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.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Fertility Treatments
Fertility Treatment
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.
Causes of Infertility in Women
The Myths Surrounding the Causes of Infertility in Women
If you are a woman who is experiencing what you think are reproductive challenges, or you’ve already been given the diagnosis of infertility from your OB/GYN, then it’s important for you to separate the facts from the fiction when it comes to the causes of infertility in women. After all, if you find yourself believing something that is not true or not applicable in your case, you may wind up wasting precious time ignoring the real problems.
So what are those common myths when it comes to the causes of infertility in women? And better yet, what is the truth about those beliefs? Let’s examine a few here.
Myth: It’s all in your head.
This myth may have developed over the years as some couples have dealt with infertility for some time, and then eventually were able to conceive on their own. Others may view this as a reason to believe that reproductive problems are simply stress related or that a couple is being overly sensitive to their situation. Yes, stress and such things can be pinpointed as one of the causes of infertility in women, but it certainly is not the only cause, and not even the most common!
Advances in modern science that can plainly pinpoint different problems with a man’s or a woman’s reproductive system should have squelched this myth years ago, but unfortunately it seems to continue to thrive. Despite the abilities we have to look deep into the body’s reproductive system and find even the smallest of defects which can be one of the causes of infertility in women, some still think it’s simply a mental challenge.
Myth: Miscarriage is a common cause of infertility in women.
First of all, it’s important to remember that in most cases of miscarriage, there was nothing the woman could have done to prevent it. Rarely is it ever caused by stress, overworking, and the like.
It’s also important to remember that miscarriage itself is really not a cause of infertility of women; most doctors regard it as simply a possible symptom of a larger problem. Many miscarriages that are caused by such things as exposure to environmental and workplace hazards, such as high levels of radiation, hormonal problems, uterine abnormalities, incompetent cervix, and severe medical conditions can be considered a symptom, as these are some of the common causes of infertility in women as well.
Myth: If you’ve already had a baby, you’re not infertile.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Cause of Infertility
The Biggest Cause of Infertility That You Can Fix Yourself!
Facing the challenges of reproductive issues is a difficult situation for any couple. Tests and treatments can be expensive and downright unpleasant. Sometimes, for some couples, there is no one cause of infertility that the doctors can pinpoint and then subsequently correct. This can be frustrating and downright disheartening. But for most, there is something that shows up on a test result that can then be treated properly. It may be a low sperm count or poor sperm motility for the man, or a lack of ovulation or damaged uterus for the woman. There may actually not even be a cause of infertility at all, if the couple are not engaging in regular (twice per week on average) unprotected sexual activity over the course of many months or even a year; some couples are under the mistaken belief that you get pregnant every time you have unprotected sex, and are just assuming that after a few times of trying, then there is obviously a medical problem.
But for many, there is something that is going on, either with their reproductive systems or with some other cause of infertility that perhaps they are bringing upon themselves. Of course, no one likes to hear that they will need to make some changes or that some choices they’ve made in their own lives has been a long-standing cause of infertility for themselves, but really, this is something that should be empowering. If you yourself are bringing your reproductive issues into your life with a few bad habits, then you can change those habits and eventually realize your dream of having a baby – and possibly without drugs, medicines, medical intervention, surgery, and the like.
So then, what is the biggest and most common cause of infertility that most people just don’t want to hear about? In a word, it’s smoking.
Smoking is one of the most damaging habits you can have overall, when talking about any healthy problem whatsoever. There are over 4,000 chemicals that are produced when a cigarette is burned; over 250 of these are toxic and more than 50 are known carcinogens.
One of the reasons that smoking is a cause of infertility is because these toxins and carcinogens enter the bloodstream and are then transported to every area of the human body, every single cell, and this means the reproductive system as well. These toxins can interfere with a man’s sperm count, cause his remaining sperm to be malformed, give him low sperm motility, and even decrease his circulation enough to cause impotence. For a woman, smoking interferes with the fallopian tube’s natural abilities to drop an egg or ovulate, can damage the eggs she has, and can also damage the uterus, making it impossible for that fertilized egg to attach itself.
This is just a partial list of why we can rightly say that smoking is a leading cause of infertility. Again, no one wants to hear that perhaps they need to make a change in their habits, but if it means finally being able to conceive that child that you dream of, doesn’t it make it all worthwhile?
Conquer Menopause With Diet and Exercise
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.
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Conquer Menopause Symptoms With Essential Oils
Most women actually start to experience perimenopause in their thirties however they may not be aware of changes going on their bodies until the signs and symptoms become pronounced usually by the time they are in their forties. The onset as well as the severity of the signs and symptoms is of course dependent on the individual themselves and is greatly influenced by genetics, over all health, and environmental influences.
It is becoming much more common for women to use natural remedies to help them through this process. Many prefer to use alternative methods as there as numerous options available. If you have already made the necessary life style changes and you are still experiencing signs and symptoms that you wish to get under control the use of essential oils and aromatherapy may be of interest to you.
There as several essential oils that can be used for menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms, the choice of which one is right for you is a personal choice as you must enjoy the scent of the oil you plan to use. The following is a list of a few of the possible essential oils that you can utilize and the specific applications for each:
1. Chamomile known as the great relaxer as it has a very calming effect on the body and mind. This essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the flowering tops of the plant Ormenis multicaulis. To use this calming essential oil to lessen the symptoms of menopause, use eight to ten drops in a bath or add a few drops to your diffuser. You may also prefer a massage, use a mixture of eight drops of chamomile essential oil and one ounce of your favorite carrier oil and cover your entire body.
2. Anise Seed has a flavor that greatly resembles black licorice and is part of the parsley family. Anise seed essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the seeds of the plant Pimpinella anisum. An over all body massage is one of the best ways to reap the benefits of this special essential oil.
3. Geranium essential oil is actually know as the "women's oil" specifically for it's benefits concerning menstrual and menopausal symptoms. This exotic floral essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the leaves, stalks and flowers of the plant Pelargonium graveolens. Geranium essential oil should be used as a massage application paying special attention to the abdominal and lower back regions. The mixture should contain twenty drops of essential oil with one ounce of the carrier oil of your choice.
4. Clary Sage essential oil known as the "cure all" should not be confused with the sage used in many kitchen around the world. This essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the flowering tops of the plant Salvia sclarea. Clary sage essential oil can be utilized in a bath, use approximately four drops for this application. or if you prefer use direct inhalation by placing two or three drops on a tissue or cloth and inhale.
5. Sage the herb commonly found in the kitchen has been revered for centuries. Sage essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the dried leaves of the plant Salvia officinalis. If you experience hot flashes and night sweats, use a diffuser nightly with two or three drops of Sage essential oil. This will also help to relieve stress and tension.
6. Neroli essential oil is sweet and floral and is extracted by steam distillation or enfleurage from orange blossom petals of the orange tree Citrus aurantium. This essential oil is especially effective with the irritability, tearfulness and mood swings experienced by many women. To apply use three or four drops in your diffuser, approximately four drops with carrier oil for a massage or eight to ten drops in your bath.
For more information on the benefits and uses of essential oils visit: Essential Oils|Aromatherapy|Phermones or for more information on menopause visit: Anti Aging Tips|Facts|Products
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Do You Know The Causes Of Yeast Infection
We all know that prevention is better than cure, therefore to prevent the on set of a yeast infection, firstly we need to know what it is, how it starts then we can set up affective habits to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Most women are prinmarily concerned about vaginal yeast infection, the cause of this yeast infection is certainly attributable to Candida Albicans which are nasty organisms that live in the vagina and if allowed to multiply will likely cause the advent of yeast infection in the vagina.
Reasons Why Candida Albicans Multiplies
There are several reasons why Candida Albicans multiply and among the reasons are:
- Too much heat,
- Transmission through sexual activity,
- Changes in sugar levels
- Changes in the hormones
All of which can result in vaginal yeast infection.
Other reasons why Candida Albicans will multiply include the use of antibiotics, clothes that are not made from cotton and also certain chemicals.
Even use of condoms while having sexual intercourse can result in vaginal yeast infection. Even if one does try and reduce yeast products in one’s diet, there is still no clinching evidence to suggest that doing so will prevent yeast infection.
Yet another cause of yeast infection is not having proper personal hygiene, as the presence of moisture is also what the microorganisms need to thrive in. Thus a woman having menstrual periods would be more likely to suffer from yeast infection.
The use of some agents that are especially irritating such as bubble baths, vaginal douches, and in addition, certain soaps that are of harsh nature and even toilet paper that has been perfumed and detergents that are used to wash undergarments can also become a cause of yeast infection.
It is also not a good thing for a woman to wipe from anus to vagina after having urinated as that is a surefire means of transferring yeasts as bacteria to the vagina from the rectum. Also, washing of the vaginal area more than is necessary with tap water will make for another cause of yeast infection. What’s more, yeast infection is not solely confined to the vagina and it can even be found in oral cavities as well as bowels, folds in skin, nipples, ears and even on the penis.
Thus, there is a pressing need to identify the basic cause of yeast infection so as to make it considerably easier to prevent and also cure the disease from developing further.Diets rich in anti-oxidants are also a very good way to build up your bodies resistance levels helping your bodies own defence mechanism control the yeast infection.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
How Do Kegel Exercises work
Pelvic floor exercises or kegel exercises (named after Dr. Arnold Kegel who spent many years researching the pelvic floor) are highly recommended by medical practitioners the world over as an exercise to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Dr. Kegel found that through using resistance exercise it was possible to not only eliminate stress incontinence effectively and safely, but that it was possible to reverse a uterine prolapse by as much as 5 to 7cm. Some would say that using a kegelmaster nearly as important to a woman as regular pap smears.
Pelvic floor exercises or kegel exercises (named from Dr. Arnold Kegel who did much research on the pelvic floor) are recommended universally as the cure for the above ailments. Has this been successfull? The answer: - probably not, because nobody ever tells you that Dr. Arnold Kegel intended the kegel exercise to be done with resistance, this is what the kegelmaster does, like no other product.
People increase muscle tone and strength by going to the gym. Some think that aerobic exercises help build mass and strength, WRONG. We need weight or resistance in conjunction with repetition to get real results. Aerobics only improves the look not the strength. This is why you have had little or no success with your pelvic floor; it's the same as any other muscle in your body only more important.
What will it mean to you when you are able to perform a few exercises every day in the privacy of your own home and know with confidence that your health concerns will be a distant memory.
The benefits from using the kegelmaster are too numerous to mention but amongst them is the effective treatment for incontinence, greatly improves sensitivity during intimacy, strengthens pelvic floor muscles, helps the pelvic floor muscles recover more rapidly after childbirth and tones and tightens the vagina after childbirth.
Most women don't do the pelvic floor exercises as recommended by their doctors or midwives, many don't know where the kegel muscles are and the ones that do their exercises aren't exercising them properly.
There is every chance of reversing a prolapse when it is in its early stage, with the help of a kegelmaster. Unfortunately some women wait until it is too late to take action and there is a point of no return after which surgery does become necessary.
Problimatic urination is more urgent at the time of menstruation, pains from periods are worse if the bowel is not emptied. The kegelmaster has proved to help in the treatment of these and many other problems.
Hormonal Changes and Menopausal Weight Gain
Women go through menopausal weight gain because their body is going through changes during menopause. The reason for the weight gain may stem fro the hormones themselves. During menopause, normal estrogen levels in the body seem to go down. Estrogen is the female sex hormone that is responsible for a woman's monthly ovulation.
Low estrogen levels during menopause causes the female body to stop ovulating. As the ovaries of the woman produce less estrogen, her body tries to look for other means to get its estrogen supply. One of the means that the body can be supplied with the estrogen hormone is through the fat cells. So the body tries to convert as much of the calories it is supplied with into fat to be able to produce the much needed estrogen. Unfortunately, the fat cells are not as effective in burning calories as much as muscles do. This causes women to pack up additional pounds.
Progesterone is another hormone that may be the cause of weight gain during menopause. Just like estrogen, women undergoing menopause also experience their body's progesterone levels go down. This causes weight gain on women on a different way. Low levels of progesterone in the body are associated with water retention and bloating, giving one the appearance of getting bigger and heavier. But this effect usually only happens for a short time and will disappear in just a few months.
Another hormone that may be responsible for weight gain during menopause is the male sex hormone androgen. Menopause brings about an increase of androgen levels in women. This hormone becomes responsible for sending the gained weight into the abdominal area or the middle section of the body. This is the reason why weight gain during menopause is also referred to as the "middle age spread".
Another hormone that may be responsible for weight gain during menopause is testosterone. This hormone helps the body to create lean muscle mass out of the calories that the body takes in. Muscle cells are better at burning calories than fat cells and helps in increasing the body's metabolism. During menopause, the level of this hormone drops which then results in a gradual loss of muscle. This also means that metabolism in the body slows down, causing the body to burn calories slower.
Women become frustrated and concerned when they suddenly find themselves gaining weight during menopause. No matter how careful they are on maintaining their eating habits and even adding up a dose of exercise into their daily habit, they still can't seem to maintain their weight. Women must understand that it is because of the changes in the body during menopause that makes maintaining their weight even more difficult. Losing weight even becomes a more challenging undertaking than ever before.
Women must remember that it is not entirely their fault that they are gaining weight during this stage in their life. Menopausal weight gain is a normal occurrence due to the fluctuations in the hormone levels in the body. These hormones will also have a big impact on one's appetite and the body's ability to metabolize calories and store fats.
The better that women understand what goes on with their bodies during menopause, the less frustrated they can become when faced with weight gain.
