Posts Tagged hormonal imbalances
Best Treatment For Infertility – Natural Treatment as the Starting Point
Posted by in Pregnancy on February 20th, 2010
Around 15% of couples in the Western world will experience difficulty conceiving. Of course, most will look towards what is the best treatment for infertility. Over the last few years huge industries have grown, with millions of dollars being spent developing and perfecting reproductive technology. What some consider shocking though, is what scant regard has been given to simple self help measures which couples can do for free, with emphasis placed on revenue-producing procedures which are often costly, length and invasive and actually result in viable pregnancies about a quarter of the time.
We are all well aware of the impact diet and lifestyle has on our bodies. An unhealthy diet and lifestyle can result in poor cardiac health, certain types of cancers, depleted bone strength, poor vision and joint problems. It therefore makes perfect sense that diet and lifestyle will have an impact on fertility, as conception and pregnancy are simply just two of many systems within the body, all of them subject to the same influences.
Before even contemplating consulting fertility clinics, the best treatment for infertility is to make sure you and your partner are in the best possible health to enable you to conceive. Taking a close look at your diet and lifestyle will help get you on the right road.
Firstly, a woman who maintains a healthy BMI is much more likely to maintain a regular pattern of ovulation, with excess weight contributing to PCOS and causing general hormonal imbalances. Therefore, a good starting point is to take a critical look at your weight. Now if you are considerably overweight and the road ahead looks like a mountain, then don’t despair too much. A recent study has shown that just by losing 5-10% of your body weight can be enough to jump start ovulation or to get it back to a more regular cycle. In addition, losing this amount of weight can also cut your risk of developing diabetes.
Exercise is very important. The best treatment for infertility is to take moderate amounts of exercise. Too much, and you run the risk of “turning off” ovulation. Too little, and your body will not be as healthy as it should be and the link between fertility and a healthy body cannot be overlooked.
What you put into your body is crucial. Avoiding known harmful elements such as smoking and illegal drugs is essential. You should also take a critical look at any prescription drugs you might be taking. Also, watch your caffeine intake-although a couple of cups of coffee and tea are thought to be fine, some experts believe that more than this can be potentially harmful. Whilst on the subject of what you drink, keeping well-hydrated is vital for maintaining healthy bodily functions, including conception and pregnancy. Therefore you should ensure that you drink 2 liters of fluid each day.
Of course, what you eat is important and is arguable the best fertility treatment around. Following the principles of a healthy diet is crucial. You should-
* Avoid trans fats
* Eat “healthy” oils, such as olive oil
* Eat plenty of lean protein-particularly that from vegetable sources
* Avoid products made with white flour-choose wholegrains instead
* Drink a glass of whole milk each day
* Take a good all-round dietary supplement – some are specially designed for pregnancy
* Take Folic Acid as soon as you start to try for a baby
* Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
Another good natural treatment is to avoid stress. Hormones secreted during stressful times can adversely affect fertility, so if you have sources of stress which you cannot avoid, then try simple relaxation techniques, such as listening to gentle music in a darkened room or even buying a specially designed relaxation CD.
There is a holistic system which has been clinically researched over 14 years and which guarantees to help couples become pregnant quickly. Containing secret natural infertility cures, powerful techniques and the step-by-step holistic infertility cure system which is all you will ever need to permanently eliminate infertility within weeks, most women will become pregnant within 3-4 months.
This “no stone unturned” system does not use drugs or surgery and has no side effects. In terms of a natural cure, I believe it is the best treatment for infertility-but take a look and decide for yourself.
To see further details, please visit Get Pregnant Quickly.
Article Source: Best Treatment For Infertility – Natural Treatment as the Starting Point
Trying to Get Pregnant: Tips You Can Use Tonight!
Posted by in Pregnancy on January 17th, 2010
Boosting your fertility doesn’t have to involve complicated procedures and expensive hormonal treatments when you are trying to get pregnant. Tips you can use such as avoiding certain habits or products that can aggravate your fertility problems can go a long way towards increasing your fertility potential. It’s important to understand which factors can help bring you closer to your dreams of parenthood. Here are some simple pregnancy tips you can try tonight.
Stay away from cigarette smoke
Sure, smoking might make you look more glamorous and desirable (or so says the tobacco ads), but it’s not going to bring you one step closer to pregnancy. According to the British Medical Association, female smokers are 40% less likely to conceive than women who do not smoke. It’s difficult to say exactly how this happens because here are literally hundreds of chemical compounds in cigarette smoke. However, researchers believe that some of these chemicals can trigger hormonal imbalances, which cause irregular menstrual cycles or anovulation. Not only that, but these harmful chemicals can also cause genetic abnormalities in mature eggs. In the likelihood that a female smoker does get pregnant, she’s still at risk of an early miscarriage if the chemicals from the smoke stay in her body.
The bad news is that female non-smokers are not necessarily in the clear. It turns out that passive smoking, or inhaling secondhand smoke, also increases the likelihood of infertility or miscarriages. It doesn’t matter who’s lighting up the cigarette; as long as you’re inhaling the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, your fertility is in danger. So if your partner is a smoker, ask him to step away from you whenever he needs his nicotine fix. Better yet, get him to start quitting altogether. Studies show that smoking can also contribute to male impotence by impairing sperm function and lowering sperm count.
Use foreplay to heat things up
A common problem experienced by couples trying to conceive is a lack of excitement in their sex lives. It’s completely understandable – what with the stress of work, the pressure of a ticking biological clock, and the lack of spontaneity, sex just isn’t as exciting as it used to be back when you were still dating. Instead of getting straight to the point of intercourse, spend a little more time doing foreplay. Believe it or not, foreplay can increase your fertility in two ways. The most obvious way is that t will help you feel more relaxed. By now you probably know how much stress can lower your chances of conceiving because stress hormones upset the balance of sex hormones.
Extended foreplay also encourages natural vaginal lubrication. Stress and fertility drugs tend to cause vaginal dryness, and most couples trying to conceive make the mistake of using commercial lubricants to solve this problem. Leading lubricant brands act as spermicide, even if they are water-based and contain no spermicidal chemicals, because their pH levels are too acidic. Sperm need an alkaline environment in order to survive. Although semen provides this sperm-friendly environment, the pH balance gets disrupted when a commercial lubricant is introduced. Lubricants also contain certain ingredients that affect sperm motility, or their ability to swim. Although a lubricant called Pre-Seed can provide the right environment for sperm to survive, it’s probably best to lubricate the vagina naturally with a little foreplay.
Sex positions
When trying to get pregnant, it makes sense to use a position that makes the journey as short as possible for the sperm. The missionary position, or the man on top, is one of the best positions for conception because it provides deep penetration and deposits the sperm right outside the opening of the uterus. Another excellent position is doggie style, or rear entry, with the woman on all fours or lying down on her belly. This also brings the sperm right in front of the cervix and is especially useful for women with an inverted uterus. And yes, MRIs actually confirm that these two positions do place the sperm closest to the egg! Positions to avoid include woman on top, or any position where gravity can prevent sperm from reaching its destination in time.
Some experts also suggest lying on your back and “bicycling” for several minutes after intercourse to help the sperm swim along. There are no fancy imaging technologies to prove that this works but if anything, it should induce a couple of giggles. And what better way is there to make babies than to be silly and have fun?
Diana Farrell is an author of the trademarked Full Embrace Program Series that have helped many couple’s fulfill their dreams of parenthood. When you are trying to get pregnant, tips from an experienced mom who has overcome infertility can be very helpful. Please visit http://www.PregnancySuccessProgram.com for lots more valuable information from Diana Farrell.
Article Source: Trying to Get Pregnant: Tips You Can Use Tonight!
Pregnancy Week 6 and Week 7
Posted by in Pregnancy on August 11th, 2009
At 6 weeks pregnant, you have hit another milestone. You are well into the middle of your first trimester. Women who are 6 weeks pregnant will see some of the most transparent changes in their own bodies. The process has definitely begun, and your tummy may show as much. Many expectant mothers will have noticed a little snugger waist than before. This is very normal, because weight gain is an important part of pregnancy. There are other external changes that some women experience, like acne. It may seem like you’re going through adolescence again.
Because of hormonal imbalances, those who are 6 weeks pregnant can get extremely oil skin. This may result in blotchy-ness or pimples. In either case, this doesn’t last throughout pregnancy and can be expected to subside within weeks. Each case will be different and range in intensity, however.
The embryo, at 6 weeks pregnant, is stretching out in measurable growth. This is the normal time for an ultrasound to be performed. During this procedure a steady heartbeat can now be detected. You will be able to see the facial development, through the eyes, ears, and nose. The proof of a living, breathing baby can be seen right on the screen.
Other changes are also taking place in the embryo. Elbows, feet, and toes have taken on structured qualities. A healthy baby will begin to take on weight slowly, but surely. It’s always good to note how the mother’s own eating and rest habits directly influence her unborn child. Being aware of such things is important at this stage in your pregnancy.
If you are 7 weeks pregnant, one of the first things you may need is to purchase a larger bra. Women, who are 7 weeks pregnant, generally experience an increase in the size of their breasts. They may even notice some tenderness in these areas. This change is another of the body’s ways of preparing for delivery and the nutrition needs of the baby.
Whether, because of morning sickness, or other symptoms, women who are 7 weeks pregnant have learned how to eat well. They begin to understand at what times and at what quantity they need sustenance. One bad side effect from this increase in eating is heart burn. Many women experience it or even indigestion on a more regular basis.
At this stage in the first trimester, your embryo has changed even more. A new addition is the development of both bone and cartilage. The eye development is become more defined from week 6. Now there is a tiny beginning of a tongue in the mouth and web-like fingers and toes.
During week 7, your baby will also experience the growth of its intestines. They will begin the journey of moving from the umbilical cord to their own placement. Proper growth in this area promotes good immune functions, along with digestion. Your baby is coming along now!
The middle of the first trimester is one of the most notable points in your baby’s internal growth. Although all of your symptoms may not be enjoyable at this time, the baby is making great progress in its 40 week journey.
You can find more tips about being 6 weeks pregnant at Aha Baby. You can learn about various ways to address various discomforts and other changes to your body during 7 weeks pregnant until your due date at Aha! Baby.
Article Source: Pregnancy Week 6 and Week 7
