- in Fertility , Health , Uncategorized by tony
Fertility Problems
There are several methods in mainstream medicine that can help women conceive or to resolve their fertility problems. Probably the best known of these is the use of IVF or In-Vitro Fertilization. This procedure involves the eggs being removed from the ovaries and mixed with sperm in a laboratory culture dish. When fertilization has occurred the fertilized eggs or embryos are returned to the uterus. However the cost of this procedure is high and many women cannot afford this luxury, so alternative fertility treatments are also sought after.
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Nearly three out of four couples that begin fertility treatment will eventually become parents, long-term studies suggest. The analysis of nearly 20,000 Danish couples found 65% had children within three years and 71% within five years. Doctors, presenting their data at a fertility conference, said the odds were heavily influenced by age.
But experts said the findings were very encouraging for couples struggling to have babies.
There is strong evidence that about one in three cycles of IVF is successful in women under the age of 35. But what happens in the long run, when some couples try repeatedly, others give up and some have problems that cannot be treated, has been uncertain.
Researchers at the Copenhagen University Hospital used rigorous registry records in Denmark to follow 19,884 women from the moment they started fertility treatment. The results, presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in 2018, showed that more than half had given birth within two years, rising to 71% after five years.
For women under 35, 80% had children within five years. But the figure fell to 61% in those between 35 and 40 years old; and fell again to 26% in women over 40.
Most cases of infertility can be overcome, but age is the most important factor to predict if treatments are going to be successful or not.
Women with a body mass index under 30 had better outcomes as well as women who didn't smoke.
The study also found that nearly a fifth of the women under 35 ended up conceiving because of sex - despite having sought fertility treatment.
However, Dr Malchau cautioned Denmark prioritized fertility treatments that made it easier for women to keep trying. Many other countries are less generous.
Common causes of infertility problems
Women:
- damage to the fallopian tubes
- ovulatory problems
- endometriosis
- age
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- diabetes
- smoking
- being overweight or underweight
Obese women have difficulty with their menstrual cycles.
They don't ovulate, contributing to decreased fertility.
Interestingly, 18 percent of couples in the United States now need medical interventions -- hormonal treatments, in vitro fertilization -- to conceive a child.
Obesity is a likely factor.
Men:
- low sperm count
- problems with the tubes carrying sperm
- problems getting an erection or ejaculating
- diabetes
- being overweight
Prof Nick Macklon, from the University of Southampton, said: "It really does provide some encouraging news for those who are about to embark on the journey of fertility treatment - the chance of having a baby is good.
There will always be individual factors that affect an individual's prognosis, but overall it shows us fertility treatments are working.
There's been a lot of debate about whether women should be having their children earlier, most of the people in my field would be of the view that if you can start earlier then your chances of completing the family you desire is going to be much higher.
Alternative Fertility Treatments
Modern life places both physiological and psychological pressures on a mother or mother-to-be that were not present in times past. Diets based largely on highly processed and unnatural foods as well as the near-continual stresses of daily life are not conducive to simply and naturally falling pregnant.
If conception is a problem, take the time to review your lifestyle for possible areas that may impact upon yours or your partner's fertility. Here are a few alternative methods well worth considering that are all natural and free from any negative side effects.
Reflexology
An increasing number of women claim to have been successful in being able to conceive with the help of a 'foot massage therapy' known as reflexology.
Reflexology can be used as a complementary therapy for treating people with fertility problems by stimulating the reflex points on their feet. These reflex points are connected via meridians to inner organs and systems of the body. This includes the ovaries and fallopian tubes as well as the whole reproductive system.
Reflexology works also as a stress inhibitor. When specific reflex points on the feet are stimulated an individual begins to relax. This stimulation releases the endorphins which are known as the 'feel-good' hormones.
Reflexology improves blood circulation and regulates the menstrual cycle by balancing the levels of a woman's hormones. Reflexology has also been found effective for helping women who have endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS.
Homeopathic Remedies
German studies reveal that homeopathic remedies are effective in aiding fertility problems.
Many women have problems with their hormones and the herb 'Agnus castus' has been used for centuries for balancing hormones.
A clinical trial showed that women who were taking 'Agnus castus' were more likely to fall pregnant than those that didn't. The herb helps relieve menstrual difficulties and aids problems with endometriosis and fibroid cysts of the uterus.
There is also evidence from other studies which have shown that women were able to improve their ovulation after using other homeopathic treatments.
Yoga
Yoga has long been recognized as a wonderful means of relieving stress. Chronic stress is known to be a major contributing factor to many illnesses that affect people physically and mentally.
Performing certain yoga poses will allow improved blood flow that is crucial for reproduction. For example improved blood flow to the hips, lower back, pelvis and groin areas give a boost to better gynecological functioning.
Yoga poses help connective tissues and tight muscles to relax and allows the mind to de-stress and provide a sense of calm. These are important factors for improving the ability to conceive.
Yoga sessions focus on breathing that enhances an individual's natural healing capacity. Many times the body needs to be healed before it is healthy enough to be able to conceive. These activities are beneficial for both partners in a couple who have fertility problems.
Yoga can help them become more empowered and increase their fertility as their mind and body are freed from the adverse effects of stress.
Generally, you'll meet with a physician for about an hour, and they're going to take a pretty detailed history
— not only of your fertility, when they first present to us but certainly just your general health for both you and your partner if you have one.
Generally, we'll move on then to an ultrasound to take a look at both ovaries and uterus.
And then finally, you'll probably spend some time with one of the nursing staff to discuss next steps from there.
Generally, I find that patients will have had at least a little bit of their evaluation performed already with their primary provider.
But some people come to us not having any evaluation at all.
fertility problems
Generally speaking you'll have some degree of laboratory evaluation that's going to involve some hormones.
Perhaps some prepregnancy labs to make sure you're sort of fit and ready to get pregnant.
We also then will generally add a semen analysis, for a partner, if there is a partner that's involved.
And then some sort of evaluation of the uterus or fallopian tubes so we know we have parts that are in working order.
Generally, most of these tests can be done within a month's time.
And you'll then sit back down with a physician again to review the results of testing.
Once you've reviewed those results, it's then that you have a better sense for what your options really are.
Sometimes you'll find that the physician recommends that you go back out on your own and try again for a little bit longer.
Otherwise, it may be that in the testing we found something that we can address specifically.
And then finally, we'll discuss some of the interventions that we have available that will target specific problems that have been identified.
