UroToday.com - Synopsis: This prospective study was designed to to assess the role of inhibin B in the evaluation of male factor infertility. There were Seventy-five patients with infertility problems (mean age 31.2 ± 7.5 years) and 12 controls (32.1 ± 8.8 years) with proven fertility. Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Testicular volume was assessed with the Prader's orchidometer. Serum levels of inhibin B (pg/mL), LH (mIU/mL), FSH (mIU/mL), prolactin (micro IU/mL), and testosterone (nmol/L) were assessed. The mean ± SEM inhibin B and testosterone levels were significantly lower in the patients than in the controls (inhibin B: 116.4 ± 11.7 vs. 181.2 ± 20.9, P=.008; testosterone. Sperm count and testicular volume in the patients were significantly and positively correlated with inhibin B. Inhibin B in the patients was negatively correlated with gonadotropinsand was positively correlated with testosterone.
Editorial Comment:
This somewhat limited study confirms the previously held notion that serum inhibin B levels are significanlty correlated with spermatogensis. However, the authors fail to demonstrate the clinical utility of the Inhibin level as compared to FSH. When FSH levels were normal, inhibin levels added no additional diagnostic value. They note that inhibin levels do correlate with spermatogenesis in varicocele patients whereas FSH did not and hypothesize that inhibin levels may have some predictive value for outcome after varicocelectomy. Clearly inhibin is an important dimeric hormone reflecting spermatogenesis. It measurement has not been demonstrated to effect the treatment of the infertile patient at this time.
By Harris M. Nagler, MD
Fertility and Sterility Vol 86, No 2 August 2006
Thursday, August 31
Thursday, August 24
Male Fertility Home Test Kit by Fertell
Developed by the University of Birmingham in collaboration with London based medical devices company Genosis, this OTC mobile sperm counter will be available in the UK in a matter of days. From the University of Birmingham press release:
The test works by forcing sperm to swim through a barrier, which mimics the female cervix. The device then measures the number of sperm, which swim beyond this point. By including a barrier, the device is able to accurately measure the concentration of active sperm, which is a key indicator of male fertility. If a high enough level of sperm is present in the sample a red line indicates a positive test.During the study the team looked at samples from 150 subjects. The test provided an accurate result in 95% of cases, whether the original sample showed a negative or positive test result.
During the development of the test the research team analysed more than 3000 individual sperm samples.
Professor Chris Barratt from the University of Birmingham Medical School who led the research said: "The Fertell test should provide couples who are trying to conceive with an early warning. At the moment many couples are advised to wait for around a year before seeking medical attention, but age can have a very significant negative impact on fertility, so having reliable information at an early stage can be a huge advantage."
The press release...
Product page at Genosis...
Thanks to MedGadget
Incorrect Lifestyle May Be the Cause of Male Infertility
Male fertility is facing a steady downfall. Unlike women, who are born with a finite number of eggs, men are continually producing sperm. According to the Male Fertility Study, compiled by Norwich Union Healthcare, nearly one in 10 men may be suffering from infertility. Some of the factors that may have an effect on male fertility are traffic pollution, laptops, mobile phones, tight pants and hot tubs, nappies, smoking, overeating, seafood, fast food and driving.
Blaming pollution as one of the causes of male infertility, scientists believe that nitrogen oxide and lead in exhaust fumes may be the culprits.
Scrotal hyperthermia has been identified as another risk factor for male infertility according to a study published in the February issue of the journal Human Reproduction. Scientists from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook New York found that laptops can reach internal operating temperatures of over 70ยบ C, and as they are frequently placed close to the scrotum, may be the cause of infertility.
Scientist also discourage the use of tight pants and hot tubs as they can lead to overheating sperm-producing cells in testicles, which lowers sperm
Source: MedIndia
Blaming pollution as one of the causes of male infertility, scientists believe that nitrogen oxide and lead in exhaust fumes may be the culprits.
Scrotal hyperthermia has been identified as another risk factor for male infertility according to a study published in the February issue of the journal Human Reproduction. Scientists from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook New York found that laptops can reach internal operating temperatures of over 70ยบ C, and as they are frequently placed close to the scrotum, may be the cause of infertility.
Scientist also discourage the use of tight pants and hot tubs as they can lead to overheating sperm-producing cells in testicles, which lowers sperm
Source: MedIndia
Wednesday, August 23
Factors affecting fertility
Dear Dr. Sangani, I have been married for five years. We do not have any children. I am getting worried that there may be something wrong with me. At what point should I go to a specialist for further evaluation for infertility or is it normal not to have a children for five years after marriage?
From somebody who is afraid of infertility.
Dear Ms. Infertility,
It was not mentioned in your letter but I am assuming that you have tried all normal methods to get pregnant and that you have not had any stillbirths, etc.
I have invited Dr. Subodh Chauhan, who is a board certified obstetrics-gynecologist practicing in Houston, Tex., to answer your question.
Q: What is infertility?
A: Infertility is failure to achieve pregnancy within 12 months of trying. Those who have never been pregnant have primary infertility. Those couples who once were pregnant and now fail to get pregnant are said to have secondary infertility. One in six couples will seek help for infertility. Fortunately recent advances are able to help a large number of women.
Q: What causes infertility?
A: Infertility has many causes. Lack of ovulation, tubal block, male infertility, tubal adhesions, endometriosis, uterine distortion due to fibroids are some of the common causes.
Lack of ovulation: A common cause is polycystic ovarian disease which occurs in six percent of women. It is characterized by irregular cycles, excessive hair growth, overweight and associated with insulin dysfunction (insulin resistance]. Some women have a small quantity of eggs which get used up earlier. This leads to failure of ovulation. These conditions can be due to genetics or destruction of ovarian tissue due to surgery or chemotherapy. Women who fail to have menstrual cycles are unlikely to have ovulation. They need expert evaluation. Women treated by depo provera may ovulate after nine to 12 months.
Tubal block: Tubal blockage is caused by infection. Sexually transmitted diseases are the known culprits but in the majority there is no evidence of sexually transmitted disease and the subclinical infection due to other bacteria is the likely offender. At times, the tube gets blocked and filled with fluid which is called hydrosalpinx. If there is history of tubal pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy) and surgery is done, a part of the tube is lost and causes tubal block. Tubal ligation causes tubal block.
Male infertility: In 40 percent of couples, male factor is the cause for infertility. Smoking, excessive alcohol, street drugs, exposure to pesticides and radiation can affect the sperm count. At times, lost genetic material or abnormal number of chromosomes can cause low or absent sperm count. Sperm production is optimum at temperatures lower than core body temperature. Using hot tubs in excess can influence sperm count. If there was an undescended testis which was not repaired in infancy the prognosis of sperm production is poor. Hernia surgery, injury to testis during sports and twisting of testis affect blood flow and can affect sperm function.
Tubal adhesions: These are commonly due to previous surgery or due to endometriosis. Endometriosis is presence of cells outside the uterus which are normally in the uterus During menses, the uterine lining is shed and patients who have endometriosis have bleeding in the abdomen that is associated with pelvic pain and at times with pain during intercourse.
Fibroids: These are tumors of the uterine muscle which are benign in nature and cause distortion of the uterine cavity.
(from the Sun Herald)
From somebody who is afraid of infertility.
Dear Ms. Infertility,
It was not mentioned in your letter but I am assuming that you have tried all normal methods to get pregnant and that you have not had any stillbirths, etc.
I have invited Dr. Subodh Chauhan, who is a board certified obstetrics-gynecologist practicing in Houston, Tex., to answer your question.
Q: What is infertility?
A: Infertility is failure to achieve pregnancy within 12 months of trying. Those who have never been pregnant have primary infertility. Those couples who once were pregnant and now fail to get pregnant are said to have secondary infertility. One in six couples will seek help for infertility. Fortunately recent advances are able to help a large number of women.
Q: What causes infertility?
A: Infertility has many causes. Lack of ovulation, tubal block, male infertility, tubal adhesions, endometriosis, uterine distortion due to fibroids are some of the common causes.
Lack of ovulation: A common cause is polycystic ovarian disease which occurs in six percent of women. It is characterized by irregular cycles, excessive hair growth, overweight and associated with insulin dysfunction (insulin resistance]. Some women have a small quantity of eggs which get used up earlier. This leads to failure of ovulation. These conditions can be due to genetics or destruction of ovarian tissue due to surgery or chemotherapy. Women who fail to have menstrual cycles are unlikely to have ovulation. They need expert evaluation. Women treated by depo provera may ovulate after nine to 12 months.
Tubal block: Tubal blockage is caused by infection. Sexually transmitted diseases are the known culprits but in the majority there is no evidence of sexually transmitted disease and the subclinical infection due to other bacteria is the likely offender. At times, the tube gets blocked and filled with fluid which is called hydrosalpinx. If there is history of tubal pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy) and surgery is done, a part of the tube is lost and causes tubal block. Tubal ligation causes tubal block.
Male infertility: In 40 percent of couples, male factor is the cause for infertility. Smoking, excessive alcohol, street drugs, exposure to pesticides and radiation can affect the sperm count. At times, lost genetic material or abnormal number of chromosomes can cause low or absent sperm count. Sperm production is optimum at temperatures lower than core body temperature. Using hot tubs in excess can influence sperm count. If there was an undescended testis which was not repaired in infancy the prognosis of sperm production is poor. Hernia surgery, injury to testis during sports and twisting of testis affect blood flow and can affect sperm function.
Tubal adhesions: These are commonly due to previous surgery or due to endometriosis. Endometriosis is presence of cells outside the uterus which are normally in the uterus During menses, the uterine lining is shed and patients who have endometriosis have bleeding in the abdomen that is associated with pelvic pain and at times with pain during intercourse.
Fibroids: These are tumors of the uterine muscle which are benign in nature and cause distortion of the uterine cavity.
(from the Sun Herald)
Tuesday, August 22
Male Contraceptive
A lack of demand has held up the arrival of the male contraceptive. Until now,says Genevieve Roberts
Recent reports that a male pill will revolutionise contraception choices imminently may have sounded familiar. For the last decade, a reversible male contraceptive has been five years from coming on to the market. The first trials began in 1990. So why are we still waiting?
One of the reasons the male pill has taken so long to arrive is because of suspicions that there is no market for it. But pharmaceutical company Schering and Organon seems convinced that men could be persuaded to use a chemical contraceptive, and the five-year prediction may at last have a ring of truth.
John Guillebaud, professor emeritus of family planning and reproductive health at University College London, says: "It is rather like the tide coming in, an incremental process, and it comes in a little further each time. But I do believe that the male pill will happen." He believes implants would be the most effective delivery method. "Men cannot be relied upon to take tablets," he says. "The contraceptive injections and implants have a far higher success rate for women. For men, this will be even more important because they do not have the investment in avoiding a baby."
Professor Guillebaud expects that by 2011 there will be implants with supplementary injections, and by 2016, an implant that can be buried under the skin for three years. "This will be ideal," he says, "Because men are wimps when it comes to pain." The male contraceptive consists of two hormones, progestin and testosterone. Progestin stops the pituitary glad making the hormones that stimulate sperm production, while testosterone, in the form of androgen, stops fatigue, hair loss and replaces the libido. The amount of androgen must be carefully balanced, to avoid mood swings or increased violence.
Earlier this summer, Dr Peter Liu at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute published an analysis of 1,500 individuals who have taken part in male contraceptive trials over the last 15 years. He found that men regained full fertility (20 million sperm per ml) after three to four months of not taking the hormones. "These findings pave the way for new drugs that allow men to share the burden of family planning more fairly," he says.
The main fear about the male pill is that, like the female Pill, its long-term effects cannot be known until people try it. David Neal, professor of surgical oncology at Cambridge University, says minor hormonal changes can alter the risk of prostate cancer - although they could have a positive effect. He expects that male contraceptives will be most popular with couples in long-term relationships because, like the female Pill, it will offer no protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Richard Anderson, professor of clinical reproductive science at Edinburgh University, who has led a series of trials, believes both the male pill and implant should be made available. "The implant is likely to be the first method available, but in surveys men in Britain have said they would rather take the pill." His latest studies have been "very positive", using two implants which dissolve over several months.
Development has been hindered by a lack of investment, but he says it is "very encouraging" that pharmaceutical companies are now backing major studies. "The industry has been reluctant to believe that there really is a market for this."
There has also been a lack of development of new forms of testosterone, so until recently men have needed a injection every few weeks. And when will we see a drug for the public? "A few years - it still needs a big Phase III study, but people can now see how it is going to pan out," says Anderson.
Schering and Organon conducted the biggest EU study into implants with injections between 2004 and 2005. It will announce in the autumn whether it will back a Phase III study, the final stage before an implant comes on to the market.
Astrid Kranz, a spokeswoman for Schering, says the investment in male fertility control is dictated by society's demands. "The role of men has changed. Bringing up children is now shared more equally between men and women. If men had said from the beginning they really want this, it would have given it more of a dynamic."
'I suffered mood swings and night sweats'
Clint Witchalls, 40, from Brixton, took part in a male contraceptive trial in May 2004. He had a plastic rod implant in his left arm, which lasted a year. He was monitored for six months after it was removed, and has been told his sperm production has returned to normal.
"A lot of men are interested in taking responsibility for contraception, and this is a good option for men in long-term, monogamous relationships," he says. But he did suffer from side-effects. "I had huge mood swings that started a few weeks after having the implant, which became more severe and tipped into depression. That may have had nothing to do with the drug, though. I also had night sweats."
Despite his experience, he thinks the male implant is a good idea. "Some women have adverse reactions to the female Pill, but that is not a reason to pull it off the market. I have not been told by the drugs company whether I was on the placebo or the contraceptive, but I think it was the latter."
Clint Witchalls is currently writing The Pill and I, to be published by Rowohlt next year.
Recent reports that a male pill will revolutionise contraception choices imminently may have sounded familiar. For the last decade, a reversible male contraceptive has been five years from coming on to the market. The first trials began in 1990. So why are we still waiting?
One of the reasons the male pill has taken so long to arrive is because of suspicions that there is no market for it. But pharmaceutical company Schering and Organon seems convinced that men could be persuaded to use a chemical contraceptive, and the five-year prediction may at last have a ring of truth.
John Guillebaud, professor emeritus of family planning and reproductive health at University College London, says: "It is rather like the tide coming in, an incremental process, and it comes in a little further each time. But I do believe that the male pill will happen." He believes implants would be the most effective delivery method. "Men cannot be relied upon to take tablets," he says. "The contraceptive injections and implants have a far higher success rate for women. For men, this will be even more important because they do not have the investment in avoiding a baby."
Professor Guillebaud expects that by 2011 there will be implants with supplementary injections, and by 2016, an implant that can be buried under the skin for three years. "This will be ideal," he says, "Because men are wimps when it comes to pain." The male contraceptive consists of two hormones, progestin and testosterone. Progestin stops the pituitary glad making the hormones that stimulate sperm production, while testosterone, in the form of androgen, stops fatigue, hair loss and replaces the libido. The amount of androgen must be carefully balanced, to avoid mood swings or increased violence.
Earlier this summer, Dr Peter Liu at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute published an analysis of 1,500 individuals who have taken part in male contraceptive trials over the last 15 years. He found that men regained full fertility (20 million sperm per ml) after three to four months of not taking the hormones. "These findings pave the way for new drugs that allow men to share the burden of family planning more fairly," he says.
The main fear about the male pill is that, like the female Pill, its long-term effects cannot be known until people try it. David Neal, professor of surgical oncology at Cambridge University, says minor hormonal changes can alter the risk of prostate cancer - although they could have a positive effect. He expects that male contraceptives will be most popular with couples in long-term relationships because, like the female Pill, it will offer no protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Richard Anderson, professor of clinical reproductive science at Edinburgh University, who has led a series of trials, believes both the male pill and implant should be made available. "The implant is likely to be the first method available, but in surveys men in Britain have said they would rather take the pill." His latest studies have been "very positive", using two implants which dissolve over several months.
Development has been hindered by a lack of investment, but he says it is "very encouraging" that pharmaceutical companies are now backing major studies. "The industry has been reluctant to believe that there really is a market for this."
There has also been a lack of development of new forms of testosterone, so until recently men have needed a injection every few weeks. And when will we see a drug for the public? "A few years - it still needs a big Phase III study, but people can now see how it is going to pan out," says Anderson.
Schering and Organon conducted the biggest EU study into implants with injections between 2004 and 2005. It will announce in the autumn whether it will back a Phase III study, the final stage before an implant comes on to the market.
Astrid Kranz, a spokeswoman for Schering, says the investment in male fertility control is dictated by society's demands. "The role of men has changed. Bringing up children is now shared more equally between men and women. If men had said from the beginning they really want this, it would have given it more of a dynamic."
'I suffered mood swings and night sweats'
Clint Witchalls, 40, from Brixton, took part in a male contraceptive trial in May 2004. He had a plastic rod implant in his left arm, which lasted a year. He was monitored for six months after it was removed, and has been told his sperm production has returned to normal.
"A lot of men are interested in taking responsibility for contraception, and this is a good option for men in long-term, monogamous relationships," he says. But he did suffer from side-effects. "I had huge mood swings that started a few weeks after having the implant, which became more severe and tipped into depression. That may have had nothing to do with the drug, though. I also had night sweats."
Despite his experience, he thinks the male implant is a good idea. "Some women have adverse reactions to the female Pill, but that is not a reason to pull it off the market. I have not been told by the drugs company whether I was on the placebo or the contraceptive, but I think it was the latter."
Clint Witchalls
Recent reports that a male pill will revolutionise contraception choices imminently may have sounded familiar. For the last decade, a reversible male contraceptive has been five years from coming on to the market. The first trials began in 1990. So why are we still waiting?
One of the reasons the male pill has taken so long to arrive is because of suspicions that there is no market for it. But pharmaceutical company Schering and Organon seems convinced that men could be persuaded to use a chemical contraceptive, and the five-year prediction may at last have a ring of truth.
John Guillebaud, professor emeritus of family planning and reproductive health at University College London, says: "It is rather like the tide coming in, an incremental process, and it comes in a little further each time. But I do believe that the male pill will happen." He believes implants would be the most effective delivery method. "Men cannot be relied upon to take tablets," he says. "The contraceptive injections and implants have a far higher success rate for women. For men, this will be even more important because they do not have the investment in avoiding a baby."
Professor Guillebaud expects that by 2011 there will be implants with supplementary injections, and by 2016, an implant that can be buried under the skin for three years. "This will be ideal," he says, "Because men are wimps when it comes to pain." The male contraceptive consists of two hormones, progestin and testosterone. Progestin stops the pituitary glad making the hormones that stimulate sperm production, while testosterone, in the form of androgen, stops fatigue, hair loss and replaces the libido. The amount of androgen must be carefully balanced, to avoid mood swings or increased violence.
Earlier this summer, Dr Peter Liu at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute published an analysis of 1,500 individuals who have taken part in male contraceptive trials over the last 15 years. He found that men regained full fertility (20 million sperm per ml) after three to four months of not taking the hormones. "These findings pave the way for new drugs that allow men to share the burden of family planning more fairly," he says.
The main fear about the male pill is that, like the female Pill, its long-term effects cannot be known until people try it. David Neal, professor of surgical oncology at Cambridge University, says minor hormonal changes can alter the risk of prostate cancer - although they could have a positive effect. He expects that male contraceptives will be most popular with couples in long-term relationships because, like the female Pill, it will offer no protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Richard Anderson, professor of clinical reproductive science at Edinburgh University, who has led a series of trials, believes both the male pill and implant should be made available. "The implant is likely to be the first method available, but in surveys men in Britain have said they would rather take the pill." His latest studies have been "very positive", using two implants which dissolve over several months.
Development has been hindered by a lack of investment, but he says it is "very encouraging" that pharmaceutical companies are now backing major studies. "The industry has been reluctant to believe that there really is a market for this."
There has also been a lack of development of new forms of testosterone, so until recently men have needed a injection every few weeks. And when will we see a drug for the public? "A few years - it still needs a big Phase III study, but people can now see how it is going to pan out," says Anderson.
Schering and Organon conducted the biggest EU study into implants with injections between 2004 and 2005. It will announce in the autumn whether it will back a Phase III study, the final stage before an implant comes on to the market.
Astrid Kranz, a spokeswoman for Schering, says the investment in male fertility control is dictated by society's demands. "The role of men has changed. Bringing up children is now shared more equally between men and women. If men had said from the beginning they really want this, it would have given it more of a dynamic."
'I suffered mood swings and night sweats'
Clint Witchalls, 40, from Brixton, took part in a male contraceptive trial in May 2004. He had a plastic rod implant in his left arm, which lasted a year. He was monitored for six months after it was removed, and has been told his sperm production has returned to normal.
"A lot of men are interested in taking responsibility for contraception, and this is a good option for men in long-term, monogamous relationships," he says. But he did suffer from side-effects. "I had huge mood swings that started a few weeks after having the implant, which became more severe and tipped into depression. That may have had nothing to do with the drug, though. I also had night sweats."
Despite his experience, he thinks the male implant is a good idea. "Some women have adverse reactions to the female Pill, but that is not a reason to pull it off the market. I have not been told by the drugs company whether I was on the placebo or the contraceptive, but I think it was the latter."
Clint Witchalls is currently writing The Pill and I, to be published by Rowohlt next year.
Recent reports that a male pill will revolutionise contraception choices imminently may have sounded familiar. For the last decade, a reversible male contraceptive has been five years from coming on to the market. The first trials began in 1990. So why are we still waiting?
One of the reasons the male pill has taken so long to arrive is because of suspicions that there is no market for it. But pharmaceutical company Schering and Organon seems convinced that men could be persuaded to use a chemical contraceptive, and the five-year prediction may at last have a ring of truth.
John Guillebaud, professor emeritus of family planning and reproductive health at University College London, says: "It is rather like the tide coming in, an incremental process, and it comes in a little further each time. But I do believe that the male pill will happen." He believes implants would be the most effective delivery method. "Men cannot be relied upon to take tablets," he says. "The contraceptive injections and implants have a far higher success rate for women. For men, this will be even more important because they do not have the investment in avoiding a baby."
Professor Guillebaud expects that by 2011 there will be implants with supplementary injections, and by 2016, an implant that can be buried under the skin for three years. "This will be ideal," he says, "Because men are wimps when it comes to pain." The male contraceptive consists of two hormones, progestin and testosterone. Progestin stops the pituitary glad making the hormones that stimulate sperm production, while testosterone, in the form of androgen, stops fatigue, hair loss and replaces the libido. The amount of androgen must be carefully balanced, to avoid mood swings or increased violence.
Earlier this summer, Dr Peter Liu at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute published an analysis of 1,500 individuals who have taken part in male contraceptive trials over the last 15 years. He found that men regained full fertility (20 million sperm per ml) after three to four months of not taking the hormones. "These findings pave the way for new drugs that allow men to share the burden of family planning more fairly," he says.
The main fear about the male pill is that, like the female Pill, its long-term effects cannot be known until people try it. David Neal, professor of surgical oncology at Cambridge University, says minor hormonal changes can alter the risk of prostate cancer - although they could have a positive effect. He expects that male contraceptives will be most popular with couples in long-term relationships because, like the female Pill, it will offer no protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Richard Anderson, professor of clinical reproductive science at Edinburgh University, who has led a series of trials, believes both the male pill and implant should be made available. "The implant is likely to be the first method available, but in surveys men in Britain have said they would rather take the pill." His latest studies have been "very positive", using two implants which dissolve over several months.
Development has been hindered by a lack of investment, but he says it is "very encouraging" that pharmaceutical companies are now backing major studies. "The industry has been reluctant to believe that there really is a market for this."
There has also been a lack of development of new forms of testosterone, so until recently men have needed a injection every few weeks. And when will we see a drug for the public? "A few years - it still needs a big Phase III study, but people can now see how it is going to pan out," says Anderson.
Schering and Organon conducted the biggest EU study into implants with injections between 2004 and 2005. It will announce in the autumn whether it will back a Phase III study, the final stage before an implant comes on to the market.
Astrid Kranz, a spokeswoman for Schering, says the investment in male fertility control is dictated by society's demands. "The role of men has changed. Bringing up children is now shared more equally between men and women. If men had said from the beginning they really want this, it would have given it more of a dynamic."
'I suffered mood swings and night sweats'
Clint Witchalls, 40, from Brixton, took part in a male contraceptive trial in May 2004. He had a plastic rod implant in his left arm, which lasted a year. He was monitored for six months after it was removed, and has been told his sperm production has returned to normal.
"A lot of men are interested in taking responsibility for contraception, and this is a good option for men in long-term, monogamous relationships," he says. But he did suffer from side-effects. "I had huge mood swings that started a few weeks after having the implant, which became more severe and tipped into depression. That may have had nothing to do with the drug, though. I also had night sweats."
Despite his experience, he thinks the male implant is a good idea. "Some women have adverse reactions to the female Pill, but that is not a reason to pull it off the market. I have not been told by the drugs company whether I was on the placebo or the contraceptive, but I think it was the latter."
Clint Witchalls
Monday, August 21
Male Infertility : A common men’s Issue
Male Infertility: When you and your partner are trying to conceive, you least expect or hope to encounter any kind of difficulties. Yet, as much as 10% of the world’s population experience fertility problems. We believed the common myth that infertility exists only with the women, but the belied fact is that the men also do conceive infertility. But what exactly is infertility? Male infertility is simply defined as the inability to produce healthy sperm. Although a man might be embarrassed to admit that he has a fertility problem, but it is equally important that he undergoes fertility testing. The male alone is the cause in 20-35% of cases of infertility. An evaluation of the male should be one of the very first tests carried out in the investigation of the infertile couple.
Signs and symptoms
Male infertility occurs when the man's partner does not conceive after one year of attempting to become pregnant. Other signs and symptoms depend on the underlying cause of the man's infertility.
Analysis
Some men may have a history of erectile dysfunction or abnormal ejaculation. Alternatively, others may have had previous surgeries or injuries that may have led to problems in semen production. One if the most initial diagnostic study is the semen analysis. The semen analysis is one of the few tests that have withstood the test of time and which continue to be considered an integral and important part of the evaluation of the couple. The analysis is generally performed on a specimen that has been produced by means of masturbation into a sterile container. Ideally the male should abstain from ejaculation for 2-7 days prior to the analysis.
The specimen should be evaluated within one hour after collection. The analysis consists of an evaluation of a number of factors, like: Volume, Concentration, Motility and progression.
Another important test that is performed regularly for males is the post-coital test (PCT), in which the couple is asked to have intercourse during the middle of the woman’s menstrual cycle and 2-12 hours later have the female come into the office for an exam.
Causes and factors
There are many male factors that can prohibit a couple to become pregnant. This includes the following factors:
a) Conditions:
• diabetic neuropathy
• extreme obesity
• Conditions that prejudice the production of sperm
• testicular torsion
b) Diseases:
• Liver and Kidney disease
• Genital infections
• Infections of the reproductive organs
b) Additional factors:
• Certain medicated drugs
• Anabolic steroids
• Diet low in folic acid
• Excessive exercise
• Radiation therapy
• Wearing tight-fitting pants and underwear
Treatments
The treatment of male factor infertility is dependent on the identified problem. Erectile dysfunction, for example, is often treated by counseling rather than by "medical" therapies.
Treatment for a male with infertility may include:
• Avoiding longer time in hot baths and hot tubs
• Eating a healthy diet and exercising in moderation
• Learning about the best times to conceive
• Making lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and limiting intake of alcohol
• Taking hormone therapy
• Trying ED drugs like: Cialis, Viagra.
• Treating erectile dysfunction with counseling, medication, or surgery
• Wearing loose-fitting underwear
If these treatments don't work, other means of fertilization may be considered, such as:
• Artificial insemination.
• Vitro fertilization.
• Donor sperm, couples who had less than a few million sperm in a sample had to consider inseminations using donor sperm. Many couples have used inseminations with donor sperm and produced happy, healthy babies. The process is very straightforward. Nonetheless, insemination using donor sperm remains a very viable alternative for many couples.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, this technique involves injecting a single sperm into the egg at the time of in vitro fertilization (a process whereby an egg is removed from the mother, fertilized by sperm in a laboratory, and then returned to the mother).
Side effects of the treatments
Surgery can cause bleeding, infection, and allergic reactions to anesthesia. In vitro fertilization increases the chance of having a multiple pregnancy, such as twins. Antibiotics and other medications may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, or an allergic reaction.
By Michael Clive
Signs and symptoms
Male infertility occurs when the man's partner does not conceive after one year of attempting to become pregnant. Other signs and symptoms depend on the underlying cause of the man's infertility.
Analysis
Some men may have a history of erectile dysfunction or abnormal ejaculation. Alternatively, others may have had previous surgeries or injuries that may have led to problems in semen production. One if the most initial diagnostic study is the semen analysis. The semen analysis is one of the few tests that have withstood the test of time and which continue to be considered an integral and important part of the evaluation of the couple. The analysis is generally performed on a specimen that has been produced by means of masturbation into a sterile container. Ideally the male should abstain from ejaculation for 2-7 days prior to the analysis.
The specimen should be evaluated within one hour after collection. The analysis consists of an evaluation of a number of factors, like: Volume, Concentration, Motility and progression.
Another important test that is performed regularly for males is the post-coital test (PCT), in which the couple is asked to have intercourse during the middle of the woman’s menstrual cycle and 2-12 hours later have the female come into the office for an exam.
Causes and factors
There are many male factors that can prohibit a couple to become pregnant. This includes the following factors:
a) Conditions:
• diabetic neuropathy
• extreme obesity
• Conditions that prejudice the production of sperm
• testicular torsion
b) Diseases:
• Liver and Kidney disease
• Genital infections
• Infections of the reproductive organs
b) Additional factors:
• Certain medicated drugs
• Anabolic steroids
• Diet low in folic acid
• Excessive exercise
• Radiation therapy
• Wearing tight-fitting pants and underwear
Treatments
The treatment of male factor infertility is dependent on the identified problem. Erectile dysfunction, for example, is often treated by counseling rather than by "medical" therapies.
Treatment for a male with infertility may include:
• Avoiding longer time in hot baths and hot tubs
• Eating a healthy diet and exercising in moderation
• Learning about the best times to conceive
• Making lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and limiting intake of alcohol
• Taking hormone therapy
• Trying ED drugs like: Cialis, Viagra.
• Treating erectile dysfunction with counseling, medication, or surgery
• Wearing loose-fitting underwear
If these treatments don't work, other means of fertilization may be considered, such as:
• Artificial insemination.
• Vitro fertilization.
• Donor sperm, couples who had less than a few million sperm in a sample had to consider inseminations using donor sperm. Many couples have used inseminations with donor sperm and produced happy, healthy babies. The process is very straightforward. Nonetheless, insemination using donor sperm remains a very viable alternative for many couples.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, this technique involves injecting a single sperm into the egg at the time of in vitro fertilization (a process whereby an egg is removed from the mother, fertilized by sperm in a laboratory, and then returned to the mother).
Side effects of the treatments
Surgery can cause bleeding, infection, and allergic reactions to anesthesia. In vitro fertilization increases the chance of having a multiple pregnancy, such as twins. Antibiotics and other medications may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, or an allergic reaction.
By Michael Clive
Male Infertility? Goji UP
The scientists created a test-tube model to simulate the effects of overheating (hyperthermia) on the seminiferous tubules—the tubes through which sperm pass on their way to seek out the ovum. One of the first treatments for male infertility is advice for the man to wear boxers instead of briefs to allow the testicles to remain farther from the body, which in turn keeps them cooler. Too much heat hampers sperm production, but sometimes all that is required is to cool things off a bit, and fertility returns.
In their model of hyperthermia, these scientists found that overheating increased oxidative stress in the tubules. They theorized that this increased free-radical production was the culprit in decreasing sperm production. Goji acted as an antioxidant, which helped to reverse the effects of overheating on sperm production.
The Chinese call Goji the Matrimony Vine. It has been shown to increase the sperm count and the vitality of the sperm. It also has been used as an infertility herb and documented instances of conception with Goji as part of the diet for women with premature ovarian failure.
Research shows that Goji offers another option for treating female infertility in patients with Premature Ovarian Failure (POF).
Studies have shown an incrreased sperm count and sperm vitality after comsuming goji berries. This possibly could help male infertility by strengthing the sperm and the count.
There are reports from Goji users of increased libido after drinking Goji Juice.
While the active ingredients and the mechanism of action underlying Lycium's fertility-facilitating effects remain unknown, studies indicate the potential mechanism of action for this protective effect, and provide a scientific basis for the traditional use of this plant.
NewsTarget, Key concepts: fertility, infertility and male infertility.
In their model of hyperthermia, these scientists found that overheating increased oxidative stress in the tubules. They theorized that this increased free-radical production was the culprit in decreasing sperm production. Goji acted as an antioxidant, which helped to reverse the effects of overheating on sperm production.
The Chinese call Goji the Matrimony Vine. It has been shown to increase the sperm count and the vitality of the sperm. It also has been used as an infertility herb and documented instances of conception with Goji as part of the diet for women with premature ovarian failure.
Research shows that Goji offers another option for treating female infertility in patients with Premature Ovarian Failure (POF).
Studies have shown an incrreased sperm count and sperm vitality after comsuming goji berries. This possibly could help male infertility by strengthing the sperm and the count.
There are reports from Goji users of increased libido after drinking Goji Juice.
While the active ingredients and the mechanism of action underlying Lycium's fertility-facilitating effects remain unknown, studies indicate the potential mechanism of action for this protective effect, and provide a scientific basis for the traditional use of this plant.
NewsTarget, Key concepts: fertility, infertility and male infertility.
The Fertility Time Bomb is Ticking
Sperm out of step in complex dance
Men are now as likely as women to be the infertile partner. Jerome Burne reports on the causes
IT'S THE time of the year when men's thoughts turn, if only fleetingly, to fitness. You might also have been prompted recently to consider your prowess in quite a different sporting arena - just how fit are your sperm?
Leading reproductive experts warn us that we are facing a "fertility time-bomb", both in Australia and other developed countries such as the UK and many European nations. The causes are unclear, but may have something to do with environmental chemicals, particularly some plastics which mimic the effects of the female hormone oestrogen.
What is not unclear are the effects. Fertility clinic records reveal that not only are men producing fewer sperm, but that the ones we do release are more bent and deformed and swim less vigorously.
In fact European males are now, for the first time, more likely to be the infertile half of couples attending fertility clinics, according to a report last year from the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology.
In Australia, it's thought men are just as likely to be the cause as their partner, but male infertility is rising faster and may soon become the main cause.
Then earlier this year came the launch in Britain of a kit that allows you to check the fitness of your sperm in your home. The test works by forcing the sperm to swim through mucus which mimics that found in the cervix; if 10 million per millilitre get through, you are normal, according to the World Health Organisation guidelines.
If you can't manage the numbers, the ultimate fix is a technique known as ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), which can freight a single sperm, however much of a couch potato, directly into an egg. In fact modern reproductive technology appears to be rendering men's role increasingly peripheral. All ICSI is interested in is the DNA compacted into the sperm's head, while researchers are now working on making sperm totally redundant by generating them from embryonic stem cells in the lab.
But by narrowly focusing on the athletic potential of individual sperm and their genetic load we could be ignoring other causes of infertility. Obviously numbers and performance are vital, but more than 30 per cent of men having trouble conceiving have perfectly adequate sperm; something else is going on.
What the current sperm fitness obsession misses is the other 99 per cent of an ejaculation. This is seminal fluid, a rich mix of chemicals that includes proteins, minerals and vitamins. It is discarded by the fertility clinics as being largely the sperm's energy pack; some researchers believe, however, that it is a key player in normal fertilisation.
"We have become very sophisticated about the mechanics of artificially fertilising an egg," says Stewart Irvine, consultant gynaecologist at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh. "But we still know very little about the far more complicated dance that has to be done right if couples are going to conceive naturally." If we knew more about how that works, he says, a significant proportion of those who have to endure the gruelling process of IVF might be able to get pregnant far more enjoyably.
Recently there have been some intriguing glimpses of the kind of things to which Irvine is referring. For starters, sperm would normally be regarded by the woman's immune system as invading alien protein, and so would be rapidly destroyed. How do sperm get a safe-conduct pass?
Research by Sarah Robertson, a National Health and Medical Research Council senior research fellow and a reproductive biologist at the University of Adelaide, has shown how one of the many peptides in semen called TGF-beta is vital for ensuring that sperm doesn't get tagged for destruction by the woman's killer cells. In a paper last year in Cell and Tissue Research (2005;322:43-52), the associate professor suggested that some cases of male infertility could be the result of faulty interactions between the woman's body and TGF-beta and related peptides.
"There is growing evidence for what's been called 'male priming'," she says. "Prior exposure to seminal fluid seems to make conception more likely and increase the chance of a successful pregnancy."
Another of these proteins found in semen is known as PLCzeta and it has an equally vital function. At the end of the journey, once the sperm has penetrated the egg, it triggers a calcium cascade that allows the egg to start growing. "Faulty functioning of PLCzeta could be a root cause of male infertility," suggests Tony Lai, a professor and cardiologist at Cardiff University who discovered calcium signalling.
But these are just two of 83 proteins from the semen cocktail that have been found to play a crucial role in conception. Some are needed to follow the chemical trail that leads to the ovum, while others help to fight bacteria. But there is something else remarkable about these proteins; the genes controlling them are mutating faster than any others in the body, except for the corresponding ones in females.
It's this discovery that could lead to a much broader understanding of male fertility. "These reproductive proteins seem to be involved in an arms race," says Willie Swanson, geneticist and professor of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington, whose major review of this new field was published in January in the journal Reproduction (2006;131(1):11-22).
"When it comes to fertilisation, the interests of the male and female genes are not at all the same," she says. While the sperm's genes are all focused on fertilisation, the female's, with only a limited number of conceptions possible, have developed to be more cautious and have developed ways of delaying fertilisation.
"Many fertility problems could be about a mismatch between sperm-egg recognition molecules," Swanson says. "As in transplants, or skin grafts, some people's immune systems tolerate each other more easily; I suspect something similar is going on with the reproductive proteins in couples with fertility problems."
The success of IVF means that funding for research into the complexities of the natural version is hard to come by. But the long-term health of IVF babies is still unclear and all infertile couples would undoubtedly welcome a less drastic and gruelling solution.
The Times
Additional reporting: Adam Cresswell
Men are now as likely as women to be the infertile partner. Jerome Burne reports on the causes
IT'S THE time of the year when men's thoughts turn, if only fleetingly, to fitness. You might also have been prompted recently to consider your prowess in quite a different sporting arena - just how fit are your sperm?
Leading reproductive experts warn us that we are facing a "fertility time-bomb", both in Australia and other developed countries such as the UK and many European nations. The causes are unclear, but may have something to do with environmental chemicals, particularly some plastics which mimic the effects of the female hormone oestrogen.
What is not unclear are the effects. Fertility clinic records reveal that not only are men producing fewer sperm, but that the ones we do release are more bent and deformed and swim less vigorously.
In fact European males are now, for the first time, more likely to be the infertile half of couples attending fertility clinics, according to a report last year from the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology.
In Australia, it's thought men are just as likely to be the cause as their partner, but male infertility is rising faster and may soon become the main cause.
Then earlier this year came the launch in Britain of a kit that allows you to check the fitness of your sperm in your home. The test works by forcing the sperm to swim through mucus which mimics that found in the cervix; if 10 million per millilitre get through, you are normal, according to the World Health Organisation guidelines.
If you can't manage the numbers, the ultimate fix is a technique known as ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), which can freight a single sperm, however much of a couch potato, directly into an egg. In fact modern reproductive technology appears to be rendering men's role increasingly peripheral. All ICSI is interested in is the DNA compacted into the sperm's head, while researchers are now working on making sperm totally redundant by generating them from embryonic stem cells in the lab.
But by narrowly focusing on the athletic potential of individual sperm and their genetic load we could be ignoring other causes of infertility. Obviously numbers and performance are vital, but more than 30 per cent of men having trouble conceiving have perfectly adequate sperm; something else is going on.
What the current sperm fitness obsession misses is the other 99 per cent of an ejaculation. This is seminal fluid, a rich mix of chemicals that includes proteins, minerals and vitamins. It is discarded by the fertility clinics as being largely the sperm's energy pack; some researchers believe, however, that it is a key player in normal fertilisation.
"We have become very sophisticated about the mechanics of artificially fertilising an egg," says Stewart Irvine, consultant gynaecologist at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh. "But we still know very little about the far more complicated dance that has to be done right if couples are going to conceive naturally." If we knew more about how that works, he says, a significant proportion of those who have to endure the gruelling process of IVF might be able to get pregnant far more enjoyably.
Recently there have been some intriguing glimpses of the kind of things to which Irvine is referring. For starters, sperm would normally be regarded by the woman's immune system as invading alien protein, and so would be rapidly destroyed. How do sperm get a safe-conduct pass?
Research by Sarah Robertson, a National Health and Medical Research Council senior research fellow and a reproductive biologist at the University of Adelaide, has shown how one of the many peptides in semen called TGF-beta is vital for ensuring that sperm doesn't get tagged for destruction by the woman's killer cells. In a paper last year in Cell and Tissue Research (2005;322:43-52), the associate professor suggested that some cases of male infertility could be the result of faulty interactions between the woman's body and TGF-beta and related peptides.
"There is growing evidence for what's been called 'male priming'," she says. "Prior exposure to seminal fluid seems to make conception more likely and increase the chance of a successful pregnancy."
Another of these proteins found in semen is known as PLCzeta and it has an equally vital function. At the end of the journey, once the sperm has penetrated the egg, it triggers a calcium cascade that allows the egg to start growing. "Faulty functioning of PLCzeta could be a root cause of male infertility," suggests Tony Lai, a professor and cardiologist at Cardiff University who discovered calcium signalling.
But these are just two of 83 proteins from the semen cocktail that have been found to play a crucial role in conception. Some are needed to follow the chemical trail that leads to the ovum, while others help to fight bacteria. But there is something else remarkable about these proteins; the genes controlling them are mutating faster than any others in the body, except for the corresponding ones in females.
It's this discovery that could lead to a much broader understanding of male fertility. "These reproductive proteins seem to be involved in an arms race," says Willie Swanson, geneticist and professor of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington, whose major review of this new field was published in January in the journal Reproduction (2006;131(1):11-22).
"When it comes to fertilisation, the interests of the male and female genes are not at all the same," she says. While the sperm's genes are all focused on fertilisation, the female's, with only a limited number of conceptions possible, have developed to be more cautious and have developed ways of delaying fertilisation.
"Many fertility problems could be about a mismatch between sperm-egg recognition molecules," Swanson says. "As in transplants, or skin grafts, some people's immune systems tolerate each other more easily; I suspect something similar is going on with the reproductive proteins in couples with fertility problems."
The success of IVF means that funding for research into the complexities of the natural version is hard to come by. But the long-term health of IVF babies is still unclear and all infertile couples would undoubtedly welcome a less drastic and gruelling solution.
The Times
Additional reporting: Adam Cresswell
Friday, August 18
Male Infertility?
The scientists created a test-tube model to simulate the effects of overheating (hyperthermia) on the seminiferous tubules—the tubes through which sperm pass on their way to seek out the ovum. One of the first treatments for male infertility is advice for the man to wear boxers instead of briefs to allow the testicles to remain farther from the body, which in turn keeps them cooler. Too much heat hampers sperm production, but sometimes all that is required is to cool things off a bit, and fertility returns.
In their model of hyperthermia, these scientists found that overheating increased oxidative stress in the tubules. They theorized that this increased free-radical production was the culprit in decreasing sperm production. Goji acted as an antioxidant, which helped to reverse the effects of overheating on sperm production.
The Chinese call Goji the Matrimony Vine. It has been shown to increase the sperm count and the vitality of the sperm. It also has been used as an infertility herb and documented instances of conception with Goji as part of the diet for women with premature ovarian failure.
Research shows that Goji offers another option for treating female infertility in patients with Premature Ovarian Failure (POF).
Studies have shown an incrreased sperm count and sperm vitality after comsuming goji berries. This possibly could help male infertility by strengthing the sperm and the count.
There are reports from Goji users of increased libido after drinking Goji Juice.
While the active ingredients and the mechanism of action underlying Lycium's fertility-facilitating effects remain unknown, studies indicate the potential mechanism of action for this protective effect, and provide a scientific basis for the traditional use of this plant.
Technorati Tags:
fertility, infertility, male infertility, male fertility
by NewsTarget
In their model of hyperthermia, these scientists found that overheating increased oxidative stress in the tubules. They theorized that this increased free-radical production was the culprit in decreasing sperm production. Goji acted as an antioxidant, which helped to reverse the effects of overheating on sperm production.
The Chinese call Goji the Matrimony Vine. It has been shown to increase the sperm count and the vitality of the sperm. It also has been used as an infertility herb and documented instances of conception with Goji as part of the diet for women with premature ovarian failure.
Research shows that Goji offers another option for treating female infertility in patients with Premature Ovarian Failure (POF).
Studies have shown an incrreased sperm count and sperm vitality after comsuming goji berries. This possibly could help male infertility by strengthing the sperm and the count.
There are reports from Goji users of increased libido after drinking Goji Juice.
While the active ingredients and the mechanism of action underlying Lycium's fertility-facilitating effects remain unknown, studies indicate the potential mechanism of action for this protective effect, and provide a scientific basis for the traditional use of this plant.
Technorati Tags:
fertility, infertility, male infertility, male fertility
by NewsTarget
Thursday, August 17
3 Steps To Making Babies
PLANNING to take the giant leap into parenthood? Follow our expert tips and boost your chances of conceiving. By Charlotte Haigh (mirror.co.uk) STEP 1 Before you start trying
"Getting both your bodies into condition will improve the health of your eggs and sperm," says Zita West, a trained midwife who runs her own fertility clinic. "You should spend at least three months improving your fertility status."
GIVE UP SMOKING "It has an impact on your eggs and fallopian tubes," says Zita. "And men who smoke have a lower sperm count and a higher proportion of malformed sperm." Quitline www.quit.org.uk 0800 002 200.
CUT ALCOHOL A study published in the British Medical Journal found drinking five weekly units of alcohol (equivalent to five small glasses of wine or five single measures of spirits) could reduce a woman's chances of conception. Alcohol can lower sperm count too.
EXERCISE Aim for exercise that raises your hear t rate at least three times a week, but don't work out for more than 15 hours a week.
START EATING WELL "The antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, found in fruit and veg, are very important," says Helen Savill, director of Oeuf Therapy Rooms.
You should also include whole grains, lean meat and fish, and cut out processed foods. "Your diet should be low in saturated fat, but high in essential fatty acids," says Zita. "Good sources include olive oil, nuts, seeds and fish." The government advises women to limit oily fish to twice a week.
GET TO KNOW YOUR BODY "It can take a few months to become familiar with your menstrual cycle," says Helen. Most women are at their most fertile between days 10 and 17 of the cycle, when an egg is released.
There are also tests on the market that can give you a good idea, including the Persona monitor (£64.99, Boots), which uses a urine test, and the Babystart Focus Ovulation Microscope (£24.99, expresschemist.co.uk), which tests your saliva.
STEP 2 The month you start trying
At age 25, you have a 30 to 35 per cent chance of conceiving in any one month, 15 to 20 per cent at 35, and just 3 to 5 per cent at 45.
"There are key things you should be doing now to boost your chances of an egg being fertilised this month," says fertility therapist Helen Savill.
HAVE SEX! "Hopefully, you'll know by now when you're ovulating, so try to make sure you have sex at these times," says Helen. At least twice a week is thought to be optimal, throughout the month, as many women conceive even outside their most fertile times. "Don't demand sex from your man at exactly the right time," Zita West cautions. "This could actually make it difficult for him to perform."
DON'T DRINK AT THE CRUCIAL TIME "As well as cutting back on alcohol in general, make a point of not drinking at all around ovulation as it can affect the egg," says Zita.
TAKE IT EASY "Avoid stress when you're trying for a baby, as it can delay ovulation," says Helen.
Stress encourages the adrenal glands to release the hormone cortisol, which may interfere with general hormone balance. A study at Emery University in Atlanta, Georgia, showed prolonged, severe stress could halt ovulation entirely. If you're struggling with anxiety, contact the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (babcp.org.uk). For less severe, everyday stress, try exercise or just make sure you take time to relax every day.
EAT ZINC-RICH FOODS These include meat, dairy, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds and wholemeal bread. "This mineral is crucial for cell division in the very early days of a pregnancy," says Helen. "If you've been on the Pill it may have depleted your zinc levels. And men lose 15 per cent of their zinc store every time they ejaculate. So you both need to include zinc-rich foods in your diet."
STEP 3 The next month
"The fertilised egg is implanted in the womb seven to 10 days after fertilisation," says fertility therapist Helen Savill. The first few weeks of a pregnancy are quite precarious - it's thought one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, and many of these may happen in the first month, often before women know they're expecting. Here's how to improve chances of implantation, and maintaining pregnancy:
GO LOW GI "Eating foods that release sugar rapidly triggers a surge in blood glucose, which is quickly followed by a drop," says Helen.
"These highs and lows can affect progesterone levels, and as this hormone is essential for implantation and for maintaining the pregnancy in the early days, too lit tle could mean an unsuccessful pregnancy." Avoid refined carbohydrates like white bread and pasta, anything high in sugar, including fizzy drinks, and also caffeine, which can trigger a blood glucose rise. Eat little and of ten, combining protein such as fish, nuts and meat, with unrefined carbs such as brown rice and wholemeal bread.
EAT GOOD QUALITY PROTEIN "It's crucial for the womb lining to build up, ready for an egg to implant in it," says Helen. "Aim for good quality meat at least three times a week - non-organic meat can contain hormones that might disrupt your s." Also include fish, pulses, nuts and seeds.
WATCH WHAT YOU DRINK "You shouldn't have coffee, as it has be en linked with miscarriage," says Zita. "Alcohol is toxic to the foetus. If you have a glass of wine, so does the baby."
Technorati Tags:
male infertility, men infertility, male fertility news, men fertility
Information from: Mirror.co.uk
Tuesday, August 15
Erectile dysfunction may warn of heart disease
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects approximately one in five American men, appears to be associated with cardiovascular and other chronic diseases and may predict severity and a poor prognosis among those with heart disease, according to three studies in the January 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.New medications for ED, introduced in 1998, prompted a 50 percent increase in physician visits related to the condition from 1996 to 2000, according to background information in one of the articles. Most previous estimates of the impact of ED have either excluded some men based on age, ethnicity or profession or were compiled before these medications became available. This led the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Panel on Impotence to call for national epidemiological data to provide information about prevalence and risk factors for ED, the authors write.
Christopher S. Saigal, M.D., M.P.H., The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, and colleagues at the Urologic Diseases in America Project analyzed data from the 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examinational Survey (NHANES). A total of 2,126 men age 20 years and older responded to the survey, answered questions about sexual function and underwent a physical examination. Men who said they were sometimes or never able to maintain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse were defined as having ED.
According to that definition, overall prevalence of ED was 18.4 percent, the authors report. ED occurred more often as men aged, affecting 6.5 percent of men aged 20 to 29 years and 77.5 of those aged 75 years and older. When considering other factors that might contribute to ED, including age and other medical conditions, Hispanic men had almost twice the risk of ED as white men. Obesity, hypertension, smoking and diabetes also were associated with risk of ED. "Mitigation of these risk factors may ameliorate the burden of ED," the authors write.
Editor's Note: This study was supported in part by the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Md. Drs. Wessells and Saigal have received grant funding from the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases. Dr. Wessells is a speaker for Pfizer.
Poor Prognosis Linked to ED
In another study, researchers report that men with ED may have more severe cases of coronary heart disease and more risk factors for adverse outcomes than those without ED.
James K. Min, M.D., and colleagues at the University of Chicago Hospitals evaluated 221 men with an average age of 58.6 years who were referred for nuclear stress testing, a noninvasive diagnostic test for evolution of heart disease. The researchers screened the men for ED and then compared their results on the tests.
Of the 221 men, 121 (54.8 percent) reported ED. Patients with ED were older than men without ED and more likely to have heart disease, diabetes and hypertension and have undergone previous procedures to restore blood flow to the heart. They also were more likely to have results on the stress test that indicated they were at high cardiovascular risk, and more of them had already developed severe heart disease.
In patients referred for stress testing, "the presence of ED is common and is a strong predictor of clinically significant coronary heart disease and established markers of an adverse cardiovascular prognosis" as indicated by the tests, the authors write. "Erectile dysfunction is a stronger predictor than traditional coronary heart disease risk factors in this population," they conclude. "Sexual function questioning may be useful to stratify risk in patients suspected to have coronary heart disease. Further studies are needed to establish whether patients with ED but no cardiac symptoms should be screened for overt coronary heart disease."
Editor's Note: This study was supported in part by an unrestricted independent medical grant from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, New York.
ED Common in Primary Care Patients
A third study of Canadian men visiting primary care physicians indicates that about half of them report having ED, and that it is linked with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, future heart disease risk and increased fasting blood sugar levels.
"Primary care physicians are uniquely positioned to inquire about a patient's sexual function during a routine office visit," the authors write. "They can also screen for modifiable risk factors and treatable comorbidities. However, there is little information available regarding the prevalence of ED among patients seen in this clinical setting."
Steven A. Grover, M.D., M.P.A., F.R.C.P.C., Montreal General Hospital and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, and colleagues surveyed 3,921 men aged 40 to 88 years who visited one of 75 primary care physicians between July 20, 2001, and Nov. 13, 2002. Participants gave medical histories and received physical examinations, including measurements of fasting blood sugar and lipid levels.
Almost half (49.4 percent) of the men reported ED during the previous four weeks or were taking medication for ED, the authors report. Men with cardiovascular disease and diabetes were most likely to have ED. Among men without cardiovascular disease or diabetes, the calculated future risk of developing these conditions was linked to likelihood of having ED. "These data demonstrate that primary care physicians may find that taking a sexual history provides important clinical information beyond the detection of ED," the authors conclude.
Technorati Tags:
Erectile dysfunction, heart disease
Sources
Arch Intern Med. 2006; 166:201-206
Arch Intern Med. 2006; 166:207-212
Arch Intern Med. 2006; 166:213-219
Libido Increasing Food
Several food items can help you to increase your libido and there by invigorate your sex life. Detail knowledge about these foods and their appropriate intake is very vital to increase libido. Some of the common libido increasing foods include celery, raw oysters, bananas, almonds, avocado, eggs, liver, figs, garlic, and chocolate.Celery is considered an excellent source food for sexual stimulation. It has androsterone - an odorless hormone released through male perspiration and it turns women on. Another important libido increasing food is raw oyster, which is highly recommended for a healthy sex life. Oyster contains dopamine a hormone that increases testosterone production and it can boost sexuality.
Bananas, which contain the bromelain enzyme, help to boost male libido. Bananas are also a good source of B vitamins like riboflavin and potassium, which increase the body’s total energy levels. Almonds are a major source of essential fatty acids. Almonds provide the raw material for the healthy production of male hormones. The smell of almonds is found to arouse passion in female.
Avocado can help to increase both male and female libido. Avocados contain high levels of folic acid and assist in metabolizing proteins, thus providing you more energy. Avocado also features vitamin B6 (a nutrient which improves male hormone production) and potassium (which helps to regulate a woman’s thyroid gland). Eggs, high in vitamins B5 and B6, help to balance hormone levels and fight stress. Eggs are considered as a symbol of fertility and rebirth. All bird and fish eggs contain B5 and B6. Liver helps to improve a slowed down libido. It is a good source of glutamine, a cellular fuel for your immune system.
Figs, high in amino acids, help to increase your libido. They can also boost sexual stamina. Also, the shape of a fresh fig and the sweet juicy taste are two tangible aspects considered are highly pleasurable to the human senses. Garlic is considered as an effective herd for increasing libido. Garlic contains allicin – an ingredient that can improve blood flow to the sexual organs. Chocolate can also increase libido. Chocolate contains theobromine (an alkaloid which is same as caffeine) and phenylethylamine - a chemical considered to generate feelings similar to the feeling.
Technorati Tags:
Libido Increasing Food, libido, natural libido
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristy_Annely
By Kristy Annely
Are Potato Chips Harming Your Man's Fertility?
Did you know that a common substance used in potato chips can harm male fertility? It's true -- cottonseed oil, an extract from cotton plant has been proven to hamper male fertility.It contains traces of a substance called gossypol that has clearly demonstrated antifertility properties. This substance is found in cottonseed oil and cottonseed flours. It has been shown to decrease sperm count and to decrease sperm motility (the ability to move).
In fact, the Chinese government pioneered studies on cottonseed oil and fertility. It has used this additives in food to help control population.
Cottonseed oil has to be refined to be edible (in fact, it is a waste product of the cotton industry), and it's often hydrogenated. Hydrogenation mutates oils, making them unhealthy for your partner (as well as you and your future child). Cottonseed oil has been implicated in possible birth defects - a good reason to steer clear of it.
Since it is a by-product of the cotton industry, it may contain harmful pesticides and herbicides that have been used in cotton production. These may also impact fertility and the health of a baby conceived from sperm that have been exposed to these trace toxins.
Note that Olestra, the "imitation" fat is made from cottonseed oil. Many products using vegetable oils may also have cottonseed oil listed. Be especially careful when you look at potato chips and processed foods.
You'll be surprised at just how many foods cottonseed oil is used in. Have your partner begin
to read labels before he starts snacking. Increased fertility and better health will be the result of avoiding cottonseed oil products.
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Kristen Hart is the owner of http://www.getting-pregnant.com. Visit Getting-Pregnant.com and sign up for a free newsletter series on boosting your fertility naturally - and pick up your free report on how body weight can influence your fertility in suprising ways!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristen_Hart
By Kristen Hart
Fertility Issues on the Male Side
When a couple has trouble conceiving a baby, statistics show that the problem is only slightly more likely to be on the woman's side than on the man's. There are a number of factors that can impair male fertility, but one of the most common is blockage of the tubes that carry the sperm. Like in women, this blockage can be scar tissue caused by chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease that often has no symptoms until the damage to fertility has been done.
Another common problem is called "varicocele." In one study it was found in 14% of the men seeking help for infertility. A varicocele is a twisted, enlarged varicose vein in the connective cord of the testicles. These are found in as many as one-fifth of all men, and do not always impair fertility. In fact, it is unknown just what impact they have, but they are more common in men seeking help for fertility than in the general male population. Treatment for a varicocele is surgery, which yields about a third of the couples getting pregnant within the first year after the surgery.
The common childhood disease, mumps, can cause lowered fertility in men if it is contracted after puberty. Other infections, such as glandular infections, can damage sperm or otherwise impair normal fertility. As with women, obesity is thought to affect male fertility adversely. Drug side effects and chronic medical conditions are two other causes of male infertility.
My name is Stacey and I am 39. I always heard about women having trouble conceiving a baby at this age, but it never really struck me directly until recently. I managed to find a natural way to conceive at my age, so I decided to expose the secret.
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fertility, get pregnant, become prengnat, get pregnant easy, male fertility, male infertility
fertility, get pregnant, become prengnat, get pregnant easy, male fertility, male infertility
To find out more, please visit http://www.conceiveeasy.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stacey_Woods
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