National Fertility Week: Alternative Answers to Fertility

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Good Morning!

 

National Fertility Week: Alternative Answers to Fertility

 

This week is National Fertility Awarenss Week. Especially close to my heart,

helping woman get pregnant naturally has been my specialty for many years. This

week, I will review the many ways to help increase fertility in both woman and

men.

 

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.

 

A variety of factors can result in infertility in men. Approximately 25% of

infertility is directly due to the male partner. Low sperm count or anatomical

abnormalities are often the two main reasons for male infertility. See Improving

Sperm Count

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

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

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit