Treating Infertility

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Good Evening!

 

Treating Infertility

 

As the owner of this community, I have made it my job to have as much

alternative answers to as many medical conditions as possible in our archives.

We have talked much about fertility in this community over the 10 years this

space has been available.

 

As Ien, stated in another post, the archives are always a great place to start.

 

In my acupuncture practice in NYC, I specialize in fertility issues. I have had

amazing success with acupuncture and herbal medicine.

 

Below you will find information that you should know, no matter what form of

treatment you persue.

 

Infertility is often defined when a couple has 1 year of regular intercourse

without contraception and has been unable to conceive. Primary infertility is

seen when a couple has never been able to conceive, where as secondary

infertility is difficulty conceiving after already having conceived and carried

a normal pregnancy. Technically, secondary infertility is not present if there

has been a change of partners. Infertility can be an issue for both men and

women.

 

In women, having an abnormal menstrual period is a good place to start. A

regular 28 to 30 day cycle with good quality fertile mucus right before

ovulation, relatively no premenstrual symptoms and a pain free period with

efficient bleeding indicate a balanced hormonal cycle.

 

Physical examination and routine laboratory tests for women include:

 

1. Genetic testing: this is done to determine whether there's a genetic defect

causing infertility.

 

2. Hormone testing: this may be done to check levels of ovulatory hormones,

thyroid and pituitary hormones.

 

3. Hysterosalpingography: This exam evaluates the condition of the patient's

uterus and fallopian tubes by indicating if there is any blockage in these

areas.

 

4. Laparoscopy: this procedure involves inserting a thin viewing device into the

patient's abdomen and pelvis to examine the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus.

Performed under general anesthesia, the most common problems identified by

laparoscopy are endometriosis and scarring.

 

5. Ovulation test: this blood test is used to measure hormone levels to

determine whether patient is ovulating or not.

 

6. Ovarian reserve test: this test begins with hormone testing early in a

woman's menstrual cycle. Testing may be done to determine the potential

effectiveness of the eggs after ovulation.

 

7. Pelvic ultrasound: is performed to look for uterine or fallopian tube

disorders.

 

If no physical illness is found, a regimen of proper diet, detoxing, exercise,

and plenty of rest and water is a good start. Try to manage stress and balance

situations around you.

 

 

In man, symptoms of infertility may have some signs of hormonal problems such as

changes in hair growth or sexual function. The quality, quantity, morphology and

motility of a man's sperm is also looked at.

 

1. Physical examination and routine laboratory tests for men include:

 

2. Hormone testing: a blood test is done to determine the level of testosterone

and other male hormones.

 

3. Physical examination: includes the genitals and questions about medical

history, illnesses and disabilities, medications and sexual habits.

 

4. Semen analysis: is the most important test for men. Your doctor will ask for

one or more semen samples. The laboratory determines the number of sperm present

and any abnormalities in the morphology and motility of the sperm. Sperm counts

can fluctuate from one sample to the next.

 

5. Ultrasound: a transrectal and scrotal ultrasound can help the doctor look for

evidence of conditions such as retrograde ejaculation and ejaculatory duct

obstruction.

 

 

The Fertile Garden

 

The magic of conception is really an amazing and precise process of proper

timing and precious essence, brought together in one heightened moment!

 

Each month the pituitary gland in a woman's brain sends a signal to her ovaries

to prepare an egg for ovulation. The pituitary hormones — follicle-stimulating

hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) — stimulate the ovaries to release an

egg. This is called ovulation. It is during this time a woman is fertile

(usually about day 14 of her menstrual cycle).

 

The egg travels through the fallopian tube and can be fertilized about 24-72

hours after it is released. Conception is more likely to occur when intercourse

takes place 1 to 2 days prior to ovulation or 1 to 2 days after.

 

For pregnancy to occur, a sperm must meet with the egg in the fallopian tube

during this time. Sperm are capable of fertilizing the egg for up to 72 hours

and must be present in the fallopian tube at the same time as the egg for

conception to occur. In order for a sperm to reach an egg, the man must have an

erection and ejaculate enough semen to deliver the sperm into the vagina. There

must be enough sperm, and it must be the right shape and move in the right way.

In addition, the woman must have a healthy vaginal and uterine environment so

that the sperm can travel to the egg. If fertilized, the egg moves into the

uterus where it attaches to the uterine lining and begins a nine-month process

of growth.

 

 

 

Achieving Balance

 

A regular 28 to 30 day cycle with good quality fertile mucus right before

ovulation, relatively no premenstrual symptoms and a pain free period with

efficient bleeding indicate a balanced hormonal cycle. Fertile mucus appears

several days prior to ovulation and is required to help nourish the sperm and

guide it to the egg. An ovulation occurring on day 12 to 15 of a cycle indicates

that the egg is being released at its optional developmental time. Ideally, a

woman should experience menstrual bleeding for at least 3 to 5 days and this

blood flow should be red in color without any clotting or flooding.

 

Issues that effect fertility include:

 

1. Hormonal imbalances

 

2. Ovary disorders such as tumors, cysts and stress

 

3. Age: early 30's has a 22% chance to conceive, early 40's - an 8% chance and

early 50's - a 1% chance.

 

4. Blockage: such as in the fallopian tubes (egg and sperm cannot meet), pelvic

inflammatory disease (PID) and STD's (HPV and Chlamydia)

 

5. Uterus disorders: such as fibroids and endometriosis

 

 

When there is an issue of fertility, it is a good idea to look at your

lifestyle. These problems can complicate infertility:

 

1. Finding Balance: in a modern society we tend to " burn the candle at both

ends " . There MUST be a proper balance in the amount of work that we do, in the

amount of sleep we have in the foods that we enjoy and in the amount of " down

time " we give ourselves.

 

2. Excessive Work: can drain the very core of our energy. Today, if you are not

working for a company who is placing high demands on your time, health and

relationships, then you have your own business, which often has no boundaries

when it comes to building and maintaining your dream.

 

3. Improper Diet: can be a nutrition zapper that robs the body of proper

vitamins, mineral and sufficient amino acids that are important for energy

product. Improper use of caffeine, alcohol and saturated fats have been shown to

decrease fertility and increase the chance of miscarriage. A balance of fresh

vegetables, complexed carbs, whole grain, as well as, fruits, nuts, seeds and

protein are very important for maintaining proper energy levels.

 

4. Lack of Exercise: decreases blood circulation. Regular exercise builds

stamina that can help anyone battle stress. But even something as casual as a

walk around the block can help you burn off some of the tension that you

carrying around. Stretching is a great tension reducer.

 

5. Poor Sleep Habits: can drain you of a good day full of vital energy.

Overthinking, anxiety and a racing mind are all issues that cause difficulty in

falling asleep and/or difficulty staying asleep. Lack of sleep has long been

recognized as influencing fertility. It leads to physiological disruptions

including the inhibition of growth hormones.

 

6. Stress: is a hidden issue that is seldom addressed. Stress has been linked to

irregularities in ovulation and abnormal sperm development. When you can lower

your levels of physiological stress, you have increased your chances of

conception.

 

7. Weight: Being too thin or too heavy can have an impact on how quickly you

conceive. Excessive thinness is known to interfere with menstrual periods. Now,

it is also believed that if both partners are overweight or obese, conception

will take longer.

 

8. Smoking: Smokers have an increased rate of repeated miscarriage. Women

smokers have been shown to have lower levels of estrogen which, may delay

conception. Smoking is also thought to influence tubal factor infertility, and

can cause early menopause. In men, smoking may damage sperm. When men stop

smoking, their sperm count increases quickly.

 

 

Tips For Improving Fertility

 

1. Balance Your Day: set boundaries with work, family, friends, exercise. To

much of ANYTHING is not a good thing. Although we are constantly reminded that

MODERATION is the key, we seldom recognize it in ourselves. Plan your day out on

paper. Divide your time evenly and stick to it.

 

2. Improve How You Work: work smart. Do not allow the " fires you put out " each

day to become uncontrollable. Allow a certain amount of time for these issues as

well as new projects, clients or meetings.

 

3. Get Exercise: If you are saying, how can I exercise, when I have so much to

do, this is all the more reason why you need to jump start your metabolism.

Exercise is what your body instinctively wants to do especially under stress:

fight or flight, and it works. It burns off some of the stress chemicals which

tension produces. Therefore, a tired muscle is a relaxed muscle. Regular

exercise builds stamina that can help anyone battle stress. But even something

as casual as a walk around the block can help you burn off some of the tension

that you carrying around as well as, increase blood circulation.

 

4. Take A Look At Food: Carbohydrates provide glucose for energy. Excessive

carbohydrates can increase blood sugar levels to dangerous levels, which then

makes your body shut down to protect itself. Protein is important because it

allows the brain to synthesis the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine,

which help keep your mind attentive and alert. Excessive protein levels make the

organs of digestion work much harder to process this food and robs your energy

stores. Find the balance for YOU. Listen to your body! It will tell you what

makes you feel good and what does not. Especially in the long term. If you have

issues with excess heat, look at eating foods that have a cooling nature. If you

have excess cold, look at eating foods that have a warming nature. Neutral foods

help to regulate our system.

 

5. Prepare for Better Sleep: Overthinking is a culprit that will rob you of

great energizing and restorative sleep. Turn off that mind by starting to wind

down early. Give yourself " quiet time " . Utilize the power of peaceful music, a

good book, diffusing essential oils, warm milk or tea before you lay down.

 

6. Manage Your Best Energy Times: Take advantage of your natural energy highs.

Do your most strenuous work, thinking, planning, exercise when you have your

greatest energy. Note the time of day when you feel your best and when you feel

your worse. Expand your energy where it is most needed, pull back where you feel

you can.

 

7. Keep Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially on hot, dry, windy days. If

you're doing strenuous exercise, drink some fluids before the activity begins.

You should also drink at regular intervals (every 20 minutes or so) during your

activity and after the activity ends.

 

8. Boost Your Hormones: Reduce sedentary behaviors such as watching television

and using computers. Being in one place for long periods actually slows

metabolism and energy production. Proper nutrition is crucial for hormone

balance. Essential fatty acids and nutrients such as vitamin A, B6, zinc,

magnesium, and antioxidants are key factors to hormonal balance and therefore

fertility.

 

9. Learn To Do Nothing: Our urge to drive ourselves to greater accomplishments,

creates other issues such as exhaustion. Create/allow a few hours in your week

to simply relax and do nothing. If you cannot find a few hours, it is time to

rethink your priorities and commitments.

 

10. View Your Lifestyle: If illness is not the cause of your fertility, then it

is a lifestyle issue. Are you creating unnecessary stress for yourself? Are

there ongoing problems in your life that may be causing prolonged anxiety or

depression? Consider counseling or talking about your issues with family, career

personal or your doctor. Find the issues that are taking you away from a vital,

fertile life!

 

11. Use the Power of Positive Thinking: Trying to get pregnant can often put a

major strain on your relationship with your partner. Sometimes couples feel too

tired and stressed to have intercourse or it feels to mechanical due to the

pressures of trying to conceive. Keeping a positive attitude is imperative to

getting pregnant because it improves your overall mental health; studies have

found that positive thinking decreases levels of stress and the risk of

depression, which in turn led to increased odds of getting pregnant. Many women

feel " hopeless " , " damaged " and " inadequate " . These mental processes will

decrease your chances of getting pregnant. It is important to address the

emotional component.

 

12. Improve Your Chances: Your chances of getting pregnant each month greatly

depend on your menstrual cycle and even more so, on ovulation. That is why

timing intercourse is an excellent way to improve your fertility chances. In my

practice, I have women begin a basal body temperature (BBT) chart. This charting

is a great way of seeing and understanding your menstrual cycle, ovulation and

period. Get started on your BBT chart now and learn better ways to predict your

ovulation time.

 

 

Basal Body Temperature and BBT Chart

 

A Basal Body Temperature chart is a way commonly used to determine the time of

ovulation. The basal body temperature refers to the temperature of your body at

rest. You will need a special thermometer or ovulation thermometer and graph

papers or a special chart. To determine your BBT, record your temperature

everyday upon awakening before you get out of bed. Immediately after ovulation

there will be a slight (no more than 0.4 to 1.0 degree Fahrenheit) but definite

rise in your body temperature. Temperatures remain elevated until the next

menstrual period.

 

Prior to ovulation, a woman's basal body temperatures generally range from 96.0

to 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures are suppressed at this time due to the

presence of the estrogen. After ovulation, due to the production of the

heat-inducing hormone progesterone, temperatures rise to about 97.6 to 98.6 F.

This rise in temperature indicates that ovulation has occurred. Your most

fertile day is the one immediately before the rise in temperature. Although, you

have a 7 day window where you can certainly become pregnant. This method can be

best utilized along with other fertility signs such as a pain or aches felt on

one side of the lower abdomen, to be accurate. When a woman is pregnant, her

temperature remains elevated throughout pregnancy. This test can also be used to

know whether a woman is ovulating or not. If ovulation does not occur the normal

temperature remains static always.

 

 

For further insight, please read more about nutrition, stress and other factors

that can help improve your chances:

 

http://www.proacumed.com/infertility.htm

 

 

In happiness,

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com/infertility.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit