All you need to know about infertility

What is infertility?

Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying (or six months if a woman is 35 or older). Women who can get pregnant but are unable to stay pregnant may also be infertile.

Pregnancy is the result of a process that has many steps. To get pregnant:

• A woman's body must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation).
• The egg must go through a fallopian tube toward the uterus (womb).
• A man's sperm must join with (fertilize) the egg along the way.
• The fertilized egg must attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation).

Infertility can happen if there are problems with any of these steps.

What causes infertility in women?

Most cases of female infertility are caused by problems with ovulation. Without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized. Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods.
Ovulation problems are often caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a hormone imbalance problem which can interfere with normal ovulation. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility. Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is another cause of ovulation problems. POI occurs when a woman's ovaries stop working normally before she is 40. POI is not the same as early menopause.
Less common causes of fertility problems in women include:

• Blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy
• Physical problems with the uterus
• Uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous clumps of tissue and muscle on the walls of the uterus.

What things increase a woman's risk of infertility?

Many things can change a woman's ability to have a baby. These include:

• Age
• Smoking
• Excess alcohol use
• Stress
• Poor diet
• Athletic training
• Being overweight or underweight
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Health problems that cause hormonal changes, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and primary ovarian insufficiency

How does age affect a woman's ability to have children?

Many women are waiting until their 30s and 40s to have children. In fact, about 20 percent of women in the United States now have their first child after age 35. So age is a growing cause of fertility problems. About one-third of couples in which the woman is over 35 have fertility problems.

Aging decreases a woman's chances of having a baby in the following ways:

• Her ovaries become less able to release eggs
• She has a smaller number of eggs left
• Her eggs are not as healthy
• She is more likely to have health conditions that can cause fertility problems
• She is more likely to have a miscarriage

How long should women try to get pregnant before calling their doctors?

Most experts suggest at least one year. Women 35 or older should see their doctors after six months of trying. A woman's chances of having a baby decrease rapidly every year after the age of 30.

Some health problems also increase the risk of infertility. So, women should talk to their doctors if they have:

• Irregular periods or no menstrual periods
• Very painful periods
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• More than one miscarriage

It is a good idea for any woman to talk to a doctor before trying to get pregnant. Doctors can help you get your body ready for a healthy baby. They can also answer questions on fertility and give tips on conceiving.

How will doctors find out if a woman and her partner have fertility problems?

Doctors will do an infertility checkup. This involves a physical exam. The doctor will also ask for both partners' health and sexual histories. Sometimes this can find the problem. However, most of the time, the doctor will need to do more tests.
In men, doctors usually begin by testing the semen. They look at the number, shape, and movement of the sperm. Sometimes doctors also suggest testing the level of a man's hormones.
In women, the first step is to find out if she is ovulating each month. There are a few ways to do this. A woman can track her ovulation at home by:

• Writing down changes in her morning body temperature for several months
• Writing down how her cervical mucus looks for several months
• Using a home ovulation test kit (available at drug or grocery stores)

Doctors can also check ovulation with blood tests. Or they can do an ultrasound of the ovaries. If ovulation is normal, there are other fertility tests available.
Some common tests of fertility in women include:

• Hysterosalpingography (HIS-tur-oh-sal-ping-GOGH-ru-fee): This is an x-ray of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Doctors inject a special dye into the uterus through the vagina. This dye shows up in the x-ray. Doctors can then watch to see if the dye moves freely through the uterus and fallopian tubes. This can help them find physical blocks that may be causing infertility. Blocks in the system can keep the egg from moving from the fallopian tube to the uterus. A block could also keep the sperm from reaching the egg.
• Laparoscopy (lap-uh-ROS-kuh-pee): A minor surgery to see inside the abdomen. The doctor does this with a small tool with a light called a laparoscope (LAP-uh-roh-skohp). She or he makes a small cut in the lower abdomen and inserts the laparoscope. With the laparoscope, the doctor can check the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus for disease and physical problems. Doctors can usually find scarring and endometriosis by laparoscopy.

Finding the cause of infertility can be a long and emotional process. It may take time to complete all the needed tests. So don't worry if the problem is not found right away.

Source: http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/infertility.cfm

New Year Expectations for Women with Uterus Problems

It took me awhile to write this post even though it came to mind from the beginning of the new year. First let me wish all of you beautiful people a happy new year. 

Each time, I write a post I think of myself and the many negative feelings that have crossed my mind and I had to FORCE them out and remember God is in control of every situation. So I asked you today, what are your new year plans for your body?

Have you decided to eat everything and anything you want because you just want to be like everybody else, normal? Well everybody else is not healthy, but even then, they are not faced with our conditions. We have to live each day knowing that we are not like everybody else, but it does not make us abnormal. In fact eating healthy is the right way to go. So give up the fries and sodas, the caffiene and alcohol and whatever totally fatty food you are consuming because it is not doing you any good.

I started this year, I believe, in the right spirit, watching what I eat and how much I eat. Therefore, I have cut down on the amount I eat to keep my weight within norm, but also I have increased my vegetable and fruit intake. Now eating healthy is not cheap, but it is something we gotta do. I have also maintain good practices such as drinking my tea without sugar (not easy at the beginning but you would get use to it), no caffeine, sodas and alcohol. I have my parsley right now, out in front of me, about to chop them and make that drink that I share on my facebook page for those of you who follow it. If you don't, you should. There are some interesting things that I share on the page at times that are not on the blog, such as good food for endometriosis and fibroids etc. 

I hope that for all of you, this year have brought on new positive energy. I understand that many probably have already given up on hope out of their conditions and hope for pregnancy. I believe in taking a break so as not to fall into depression, and just enjoy your life and your husbands, but do not give up. God is in charge of your situation and though we do not always get his timing, once we remain faithful and steadfast he will see us through. There are a lot of information out there that we are not aware of you. Through my blog and page, I will seek to bring some to light so that you will remain hopeful. I am looking forward to hear from many of you either on my page or via the email at the bottom of this page. Tell me the great successes you have had this year. Share about your treatment plans or even your pains. Someone out there is listening and reading and wants direction- your story might just do the trick. Happy New Year all and baby dust to all of you.

Improving fertility with endometriosis

Bee Propolis May Improve Fertility in Women with Endometriosis

Women with endometriosis who have been unable to get pregnant may have a more successful outcome by taking bee propolis, according to a preliminary study in Fertility and Sterility (2003;80:S32). This is encouraging for the millions of women with endometriosis who are suffering from infertility.

Endometriosis is a disease where cells from the uterine lining become implanted within the pelvic cavity, causing adhesions, menstrual irregularities, painful periods, premenstrual syndrome, and infertility. Other conditions associated with endometriosis include migraine headaches and mitral valve prolapse. The diagnosis can be difficult, since surgery is the only way to accurately identify endometriosis. Studies suggest that 7 to 10% of all women in the United States have endometriosis. It is the third leading cause of gynecological hospitalization and the leading cause of hysterectomy. The cause of endometriosis is unknown, although a genetic link is likely. Surgical excision of the lesions and medications that suppress the production of estrogen and progesterone may provide temporary relief, but neither offers a cure.

In the new preliminary study, 40 women with mild endometriosis and primary infertility (i.e., they had never been pregnant) who had unsuccessfully tried to get pregnant for at least two years were assigned to receive 500 mg twice a day of bee propolis or placebo for nine months. The number of pregnancies was recorded during the treatment period.

Women taking bee propolis had a significantly higher pregnancy rate than those taking the placebo. The number of women who became pregnant in the treatment and placebo groups was 60 and 20%, respectively. No adverse effects were reported by the women taking bee propolis.

Propolis is the resinous substance collected by bees from the leaves and bark of trees, especially poplar and conifer trees. Bees use propolis along with beeswax to construct their hives. Test tube studies, although preliminary, suggest that propolis may have strong anti-inflammatory effects. The pain associated with endometriosis is often due to the body’s inflammatory response to the endometrial lesions in the pelvic wall. Propolis may help decrease this inflammatory reaction, thereby reducing pain. It is unknown how propolis affects fertility.

Several studies suggest that oral propolis is useful in treating the common cold and intestinal parasites. Other studies have shown that topical propolis helps against genital herpes, cold sores, dental caries, periodontal disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in private practice at New England Family Health Associates located in Southport, CT, where he specializes in environmental medicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a regular contributor to Healthnotes and Healthnotes Newswire.

http://www.bastyrcenter.org/content/view/623/

Ovarian Cyst and Pregnancy

Can Ovarian Cyst prevents Pregnancy?

By: P.J. Rice

A cyst is an abnormality that can be pictured as an enclosed little pocket inside the body. It could be filled with air, fluids, or even a semi-solid material. (A cyst is different from an abscess, which is filled with puss.) There are many different types of cysts that can be located in various parts of the body.

Ovarian cysts develop on a woman's ovaries, which are the female reproductive organs that produce ovum, or eggs. Ovarian cysts can affect women of all ages. They are typically considered to be harmless because in most circumstances they are benign, or non-cancerous. The cysts often go away on their own without treatment, but in some situations they grow large enough to cause pain, bleeding, or other problems. In that case, the cysts will probably need to be removed with surgery.

A woman might begin experiencing different symptoms that could cause her ob-gyn to suspect ovarian cysts and request further diagnostic tests; these symptoms can include aching or bloating in the abdomen, abnormal spotting or bleeding, painful or irregular periods, or even changes in urination and bowel movements. Symptoms vary from woman to woman, and ovarian cysts need to be officially diagnosed with a CT scan or ultrasound.

Many women with benign cysts are able to conceive and have normal, healthy pregnancies, but of course that's not always the case. Infertility can also be a symptom or side effect of ovarian cysts. The cysts may affect a woman's fertility if they interfere with the normal process of ovulation or if they are acting as an obstacle: the cysts could be located in a spot that gets them in the way of the normal fertilization process. They could be blocking the sperm from successfully reaching the egg, or vice versa.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (often shortened to PCOS) is a medical condition which is a major cause of infertility. A woman suffering from PCOS has unbalanced levels of hormones in her body due to cysts on her ovaries, and she does not ovulate normally. This means that she has fewer periods per year, therefore giving her fewer opportunities to get pregnant.

The symptoms aren't always completely obvious - many women with PCOS aren't even aware that they have the condition until they begin trying to conceive.

However, one good thing can be said about PCOS: it is not the end of the road. Many women suffering from PCOS are able to get pregnant with fertility treatments and have a healthy baby. This does not always mean extremely expensive things like in-vitro fertilization. Some women are able to conceive after losing weight, which may help improve hormone imbalances, and others have success with fertility drugs, such as Clomid. Women with PCOS should never give up hope.

If you have ovarian cysts it does not mean you will never have a baby. In fact, there are some natural and holistic methods that can cure most women of infertility even if they have had ovarian cysts for years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3864362

Ginger for Endometriosis

6 ways ginger effect endometriosis

1. Constipation

Ginger contains gingerol which helps to increase the motility of the gastrointestinal tract thereby decreasing the risk of constipation caused by endometrial implants or adhesion attached to organs of secretion. (Please avoid using synthetic laxatives, as these may cause lazy bowl syndrome) It also is a sedative, that helps to relief menstrual pain.

2. Menstrual cramp

Besides containing gingerol which is effective in fighting off any infection and inflammation caused by virus and bacteria, it also contains many powerful antioxidants such as zinc that helps in fatty acids metabolism thereby balancing the levels of fatty acids in the body and reducing the risk of over-production of certain prostaglandins family leading to menstrual cramps.

3. Heavy blood flow

Women with endometriosis associated with heavy blood flow during menstruation caused by breaking off of the capillaries wall in the abdominal region may be helpful with intake of ginger, because it contains high levels of vitamin C that is necessary to make the capillary wall strong and more elastic, thus reducing blood flow.

4. Vitamin B complex

Vitamin B complex presented in the ginger not only reduces the risk of inflammation that causes endometrial implants and adhesion, but also helps to balance the hormones produced by the thyroid and adrenal glands which control the mood swing, anxiety and other nervous symptoms for women with endometriosis during menstrual cycle.

5. Hormone balancing

The existence of magnesium in ginger, besides helping in essential fatty metabolism in fighting against inflammation, it also helps to reduce menstrual cramps by producing the good prostaglandins that bind the over-production of bad prostaglandins hormones produced by the body thus calming the uterine muscles.

6. Cell growth

Ginger also contains high amounts of potassium, that is essential for synthesizing protein from amino acids which is essential for cell duplication during translation. Deficiency of potassium may cause cell abnormality. Ginger also helps to improve the transmit information between cells that reduces the risk of nervous symptom such as depression, anxiety, irritation, confuse and loss of memory. 

By Kyle J. Norton Health Article Writer 

Source: http://www.worldwidehealth.com/health-article-Endometriosis-and-Zingiber-Officinale-Ginger.html

Supernatural Childbirth

Have you read the book supernatural childbirth? Sometime ago I was talking to a friend about our similar situation of having fibroids and she introduced me to this book. I had taken the bold step of surgery, but she is believing God for a miracle. I do not see anything wrong with that because it is our faith in God that healed us. Anyway, she related to me how many persons after reading this book, got pregnant. I knew their couldn't be power in the book, but I was eager to see what the book is all about. So last night I started reading it and from the preface I became very intrigued. I am therefore posting the information about this book here. You may decide to purchase it or read segments of it on Google books. It is called "Supernatural Childbirth: Experiencing the promises of God concerning conception and delivery" By Jackie Mize.

The book is based on faith and I believe in reading it many of us who have lost faith will increase in faith. Within this book, there are women, just like us, who are suffering from various issues of the uterus. There are women who were told that they would never have a baby and even if they get pregnant, they would miscarried. There are women who have miscarried and have to battle with the fear of losing another child. Our emotions and experiences are within this book and it can help us by reducing the stress that is often built up in our thoughts of not having a child when we realize what God have to say about barrenness and fertility.

My friend did not get around to reading the book just yet, but she knew of many who have read it within her church, who got pregnant after reading it, despite years of trying without success. There is power in the word of God, but we have to know what it says. I urge us to read and build our faith by removing ALL negative thoughts and when God has blessed you, testify, share your stories with us so that others will be blessed and their faith built. 

Pregnancy Jitters...Are you pregnant finally?

So you have been trying, some for months others for years. You know the pain of wanting but not having, the many times you took gauging your ovulation, taking your temperature, looking at your cervical mucus...You no longer enjoy sex because pregnancy is so much on your mind, you have to schedule every sexual episode. Is your partner happy? Maybe he is, maybe he is showing all the support he can, but frustrated and cannot show it or share what he is feeling because he is still thinking of you.

You are on every forum and blog page reading and reading. Don't we need that? Who is feeling what and how and when? Who have success with our conditions? Maybe you should stop read, you tell yourself, but can you? It helps us going and hoping and trusting. It will soon be our turn.

No one really knows what we go through except they have gone through it themselves. Are you pregnant this month? You don't know but like the many times before you hope and you trust. You know your body more than ever before but still it tricks you. You document every change, every new and old symptom, but still there is not enough information to understand. You feel pregnant. Your boobs are heavy and swollen down to their nipples, there is cramping, nauseousness, headaches, metallic taste in mouth, dizziness...you know all the symptoms by heart and you feel them too, but your period is due in weeks...You try to wait, but your mind would not allow you so you tested. How much of your money has been eaten up in pregnancy tests only to see the BFN...You know you should wait, but how can you when you want it so badly. And then the day come when you should really test, but to your disappoint so have your period. You cry and you cry, like all the other months you have cried. Who will find a solution and when?

Uterus issues cost us so much and people may never understand. It is not just the financial cost, but the emotional burden. The very same stress that we should not have, is caused by us as we become depressed by our situations. Today I urge us ladies, let us continue to show our support for each other and every cause involving our uterus. Let us pray one for another and let us maintain faith that we will soon be granted the desires of our hearts. Baby dust to all!!!!