Sperm morphology: are your sperm in good shape

Sperm morphology is one of the parameters that are evaluated in a semen analysis. It is a measurement of the percentage of sperm that are normal in shape. A normal sperm has an oval-shaped head, a well-defined cap (acrosome) that covers part of the head, and a single midpiece and tail. During the production of sperm in the testicle (which takes about 90 days!), defects often occur. For example, sperm may have double heads, missing acrosomes, or short tails.


To evaluate a specimen, a microscope slide is prepared with a very thin coating of semen. The slide is stained to make the sperm clearly visible, and then at least 200 hundred sperm are viewed under high magnification and individually scored as either normal or abnormal based on their shape. The percentage of normally shaped sperm is then calculated.

Morphology is assessed using one of two sets of characteristics: Kruger or World Health Organization (WHO). Kruger criteria are stricter and consider small irregularities as abnormal. WHO criteria are more lenient and therefore do not classify as many sperm as abnormal. Most clinics today are moving toward the Kruger strict criterion which is more predictive of egg fertilization success.

More recent research led to a change in 2010 in the interpretation of sperm morphology. Prior to that time, a higher percentage of normal sperm was required for a sample to be considered normal. Specifically, at least 14% of the sperm in the ejaculate had to be normal in order to have a good prognosis for fertilization. Now, the World Health Organization has adopted a new cut-off. Only 4% of the ejaculate needs to be of normal shape for the sample to be considered fertile.

So what impact does abnormal morphology (teratospermia) have on fertility? 

It is possible for an abnormally shaped sperm to fertilize an egg. However, some studies have shown that having higher amounts of abnormally shaped sperm is associated with difficulty in achieving pregnancy. It is unclear if this is due to the shape of the sperm itself, or by another reason that causes the sperm to be shaped differently and also causes infertility problems. In addition, men who have poor morphology often have other irregularities too, including low sperm count and/or motility.

The next question is whether there is anything that can be done to improve morphology?
There are three main causes of this problem:

1. A genetic trait
2. Exposure to toxic chemicals
3. Increased testicular temperature

Nothing can be done if it is a genetic trait; however, the other two causes may be reversible.
Men can be exposed to toxic chemicals either at work or in the home. If your occupation exposes you to toxins (such as automotive paint shops), you need to follow all safety guidelines. Even some household items such as cleaning supplies or pesticides can cause problems with sperm morphology when used without proper ventilation. You should always use protective masks, gloves and clothing when using these chemicals.

Wearing tight-fitting clothing (like jockey shorts) around the clock can increase scrotal temperature to a point where sperm morphology could be affected. Even sitting at a desk for a prolonged period of time can keep the testicles drawn up close to the body which can result in an increased temperature. It is best to get up and walk around periodically to avoid this situation.

Some medications, such as antidepressants, can also have an effect on sperm morphology. You should review any medications you are taking with your fertility specialist. Lastly, improving your lifestyle may also help. When trying to achieve a pregnancy, you should avoid smoking and/or recreational drugs, and limit the use of alcohol. Dietary supplements have not been shown to have a positive effect on sperm morphology, but some fertility specialists do recommend a daily multivitamin to improve your overall well-being including reproductive health.

Poor sperm morphology, however, by no means eliminates your chances for successfully achieving pregnancy. Recent studies, in fact, suggest that below normal sperm morphology has less of an impact on the success of intrauterine insemination (IUI). This is likely due to the number of sperm used in an insemination. It is common to place 10 million or more sperm in the uterus when performing an IUI, so even if a significant percent are abnormal in shape there are still plenty of normally shaped sperm available to get the job done. If inseminations are not successful, then in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be necessary. The good news then is that a technique called ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) can be used to inject good quality, normal-shaped sperm into the eggs to achieve fertilization.

So, if your sperm morphology results are not what you expected, don’t be discouraged! There are ways to overcome this setback and still achieve your ultimate goal of parenthood.
 

Tips to improve sperm count

Male factor is the cause in approximately 40% of infertile couples. In many cases, the cause is unknown and there is no specific treatment to improve sperm count. The good news is that these couples can often conceive with the use of assisted reproductive technologies (e.g. intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI, testicular sperm aspiration or TESA). In a small percentage of patients, there are hormonal imbalances that can be treated.

Here are some tips that may improve your sperm count.

1. See an urologist specializing in male infertility. A physical examination will sometimes pick up a testicular tumor in patients with severe male factor. Infertility is a risk factor for testicular cancer. The risk of testicular cancer is 2.8-3.6 times higher in men who presented with infertility. (The disease is 99% curable with an early diagnosis). Testicular cancer when identified early requires less toxic therapy than other cancers.
2. A varicocele is one of the most treatable and reversible causes of male infertility. The incidence of varicocele is 35%-40% in infertile men. Varicoceles that need to be treated are palpable and men have an abnormal sperm parameter. Research has shown that after treatment of a variococele surgically or by embolizaton, 70% of patients will see improvement in their semen quality and 30-40% can impregnate their partners.
3. Lose weight. Male obesity in reproductive age men has nearly tripled in the past 30 years and coincides with an increase in male infertility worldwide. Obesity has been shown to decrease testosterone levels through increased aromatase activity and elevated estradiol levels.
4. Get checked for diabetes. Chronic diseases such as diabetes can effect fertility related functioning in males and result in erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction due to neurologic and vascular issues. Diabetes associated erectile dysfunction is a reversible and treated problem in 70%-90% of men using oral and injectable medications.
5. Certain medications can effect sperm production. These include calcium channel blockers, spironolactone, hypertension medications along with medications for Crohns disease, methotrexate and chemotherapies all play a role in effecting sperm production.
6. Quit smoking. Heavy tobacco use could lead to hormone imbalances and sperm production issues.
7. Moderate your alcohol consumption. Heavy alcohol use can also affect sperm production.
8. Quit using anabolic steroids and testosterone supplements. Anabolic steroids are often used by body builders to gain muscle mass. The steroids can result in a significant decrease in sperm counts. The use of testosterone supplements (e.g. Androgel, testosterone patches) can suppress sperm production. These are often used as treatment for “low T”. The physiological action of testosterone is to suppress (negative feedback) the pituitary glands ability to release FSH and LH (hormones needed for sperm production).
9. Stop using recreational drugs. Cocaine has been linked to low sperm count, motility and morphology (shape of sperm) defects. Opioid abuse has been associated with decreased gonadotropins and testosterone levels. Heavy marijuana use has been linked to low testosterone levels, pyospermia (pus cells in the semen) and decreased sperm concentration.
10. Avoid hot tubs, saunas, tight clothing and electronic devices resting on their lap. Data from recent studies have shown that increased radio frequency electromagnetic waves from cell phones might lead to stress on human semen and effects on DNA integrity. Increased scrotal temperatures can cause sperm abnormalities.

None of this is rocket science. At the same time these are modifiable lifestyle issues that are known to affect male reproductive health. Improve your lifestyle and this may result in an improved sperm count!

Can excessive masturbation cause infertility?

Family planning and pregnancy can be quite stressful at time. When the female partner is not getting pregnant after a couple of months several men fear that it may be their fault. The guilt conscience begins to take root.

There are many myths associated with masturbation and many men are not sure what the real truth is any longer. To set your fears aside, whether you ejaculate inside a woman’s body or outside does not affect your fertility. The only difference is that if you ejaculate inside a woman’s body the possibility of her getting pregnant is higher. Those men who are trying to get their partners pregnant should keep this in mind.

Regular intercourse with ejaculation at least 3 or 4 times a week can help keep your sperm quality good. Healthy sperm has good motility and morphology. Sperm motility is the swimming capabilities of the sperm and sperm morphology is the shape of the sperm. A normal sperm will have a head that is shaped in a manner that allows it to easily penetrate the egg. An abnormally shaped sperm may not be able to penetrate the egg even if it reaches it, due to the deformed shape of the head. A sperm that is a good swimmer can reach the egg soon and this is essential for conception. All you need is one good swimmer and sometimes it is hard to find even that in the 3 million semen load.

Good quality sperm

Optimal quality sperm is produced when the male does not ejaculate for 2-3 days. If you are trying for a baby naturally it is advisable to give yourself few days break from masturbation and then have sexual intercourse. This will improve your chances of conception.

If you are undergoing IVF treatment at some point you will be expected to give a semen sample. Doctors usually advise that you should avoid masturbation and ejaculation at least for 3 days prior to giving the sample. This is to ensure optimum quality of sperm.

Sperm depletion

Frequent masturbation (3 or 4 times a day) can deplete your sperm reserve. Each ejaculation releases approximately 300 million sperm and the male body produces 12 billion sperm per month. If you are conscious about sperm depletion, you can do the math as to exactly how many times you can ejaculate each month.

Low sperm count

If you feel that your sperm count may be low you can have it checked by a simple sperm count test. Low levels of sperm count may affect fertility. You can clear your doubts regarding your sperm count easily by getting it checked with giving a sperm sample to a clinic. They will revert within a few days with the test results.If you do test positive with a low sperm count, do not feel remorse over the thought that it is might be due to excessive masturbation, as that does not affect sperm count.

Excessive sexual intercourse or excessive masturbation does not affect your sperm count, though it may temporarily reduce your sperm reserve till your body can produce more. If you have frequent sex you may find that the quantity of semen you ejaculate is reducing. This is temporary and there is no need for concern. Give it a few days of rest and your body will produce more sperm.

If you are going through fertility treatment then it is worth while discussing your sexual habits with the doctor so that it will does hamper the treatment and healthy sperm production. It is also beneficial to enquire regarding the measures you should take to improve your sperm quality for the treatment. The quality of sperm plays a very significant role in the IVF procedure. Healthy sperm can help with fertilization and improve the embryo quality.

Source: https://www.medicoverfertility.com/blog/can-excessive-masturbation-cause-infertility/

What are the signs of infertility in men?

Male infertility is now coming to light as men are discovering that they are not able to make their wives pregnant. Among the many couples that visit infertility clinics, a lot of them find that the fertility issues they are facing is only due to a problem with the male partner.

Male infertility has no obvious outward signs. A man may not know he is infertile till he undergoes a fertility test and has his sperm checked for count, motility and morphology. In most cases the only signs of infertility in men are when they are not able to make their partners pregnant.

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can broadly be described as a situation where a man has problems getting an erection or sustaining one. A man who cannot maintain an erection is considered infertile. He will not be able to impregnate a woman naturally. For conception he will have to undergo an IVF procedure. However erectile dysfunction is not related to sperm count or quality of sperm. Hence a simple procedure like IUI can help the female partner get pregnant.

What are the signs of infertility in men? A man is considered infertile when there is a problem related to the sperm count or the quality of the sperm. The common problems with sperm are:

• Abnormal sperm morphology
• Sperm with poor motility
• Poor sperm quality
• Sperm that cannot attach the head to egg
• Sperm that cannot penetrate the egg due to abnormal head shape

Over the years the general sperm count in men has reduced. Two decades ago a general healthy sperm count was 50 million per millilitre of sperm. Today 20 million is the general count and is considered as healthy. A sperm count of 10 million or lower is considered as a low sperm count.

Low sperm count is a very common problem in men today. Men with low sperm count can sire children but they will require some kind of medical assistance or a medical procedure to help with conception.

Some men suffer from a condition where there is no sperm in their semen. This is known as azoospermia.
There are men who have healthy sperm and a good sperm count but are not able to release the sperm and hence the sperm cannot penetrate the egg.

Retrograde flow of sperm, when the sperm are ejected they travel back into the bladder instead of entering the woman’s body. This is a condition that happens as a side effect of certain medication and can also be caused due to surgery.

Symptoms that should not be ignored

There are certain symptoms or changes in a man’s body that he may notice, but most of the time these are ignored and not given any importance. However, this is an indication that something is wrong and should be looked into by a medical expert. Some of these symptoms could be related to signs of infertility in men.

• A decrease in sex drive is when a man finds that he is not inclined towards sex. He no longer feels the desire to have sex.
• Any kind of pain in the testicle area. If you notice a lump or some swelling
• Gynecomastia: breast growth in males
• Decrease in body and facial hair is due to a hormonal abnormality

Any kind of sexual problems should be given serious attention. Any of these problems could be signs of infertility in men lead to or hamper male fertility.

Men usually ignore their fertility and do not bother to pay heed to symptoms that their bodies undergo, unless it is causing them pain or discomfort. However conscious awareness of bodily changes can help to catch a problem in the initial stages before it becomes a major issue.

Source: https://www.medicoverfertility.com/blog/what-are-the-signs-of-infertility-in-men/

Male Infertility Treatment: Ayurveda treats all

Whenever you hear the concept of infertility, a woman’s problem is what comes to find. However, infertility affects men as well. Unlike earlier days, people have know come to know that infertility isn’t gender-specific and affects both genders. Infertility refers to the inability to bear a child with your better half. The underlying causes of infertility can be a number of factors. These factors are different for different people. The factors are also different, in terms of gender. This article will discuss the factors that affect fertility of males. The discussion will be from the perspective of Ayurveda.

Male Infertility Treatment is necessary because, in the beginning, couples attempting their first pregnancy don’t get results. The couple is said to suffer from infertility if they try to bear a child for a year, without any results. As mentioned earlier, male infertility is one of the factors involved. The major causative factor in these cases is usually, a low sperm count and a poor sperm quality. In some cases, an exact cause cannot be pinpointed. Therefore, just approaching the problem with modern treatments won’t work. A holistic and natural healing treatment would be needed, to weed out and solve the problem.

Following are some specific factors that are involved in male infertility:-

• Azoospermia(classified as an actual medical condition) is when a man has semen that is devoid of sperms. Azoospermia has different types and there are various treatments centered around these types.
• Oligospermia is when there is a deficiency/very low concentration of sperms in the semen.
• Loss of Libido: A common problem that affects men (as well as women) that involves loss of sexual drive/interest in conceiving a child. There are a number of factors that are involved in a loss of libido.

Male Infertility Treatment in today’s times, is still experimental. This is because a lot of research is still yet to be done, to accurately pinpoint the exact cause and subsequent treatments for the same. Today’s treatments involve Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and assisted reproduction. Again, these methods are experimental, and can have undesired effects on the body as well. On the other hand, Ayurvedic treatments for infertility are found in specialized Ayurvedic clinics. India, being the birthplace of Ayurveda, has a number of clinics that offer treatments of Infertility. This is the reason why a lot of people residing out of the country, come here to avail treatment for infertility.

Following are some tips to reduce male infertility:

• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid food that is made of poor quality oil and fats
• Get adequate amounts of physical activity in your daily life
• Specific powders that are prescribed by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner
• Tonics, that help the body to fight and pacify the condition
• Herbs, the powerhouse of Ayurveda, that have excellent healing effects on the body

At the same time, one should ensure that they lead a healthy lifestyle. Physical/emotional stress can also affect a person’s fertility.

Male Infertility Treatment in Ayurveda is entirely different from the usual modern medicine treatments. Looking at the tips above, you can guess that treatments suggested by Ayurveda are basically diet and lifestyle changes. This is followed by a cleansing therapy that involves complete-body massages and consuming powerful herbs that help rid the body of toxins and other substances that make the body unhealthy. These massages, along with purifying your body, are also mentally and physically relaxing to the body. All of these treatments are suggested, based on an individual’s body type or constitution.

In the end, one must remember that a lot of fertility problems are because of a delay or absence of early detection. Delaying a thorough diagnosis of your semen will only lead to infertility in the near future. The earlier an individual tackles the problem, the quicker his problem/condition can be solved with natural treatments. The best thing that a person can do, is stay health with good eating habits and a healthy lifestyle that can keep him fit, active and energized. This why Ayurveda shines in its attemtps to cure infertility. Its method of detoxifying and purifying the various systems in the body eventually leads to a healthy body and personality.

Source: http://www.ayushakti.com/blog/male-infertility-treatment-ayurveda-treats-all/

Another Male Fertility Test is coming to Market: The Episona SEED Test.

Episona, an “epigenetics data” company  is a bringing a new male fertility test to market.  The test is hoped to provide additional useful information in the evaluation of the male fertility patient in addition to and beyond the information a semen analysis provides.  

Epigenetics refers to heritable changes, not in DNA but rather in gene “expression”.  Epigenetics therefore refers to anything other than DNA that can influence an organism’s development.  Known consequences of epigenetic changes include change in cancer risk, mental retardation disorders such as Angelman and Prader-Willi syndromes, autoimmunity disorders such as Lupus, Neuropsychiatric disorder such as Alzheimers as well as risk for autism.

Epigenetic change can be a normal and natural occurrence but can also be influenced by endogenous as well as exogenous factors.  These factors can include, age, environment, lifestyle and disease. Concrete examples include smoking, obesity, malnutrition, extreme stress or sleep deprivation. Several mechanisms have been identified as contributing to epigenetic change including:  DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling and non-coding RNA, all of which can play a role in initiating and sustaining epigenetic changes.    Of these mechanism, DNA methylation is the most broadly studied  mechanism.

DNA methylation  refers to the addition of “methyl groups” to specific segments of DNA.  When this happens to a gene “promoter” the typical effect is to turn off transcription of that gene.

Episona is bringing their product to market Seed in collaboration with MDx, a company that uses DNA methylation testing to predict the presence of cancer. Episona’s product examines over 480,000 regions on sperm DNA for abnormal methylation at different gene sites important to fertility.  Seed is the first product on the market to evaluate epigenetic changes in DNA to predict the risk for male factor infertility as defined by the ability of a sperm to fertilize and egg and also as being able to predict poor embryo development.

Some early concerns:

It is not clear whether  SEED results vary result to result over time.  It is also not clear (as of now) if lifestyle or other changes can affect results such as improving diet, stopping smoking, getting sleep, etc.
New tools for the diagnosis of male infertility such as the Androvia Cap Score (discussed in a prior blog) and the Episona Seed test are encouraging developments and I am hopeful they will both serve to benefit my patients.

Source: http://www.malefertilitydoc.com/male-fertility-vasectomy-information-articles.html/2016/12/23/male-fertility-test-episona-seed-test/

Male Fertility Tips

If you want to produce and fertilize an egg with the best quality, super sperm you need to commit to some simple easy lifestyle changes. First very important piece of information is that the sperm regeneration cycle takes about 74 days. It takes 21/2 to 3 months for sperm to fully mature. When sperm are initially formed they lack the ability to swim forward or fertilize an egg. So these lifestyle changes need to be long term not just a few days or weeks. These tips work for couples who are trying to conceive on their own as well as if your are producing a semen sample for fertility treatments, such as IUI or IVF.

THINGS TO DO

• Keep a diet rich in Vitamin E, C, Zinc and Folate (water soluble B vitamin)
• Protect / try to avoid infections
• Keep stress low – manage your stress
• Keep cool- temperature
• Wear loose clothing and underwear such as boxers

THINGS TO AVOID OR NOT DO

• Avoid pollution as much as possible
• Avoid extreme temperatures- no hot tubs, overly hot baths or showers
• No Drugs
• No Smoking

It is also recommended that you abstain for ejaculating for 2  to 3 days as it affects sperm counts. That way you insure the greatest number of sperm available for fertilization.

Source: http://www.repromedfertility.com/blog/male-fertility-tips-4041/

Fueling Fertility: The Role of Nutrition on Your Fertility

Maybe you’ve heard that a significant number of infertility cases are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or concerns with male semen quality or quantity, but did you know that diet and lifestyle choices play a significant role in the fertility outcomes for both males and females? The following suggestions can aid in increasing your chances of conception but also improve overall health for you and your future children’s overall health.

Don’t wait until Monday to make these changes! Switching your eating and lifestyle habits at least three months before conception can help create healthier sperm (sperm is produced in a three month cycle- what you eat today creates the sperm you will be using three months from now!) and can create a healthier environment for the fetus in the womb. For women, levels of B-vitamins and vitamin D are associated with fertility outcomes as well as research on antioxidant and mineral levels. To help ensure the best pregnancy outcomes it’s important that both partners are fueling their bodies for fertility!

Eating for fertility:

• Variety is key! Choose a variety of colors when choosing fruits and vegetables- each color has a different phytonutrient which acts differently in your body to promote overall health. Aim for 2-3 fistfuls of non-starchy vegetables per day and 1-2 fistfuls of fruit. These are rich in antioxidants which can help fight reactive oxygen species which has the potential to compromise sperm function, including sperm motility, altering DNA and decreasing membrane integrity. Men should be concerned about protecting the health of their DNA as this will be passed on and be responsible for creating half of the child.
• Choose whole grains instead of white processed grains. Try a bowl of unsweetened oatmeal with your breakfast or brown rice with your dinner.
• Eat low-fat dairy or fat-free dairy instead of full fat dairy products.
• Choose leaner sources such as skinless chicken breast, turkey, and fish and reduce red and processed meat intake. Try incorporating vegetable protein sources such as beans, nuts, and seeds.
• Limit saturated fats from milk and meat products and choose healthy fats instead which can be found in olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds, and wild salmon.
• Avoid fried foods, pastries and desserts, and processed snack foods which are low in nutrients and high in calories.

HINT: Make this easier by filling half of your plate at each meal with fruits and veggies!

Keep a healthy weight:

While achieving a healthy weight is often a by-product of eating healthier, it’s important to note it’s role in fertility. Both being overweight/obese or underweight can have a negative impact on fertility. Being overweight or obese can lead to fertility problems by creating hormonal disturbances, a decrease in sperm concentration or motility, and an increased chance in having DNA damage in the sperm as well as concerns for ovulation for females. Being underweight can also have negative effects on one’s sperm (such as decreased sperm count and poor function) and ovulation patterns. Try plugging your height and weight into a BMI calculator online to determine your BMI. Please note that if you are very physically active and consistently engage in weight lifting or gym workouts your BMI may not be accurate as it does not take into account your lean muscle mass to fat ratio- instead looking only at overall weight. Aim for a BMI between 18.5-24.9 for optimal fertility. Is your BMI outside of the optimal range? Try incorporating some of the dietary recommendations discussed above and make sure to hit that gym or find a physical activity that you enjoy.

BMI Categories: 

Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
Overweight = 25–29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

Source: http://www.repromedfertility.com/blog/fueling-fertility-the-role-of-nutrition-on-your-fertility-4150/

What is Infertility: Infertility Causes, Treatment, Infertility Doctors - Baby Capsules

What is Infertility?

Most people will have the strong desire to conceive a child at some point during their lifetime. Understanding what defines normal fertility is crucial to helping a person, or couple, know when it is time to seek help. Most couples (approximately 85%) will achieve pregnancy within one year of trying, with the greatest likelihood of conception occurring during the earlier months. Only an additional 7% of couples will conceive in the second year. As a result, infertility has come to be defined as the inability to conceive within 12 months. This diagnosis is therefore shared by 15% of couples attempting to conceive. We generally recommend seeking the help of a reproductive endocrinologist if conception has not occurred within 12 months. However, there are various scenarios where one may be advised to seek help earlier. These include:

• Infrequent menstrual periods: When a woman has regular menstrual periods, defined as regular cycles occurring every 21 to 35 days, this almost always indicates that she ovulates regularly. Ovulation of the egg occurs approximately 2 weeks before the start of the next period. If a woman has cycles at intervals of greater than 35 days, it may indicate that she is not ovulating an egg predictably, or even at all. Ovulation of the egg is essential for pregnancy. Therefore, we recommend an evaluation if menstrual cycles are infrequent or irregular in a couple attempting pregnancy.
• Female age of 35 years or older: For unclear reasons, egg numbers decrease at a rapid rate as women age. Furthermore, as aging occurs, egg quality, or the likelihood of an egg being genetically normal, decreases. Therefore we recommend a fertility evaluation if a couple has been attempting pregnancy for 6 months or more when the woman is 35 years of age or older.
• A history of pelvic infections or sexually transmitted diseases: Sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause inflammation and permanent scarring of the fallopian tubes. The presence of open tubes is essential for natural conception, as sperm must traverse the tubes in order to reach and fertilize the ovulated egg. We recommend immediate evaluation for a couple attempting pregnancy when the woman has a prior history of pelvic infection. As part of the fertility evaluation, we will perform an HSG, a test designed to evaluate if the fallopian tubes are open.
• Known uterine fibroids or endometrial polyps: Uterine abnormalities, such as fibroids that indent the endometrial cavity and endometrial polyps, can impair how the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) and embryo interact to lower implantation and pregnancy rates. These abnormalities can also cause irregular bleeding between menstrual cycles. Evaluation should be pursued by 6 months of attempted pregnancy in women with a known history of these abnormalities or a history of bleeding between menstrual cycles. The main approach to correcting or removing these uterine abnormalities is by hysteroscopy, a surgical method by which a narrow scope with a camera is placed within the uterine cavity. Instruments can be introduced through the hysteroscope, allowing the surgeon to remove or correct any anatomic abnormalities.
• Known male factor semen abnormalities: If a male partner has a history of infertility with a prior partner, or if there are abnormalities on his semen analysis, then we advise earlier fertility evaluation, ideally within 6 months of attempting pregnancy.

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Infertility Symptoms, Causes (Men, Women), Drugs and Stats

Infertility facts:

• Infertility means not being able to become pregnant, within certain parameters.
• Infertility is a common problem of about 10% of women aged 15 to 44.
• Infertility can be due to the woman (33%), the man (33%) and by both sexes or due to unknown problems (33%), approximately.
• Infertility in men can be due to varicocele, low or absent sperm count, sperm damage or certain diseases.
• Risk factors for men's infertility include alcohol and drug use, toxins, smoking, age, health problems, medicines, radiation, and chemotherapy.
• Risk factors for women's infertility include ovulation problems, blocked Fallopian tubes, uterine problems, uterine fibroids, age, stress, poor diet, athletic training, and those risk factors listed for men.
• Aging decreases a woman's fertility; after age 35 about 33% of couples have fertility problems; older women's eggs are reduced in number, not as healthy and less likely to be released by the ovary – the woman is also more likely to have a miscarriage and other health problems.
• Women under 35 should try for a year or 6 months if 35 or older to become pregnant before contacting their doctor if they have no health problems.
• Doctors use the histories of both partners and may run tests such as sperm studies, ovulation tests, ultrasound, hysterosalpingography, or laparoscopy.
• Infertility may be treated with medicine, surgery, artificial insemination, or assisted reproductive technology, based on the couples test results and other factors.
• There are multiple medicines that may be used to treat infertility in women.
• Intrauterine insemination is artificial insemination where a woman is injected with sperm into the uterus.
• ART (assisted reproductive technology) is when a woman's eggs are removed, mixed with sperm to make embryos that are placed back in the woman's body; it's successful about 11% to 39%, depending on the woman's age.
• There are several types of ART; in vitro fertilization, Zygote transfer, Gamete transfer and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
• Surrogacy (the woman's male partner sperm is used to fertilize another woman egg and that other woman carries the fetus to term and the infant is then adopted ) is a way for some couples to obtain a baby.
• A gestational carrier is a woman who has an embryo placed in her uterus, carries the fetus to term and gives the baby to the couple (or responsible persons) that produced the embryo.

For more info visit http://babycapsule.in/

Infertility | Infertility Treatments | Baby Capsule

Infertility means not being able to become pregnant after a year of trying. If a woman can get pregnant but keeps having miscarriages or stillbirths, that's also called infertility.

Infertility is fairly common. After one year of having unprotected sex, about 15 percent of couples are unable to get pregnant. About a third of the time, infertility can be traced to the woman. In another third of cases, it is because of the man. The rest of the time, it is because of both partners or no cause can be found.

There are treatments that are specifically for men or for women. Some involve both partners. Drugs, assisted reproductive technology, and surgery are common treatments. Happily, many couples treated for infertility go on to have babies.

For more information visit http://babycapsule.in/

Infertility: Causes, Diagnosis, Risks, Treatments - Baby Capsule

Infertility refers to an inability to conceive after having regular unprotected sex. Infertility can also refer to the biological inability of an individual to contribute to conception, or to a female who cannot carry a pregnancy to full term. In many countries infertility refers to a couple that has failed to conceive after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse without the use of contraception.

Studies indicate that slightly over half of all cases of infertility are a result of female conditions, while the rest are caused by either sperm disorders or unidentified factors.

Many cases of apparent infertility are treatable. Infertility may have a single cause in one of the partners, or it could be the result of a combination of factors. 

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General Infertility: Infertility Causes, Testing and Treatment

Definition of infertility: 12 months or more of unprotected intercourse without pregnancy

• Primary infertility: Infertility without any previous pregnancy.
• Secondary infertility: Fertility problems occurring in a couple that has conceived on their own and had a child in the past.
• Sterility: When there is no chance for a pregnancy. This is different from infertility which generally represents a reduced potential for pregnancy.

Most childless couples with a female age under about 43 that are having problems getting pregnant are considered to be infertile but not sterile.

Most childless couples with a female age under about 43 that are having problems getting pregnant are considered to be infertile but not sterile.

For more info visit http://babycapsule.in/ 

Baby Capsule Male Infertility Herbal Treatment

The odds of infertility increase by 10% for every 20 pounds a man is overweight and there is growing evidence of conception and pregnancy complications as a result of male weight as well. Here we'll look at seven questions about weight and male fertility. 

1. Does weight affect fertility?

Yes. Being over- or under-weight can affect both male and female fertility. Being overweight or underweight causes problems with ovulation in women, and maternal obesity can increase the rate of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and birth defects.

2. Can being overweight or obese cause male infertility?

According to a 2006 study, the odds of infertility increase by 10% for every 20 pounds a man is overweight. Research indicates that men who are overweight or obese take longer to conceive a child, independently of the female’s weight. Also, studies of couples undergoing ART (infertility treatment) show that obesity in males is associated with fewer pregnancies and an increase in miscarriage rates.
Taken together, these facts indicate that being overweight can definitely be an important factor in male infertility.

3. How does a man's weight affect fertility?

Recent studies suggest that male obesity reduces sperm count and sperm concentration (that is, how many sperm are found per milliliter of semen). This reduced sperm count might in part be a result of the fact that overweight men tend to have lower testosterone and a higher incidence of sexual dysfunction.
Some preliminary evidence has also been found that obesity affects male infertility by reducing sperm motility (a measure of how well the sperm move), and negatively affecting sperm morphology (how well the sperm are shaped).

4. How do I know if I'm overweight?

If you’re not sure if you’re overweight, perhaps the best solution is to consult a BMI (Body-Mass Index) calculator online. A good BMI calculator takes your height, age, and sex into account and is the main way doctors determine if you are overweight.

 5. Will weight loss improve male fertility?

If you are concerned about being overweight and want to undergo a program of weight loss for fertility, talk to your doctor first. Preliminary evidence from a study done in Canada in 2015 showed that male weight loss (as a result of better eating and exercise habits) can improve infertility and help a couple to conceive. And it does make sense that getting in better physical condition can contribute to better fertility.

 6. How do weight training and exercise affect male fertility?

Although there is not a lot of research on the subject, there is some evidence that excessive exercise could be potentially damaging to male fertility. Too much exercise may lower your testosterone, which could negatively impact your ability to conceive. Also, trauma to your testicles or – more likely – repeated overheating of your testicles, both of which can happen during strenuous exercise, could also reduce or impede male fertility.

7. What are some other causes of male infertility?

Besides weight, other male infertility causes can include: varicoceles (swollen veins), infections of the reproductive tract, ejaculation issues, cancer, hormone imbalances, medications, physical defects of the reproductive organs, medical conditions like celiac disease, exposure to toxins like X-rays, lead, or industrial chemicals, drug or alcohol use, or stress.

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Is age the biggest factor that impacts fertility?

Once you’ve taken the decision to start your own family, you must have wondered how long it would take to get pregnant. One of the biggest factors which has a direct impact on the fertility of any person is AGE. As aging lowers down the chances of conceiving in women, similarly it lowers the fertility in males as their sperm quality declines. Spend not more than 5 minutes to know more on how age can impact fertility in both females and males.

Impact of Age on Female Fertility

A woman has all the eggs she’ll need to conceive in her lifetime, when she is born. But as she ages, the quality and quantity of the eggs also age with her. Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the age factor in women still weighs heavy on it.

Early to mid 20s is the peak fertility period for a woman. As she reaches her 30s, her fertility starts to decline, and this decline picks up speed after 35. By the age of 40, the chances of conception for a woman narrow down to just 5 percent. Age not only affects the chances of conceiving, but also increases the risk of a pregnancy loss.

Impact of Age on Male Fertility

The impact of aging on males fertility is subtle in comparison to females. It generally starts to decline after the age of 40, when the sperm quality decreases.

As the chances of conception are decreased with aging in males, it also increases the number of menstrual cycles required to conceive, the risk of miscarriage and possibilities of the child developing mental health disorders. It has also been found that increasing male age correlates with increasing DNA fragmentation.
Also, the risk of miscarriage and fetal death increases with higher paternal age. Therefore, from a purely biological perspective, it’s best to try to start a family before you’re 35 years old.

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3 Factors that Cause Male Infertility

For men looking to enter fatherhood, it is important to know how your health plays a factor in fertility. Male infertility can be caused by a number of different environmental, medical, and lifestyle influences, some of which can be controlled.

Medical Factors that Cause Male Infertility

• Trouble Performing Sexual Intercourse
  This includes erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, anatomical abnormalities, and even psychological problems.
• Side Effects of Medication
  Certain medications such as steroids, cancer treatments, and testosterone replacement therapy can produce side effects such as reduced sperm production.
• Infection
  Infections like epididymitis, orchitis, and certain STD’s can impact sperm production or cause scarring that reduces the size of the sperms’ passageways. It’s important to treat infections immediately, as they can cause permanent testicular damage.
• Tumors
  Both benign and cancerous tumors as well as their treatments can affect the pituitary glands and male reproductive organs.
• Testicular Disorders
  This includes undescended testicles and other disorders that create a hormone imbalance within the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands.
• Prior Surgical Procedures
  Multiple different surgeries can impact male fertility, both intentionally and as a side effect. This includes vasectomies, inguinal hernia repairs, scrotal surgeries, testicular surgeries, large abdominal surgeries, and prostate surgeries.
• Genetic Defects
  There are a wide range of genetic defects that can impact male fertility, including chromosome defects, Celiac disease and defects of the tubules.
• Varicocele
  Varicocele causes a swelling of the veins that drain the testicles. This common cause is usually reversible.

Lifestyle Factors that Cause Male Infertility

Just as influential as medical factors, your lifestyle choices can either increase or reduce your sperm count and fertility. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid addictive habits, such as:

• Alcohol Abuse
  Drinking alcohol frequently and in high volume lowers testosterone levels and sperm production. These effects can be reversed when you cut down on your alcohol consumption. Three half-pint glasses of alcohol per day should be the limit to avoid side-effects.
• Smoking Tobacco
  Cigarettes reduce sperm count and damage sperm, among other health hazards.
• Using Illicit Drugs
  Illicit drugs such as marijuana and cocaine can reduce both the quality and quantity of male sperm.
• Steroids
  Long-term anabolic steroid use can cause testicles to shrink and dramatically lower sperm production, decreasing fertility and even causing sterility.
• Obesity
  Severe weight gain can cause a change in hormones that directly impacts your sperm quality.
• Stress
  Long-term stress can reduce your sperm count by interfering with the hormones needed to produce them.

Environmental Factors that Cause Male Infertility

While the impact of environmental factors may not be immediately obvious, they play a prevalent role in your health, including male fertility. Make sure you avoid these elements both at home and in the workplace:

• Chemical and Metal Exposure
  Studies have shown benzenes, toluene, xylene, herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, lead, and other chemical and metal elements can reduce male sperm production.
• Radiation Exposure
  High doses of radiation can poses several medical concerns, including a permanent reduction in your sperm count.
• Overheating
  Whether you’re exposed to elevated temperatures or produce them through tight clothing or prolonged exposure to laptops or other heat producing technology placed upon your lap, overheating can temporarily reduce sperm production and quality.

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How lifestyle affects fertility in men and women

While meager 3-5% cases of Infertility in men and women might be due to heredity and genetic disorder, it is shocking to hear that the remaining 95% Infertility problem caused due to irregular eating and professional habits.

Lack of Physical activity tends to slow down the metabolism in the human body. A slowing down metabolism results in the imbalance of hormone secretion. The imbalance might be excessive or deficient. Statistical surveys suggest, in the next couple of years, men above 35 are more prone to be infertile and in the case of women 4 out of 10 are less likely to conceive above 30. In this alarming situation, apart from changing lifestyle habits, smoking and drinking are the other external factors that enhance the case of infertility in human.

Current lifestyle related diseases are increasing day by day. Lifestyle habits forming the reason for infertility include

1. Obesity
2. Insomnia
3. Stress
4. Smoking and Alcohol

Obesity


Among the current generation, Obesity acts as the majority cause for Infertility in both men and women. Overweight due to lack of Physical activity causes Obesity. Medical Experts suggest an hour long physical activity daily could be handy in keeping infertility at bay. Minimal physical activity results in less utilization of calories stored as energy. Failing to utilize will convert the energy as fat and over a certain point of time, excessive fat results in overweight which ultimately disfigures the Body Mass Index. Physical Trainers and Doctors advice obese people to maintain an active lifestyle apart from their passive mode of work. Hitting the gym on a regular basis could be a better idea for those thinking of shredding pounds.

Insomnia

Insomnia or Lack of Sleep is an interesting factor which is a certain risk not to write off easily. It could easily disturb your internal cycle and in turn takes a toll on your efficiency. When your get drained physically and mentally, it could badly damage your ideas of planning a child. A few important hormones necessary to balance our internal organs and brain require rest for recreation and maintenance. Frequent changes in your sleep pattern could badly hurt your androgen and estrogen production.

Stress

Stress is the most frequent problem that create infertility for both men and women. Stress factor seems to be hurting the world at this moment. Wherever you go there is no way out from dealing with stress. Undertaking stress with confidence and right attitude makes way for a healthy outing. Managing stress might be easier said than followed.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for a good livelihood. Conceiving healthy a healthy child matters the most in the present generation where infertility plays a challenging role in our society. Many artificial Conceptualization and treatment for infertility is gaining strength all over the world. But it is in our hands to develop a healthy future which could be a major boon that we offer to the mankind.

Smoking and Alcohol:

We all know that in taking smoking and alcohol is injuries to health. But most of the people don’t know that smoking and alcohol consumption is also create (leads to) infertility problems for both men and women. In this modern world smoking and alcohol consumption is one of the fashion and enjoyment for both men and women. People don’t aware, this will create more problem in physically and mentally in reproductive health.  Quit smoking and drinking now and free from infertility.

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Infertility: Not Just a Woman’s Issue

When a couple struggles to have children, the woman’s ovaries automatically become the center of attention. The initial reaction is to examine her ovulation cycle and pick up a predictor kit. Though those are important steps in understanding fertility, they are only half the equation. It does take two to tango after all.

Society often puts pressure on women when it comes to fertility issues, but studies show men contribute to 50% of infertility cases. Part of the perception may be the lack of infertility awareness among men. And it’s time for men, in particular, to start asking about their fertility.

BY THE NUMBERS

It’s estimated that 7 million couples are dealing with infertility. Guys are solely responsible for 20-30% of infertility cases, according to a recent study. Yet, 80% of men in infertile couples won’t receive a fertility evaluation.

So what gives? Part of the issue is the misconception that men don’t have a biological clock. Some guys figure as long as they don’t suffer from erectile dysfunction, they can father a child at any age. Although Billy Joel just had a child at age 66, that’s the exception, not the norm. Age causes a decline in semen volume and motility, and men over 35 are about half as fertile as men under 25.

WHAT CAUSES MALE INFERTILITY?

Male fertility requires men to produce an adequate number of healthy and functional sperm. A low sperm count is the most common cause of infertility in men, though motility (movement of the sperm) is also a factor.
A low sperm count is considered less than 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Though some lifestyle traits contribute to low sperm production, such as smoking and excessive drinking, natural conditions play a huge role too. Here are some disorders that impact sperm count motility:

• Varicoceles: Swollen veins in the scrotum that hinder sperm growth by blocking blood drainage.
• Retrograde ejaculation: A condition where semen goes backwards into the bladder instead of out the penis during ejaculation.
• Immunologic infertility: Antibodies hinder sperm from moving to the fallopian tube. This is usually caused by injury, surgery, or infection.
• Hormones: Low hormone levels inhibit sperm growth.
• Chromosomes: Changes in the structure or number of chromosomes in sperm impact fertility.
• Medication: Some medications affect sperm production, such as prescription drugs for arthritis, depression, high blood pressure, and infection

TESTING MALE FERTILITY

Hopefully it’s clear that infertility is not a one-gender issue. Men should know their fertility factor when trying to have a baby. They can check it right at home with SpermCheck, an over-the-counter product that tests if their sperm count is adequate.

Men who are younger than 35 should check their fertility if they have been trying to have a child for a year. Those older than 35 should test after six months. Regardless of age, it’s time to ditch the notion that infertility is a woman’s issue. And it all starts with awareness.

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