Best Health: How do these chemicals affect our hormones exactly?

Miriam Diamond: As described by Swan in the Guardian piece and back in 1997 in Theo Coburns Our Stolen Future, certain chemicals mimic natural reproductive hormones. Every one of us in Western countries is exposed to a cocktail of these chemicals. The exposures that were most concerned about occur during fetal development, because that’s when the body is programmed and when the development occurs. If things are mucked up during fetal development it can be manifested later in life, for example, when someone gets an early period or has low sperm count.

BH: Does that mean the damage is already done?

MD: Most of the evidence is for fetal exposure, and there’s less evidence for kids exposure. Each one of us has been exposed for a really long time. Yes, if youre thinking about getting pregnant, be particularly careful to limit your exposure, but there are things we in society need to do to protect future generations. Prevention is key.

BH: Which items should we limit our exposure to?

MD: It is really about achieving a healthy life and a more sustainable future for all our kids. That means using fewer products in general, because its about personal health but also planetary health. You don’t want to guilt anybody into avoiding certain thingsthese are just things that you can do moving forward:

Limit processed foods and meat consumption

Eating low on the food chain and reducing your consumption of meat and animal products reduces your intake of a bunch of these chemicals and also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Try to limit your use of processed foods when you can.

Build boundaries around your tech

Limit your electronics, both by how many you have, and how much you use them. For example, don’t have a TV in your bedroom. Electronics give off a bunch of different chemicals including flame retardants, plasticizers, and the forever chemicals like Teflon.

Re-consider your cosmetics

PFASa particular group of very persistent chemicals, some of which have known toxic effects and some of which we have yet to figure outarent labelled on cosmetics. Theyre generally found in anything that’s waterproof or super long-lasting. We know from our product testing that non-waterproof products have less of these forever chemicals. In North America, we’ve been less aggressive in getting rid of hazardous chemicals, so European products are generally better. Also, watch out for natural products, which could be a bit of greenwashing.

Invest in safe cookware

We worry about Teflon, the chemical used to make nonstick pans (and many other products), because like other PFAS, it has been linked to immune dysfunction and changes in your metabolic system along with reproductive problems. Id go with cast iron pans. Le Creuset are phenomenally expensive but durable. I bought my first set in 1976and I still use it.

Get outside

Clothing, furniture, kids toys, takeout food containers, receipts, dental flossall these items have some elevated levels of these damaging chemicals. We need to spend more time outside to have time away from the many products indoors that emit these chemicals.This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.Next: This Canadian Company Made Pregnancy and Ovulation Tests So Much Better

The post How Everyday Products Can Affect Your Fertility appeared first on Best Health.

Pay attention to your stress levels

Stress isnt good for fertility, says Dunne, and then infertility leads to more stress, which becomes a destructive cycle. So, its a good time to introduce stress management techniques into your life, if youre not doing so already. Dunne recommends exercising regularly (30-60 minutes per day), practicing mindfulness and/or meditation, and if you still feel stressed, some alternative therapies, like acupuncture, may help you relax.(Related: Why Exercise Can Be the Most Effective Way to Relieve Stress)

Ask yourself why youre postponing having a baby

Obviously having a baby is a deeply personal decision so everyone has to consider their own lives in the context of Covid-19, says Dunne. If the reason is the fear of contracting the virus while pregnant, it may be comforting to know that new studies show Covid-19 does not lead to birth defects. The New England Journal of Medicine recently published an article supporting womens autonomy to conceive during the pandemic, says Dunne. Although pregnant women can still contract Covid-19, just like anyone else, it appears to be very rare that it would cross to the baby in utero.

Find out your ovarian reserveespecially if youre over the age of 35

There is a risk for people over 35 delaying pregnancy, says Dunne. The number of eggs a woman has declines throughout life, and after 35, it can be harder to get pregnant naturally. A blood test called Anti-Mllerian hormone (AMH) can tell you how many eggs you have left, which is also known as your ovarian reserve.A good number of eggs depends on your age. If we’re talking about a woman who’s over 35, or a woman who is younger but has egg numbers that are on the lower side for her age, then we have to have a more detailed conversation about the risks of delaying pregnancy, says Dunne. For that reason, she recommends not interpreting the results on your own but seeking the expertise of a doctor.(Related: 10 Facts Every Woman Needs to Know About Her Fertility)

Talk to a fertility doctor if youre concerned.

If you have any worries about your fertility, it may help to see a specialist. For example, if you have an abnormal menstrual cycle (with “normal” defined as between 21 and 35 days) they may prescribe medication to help regulate it, and determine if any lifestyle factors are to blame. Id want to check the thyroid, body weight, check for diabetes, and of course check the fallopian tubes, says Dunne. Fallopian tubes can get blocked if a woman has had pelvic surgery, endometriosis, or a previous chlamydia infection.(Related: Why You Should Be Tracking Your Menstrual Cycle)

Do what you can to boost your fertility while you wait

Dunne recommends every woman take a prenatal vitamin or a multivitamin with 1mg of folic acid. It’s probably a good thing for everybody of childbearing age to take one because that folic acid will build up in your blood over two or three months, says Dunne. “Thats important when pregnant folic acid helps the babys spine form properly in the first 28 days of life. She also suggests taking vitamin D since we dont get enough sunlight in Canada. As for lifestyle changes, Dunne recommends avoiding smoking, vaping, and drinking heavily, and maintaining a healthy body weight. And trust your instinct, if something doesnt feel right then go see your doctor to check-in.(Related: Adaptogens for Fertility: What You Need to Know)

If you have a male partner, his fertility should be measured, too

Male factor infertility remains the number one single cause of infertility, says Dunne, so its important to consider both the man and the womans history when deciding how urgently things should be investigated. Maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding excess alcohol consumption (no more than 10 to 14 drinks per week), and avoiding smoking and vaping can all help with male fertility, says Dunne. Another thing to avoid: Excessive heat. Sitting in a hot tub or sauna for a prolonged period of time can be harmful to sperm as well.Next: 12 Things Men Can Do to Boost Their Fertility

The post What You Need to Know if You’re Delaying Pregnancy During Covid appeared first on Best Health.

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are non-toxic, plant-based agents that assist in your body’s ability to respond to stress. Classified as “natural health products” under Health Canada, these herbal remedies can be purchased at your local health food store.

Why everyone is talking about adaptogens

Dr. Tracy Malone, a naturopathic doctor and cofounder of Conceive Health (a naturopathic clinic focused on fertility), speculates that patients struggling with infertility tend to gravitate towards adaptogens because they are touted as a natural solution to help modulate stress and curb symptoms of depression and anxiety.Fertility patients tend to suffer from significantly higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety, says Malone. “They are continuously disrupted with early morning appointments, injections, hormones, expense, uncertainty, and so much testing.”

What the research says

Malone says that research has shown that stress levels in patients dealing with infertility are extremely high. A study published in 2018 in Science Dailyshowed that high levels of stress are associated with lower odds of conception for women.Dr. Sony Sierra, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at TRIO Fertility in Toronto, agrees. “I do believe there is a relationship between stress and infertility,” she says.Stress is our bodys response to feeling threatened or harmed in some way. “With respect to the reproductive function in situations of stress, some women report that their cycles become irregular,” says Sierra. “Ovulatory function may be affected, therefore making it difficult to conceive during that time.”Ultimately, every woman’s stress level and ability to cope with stress is different.(Related: Am I Crazy for Trying to Get Pregnant During a Pandemic?)

Can certain adaptogens increase fertility?

Malone says yes, it’s possible. She often suggests adaptogens for patients preparing for fertility treatment to help assist with chronic stress patterns, such as chronic anxiety or a general lack of daily self-care around food, sleep, exercise, and mindfulness.For instance, ashwagandha can help modulate cortisol production and curb anxiety, she says. “Most patients are quite anxious, and this plant is safe to take during preconception.” It can also help improve motility, structure, and function of sperm in males, which is an issue in up to 40 to 50 percent of cases of infertility.Licorice is useful in cases of extreme fatigue or burnout. But if you have pre-existing high blood pressure, Malone warns to be cautious when using this plant. Licorice can gently raise blood pressure, and if taken in large doses, can deplete potassium levels, she says.And, typically, “I’ll use Maca, known as Peruvian ginseng, for patients who have low hormone levels and low libido,” Malone adds.While adaptogens can be helpful during conventional fertility treatment in some patients, some can be counterproductive, so it’s important to judge their use on a case-by-case basis.And Malone says you should always consult with a licensed infertility specialist before trying adaptogens, to ensure they are compatible with any fertility medication you may already be taking.(Related: 10 Facts Every Woman Needs to Know About Fertility)

When is the right time to consider natural treatment for infertility?

Sierra says natural treatments can be seen as assisted reproductive therapy to conventional fertility treatment. Speak with naturopathic doctors who have endocrinology expertise and are familiar with fertility treatments, says Sierra.”At TRIO Fertility, we have naturopathic doctors on-site, and patients are encouraged to consult with one while waiting to see an infertility specialist and during their treatment at any phase,” she says. “Especially in cases where women have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that’s common among women of reproductive age, or reached an advanced maternal age (35 years or older), the addition of naturopathic intervention has been found to be very helpful.”Next: Everything You Need to Know About Vaginal Discharge

The post Adaptogens for Fertility: What You Need to Know appeared first on Best Health.

Age is not the only obstacle to fertility

What’s the right age to have a baby? That depends on many things, including where a person is in their life and their personal goals and priorities. However, it’s known that fertility tends to decline with age. While the age 35 is traditionally tossed around, Brian Levine, MD, the founding partner and practice director of the fertility clinic, CCRM-New York, says younger women could also have fertility problems, but don’t discover it until they begin trying to conceive.

As a general rule of thumb (which definitely varies by the individual, a partner, and their family history), women who are under 35 years old who would like to get pregnant but haven’t conceived after a year of unprotected sex should should seek medical attention. Those over 35 should give it six months before seeing their doctor, according to Dr. Levine.

Both quality and quantity of eggs decrease over time

The reason a woman’s fourth decadethose pivotal 30sreceive so much attention for family planning is that the older women get, the less fertile they become and the more likely their infants will have health issues. “The number and quality of eggs decrease as women get older, more precipitously after the mid- to late-30s making it more difficult to conceive,” says Paula Amato, MD, associate professor of ob-gyn at Oregon Health & Science University. “In addition, the risks of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus increase as women get older.” (Here are a few foods that may help boost your fertility.)

Infertility isn’t just a woman’s issue

Dr. Levine notes that it takes two to make a baby. When you’re being tested for infertility, both men and women will be examined to see what issues may be going on. He says that approximately 40 percent of infertility is due to female issues, another 40 percent is due to male issues, and approximately 20 percent is for unclear reasons. Dr. Amato points out that certain lubricants used during intercourse can decrease sperm motility or survival. It’s important that both partners take fertility-promoting steps, such as watching their diet and other habits, too. Here’s what else men can do to boost their fertility.

An infertility evaluation isn’t expensive or difficult

Even if you’re nowhere near prepared to start your family, if you’re curious about your ability to get pregnant one day and just want to be reassured, Dr. Levine says there have been many advances in medicine over the past few decades to make the evaluation seamless. “In the early days of treating infertility patients, many of them underwent diagnostic surgeries to look for cysts, endometriosis, and other abnormalities,” he explained. “However, because of high-resolution ultrasounds, highly accurate blood work, and other imaging techniques, there is no need to do surgery on a patient unless there is a clear abnormality.” So what does it consist of today? Basically drawing blood and a few injections.

Fertility is dynamic, and the decline is unpredictable

Fertility is personal and can be unpredictable. While not having your period on a regular basis could hint there’s something wrong, it also could just mean you’re stressed. Everything has to do with what’s going on when you get tested. “Many assessments of fertility are impacted by the timing and type of test, and we know that when people make lifestyle changes, fertility can change. For example, if a woman takes up marathon training, she may notice her period goes away. If she stops training and regains her body fat, the normal cycle may resume,” Dr. Levine explains. “Along the same lines, without testing at an interval, it’s hard to tell from a single test whether someone has high, moderate, low, or declining fertility. (Did you know your beauty products could be causing infertility?)

Many causes of infertility are reversible

If you’re sitting in your ob-gyn’s office and they’re calmly explaining your fertility issue and you find yourself completely overwhelmed, take heart. Dr. Levine says that many causes of infertility can be easily reversed and solved with simple surgeries. These include blocked fallopian tubes, fibroids in the uterus, cysts on the ovaries, thyroid abnormalities, and others. After these procedures, most women go on to get pregnant on their own, or with the help of IVF treatments, Dr. Levine says. (Have PCOS? Don’t worryyou can still conceive.)

Egg freezing is a good option, but it’s not foolproof

One option to preserve your fertility is egg freezing. While prices vary depending on whether you go to your ob-gyn or a fertility clinic, most of the time patients aim to get as many eggs stored away as possible. Dr. Levine says the earlier in your life that you freeze your eggs, the better chances of success you will have. “A woman who freezes her eggs at 30 may get 10 to 20 oocytes frozen. However, If she were to wait to seek treatment until she is older, say 37, it’s possible that if she needs IVF, she may only get four or five eggs. Early preservation is always cheaper than multiple cycles later in life,” he explains. It’s important to note that there are no guarantees of pregnancy once you thaw and use your eggs; some eggs can be lost during the freeze-thaw cycle or won’t progress to the embryo stage after fertilization.

Having sex every day is not the best get-pregnant strategy

Though it might seem counterproductive to hold back on sex when you’re trying to make a baby, Dr. Amato says couples should really capitalize on those brief moments in which the fertility window is wide open. “The window is usually during the few (about 5) days just before and around ovulation. Ovulation generally occurs approximately 14 days before the onset of the next menstrual period,” she said. “Couples should have intercourse every 1 to 2 days during the fertile window.”

Drugstore buys can be helpful

Still in those first six months of trying to get pregnant, and you’re curious? It might not be time to set up a visit with your doctor who will likely advise you to keep trying for a few more months. Mary Jane Minkin, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale Medical School, suggests seeking some help from your local drugstore. “You can do an ovulation predictor test at home. I like basically all the First Response productsthey are quite easy to use, and quite accurate,” she recommends. “If you do an ovulation predictor kit, and it says you aren’t ovulating, you definitely want to check in with your gynecologist. If you are ovulating, then you can exactly time when to have intercourse, to make sure you are hitting your most fertile time.

STIs can have lasting impact

Having sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including gonorrhea or chlamydia, can lead to permanent damage to your fallopian tubes, which bring the eggs into the uterus, says Dr. Minkin. That’s why when you begin the process of trying to conceive, you should let your ob-gyn know about your medical history, so he or she can provide the best care possible.

Keep your weight manageable and take prenatal vitamins

Even on those days when you don’t feel like exercising or you’d rather eat pizza for lunch, consider that lifestyle choices have an impact on your ability to conceive one day. Dr. Minkin says women who are overweight or underweight might both have issues getting pregnant, and a balanced number on the scale, based on your height, is your best choice. Also as Dr. Amato says, “Before attempting pregnancy, a woman should ensure she is healthy, make sure her immunizations are current, and take prenatal vitamins. Smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, heavy caffeine consumption, and the use of recreational drugs such as marijuana have all been associated with reduced fertility.”

Next, learn about the truth about the effects of pesticides on getting pregnant.

The post What Ob-Gyns Want You to Know About Fertility appeared first on Best Health.

“It’s just a yeast infection, so you can call in a prescription.”

“Treating problems over the phone, even ones that may seem as minor as a yeast infection, is rarely a good idea. There are othercommon vaginitis problems that can seem very similar but are vastly different in the way we treat them. Yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis share common symptoms of discharge, irritation, itching, and burning. I’ve even found herpes in patients who were sure it was ‘just a yeast infection.’ Most gynecologists and other womens health care providers will squeeze you in for a quick visit to make sure you get the right treatment.” Steven A. Rabin, MD, board-certified ob-gyn, Burbank, California. (Plus, here’s what else gynecologists wish you knew about yeast infections.)

“Yogurt will fix a vaginal infection.”

“One of the worst pieces of advice I’ve heard from a patient is one who actually put yogurt into her vagina because a friend told her the probiotics in yogurt would help with her yeast infection. Unfortunately, she used strawberry flavoured! It didn’t work and there’s been no evidence in the literature to prove this to be true.” Nicole E. Williams, MD, gynecologic surgeon and founder of The Gynecology Institute of Chicago.

“If I want to have a baby I should have sex when I’m ovulating.”

“Most women think,incorrectly, that intercourse should be timed after ovulation. But to maximize your chances of conception you should be having sex right before you ovulate.” Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut

“Standing on my head will increase my chance of getting pregnant.”

“I have had manywomen think that they can increase their chances of conceivingby standing on their head or elevating their legs after intercourse. But sperm are highly motile and standing on your head, or any other positions post-intercourse, will do nothing to improve the chances of pregnancy.” Linda Girgis, MD, board-certified family physician in private practice in South River, New Jersey

“Birth control pills will make me fat.”

“It’s a very common belief that birth control pills cause weight gain or will give you cancer. However, studies comparing large groups of women who take and do not take birth control have shown no difference in weight gain. Also, when taken for long periods of time, birth control pills have shown to decrease ovarian and endometrial cancers by 50 percent.” Richard K. Krauss, MD, board-certified ob-gyn at Penn Medicine

“It takes three months after stopping birth control to be fertile.”

“Despite this popular myth, as soon as a woman is not using a contraceptive method, she is fertile. It can take up to one year to conceive but as far as the pill is concerned, a woman is fertile as soon as she stops taking it.” Veronica Gillispie, MD, obstetrics and gynecology department at Ochsner Baptist Medical Center in New Orleans. (Here’s what else you should know before going off the birth control pill.)

“My mom had no problem getting pregnant at 40.”

“While it is true that age of menopause can be a heritable trait, conceiving in your late 30s and 40s is a challenge, no matter your genetics. A 25-year-old woman at the peak of her fertility in life has a 15-20 percent chance of achieving a pregnancy per month. By age 40, this number drops to less than five percent per month. While there are no blood tests to directly check for egg quality, we know, through testing thousands of embryos through IVF [in-vitro fertilization], that after age 40 around 85 to 90 percent of a womans embryos will be genetically abnormal. The answer is, dont wait! If you are focusing on your career or have not met the right partner, consider a method of fertility preservation such as egg freezing.” Anate Aelion Brauer, MD, board-certified in reproductive endocrinology and ob-gyn, assistant professor of ob-gyn at the NYU School of Medicine

“I’m bleeding even though I’m postmenopausal. It must be stress.”

“While stress can cause irregular or missed periods in a premenopausal woman,anybleeding in a postmenopausal woman is abnormal. Once a women is through with menopause, usually by age 52, she should never ever bleed again. Never! Postmenopausal bleeding can be benign, but can also be a sign of cancer of the uterus, cervix or vagina, and you should see your doctor right away.” Rene Volny Darko, DO, board-certified ob-gyn in Altoona, Pennsylvania

“Breast cancer is the most common killer of women.”

“Many women think that breast cancer is the most common cause of death of women over the age of 40. But the facts show that cardiovascular disease causes four times more deaths in women over the age of 40, far more than all kinds of cancer combined.” Dr. Krauss

“Breast cancer doesn’t run in my family so I’m safe.”

“Women sometimes think they can’t get breast cancer if theyhaveno family history of the disease.This is often used as an excuse to not go for mammograms. But the truth is that the majority of women who get breast cancer have no family historyit can happen to anyone. Mammograms can detect cancers at a small, curable stage, and can be lifesaving.” Ronit Sugar, MD, board-certified breast surgeon at Aria Health, Philadelphia

“IUDs are dangerous.”

“Intrauterine devices [a tiny device implanted in the uterus to prevent pregnancy] get a bad rap as being dangerous. The truth is modern IUDs are the safest and most effective form of temporary birth control methods that we have. Progesterone containing IUDs also can actually reduce pain and bleeding with a womans menstrual period.” Dr. Krauss

“Hormone treatments will kill you.”

“Many patients think that taking hormones is harmful and that you should let nature take its course and ageas biology intended. But the truth is that hormone therapy is not deadly.Even in the ominous 2002 Women’s Health Initiatives study, we can see that the women who used just estrogen during the first decade of their menopause had an almost 30 percent reduction in all causes of deathand a20 percent lower incidence of breast cancer. With a broad brushstroke, the hormone story was painted as a death sentence for all users but in reality after your ovaries retire and you are estrogen deficient, there is a safe and acceptable way to restore low levels that hasmore benefits than risks.” Dr. Rabin

“Once I’m done having children, I no longer need to see my ob-gyn.”

“Just because you are finished having children doesnt mean that you should skip your gynecologist visit. Your ob-gyn will still want to discuss your overall health like your blood pressure, weight, family planning, and any other health screenings you may need, such as for STIs, cervical cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.” Cherrell Triplett, MD, an ob-gyn at Southside OBGYN in Indianapolis and clinical assistant professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine. (Psst: These contraception myths can put your health at risk.)

“I’m in a monogamous relationship, I don’t need Pap smears.”

“Patients have told me that because they’vebeen married for many years, havent had sex in many years, or havealways had normal Pap tests that they don’t need Pap smears. However,allwomen should be screened for cervical cancer. HPV, the virus that can cause cervical cancer, is so common that virtually all sexually active women will get it at some point in their lives. And it may not have been detected previously because it can remain dormant for years before it starts causing damage to cells that can lead to cancer. Thats why women ages 30 to 65 should be sure theyre screened with a Pap test and HPV test together at regular intervals.” Dr. Triplett

“I’m pregnant so I’m eating for two!”

“Sadly it is not true that when you’re pregnant you can eat whatever you want. For a singleton pregnancy, you need an average of 300 to 350 calories extra a day during the first and second trimester and 500 calories in the third trimester. Excessive weight gain in pregnancy puts the mom at increased risk for diabetes during pregnancy, other medical complications, and increased chances of needing a C-section.” Diana Ramos, MD, ob-gyn, co-chair of the National Preconception Health and Health Care Initiative

“I can’t eat spicy food on my period.”

“Because the food we eat plays such a vital role in every aspect of our lives, it is often thought to influence several bodily functions and organ systems including the menstrual cycle. Some women think that eating certain foods can alter or hasten the end of their period. But the truth is thatmenstrual cycles are controlled by hormones. The effect of eating spicy (or any other) food is likely mental rather than physiological.” David G. Diaz, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California

“I’m healthy and active, so getting pregnant should be easy.”

“Many women believe that if you are healthy and active, you will never have infertility problems. But this is not true. The healthiest and most active people may still have one of the many issues that cause infertility.” Shahin Ghadir, MD, ob-gyn at Southern California Reproductive Center

“Pregnant women shouldn’t exercise.”

“Exercise during pregnancy is important for many reasons. Regular exercise reduces stress and increases energy, ensures you gain the right amount of weight in pregnancy, improves common discomforts in pregnancy such as constipation and insomnia, as well as helps prevent pregnancy-related diseases such as elevated blood pressure and gestational diabetes. Research even shows that labour itself is easier and shorter in woman who engaged in regular exercise throughout their pregnancy. ” Dr. Aelion Brauer. (Keep in mind that this is how soon you can exercise after giving birth.)

“We’ve been checked for STIs so we don’t need condoms.”

“Even if your partner goes to their doctor to get an STI (sexually transmitted infection)check and gets a clean bill of health, there are still illnesses that can be passed through sexual activity, like HPV and herpes, that are difficult to find during a routine checkup as they can hide on a man’s penis or in a womans vagina. You wouldn’t know you had them unless there is an active wart or lesion. Condoms are still the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections even if your new partner tests negative for STIs during their pre-sex health care checkup.” Sherry Ross, MD, an ob-gyn and womens health expert at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, California

“The pull-n-pray method works.”

“Withdrawal isnotan effective method of birth control.The reality is that there are sperm in the pre-ejaculate and all it takes isone sperm to become pregnant!” Diana Ramos

“I’m carrying high so I must be having a girl.”

“Despite what many old wives’ tales say, you cannot tell the babys sex from any outlying signs. Your baby naturally lowers during the third trimester in preparation for birth and it has nothing to do with the babys gender. Similarly, how you carry the baby has more to do with its weight and size than anything else. Any heartburn you may experience is simply due to the womb pushing your stomach upwards, not the babys gender.” John D. Bertrand, MD, ob-gyn at Walnut Hill, Dallas

“Drinking human breast milk has health benefits for adults.”

“The benefits of breast milk are immensefor babies. ButI once had a patientwhoshowed up in the emergency room with a severe headache despite ‘hydrating myself with my own breast milk.’ The patient was swallowing her own breast milk and not getting any extra fluid from the outsideshe was only recycling her own bodily fluids! Really the only person who should be drinking breast milk is the infant. Gerardo Bustillo, MD, ob-gyn at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California

Next, read up on the questions you should always ask your gynecologist.

The post 22 Myths Gynecologists Want You to Ignore appeared first on Best Health.

How to boost male fertility

Infertility can be an issue for either women or men. When it comes to male fertility, general health may help your chances of conceiving a child. However, there are other health-specific factors that may determine if your guys will be swimming at their best. This becomes especially crucial if you happen to be past the age at which a man’s fertility takes a big drop.Also, learn which foods men should eat to boost their fertility.

Watch your weight

The healthier the body, the healthier the sperm, says Jamin Brahmbhatt, MD, co-director of the PUR Clinic in Clermont, Florida. A study by Harvard School of Public Health found that overweight men were 11 percent more likely to have a low sperm count and 39 percent more likely to have no sperm at all in their ejaculate than normal-weight men. The news was even worse for men who were obese; they were 42 percent more likely to have a low sperm count and 81 percent more likely to produce no sperm than men at a normal weight. (See what most women don’t know about infertility.)

Ditch the cigarettes

Smoking doesnt just affect your lungs, it can also impact your fertility. Smoking is known to affect our sperm count, motion, and general health of sperm. Tobacco metabolites can even be found in semen, says Edmund Sabanegh, MD, director of the Center for Male Fertility at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. The good news: Sperm health seems to bounce back (and your skin can look much better) relatively quickly once men quit smoking.

Get enough sleep

Its important to use your bed for more than just sex when youre trying to make a baby. A study at Boston University School of Public Health followed nearly 800 couples who were trying to conceive and found that men who slept less than six hours and more than nine hours a night had a 42 percent lower probability of getting their partners pregnant than men who slept seven to eight hours each night. Researchers believe hormones are likely to blame for the lower chance of pregnancy; testosterone is crucial for sperm production and most of it is produced when men are asleep. (Here’s how to make sure you get a full eight-hour sleep).

Consider testing your sperm

Women often track their ovulation at home to determine the small window each month when they have the greatest chance of conceiving. Now, men can monitor something too: sperm. Trak Male Fertility Testing System is an FDA-approved at-home test where men can measure their sperm count. A corresponding app then allows them to track their daily habits (eating, sleep, exercise, etc.) to determine how those factors may be affecting their sperm health. A lot of couples keep trying and never know until they finally see a specialist whats going on. This way, they can start checking for stuff at home and make changes through the help of the app before they even see a doctor, says Dr. Brahmbhatt. While the Trak system isnt meant to replace the help of fertility specialists should your sperm count come back low (a small device uses centrifugal force to isolate the sperm from your semen sample and rates the count on a three-tiered scale of low, moderate, optimal), Dr. Brahmbhatt says that it usually takes at least three months to see a change in sperm quality after making necessary lifestyle adjustments, so checking things out at home first can get the ball rolling in the right direction.

Limit your caffeine consumption

You may want to limit caffeine intake if you’re prepping for a baby. A 2017 review in theNutrition Journalfound that male coffee intake was associated with aprolonged time until pregnancy and caffeine-containing soft drinks were associated with a lower semen volume and sperm count. However more research needs to be done because the study results were inconsistent. (Check out what happens to your body when you quit drinking coffee.)

Steer clear of heat

Heat can be damaging to the testicles, which are cooler than the rest of the body because they reside outside the body. “Theres a reason they have a slightly lower temperature than the rest of the body, they function better that way, says Dr. Sabanegh. Avoid hot tubs or anything that heats up your pelvis area, like laptops or heat packs, he says. (See facts every woman needs to know about her fertility.)

Eat your veggies

Prepping for a baby is the time when its even more important to eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Not only does having enough vitamins and minerals contribute to overall sperm health, but researchers have also discovered that the antioxidants found in many types of produce are associated with better semen quality. Just like eating French fries is bad for your heart, your testicles are an organ too, and they feed off the same nutrients that the rest of your body does, says Dr. Brahmbhatt. (Check out a few simple tips for eating more plant-based foods.)

Get off the couch

Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health found that healthy young men who watched more than 20 hours of TV a week had a 44 percent lower sperm count than those who watched almost no TV. They also found that men who exercised for 15 or more hours a week had a 73 percent higher sperm count than those who got less than five hours of activity. We seem to have better hormone levels when we exercise regularly and testosterone levels seem to be higher, says Dr. Sabanegh. Regular exercise also helps maintain a healthy weight, another fertility factor. (Another reason to exercise more? It can help relieve stress.)

Consider your alcohol and drug use

Alcohol in high levels can lower fertility and hurt our liver, which affects hormone levels. Marijuana and other drugs like opiates also affect the hormones required in sperm production, says Dr. Sabanegh. (Learn about the plant that could curb alcohol cravings.)

Keep an eye on blood pressure and cholesterol

High blood pressure and cholesterol can contribute to erectile dysfunction, and may also hamper you and your partner’s chances of getting pregnant. One study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that couples who had collectively high cholesterol levels took the longest time to get pregnant. Saturated and trans fats can cause blood pressure and cholesterol levels to spike; learn how to lower your cholesterol by eating the right foods. Keep in mind that both high blood pressure and cholesterol are risk factors for general cardiovascular disease. If you have either or both, find ways to improve your diet and exercise so you can lower your risk.

Avoid testosterone supplements

If youre taking testosterone supplements to bulk up at the gym, you might want to use natural muscle-building methods while youre trying to conceive. Testosterone supplements trick the body into thinking its getting enough of the hormone, so it stops making it itself and sperm count lowers to almost zero, says Dr. Sabanegh. The good news: Once you stop taking supplements, sperm count bounces back. (Also, learn about the truth about how pesticides affect fertility.)

Try to relax

Stress is associated with lower fertility, possibly because of cortisol, but nobody knows for sure, says Dr. Sabanegh. Researchers have discovered that men with high levels of perceived stress and stressful life events havelower concentrations of spermin their semen and the sperm that was present was more likely to be misshapen or have impaired motility, although they stopped short of saying there was a causal effect.Now that you’ve learned about to boost male fertility, check out how to relieve your anxious feelings and actually relax.

The post 12 Things Men Can Do to Boost Their Fertility appeared first on Best Health.

Be informed about your fertility

Many of us spend a good chunk of our fertile years trying not to get pregnant, so that when we finally decide to try to conceive, theres a good chance we havent thought much beyond ditching our birth control method of choice. If only it was that easy. As the conversation around pregnancy and fertility continues to become louder, its becoming more and more obvious that getting pregnant isnt always as easy as trying. In fact, many women face roadblocks and complications that they hadnt considered before deciding to become parents.In order to dispel some of the myths of infertility, were sharing the facts, including statistics about age and fertility, what to expect when you think you might be having trouble conceiving and where to find resources that can help. Whether trying to conceive is imminent, or you havent quite given it a lot of thought yet, reproductive health is an important part of your overall health, and knowing the facts can help you make better-informed family planning decisions.

Problems with fertility are more common than you think

One in six couples will suffer from infertility and one in four pregnancies will end in miscarriage, says Dr. Kaajal Abrol of reproductive care clinic TRIO Fertility. Those statistics can be quite alarming, especially if you’ve just started thinking about having a family. The truth is, both infertility and miscarriage are very common, and knowing that ahead of time makes you better equipped to tackle any issues you might have. Here’s more on what women don’t know about miscarriage.

When should you be concerned?

Infertility is defined as trying to conceive for at least one year without success or for six months for women 35 and older, says Dr. Abrol. After a year, its a good idea to reach out to a fertility specialist to learn more about your own fertility and what support is available to you. The good news is doctors and clinics can helpso make sure to be in touch as soon as you suspect a problem.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that can affect fertility. Don’t miss these silent signs of PCOS.

Age does matter

Unfortunately, age isnt just a number when it comes to fertility. Women are most fertile in their twenties and after thirty-five fertility begins to decrease rapidly. Both egg quality and egg quantity decline with advancing age, says Dr. Abrol. Knowing this has led a large number of women to consider freezing their eggs in their twenties and early thirties, especially if they are unsure about having kids, or want to wait until they are older to consider having them. And be sure you’re not keeping these secrets from your gynecologist.

There are only six days in your cycle when you can get pregnant

The truth is you can only conceive for six days of your cycle, says Dr. Maureen Cronin, CMO at Ava, a company that makes a fertility tracking device. So, if youre trying to conceive, 80 percent of the time is waiting until you can try again. This is why its so important to track your fertility and cycle if youre hoping to get pregnant. Making sure youre having sex on the days you are most fertile is going to help increase your chances significantly. Some women have found success with acupuncture; here’s what to know.

Issues with ovulation is one of the most common causes of infertility

A woman who has an irregular menstrual cycle and is trying to conceive should seek medical advice right away, says Dr. Abrol. Fertility can be boosted by treating the specific cause and by using medications that help induce ovulation. Some indications that you have an irregular menstrual cycle include pain with periods and irregular bleeding or spotting, all of which can indicate a problem that could lead to issues with ovulation. A positive pregnancy is just one of many reasons behind a missed period.

Infertility isnt just about women

Infertility is not just a female issue, says Dr. Abrol. A large number of infertility cases are due to male factor alone, or a combination of factors from both the female and male partners. If you are unable to become pregnant, make sure to seek out help for both you and your partner. Dr. Cronin even recommends getting the male partner checked first: Testing male fertility is generally cheaper and less invasive then testing female fertility, she says.

Reproductive health is a critical element of overall health

Even if you dont want to get pregnant today, its still helpful to know when youre fertile and to understand your menstrual cycle, says Dr. Cronin. Understanding how your hormones and your cycle affect your overall health is key. Your health includes your reproductive health and so taking the time to understand it and speaking to the professionals who can help you learn more about your fertility is a holistic way to help understand your health overall. A consultation with a fertility specialist will allow you to consider a basic work up and be educated on your options for building a family, now and in the future, says Dr. Abrol. Even if youre still on the fence about kids, or want to wait a few more years, understanding your reproductive health will help you make more informed decisions, overall and shouldnt necessarily be just left to the future.Want to know more? Here, a holistic nutritionist shares the common misconceptions women believe about their hormonal health.

There can be some financial setbacks

Although diagnosis can be simple and potentially covered by provincial or company health care plans, treatments like IVF can be very expensive. The average cost for one IVF cycle in Canada is about $20, 000, and some people may not be successful on their first cycle, says Conceivable Dreams board member Tara Wood. Its important to keep in mind that treatment for infertility or opting for a service like IVF that will help you become pregnant can be prohibitively expensive. Although some companies, like Ontario-based non-profit Conceivable Dreams are hoping to change that fact, theres a good chance you will pay for some services out of pocket.

You need to be your own health advocate

Do you own research, ask questions, trust your gut, says Wood. If something doesnt seem right, double check. If you are concerned there is an issue, dont hesitate to get the ball rolling on checking your fertility. At the end of the day, you have nothing to lose by starting fertility testing if you think theres a problem, says Wood.

The process can (and likely will) be very emotional

People put undue pressure or blame on themselves which can be very isolating, even if you are part of a couple, says Wood. Each month or cycle with unsuccessful results can be heartbreaking. Remember that there are ways to work through infertility hardships and struggles. These include more support systems and resources than ever before to help you understand fertility and to give you a community of people going through something similar.

Check out these resources for more info

Conceivable DreamsConceivable Dreams advocates for public funding for infertility treatments and hopes to raise awareness about infertility issues in Canada. We hope to see a national fertility strategy in our country where provinces share best practices and work together to ensure every Canadian has access to affordable fertility treatment, and infertility treatments and drugs are standard inclusion in employer benefits, says Wood.Faces of FertilityLast year, Knix, the brand known for its made-for-women underwear and bras, launched a Faces of Fertility campaign that aimed to share stories of miscarriage, infertility, motherhood and pregnancy. The feedback was deafeningturns out women want to talk about these issuesand so Knix founder and CEO Joanna Griffiths and health journalist Katherine Flemming decided to start a podcast too. We wanted to create a space where women and men could continue to share their vulnerabilities, their stories, and get thoughtful, researched and relevant information about their bodies so they feel empowered about their fertility, says Griffiths and Flemming via a press release. Tune in starting April 22.Tracking Apps and Ava Fertility BraceletTracking your period and fertility has become commonplace thanks to apps like Clue and Glow, which make tracking easy. Women arent taught to properly understand their menstrual cycles or how the process of conception actually works, says Dr. Cronin. Understanding your menstrual cycle, and more specifically when youre fertile, is key to getting pregnant. These apps can definitely help you become more in tune with your reproductive health, but if youre serious about getting pregnant, you might consider a more exact method of identifying your fertility window each cycle. I encourage any woman who is trying to get pregnant to use a method that identifies the beginning of the fertile window like tracking cervical mucus or using Ava, says Dr. Cronin. By wearing the Ava fertility bracelet at night, and tracking your resting heart rate Ava can determine the very beginning of your fertile window (which the brand claims is more accurate than using LH tests which only detect the last two days of your fertile window).Fertility ClinicAt the very least, a consultation with a fertility specialist will allow you to consider a basic work up in order to be aware of your ovarian reserve and other factors that may affect chances of conceiving, says Dr. Abrol. Opting to head to a fertility clinic sooner rather than later if youre planning to start a family is a good way to understand any issues you may come across and the potential outcomes.Next, find out 15 things your gynecologist secretly wants to tell you.

The post 10 Facts Every Woman Needs to Know About Her Fertility appeared first on Best Health.

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Here’s how certain chemicals in your beauty products could be affecting your fertility

Unfortunately, all the chemicals you come into contact with are absorbed into your body or up to 60 percent of them, says dermatologist Julie Russak, MD, of Russak Dermatology Clinic in New York City. The issue is that chemicals absorbed through the skin have been linked to some cancers, including breast cancer, and fertility problems in both men and women. We’ll tell you what to avoid and what to look for in your skincare products.The scare started a few years ago when researchers at the UCLA School of Public Health discovered that perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) chemicals that are widely used in everyday items such as food packaging, pesticides, clothing, upholstery, carpets and personal care products may be associated with infertility in women. Their findings suggest that women whose blood contains high levels of PFCs take longer to become pregnant than women with lower levels. In fact, the researchers found that women with the highest blood measures of PFCs were up to 150 per cent more likely to have difficulty or require medical assistance in becoming pregnant, Atlanta OB-GYN, Kyrin Dunston, MD, FACOG, explained to Reader’s Digest. And that’s likely the result of “how PFCs affect normal hormone regulation.”Here are 6 of our fave green beauty product finds.

A long list of beauty products containing PFCs

“Eyeshadow, foundation, facial powder, bronzer and blush account for nearly 80 per cent of the products with PFCs,” according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. The EWG has come up with a list of 266 products that contain PFCs, from eyeshadow to shaving cream to lip balm.

Some that don’t contain PFCs

More and more companies are offering PFC-free products, including Edible Beauty, an Australian skin-care brand, has committed to developing all-natural skincare products they say are good enough to apply to your skin because they are “literally good enough to eat!” Edible Beauty’s Founder, Anna Mitsios is a practicing nutritionist and naturopath who passionately believes that “we are a direct reflection of what we place in and on our bodies.”As such, she consciously selects pure ingredients that will act as “beauty food” and promote overall wellness.

A PFC-reality check

Although some controversy remains about the connection between PFCs and infertility certain experts point out that the UCLA study didn’t distinguish between male and female infertility it’s also important to know that cosmetics are only one source of PFCs in the environment. According to Rene Volny Darko, DO, an OB/GYN practicing in Pennsylvania, while PFC-free cosmetics are a good start, cutting your overall exposure is far more complicated. For a more comprehensive guide to the items in your own environment that emit PFCs, you can consult the EWG’s guide and you can review this list from researchers at Colby College.In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has officially banned 19 ingredients from soaps sold over the counter, which ingredients are known to disrupt hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. Here is more information about that ban.This is what to eat to boost fertility and help you conceive.

The post How Your Beauty Products Could Be Sabotaging Your Fertility appeared first on Best Health.

PCOS affects approximately six to 10 percent of women of reproductive age and is a leading cause of infertility

It can also influence a womans cardiovascular health and have other serious implications for her health and lifestyle.

The main symptoms of PCOS

It is associated with irregular or absent periods; excessive male hormones, which can cause extra facial and body hair, acne and male-pattern hair loss; and the appearance of polycystic ovaries in an ultrasound.There are many causes of infertility in women and men, but in patients with PCOS the main issue is ovulatory function, which means that the ovary does not produce an egg, or that ovulation happens infrequently and unpredictably. This is a problem because it reduces the opportunities for fertilization, and its much more difficult to predict when to best time sexual intercourse for the purpose of conception.Women with PCOS are also more likely to be overweight or obese, and high BMI not only makes it more difficult to get pregnant and stay pregnant, but also increases other pregnancy risks (like high blood pressure or diabetes in pregnancy) for both the mother and the fetus.My Miscarriage Story: I Lost Multiple Pregnancies

How to increase your chance of conceiving

Keeping all of this in mind, I generally take a two-pronged approach with my patients so they can hopefully conceive. The first is to ensure that the womans health is optimized, including checking for diabetes (its more common for women with PCOS), testing blood pressure and verifying that shes taking pre-natal vitamins. I also counsel women to stop smoking and limit alcohol, and verify that there are no other factors that could be affecting fertility. If she is overweight, even a five to 10 percent weight loss can improve outcomes,both in terms of her risks and in terms of regulating ovulation. Rapid weight loss is not encouraged because it increases the risk of having a baby that is too small.The second is to try to make periods more regular. This can be done with weight loss, and with a medication called metformin a diabetes drug that has been shown to help regulate ovulation in some women with PCOS. The mainstay of correcting ovulatory function is ovulation induction, which can be done with two different oral medications and, if they fail, with injectable medications. The good news is that with one or more of these approaches, ovulation can be successfully induced in the majority of women with PCOS.As with all women, whether they have PCOS or not, there is an age-related decline in fertility so I always counsel women who want to conceive that trying sooner is better than later, and that taking steps to improve lifestyle even before planning for pregnancy is best. PCOS patients with regular periods are less likely to need the help of their physicians, which is the best outcome of all.Here’s what to eat to boost fertility.

Infertility 101

Infertility, defined as a failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 or more monthsof unprotected intercourse, doesnt mean that a woman can never be pregnant;it just means that it may take longer, or for some women simple interventions may be needed.Many women don’t know these key facts about infertility.Dr. Sheila Laredo is an endocrinologist at Women’s College Hospital, womenshealthmatters.ca.

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What is the deal with acupuncture?

Acupuncture is said to help with pretty much anything, from fertility to pain. So, no wonder you are curious about it. And we are too.Thats why we connected with Dr. Nekessa Remy, a chiropractor with specialties in medical and traditional Chinese acupuncture. Find out everything you need to know about your acupuncture appointment.Should you try reiki?

How does Acupuncture work?

Like sex and shiny hair, acupuncture is not like what you see in the movies. No, you wont look or feel like a pin cushion. And its not a trendy treatment, but one that has been around for thousands of years. Here is how it works.The acupuncturist says: According to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is based on the theory that essential life energy, called Qi, pronounced chi, flows through the body along channels called meridians, says Remy. Each meridian is connected to a specific internal organ. When the flow of Qi is blocked or out of balance, illness or pain results. The stimulation of acupuncture points along the meridians releases the blockage of Qi and promotes the smooth natural flow of energy, restoring balance and health to the bodys systems.These eight yoga moves will instantly boost your energy.

The history behind acupuncture

Even though it may be new to you, acupuncture is one established treatment.The acupuncturist says: Acupuncture is believed to have originated in China, explains Remy. Sharpened stones and bones that scientists believe were used to perform acupuncture date from about 6,000 BCE. Thats 8,000 years ago! She references a 2011 review from the Peninsula Medical School. The first text describing an organized system of acupuncture treatment appears in The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, which dates from about 100 BCE.You need to know about the most common herbs used in Chinese medicine.

What are the different types of acupuncture?

Now, this is super interesting. There are many types of acupuncture. And thats because of the different needles, the techniques used to apply them, as well as what they treat and more.The acupuncturist says: There are tons! Based in Canada, you will likely have access to dry needling, Japanese, Korean, Korean hand, auricular (ear needles) and medical treatment.Korean acupuncture, dont be surprised by the number of needles used on you. It is not uncommon to have close to a hundred needles in one session, says Remy. And medical doesnt necessarily mean its healthier or more credible. When a Western Doctors performs Acupuncture, it is defined as medical acupuncture. It is often used for pain management.How alternative medicine is gaining popularity among western medicine professionals.

Does it hurt? Is it safe?

When you prick your finger with a pin, it hurts. But this is not the same thing. Like, at all.The acupuncturist says: Acupuncture should not be painful when performed by a qualified practitioner, says Remy. However, some patients do report sensations such as tingling, aching, heaviness etc. In fact, many patients become very relaxed and may even fall asleep with this form of healthcare frequently being described as a period of deep stillness in which nothing seems to be happening. As everyone responds differently to treatment, some patients may feel the relaxation described above, whereas others may feel energized. Your practitioner will ensure that you are comfortable throughout the treatment.You hurt your back shovelling snow, now what?!

What should we know before our first appointment?

 Like going to the doctor, you should be prepared ahead of time. Not only will you be more comfortable, it will also help you get better results from the treatmentThe acupuncturist says: Wear loose, comfortable clothing to allow access to knees and elbows without being restrictive, says Remy. So, wear shorts and a tank top, just in case it will help them to better access the area you need to be treated with acupuncture. And, dont forget to eat. Its never a good idea to receive an acupuncture treatment on an empty stomach, says Remy. Even a light snack prior to treatment will help you feel more comfortable. Also, she adds, because you might become very relaxed at your appointment, you might feel off after the treatment. This may include feeling dazed, calm or peaceful, unable to focus or concentrate. Its always a good idea to drink lots of water after treatment.Are you preparing the right way for your doctor appointment?

How it may help with womens health issues

Ive known friends who have had acupuncture for fertility. But thats not all.The acupuncturist says: Acupuncture can be used to help women through most stages in life, says Remy. It can be used to manage painful periods, boost infertility, manage symptoms with pregnancy nausea and morning sickness, to induce labor if past due date to manage menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sleeping disturbances et cetera.Pregnant? Here is how to travel safely for you and the baby.

How it may help with sports injuries

Many professional athletes use acupuncture to help their bodies heal from physical injuries.The acupuncturist says: Acupuncture can be used to treat various sports injuries including ankle sprains, rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow, runners knee and more, says Remy. And this is why: Acupuncture helps the body to reduce swelling and inflammation which is often seen with [these] injuries and it can also be used to relax muscles tension and promote healing.This exercise tool Khloe Kardashian uses it! can reduce injuries, STAT.

But its not just physical mental health issues may benefit

 The science community is showing interest in how acupuncture might help with depression and anxiety.The acupuncturist says: There is emerging evidence showing that acupuncture can be an effective tool for treating anxiety and depression, says Remy, sharing this study.And, there is also new evidence showing that acupuncture can work as well as anti-depressants in treating depression, she adds, sourcing this study.It is time to stop believing these mental health myths. RN.

Might help reduce headaches and migraines

Headaches are a headache, but Remy suggests acupuncture might be solution.The acupuncturist says: In 2009, after researchers from the Center for Complementary Medicine at the University of Munich reviewed over 11 studies involving 2,137 acupuncture patients, says Remy. The conclusion: Acupuncture could be a valuable non-pharmacological tool in patients with frequent chronic tension-type headaches.Are you taking the right amount of headache pain reliever?

Just might help you finally quit smoking

There are a ton of smoking cessation products out there, and acupuncture is another.The acupuncturist says: Acupuncture can help ease the cravings associated with quitting smoking, says Remy, adding that it may also help to detox the body to further reduce nicotine cravings. She points to this research.This is the secret to quitting smoking, as told by this woman.

What else? What else should we know about acupuncture?

 Despite being around forever, acupuncture continues to be studied by doctors and researchers. But we do know a lot, too.The acupuncturist says: Remy says the World Health Organization (WHO) endorses acupuncture as an effective treatment for many different conditions because of the evidence in controlled trials. Here they are: Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, allergic rhinitis (including hay fever), depression, dysmenorrhoea (painful periods), facial pain, headache, hypertension, inducing labour, knee pain, lower back pain, malposition and correcting of fetus, morning sickness, nausea and vomiting, neck pain, periarthritis of shoulder (frozen shoulder), post-surgery pain, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, sprains, stroke and tennis elbow.Here are other ways to deal with frozen shoulder.

The post What Is It Really Like To Have Acupuncture? appeared first on Best Health.

What are endocrine disruptors?

Endocrine disruptors are powerful chemicals that can scramble our hormonal messages from their most basic origins.Chronic exposure to these compounds, particularly in pregnant women, unmasks and turns on the genes for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome that will be seen at the time of puberty when the hormones activate. This effect persists and compounds through generations. Although it is a challenge to actually change the effect of endocrine disruptors, awareness is critical. These compounds continue to be added to not only our environment but also to our bodies and to those of our children and future generations.

Limiting your exposure to chemicals that can affect your hormones

Although it is true that endocrine disruptors are everywhere, there are ways we can reduce our exposure to them. Some things we can do include avoiding plastics in our food or when cooking, and being mindful of the beauty products and household cleaners we use, as follows:

Plastics

Avoid using plastics and choose stainless steel, glass, or ceramics whenever possible. Most containers are now available in these materials, thankfully.Never microwave or heat up plastic containers containing food. Chemicals from the plastic will leach into your food.Avoid plastic wrap when possible, and never use it for heating food. Dont reuse plastic bottles. The BPA will leach out increasingly over time. Avoid canned foods or choose BPA-free cans.Do not use plastic water bottles that have heated up in the sun. Never use plastic sippy cups for children or plastic baby bottles. There are many glass and stainless steel options available.

Food and cooking

Whenever you can afford to do so, choose organic foods. This is particularly true of the infamous dirty dozen, a list compiled each year by the Environmental Working Group of the twelve most heavily contaminated crops. The list typically includes apples, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, peaches, nectarines, potatoes, snap peas, spinach, strawberries, sweet bell peppers, and kale/collards. Peel all nonorganic fruits and vegetables. Buy hormonefree, organic, grass-fed meats when possible. Choose organic, locally grown seasonal foods. These are often less contaminated, as they dont need additional preservation to stay fresh over a long transportation journey.Drink reverse osmosis water, as this can filter out most chemical residues. Avoid using nonstick cookware. Instead, choose ceramic, cast iron, stainless steel, or glass.

Beauty products and household chemicals

Avoid cosmetics and creams containing parabens. Avoid BHA and BHT. These are often used in moisturizers and makeup. Use chemical-free soaps and shampoos whenever possible. Avoid nail-care products with dibutyl phthalate.Check your beauty products on the Environmental Working Group to determine their potential for toxicity. The cosmetics database is a wonderful resource that is constantly updated.Avoid using bleached coffee filters. These can result in a lifetime exposure to dioxin that creates risk for endocrine disruption.Avoid using pesticides in your garden or on your lawn.

What about soy?

Soy can be problematic for women with PCOS for a variety of reasons. The vast majority of soy is sprayed with the herbicide Roundup (glyphosate). Recently, the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans.Soybean oil is used widely in the US as well, which is a processed oil, primarily Omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids that can contribute to inflammation and is extracted with chemical solvents. Soy also contains relatively high amounts of isoflavones. Although these plant compounds are not actually estrogen, they can fit into the same receptor as estrogen in the human body and can activate or block the receptor (generally weakly). Since women with PCOS tend to have difficulties ovulating, they often have abnormalities in their patterns of estrogen secretion and so depending on the amount and pattern in which it is consumed, soy could be a complicating factor in hormonal regulation. In addition, animal studies have shown that soy isoflavones can stimulate the proliferation of breast cancer cells. It’s possible that small, occasional amounts of organic soy in whole food form may be no reason for concern but avoiding the regular consumption of soy products as well as all processed dietary soy is ideal.

The above was excerpted from 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS: A Proven Program to Reset Your Hormones, Repair Your Metabolism, and Restore Your Fertility by Fiona McCulloch, BSC, RAC, ND. Dr. McCulloch, founder and owner of White Lotus Integrated Medicine, is a naturopath practitioner having worked with thousands of people seeking better health over the past 15 years.

The post What Exactly Are Endocrine Disruptors And Why You Should Care About Them appeared first on Best Health.

PCOS is seriously under-diagnosed

Aboutsix to ten per cent of women are affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which results when excess insulin increases the production of androgens (male hormones). Its the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, yet shockingly, its estimated that more than half dont know they have it.I see women regularly whove remained undiagnosed their entire lives, says Fiona McCulloch, ND, a naturopathic doctor in Toronto and author of the forthcoming book 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS. Thats scary, considering that PCOS is linked to diabetes (one recent study from Monash University in Australia showed that women with PCOSeven if theyre young and not overweightare five times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes) and heart disease, the leading killer of women. Being treated for PCOS can safeguard your life, so its important to recognize PCOS symptoms, which can vary from woman to woman. Here are some of the most common.

MIA periods

Women with PCOS have higher-than-normal levels of androgens (testosterone is the most well-known), which can slow down your ovaries and interfere with ovulation. When ovulation is inhibited, your period, which comes two weeks after ovulation, will also arrive lateand in some cases, not at all, says Dr. McCulloch. For women with irregular periods and PCOS, periods are often irregular from the start. In others, periods become irregular years later. According to Dr. McCulloch, women with PCOS experience irregular periods more often when theyve gained weight or experienced a lot of stress.

Fertility issues

PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility. Conception is difficult for a variety of reasons. First, if youre not ovulating regularly, it can be difficult to detect when youre most fertileand ovulation tests are often ineffective in PCOS because the hormone they pick up can be too high across the cycle, causing false positives, explains Dr. McCulloch. Also, because periods are irregular, there are simply fewer periods of fertility. Women with PCOS have challenges with the quality of their eggs as well, due to inflammation and hormonal shifts within the ovaries. The good news? Women with PCOS often have an abundance of eggs, so its often just a matter of time until pregnancy is achieved, particularly with the right treatment, says Dr. McCulloch.

Hair growing where you don’t want it (and not growing where you do)

An overabundance of male hormones can result in hirsutism, when excessive amounts of hair grows on areas where men typically have hair, including the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes. This hair is often coarse, so removal can be a challenge and a major source of stress, says Dr. McCulloch. Its estimated that up to 90 per cent of women with hirsutism have PCOS.The male hormone testosterone is also involved in hair loss, another common problem in PCOS. Testosterone is converted into a strong androgen known as DHT within the scalp, and DHT is the mortal enemy of your hair follicles, Dr. McCulloch explains. It shrinks and damages them, causing hair to enter the resting phase of growth, where it soon falls out. Thinning is often seen at the frontal area, just behind the hairline, but it can also be diffuse, with loss all over the head and a widening of the part. Here are other reasons your hair might be falling out.

Acne and other skin problems

Elevated levels of androgens, which increase oil production, can lead to a host of dermal dilemmas, including dandruff and acne. Two signs acne is related to PCOS: Its along the jaw and is resistant to treatment or comes back after taking strong drugs like Accutane.Two other common skin symptomsacanthosis nigricans and skin tagsare related to insulin resistance. Acanthosis nigricans is a dark, velvety discoluoration thats most commonly seen in the crease behind the neck, under the arms, or in the creases of the thighs. “Acanthosis nigricans can make your skin look dirty, but it doesnt wash offno matter how hard you scrub, says Dr. McCulloch. Skin tags are little, flesh-coloured flaps of skin that often appear on the neck, chest, and armpits.

Snug jeans

Women with PCOS tend to gain weight easily and losing weight can be exceptionally challenging. This is due to insulin and leptin resistance, two of the central factors involved in PCOS. Insulin resistance causes your body to store fat more readily, and leptin resistance makes your brain think youre in starvation modemessing with your hunger and fullness signals, says Dr. McCulloch. With insulin resistance, weight is easily gained around the abdomen, and this type of fat is the riskiest when it comes to heart health. Here are simple ways you can fight and lose belly fat (no crunches required!).

Sleep apnea

PCOS is strongly linked to sleep apnea, a potentially serious condition in which your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while youre sleeping. Sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and mood changes. In one Pennsylvania State University study, PCOS patients were 30 times more likely than control subjects to suffer from breathing difficulties that occur during sleep, including sleep apnea. Women with PCOS who are the most insulin resistant are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, says Dr. McCulloch. Signs you have sleep apnea: You snore loudly and feel tired even after a full nights sleep. Here are smart strategies from sleep doctors for improving sleep.

Ovarian cysts

Though the name PCOS implies that ovarian cysts are central to this female health condition, theyre not a required factorand emphasizing cysts can cause many women to remain undiagnosed, says Dr. McCulloch. Its important to know that the cysts in PCOS are not typical ovarian cysts, but are partially developed follicles, where the egg lives until its released during ovulation. They stall in the process of preparing for ovulation, explains Dr. McCulloch. Younger women are more likely to have these little cysts whereas older women may not have them as often. On an ultrasound, they will often be described as multiple small follicles.

Anxiety or depression

A recent meta-analysis published in the journal Human Reproduction found consistently higher levels of emotional distress in women with PCOS when compared to controls. Psychological issues like depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar depression are related to a variety of underlying causes. For starters, PCOS is a stressful condition to have, and with its side effects of hirsutism, acne, weight gain, infertility, and irregular cycles, its certainly no surprise that women with PCOS often struggle psychologically as well, notes Dr. McCulloch. Anxiety and depression are also associated with changes in cortisol levels, a common hormonal affect of PCOS. Here are some subtle signs that indicate that youre depressed. 

The post 8 Silent Signs You Have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) appeared first on Best Health.

What are the most commonly missed symptoms of infertility?

Certain factors that influence fertility can often be silent. The four most common silent symptoms of infertility include: fibroids, history of pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted disease, endometriosis and how much you weigh.All of these conditions can interfere with the sperm’s ability to traverse through the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. These conditions can also can interfere with implantation once fertilization occurs.Another commonly missed symptom of infertility include extremes of weight. Weight that falls outside of normal ranges, either under or over, is often overlooked as an issue when its time to conceive, however can lead to infertility.

In your opinion, what should every woman know about miscarriage?

First of all, it’s important for women and couples to know that miscarriage is very common. Up to 40 per cent of all conceptions (or more), can end with early pregnancy loss. The majority of losses happen early in the pregnancy, before it is even clinically recognized or an ultrasound can show a healthy pregnancy has started. The next most important thing to know is that these losses are more often than not caused by bad luck, or random genetic error.

How common is secondary infertility?

Secondary infertility, which is described as a delay to conceive again after a previous conception, is a tough issue. It is difficult to estimate how many women and couples face this problem, but it is estimated one in six women are struggling with this.Not only is it very common, but its also often a very difficult time for most women and couples. Unfortunately, the support for secondary infertility is lacking.The reassuring fact however, is that the overall prognosis in these couples is very good, compared to those who have never conceived.

Is tracking your cycle really necessary?

If youre trying to conceive, keeping track of your cycle is an important first step.If cycles are irregular, or if there are no signs or symptoms of ovulation, its important to book a consultation with a fertility specialist if conception doesnt occur within 6 months.Best Health Tip: Start taking a prenatal vitamin before you start trying to conceive,Dr. Sierraadvises. If and when you’re already pregnant, opt for a prenatal gummy vitamin like First Response Prenatal & Postnatal Multivitamin Gummies.Many women who experience morning sickness find that gummy vitamins are easier to keep down, she explains.

The post What Most Women Don’t Know About Miscarriage and Infertility appeared first on Best Health.

Eat Walnuts

About 1/2 cup (60 g) per day improves sperm motility and strength, notes a 2012 University of California study.

Drink coffee

“For men, drinking coffee increases sperm motility, a key factor in successful insemination,” notes Bentov. “If a man’s sperm isn’t moving fast, we ask him to drink coffee before sex.”

Limit soy

In a 2008 Harvard School of Public Health study, higher levels of soy intake were linked to a lower sperm concentration.

Avoid saturated fats

Don’t eat saturatedfat found in butter, poultry skin and fatty cuts of meat. A 2012 Danish study found that eating high amounts of saturated fats lowered sperm count.

The post What Men Should Eat for Better Fertility appeared first on Best Health.

Thinking of starting a family? Try this:

If you’re thinking of starting a family, you should prep your body so you are at your healthiest not only to carry a baby, but to conceive in the first place. It’s good to improve your health four to six months ahead of time, rather than say, “Okay, I’m pregnant. Now I’m going to eat healthy,” says Dr. Victoria Maizes, author of Be Fruitful: The Essential Guide to Maximizing Fertility and Giving Birth to a Healthy Child, and executive director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.

Here’s what to eat and drink and what to avoid for your best fertility.

Get lots of full-fat dairy

Low-fat dairy products such as milk and yogurt are connected with infertility, but a high-fat diet lowers the risk of infertility, according to a 2007 Harvard School of Public Health/Brigham and Women’s Hospital Nurses’ Health Study surveying more than 18,000 nurses. (The World Health Organization defines infertility as failing to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse.) To make low-fat dairy products, the dairy is spun at high speeds, separating the watery and fat components. “The watery components draw more male hormones and the fatty draw more female hormones,” says Maizes. “So with whole milk, there’s a normal balance of hormones. But with non-fat, it’s a more male-pattern hormonal picture, which negatively affects fertility.”

Get lots of iron-rich foods

According to Dr. Yaakov Bentov, a reproductive endocrinologist with the Toronto Centre for Advanced Reproductive Technology, up to 15 percent of women of reproductive age have low iron stores. “Iron deficiency affects the ability to get pregnant and to carry a pregnancy,” says Bentov. The same Harvard Nurses’ Health study noted that consuming iron from non-meat foods such as lentils and spinach or from supplements could lower your risk of infertility. However, specific dosages of supplements should be discussed with your physician.

Get lots of citrus

All antioxidant-rich produce are good for fertility due to their anti-inflammatory properties. “Inflammation impairs fertility but citrus may play a specific role. There’s evidence that the vitamin C in citrus helps enhance fertility,” says Maizes. “It has bio-flavanoids, and these can improve circulation and blood flow to the uterus, making us more fertile.” In a 2011 study from Boston University, three or more servings of citrus fruit a week helped lower a woman’s chance of developing uterine fibroids, which can impair fertility. (Tip: Guava, papaya and kiwi have more vitamin C per fruit than oranges and grapefruit.)

Get lots of fish

Pregnant women and those who are trying to conceive need to avoid high-mercury fish (e.g., swordfish, shark or king mackerel); however, oily fish (particularly sockeye salmon and lake whitefish) is a good choice since it contains the most vitamin D and omega-3s. A 2012 Austrian study found vitamin D helps increase progesterone and estrogen in women, which improves conception chances; in men, vitamin D is linked with healthy semen quality. As for omega-3 fatty acids, “They reduce inflammation,” says Maizes. Tuck into 12 ounces (375 g) of fish a week, and ask your doctor about vitamin D and omega-3 supplements.

Go easy on alcohol

When it comes to fertility, the concern over alcohol is quantity and frequency. As a 2011 Harvard Medical study found, men and women undergoing in-vitro fertilization who consumed more than four drinks a week lowered the woman’s chances of getting pregnant. “The evidence doesn’t mean you can’t have alcohol at all,” says Maizes. “The Nurses’ Study showed that one alcoholic drink a day doesn’t impair fertility, so small amounts are considered safe.”

Obviously, once you conceive, avoid alcohol.

Go easy on high-glycemic-index carbs

Foods such as refined carbs, pop and white rice spike our blood sugar, and increase the risk of obesity and insulin resistance, which hinder fertility. A 2012 study from Boston University School of Public Health found women who drank lots of pop had lower chances of conceiving.

Not sure what’s high on the GI index? Avoid products that list sugar as their first ingredient.

Go easy on green tea

“It removes folic acid from your body,” says Bentov. Folic acid is important in preventing neural tube defects; women who want to conceive should take a folic acid supplement.

Go easy on trans fats

The Nurses’ Study concluded that participants with a two percent increase in calories from trans fats rather than monounsaturated fats had more than double the risk of ovulatory infertility. (See Good Fats, Bad Fats for more on trans fats.) These fats are found in many fried foods and packaged baked goods.

Hit a healthy weight

Eating for fertility relies largely on following a healthy diet, and that includes getting yourself to a healthy weight before pregnancy. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada suggests getting your body mass index (BMI) below 30 or, even better, between 20 and 25 – if you are underweight or overweight, you may risk pregnancy complications.

Related:
How to predict when you’ll get pregnant
10 rules for a happier pregnancy
12 steps to your healthiest pregnancy

The post Fertility-Boosting Foods, Plus What to Avoid appeared first on Best Health.

Source: Best Health magazine, September 2013; Image: Thinkstock

Harvesting your eggs

Leanne Scott (name changed) was almost 40 by the time she realized that the family she’d always wanted might not materialize. The Vancouver woman had a demanding career and she worked long hours. Plus, although she’d had long-term relationships, she had never met ‘the right guy’the one I wanted to have children with,‘ she says.

When she learned from a friend that it might be possible to stop the clock on her declining fertility by harvesting her eggs, and freezing them’a process called oocyte cryopreser­vation’until they could be fertilized at a later date, Scott gave it serious thought. She spent five months tracking down a doctor who would agree to perform the procedure. ‘Because of my age [by then she was 43], only two fertility doctors out of 10 that I contacted in different parts of the U.S. and Canada would accept me as a patient,’ she says.

In the end, she went with a clinic in Montreal, but had the required tests done beforehand by a doctor in her hometown. The Vancouver doctor tested her levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (high levels can indicate a dearth of eggs, also called ova) and gave her an ultrasound scan to determine the number of follicles in her ovaries (as a general rule: the more follicles, the more eggs). Having established that her fertility was not obviously compromised, Scott underwent two cycles of egg retrieval, each three months apart, to harvest 20-plus eggs at a cost of about $12,000. The eggs are now suspended in a vat of liquid nitrogen waiting for the day she might try to get pregnant.

Who’s a candidate?

When it first came into use about a decade ago, egg freezing was offered mainly to women who faced fertility-damaging cancer treatments. But about five years ago, clinics began offering the procedure to healthy women who wanted to preserve their fertility. (According to Health Canada, the Assisted Human Reproduction Act and Regulations do not prohibit the freezing of ova for reproductive purposes. However, the donor must give her prior written consent before her ova can be used.) Says Dr. Paul Claman, medical director of the Ottawa Fertility Centre and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Ottawa: ‘It’s now quite well-established, and hundreds of babies have been born from frozen eggs.’

According to a March 2012 survey published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 45 percent of Canadian assisted reproductive technology clinics report offering elective egg freezing for healthy women. The thinking is this: If you freeze your eggs by your early 30s and later decide to use those eggs, you have a 40 to 50 percent chance of getting pregnant. While giving birth later in life ‘is not ideal,’ because you are at higher risk of complications such as miscarriage, hypertension and stillborn or Caesarean births, says Claman, ‘sometimes there’s not a lot of choice.’

The fertility picture changes, however, if you freeze your eggs when you’re over age 35. Your likelihood of getting pregnant is lower, according to Claman. That’s mainly because as you age, you produce fewer eggs and the potential for those eggs to be normal is low. For example, for women over 35 with a high ovarian reserve of eggs, the chances are 20 to 30 percent; for those with low ovarian reserves, it’s less than five percent. Many clinics refuse to harvest eggs from women over 37, and insist on implanting the eggs before the patient turns 50 because of the health concerns, the reduced chance of getting pregnant and concerns they are too old to rear a child. Says Claman: Egg freezing for women age 40-plus is ‘not particularly dangerous.’ But since the chances of a successful future pregnancy are so low for women in this age group,  ‘I’d feel like I was stealing their money.’

What it costs

The price of egg freezing is substantial: from $3,500 to $5,850 for the retrieval of the eggs, plus the cost of fertility drugs (around $3,500), egg storage ($1,000 for five years) and in vitro fertilization when it comes time to implant the eggs (about $3,000 to $4,000 per cycle). Even if you are a cancer patient, provincial health insurance plans won’t pay, but under such circumstances some clinics will offer discounts, and extended medical plans may offer partial coverage.

And once you plunk down your cash, there are no guarantees. Freezing eggs is inherently more difficult than freezing sperm, which doctors have been doing for decades, points out Jocelyn Smith, a registered nurse at LifeQuest Centre for Reproductive Medicine in Toronto, which has been offering elective egg freezing since 2010. Nonetheless, Smith says, LifeQuest has had good luck with freezing eggs in short-term emergency situations where women had eggs retrieved for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and weren’t able to use them immediately. In six out of 10 of those cases, babies were born from the thawed and then fertilized eggs.

Smith’s advice: If you are in your early 30s and you’ve found the right guy, but you aren’t quite ready for kids, consider freezing some embryos (fertilized eggs). ‘There is a higher success rate with fer­tilized eggs than unfertilized eggs,’ she says. She compares the investment in egg freezing to a $10,000 insurance policy that can’t guarantee a payoff.

What are the options?

LifeQuest’s doctors favour a slow-freezing method of preserving eggs, but Dr. Seang Lin Tan, a professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecol­ogy at McGill University, has pioneered a method of flash-freezing human eggs (called vitrification) that garners good results. With the slow-freezing method, Tan contends’and he is backed up by Claman and research’about 60 to 70 percent of a woman’s eggs survive, compared to about 85 to 90 percent with vitrification. (The live birth rate per cycle of IVF for slow-freezing is 35 to 40 percent, and for vitrified eggs it’s also about 40 percent.) Since 2005, more than 30 healthy babies conceived at McGill Reproductive Centre, where Tan was founding director, have been born from vitrified frozen eggs.

Bespectacled and energetic, Tan has a 29-year history in the field of reproductive medicine. In 1992, he opened the London Women’s Clinic in the U.K. with Nobel-Prize-winning doctor Robert Edwards, whose work led to the birth of the world’s first test-tube baby. Tan became founding director of the McGill Reproductive Centre in 1996. In 2010, he opened the Montreal Reproductive Centre, to offer egg freezing and other fertility treatments.

While Tan recognizes that elective egg freezing can be a sticky topic for some people, he contends that women should not be penalized for waiting to have their children. A woman is most fertile in her 20s, ‘right at the critical time for completing an education and becoming established in her career,’ he says. ‘A typical man has much more time to become a father.’

The fact is, contends Tan, women generally live to at least 80, so even if they have their children in their 40s, they’re likely to see them through into adulthood. What’s more, he says, now that we have good ways of freezing eggs, there is evidence that they can be as effective as, if not more effective than, older ‘fresh’ eggs. Tan points to a client who froze her eggs at age 36 when she was single. At 43, she and her husband wanted a baby. When her frozen eggs were compared to her fresh eggs, they were of the same quality, he says. But while all of the embryos created from the fresh eggs were chromosomally abnormal, only six of the 10 embryos created from the frozen eggs were abnormal.

In fact, in a 2008 study based in Canada, Mexico and Colombia, Tan and other study authors found only about 2.5 percent of 200 children conceived with vitrified eggs had some kind of fetal abnormality, about the same as rates among children born naturally or through IVF. ‘So far, there has been no suggestion of a higher percentage of problems for babies born of the frozen eggs compared to fresh eggs,’ says Tan.

That said, the process is not an easy one. First, Scott had to inject herself with fertility drugs for more than 10 days in a row so that her ovaries would produce multiple eggs. She then underwent blood tests and ultrasounds before her eggs were retrieved using a long ultrasound-guided needle that went through her vagina and into her ovaries. ‘I was under general anesthetic so I didn’t feel a thing,’ she says. The next day, she had a little tenderness in her abdomen.

For Scott, the process was worth the time, money and discomfort. ‘It’s an opportunity to extend my chance of having a family for a few more years,’ she says. Scott may not, in the end, choose to use the eggs. But even if it never happens, she says: ‘I don’t regret it for one moment. It has given me hope.’

This article was originally titled "Frozen assets" in the September 2013 issue of Best Health. Subscribe today to get the full Best Health experience’and never miss an issue!

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Source: Best Health magazine, January/February 2013

According to a recent Statistics Canada report based on data from 2009-2010, as many as 15 percent of couples seek medical help to conceive. This is possibly because many couples are waiting until they’re older to have children. (Since 1984, the percentage of first-born children with mothers age 35 or older has tripled to 11 percent.)

If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, or are already trying, there is a new formula to help predict the probability that you will become pregnant‘and could help you determine when it may be time to seek assistance. Developed by English and German researchers, the formula uses information about the rate at which fertility drops with age, com­bined with the length of time a couple has been trying to conceive. Speak to your doctor about what is right for you.

The percentages in the chart below indicate the probability that a woman trying to conceive will become pregnant in the next month.

This article was originally titled "What are your odds of conceiving?" in the January/February 2013 issue of Best Health. Subscribe today to get the full Best Health experience’and never miss an issue!

The post How to predict when you’ll get pregnant appeared first on Best Health.

Up your intake of fruit and veggies

A small Spanish study found that men who ate more fruits and vegetables and fewer meat and dairy products improved their sperm quality. Other studies also suggest that antioxidant-rich produce may benefit sperm, therefore increasing fertility.

Eat a healthy diet and lose extra pounds

A Harvard school of public health study determined that women whose lifestyle includes a diet with fewer trans fats and more monounsaturated fats, vegetable proteins, multivitamins and iron were most likely to conceive. Their findings also corroborated that being overweight or obese can significantly hamper conception.

Consider acupuncture

Acupuncture raised the likelihood of conception by 65 percent in women undergoing embryo transfer via in vitro fertilization, according to a University of Maryland review of seven clinical trials involving 1,366 women. While this research is preliminary, it’s something to consider as a complement to other healthy fertility choices. Look for a qualified, well-trained acupuncturist who sterilizes his or her needles (to avoid diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV).

Protect him from air pollution

Car exhaust hurts sperm. A recent study ledy by Health Canada found that mice who were exposed to pollutants had 60 percent more sperm mutations after 10 weeks than mice who were breathing in HEPA-filtered air. Human studies also suggest that exhaust affects sperm quality and motility (its ability to move). So encourage him to drive with the windows closed, walk on side streets instead of main roads and stop idling the car engine.

Suggest he find a new spot for his laptop

Researchers at the State University of New York at Stony Brook measured the temperature of the scrotums of 29 men with laptops resting on their laps, and found it spiked 2.7?C on average. It’s already been proven that too much warmth down there decreases male fertility. Luckily, there’s a simple solution to improve it: Use a desk.

Make love daily

Don’t avoid sex to build up his sperm count. A pilot study in Australia found that regular ejaculation through sex or masturbation reduces sperm’s DNA damage and improves sperm’s shape and motility. “For couples trying to conceive, daily sex near ovulation is better,” says the study’s author Dr. David Greening, a reproductive medicine specialist with Sydney IVF. What does this mean for couples trying to conceive? Just do it.

Get enough folic acid

Folic acid and iron both affect fertility. Folic acid is a vital part of building DNA and converting some amino acids into others. So eating foods high in folic acid, such as spinach, beans, oranges, strawberries and lentils, may influence the start of a pregnancy and its continuation, as well as help prevent neural tube defects, according to The Fertility Diet. With regard to iron, the egg needs iron to provide the energy to power the DNA and protein synthesis required for fertilization. Again, plant foods high in iron, including spinach, legumes, and nuts and seeds, are beneficial for those who eat a more plant-based diet.

Avoid alcohol

Water keeps you hydrated, which is important for general good health and fertility. But pull back on the booze. A study in Stockholm of more than 7,000 women between 18 and 28 examined alcohol consumption and infertility, and it was the high-alcohol consumers that went for infertility exams at hospitals. A study conducted at M.G.R. Medical University India discovered that chronic alcohol consumption decreased semen volume, sperm count, motility and the number of normal sperm.

Eat a diet rich in whole grains

Reach for whole grain foods like oatmeal, rice and barley, because they are “slow carbs” that have a gradual effect on insulin, as opposed to highly refined carbs (cakes, pizza, pastries, chips, white rice, etc.), which cause insulin to spike. When insulin rises too high, it disrupts the finely tuned balance of hormones needed for reproduction. Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the single most common cause of ovulatory infertility, benefit especially from slow carbs because they usually have insulin resistance.

Eat healthy fats

Not all fats are bad, as was once thought. Monounsaturated fats, found in olive oil, cashews, almonds, pumpkin and sesame seeds, improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin and ease inflammation, providing a boost to fertility. On the other hand, trans fats are bad for fertility. They increase inflammation throughout the body and quash the activation of PPAR-gamma (receptors that switch on insulin sensitivity), which means higher blood sugar and insulin levels. Both factors interfere with ovulation, conception and early embryonic development, says Skerrett.

Related:
10 reasons why sex is good medicine
How to get pregnant
5 health conditions helped by acupuncture

The post 10 ways to increase your fertility appeared first on Best Health.

Source: Best Health Magazine, January/ February 2009

1. Cardiovascular disease (CVD): Diets high in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and tea reduce the risk of CVD. How much of this is because of their antioxidants isn’t known. Red wine, which contains resveratrol, also reduces the risk. And dark chocolate may be good for the heart, but make sure you’re aware of its fat and calories.

2. Fertility: A recent study found that men who took supplements of lycopene, vitamins E and C, zinc, selenium, folate and garlic had more than double the success in IVF of other men. Free-radical damage to sperm is thought to be a major cause of infertility.

3. Macular degeneration: Studies show that the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin protect against further degeneration of the retina.

4. Cystic fibrosis (CF): Antioxidant therapy using vitamins A, D, E and K and glutathione have shown some success. People with CF have trouble digesting food, so work is underway to deliver fat-soluble antioxidants via an inhaler.

5. Allergies and asthma: Kids who eat a lot of tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini and green beans are less likely to get asthma. The antioxidants alpha carotene, beta carotene, vitamin C and lycopene may protect lung tissue.

6. Cancer: A high intake of fruit and vegetables protects against some cancers. For those undergoing chemotherapy, however, the concern is that high intakes of antioxidants may impede treatment, since some chemotherapy drugs use free radicals to destroy cancer cells. Talk to your doctor.

7. Bone health: Recent research has found that drinking tea can give you stronger bones as you age. Green tea may reduce inflammation and pain in rheumatoid arthritis.

This article was originally titled "Antioxidant-Rich Fare," in the January/February 2009 issue of Best Health Magazine. Subscribe today and never miss an issue!

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