In today’s age of modern science and technology-based medicine, many couples are thankful that there are many, many options open them if they need help with conception and reproductive issues. However, before they go the route of prescriptions and shots and invasive surgeries, most would prefer to try a natural fertility treatment first, if at all possible. If this sounds like you and your partner, what are some of those options? Do any of these natural fertility treatments actually work, and if so, how? Let’s explore some of your choices here.
Diet and Exercise
Some people don’t like hearing it, but obesity is more and more often being tied to infertility. The same practices that keep a person severely overweight also interfere with his or her abilities to conceive. One of the best natural fertility treatments that you can give to yourself is to stay on a healthy diet and get regular exercise.
In a new study cited in OBGYN News, a group of Harvard researchers found that 79% of infertile couples had a lower-than-average intake of foods high in antioxidants - like fruits and vegetables. In one study published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Medicine, doctors found that after one week of daily doses of 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C, sperm counts rose by some 140%. Obviously, when dealing with reproductive issues, a natural fertility treatment should include getting enough of the right vitamins, as this has proven to be helpful to some.
More recently, a study published in the Archives of Andrology showed the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium improved the ability of sperm to swim - a skill necessary to reach the egg.
Smoking Cessation
Smoking is one of the worst things a person can do to their body. The toxins from cigarette smoke get absorbed into the bloodstream, and through the blood, they travel to every cell in the body, including the reproductive system. Most natural fertility treatment programs recommend that both the man and the woman stop smoking immediately if they are looking to conceive. For men, smoking will kill what sperm they have, and sometimes cause defects in the remaining sperm. For women, smoking interferes with the body’s natural abilities to ovulate, or release an egg from the fallopian tubes.
Yes, it is true that many smokers have been able to conceive without stopping, but if you’re looking for the best, healthiest, most natural fertility treatment available, you do need to consider what you’re doing to yourself when you smoke. Chances are you’re interfering with your body’s abilities to heal itself and to do what’s necessary for conception.
Relieving Stress as a Natural Fertility Treatment
Stress robs your body of natural vitamins, minerals, healthy oxygen, and many other necessary parts of your reproductive system. While it’s not true that your problems with conceiving are necessarily “all in your head,” a natural fertility treatment of any sort should include stress reduction whenever and wherever possible.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Are You Looking for a Natural Fertility Treatment?
The Hidden Reasons for Infertility
When a couple are experiencing problems with conception, there is usually a good chance that their doctor can pinpoint their exact reasons for infertility – and we say reasons, plural, because sometimes there are actually more than one simple reason. For example, many people assume that conception problems are simply a woman’s issue, perhaps because she is the one who is completely responsible for pregnancy. However, common reasons for infertility are typically about 50/50 between the man and woman, meaning that it may very well be the man’s problem just as commonly as it is the woman’s.
However, there are some other rather common reasons for infertility that no one seems to want to talk about. This is probably due in part to the fact that these reasons are somewhat embarrassing to many people, or they deal with issues that people don’t want to change; it can be easier for them to simply say that it’s a medical issue rather than a lifestyle issue.
For example, one of the more common reasons for infertility that people don’t care to discuss has to do with smoking. Many people don’t want to talk about their smoking and their problems with conception, usually because they simply don’t want to give up those cigarettes! It’s easier for them to convince themselves that it must be something else, and that way they don’t need to address this habit. Also, if they were to be told that their smoking is interfering with their plans for conception, then they may feel guilty or feel as if they are letting their partner down.
One of the other embarrassing reasons for infertility has to do with body weight. Doctors are now finding out that there is a very strong link between obesity and issues with conception. While there is much yet to be discovered, it’s thought that when men and women are obese, the practices that keep them such – poor diet, lack of regular physical exercise – also harms their bodies in ways that medical science had not previously known was possible. Some of the reasons for infertility being interfered with by body weight include the fact that harmful cholesterol adheres not only to the heart’s arteries, but to the many small vessels that are involved in the reproductive system. Excessive body weight puts undue pressure on the uterus and fallopian tubes, interfering with ovulation (the dropping of an egg from the fallopian tubes to be fertilized) and with a fertilized egg then implanting itself to the lining of the uterus as well. If this does not happen, a fertilized egg can be miscarried before a woman even knows she is technically pregnant.
What is truly sad about these common reasons for infertility is that they are preventable with some simple lifestyle changes. Yes, it’s difficult to stop smoking and to lose weight, but if it means finally being able to conceive and achieve your dream of bringing a child into the world, you would think that potential parents would do whatever they could to correct and address these potential reasons for infertility as soon as they possibly could.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Infertility is More Common Than You Think
Couples who are dealing with the problem of infertility can often think that they are very alone in their concerns. Most believe that pregnancy is easy, and may look around at the other couples with their bouncing bundles of joy as proof positive of this fact. They may also have many friends and family members who announce one day that they are planning on starting a family, and who are seemingly pregnant immediately after.
But believe it or not, infertility is much more common than you might think. It’s estimated that about 1 in every 10 couples that are attempting to have a baby, have some type of problem with infertility. Imagine ten other couples that you know who have children, and you can make a safe bet that at least one of them faced some difficulty when it came to conceiving. And when you think about this on a national scale, 1 in 10 couples means 5 to 6 million couples in the U.S. every year have some difficulty getting pregnant.
But what exactly defines the concept of infertility? Simply put, this is when a couple is having regular (twice per week on average) unprotected sex and are still not pregnant after a year of trying.
This may be surprising news to some couples, who often assume that a month or so of trying is all that’s needed to signal a problem with infertility. Not so, say doctors. Because of the many details that need to align perfectly for a woman to conceive, it can actually take that many times trying before there is any need for concern.
Obviously it’s true that there are some who have a much more difficult time with conception than others; and of course there are many factors that will contribute to this problem. Some couples seem to be much more fertile than others, and this may very well be the case. Some men simply have a higher sperm count than average, and of course the more sperm he had, the greater his chance of having one reach a woman’s egg to fertilize it. Additionally, some women have problems with ovulation and do not release a healthy, viable egg every month, so there may need to be a few months worth of attempts in order for her to conceive.
But while infertility is something that is more common than you might think, it is also a very personal issue. You should never make the mistake of comparing your abilities to conceive to anyone else’s, even those in your own family. Again, you may know of a couple who seem to be able to get pregnant just by talking about it, while you and your partner have been trying for weeks and months, but this isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. Everyone’s body is different, everyone’s reproductive abilities are different as well. If you are really concerned about whether or not you will need medical intervention or another way of helping you with your supposed infertility, then be sure to speak to your doctor, as only he or she will be able to know for sure.
Infertility Drugs
Common Infertility Drugs and Their Usage
When a couple is dealing with the issues of reproductive challenges and possible infertility, there may be some simple measures they can take to increase their chances of conceiving. For others, however, they may get a recommendation from their doctor that they begin a round of infertility drugs in order to help them along. If this is the case, we have assembled some helpful information about the most common infertility drugs, typically prescribed to the woman, along with their usage. Here is the rundown:
Bravelle Inj
This medication provides the hormone (FSH) that helps cause the ovaries to produce eggs. This medication is usually used in combination with other infertility drugs, including a hormone (hCG) for the growth and release of a mature egg (ovulation). This medication is not recommended for women whose ovaries no longer make eggs properly (primary ovarian failure).
Bromocriptine Oral
Bromocriptine is one of the infertility drugs used to treat hormonal problems caused by high levels of a certain chemical made by the body (prolactin). Such problems include unwanted breast milk, missed/stopped periods, difficulty becoming pregnant, decreased sperm production, and decreased sexual ability. Because of possible serious side effects (e.g., high blood pressure, seizure, heart attack, stroke), bromocriptine is not recommended for stopping unwanted breast milk after pregnancy, miscarriage, or abortion. Note that this is true for all infertility drugs – they should be used for their intended purpose and nothing else.
Chorionic Gonadotropin IM
This medication is used in women to treat fertility problems. It is given after finishing another other infertility drugs (menotropins) to cause the release of an egg (ovulation). It should not be used in women whose ovaries no longer make eggs properly (primary ovarian failure).
Clomid Oral
This medication is used to treat infertility in women. It works by stimulating an increase in the amount of hormones that support the growth and release of a mature egg (ovulation). As with many infertility drugs, this medication is not recommended for women whose ovaries no longer make eggs properly (primary pituitary or ovarian failure).
Menopur SubQ
This medication provides follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) that help healthy ovaries to make eggs. This medication is usually used in combination with other infertility drugs, including another hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin-hCG) to help you become pregnant by bringing about the growth and release of a mature egg (ovulation). This medication is not recommended for women whose ovaries no longer make eggs properly (primary ovarian failure).
As with all infertility drugs, be sure that you are in constant communication with your doctor about their dosage, storage, possible side effects, and of course the length of time for which you should take them. Make sure that you are very clear on all the necessary information and don’t hesitate to speak up if you have questions or need further assistance in understanding these things – after all, infertility drugs are very strong medicines, and you will need to make the decision about whether or not they are the best course of treatment for you.
A Holistic Approach To Vision Care
Message
Improving Your Vision Naturally is a holistic approach to rebuilding your vision.
The analysis of what we see occurs in the brain. Our eyes gather information in the form of light, our brain then takes this information and analysis it, creating our very own world of vision. When we practice vision care it does not only allow us to see better, it also helps us perceive our surrounding better.
Most people will use natural vision improvement to see better. These same people become surprised when they start to improve in unrelated areas, like sports. They will more easily understand what they are reading, perhaps play better if they are musicians. And, they may even become less stressed and become more creative Every person will benefit in a different way from natural vision improvement. But, everyone will benefit. Now, remember, that vision improvement may not work when there are certain conditions, or certain diseases present.
Dr Bates actually was the forefather of natural vision improvement. He developed this theory many years ago.
You can actually do this system from home. There is a reputable Rebuilding Your Vision system available. Depending on your own health condition, the following could be helped by this holistic approach.
Are you nearsighted?
Or, farsighted.
Are you suffering from aging vision?
Or, astigmatism?
Even tired eyes can be helped.
Does bright light bother you?
Computer eye strain (CSS)
Or how aboaut any of these: strabismus and amblyopia, glaucoma, macular degeneration.
Become pro-active with your eye care.
Here are some of the benefits of vision improvement by natural means:
Increase how clear you can see long distance,
See clearer close up,
Learn how to focus quicker,
Your eyes will become healthier, stronger and more fit,
Learn how to manage computer related strain,
Reduce your need for glasses/contacts,
Improve your depth perception,
Adapt much faster to light changes, dark or light,
And, you will have better balance, better results in activities that use your eyes.
We exercise and look after all the other parts of our bodies. Many health minded persons go to the gymn so they can have a healthy body. Why not do the same with our eyes. Let's get involved in our eye care.
What Are the Signs of Infertility?
It may seem like an odd question, wondering if there are actual signs of infertility. After all, it’s a pretty safe bet that if a couple are having regular, unprotected sex for many months without a resultant pregnancy, then this should be a pretty obvious sign in of itself. However, many couples realize that they simply cannot be having as much sexual activity as they would like, and that it does take several details to be all aligned at the same time in order for conception to take place. They may wonder if they perhaps are just victims of circumstance or if medical intervention is really necessary. If this sounds like you, then let’s take a moment to discuss the true signs of infertility, and if you find that any of these are present in your case, you can be sure to mention them to your doctor during that appointment.
Amenorrhea.
Amenorrhea is the term used to describe when a woman does not have menstrual periods when she should. Women normally do not menstruate before puberty, during pregnancy, and after menopause. At other times, she should have regular menstrual cycles every month; if she doesn’t, this may be a sign of infertility or another treatable medical condition, however, there are some conditions that cause this cessation of periods that may also cause infertility.
Amenorrhea can be caused by any number of changes in the organs, glands, and hormones involved in menstruation. Possible causes include:
Failure of the ovaries (female sex organs that hold eggs).
Problems in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or the pituitary gland (a gland in the brain that makes hormones involved in menstruation).
Poorly formed reproductive organs.
Hormonal imbalance due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
In these cases, amenorrhea may be a sign of infertility in the woman.
Miscarriages.
A miscarriage is the loss (death) of a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy. According to the March of Dimes, as many as 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage - most often before a woman misses a menstrual period or even knows she is pregnant. About 15% of recognized pregnancies will end in a miscarriage. Miscarriage itself is not necessarily a sign of infertility, however, if miscarriages happen because of difficulties with a woman’s reproductive system, then the two may be related.
Other signs of infertility.
An OB/GYN may look for other causes for a woman’s difficulty in conceiving, including endometriosis, a condition in which the tissue lining the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside of the uterus, pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection caused by bacteria that starts in the uterus and can spread to other reproductive organs, stenosis (narrowing) of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows), often caused by scarring, and tumors (also called "fibroids"), or growths on the inner wall of the uterus. All of these can also be considered signs of infertility that would necessitate medical intervention.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Infertility Diet
How Successful is the Infertility Diet?
When dealing with the issue of infertility and difficulties with conception, most couples of course want to try anything and everything they can to help the process along. With that thought in mind, some wonder if there is such a thing as an infertility diet, and if so, does it actually work? Can your eating habits do anything to help or hinder your situation with pregnancy? Let’s examine some of that information here.
Doctors Respond to the Infertility Diet
In a new study cited in OBGYN News, a group of Harvard researchers found that 79% of infertile couples had a lower-than-average intake of foods high in antioxidants - like fruits and vegetables. In one study published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Medicine, doctors found that after one week of daily doses of 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C, sperm counts rose by some 140%. Obviously, when dealing with infertility, diet and getting enough of the right vitamins is helpful to some.
More recently, a study published in the Archives of Andrology showed the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium improved the ability of sperm to swim - a skill necessary to reach the egg.
Physical Activity is Part of the Infertility Diet
Exercise also improves muscle tone and good muscle tone helps every aspect of your system as well. Excessive body weight also puts undue pressure on the reproductive organs and doesn’t allow them to function optimally; obese persons often suffer from reproductive issues. When dealing with infertility, diet alone may not be enough. Regular physical activity must be part of the equation as well.
However, you don’t want to go overboard in this direction either. It’s been sadly reported that many young female athletes that are pushed to excessive physical activity have irregular periods and subsequent issues with reproduction. Starving your body of vital nutrients and overworking it physically will take a tremendous toll on your system, and this is true for both men and women. So if you do exercise and keep track of your diet, make sure you’re being balanced and healthy.
But modest exercise is beneficial in so many ways, not just when discussing the infertility diet. Exercising increases the blood circulation and good circulation is important for all aspects of health. Blood brings nutrients to every part of the body and filters away dead cells.
Additionally, eating right and exercising will make a person feel better all around; feeling more positive will lead to a reduction in stress, which is also beneficial when trying to conceive. And when thinking about your infertility diet, this may be something that helps to draw you together as a couple, which can lead to a better, more active sex life – another important aspect of conception! So never dismiss the thought that your condition can be helped or hindered by your eating habits and exercising; even doctors agree that when dealing with infertility, diet is important, as is exercise and physical activity.