Fertility Info

Menopause is an unfortunate reality for all women as they get older and with it comes many painful and irritating symptoms. The purpose of this article is to give you some information on a variety of herbal and non-herbal treatments available that may be of help to you dealing with any symptoms you may feel. These include:

•    Phytoestrogens- Phytoestrogens are compounds that come from plants. These compounds are often used as a treatment for menopause because they have a similar genetic make up to the naturally occurring female hormone estrogen.
•    Wild Yam Creams- Whilst there is little medicinal evidence supporting the use of wild yam creams as a treatment for menopause is inconclusive, wild yam creams are still a highly popular over the counter remedy. Diosgenin is a compound in wild yams that can be synthesized in to progesterone, however the human body does not have the enzyme capable of this synthesis.
•    Herbal Medicines- Herbal remedies are also wildly popular in treating menopausal women. They may not be useful in treating menopause per se, but a naturopath or herbalist can prescribe herbal treatments to help alleviate symptoms associated with menopause.
•    Progesterone Treatments- Progesterone is a naturally occurring female sex hormone. It declines during menopause and some studies suggest that many menopausal symptoms are a direct result of an incorrect ratio between progesterone and estrogen levels. Progesterone remedies are normally taken in the form of a cream. Progesterone treatments can often be taken with other hormone treatments.

Menopause can be a painful and irritating time for women but there are a variety of treatments you can consider that may help alleviate your suffering. I have listed four popular treatments above and you may want to consider trying one or all of them to see which of these treatments work best for you.

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.

Fertility Treatment

Infertility is a lot more common than most people think.  Believe it or not, about 1 in 10 couples experiences problems with conception at some point in their attempts.  This may be with their first child, or they may actually have problems conceiving after they’ve already had a child.  Usually the issues they are facing can be pinpointed by a medical doctor, but sometimes not.  This is called unexplained infertility, when their doctors are at a loss to find a reason for why they are having problems conceiving.

When does it become unexplained infertility?

It would be shortsighted to assume that with your first few months of trying to having a baby that you’re infertile, or that the first time your doctor scratched his or her head in confusion that this means you have unexplained infertility.  Medically speaking, a couple are not considered truly infertile until after a year of regular (twice a week on average) unprotected sex has not resulted in a pregnancy.  A year may seem like a long time to someone who wants a baby, but considering all the many details that need to work in harmony for conception, it’s really no wonder that doctors give them this long.

Additionally, there are many common causes for infertility that your doctor will want to check first, such as a woman’s inability to ovulate at all or to ovulate a healthy egg, and a man’s low sperm count.  These are probably the first two things that your doctor will check, but if these tests are negative or inconclusive, it doesn’t mean that you have unexplained infertility.

When you get the diagnosis of unexplained infertility.

For some couples, however, they have been through every test that is available and everything has come back in their favor, and yet, still no pregnancy.  The man may have healthy, active sperm, and the woman may be ovulating a healthy egg regularly, but again, conception is just not happening for them.  This is when the doctors begin to use the phrase unexplained infertility.

For these couples, there is still no reason to abandon hope.  Medical intervention may be necessary, but is usually successful.  If the woman has a healthy uterus that can support a fetus, the doctor may recommend in vitro fertilization, where an egg is extracted from her and fertilized with the man’s sperm in a lab, and then planted in her uterus to grow.  By manipulating the man’s sperm and the woman’s egg in such a way, there is nothing left to chance.  In most cases, this procedure is safe and successful, albeit expensive.

And of course there are other options available for any couple going through unexplained infertility, so again, there is no need to give up hope.  Talk openly and honestly to your doctor about your concerns, and listen carefully to your options.  The decision of course is yours to make, but in the end, you may be able to join other happy couples in welcoming home your new baby after all.

Fertility Treatment

Some Common Medical Fertility Treatments

For some couples, they have tried to make all the lifestyle changes they possibly can, and realize that medical intervention is the only viable option for them.  In this case, what are some common fertility treatments for these couples?  What are the side effects, and are they typically successful?

Assisted Reproduction Fertility Treatments

Assisted Reproduction is the phrase used in the medical community to describe medical intervention for couples facing infertility.  Here are some common fertility treatments and how they work:

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).  This procedure which is also known as artificial insemination is often combined with hormone treatments to boost egg production, and can help couples with low sperm count, unexplained infertility, or cervical mucus problems.  Semen is collected, and then delivered via a catheter inserted through the women’s vagina and cervix to her uterus.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). IVF may help those with pelvic or tubal damage, or male infertility.  It is the most commonly used of all the fertility treatments available.  The woman takes drugs to stimulate egg production, which are surgically removed.  Then eggs and sperm (from her partner or a donor) are collected and combined outside the body, and inserted into her body to develop after fertilization takes place.  “In vitro” means “in glass” (that is, in a test tube or laboratory dish).

Sperm Donation. Fertility treatments do also include those necessary when a male partner is not present or does not have viable sperm.  This procedure is performed using sperm from a typically anonymous donor; of course, a sperm donor can be a male friend or associate.

Donated Egg. This can help those whose infertility problems are due to premature menopause or some other disruption of ovulation.

Surrogacy, Traditional and Gestational.  In traditional surrogacy, another woman carries and gives birth to a baby conceived with her egg and your partner’s sperm (through artificial insemination).  In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries and gives birth to a baby conceived with your egg and your partner’s sperm, then transferred as an embryo to her womb.

Fertility Treatments Available for You

The proper procedure that is best for you and your partner is one that only you or the two of you together can decide on, of course with your doctor’s help.  Many of these fertility treatments listed are very expensive, so of course your own personal budget will need to be considered.  Additionally, there are some who have religious beliefs or moral opinions about many of these fertility treatments, and of course this is a personal decision as well.  The bottom line is that while so many of these options are becoming more and more common, and safer as well, the final decision will need to be yours.  After all, you are the one who will need to live with the consequences and responsibility of this decision for the rest of your life.  So, speak openly and honestly with your doctor and be sure that you completely understand all of these many choices so as to make the most informed decision possible.

Fertility Treatment

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.

Fertility Treatment

The best way for a woman to determine if she really is expecting is to see a positive result on a pregnancy test. However, many women who are actively trying to get pregnant have a hard time waiting until that test can be taken. For some, a pregnancy symptom here and there may appear long before the next menstrual period is late. While these signs are not a sure fire way to predict a positive pregnancy test, they may provide some insight into what is going on with the conception process.

Changes to the Breasts

Many women will begin to experience swollen breasts that are tender as the earliest pregnancy symptom. These first signs of pregnancy can occur as early as a couple of weeks after conception has taken place, and is the result of hormone fluctuations that occur in the early stages of pregnancy. This early pregnancy symptom will often continue well into the first trimester and then ease up a bit until the end of the term.

Spotting

As the fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus, some women have implantation spotting about ten days to two weeks after conception. This pregnancy symptom is much different from a regular period, because it occurs earlier and the blood tends to be lighter in color. Generally not as heavy as a normal period and it also doesn’t last as long. Some women also experience some mild cramping with this pregnancy symptom, similar to period cramping.

Fatigue

Most women get tired once in a while, but if you are dead tired more often than not, it may be a pregnancy symptom. During the early stages of pregnancy fatigue is often the result of the rising levels of progesterone that take place. Most women find that fatigue tends to improve during the second trimester and then pick back up again in the later months as the extra weight takes its toll on the body and it is harder to sleep soundly with a protruding belly in the way.

Morning Sickness

The term “morning sickness” is a bit of a misnomer, since the nausea of this early pregnancy symptom can take place at any time of the day. Rising estrogen levels that keep the digestive tract from working as efficiently can cause sickness like this. It may also be due to an increased sensitization to smells during this time that can make some women feel nauseous.

These first signs of pregnancy may be the earliest pregnancy symptoms that a woman experiences, but they are not a definite diagnosis of pregnancy until the tip of that stick definitely turns pink. Talk to a doctor if you suspect that you are pregnant.

If you supect you may be pregnant, then read this excellent no cost article, Is that a Pregnancy Symptom You are Experiencing? To view more articles on pregnancy visit, http://www.pregnancy.jsgenterprises.com.

The Chinese communities have an exceptional way of looking at the body and it is their conviction that the body is balanced in certain ways that affect the general well being of a person. A well-balanced body will as a result lead to good body functions as well as a tranquil and calm state. As long as you are dedicated and act in the correct manner you can re-establish your hormonal balance and improve the performance of the ovaries and consequently take pleasure in sound health. 

Better Conception 

One way to improve your fertility is through use of Chinese herbs for fertility they will enhance the possibilities of better conception and also help you maintain proper health as well. All that is required is for a person to make simple alterations to their lifestyles and it will then become possible for almost anyone to conceive. Chinese herbs for fertility are aimed at creating a sound body in which a healthy baby can be given life. 

Chinese herbs for fertility do not work overnight and it may take as many as four months before the desired results will become evident. In fact, a basic function that Chinese herbs for fertility perform is to facilitate fertility by providing the right kind of nourishment to the body so that it (the body) is able to strengthen its reproductive system. 

By consuming Chinese herbs you can then expect to get more sleep, which of course plays an important role in helping the digestive system work well and you will also achieve a sharper focus mentally. In addition, you will also feel more energetic. Chinese herbs for fertility also help in providing the right hormonal balance to the body, which in turn will help to make the fertility-related organs become stronger. In fact, it also helps improve your sexual vitality and you will also start to have heightened sexual experiences with your better half – all of which are major factors that help in improving your fertility. 

With many different options to choose from, it is a good idea to first of all consult a herbalist who will be able to guide you as to which are the best Chinese herbs for fertility for your particular needs. Once your body becomes stronger and your health begins to improve, you will then find that there is less need to rely on Chinese herbs for fertility to remain fertile. Today, many more clinics are treating patients through use of Chinese herbal medicines and even medical schools all over the U.S. are learning about the benefits that can be derived from such medicines. 

Once you have discovered the benefits of taking Chinese herbs for fertility you will be well on your way to becoming a parent. It certainly will pay to look at the many benefits that you can get by using Chinese herbs for fertility, and if fertility problems have been preventing you from conceiving, the sooner you get started with taking Chinese herbs for fertility the better it will be for you and your spouse.

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.

Fertility Treatment

Menopause, for women this is just another one of those events in our lives we just can not avoid. It is also frustrating for many women because there are not always hard answers to certain questions. Some women sail through the experience while others suffer miserably. Some begin to see signs and experience symptoms in their thirties while others do not hit any speed bumps until they are in their late sixties.

What ever the case may be for you, there are steps that you can take that will assist in making the ride through menopause a little easier. To begin with the absolute basics, not surprising, nutrition and diet have tremendous affects on the symptoms of menopause.
As always it is important to consume a wide variety or fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes as these food groups are a rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and numerous other compounds that are essential to overall health. More importantly they help your liver process hormones and at the same time reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Another fabulous food for conquering menopausal symptoms is flaxseed. This little seed packs a real punch; flaxseed is rich in fiber but more importantly contains lignans which help to balance estrogens and in turn reduce your symptoms. Soy foods contain isoflavins which also reduce symptoms. Foods loaded with Vitamin D and Calcium are highly recommended. Beets or beet juice is considered a must when battling menopause as they are extremely rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals as well as carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lutein. It is recommended that you avoid saturated fats, caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods as these are all known to acerbate hot flashes.

Regular exercise isn’t it always listed as a benefit. Putting all of the other benefits aside, a couple different exercises will greatly improve your experience with menopause. First of all we know that aerobic exercise is a huge benefit to your cardiovascular system. The health of your cardio system has a direct effect on the occurrence of hot flashes. This does not mean you need to go out and start running five miles a day, intentional walking will do the trick as long as you are getting a workout and incorporating it regularly. Another line of activities that are good choices are Yoga, Qigong, or Tia Chi. Exercises such as these not only improve your body physically but also mentally and emotionally, again great for avoiding hot flashes.

Exercise regardless of the type you choose to incorporate into your daily routine also has the benefit of reducing stress which in turn helps with the menopausal symptoms of hot flashes, the sweating, irritability, anxiety, depression, mood swings. Exercise in general will also help to reduce other symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, head aches, memory loss, insomnia and low libido. In addition it would be beneficial to practice some sort of relaxation technique such as meditation or deep breathing.

Very small changes in our daily life style can have tremendous effects on how we experience menopause. Diet and exercise are essential to our over all health however there is a direct correlation between these and menopausal symptoms.

Looking for Anti Aging tips, facts and products to help you age gracefully and ensure you live your best life? Visit: Anti Aging Tips|Fact|Products

Natural Methods Are Sometimes the Best Fertility Treatment!

When dealing with the issues of reproductive challenges, most couples are appreciative of the fact that medical science offers them a wealth of options when it comes to fertility treatments, including drugs that help a woman ovulate, Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) such as in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, sperm donation and the like.  However, some couples are still looking for natural methods that work as fertility treatments for themselves and their partners.  How can you go about assisting your own reproduction with such methods?  Are there any that actually work?  Let’s examine some of these issues here.

Be Careful of Your Medications

Sometimes an actual fertility treatment is not necessary, as you realize that conception is being hindered by the medications you’re taking, either for the man or the woman.  Some drugs, such as those to treat high cholesterol or diabetes, interfere with a woman’s ovulation abilities and a man’s sperm production.  Before investigating medical alternatives as a fertility treatment, speak with your doctor about your prescription medications.  There are some that of course you cannot stop taking as it will cause you serious health problems, but there may be adjustments that can be made, or other medications to take that will help to offset these issues with reproduction.

It’s also noteworthy that over the counter and homeopathic medicines can have the same effect, so don’t forget to mention these to your doctor as well.

Good Sex as a Fertility Treatment

Because a man’s sperm needs to travel a long distance (or at least to the microscopic sperm, it seems like a long distance!) in order to reach an egg to fertilize, it’s best to be mindful of your sex practices and whether they’re helping or hindering this journey.  The “missionary” position, or man on top, is always recommended when a couple is trying to get pregnant.  Other positions such as the woman on top, sitting, standing, and anything else that interrupts the natural flow of sperm and causes it to work against gravity is only going to make the sperm need to work that much harder.

When considering a fertility treatment for yourself, you should definitely give some attention to your sexual practices first, as a simple change in your habits can go a long way (no pun intended) toward helping that sperm reach its goal.

Other Natural Fertility Treatments

Reducing stress, smoking cessation, and a good diet along with regular physical exercise are always recommended before trying a medical fertility treatment, as these things can help the body address and even repair any issues it may have with the reproductive system.  Soaking in hot water can kill sperm, so the man should avoid hot tubs and the like.  An ovulation predictor can also help a woman to know when she is ovulating.

So, there are no guarantees that any of these tips and reminders will work for you, but again, it’s always best to try the most natural fertility treatments first before opting for invasive surgeries or expensive drugs.

Help for Causes of Infertility