Wednesday 29 May 2013

Queries & Expert's View

Question:  My husband and I have an active sex life, and my periods are regular. However, we have still not conceived.

Answer: You need to remember that it's not possible to determine the reason for your infertility until you undergo tests to find out if your husband's sperm count is normal; if your Fallopian tubes and uterus are normal; and if you are producing eggs. Only after undergoing these tests will your doctor is able to tell you why you are not conceiving.


Question:   My gynecologist has done an internal examination and said I am normal. Do I still need to get tests done to determine why I am not conceiving?

Answer: A routine gynecological examina­tion does not provide information, such as blocked Fallopian tubes or ovulatory disorders. You need a sys­tematic infertility workup


Question:   Do painful periods cause infer­tility!

Answer: Painful periods do not affect fer­tility. In fact for most patients, regular painful "periods usually signal ovulatory cycles. However, pro­gressively worsening pain during periods (Especially when this is ac­companied by pain during sex may mean you have endometriosis)


Question:  Every 6 weeks. Could this be a rea­son for my infertility?

Answer: As long as the periods are regu­lar, this means ovulation is occur­ring. Some normal women have menstrual cycle lengths of as long as 40 days. Of course, since they have fewer cycles every year, the number of times they are "fertile" in a year is decreased. Also, they need to monitor their fertile period more closely.

Question:   Is psychological barrier is the reason for our infertility.

Answer: Unlike many other parts of your lives, infertility may be beyond your control. Don't blame yourself if you are not getting pregnant - it's a med­ical problem which often needs ap­propriate medical treatment.


Question:   I just had a HSG done, and this shows my tubes are blocked. I’ve never had symptoms of a pelvic infection, so how could my tubes get blocked?

Answer: Many pelvic infections have no symptoms at all, but can cause! Damage, sometimes inversely, to the tubes.


Question:   My doctor has advised me to take fertility drugs. I don't want to I take them because if I am scared that if I do, then I'll have a multiple births. 

Answer: Although fertility drugs do in­crease the chance of having a mul­tiple pregnancy the majority on women taking them have singleton births. 


Dr. Mrs. Neeraj Pahlajani
Obstetrician & IVF Specialist
(MS, DNB, FMAS, DRM - Germany)

Pahlajani Test Tube Baby Centre
(Mata Laxmi Nursing Home)
Anupam Nagar, Near T.V. Tower, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) India
Phone:  +91- 771- 4052967, +91- 771- 4053285
Mobile:  +91- 9300511044, +91- 9329630455
Email - contact@raipurivf.com, sameerp5000@hotmail.com

Visit Our Websites 

Common Fertility Myths

Although women have been con­ceiving babies since the beginning of time, false presumptions and myths about fertility abound. What causes so many misconceptions about conception? Some are old wives' tales, others just hearsay or distorted science. They've either been around so long or they fit well enough into anecdotal experience that they aren't questioned as they should be. What it comes down to is that a lot of people have the wrong idea about humans' repro­ductive systems and how they work. We've compiled some of the most common fertility myths and paired them up with the facts to set the record straight.

MYTH-01:   FERTILITY PROBLEMS BEGIN AT 35
Facts show that fertility changes throughout a woman's life and does suddenly decline when she turns 35. Rather, many women reach their fer­tile peak in their early twenties. This is an age when most women aren't even considering having children yet. But just because you're not thinking about children doesn't mean your bio­logical clock isn't ticking.

MYTH-02:   INFERTILITY IS A FEMALE PROBLEM
For some reason, when a problem with fertility arises with a couple, the party responsible is often as­sumed to be the woman—yet this couldn't be further from the truth. 40 percent of infertility problems are attributed to men. Another 40 percent is attributed to women, and about 20 percent to both.

MYTH-03:   DAILY INTERCOURSE HELPS CONCEPTION
Although it may be fun, having inter course more frequently than normal will not necessarily increase a woman's chances of conception. Ev­idence shows that the potency of a man's sperm may not be depleted upon frequent intercourse, but having intercourse every other day at the time of ovulation (most often be­tween days 12 and 16 of a woman's cycle) is sufficient as sperm can sur­vive an average of two days.

MYTH-04:   THE PILL REDUCES FERTILITY
No evidence shows that the consis­tent use of birth control pills affects future fertility, because they remain in a woman's system for around 24 hours at a time. Birth control pills never make much of an impact on the body's ability to reproduce. If anything, using the pill or one of its hormonal counterparts such as the patch or the ring can actually help fertility in some women.

MYTH-05:   CONCEPTION OCCURS ONLY DURING INTERCOURSE
It can take up to several days from the moment of intercourse for con­ception to occur, say experts. This is where birth control measures such as the rhythm method go awry. Since sperm can live in a woman's repro­ductive tract for days, a woman could have sex a few days before ovulation and still get pregnant.

MYTH-06:   STRESS CAUSES INFERTILITY
While stress can delay ovulation by suppressing hormones, it holds no bearing over a couple's ability to procreate. The actual meeting of sperm and egg isn't affected by nor­mal stress at all. Of course, if stress is affecting a couple's ability to have intercourse, then that's an entirely different story.

MYTH-07:   CONCEPTION IS EASY AFTER BABY NUMBER
While it is slightly more likely y will be able to conceive another child after having one, there are guarantees. A first pregnancy can make the uterus unsuitable for conception. If you are close to the age of 40 ovarian reserves may have become limited. Secondary infertility, that is trouble conceiving a second or sub sequent child, is a very common phenomenon.

MYTH-08:   OVULATION OCCURS ON DAY 14
While the typical menstrual cycle is 28 days, not every woman is typical. In fact, many women have cycle that lasts from 21 days up to as many as 35 days. To calculate| your day of ovulation, count back­wards 14 days from the last day of your cycle. It very well could be J day 14, or day 12, or day 20.

MYTH-09:   YOU CAN'T GET PREGNANT DURING YOUR PERIOD

Since ovulation time varies in women, it is possible to get preg­nant during your period. Although unlikely some women ovulate as early as the seventh day or have an extended period of menstruation that lasts until ovulation. Likewise, since sperm can live in the cervical mucus for an average of two days! Anything is possible. We hope fertility is no longer such a fog of conflicting data points to you. It can seem complex to under-f stand what with monitoring you temperature, ovulation, and the like, but once you get past the false-l hoods, you'll have a clearer view of the path to conception.


Dr. Mrs. Neeraj Pahlajani
Obstetrician & IVF Specialist
(MS, DNB, FMAS, DRM - Germany)

Pahlajani Test Tube Baby Centre
(Mata Laxmi Nursing Home)
Anupam Nagar, Near T.V. Tower, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) India
Phone:  +91- 771- 4052967, +91- 771- 4053285
Mobile:  +91- 9300511044, +91- 9329630455
Email - contact@raipurivf.com, sameerp5000@hotmail.com

Sunday 12 May 2013

Stress Impacts Fertility : Mind – Body Connection


1.    Sometimes life is stressful, but your home shouldn't be. Your home should be your sanctuary. It should be the one place you're able to relax and unwind after a long day. It's easy to create a stress-free home, and we have some tips to help you create your very own relaxing oasis.

2.    Decorate the foyer or entryway with lighting and fur­niture you love. Since these are the first things you'll see when you walk into your home, it's important to buy home decor items that will brighten your mood and make your happy.

3.     Fill your home with soft, relaxing light. Table lamps, floor lamps, and pendant lighting are just a few light fix­tures that provide soft light that will instantly relax a room.

4.    Steer clear of unsightly messes by keeping things like old newspapers and mail neatly organized.

5.    Create space in a room by donating unneeded furniture to your local good will store. Creating space is a way to remove clutter, and can help you relax.

6. One of the easiest ways to create a relaxing environ­ment is decorating with plants and flowers. Simply set­ting a vase full of flowers on the kitchen table can create a relaxed feeling.

The mind-body connection recognizes the reality that the mind and body are intimately and ultimately linked as one. There is absolutely no separation. What is thought or felt always resonates throughout the body moment by moment through a bio-chemical re­action. This reaction is either life and health enhancing or defeating. It has also been verified that each emotion has a distinct biochemical signature that affects mental and physical health and wellness. Medi­tation, deep breathing exercises, re­laxation techniques and directed, guided imagery can boost the im­mune system, alter blood pressure, decrease pain, and help with prob­lems such as infertility. Infertility isn't always the result of Physical illness or dysfunction. Sometimes, lifestyle factors can play an important role in determining a couple's fertility. Mental health is one lifestyle factor that is of particu­lar concern when it comes to fertil­ity. Many couples struggle with severe stress, depression, and emo­tional concerns as they deal with fertility issues. These emotional problems can have just as severe an effect on fertility as any physical problem. If you are trying to con­ceive, take stock of your mental health and work to minimize the success in your life. You will be amazed with the results!


HOW STRESS IMPACTS FERTILITY

It is important to understand fertility holistically. In addition to treat­ing the various physical etiologies of infertility, we must take into account the effects of stress and anxiety. Your mind and body work together, not separately. Therefore your thoughts live a direct effect on your physiol­ogy. When you are experiencing stress, your brain releases stress hor­mones.
These stress hormones function in many ways. One of the stress hormones, conrtisol has been documented to interfere with the release of the reproductive hormones. GnRH (gonadatropin releasing hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), estrogen, and progesterone. In fact, severe enough stress can completely inhibit the reproductive system. Cortisol levels have also been linked to very early pregnancy loss. Recent research tells us that stress boosts levels of stress hormones such as Cortisol, which inhibits the body's main sex hormones GnRH (go­nadotropin releasing hormone) and subsequently suppresses ovulation, sexual activity and sperm count. GnRH is responsible for the release of Luteinizing hormones and folli­cle-stimulating hormones by the pi­tuitary, the suppression of testosterone, estrogens, and sexual behavior.
For this reason, it has been found extremely helpful when treating in­fertility, to include mind-body con­nections and strategies which help to alleviate the stress response that sets off a cascade of hormonal re­sponses which may inhibit fertility. Chronic stress may cause lack of li­bido as well as a decrease in general fertility. This has become such a common issue that they have cre­ated a name for it Stress Induced Re­productive Dysfunction.

RELATIONSHIP AND INFERTILITY

If you are experiencing infertility, you may find that your struggles are really impacting your personal rela­tionship with your partner. The rollercoaster of emotions caused by infertility can put extreme stress on any partnership, making it difficult to relate to one another, talk to each other, and lean on one another for support. Many couples feel that in­fertility negatively affects their rela­tionship in a number of ways. It may also cause extreme personal stress, which can only impact fur­ther on your infertility. When you are struggling with infertility, it is important to learn how to manage your stress and emotions in order to maintain your partnership and en­hance your fertility. Many couples find it difficult to ex­press their true feelings and emo­tions. This can be especially troublesome when faced with the very real possibility that you may not conceive. However, if you do not learn to express your emotions, you may actually be further reducing your fertility. Research over the past decade has illustrated that emotions and stress have a dramatic impact on our body's functions. Emotions can make us feel sick, tired, ener­getic, or weak. Similarly, emotions and stress can also impact our hor­mone levels, influencing our fertil­ity.
There are a number of infertility re­treats based on the premise that the condition of the mind can greatly in­fluence physical fertility. These re­treats aim to restore or boost fertility by helping you to calm your mind and deal with your emotions. Activi­ties may include, a recent study illus­trates that mind-body infertility retreats significantly reduce the anxi­ety levels of women undergoing IVF and similar therapies. Though the study did not correlate the relationship between the mind-body retreats and subsequent IVF success rates, it has been shown in previous studies that women with lower anxiety rates have an in­creased chance of fertility treatment success.
You may also want to consider cre­ating a mind-body retreat within your own home in which you can escape to when you feel yourself be­coming overly stressed. Check out these great tips on redecorating your home for ideas on how you can create your relaxation oasis.

DEALING WITH INFERTILITY

If you are interested in trying differ­ent ways to boost your fertility, con­sider techniques to help control your emotional stress and improve your psychological wellbeing. When combined with stress busters, your traditional fertility treatments, mind-body connection guidelines can be highly successful and help to solidify relationships while enhanc­ing your overall enjoyment of life.


Dr. Mrs. Neeraj Pahlajani
Obstetrician & IVF Specialist
(MS, DNB, FMAS, DRM - Germany)

Pahlajani Test Tube Baby Centre
(Mata Laxmi Nursing Home)
Anupam Nagar, Near T.V. Tower, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) India
Phone:  +91- 771- 4052967, +91- 771- 4053285
Mobile:  +91- 9300511044, +91- 9329630455
Email - contact@raipurivf.com, sameerp5000@hotmail.com

Visit Our Websites





Some Fertility Enhancing Foodstuff for Men and Women



            You're not the only one who needs to eat right in order to conceive. Your man's diet can affect his fertility, too. Help him learn which fertility foods he needs — and which baby-busting foods he should zero. Nearly 40% of all fertility problems are related with men. In fact, there’s research showing that there are specific fertility foods your guy can add to his diet to help increase your odds of conceiving the baby of your dreams. And there are other foods that can actually impair your partner’s fertility. Find out which foods your man should add to his menu and which ones to take off the table. Fertility of a man can be hindered or delayed because of certain health issues or age. Nutritionally balanced diet has a key role not only in over all health, but also in fertility. Some researches have shown that the quality of the sperm and low sperm counts are directly connected to improper eating habits. Men who have low intake of fruits and veggies are more likely to suffer from this problem. Men should add these fertility foods in their diet to increase their odds or conceiving a baby.

FERTILIY FOODSTUFF FOR MEN

OYSTERS:  There’s a reason these slimy suckers are known as aphrodisiacs. Because of their zinc content, oysters help increase the production of sperm and testosterone key baby-making ingredients. If your guy simply can’t swallow this slippery seafood, he can also find zinc (though not as much of it) in fertility foods such as beef, poultry, dairy, nuts, eggs, whole grains, and beans. Or he can get zinc from a daily multivitamin, which he should be taking any way to make sure he and his little swimmers are as healthy as can be.

GARLIC: Garlic is a sexual super food that contains selenium and vitamin B6 in great amount. An antioxidant mineral, selenium prevents sperm damage and boost your sexual virility while vita­min B6 helps to fortify the immune system and regulate hormones. Gar­lic is an excellent source of allicin, which increases the blood flow to the sexual organs and thus enables perfect erections. Enjoy its benefits by sprinkling chopped garlic on your favorite foods.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: The antioxidants found in fruits and veggies (like the dried fruits, cranberries, and collard greens your man can munch on) help protect sperm from cellular damage and keep them strong and speedy just what they need to race through the Fallopian tubes and fertilize the egg. Find vitamin A  which is important in preventing sluggish sperm  in fertility foods such as leafy greens, carrots, red peppers, and apricots, to name a few. Get vitamin C which is critical to sperms’ motility and viability in orange juice, tomatoes, grapefruit, and broccoli, among other foods. And get vitamin E which helps keep sperm vital from vegetable oils. Fruits and veggies such as leafy greens, beans, and most fruits contain folic acid a B vitamin with antioxidant properties that’s crucial for keeping sperm free of chromosomal abnormalities. What if you’re looking for one power veggie to make a staple in your sweetie’s diet? Serve up a sweet potato. It’s packed with all of the nutrients above vitamins A, C, E.

CASHEW NUTS: Some researches have shown that only a short term deficiencies of zinc can affect testos­terone levels and decrease sperm volume. Cashew nuts are rich source of zinc, as essential mineral for a ro­bust body as well as for fertility in both men and women. Also, they are believed to increase testosterone levels. So, include handful of cashew nuts in your daily diet.

BANANA: Another sexual super food, banana is a rich source of magnesium, vitamin B1, vitamin A, vitamin C, and protein, which are re­quired to improve and stimulate the production of more sperm. This fruit is also rich in vitamin B and Brome­lain, which are powerful sexual hor­mone regulators that can help to enhance sexual virility. Try to in­clude banana in your daily diet. You can also prepare banana shake and smoothie to enjoy its benefits.

AVOCADO: Avocados contain a healthy dose of vitamin E that boosts sperm motility and assists the sperm to infiltrate the egg. Also, avocados are high in folic acid and vitamin B6 which help to regulate sexual hormone function that con­secutively helps to optimize sexual health. The best way to add avoca­dos in diet is adding a few slices of it to your salad or your sandwich. You can also take it along with other fruits and veggies.

ASPARAGUS: Asparagus is a great vegetable that believed to raise the sperm count. In the medieval era, this vegetable was widely used to treat infertility. Asparagus also con­tains vitamin C in good amount, which help to increase sperm motil­ity and viability. The best way of tak­ing this lovely vegetable is asparagus salads. You can also try it with other veggies for a mouthwatering treat and a steamy sitting with your part­ner thereafter.

TOMATOES: Many men who struggle with infertility have low levels of lycopene, as per Ovulation-Calculator. Tomatoes are rich source of antioxi­dant carotenoid lycopene, which in­crease the sperm count and motility. Also, this antioxidant is essential for keeping the sperm healthy. Consum­ing lycopene rich foods help to ensure the healthy sperm. So, you must in­clude this juicy veggie on your diet. Other good sources of lycopene in­clude watermelon, pink grapefruit, tomato juice, tomato sauce and ketchup.

APPLE: Apple is believed to be a well nutritionally balanced fruit. When apple is consumed in vinaigrette form i.e. a fruit cider vinegar, it is considered to do wonders. Daily consumption of apple surely in­creases the sperm count naturally. Some experts recommend that the results are quite nerve-wracking.

PUMPKIN SEEDS: Pumpkin seeds are also high in zinc, which is the most important mineral that in­creases testosterone levels and sperm count. When coming to fertil­ity, a high sperm count is a key fac­tor. Pumpkin seeds are also packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which mo­tivate blood flow to sexual organs and enhance sexual function. Have at least one zinc-rich food daily when you are trying to get your part­ner pregnant.

OYSTERS: Oysters are also a great source of zinc, which is needed to formulate the outer layer and tail of the sperm. Nutritionists consider that just 15mg of oysters a day can help to repair sperm that have been injured by chemicals engrossed from the environment. If you can't afford or digest oysters, then you will find plenty of zinc in nuts, beans, seeds and eggs.

POMEGRANATE: Drinking pome­granate juice can raise sperm count and help to make healthier sperm. Pomegranate juice also decreases the blood levels of malondialdehyde, which affects sperm produc­tion and also helps in erectile dysfunction. Juice of pomegranate may help to manage erectile dys­function, sperm concentration, sperm motility, augmented sperm cell density, and reduce abnormal sperm

FERTILIY FOODSTUFF FOR WOMEN

You probably know that eating a nutritious diet and living a healthy lifestyle (which includes exercising, keeping your weight under control, and cutting back on alcohol, among other things) is a great way to up your odds of conceiving and prime your body for pregnancy. And if you’re already taking those steps, you can give yourself a pat on the back or the belly. What you may not know, however, is that researchers have found that beyond eating a generally healthy diet, there are some foods (fertility foods, if you will) that may be particularly helpful when trying to conceive. What’s more, there are some not-so-healthy foods that may be especially harmful to your conception efforts. Keep in mind, though, that research into fertility-boosting foods is still in its infancy, and for every study showing a link between, say, berries and conception, there’s another to question the claim. So while there is no one food that will guarantee pregnancy, there are definitely some foods you should you dig into (they’re good for you, and that’s a good enough reason) and other foods you should ditch.

DAIRY: Dairy is rich in calcium, a nutrient that’s essential not just for bone health but also for reproductive health. So it pays to bone up on dairy (includes milk, yogurt, and cheese) when you’re trying to conceive. While you’re donning a milk mustache, try a full-fat one once a day particularly if you have ovulation issues: Some researchers think that one serving of whole milk (or even full-fat ice cream) can decrease the risk of ovulatory infertility. But remember that just one serving of full-fat dairy a day is all you need. Any more than that will just pack on pounds (and hinder your trying to conceive efforts). Not down with dairy? You can also find calcium in other fertility foods such as leafy greens, canned salmon with bones, tofu, almonds, and fortified juices. Aim for about 1,000 mg of calcium daily. And keep up the calcium quotient when you get pregnant since it’s crucial for the development of your baby-to-be bones and teeth.

LEAN PROTEIN: Animal protein such as lean turkey, chicken, and beef are chock-full of iron. And studies show that there’s a link between iron and fertility: Women who have enough iron have a higher fertility rate than women who are deficient in the nutrient. So pump up your intake of lean animal protein to about two servings a day but make sure to stay away from the high-fat variety and avoid more than three daily servings since research shows that too much protein (even lean protein) can decrease fertility. In fact, consider swapping out one serving of animal protein for a serving of plant protein, in such fertility foods as beans, tofu, or quinoa. If you’re not eating any animal protein, you may want to make sure your prenatal vitamin has iron.

COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES: Eating complex carbohydrates (whole grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits) as opposed to refined carbohydrates (like white bread, white rice, or sugary snacks) may increase fertility. How? Digesting refined carbs causes an increase in blood sugar and insulin in the body — and increased insulin levels can disrupt reproductive hormones and interfere with the menstrual cycle (and who wants a messed up cycle when trying to conceive?). Complex carbs, on the other hand, take longer to digest and don’t cause spikes in insulin levels. What’s more, complex carbs may even promote regular ovulation. Another bonus to eating complex carbs like whole grains? They contain multiple nutrients, including folic acid, which increases fertility and decreases the incidence of neural-tube defects in a fetus, which can occur early in pregnancy — even before you know you’ve got a baby on board. Of course, when it comes to folic acid, more is better, so choose a prenatal vitamin with that has at least 400 mcg.

FATTY FISH: The omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and herring have some big, fat fertility-boosting benefits. They may help to regulate reproductive hormones, increase blood flow to reproductive organs, and relieve stress (stress has been shown to be a surefire fertility buster). What if you’re not a fan of fish? You can get omega-3 fatty acids from other fertility foods such as flaxseed, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and enriched eggs. You can also talk with your health-care practitioner about supplementing with omega-3s.

WILD YAMS: Some experts think that this Thanksgiving staple contains a substance that may help stimulate ovulation. In fact, populations that eat a lot of wild yams have a high rate of twins. When it comes to fertility foods, this one may have double the effect!

BERRIES: Blueberries and raspberries are particularly packed with antioxidants, which help prevent damage and aging to your body’s cells and this includes cells in your reproductive system namely, your eggs. So a diet that’s rich in berries may help keep your eggs healthy and increase their shelf life.

OYSTERS: The oyster is famous for being an aphrodisiac and for good reason it contains zinc, which is crucial for conception. Zinc deficiency can disrupt the menstrual cycle and slow the production of good-quality eggs. What if you simply can’t swallow the idea of swallowing this fertility food? You can find zinc though less of it in such fertility foods as beef, poultry, dairy, nuts, eggs, whole grains, and legumes. Or you can get zinc from your prenatal vitamin.


Dr. Mrs. Neeraj Pahlajani
Obstetrician & IVF Specialist
(MS, DNB, FMAS, DRM - Germany)

Pahlajani Test Tube Baby Centre
(Mata Laxmi Nursing Home)
Anupam Nagar, Near T.V. Tower, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) India
Phone:  +91- 771- 4052967, +91- 771- 4053285
Mobile:  +91- 9300511044, +91- 9329630455
Email - contact@raipurivf.com, sameerp5000@hotmail.com

Visit Our Websites