Infertility is the inability to conceive a baby or carry a baby to term.  It usually requires one year before a couple is said to have problems with fertility.  Causes of infertility can be male or female.  A majority of couples diagnosed with infertility never do find the underlying cause.  Natural approaches to infertility take a look at suspected causes of infertility that are not directly related to male or female problems.

There are many things a couple can do to help with infertility.  These approaches are based on studies that have proven certain lifestyle habits, environmental situations and diet can affect the body’s ability to reproduce.  Cigarette smoking has been linked to infertility and infertile couples are advised to stop smoking and avoid cigarette smoke all together.  Environmental pesticides and metals that an infertile couple is exposed to have also been linked with infertility.  Alcohol use has been shown to alter hormone levels in the body that are linked with infertility.  Couples are advised to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption.  Another factor linked with infertility is body weight.  Someone who is underweight or overweight can have problems with infertility due to the fact that the body’s hormones can be altered due to weight issues.  Couples should look at all the factors in their life and try to live as healthy as possible to increase their chances of conceiving.

Infertility has many different causes.  Studies are on-going as to why infertility occurs and how to cure it.  Until a completely useable, universal cure is found, most treatments are based upon the couple’s efforts.

Many different factors play a role in determining the chances for conception. Some factors cannot be changed (such as menopause). Neither should a patient generally pursue aggressive treatments, as these usually have adverse side affects. Before a patient tries anything else, he or she should be willing to implement some lifestyle changes. These relatively small changes can have powerful results on an individual’s fertility, without the harmful effects that other treatments might cause.

Changes that a person might implement to improve fertility may include:

Consumption patterns. Excessive consumption of some products, such alcohol and nicotine, lead to lowered sperm counts and infertility. Couples having problems with conception are well-advised to stay away from cigarettes and avoid drinking excessively.

Weight management. An individual’s weight plays a major role in his/her hormonal balance. If a person is underweight or overweight, his/her hormonal balance changes, which may impede the process of fertilization and conception.

Regular exercise. Closely related to weight management, regular exercise can also be an important part of improving fertility. Overall body health contributes to a more balanced production of sperm, as well as proper hormonal balance.

Here are some suggestions for improving your chances of pregnancy:

Plan ahead. Every couple should be aware of the woman’s fertile period, and plan their intercourse accordingly. If sacrifices have to be made, so be it. A husband or a wife should be willing to forgo an appointment or two so that the opportunity for conception is not missed.

Conduct some research. There is some good, solid information on the subject of fertility available today. Be sure to look some materials up, and sift the wheat from the chaff. Once you get excellent information, however, act on it! There’s a saying that goes, “Knowledge is power.” In trying to achieve pregnancy, though, “Applied knowledge is power.” You must apply what you have learned in order to get results.

Stay healthy. Remember, the fertilization process is a biological process influenced by biological factors. This means that the health of a couple plays a major role in pregnancy and birth. You owe it to yourself to keep yourself in the best possible health. Make sure you eat the right foods, get some regular exercise, and get enough rest.

Procure professional assistance. We all need some help at one point or another. There are various organizations that provide assistance for couples suffering from fertility problems. Seek these groups out and see what they have to offer.

Male fertility is mostly a product of a man’s hormones. Sperm production, which is the most important part of male fertility, is initiated by the pituitary gland, which sends a hormone called FSH to the testicles. FSH, also known as the follicle-stimulating hormone, is the signal that induces the testicles to produce sperm.

After being manufactured, sperm cells travel to the seminal vesicle through a tube called the vas deferens. The seminal vesicle is where mature sperm is stored. Another gland, the prostate, produces seminal fluid, which is mixed with the sperm to allow it to travel to the urethra. The urethra, of course, is the tube which extends from a man’s bladder, passing through the prostate, and into the penis.

Erection

When a man is sexually excited, blood rushes to the penis and causes it to be harder and erect. Sperm is withdrawn from the seminal vesicle and mixed with seminal fluid – what we know as semen. During sexual intercourse, the prostate gland contracts, which forces semen out of the urethra into the tip of the penis; a process called ejaculation.

Fertilization

Once the sperm has been deposited into a woman’s vagina, the cells start to swim up to the uterus. When a woman is fertile, she produces cervical mucus that allows the sperm cells to survive the normally acidic environment in side the vagina. The mucus also separates the healthy sperm from the defective ones. From the uterus, the sperm swim to the fallopian tubes, where fertilization will be completed if the conditions are right.

Under natural circumstances, producing hundreds of millions of sperm cells is not a problem for the average male. A man can produce can manufacture several hundred million sperm cells each day. However, problems occur when outside elements are introduced into the body, such as when a man begins to drink excessively or smoke on a regular basis.

When a man takes up drinking and smoking, his sperm count decreases, which reduces his possibility of fertilizing an egg. A poorly-balanced diet, drug use, and lack of exercise can also decrease the volume of sperm released at ejaculation. The same is true when a man experiences too many ejaculations in a short period of time, such as when he has multiple intercourse sessions within a day. Each ejaculation will reduce the amount of available sperm left within the body.

Men who are suffering infertility problems may try increasing the volume of their semen, and thus their sperm. As mentioned before, the amount of semen released by a man has a direct relationship with his partner’s pregnancy. To increase this amount, amino acids such as L-lysine, L-arginine, and L-alanine can be consumed. Other supplements worth looking into include ginseng and biloba leaf. These products increase both sperm count and improve sperm health, contributing to better fertility.

Here are some ways to improve your fertility.

Attain your proper weight range. Hormones play an important part in the fertilization process. When a person is overweight or underweight, his/her hormonal balance changes. This can only add to a couple’s infertility problems. An individual’s proper weight range is generally determined by gender and height. Conduct some research concerning your ideal weight. Exert all efforts to reach this number, as it will not only improve fertility but your entire health as well.

Stop smoking cigarettes. There is absolutely no justification for smoking cigarettes, at least from the perspective of health. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 harmful compounds, many of them known to cause cancer. Not only is smoking bad for overall health, it has also been found to decrease sperm count in men, as well as increase infertility for women.

Drink alcohol in moderation. Like smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol produces a whole host of health problems. Aside from wreaking havoc with a person’s brain and circulatory system, alcohol has been found to reduce sperm count.

Learn about positions. Some sexual positions are touted to be more conducive to pregnancy. The missionary position, for instance, is thought to be one such position, as it allows the uterus to receive more sperm. (In this position, a woman lies down on her back while the man is on top.) After ejaculation, a woman should lie still for at least five to ten minutes, without significant changes in posture. This gives the sperm time to reach the cervix. Note that other positions may work better for some couples; so be sure to ask your doctor about the possibilities.

Use the proper lubrication. Many lubricants on the market today are known sperm-killers. This includes petroleum jelly or K-Y jelly. Some experts recommend liquid paraffin (available from a chemist) or just some plain old egg whites. (Egg whites must not be used if either partner is allergic to poultry and poultry products.)

Temporary sexual abstinence. Regular intercourse places a strain on a man’s ability to produce sperm. Temporary abstinence from sex allows the male glands to produce more sperm. A period of three to seven days is optimal.

Avoid tight underwear. This is for men only. Underwear that constricts the testicles may reduce sperm count.

Consult your doctor. The causes of infertility are varied and often complex. If you are unable to pinpoint the cause of the problem or a prospective solution, consult a professional.

By applying a few of these tips, you can improve your chances of conception.

Ovulation disorders. Women who do not have regular periods are possibly not ovulating. No ovulation, no pregnancy.

Inflammation of the Fallopian tube. Inflammation of the fallopian tube may lead to blockage. Blocked tubes do not allow the entry of sperm, and therefore interrupts the fertilization process.

Menopause and old age. After a certain age women are less likely to conceive children. When a woman is in her early to mid-thirties, she will be up to 20% less fertile; from her mid to late thirties, she will be up to 50% less fertile. After the age of forty, fertility declines by over 90%. The reason for this is that the quality and quantity of eggs produced by a woman declines with old age. The best time for pregnancy is the early twenties.

Improving the Odds of Pregnancy

Increase your awareness. All women should be aware of their fertile time. Ovulation usually occurs about 14 days before the next period. For women with 28-day cycles, the fourteenth day is generally regarded as the best day for getting pregnant.

Monitor yourself. Changes in a woman’s basal temperature and cervical mucus may signal increased fertility periods. Elevations in a woman’s temperature signals greater chances of pregnancy, as do changes in the appearance and consistency of the cervical mucus (Its color and density resembles egg whites during periods of great fertility).

Infertility is not a sole problem that is faced by women. As most cultures practice, infertility is typically blamed on the part of the women. They are obviously wrong. There is nobody to be blamed for the matter. The inability to bear a child can be caused by several factors that are affecting both the couple. There is also the renowned male factor which means that the problem lies on the part of the male.

The concept of male infertility is no longer a new term these days. Medical findings have long started to point on the male reproductive system as a primary cause of infertility. But then because of men’s too much pride, they find it hard to bring about acceptance for men infertility. There are no recognized symptoms or signs of men infertility. They can only be detected by the routinely health checkups. As couples, you need to be aware of your fertility status. Women are not always the ones at fault when it comes to the incapacity to bear a child. Men infertility should be accepted with an open mind.

In the available studies and reports that medical teams have further gathered, they see that men infertility comprises at lest 1/3 of its overall total. In contrast with the female reproductive system, the male reproductive system is less complicated. Men infertility is usually associated with the problem in sperm count and other known sperm disorders. The fertility process commonly takes place during the intercourse when there are millions of sperm cells that get deposited into the vagina during the male ejaculation. Only a few of the semen can successfully get through the protective walls of the egg cell to enable pregnancy. Therefore, the more sperm cells that are able to go through the egg’s protective walling, the more chances of allowing a successful fertilization. For a progressive fertilization, the sperm quality, sperm size and shape, sperm motility, and sperm count are great factors to consider.

Logically, any problem with any of these factors is likely to bring about a difficulty in male fertility. The explanation to this is that a great number of sperm count and an optimum quality of sperm cells are sure to give a hundred percent male fertility.

Men infertility is likewise confronted with an array of environmental and health issues which can affect the difficulty in conceiving. The age is a renowned factor. Obviously, as man ages, his capacity to reproduce lessens. Specialists say that from the age of 35, the sperm cell quality starts to diminish. One’s lifestyle choices also pose an impact to men infertility. Men infertility is likely to be affected by the intense exposure to heat and by using overly tight underwear, the extreme exposure to pesticides, electromagnetic emissions, radioactivity and other hazardous substances. It is also to be noted that men infertility is greatly brought about by STDs, too much use of drugs, smoking, and the abuse of alcohol.

If you’ve got concerns or queries regarding men infertility, there are various infertility specialists from whom you can seek help. Furthermore, it pays off to be open-minded when accepting the truth regarding men infertility.

Infertility is one of the medical and social problems that confront many couples all over the world. Infertility does not only happen to women but to men also. With this problem, the couple is advised to see an infertility specialist for the varied sorts of evaluation and examinations. Most infertility specialists would advise that the male be assessed first since the series of tests to be required for the female is literally too expensive and entails a lot of time to be consumed. Among the infertility specialists that handle infertility cases are the gynecologists, urologists, internists, and endocrinologists.

What Infertility Specialists Say

Infertility specialists recommend that couples should not worry about infertility that much except when they do fall under any of the categories wherein the couples are under the age of 35 and have tried proper timing for sexual intercourse but the effort proves futile for over a year; the couples are over the age of 35 and have concerted efforts to conceive unsuccessfully for more than 6 months; or if the couples are more than 30 years old and histories of excruciating menstrual periods, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), irregular menstrual cycle, recurrent miscarriages, or if the male goes through a low sperm count are evident. If the couples experience any of these, they must get examined at once so infertility can be remedied.

Factors that Cause Infertility

Infertility specialists cite several factors which in one way or another pose risks for infertility. They are age, weight problems, inflammation, genital infantilism, sexually transmitted disease, smoking, alcohol, tubal disease, and endometriosis. Infertility cannot be prevented by all means as there are even numerous cases of unexplained infertility problems. Unexplained infertility problems arise when the couple has been evaluated and examined but then no visible signs as per medical science is concerned are seen and evaluated.

Infertility Specialists’ Recommended Medication

Some tests are conducted by gynecologists to ensure that the evaluation of an individual goes through a serious process.

The Rubin Test. This process assesses the potency of the female fallopian tubes. It is done by putting in carbon dioxide via a sterile cannula which then goes into the uterus, to the tubes, and finally into the peritoneal cavity. Occlusion may be found out if the pressure gauged is up to 200 mm. of the mercury.

The Salpinogram/Hysterosalpingogram Test. This test primarily determines the presence of tubal obstruction.

The Hubner Test. This is done after one or two hours right after the intercourse. The physician gets cervical secretions via a long cannula and the aspirated stuff is placed on a slide for a microscopic examination. The test finds out the feasibility of the sperm cells.

Help is just around. Infertility specialists are the authorities one can trust when such problem arises.