Tcm Health: Set You on the Right Path for Fertility Treatment

Tcm Health: Set You on the Right Path for Fertility Treatment: When a man ejaculates, the semen he expels is not made up of just sperm. Seminal fluid is also part of the ejaculatory fluid. In order fo...

Set You on the Right Path for Fertility Treatment

When a man ejaculates, the semen he expels is not made up of just sperm. Seminal fluid is also part of the ejaculatory fluid. In order for sperm to be able to fertilize an egg, it is necessary for seminal fluid to be of the correct consistency as well as for sperm to have maximum motility and ideal morphology. If any of these factors are revealed to be less than perfect in a semen analysis, male fertility may be compromised.

Seminal Fluid Components

Seminal fluid is comprised of secretions produced by the prostate gland, Cowper's gland and the seminal vesicles. All three combine to produce various types of alkaline fluids. Fluid from the prostate gland account for about 30% of seminal fluid. Because of its alkaline makeup, this fluid helps to neutralize the acids naturally found in the urethra and the vagina. This prevents the sperm from being killed off on contact.

The seminal vesicles produce about 60% of the seminal fluids. Also an alkaline fluid, these secretions contain fructose, a type of sugar, which give sperm energy, thereby allowing them to move faster and aid them in their swim up through the uterus. The Cowper’s gland along with fluid from the testes contribute the remaining fluid to the semen.

Problems with Fluids

During a semen analysis, a variety of problems may be found with a man's seminal fluid. After ejaculation, male semen should liquefy within 30 seconds. If it does not, then this can indicate an infection in the seminal vesicles and prostate. Seminal fluid that is found to be too thick can make it tricky for sperm to swim through, thereby hindering conception. Thick seminal fluids can also suggest the presence of an infection in the seminal vesicles and prostate. In order to treat these two problems, semen can be processed so that live sperm is separated from the seminal fluid. This sperm can then be used in IUI.

Other problems with seminal fluids that may become apparent with a semen analysis include an absence of fructose in the semen and the wrong pH balance. If the semen collection is lacking in fructose, then a block in the ejaculatory duct is the likely problem, which can usually be treated through surgery. Seminal fluid that does not have an alkaline pH, a problem often associated with a low ejaculatory volume, usually indicates a problem with the seminal vesicle’s functionality. Seminal fluid analysis is an important part of the semen analysis. Identifying problems with the seminal fluid can help narrow down your reasons for infertility and set you on the right path for fertility treatment.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and Male Infertility

What Type of Infection Will Affect My Fertility?

Almost any type of infection that makes an impact on your immune system can impair your fertility. In particular, those that affect your reproductive tract, including the prostate, epididymis or the testis, can hinder your fertility. It is unlikely that an infection will impair your fertility so much as to make you sterile, though. Most of the time, the effects of an infection are only temporary. While a pesky cold or some other type of infection may lower your sperm count or slow down your sperm’s motility, more often than not, your sperm will rebound back to normal in a few months.

Those That Damage

There are some infections, however, that can do serious damage if not looked after right away. Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are the most common infection associated with male infertility. If they are left untreated, you are repeatedly infected, or have frequent flare-ups, scarring and blockage in the reproductive tracts can occur. Mycoplasma, an organism often found in sexually active men, can attach itself to sperm cells, thereby impeding motility. Another illness that is often associated with male infertility is the mumps. Men who contract the mumps after puberty are at risk of developing fertility problems. This is because the illness can lead to orchitis, or inflammation of the testicles. While this complication is rare, if it does occur, it can impair sperm production and sometimes lead to permanent sterility.

Getting Treatment

Unfortunately, many times infections do not cause any symptoms. STDs in particular are known for not producing any signs or symptoms. As a result, getting treatment for the infection may be delayed or never occur causing permanent damage to the reproductive organs. If your sperm production or reproductive tracts have been extensively damaged, it may be necessary to use surgical sperm retrieval methods in combination with ICSI and IVF. Alternately, you may decide to use a sperm donor in combination with IUI.

In cases where symptoms do emerge or the infection is caught early on, antibiotics may be prescribed which should clear up the problem, thereby minimizing any damage to your fertility. If damage, such as scarring or blockage, has already occurred in your reproductive tract, then surgery may be done that can clear up the block or remove the scar tissue.

Mumps Orchitis Reduces Fertility in Men

When most people hear that a grown man is ill with mumps, they probably think straight away of the possible impact on his fertility. It's true that idea that mumps causes infertility is a widely held notion, but in fact, medical evidence shows that this happens very rarely indeed. In a relatively small number of cases, a dose of the mumps will stop a man's sperm production for up to a year, but thereafter it will recover. Sperm production may not go back to its previous level, but more often than not, the man will still be able to get his partner pregnant.

What Is Mumps?

Mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands located near the ears. It's generally considered a childhood illness, so cases of mumps in post-pubescent girls or boys, or indeed in adults, are quite rare. Having said that, recent health scares regarding the vaccination against mumps (the MMR vaccine), have led to increasing numbers of parents refusing to have their kids vaccinated - meaning that mumps may be enjoying a bit a renaissance among teenagers and grown-ups.

Mumps Symptoms

The mumps virus is highly infectious - it can be spread by direct or indirect contact with an infected person. Symptoms usually develop within 15 to 24 days of initial infection and include:

Swelling and pain in the glands in the neck and around the ears

Difficulty and pain when swallowing

Headaches, pains in the joints, nausea and vomiting, a high temperature, pain in the lower tummy area, extreme tiredness and loss of appetite

Mumps Orchitis

In grown men, however, a particularly nasty mumps symptom is swelling and pain in the testes. This is called "mumps orchitis," and is the connection between mumps and reduced fertility in men. If a man's testicles are going to swell up while he has mumps (they don't always) it will probably happen 4 to 8 days after the other above-mentioned symptoms begin to present. It may be that only one testicle is affected. Approximately 20% of adult men who contract mumps will develop mumps orchitis. The swelling usually goes down within a week, but the testicles may feel sore for a while after that.

Tcm Health: You Need to Cut Out Factors Causing Infertility

Tcm Health: You Need to Cut Out Factors Causing Infertility: First Things First If you or your partner smoke or take recreational drugs- GIVE It UP. Smoking and drug taking are known to affect fer...

You Need to Cut Out Factors Causing Infertility

First Things First
If you or your partner smoke or take recreational drugs- GIVE It UP. Smoking and drug taking are known to affect fertility and if your fertility is already affected because of your age you don't want to make the situation worse. Even certain medicines like antihistamines can temporarily affect your fertility, so if you want to get pregnant you may have to put up with having hay fever.

Don't forget to let your doctor know that you are trying for a baby and check that your prescription won't affect your chances of conception. Your partner should also check his medications, as for example steroids and ulcer medication can affect sperm production. Alcohol is also a no no for both of you while you are 'trying'. Even coffee can affect your chances, so if you are serious about wanting to get pregnant you should forgo your 'cup o'Joe'.

Weight

Because your weight can affect your periods it is important to maintain a normal weight for your height. If you need assistance to get pregnant, a lot of fertility clinics expect you to lose weight before they will consider treating you, even though that may seem unfair. They are actually looking after your best interests. If you lose weight you may get pregnant naturally, as being seriously overweight can affect your chances of conceiving.

Of course, depending on your problem, you may still need some type of fertility treatment but you will have a better chance for the treatment to 'take' if you weigh less. If on the other hand you are underweight, you may find that if you put on a few pounds, nature will take care of the rest.

De-stress

It's been said before but stress can really adversely affect your chances of getting pregnant. If you lead a very busy lifestyle, work long hours and have very little down time, you may not be giving your body enough of a chance to conceive. If you are both working 60 hours a week in high stress jobs, and have a long commute, you probably don't even have time to talk to each other, never mind the energy to have enough sex.

You also need to eat regular healthy meals, instead of grabbing a sandwich at your desk, or skipping meals altogether because of time pressure. Vitamin supplements, while useful, can only do so much.

Ambivalence

Many women are actually a bit ambivalent about having a baby. Of course the idea of giving birth can feel scary, not to mention the thought of the responsibility of bringing a child into the world can be a bit overwhelming at times. And after years of using contraception, it's not always easy to switch your mind over from stop to go.

Naturopathy As a Natural Fertility Treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine

What is Naturopathy?
A naturopathy definition is one that is very broad; naturopathy can be defined as a multidimensional health care system that encompasses many areas aimed at treating infertility through a variety of natural fertility treatment methods. These areas include: diet, exercise, acupuncture, yoga, herbal medicine, aromatherapy, homeopathy.

The Benefits of Naturopathy

Because it promotes a healthier lifestyle, naturopathy can improve an individual's overall mental, physical and emotional health. In addition, it also has specific benefits. For example, by promoting a healthy diet low in sugar, caffeine and alcohol, it can help an individual reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, as well as reduce the risk of obesity. Organic fruits and vegetables, as well as lean proteins and healthy whole grain foods, are also encouraged. Alternatively, acidic foods (like tea and red meat) are discouraged, while alkaline foods, such as peas, bean sprouts and milk, are encouraged. Moderate exercise is also encouraged in order to maintain a healthy weight. Relaxation exercises, such as yoga and meditation, are also promoted as they can improve an individual’s physical and mental health, while reducing the risk of disease and illness.

What is Naturopathy Used to Treat?

Naturopathy can be beneficial in treating a variety of conditions, illnesses and treatment, including the following: Stress, anxiety, fatigue, asthma, arthritis, recurring infections, such as colds and flu, prostate problems , menstrual problems, including PMS.

Naturopathy and Infertility: Naturopathy as a Natural Fertility Treatment

In addition, naturopathy can be an effective natural fertility treatment option. For example, its promotion of a healthy diet rich in minerals, such as zinc, and vitamins such as vitamin A, can help to balance hormones. Naturopathy also discourages the consumption of caffeine, which has also been linked to infertility.