cavity. Normally they descend into the scrotum before birth.
Infections, such as gonorrhea or tuberculosis, that block the ducts through which the sperm travel.
Exposure to metals such as leads, or chemicals such as pesticides.
Certain medications, such as Tagamet (cimetidine), Dilantin (phenytoin), Folex (methotrexate), Axulfidine (sulfasalazine), corticosteroids and chemotherapy drugs such as Cytoxan and Neosar (cyclophosphamide).
Injury to the testicles
Chronic prostate infections

Other common causes of male infertility are:

Autoimmunity, in which antibodies or cells of the man's immune system attack sperm cells, mistaking them for toxic invaders. The antibodies attach themselves to the sperm and may cause them to stick together, or may stop them from penetrating the cervical mucous or the egg.

Nice To Know:
What causes male autoimmunity?
Male autoimmunity often develops after vasectomy. Sperm actually are produced after a vasectomy, but may leak out into the body where immune cells target them as invaders. Even when a vasectomy is reversed through surgery, this autoimmunity may continue.
Antibodies to sperm have also been located in men without vasectomies-in about 10 percent of infertile men. In these cases, the reason for the existence of these antibodies is often unknown.

· Retrograde ejaculation. In retrograde ejaculation the muscles of the urethra

do not force the sperm out. Instead, the sperm travel backward into the bladder. Causes of retrograde ejaculation include:

· Drugs such as tranquilizers or high blood pressure medicines.

· Diseases such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis.

· Neck, bladder or prostate surgery.

· Spinal cord injury.

In a small percentage of cases, male infertility is caused by:

Sexual difficulties such as impotence, premature ejaculation, or painful intercourse. These problems can often be easily treated.

Genetic defects or structural problems. In germ-cell aplasia, for instance, the sperm-producing germ cells do not develop correctly. Defects in the Y chromosome or in certain genes may also play a part in infertility.

Rarely, a hormonal difficulty that decreases or stops the man's production of sperm. Hormonal problems may be present from birth or can develop from brain or pituitary gland tumors or radiation treatment. Sometimes, hormonal difficulties are induced by excessive exercise, malnutrition or other illnesses.

Why does a woman become infertile?

Infertility in a woman may stem from many causes, such as hormonal deficiencies, problems in the reproductive organs, and some illnesses. Complications from surgery and certain medications may also impair fertility.

The most likely causes for female infertility are:

· Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - PID is the most common cause of infertility worldwide. It's an infection of the pelvis or one or more of the reproductive organs, including the ovaries

, the fallopian tubes

, the cervix or the uterus. Sometimes PID spreads to the appendix or to the entire pelvic area.

PID usually stems from the same bacteria that cause sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Chlamydia, in fact, causes 75 percent of fallopian tube infections.
PID may also develop from bacteria that reach the reproductive organs through abortion, hysterectomy, childbirth, sexual intercourse, use of an intrauterine (IUD) contraceptive device or a ruptured appendix.
Not only does PID cause infertility, but it may also lead to ectopic pregnancy and blood poisoning, a potentially fatal complication.

· Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) - This condition affects 5 million American women and is another major cause of infertility. In PCO, the ovaries produce high amounts of male hormones, especially testosterone

. LH levels also remain abnormally high while FSH levels are abnormally low; thus, the follicles do not produce eggs. Instead they form fluid-filled cysts that eventually cover the ovaries.

Recent research indicates that PCO is caused by the failure of muscle, fat and liver cells to accept glucose (the cellular fuel made from the food that humans eat). As a result, the pancreas

begins churning out large amounts of insulin, a hormone that usually ushers glucose from the blood to the body's cells. This extra insulin plays havoc with the ovaries, as well as other parts of a woman's body.
PCO not only causes infertility, but also increases the risk of diabetes, cancer and even heart disease. The symptoms include:

Excessive facial hair
Thinning hair
Acne
Depression
Unexplained weight gain
Irregular or no periods
High insulin or cholesterol readings
Endometriosis - This disease is another common cause of female infertility.

Endometriosis refers to a condition in which sections of the uterine lining implant in the vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes or pelvis. These implants eventually form cysts that grow with each menstrual cycle, and may eventually turn into blisters and scars. The scars can then block the passage of the egg.

Other sexually transmitted diseases such as genital herpes can decrease fertility.
Ovary Problems - Decreased production of any one of the five hormones that regulate a woman's reproductive cycle may result in infertility. Problems within the ovaries may inhibit reproduction as well. Instead of releasing an egg, the ovarian follicle remains empty, fails to rupture or traps the egg.
Hormonal Problems - Adrenal or thyroid deficiencies may cause hormonal and ovarian problems.

Some women produce excess amounts of prolactin, a hormone that normally stimulates the production of breast milk. Prolactin can also prevent ovulation. High levels of prolactin in a woman who is not nursing may indicate a pituitary tumor. It can also result from the use of oral contraceptives

Immune System Problems - Women may develop antibodies or immune cells that attack the man's sperm, mistaking it for a toxic invader. Certain autoimmune diseases, in which the woman's immune cells attack normal cells in her own body, may also contribute to ovarian problems.
Luteal Phase Defect - In a luteal phase defect, a woman's corpus luteum - the mound of yellow tissue produced from the egg follicle - may fail to produce enough progesterone to thicken the uterine lining. Then the fertilized egg may be unable to implant.
Fibroids - Fibroids, or benign growths, may form in the uterus near the fallopian tubes or cervix. As a result, the sperm or fertilized egg cannot reach the uterus or implant there. Fibroids in the uterus are very common in women over age 30.
Other Uterine Problems - Abnormal reproductive organs or endometritis (an abnormal swelling of the uterine lining) may make it difficult for the fertilized egg to implant.
Surgical Complications - Scar tissue left after abdominal surgery can cause problems in the movement of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus, resulting in infertility. Frequent abortions may also produce infertility by weakening the cervix or by leaving scar tissue that obstructs the uterus.
Uterine muscle problems - Some women may produce weak, infrequent or abnormal contractions in the uterus. During ovulation, these contractions usually push the sperm up to the fallopian tubes.
Poor quality cervical mucous - Sometimes a woman's mucous fails to thin around the time of ovulation, and consequently it prevents the sperm from traveling through it. A cervical infection may also be the cause.
Illness - Certain diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease or high blood pressure may cause infertility. Ectopic pregnancy and some urinary tract infections may also elevate the risk of infertility.
Medications - Many medicines, such as hormones, antibiotics, antidepressants, and pain killers may bring on temporary infertility. Commonly used medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen can also impair fertility if taken mid-cycle. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) pills can reduce the amount of estrogen and luteinizing hormones in the body, impairing fertility.
Premature Menopause - Some women may experience premature menopause, when their ovaries stop producing eggs. Often the cause is excessive exercise or anorexia.

What Causes Infertility?

Most infertility results from physical problems in a man or woman's reproductive system.

About 35 percent of all cases of infertility arise from problems in the man's system.
About 35 percent arise from abnormalities in the woman's system.
About 20 percent of the time, the man and woman both have fertility problems.
In 10 percent of cases, no cause can be found.
Age often increases the risk of infertility.

Infertility can be caused by poor sexual or lifestyle habits that are easily remedied. For example, the couple may be using a sexual lubricant that interferes with the survival of the man's sperm. Or, they may not be having sex often enough. Other easily treated illnesses or lifestyle habits that may contribute to infertility are:

Heavy use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
Starvation diets or anorexia in the woman.
Tight underwear or pants in the man, which raises the crotch temperature and reduces sperm count.
Stress. In a woman, this may cause her periods to be irregular. In a man, stress may reduce his sperm count.

Most of these problems can be resolved with medical treatment or lifestyle changes, such as wearing boxer shorts, avoiding a sexual lubricant, or trying some simple stress reduction methods such as physical exercise or relaxation techniques.

Changing the timing of sex and the couple's sexual techniques may also increase the chance of pregnancy. Sometimes the semen from the man fails to reach the woman's cervix. Placing a pillow under the woman's hips after intercourse may help prevent spillage of semen.

Nice to Know:
Does limiting sex boost the man's sperm count?
It may. However, research shows that having sex every day or even several times each day both before and during ovulation is the best way to achieve pregnancy. The sperm count may be lower when sex is this frequent, but the constant release of semen may be more likely to fertilize the egg.

Infertility: the egg and the sperm

How the egg is fertilized
An egg is usually fertilized by sperm within the fallopian tubes - but only if the woman has sex with a man around the time the egg is released. The sperm must penetrate the egg to fertilize it.

Sperm can survive for six days after entering a woman's vagina and can fertilize the egg at any time during this period. However, research shows that fertilization is most likely to occur two days before or on the day the egg is released. The fertilized egg then moves on to the uterus, where it implants and grows into an embryo, and pregnancy results.

The Unfertilized Egg

If the egg is not penetrated by sperm, it lives for 12 to 24 hours. The egg and the bloody lining of the uterus then slough off, traveling out of the uterus, the cervix and vagina - a process called the woman's menstrual period.

Reproduction In A Man

Men have four primary hormones involved in reproduction. They are:

gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
luteinizing hormone (LH).
testosterone

Here is how the hormones work:

In a man, the brain's hypothalmus first releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
GnRH stimulates the pituitary gland to produce two hormones - follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
These hormones regulate the production of sperm and the release of the male hormone testosterone, all of which takes place in the male testes, located in the scrotal sac.

The Production of sperm

Sperm begin life in the testes in cells called Sertoli cells.

At the beginning of a sperm's life cycle, hormones develop its head and tail.
The sperm then escapes from the Sertoli cell into the epididymis, located behind the testes.
For three weeks, a sperm travels through the epididymis in an energizing fluid containing fructose. As the sperm swims through this fluid, it matures and acquires the ability to swim and move back and forth.
A mature sperm has a head that contains the man's DNA - his genetic material - and a tail that rapidly moves from side to side, propelling it forward.

Ejaculation

When a man ejaculates during sex, muscular contractions push the sperm out of the epididymis to channels called the vas deferens

. The sperm then move to the ejaculatory ducts and out the

urethra

(the passage through which urine and semen are passed from the body).

Just before ejaculation, the sperm in the ejaculatory ducts mix with fluids that come from the prostate gland and from glands called the seminal vesicles, creating semen.
During orgasm, the seminal vesicles push the semen forcefully out into the urethra.
A muscle in the bladder also locks shut to prevent the semen from traveling backward into the bladder and mixing with urine.
The semen moves from the urethra to a holding area at the bottom of the penis, where muscles propel it out of the penis.

How a sperm fertilizes the egg

Of the 100 to 300 million sperm released when a man ejaculates, only about 40 survive the trip through the acidic environment of the vagina and cervix. The woman's thick cervical mucous can also be a barrier. But during ovulation, the woman's mucous thins and allows the sperm to travel more freely.

After it bores through the cervical mucous, the sperm trigger the acrosome (a special membrane located on their heads), and it dissolves and releases special enzymes. These enzymes allow the sperm to penetrate the tough coating surrounding the egg in the fallopian tubes. Only one sperm ultimately fertilizes the woman's egg.

Nice To Know:
What should I do if I think I am infertile?
If you've had more than a year of regular sex without birth control and you haven't achieved a pregnancy, it may be time to see a doctor.
If a year hasn't passed yet, a good strategy is to plan to have sex during the days the woman is ovulating. To find the days when she ovulates, a woman can take her temperature by mouth or in the vagina with special thermometers available in drugstores. Her temperature will rise slightly on the days she ovulates.

Facts About Infertility:

It's a myth that infertility is always a "woman's problem." Half of all cases of infertility result from problems with the man's reproductive system.
The best protection against infertility is using a condom while you are not attempting to conceive a child. Condoms protect against sexually transmitted diseases, a major cause of infertility.
Of couples that seek medical treatment for infertility, 20 percent conceive before the treatment actually begins. One reason may be that anxiety about infertility may have contributed to the fertility problem, and contacting a doctor provides emotional relief.
Fifty percent of infertile couples conceive within two years of starting treatment.
A woman's temperature rises about 1 degree Fahrenheit during the days she is ovulating (producing eggs). By taking her temperature every morning with a special thermometer, a woman and her partner can chart the rises and falls in her morning temperature. They can then plan intercourse for the days she is ovulating--her most fertile time.

What is infertility?

Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after a year or more of regular sexual activity during the time of ovulation. An estimated one in every five couples (men and women equally) in the United States experiences infertility. It is not a disease. Rather, it is a symptom that something is preventing the reproductive processes from working properly, and needs treating.

A highly prevalent feeling of people with infertility is loss of control. Most people assume they can have children when they choose. After twenty or thirty years of assuming you would have your children when wanted, and spending time and energy trying not to get pregnant, you feel frustrated when you decide to have the baby and find that it is not so simple.

We are taught from an early age that the harder we work at something, the more likely we are to get it. Infertility is different. How hard you work at getting pregnant or what kind of person you are is irrelevant. Many get stressed at the job of making babies and this work against them. Stress is one of the major causes of infertility in couples who have no problems otherwise.

Symptoms Of Infertility:
Infertility is a major and growing problem. Over three million visits each year to North American physicians are for infertility. The demand for treatment is increasing and the cost, both financial and emotional, can severely strain relationships.

*Inability to conceive a child after one year of unprotected sex
*A total sperm count lower than 5 Million/ml
*The presence of greater than fifty percent abnormal sperm
*Inability of sperm to impregnate egg, as determined by the postcoital or hamster-egg penetration tests

Reproduction In A Woman

Five important hormones stimulate the reproductive system of a woman:

gonadotropin-releasing hormone
luteinizing hormone
follicle stimulating hormone
estrogen
progesterone

Here is how the hormones work:

The hypothalmus, a region in the brain, first releases a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
GnRH causes the pituitary gland to produce two more hormones--luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone.
These hormones, in turn, tell the ovaries to release estrogen and progesterone.

How hormones regulate a woman's fertility
A woman's ovaries contain 200,000 to 400,000 egg follicles--small sacs that contain the ingredients needed to form ripened eggs.

Over a two-week period in a woman's monthly cycle, FSH causes several follicles in the ovaries to ripen and mature.
FSH also orders the ovaries to produce estrogen, which in turn, launches the manufacture of large amounts of LH hormone.
LH hormone stimulates the release of an egg from the largest follicle into the fallopian tubes - a process called ovulation.
LH hormone also stimulates the follicle to produce corpeus luteum - a collection of yellow tissue that manufactures progesterone.
Progesterone and estrogen work together to thicken and prepare the lining of the uterus for a fertilized egg.
Together, these hormones swell the lining of the uterus with blood, making it easier for a fertilized egg to implant itself there.

Get Started To Your Fertility Treatment (Not Wrong To Try)

The first problems from common couples, their partner have fertility problems. What the suitable treatment to help them?

You visited the right place to get some important information. Several choices provides by medical expert around the world today. Maybe your mind flies to the most expensive fertility treatment such as in vitro fertilization to make you getting pregnant faster. But sometime the cheaper one or even free fertility treatment such as fertility drugs for twins are more effective to bring your dream like to have twins baby. A surprised fact, more than 90% couples with fertility problem on their marriage were getting pregnant only with get some help from fertility treatment drugs and natural fertility treatment.

To make it clear and help you to find the suitable fertility treatment for you and your partner, here come the list of top fertility treatment options.

Fertility Treatment Drug (Safe Drugs of Course)

If the unbalanced hormone is your main problems, fertility drugs may bring your hormones back on the track. They might also help you if your main problem is unknown. And after that you can another treatment at once such as Artificial insemination for fertility treatment.

Artificial insemination for men

If your partner’s problem is related with ovulation, inject the concern doses of sperm may open wide your chance to getting pregnant.

Surgery for fertilization treatment

If your fallopian tubes was blocked by any reason, genetic cause, endometriosis and fibroids etc, surgery for fertility treatment purpose will help you open the way to getting pregnant. Surgery for treatment purpose also required if the medical expert meet another cause such as make little scratch in for medical purpose in your abdomen. Most of case, surgery is not important or the only one options to getting pregnant. Most of doctor around the world also start to leave this method. Maybe another treatment fertilization option such as the next method is much suitable for your.

Treatment Fertilization Assisted reproductive technology (ART)

I think this one is a good choice of fertility treatment options for low sperm count. Beside this option become popular recently, it have a disadvantages related with cost. Done with high tech medical procedures this treatment claimed to give you a baby for sure. But sometimes, your age need to consider. In some case, surrogate mother is also needed if your ages are too risky.

How about the cost? How much does fertility treatment cost?

Is it right if the prices for fertility treatment are expensive?

Fertility treatment costs averages about $ 12,000 for one way try. One way here is doesn’t look likes what you think. Because health insurance don’t cover fertility treatment and therapist, check your insurance policy step by step carefully before you follow a fertility treatment. Fertility treatment insurance in the state if United Stares - Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, and West Virginia need insurance to cover any treatment for their peoples. But it becomes vary in another country. As the example sometimes in several state you can find their insurance policy would cover fertility drugs but on the other side don’t cover reproductive therapist or treatment. Visit the page of American Society of Reproductive Medicine and Treatment for more information.

If your insurances doesn’t handle or covered you reproductive medicine, every prices for fertility treatments that they offers will be charged to you. Important advice, be careful with any medical profession who offers money guarantee, convince with 100% of success and anything else. Clinic and medical expert with good reputable always remind their patient there are no guarantees for fertility treatment. Always check cancellation policy and rules before you follow a fertility treatment. Always try to find a clinic which requires you to pay only for treatment that you get.

What about the chance of fertility treatment option that you suggest to us? Is there any prove?

About third of assisted reproductive technology patient have success to get pregnant. And this rate increase for couple who need donor eggs. Make some lifestyle changing on your life. Quit smoke, control your food, reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption, do some exercise everyday. But, according to a statement from medical profession, you condition and your couple health or even your ages will determine the result. Women with 40 years old have much hard time to getting pregnant on their ages.

Further more beside all of the factors which affect your fertility treatments is try not to involve in an emotional pressure and stress will help you to get wider chance transfer a baby. Gather with your best friend who always give their support, talk with your doctor before, during and after your fertility treatment.

Closed Fallopian Tubes

Fallopian tubes can be blocked due to several reasons: mucus, infection, adhesion from surgery, inflammation etc. There can be many other causes.

If the Fallopian tubes are damaged, then your only treatment option would be IVF (in vitro fertilization, test tube baby). Do not waste your time, money and energy pursuing incorrect treatment. This will just lead to frustration. Financial limitations are a major problem today for treatment of infertile couples. The fallopian tube is a very complex structure, and the fact that it has got blocked means it is damaged. They could be open with a surgery but the rates of pregnancy after that are very poor. Many times doctors could not tell the reasons why they are blocked. It is possible to unblock them and they stay unblocked long enough for a pregnancy but most of the time they will slowly re grow themselves and possibly become blocked again. Sometime mucus can be the cause of a blockage, and when they inject the dye into your tubes during an HSG, that can clear up that type of blockage. Sometimes it’s only the blocked tubes that is stopping you from having a baby and some time not. The "little fingers" calle cilia move the eggs down into the tube and their absence can affect fertility as well.

Do not to let the tubes get in the way of you having a baby. Don’t be afraid of all the medication and procedures because the outcome is worth it. I tried three times and the third was successful. Don’t quit everything is possible have faith.
Tests that are good to take before becoming pregnant.

Blocked Fallopian Tubes- Treatment Options

Tubal factors are said to account for about 20 to 30 percent of all infertility cases around the world. The main contributing factor: blocked fallopian tubes. A blocked fallopian tube, although not necessarily life threatening, can be a very serious cause for concern because although conventional surgery may provide relief from the condition, damage to the tubes are generally considered irreversible and hence, subsequent pregnancy may prove almost impossible -but not quite. The fallopian tubes play a major role in conception. It is within a fallopian tube that fertilization normally occurs and the tubes serve as the pathways for the egg to travel from the ovaries towards the uterus for implantation. When the tubes are substantially blocked, the meeting of the sperm and egg may be prevented and hence, natural fertilization might be impossible. During the times when fertilization does happen, the zygote may still be unable to reach the uterus and ectopic pregnancy, a life threatening condition, could occur.

Pregnancy in the presence of blocked tubes is often difficult but not impossible. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) techniques provide artificial conception or a meeting of the egg and sperm outside the woman's body. The resulting mix or the zygote is then delivered into the uterus or the unaffected fallopian tube and pregnancy can result. These techniques however, are not always successful. ART practitioners try to increase the chances of impregnation by delivering more than 1 zygote or egg-sperm mix hence, this procedure can often lead to multiple births.

Another option for pregnancy-hopeful women with blocked tubes is to resort to Endoscopic Fallopian Tube Recanalisation; which works best with proximal tubal occlusion & a method of Tactile Cannulation using Laparoscopic guidance has been pioneered by us and published in peer-reviewed journals (see pictures) . Alternative remedies have proven quite effective in helping women get pregnant. The generally accepted method of unblocking fallopian tubes was through tubal surgery which can be done through microsurgical techniques either during open abdominal surgery (laparotomy) or using laparoscopy through a small incision in the abdomen. The latter procedure however must be conducted by a surgeon trained in the field of microsurgery and has hands-on knowledge of laparoscopy. There are many different surgery techniques for unblocking fallopian tubes and the differences generally involve the length of the incision, the area affected, the type of blockage present, and the method of unblocking applied (e.g. complete removal or creation of another opening). Tubal reanastomosis involves the complete removal of the blocked portion of the tube and a subsequent joining of the healthy ends. This procedure is usually done with laparotomy or abdominal incision.

Salpingectomy involves the surgical removal of the infected or blocked fallopian tube. It is usually done on patients who have a hydrosalpinx and want to improve their chances at pregnancy through in vitro fertilization (IVF). This procedure is preferred over salpingostomy which is another surgical procedure available for dealing with hydrosalpinges (fluid-filled blocked fallopian tubes).

Salpingostomy is a procedure that requires an incision through the affected fallopian tube. In neosalpingostomy, the idea is to create a new opening in the part of the tube closest to the ovary while in linear salpingostomy the incision serves as the pathway to release the blockage. Neosalpingostomy is generally used in dealing with hydrosalpinges. This technique however more often than not merely provides temporary unblocking as it is a common occurrence for scar tissue growth to reseal the new opening created by neosalpingostomy thereby effectively blocking of the tube once more.

When the problem is a partial blockage or a scarring in the fimbriae (fingerlike projections at the end of the fallopian tube near the ovary), Fimbrioplasty is an option where the blockage or the scar adhesions are removed and the fringed ends are rebuilt such that wafting motion of the fimbriae are restored. The fimbriae move in sweeping motions such that the egg released by the ovary will be caught then guided towards the uterus.

The relative success of the surgery will depend on the health and condition of the patient and the location of the blockage. It is shown that clearing blockages near the uterus are more likely to be successful. Furthermore, the amount of tube that remains after the surgery will determine the ability of the tube to regain its normal function and hence, the subsequent ability of the woman to get pregnant.

Surgery is generally an invasive form of treatment but recent technologies already provide for less invasive procedures as against the traditional open abdominal option such as Laparoscopy. It involves the use of a laparoscope (camera or ultrasound) which is inserted into a small incision through the abdominal wall. The body part requiring surgical treatment will be seen through a monitor which, is connected to the laparoscope.

Surgery procedures also involve risks some of which are spread of pelvic infection, the formation of scar adhesions among the reproductive organs or with the abdominal cavity, and the increase in the possibility of tubal ectopic pregnancy.

Definition of Fallopian tube
One of the two Fallopian tubes that transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus (the womb). In the diagram, the Fallopian tubes are not labeled but are well shown running between the uterus and ovaries.

Function in fertilization
When an ovum is developing in an ovary, it is encapsulated in a sac known as an ovarian follicle.

On maturity of the ovum, the follicle and the ovary's wall rupture, allowing the ovum to escape and enter the Fallopian tube. There it travels toward the uterus, pushed along by movements of cilia on the inner lining of the tubes. This trip takes hours or days. If the ovum is fertilized while in the Fallopian tube, then it normally implants in the endometrium when it reaches the uterus, which signals the beginning of pregnancy.
Occasionally the embryo implants into the Fallopian tube instead of the uterus, creating an ectopic pregnancy, commonly known as a "tubal pregnancy".
What are Blocked Fallopian Tubes?
To understand what blocked fallopian tubes are, you need to know what a fallopian tube is. The fallopian tubes are two thin tubes, one on each side of the uterus, which help lead the mature egg from the ovaries to the uterus.
When an obstruction prevents the egg from traveling down the tube, the woman has a blocked fallopian tube. It can occur on one or both sides. This is also known as tubal factor infertility, and is the cause of infertility in 40% of infertile women.
How Do Blocked Fallopian Tubes Cause Infertility?
Each month, when ovulation occurs, an egg is released from one of the ovaries. The egg travels from the ovary, through the tubes, and into the uterus. The sperm also need to swim their way from the cervix, through the uterus, and through the fallopian tubes to get the egg. Fertilization usually takes place while the egg is traveling through the tube.
If one or both fallopian tubes are blocked, the egg cannot reach the uterus, and the sperm cannot reach the egg, preventing fertilization and pregnancy. It's also possible for the tube not to be blocked totally, but only partially. This can increase the risk of a tubal pregnancy, or ectopic pregnancy.
What is Hydrosalpinx?
A specific kind of blocked fallopian tube, hydrosalpinx is when a blockage causes the tube to dilate (increase in diameter) and fill with fluid. The fluid blocks the egg and sperm, preventing fertilization and pregnancy.
Can You Get Pregnant With a Blocked Fallopian Tube?
If only one fallopian tube is blocked, but the other is clear, it may still be possible to achieve pregnancy. It depends on how well the ovary on the side of the clear tube is functioning, and also what caused the blocked tube in the first place.
Plus, since ovulation takes place on different sides from month to month, when the ovary on the blocked side ovulates, pregnancy cannot be achieved. So it may take longer to get pregnant.
What are the Symptoms of Blocked Fallopian Tubes?
Unlike anovulation, where irregular menstrual cycles may hint to a problem, blocked fallopian tubes rarely cause symptoms. A specific kind of blocked fallopian tube, called hydrosalpinx, may cause lower abdominal pain and unusual vaginal discharge, but not every woman will have these symptoms.
However, some of the causes of blocked fallopian tubes might lead to hints of a problem. For example, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease may cause painful menstruation and painful sexual intercourse. But these symptoms don't necessarily point to blocked tubes.
What Causes Blocked Fallopian Tubes?
The most common cause of blocked fallopian tubes is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is most often the result of a sexually transmitting disease, but it isn't always related to an STD. Also, even if PID is no longer present, a history of PID increases the risk of blocked tubes.
Other potential causes of blocked fallopian tubes:
- Current or history of an STD infection, specifically Chlamydia or Gonorrhea
- History of uterine infection caused by an abortion or miscarriage
- History of a ruptured appendix
- History of abdominal surgery
- Previous ectopic pregnancy
- Prior surgery involving the fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis
How are Blocked Tubes Diagnosed?
Blocked tubes are usually diagnosed with a specialized x-ray, called a hysterosalpingogram, or HSG. This test involves placing a dye through the cervix, using a tiny tube. Once the dye has been given, the doctor will take x-rays of your pelvic area.
All About Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
If all is normal, the dye will go through the uterus, through the tubes, and spill out around the ovaries and into the pelvic cavity. If the dye doesn't get through the tubes, then you may have a blocked fallopian tube.
It's important to know that 15% of women have a "false positive," where the dye doesn't get past the uterus and into the tube. The blockage appears to be right where the fallopian tube and uterus meet. If this happens, the doctor may repeat the test another time, or order a different test to confirm.
Other tests that may be ordered include ultrasound, exploratory laparoscopic surgery, or hysteroscopy (where they take a thin camera and place it through your cervix, to look at your uterus). Blood work to check for the presence of Chlamydia antibodies (which would imply previous or current infection) may also be ordered.
What are the Potential Treatments for Blocked Tubes?
If you have one open tube, and are otherwise healthy, you might be able to get pregnant without too much help. Your doctor may give you fertility drugs to increase the chances of ovulating on the side with the open tube. This is not an option, however, if both tubes are blocked.
In some cases, laparoscopic surgery can open blocked tubes or remove scar tissue that is causing problems. Unfortunately, this treatment doesn't always work. The chance of success depends on how old you are (the younger, the better), how bad and where the blockage is, and the cause of blockage.
If just a few adhesions are between the tubes and ovaries, then your chances of getting pregnant after surgery are good. If you have a blocked tube that is otherwise healthy, you have a 20% to 40% chance of getting pregnant after surgery.
But if thick, multiple adhesions and scaring are between your tubes and ovaries, or if you have been diagnosed with hydrosalpinx, surgery may not be a good option for you. Also, if there are any male infertility issues, you might want to skip surgery. In these cases, IVF treatment is your best bet.
Also important to note is that your risk of ectopic pregnancy is higher after surgery to treat tubal blockage. Your doctor should closely monitor you, if you do get pregnant.

http://ivfcentreindia.blogspot.in/2012/09/infertility-among-women.html

Are you having Infertility problems - call for immediate diagnosis

The percentage of Infertility among women is on the rise, however proper diagnosis in time can help in reducing the chances of infertility. About 10% of woman faces problems in conceiving due to various reasons like age, weight, smoking and drinking, health diseases like diabetes and thyroid, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Uterine fibroids, Endometriosis and Pelvic inflammatory disease and damages in the fallopian tubes. In order to get pregnant a woman should have unprotected sex for 6 consecutive months. Before that she can speak to her doctor and get her health checked and fertility assessed so that she is ready to conceive.

Fertility testing is recommended for a woman who is over 35 years of age. The other particular diagnosis addition to checking the medical history and total physical check up including testing of the blood as well as urine so that the hormone level can be understood, ultrasonography and imaging so that the fallopian tubes and uterus can be checked. It is very important to know the cause of infertility before carrying out the diagnosis. Diagnosis is carried in two stages. The first is a generic diagnosis and the second one is a specific diagnosis. Diagnosis of female infertility can be carried on in few easy and simple steps which are cost effective.

The basal temperature of the body needs to be monitored. Ovulation happens at a certain temperature. The steadiness of your cervical mucus should be tested. If the mucus elongates for more than 1 inch, then you can be sure that you have conceived. This can also be tried at home with pregnancy test kits. The most common procedure that doctors follow in order to check whether you are pregnant is by taking the first sample of morning urine and testing it. It helps in detecting the formation of hormones. Few laboratory tests can also be done to check the cause of infertility. Blood as well as urine samples are taken in order to conduct tests to check hormonal levels for older women.

If the level of estrogens is low and level of FSH and luteinizing hormone are high, it may be the first step to ovary failure. Again if levels of luteinizing hormone are high and FSH hormones are low, it gives rise to defect in the ovary. High FSH levels and estrogens levels on the third day of menstrual cycles give rise to failure in reproduction. The doctors also collect samples of tissues from the cervix to determine whether ovulation is taking place properly. Also a test known as Clomiphene test is carried out where a drug is used for measuring the FSH level on the 3^rd day of cycle. Clomiphene needs to be consumed on the 5^th day or 9^th day after which the FSH is measured. High levels of the same may result in failure of fertility. It is recommended that if a woman has been trying for 6 consecutive months and still fails, she should immediately consult the doctor for further diagnosis. It is helpful to find the cause and diagnose it as soon as possible for the best results.

Are you having trouble getting pregnant?? Contact the gynecologists today

Intended parenthood is very necessary when you plan to have a family of your own. However, in the recent world of today where people are bogged down with work pressure, stress, tension and wrong dietary habits, and too much intake of birth control pills, infertility has become a very common issue among women of today’s generation. Around 10% of women are haunted by the problems of infertility. Infertility results in not being able to get pregnant in spite of repeated tries through a long period of time. The age factor is also taken into consideration where women who are of 35 years or above though manage to get pregnant, cannot maintain the fetus for 9 months because of their body conditions. In the process of pregnancy the sperm of the male partner combines with that of the female which is produced from her ovaries henceforth needs to be fertilized in order to form a baby. Any problem during this process may result in infertility.

However, though infertility poses to be a problem, doctors have come up with a number of medicines and methods in order to eradicate this problem as much as possible. Some common medicines which are utilized in treatment of fertilization are Follicle-stimulating hormone which is injected in the woman’s body so that her ovaries start ovulating. Also, Clomid is used for women who have complications in the ovary resulting in infertility. Women who have hormonal problems can take help of Human menopausal gonadotropin for solutions. Women who do not want to take any kind of medicines can go in for a method which is known as intrauterine insemination or artificial insemination. It is a simple process and very efficient where a woman is injected with sperm of her partner or some special sperm and then the normal procedure follows. Usually woman who are not able to produce sperm or have problems in their ovaries take help of this method.

Around 80 to 90% people do not have to go through intensive surgeries, for treatments. They are treated with low medication or simple surgeries. Treatment may also include just simple counselling to the partners if required. If it is really serious then people may need to take help of invitro fertilisation for satisfactory results. Surgery may in addition be required to revamp obstruction in the fallopian tubes.

There are a number of methods which are used to treat infertility.

First of all the lifestyle of a person plays a very important role in fertilization. A healthy lifestyle with ample rest, less stressful, good diet, planned sexual activity with ovulation cycle and last but not the least a loving partner helps to solve these problems. Sometimes drugs may be required for ovulation such as gonadotrophins and clomiphene.Sperm injections such as IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection may also be required.

Different processes of treatment:

In vitrofertilization (IVF) - In in vitro fertilization (IVF) a woman needs to consume medication to make numerous eggs ripen after which you need to see a doctor who helps you in removing the eggs. The Semen which is collected from the partner or any other man is put collectively with the eggs in a lab under a certain temperature. After fertilization, the eggs which have successful fertilized are again inserted in the uterus. A successful fertilization occurs if one or more than one egg is inserted in the walls of the uterus. In vitro fertilization is usually successful if the woman has been pregnant before also, and is under the age of 39 years. It is very necessary for the woman to have a BMI of 19 and 30 so that they have a good weight. Conditions those may lessen the chances of successful IVF includes too much Drinking or smoking.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) - This is a procedure where a semen sample is collected from a male. Then sperm washing is conducted where the healthy sperm is separated from the semen. Then this sperm is directly put in to the uterus of the woman. This is conducted with the assistance of an extremely superior plastic tube which is conceded through the cervix to the uterus. It can be instanced to correspond with ovulation in women who are still in the process of ovulation. However in this process, women need to consist of healthy fallopian tubes so that the eggs can travel very consistently from the ovary to the womb. This helps because the sperm does not have to travel all the distance through the fallopian tubes. It reaches the egg easily. This is an easy and commonly followed method and is said to be successful in most of the cases.

Women, who have problems in their fallopian tubes, can remove the blockage by surgery. Nowadays the blockage is removed with the help of keyhole surgery. Also women who have Endometriosis can help to improve fertility by surgery. Women who have problems in their ovaries can go through a surgery known as polycystic ovary syndrome surgery. Also numerous women have fibroids due to which they are unable to get pregnant. Surgery may be considered for the same.

Now let us get a brief overview regarding the medicine that can be consumed for solutions to infertility.

Metformin is a medicine which may be presented to women who has polycystic ovary syndrome but is not responding to clomifene. This is usually required to treat people with diabetis.This is also said to increase the chances of fertility in a woman

Medicines that include gonadotrophins are a further kind of treatment. They are usually used if a person does not respond to clomifene. These need to be injected into the woman’s body. They help to stimulate the ovaries.

Clomifene is a medicine that is utilized to assist in fertility for numerous years. It is to be consumed as a tablet. It helps in stimulation of the ovary by jamming a reaction method to the pituitary gland which results in release of more gonadotrophin hormones.

Dr Rita Bakshi is an extremely skilled and well known infertility expert based in International fertility centre New Delhi, who completed her MBBS from Lady Harding Medical College. She conducts a number of surgeries for successful fertilisation and suggests that in today’s growing problem of infertility, woman should come with their partners and get this problem cured as soon as possible to lead a happy and contented life. One should not neglect this problem as it might give rise to more complications later on.

Male infertility: Issues and treatment

A couple that is trying desperately for conception, but not able to hit the bull's-eye in spite of consistent efforts ultimately gets frustrated and disappointed. In maximum cases, the doubt goes towards the female partner because of the strong and direct association of baby and mother. Surprisingly, almost half of the infertility cases are contributed by the male partners. An expert like Dr. Rita Bakshi states it as a 'hidden problem'. There is good number of cases where couple is not able to enjoy parenthood because the male partner is unable to fertilize eggs of a perfectly healthy female. Infertility clinics like International Fertility Centre, New Delhi handles big number of cases every year with a variety of male infertilitycases. Opposite to female infertility, identification of the exact cause of male infertility is much complex. Expertise and experience of the team of doctors play a major role in treating it effectively.

Issues

The cases reported to clinics with infertility are diagnosed thoroughly using diagnostic tests. In case it is clearly visible that the problem is associated with male infertility, doctors concentrate on identifying of the exact variant.

Less production of sperms: There are cases where male has very less production of sperms and therefore chances of pregnancy are diminished. In a healthy scenario, there are around 20 to 40 million sperms per ml, of semen. Anything less than that is considered as less production. There are no exact known causes of the same; however hormonal treatment helps a lot to increase it.
Sperm transportation abnormality: Doctors at IFC encounter many such cases where the sperm count is adequate and lies in the normal range, but still the couple is unable to conceive. Detailed investigation reveals that the problem is there with sperm transportation. Usually it is due to blockage in the passage that carries the sperms from the testis to the penis. Surgical methods are used to remove the blockage and the passage is made clear.
Sperm destruction: Although the number is very less, but still there are cases found where male body produces special antibodies that destroy the sperms considering it as foreign body. These types of cases are extremely difficult to identify. These antibodies restrict the sperm movement, affect the ability to get attached with female egg or sometimes even destroy the sperm at all. Special medication is provided to stop production of antibodies.
Physiological problems: There are sometimes problems with erection or other physical deformities in the male reproduction system. Corrective surgeries like cosmetic surgery are required to resolve the problem. This cause is usually easier to identify and cure.
Hormonal imbalance: There are cases where hormonal problems cause sperm mobility issues. The sperm count appears to be adequate, but they do not have enough speed and penetration to reach up to female egg and fertilize. Patients need to seek medical advice and medication may help increasing the mobility.

Treatment

Male infertility has very limited options of treatment. Doctors try to correct the problem with medication or surgery according to the case. There are cases where IVF is the only option left. Sperms are taken from the male partners and female egg is fertilized in the laboratory. The embryo is implanted in the uterus of female to achieve pregnancy.

TIPS FOR PREGNANCY

Production of semen after intercourse is normal, but if the production is a lot, it becomes unusual and may be associated with women vagina, which is when the women need to do something with themselves. Some women did not realize that the production of semen is related with their fertility system.

The best ways are:

The woman should pull her knees together to her chest in order to prevent her semen from trickling out from her vagina.

Erection of rear position with women in front is also appropriate to ensure that the wanted semen get through into the vagina.

INTERCOURSE IS PERFORMED DURING THE FERTILE TIME
Early fertile time is the production of mucus like uncooked white egg.
This happens because the eggs are in a growing and waited to be fertilized.

48 hours later, the women will feel a little tickle at her placenta that indicates 'ovulation process is happening'.

So, sexual intercourse is highly recommended to be done on the first day you realize there are some clear mucus discharged from vagina until the next 2-3 days after the ovulation (sexual relations can be done on alternate day), the possibility to get pregnant is 15% in a month.

Be positive and always calm your mind (no stress). Stay positive, hope and pray every time you are having your sexual relation while taking this pregnancy program.

What is ovulation?

Ovulation is when an egg (and, occasionally, more than one egg) is released from the ovary, and it's the fertile time of your menstrual cycle. Each month, an egg matures inside your ovary. Once it reaches a certain size, the egg is released from the ovary and is swept into the fallopian tube toward the uterus. Which ovary releases the egg is fairly arbitrary. Ovulation does not necessarily rotate between ovaries each cycle.

How does ovulation determine when I can get pregnant?

To be fruitful and multiply, you must have sexual intercourse during the period spanning one to two days before ovulation to about 24 hours afterward. The reason: Sperm cells can live for two or three days, but an egg survives no more than 24 hours after ovulation — unless, of course, fertilization occurs.

If you have sex near the time of ovulation, you'll increase your chances of getting pregnant. And you'll be happy to know that the odds are with you: In normally fertile couples, there is a 20 percent chance of getting pregnant each cycle. About 85 percent of women who have sex without using birth control will get pregnant within one year. You can try to boost your likelihood of getting pregnant by learning to pinpoint exactly when you ovulate and by familiarizing yourself with the cyclic hormonal and physical changes that take place in your body each month. You can also use this knowledge to attempt birth control by avoiding intercourse near the time of ovulation. However, this is not the best form of birth control and it can easily fail.

How can I tell when I'm ovulating and most fertile?

Figure out when your next period is due to begin and count back 12 to 16 days. This will give you a range of days when you will probably be ovulating. For women with a 28-day cycle, the 14th day is often the day of ovulation. To use this method, you must know how long your cycle usually lasts. Try BabyCenter's ovulation calculator if you want us to do the math for you.

The best way to determine your most fertile time, though, is to pay attention to your body and learn to spot the signs that ovulation is imminent.

Change in cervical mucus. As your cycle progresses, your cervical mucus increases in volume and changes texture. The changes reflect your body's rising levels of estrogen. You are considered most fertile when the mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy. Many women compare mucus at this stage to raw egg whites.

Normally the mucous is a protective barrier, but during the most fertile time of your cycle, it allows sperm to get through the cervix, up to the uterus, and then to the fallopian tubes for a rendezvous with your egg.

A rise in body temperature. Following ovulation, your temperature can increase by 0.4 to 1.0 degrees. You won't feel the shift, but you can detect it by using a basal body temperature (BBT) thermometer. This temperature spike indicates that you've ovulated, because releasing an egg stimulates the production of the hormone progesterone, which raises body temperature.

You're most fertile in the two or three days before your temperature hits its high point. A few experts think you may have an additional 12- to 24-hour window of fertility after you first notice the temperature creep up, but most say that at that point, it's too late to make a baby.

"It can take one to two days after ovulation for progesterone to build up enough to raise your body temperature. But since the egg can only survive for about 24 hours, at that point, it's too late for fertilization," says Tracy Telles, an ob-gyn at the Permanente Medical Group in Walnut Creek, California. That's why experts recommend that you chart your temperature by taking it each morning for a few months to detect a pattern and pinpoint your likely ovulatory date. Then you can plan to have sex during the two to three days preceding the day your temperature normally rises.

Lower abdominal discomfort. About one-fifth of women actually feel ovulatory activity, which can range from mild achiness to twinges of pain. The condition, called mittelschmerz, may last a few minutes to a few hours.

Important

http://infertilityanswer.blogspot.in/2009_06_01_archive.html

If semen comes out of me after sex will it affect conception?

http://healthdepots.blogspot.in/2012/09/sex-shakes-up-female-genes-as-single.html

Semen leakage after intercourse, Could I Be Pregnant?

what is primary test by doctor to check infertility in women

what is First test by doctor to check infertility in women

http://infertilityanswer.blogspot.in/2009_06_01_archive.html

http://californiaivf.blogspot.in/

http://ivfcentreindia.blogspot.in/2012/09/infertility-among-women.html

IVF

What Does an Embryologist Do? #Infertility #IVF

An embryologist is a scientist that works with sperm, eggs, and embryos. This field of work is known as embryology. Embryologists can work in human or animal embryology. Animal embryologist can help with breeding programs for a zoo, repopulation of endangered species, and breeding of livestock. Human embryologists work with infertility programs with the goal of helping couples have a baby.

The embryologist in an in vitro fertilisation program (IVF) plays a vital role in the journey to pregnancy for a couple struggling with infertility. During the course of infertility treatments, the embryologist will be involved from the start to finish of an in vitro fertilization – IVF cycle. During the testing phase before IVF treatments, the embryologists will prepare the embryology lab for infertility treatments by regulating and testing environmental conditions in the embryology laboratory including temperature, air quality, and humidity. Ordering supplies and the culture media, or liquids used to grow the embryos, is also a necessary step when preparing to start an IVF cycle.

Testing of sperm and freeing sperm samples from couples about to undergo treatment is another job of the embryologist during the testing phase Often, an embryologist will also work in the role of an andrologist, which is an individual that works with sperm.

In the IVF program at California IVF: Davis Fertility Center, Inc., our embryologist Deborah Johnson conducts an educational seminar before patients undergo the egg collection procedure, or oocyte retrieval. This “egg class” is designed to introduce infertility patients to embryology and terminology used in an embryology laboratory.

During the egg retrieval procedure, embryologists receive test tubes containing liquid removed from the ovaries. The embryologist will search this fluid under a microscope and identify the eggs. The eggs are collected together and placed into petri dishes for the remainder of the IVF process. The embryologist is also responsible for fertilizing the eggs with sperm by conventional insemination techniques or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

ICSI is a more complicated procedure that involves using microscopic instruments to remove the cumulus cells surrounding the egg, allowing the embryologist to assess egg maturity and egg quality. After the sperm preparation procedure, an individual sperm is injected into each egg. When ICSI is not needed, sperm are placed in the dish with the eggs after the sperm preparation or sperm washing procedure is completed.

The day after the sperm and eggs are combined, the embryologist checks for fertilization by examining each egg under the microscope. Eggs that did not undergo ICSI will need to have the outer cells removed so the embryologist can perform the fertilization check. The fertilized eggs, or zygotes, are placed into an incubator that has been regulated to control gas mixture, temperature, and several other conditions. Optimal conditions in the embryology laboratory will allow the zygote to progress to the cell division stage, at which point the zygote becomes an embryo. The embryologist will check on the embryos and change the culture media as needing during the 3 to 5 days before the embryo transfer procedure.

Embryologists also perform embryo biopsy procedures on embryos at day 3 or day 5. During the embryo biopsy procedure, an embryologist must rely on experience to remove a single cell from an embryo while minimizing the risk of damage to the embryo. The embryologist will work with the laboratory performing the genetic test and coordinate the handling of the cells and test results. The embryologists skill at performing micromanipulation procedures on embryos can play a vital role in the success of IVF.

Using micro-surgical techniques, embryologists may also perform assisted hatching on embryos. During this procedure, microscopic tools are used to thin the outer shell of embryos and make a hole in the zona pellucida to facilitate the hatching process. The embryologist will also assess the quality of the embryos and provide the infertility doctor with a report on embryo quality. This information is used to determine if there are any issues with poor embryo quality that could affect the chances of a pregnancy.

When the best quality embryos are identified, the embryologists will load the embryos into the transfer catheter and work with the doctor to perform the embryo transfer procedure. Any remaining embryos that are not transferred and appear to have the capability of making a pregnancy, are frozen for later use. The embryologist is responsible for the cryopreservation of extra embryos during the IVF process.

Embryologists usually obtain their training in biologic sciences. Many embryologist gain their initial experience in animal laboratories before transferring into human IVF. Over the last few years, embryology training programs for human IVF have been formed. It is likely that there will be more of these programs in the future. Regardless of the training background of an embryologist, hands on experience is one of the most critical factors in an IVF lab.

California IVF: Davis Fertility Center, Inc. has some of the most experienced embryologists with over 30 years combined experience. Their experience allows us to easily adapt to developments in embryology that will help our family maximize our patient’s chances of having a baby.

Infertility Supplements and Dietary Aids

Infertility problems affect millions of couples in America. As the stress of infertility increases, it is common for people to search for answers on the Internet and printed sources such as magazines. Much of the information and advice available to women trying to conceive has not been written or reviewed by an infertility specialist. Even worse, much of the information is simply not true, and can lead to couples to take medications or treatments that may actually decrease their chances of getting pregnant.

It is important to understand that any medication or dietary aid that is labeled with the words “nutritional supplement” or “dietary aid” are classified as food items by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that these supplements are not regulated by the same laws that regulate medications. Laws pertaining to medications require that new medications are equivalent or better to existing medications, and these medications can not be misrepresented in terms of their effects and side effects. Nutritional supplements do not even have to contain any medications, and there is not government oversight to protect against harmful contamination in these medications.

Most of the dietary supplements advertised to help with infertility have no evidence supporting the proposed benefits. Unfortunately, the nutritional supplement market for infertility is a multibillion dollar industry. As long as there are individuals that will believe the marketing hype surrounding infertility diet aids, these products will continue to be sold. These products are frequently packaged like medications and the advertisements frequently report that the effects are clinically proven. Other than a potential false advertising claim, there are no restrictions on how these supplements are marketed, and no requirement to test the quality or effects of these supplements.

Scientific studies on some of these compounds showed very harmful contamination and broad ranges of chemicals and hormones that can have harmful effects. Infertility specialists are frequently asked for their opinion about these supplements and often encounter resistance when patients are advised to stop using these supplements. Most of this faith placed in these nutritional supplements comes from the marketing and hype placed on these nutritional aids and vitamins. This marketing does not take into account the well-being of infertility patients, but instead seeks only to make a profit. Infertility doctors are committed to the health and well being of their patients and keep up to date with all of the evidence-based treatments designed to improve an infertile couple’s chances of having a baby.

Vitamins may play a role in overall health, however, patients do not need to take anything more than a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin. It is recommended that women trying to conceive take at least 400 micrograms of folic acid (folate). In certain circumstances, women may be advised to take additional vitamins or other nutritional supplements, but should do so only under the advice of a physician or other health care provider.

California IVF: Davis Fertility Center, Inc. does not support the use of dietary supplements or nutritional aids, and remain concerned that many of these nutritional aids may have harmful effects in addition to being very expensive. There is no evidence that nutritional supplements for male and female infertility will have any benefits on the chances of having a baby. Please inform your physician of any and all nutritional aids, dietary supplements and vitamins that you are taking.

Our infertility doctors fully support and educate our patients about healthy eating and diet changes that can help women get pregnant. Diet can have a big effect on PCOS and having a baby. A balanced diet and healthy lifestyle including exercise and avoiding smoking and smokers can help improve a woman's fertility health and chances of conceiving.

Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Depression and Women

Depression and PCOS

Low Fat Chicken Caesar Salad ---to remove PCOS

Ingredients:

Dressing:

Preparation:

Ingredients:

Top foods for boosting fertility:

Foods to Increase Sperm Count in Men

Enhancing Food Quality and Quantity of Sperm

Healthy Foods: Foods to Increase Sex Drive

How to Eat better: Healthy Eating Tips

Ways You Can Increase Your Sperm Count, Production, and Motility

Male Infertility: How To Improve Sperm Quality

5 Tips to improve sperm quality

Another Infertility Cause: Fear Of the Unknown

Is IUI All You Need?

Summertime Blues Or Time To Get Pregnant?

Fibroids and Pregnancy at the Same Time, Is It Dangerous?

Cycle of Despair

Stress and relaxation can not co exist!

Reproduction In A Man

Reproduction In A Woman

Get Started To Your Fertility Treatment (Not Wrong To Try)

Closed Fallopian Tubes

Blocked Fallopian Tubes- Treatment Options

Are you having Infertility problems - call for immediate diagnosis

Are you having trouble getting pregnant?? Contact the gynecologists today

There are a number of methods which are used to treat infertility.

Different processes of treatment:

Male infertility: Issues and treatment

Issues

Treatment

About Me

Blog Archive