The Perks Of A High Fiber Diet

Fiber is one of the main ingredients of healthy eating. If the body isn’t getting the required amounts of natural fiber, the person may be prone to disorders such as constipation, gas pain, and worse colon cancer. For those who are looking to have a healthy eating plan, fiber is one of the key e...
The Perks Of A High Fiber Diet

5 Food Items That Help Lower Bad Cholesterol

Most of us are aware that eating less burgers, fries, pizzas and fried foods helps to improve our heart, and our overall health. However, eating more healthy food options can do more than just reduce cholesterol levels, or keep the heart healthy. Eating healthy foods also helps to improve skin...
5 Food Items That Help Lower Bad Cholesterol

Stop Overeating and Lose 10 Pounds

Obesity is one of the leading causes of death. It can lead to various complications of the heart and the entire cardiovascular system. Hypertension, diabetes and even cancer can ramify from simply being overweight. The mere fact is that obesity can be fought with simple measures. There are even...
Stop Overeating and Lose 10 Pounds

Methods to Help You Shed Extra 10 Pounds in Two Weeks

Weight loss especially if you are overweight can be extremely hard to achieve. There are the uncontrollable cravings and the lack of determination to achieve a weight goal. These and more factors play important roles in successful weight loss. What makes weight loss harder is setting unrealistic...
Methods to Help You Shed Extra 10 Pounds in Two Weeks

The Diet Plans to Help You Lose 10 Pounds

You can jumpstart your quest for weight loss with an effective diet plan. There are plenty of diet plans to help you lose 10 pounds and more available virtually everywhere: from television ads to magazines to the Internet. Most of the diet plants are even designed to help you target problematic...
The Diet Plans to Help You Lose 10 Pounds

Lose More Than 10 Pounds in 10 Days

ehealthnews.org - There is nothing like the prospect of losing more than 10 pounds in 10 days. However, most people seem to lack the motivation they need to start a weight loss regimen. To jumpstart your diet, you would be glad to know that a juice fasting diet can help you achieve a healthier...
Lose More Than 10 Pounds in 10 Days

Lose 10 Pounds with These Diet Techniques You Can Do Everyday

http://ehealthnews.org - How to lose 10 pounds with simple technniques you can do everyday? Casual dieters are those who aren’t that concerned with how much they weigh but rather settle on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. There are several ways to manage health but it is even more helpful...
Lose 10 Pounds with These Diet Techniques You Can Do Everyday

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How Diet Supplements Can Help You Lose 10 Pounds

A person undergoing a major weight loss program sometimes lack the daily recommended vitamins and minerals. This is because some diet plans require dieters to limit their food intake thus causing a slightly significant decrease in vitamin and mineral consumption. Luckily, there are supplements...
How Diet Supplements Can Help You Lose 10 Pounds

Helpful Methods to Help You Lose Those Extra 10 Pounds

A dieter should grab hold of any helpful advice he or she can gain access to. Although most of the tips on dieting is a dime a dozen, there are a chosen few that can really provide significant results. As a person on a weight loss mission, you should consider applying any methods to help you...
Helpful Methods to Help You Lose Those Extra 10 Pounds

Four Reasons Why It Is Hard to Lose 10 Pounds

Some people will say it is hard to lose 10 pounds. And i will tell you Four Reason Ehy It is Hard to Lose 10 Pounds.
Losing the slightest amount of weight is tough. Losing ten pounds is even tougher. If you are not careful enough, the lost weight will come back to haunt you. Remember that...
Four Reasons Why It Is Hard to Lose 10 Pounds

Exercises to Help You Reduce 10 Pounds

The stomach is one of the most problematic areas to deal with when trying to lose weight. Fortunately, there are several exercises that target that area. Exercises to help you reduce 10 pounds are certainly effective in helping you achieve the figure you want. You can definitely reap the...
Exercises to Help You Reduce 10 Pounds

Five Food Items That Help Lower Bad Cholesterol

Most of us are aware that eating less burgers, fries, pizzas and fried foods helps to improve our heart, and our overall health. However, eating more healthy food options can do more than just reduce cholesterol levels, or keep the heart healthy. Eating healthy foods also helps to improve skin...
Five Food Items That Help Lower Bad Cholesterol

Slim Weight Patch

Slim Weight Patch is a leading weight reduction system that delivers its ingredients via a patch that is applied to the skin just like a bandaid. Though the idea of a weight loss patch may seem unusual, the truth is that this trans-dermal method of delivery is superior to other products that are taken orally. The reason is that a good portion of the meds you swallow will get debased once they come into contact with the acid in your stomach. The end result is that only a small percentage of what you have ingested actually gets absorbed into your system.

As a consequence, you aren’t maximizing the full potential of what you take and at the same time spending money on ingredients which mostly go unused. By contrast, trans-dermal patches are much more effective since they allow up to 95% of all ingredients to be absorbed into your system. Withgreater proportion of ingredients available to the body, the efficiency and rate of weight loss is significantly improved.

Furthermore, delivering ingredients through a patch means that they are absorbed at a rate that is more constant. When ingesting pills or capsules, their effect on your body is a spike in weight loss activity which unfortunately isn’t sustained until the next time you take them. The patch, on the other hand, delivers its ingredients evenly throughout the day which means your body is always in a desirable weight loss state.

Slim Weight Patch Benefits

The benefits you can expect to experience while using these patches are the following:

• Eliminates feelings of hunger

• Boosts your metabolism

• Burns fat reserves

• Increases your muscle mass

• Gets you slim and toned

• Raises your energy levels

• Promotes weight loss 24/7

Though these patches can help you reach your weight loss objectives, it makes sense to adopt a lifestyle that will be conducive to keeping you slim after you reach your goals. It’s one thing to get there, but another one altogether to keep yourself from gaining the weight back as so often happens. To help guide you towards a healthier lifestyle that will not only assist you to lose pounds but also to keep them off, every purchase comes with lifetime free access to the Slimming Plus online site and dieting app. Therein you will find useful information and dieting tools that will help you to transition towards a healthier lifestyle permanently.

Slim Weight Patch Ingredients

The effect that these patches have on weight loss is no mystery since the ingredients they contain are well known for addressing various aspects of weight reduction. Below is a list of the main ingredients found in these patches and the purpose of each:

Fucus Vesiculosus

A natural plant native to the sea that has a centuries old reputation for treatment various ailments. In more recent times it has been commonly used by both medical doctors and herbalists to promote weight loss.

5-HTP

Lower levels of Seratonin have been associated with heightened cravings for carbs. 5-HTP has shown an ability to prevent levels of Seratonin from declining which will act to reduce your cravings. Its effectiveness has been proven over the course of 3 clinical trials on obese patients.

Guarana

Amongst the many attributes associated with this Amazonian plant are its ability to improve physical endurance, combat fatigue and enhance mental awareness. Evidence also shows it promotes a faster metabolism and suppresses your appetite. It is one of the main ingredients found in many popular diet pills.

Yerba Mate

Mostly found growing wild in Paraguay and the surrounding countries of Chile, Peru, Brazil and Argentina, scientific analysis has detected that it contains most of the vitamins that happen to be crucial for sustaining life.

Fat Burning RX Blend

This is a blend of ingredients proven to help burn off fat that include: Flaxseed Oil, L-Carnitine, Lecithin, Zinc Citrate and Zinc Pyruvate. Each one is known to be effective in burning fat on their own, but when combined together in the right proportions, their effectiveness is greatly enhanced.

If you are still on the fence as to whether these patches will live up to their claims, please be aware that they come with an unconditional 30 day moneyback guarantee. So now you can have complete confidence in trying the Slim Weight Patch system knowing in advance that you may do so risk free and get a complete refund if it fails to live up to your expectations.

Steps to take before seeing an infertility doctor

Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant after 12 months of actively trying. Many couples start being worried before reaching that one-year mark, while others are not sure whether to see a doctor even after they have been trying to conceive for longer than one year. Women who are older than 35 should never wait too long before discussing their fertility with a medical professional. But, there are a few steps that may help you conceive naturally when you thought you may have to turn to artificial reproductive techniques.

Taking care of your health

Every woman who is trying to get pregnant is told that she should be taking folic acid. Folic acid is the only nutritional supplement that has been proven to prevent birth defects. The stores of this B vitamin take around three months to build up in your body; folic acid has an accumulative effect. Most couples who would like to have a baby are aware of these things, and also of the recommended dose — 400 mg daily.

What is less frequently talked about is the fact that both men and women who want to conceive need to be in good health to reach their optimum fertility. You can take all the folic acid you want, but that will not do you any good if you are suffering from other nutritional deficiencies. A good diet is the single most important thing you can do yourself to influence your fertility.

Remember that taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement is a good step, but that artificial forms of vitamins and minerals are never as easily absorbed as natural sources. Vitamins B6, C and E play especially important roles in fertility, by supporting a healthy reproductive system and a proper hormonal balance. Vitamin C, which builds a good immune system, is particularly essential to men.

Zinc, calcium and iron are essential minerals for anyone who is trying to conceive. Omega 3 fatty acids — found in cod liver oil, for instance — have been proven to influence fertility positively and may even reduce the symptoms of reproductive conditions such as endometriosis. And remember, men are just as crucial for the reproductive process as women. Men do need to focus on their diet as much as women do!

Exercise regularly

A healthy and balanced diet should always be supported by a regime of moderate exercise. Exercising for 30 minutes to an hour on most days will do the trick. You don’t have to hit the gym; walking to work will do the trick just fine. If you are overweight, that is another good reason to engage in an exercise program. Of course, exercise alone may not help you to lose weight, but it may contribute (depending on the causes of being overweight). Being either overweight or underweight will negatively influence every individual’s fertility to some extent — and this is especially true when you are extremely overweight or underweight.

Knowing your menstrual cycle

Two people who are healthy and fertile will get pregnant within the year if they have regular sex, including during the woman’s fertile window. It is still worth mentioning that it is possible to fail to get pregnant even if you are completely fertile, if you have sex at the wrong times of the month. There are two possible approaches to avoiding this problem.

The first approach is having sex nearly every day, throughout the month — perhaps excluding the time of your menstruation, when you probably don’t feel like doing the deed and can safely assume that you are not ovulating. Sperm has the ability to survive within the female reproductive system for approximately five days. Having sex every two or three days should, therefore, cover you completely.

The second and probably more popular approach is to monitor your menstrual cycle to determine with certainty when you ovulate. There are a few possibilities if you want to take this approach and have not already tried it. I personally recommend using ovulation predictor kits for their ease. Fertility charting using basal body temperature, or monitoring cervical mucus, will work too.

And… Captain Obvious

Just because it is important, I will talk about it. You know, those things you will be insulted to see mentioned. Don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t do drugs. Try to keep stress to a minimum, because it will definitely make you feel better and may even do your fertility some good.

Does the quality of your sleep affect your fertility?

Are you dealing with insomnia, or have you just been sleeping badly lately due to a lack of time, or perhaps stress? Everyone knows that a lack of sleep doesn’t do your health any good. Women who are trying to conceive have another thing to worry about. Does the quality of your sleep affect your fertility at all? In this post, we will explore how your sleep can influence your chances of getting pregnant.

One thing is for sure — pregnancy and babies definitely stop you from sleeping the whole night, comfortably. Can not sleeping well when you are trying to conceive actually prevent you from reaching those stages? Perhaps so.

Sleep and fertility

One night’s worth of bad sleep is not going to stop you from getting pregnant, but women who have long-term sleep quality problems may have a reduced chances of conceiving. You see, all kinds of things are happening inside your body while you are sleeping — it’s not just about getting some rest and processing the previous day’s events. In the middle of the night, between midnight and 4 o’clock in the morning, your body is actively producing melatonin, testosterone, and is regulating the menstrual cycle.

Various studies have shown that women who have low melatonin levels are less fertile. You have probably heard of melatonin, and you probably know that it has something to do with sleep, and energy levels, and that you can take melatonin pills. But what exactly is this melatonin? It is a neurohormone  that has a great impact on the functioning of your circadian rhythm, or natural biological clock. No, not the one that’s ticking — we’re just basically talking about your body’s daily rhythms.

Melatonin is produced inside the pineal gland, but only when it is dark. Insufficient melatonin production will eventually lead to the disruption of the function of other hormones too, including those that regulate the menstrual cycle. Low melatonin levels have been associated with various medical conditions, including Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Women with PCOS often have trouble conceiving.

In short, lack of sleep affects your hormonal function and your fertility. I’ll add in another random factoid for fun: women who work nightshifts have a bigger chance of dealing with infertility than those who don’t. And as a final bonus, here’s yet another random bit of Captain Obvious: when you don’t sleep well, you get cranky and certainly won’t feel up to doing all that stuff that’s supposed to get you pregnant in the first place.

What can you do to improve the quality of your sleep?

Most folks who do not have a sleep disorder of some type will be able to improve the quality of their shut-eye quite a bit without any medical intervention. If you have been a night owl recently, and you think that your energy levels, mood, and fertility may benefit from a better routine, you are probably right. Don’t think that you can get instant results, however. You will need to stick to your new regime consistently for at least a month for it to become a habit.

Some changes you may want to make:

• Go to bed at the same time every night, and also get up at the same time every morning.
• Go to bed well before midnight, which is when that important hormone-regulating part of the night kicks in. You’ll want to be asleep by that time.
• Children are not the only people who thrive when they have a steady bedtime routine. Set one up for yourself, and notice how comforting it is. Try reading a book for 30 minutes before bed, or have a nice bath or shower, or… have your partner give you a massage.
• Plan meals well before bedtime, and avoid caffeine late at night.
• Exercise regularly — at least four to five times a week. Exercising outside, in the fresh air, is especially beneficial. Mind you, don’t plan your workout routine right before bedtime, because you won’t be able to go to sleep afterwards.
• Eliminate TV and internet time from your life in the hour or so before you go bed. If nothing else, you and your partner will have to find other ways to entertain yourselves. Maybe this will even get you pregnant

Simple way to get rid migrant

MIGRANT is incredible headache worse. Usually often accompanied by additional symptoms, such as nausea or visual disturbances.

 Migarain could make anyone instantly limp and by comparison perhitangan one in five women suffer from periodic MIGRANTS. Those who suffer from headaches MIGRANT usually occurs between ages 25 and 55, and at menopause was gradually reduced.

 In a study, it has been found effective drugs that can help reduce headaches when relapse. Those drugs include: Consuming magnesium supplements MIGRANT also associated with low magnesium levels. Where it does increase the risk of seizures in the arteries.

These supplements may be helpful for women who suffer from pre-menstrual MIGRANTS. Research has found that 360 mg of magnesium per day decrease menstrual MIGRANTS. If you have a regular MIGRANT, try taking 200 mg magnesium twice a day.

 Eating fruits and vegetables MIGRANT kadangan sometimes triggered by low blood sugar. This may explain why a person MIGRANT late relapse when eating. Therefore, avoid for a long time without food so that the blood sugar is always stable. For example, fruits and vegetables in between meals.

Common causes of male infertility

One in five couples will encounter involuntary infertility, and around 30 percent of those cases will be caused by male factor infertility. What are the most common causes of male infertility?

Thanks to Chris Makarsky via Flickr Creative Commons.

Male infertility is the sole factor in around a third of couples who failed to get pregnant after several years of trying to conceive. Total infertility is very rare in men — in most cases, a man becomes subfertile because he has a low sperm count, slow-moving sperm, or the sperm quality is poor. Healthy men, and most less-than-healthy ones too, continuously produce sperm. The sperm production process takes around 75 days to complete, and lots of factors can influence the quality of sperm during this process.

Very often, the cause of a man’s low sperm count, poor quality of sperm, or slow or no movement, is never revealed. It’s even possible for a man to show perfectly normal sperm analysis results, but to still be unable to get his partner pregnant. Having said, here are some of the most common known causes of male infertility.

Lifestyle factors

As with women, lifestyle factors should be the first to find themselves under the microscope. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, a junk food diet, and even overhearing the testicles by wearing tight underwear — all of these things can cause subfertility and even infertility. Let’s have a look how:

• Smoking interferes with sperm’s ability to propel themselves forward, and also makes sperm smaller in size. There is some evidence that smoking alters the genetic makeup of a man’s sperm as well. What’s more, the second-hand smoke your partner will be exposed to will also lower her fertility.
• Alcohol, when used in excess, will decrease sperm count. Of course, it damages your lover too.
• Nutritional deficiencies will affect the quality of a man’s sperm. Get tested when you start trying to conceive.
• Being overweight or underweight is generally associated with poor nutrition, but weight itself also impacts fertility.
• Testicular overheating interferes with sperm production. Avoid having a computer in your lap, wearing tight underwear, or having hot baths all the time.
• Stress is another possible factor, though it is not clear how and why.

Hormonal disorders

Hormonal disorders are a rarer causes of male infertility, but they should still be examined as a possibility during the fertility testing process. Hypothyroidism, a thyroid that functions too slowly, can slow down sperm production, lead to a poor semen quality, and is linked to a low sex drive as well.

Some hormones lead to infertility when they appear in excessive quantities, while low levels or other hormones have exactly the same effect. Hormonal disorders can be the underlying cause of low sperm count, poor semen quality, and sperm that doesn’t move properly. Small sperm cell size and decreased libido are other consequences of hormonal disorders.

Physical problems

A varicocele is a dilation of the blood vessels in the scrotum. This can interfere with the sperm production process and lead to a poor sperm quality as well. Though a varicocele — which isn’t unlike varicose veins in the legs — can cause infertility, it doesn’t always. On the other hand, men whose fertility was obstructed by a varcicocele may not regain their fertility when they have the varicocele surgically treated.

With retrograde ejaculation, a man’s sperm ends up in the bladder rather than being ejaculated. This can happen because the bladder sphincter doesn’t function properly.

Some men are born without vas deferens, the tubes that lead sperm from the testicles to the penis, while others have theirs blocked as a result of infections like chlamydia, physical injury, or a vasectomy (which is, obviously, a voluntary procedure which you would definitely know about!). www.trying-to-conceive.com

Obese men and infertility

Obese women have a harder time getting pregnant naturally, but are also less likely to achieve success during fertility treatments. Many people are aware of that, but what role does obesity play in male infertility? Are men with a very high BMI unable to get their partner pregnant?

Thanks to Tobyotter via Flickr Creative Commons.

How does obesity impact male fertility?

A Danish study of almost 1,600 young men (who were trying to join the military, and had to provide a sperm sample!) showed that those men with a BMI of 25 or over had a much lower sperm count than men with a healthy weight, and that their sperm concentration was also lower. Men with a BMI of over 25 are considered to be overweight, while those with a BMI over 30 would be labeled as obese. We should take into account that muscle weights more than fat, and that very muscular men with a higher BMI may not have too much body fat at all.

Finish data suggests that every 20 pounds too much decreases a man’s fertility by 10 percent — conversely, this should mean that those guys who are slightly overweight can increase their chance of getting their partner pregnant significantly by losing just a few pounds, while those who are severely overweight need to work a bit harder.

French researchers, who also found that obesity lowers sperm count and can even result in semen with no live sperm at all, had an interesting theory about the underlying cause of this. Fat cells increase the presence of the female hormone estrogen in the body, which suppresses testosterone.

Losing weight

Obesity can lead to cardiovascular complications, diabetes, joint problems, and many more things researchers are still figuring out. It should come as no surprise that being overweight and obese also interferes with male fertility. When a couple appears to be unable to get pregnant after trying to conceive for a significant amount of time, it is usually the woman’s fertility they worry about first.

Lifestyle factors of both partners should be examined critically before considering talking to a doctor and undergoing fertility testing — and men should see where they can improve just as much as women. Eating habits, physical activity, and smoking and drinking should all find themselves under the microscope. If you are overweight, losing those excess pounds may make all the difference, and it make sense to tackle the problems that are right in your face before seeing whether the female partner has blocked fallopian tubes, for instance.

Diabetes and male fertility

Diabetes deserves a mention here, because Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity and lifestyle factors. This condition, too, can impact male fertility — alongside obesity itself. Research shows that diabetes causes a lower semen volume, and DNA changes in sperm cells. These negative DNA changes cause lower pregnancy rates, a higher risk of miscarriage, and can lead to some serious birth defects.

You’ll find insulin resistance in up to 60 percent of obese men, whether they are officially diabetic or not. If you are obese and trying to conceive, this is something you should take into account and that you should possibly see a doctor about.

www.trying-to-conceive.com

Tips to boost male fertility

Have you and your guy decided to try for a baby? No doubt, you’ve already been bombarded with advice — you may have asked for it, or it may have just found its way to you. Most preconception tips have to do with improving female fertility. You have probably heard all about folic acid and tracking your ovulation. But it takes two to tango. What can your other half do to boost his fertility?

Thanks to Podknox via Flickr Creative Commons.

Eating healthily

In an ideal world, every person would easily get all the nutrients they needed from foods. A healthy and varied diet — high in real, home-made meals, and low in junk food — certainly helps. Whether a man is a health nut who never indulges in McDonalds, beer, and chocolate or one who loves unhealthy treats and enjoys them a bit too often, getting tested for nutrititional deficiencies is a great move. Men who are deficient in vitamins A, C, D, E, and B vitamins, or who are lacking zinc or selenium are impaired when it comes to sperm production.

The message to men who do have deficiencies in minerals or vitamins is clear. Taking a multivitamin tablet every day will certainly reduce deficiencies. Taking a critical look at what you’re eating is a great step to take along with those multivitamins. Vitamins and minerals are absorbed more easily when they come from natural sources.

Tackle stress

Have you ever heard that stress can interfere with a woman’s menstrual cycle, and even stop her from ovulating? Men are really not that different. Stress can reduce male fertility, and obviously has the potential to damage your relationship as well. Men have a better shot at becoming a father soon if they are relaxed, so finding a source of stress relief that actually works is worth a lot. It’s not just mental stress that interferes with those swimmers, of course! Really heavy physical activity, including working out heavily, can have a negative impact on sperm too.

Sex — not too little, not too much

Researchers came to the conclusion that couples who have sex every day, or even multiple times a day, actually decrease their odds of conceiving. Sperm takes a while to produce, and having sex too often means men have a lower concentration of sperm in their ejaculate. Not that you’d notice. It’s not good to only have sex once a week or even less, either. Sperm that’s not fresh anymore doesn’t move so well, apparently! Sex every other day is the best interval for those who are trying to get pregnant. Of course, keeping the female partner’s ovulate date in mind (you can find that out by using an ovulation calendar) helps you plan better.

Prevent overheating

Have you heard that hot baths fry sperm? This isn’t an urban myth, unfortunately! Well, hot baths, saunas, laptops, the wrong saddle on your bike, and similar stuff doesn’t actually fry sperm, but it does slow down sperm production. The testicles work best at a temperature that is below your normal body temperature, which is why they are on the outside of the body in the first place. Along with the things we’ve already mentioned, really tight underwear or shorts can also cause the testicles to get too hot — especially if they are also synthetic. Save the heat for where it really counts, in between the sheets (or wherever else)!

No smoking and drinking

Smoking and drinking are bad for your health. That’s a message just as boring as the one about eating healthily. Staying fit falls in the same category. We hate to sound like a broken record, all the more because everyone has (hopefully!?) already realized this common wisdom. Drinking a glass of wine, or whiskey, or beer here and there isn’t that bad. It isn’t such a great idea for guys who are trying to get their partner pregnant, especially if it’s more than a glass here and there.

As for smoking, it’s just plain dangerous for everyone involved. Smoking cigarettes makes a man’s fertility drop, but it also has the same effect on his partner if she breathes the sec0nd-hand smoke from his cigarettes, or even third-hand smoke on his clothes, your bed sheets, and so on. Quitting is an essential part of the preconception checklist for any man who is currently a smoker. - www.trying-to-conceive.com

Want better sperm? Eat walnuts!

Low sperm count is one of the most common male fertility problems. In some cases, a better diet can make that sperm count shoot right up. Have you ever heard that walnuts can increase a man’s chances of getting his partner pregnant? Well, it is official now — walnuts improve fertility! It’s not an urban myth!

Thanks to artizone via Flickr Creative Commons.

Lead author Professor Wendie Robbins from UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health recruited 117 men between 21 and 35 years old. The study subjects, who were all eating a “typical western diet” (whatever that may mean!), were separated into two groups. One group was given 2.6 ounces of whole walnuts daily, to add to their diet. The other group continued with their previous diet, but was told not to eat nuts.

The results were pretty fascinating — the men who were in the group that started on a walnut-rich diet showed a significant improvement in their sperm count, but also had positive changes in the shape and speed of their swimmers! The men in the group that didn’t change their diet didn’t have any changes in their sperm quality.

Are you a tad skeptical about a study that says something as simple as eating walnuts could have such a huge impact on male fertility? Dr Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield, shared his views with the BBC: “It would be relatively easy to poke fun at studies like this, but there is increasing evidence to show that aspects of a man’s diet can affect the number and quality of sperm produced by his testicles.”

Do you or your partner have sperm quality problems, or are you just trying to conceive and hoping to maximize your chances  of pregnancy as soon as possible? Lots of factors are responsible for a person’s fertility, and weight, having sex at the right time of the month, and other things play large roles. Researchers think that the fatty acids in walnuts may explain the results of this study, so trying to incorporate walnuts and other fatty acids into your diet may improve your fertility. - www.trying-to-conceive.com

What is sperm analysis?

Finding out what the underlying cause of a couple’s infertility is can sometimes be tricky, and infertility testing can be a lengthy process. Sperm analysis, the single most informative male fertility test, is perhaps also the most straightforward fertility testing procedure. Who needs a sperm analysis, and what does this test find out?

Thanks to kamikaze gecko via Flickr Creative Commons.

What is analysed?

A semen analysis looks at many different things — a man’s sperm count, the size and shape of his sperm, and their speed. The volume of semen is measured as well, and sperm analysis also checks for white blood cells and anti-sperm antibodies. Each of these factors influences a man’s ability to get his partner pregnant.

Sperm count is probably the most well-known factor a sperm analysis looks into. A sperm count of 20 million sperm or more per milliliter of semen is considered normal. Because every man’s sperm count varies a bit (depending on illness, wearing underwear that is too tight, or even stress), sperm analysis should be carried out twice, a few weeks apart. This gives the most accurate picture of the man’s true sperm count range.

Motility and morphology, or speed and shape, are also examined during a sperm analysis. Sperm that is too slow or is malformed hinder a man’s fertility in obvious ways. Those men who are found to have problems in these two areas may find out why their sperm has poor motility or morphology (illness, or even sperm antibodies can be responsible for example), or the cause of their sperm’s speed and shape problems may remain unknown. One word about “weirdly shaped sperm”; every man has a certain percentage of sperm that are shaped abnormally, and this does not have to impact his fertility negatively. It is a higher than normal percentage of poorly shaped sperm that harms fertility, and the higher that percentage, the bigger the problem.

A high number of white blood cells in a man’s semen sample may indicate an infection of some kind, and will give the man the opportunity to receive medical treatment. The presence of anti-sperm antibodies shows that a the man’s bodily defense systems attack his own sperm — not very helpful if he is hoping to conceive. This is a fairly rare occurrence, fortunately.

Sperm analysis — what are the normal values?

Now that you know what sperm analysis looks out for, you probably want to find out what the normal values are as well. Here you go:

• Sperm count/sperm concentration: more than 20 million sperm per ml.
• Standard tests volume: more than 2.0 ml.
• Sperm motility: more than 50 percent of total sample have forward movement.
• Sperm morphology: a minimum of 15 percent should be normally shaped.
• White blood cells: less than one million white blood cells per ml.

Preparing for a sperm analysis

Are you going for sperm analysis? Of course, you are fairly nervous about the whole procedure. Masturbating into a cup is only the start of that — the results, which you will have access to quickly after the test, will tell you a lot about your reproductive future. You should discuss the preparations with your doctor in advance. Generally, though, you will be asked to abstain from intercourse and ejaculation for two to five days, so that your clinic can obtain the best results.

Men who have religious objections to ejaculating into the sterile cup normally provided can discuss other options with their healthcare team. However, it is important to note that the first part of the ejaculate contains most sperm and that collecting a sperm, sample after intercourse is not a good method. Collecting into a condom is not an option either, since these contain substances that harm sperm and bias the sample.

After your doctor has obtained your semen sample, the rest of the job is up to the lab. You will usually get the results as quickly as the next day, and will then meet with your doctor to discuss the results and any further steps that may be recommended in your fertility testing process.

Are you a man who has undergone sperm analysis? Please leave a comment and share your experience with other guys who are about to go through it! - www.trying-to-conceive.com

Antioxidants keep sperm healthy

Would you like to find out the secret of male fertility, into a ripe old age? Antioxidants could have a lot to do with it, a new study says!

Thanks to Doramon via Flickr Creative Commons.

What are antioxidants?

Vitamins C and E, zinc and folate (known as folic acid when produced artificially) — all of these antioxidants play an important role in human health. Antioxidants are powerful “soldiers” that battle free radicals that are reactive oxygen species. Every human body will be invaded by these free radicals, through pollution, smoking, x-rays and sunlight to name a few examples. They cause their fair share of damage, to cells, proteins, and even DNA.

Ensuring that foods containing antioxidants are part of your daily diet will work toward preventing and repairing damage caused by free radicals. This will improve your health, and may slow the negative consequences of aging. Foods that are full of antioxidants include:

• Berries, like raspberries, cranberries, and strawberries
• Plums and prunes
• Apples
• Beans and bean sprouts
• Onions
• Eggplant

For more specific information, you may also like to read about food sources of folic acid, and zinc rich foods for better fertility.

What’s new?

Previous research has already revealed that antioxidants improve fertility for both sexes. Now a new study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility specifically found that those men over 45 who had the highest levels of antioxidants had the fewest DNA-strand breaks in their sperm. In other words, the genetic quality of older men’s sperm is better if they get enough zinc, folate, and vitamins C and E.

Of course, eating better improves a person’s general health, and with that also their fertility. But the study’s senior researcher Andrew J Wyrobek of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California said that it was definitely the antioxidants themselves that made the difference in the genetic quality of men’s sperm.

Eighty healthy, non-smoking guys between the ages of 22 and 80 participated in the study. Besides generously donating a sperm sample, they also answered questions about their diet and dietary supplements. In the 45+ group, those men who had the highest vitamin C intake had 20 percent less DNA damage to their sperm than those who got less of the vitamin. Other antioxidants showed the same pattern, although the difference was not quite as drastic.

Wyrobek said that it is only adequate amounts of these antioxidants that male the difference, and that consuming larger amounts does not decrease the DNA damage any further. He also warned that there are many possible causes of male infertility, and cautioned couples against thinking that antioxidants could be a miracle cure. He did say that it makes sense to include these vitamins and minerals in your diet: “This suggests that if you’re an older man who’s planning on having children in the future, you could think of your diet as part of that overall plan.”

www.trying-to-conceive.com

Clomid for men?

Clomid, or clomiphene citrate, is a popular female fertility drug that induces ovulation. Did you know that men with fertility problems can benefit from Clomid too in some circumstances?

Thanks to Selbe B/Flickr Creative Commons.

What does Clomid do for women?

Before we get to why Clomid can really help some men with fertility problems, let’s quickly look at why the average woman takes Clomid. Clomiphene is frequently the first medication administered to women, and it is suitable for those who do not ovulate, those who are undergoing fertility treatments such as Intrauterine Insemination, and women who have been diagnosed with idiopathic (unexplained) infertility.

Clomid, which is structurally comparable to the female hormone estrogen, triggers the production of two hormones crucial to the conception process. Those hormones are Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). Clomid triggers the body’s hormonal function into improving, rather than offering a “boost” in the relevant hormones directly. It is, therefore, considered to be much safer than more intense fertility medications like gonadotropin injections.

If Clomid stimulates FSH and LH, what’s in it for men?

You may have been surprised that a female fertility drug can help men get their partner pregnant to start off with, but now that you know that Clomid triggers to very specific hormones that help follicles mature and ovulation to occur, you are probably baffled. Here’s the thing — men need FSH and LH too.

Luteinizing hormones stimulates testosterone production in men, while FSH plays an important role in testicular growth and the sperm cell development. Simply put, low levels of FSH and LH in men result in oligospermia, or a very low sperm count. This, in turn, means that the man is practically infertile. This is where clomiphene citrate comes in.

Clomid prescriptions for men

According to fertility clinics who prescribe Clomid to men, 25 mg to 5o mg of clomiphene daily is the appriopriate starting dose for men who have fertility problems as a result of hormonal issues. This daily regime is maintained for 25 days per month and followed by a break. Sperm production is a surprisingly long process — the time from sperm cell production to ejaculation is approximately 90 days!

Keep in mind that men on Clomid need to be monitored by their fertility clinic carefully. If testosterone levels go from too low to too high, this will also impair sperm production and will not improve the situation any. Women’s clomiphene cycles last for five days per month, and women taking this widely available fertility drug are generally subject to many Clomid side effects. Men on clomiphene are also likely to experience some of the non-female specific side effects.

Clomid prescriptions for men are still controversial. Clomid is actually the most frequently prescribed fertility drug even for men, but its immediate and long-term side effects and its effectiveness have not been studied thoroughly yet. Men who are hoping to become fathers with the help of clomiphene should certainly think twice even before using the drug as prescribed by a competent doctor.

Clomid, being cheap and widely available, is also a drug often dealt in illegally. Anyone can obtain it on the internet. So a word of warning to those who are considering this — Clomid is a serious prescription drug that should only be taken under the careful supervision of a doctor. Without a competent healthcare professional, you will never know if Clomid is the right medication for you. Even if it is, side effects are serious occasionally, and you don’t want to go that alone. “Clomid” bought on the web may also be something completely different. In other words, just stay away from shady online pharmacies advertising “Clomid without prescription”!

Are you a man who has taken Clomid and achieved pregnancy afterward? Or did taking clomiphene not work out for you? In any case, we would really love to hear from people with personal experience. Stories about your side effects on clomiphene would be useful as well. Please feel free to leave a comment!

6 surprising reasons for male infertility

Infertility is as much a male problem as a female problem. Are you and your partner trying to conceive? Read on to discover little known causes of male infertility — some of which you can easily do something about to increase your chances of getti

ng pregnant.

Thanks to drinksmachine/Flickr Creative Commons.

Dairy

Everyone knows that a person’s diet influences their fertility. A healthy diet influences your chances of conceiving a child positively, while junk-food diets can be detrimental to your chances of having a baby. Who would have thought cheese, milk, and other dairy products could be bad for a man’s sperm count? Researchers from the Harvard School scientists of Public and Health in Boston found exactly that. Eating three or more portions of dairy reduces a man’s fertility, the study team found. One portion is 250 ml of full-fat milk, a scoop of ice cream, 28 grams of cheese or a teaspoon of cream. If you over-indulge, your sperm count may reduce by 25 percent!

Sperm length variety

Men whose sperm come in many different lengths could have trouble getting their partners pregnant, the latest research from Brown University suggests. These new findings are important, because the flagellum of the sperm, that tail at the end that actually propels the cell forward, wasn’t previously looked at during the male fertility testing process. Sperm count and speed were looked at, as well as the shape of the head of the sperm, but that tail at the end had been neglected.

The study found that men whose sperm flagella were longer than average seemed to do better, while those with too much variety in length suffered. The study’s lead author Jim Mossman said: “The finding could give clinicians new insight into the diagnosis and treatment of male fertility problems, which accounts for up to 50 percent of the cases where couples struggle to conceive.”

Age

Women’s “biological clocks” are always a hot topic. The idea that men can have children well into their 80s is pretty persistent. That does happen in some causes, but male fertility declines at roughly the same age as female fertility. Australian scientists warn that the chance of conceiving is not the only thing at stake.

John Aitken from the University of Newcastle in New South Wales told the recent Fertility Society of Australia: “They don’t stop producing sperm, but the quality of those gametes deteriorates with age and the likelihood that the offspring will have some kind of genetic disease increases with the age of the father.”

Teenage obesity

What does it matter to your later fertility if you were overweight or obese as a teenager? Obesity significantly harms the sexual development of teenage boys, and the lower testosterone levels associated with obesity can have a long-term impact. This was the conclusion of yet another recent study, published in the journal Clinical Endocrinology. This study measured the testosterone levels of boys aged between 14 and 20. Shockingly, the obese boys’ testosterone levels were around 50 percent lower than those of their normal-weight counterparts.

Those men who were obese as adults can’t turn the clock back now, of course. This study does give parents of boys something to think about. Obesity is a very serious problem, but the impact it can have in future fertility is something we didn’t previously know about.

No exercise

Male fertility can have many causes, and it is perhaps no surprise that exercising regularly increases a man’s chances of having a baby. Scientists from the University of Cordoba noted that men’s sperm quality has generally declined over the last 50 years. Unhealthy lifestyles have of course been blamed, but the team wanted to find out exactly what role exercise played in male fertility. They looked at sperm count, motility and morphology, as well as hormone levels.

The team found that men who did not exercise had problems on all counts. Only moderate exercise could improve their fertility, though. If you have been a little too sedentary lately, plan to get active if you are hoping to become a dad in the future. Women should help their partners to establish a regular exercise routine, because their fertility benefits from physical activity just as much.

Maoism

So far, you’ve seen a little compilation of the world’s latest research in male infertility. I promised you surprising reasons for male infertility, but I have to admit the exercise one was pretty obvious. I’ll make up for that now, with this last voluntary cause of male infertility that is really very surprising — being an Indian Maoist.

India may not be known for as a “stronghold of the revolution”, but there are quite a few Maoist activists in certain parts of the sub-continent. Maoist cadres hoping to get married need the party’s approval of course, and one weird precondition is often that the man has a vasectomy. This prevents family ties getting in the way of politics, apparently. The Indian government is now offering Maoists who want to reintegrate in mainstream society free vasectomy reversals.

A Home Ministry communication said that the government will pay for vasectomy reversals to “reduce the temptation of the cadres to return to the Maoist fold. Hence, state governments should consider facilitating vasectomy reversal operations of willing Maoists. Since most sterilisation surgeries are conducted in a crude manner by local quacks, if the reversal operation has to be done in a higher medical centre, the government should bear the costs.”

www.trying-to-conceive.com