New study links higher sperm count to vitamin

Troubled with low sperm count, viability, motility or morphology? A recent study published in the Journal of Andrology from the American Society of Andrology cites FertilAid supplements for men may improve sperm dynamics for some men.

Recently, a 90 day blind study was conducted to determine if treatment with FertilAid improved sperm quality in men. Funded (only in part) by the makers of FertilAid for Men, 14 subjects who met the parameters of low sperm count, low percentage of motility or low percentage of normal morphology as well as those who had not taken any vitamins for at least one month were chosen to participate.

Initially, these subjects provided 2 baseline semen samples before being randomly selected to either receive the vitamin, FertilAid or be given a placebo for the following 90 days.

Under the World Health Organization guidelines, routine semen analysis was performed by the same lab at the on-set of the study and then again at the conclusion of the 90 day analysis.

After 90 days the randomly selected 8 recipients of the vitamin showed an improvement in sperm quality; specifically with the number of normally-shaped motile sperm produced; versus the 6 who consumed the placebo and showed no signs of improvement.

The conclusion is that in spite of the small size of the study, significant improvements were found in men taking FertilAid and that larger studies should be conducted to confirm the results seen within this study.

An expert in the field of optimizing reproductive health for couples trying to conceive, Cindy Ferda offers conception solutions to those experiencing fertility issues. She is the author of How to Get Pregnant Quickly & Naturally and CEO of GetPregnant.org

Studies link Horny Goat Weed to increased sperm count

Albeit a funny name; don’t let the name dissuade you. Horny Goat Weed has been used medicinally for thousands of years. A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the all natural botanical has been used to remedy kidney and liver disorders and joint issues to its use and reputation as an all-natural aphrodisiac and natural alternative to Viagra. It has garnered many accolades from users and non-traditional health care practitioners.

Known to stimulate sexual interest and activity in men, the testosterone-like effects will increase sperm production, sperm count and semen density as well as desire, thus leading to more frequent intercourse. Women benefit from the supplement with an increased libido due to the expansion of the circulatory systems blood vessels, allowing for improved blood flow to the female organs.

The legend of Horny Goat Weed’s origination is that it was discovered by a Chinese goat herder who noticed an increase in sexual activity among his herd after repeated consumption of the plant (also called Yin Yang Huo and Inyokaku), and then he used it himself with stellar results.

In studies with mice, after being fed Horny Goat Weed, they showed a marked improvement in testosterone levels, sperm count and frequency of intercourse. The herb’s main function is its physiological effect on the dilation of blood vessels which trigger hormones to enhance blood allowing it to reach responsive tissues. It stimulates the supra renal glands, and triggers increased hormonal secretions.

Still today, considered one of the most valued herbs in TCM, this plant with long and wide heart-shaped leaves thrives in China and Japan, but can be grown almost anywhere. It can be purchased in the form of a supplement at most health food and vitamin stores for about $20.

The main ingredient, icariin, is known to help with erectile dysfunction and is an all-natural alternative to Viagra which is made up of synthetic chemicals.

If you or your partner are looking to spice things up in the bedroom; or improve issues like low sperm count or mobility, low libido, erection dysfunction, menstrual pains, renal failure, high blood pressure, premature ejaculation and even asthma and bronchitis, then Horny Goat Weed supplements may be just what you are looking for.

An expert in the field of optimizing reproductive health for couples trying to conceive, Cindy Ferda offers conception solutions to those experiencing fertility issues. She is the author of How to Get Pregnant Quickly & Naturally and CEO of GetPregnant.org

How to raise sperm count

The average male sperm count ranges between 20 million to more than 100 million sperm per milliliter of semen.

According to the Mayo Clinic, less than half the men with sperm counts between 12.5 and 25 million sperm per milliliter are able to get their partner pregnant and less than one-quarter with sperm counts less than 12.5 end up impregnating their partners.

The good news however is, there are treatments available to remedy low sperm count.

If you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant for 6 months (for those over 35) to one year (for those under 35), consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor, urologist, reproductive endocrinologist or an infertility specialist to have your sperm analyzed and begin a treatment plan if deemed necessary. It is also advisable the female see her doctor or OB/GYN to check for fertility issues as well. Boosting female fertility can sometimes compensate for a lower sperm production level.

Generally, to achieve pregnancy in a partner, the hypothalamus or pituitary glands in a man’s brain must produce normal hormonal levels. If your doctor finds your levels are too low, he may recommend gonadotropin injections. For some men, normal levels may be achieved within a month or two, for others, it can take up to a year of injections. These levels can be diagnosed by simple in-office blood work.

A common cause of male infertility is varicoceles. This is a swollen vein or veins in the scrotum. This may cause only slight discomfort, if any, but can affect fertility. A varicocele can lower sperm count and is sometimes responsible for abnormally shaped sperm. A simple surgical correction can often remedy this setback. Testing for this issue is often detected by use of an ultra-sound.

An infection of the male reproductive tract can be identified with a simple blood test. High numbers of white blood cells may be a sign of an infection within the reproductive tract. A dose of antibiotics may cure the infection and restore normalcy.

Lack of zinc and folic acid in a man’s diet can lead to lower sperm count. A Danish study revealed men who added both a zinc and folic acid supplement to their diets increased their chances for impregnating their partners.

To maintain or achieve a higher healthy sperm count, doctors also advise men not smoke, avoid excessive drinking, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight, avoid hot baths and saunas, avoid tight clothing restricting the scrotal region, remove the cell phone from the front pocket and not put the laptop computer on the lap as it causes an increase in scrotal temperature.

It is also advisable to keep environmental toxins at bay. Exposure to toxic chemicals like bleach and paints or pesticides can reduce sperm count or even change the morphology of the sperm.

How to Get Pregnant – The Top 3 eBooks

Shelves at the local Barnes & Noble and Borders stores are overflowing with paperbacks and guides on how to get pregnant but many women are turning to a quicker more convenient way to obtain the same information in the form of eBooks online, sometimes at 1/2 the cost.

While Google, Bing and Yahoo search engines have all but replaced encyclopedias and dictionaries, eBooks are today’s convenient way of obtaining all kinds of literary material including pregnancy related books immediately from the Internet.

With the simple click of a mouse these eBooks can be downloaded right away, then you as the buyer have the option of printing it out and (or) keeping it conveniently on your computer or laptop for easy instant access.

When browsing through the shelves of the local bookstore it can be difficult deciding which book best suits your specific needs, so after evaluating and critiquing several of the eBooks relating to conception and pregnancy that are currently available on-line, we narrowed our search for the cream of the crop to the following three eBooks.

These best-sellers were created by reputable authors and true experts in the field and the prices ranged from $14.95 to $39 which is a small price to pay when you consider the thousands of dollars you could spend on unnecessary fertility specialists.

$39 eBook ‘Pregnancy Miracle’ by Lisa Olson – This top-selling author sheds light on getting pregnant naturally with her successful program. An alternative health and nutrition specialist, health consultant and Chinese medicine researcher, Lisa Olson teaches couples how to reverse infertility and get pregnant within 2 Months.

This eBook snagged our attention because of the quality of the content and the fact Olson guarantees her method with a 60-day money back guarantee. This book is available for $39 on her site here and it’s definitely worth a strong consideration.

$14.95 eBook ‘Get Pregnant Quickly & Naturally’ by Cindy Ferda – At $14.95 this is clearly the best bargain we could find anywhere on the net; it sells elsewhere for $29.95. This no-nonsense material offers the nuts and bolts necessary to conceive naturally while concentrating on providing the best health environment for your baby.

A national columnist for The Examiner’s Family and Parenting Pregnancy division, Cindy Ferda combines years of gynecological and obstetrical information from experts in the fields of reproductive medicine and holistic practices and presents them in this eBook.

‘How to Get Pregnant Quickly & Naturally’ contains great health tips as well as the newest secrets of conception and strategies for getting pregnant.

The book also includes an in-depth look at the advantages of fertility diets that not only are proven to increase a woman’s chances of getting pregnant, but also decreases the chances of a fetus having neural tube defects and other potential deformities.

Utilizing this same information the author conceived naturally at 44 and is now offering to share her knowledge and personal experience in conception, fertility issues, fertility enhancing foods and keys to improving sperm count and sperm motility naturally.

$29.59 ‘The Full Embrace Pregnancy Success Program’ by Diana Farrell, M.A. – This eBook reveals secrets about the most powerful and rare health treatments you can do yourself at home for FREE that will vastly increase your chances of conception within 8-12 weeks. To date the information in this book has helped thousands of couples beat infertility and achieve pregnancy.

We hope you find this information helpful and please comment back to this section to let us know how these eBooks have helped your quest to fertility so we can share your success with our other readers.

Conception difficulties? Maca Root to the rescue

Grown at high altitudes in the mountains of the Andes, native Peruvians, both male and female, have grown and used maca root (lepidium meyenii) for hundreds of years to facilitate conception.

With claims of successfully increasing fertility both then and now; the wonder supplement; in its organic state is a root vegetable shaped like a turnip and grows bountifully at 12,000 feet above sea level.

Far from the maca fields in the Andes, many women are turning to a prescription drug called Prometrium to help maintain optimal progesterone levels and ward off miscarriage.

An essential element in carrying a healthy pregnancy to term, progesterone levels must be balanced throughout pregnancy.

However the jury is still out on the efficacy and safety of the drug Prometrium.

The all-natural and organic alternative that is receiving high accolades is a maca root supplement.

This works for women by attempting to control estrogen levels from becoming too high, thus causing progesterone levels to plummet and possibly lead to miscarriage.

As for the male, numerous studies have been conducted on the use of maca and its affect on sperm. One study included nine men who received maca tablets (between 1500 and 3000 mg/day) for 4 months depending upon their weight and size. Their levels were measured before and after treatment.

After using a maca supplement for four months, their seminal volume increased as did their sperm count per ejaculation. Sperm motility showed positive response as well.

For couples struggling with fertility issues and looking to create optimal reproductive health environments, they may want to look into the Peruvian favorite. It comes in the form of a tablet or powder and continues to receive rave reviews for its healing power.

Available at most vitamin stores as well as on-line, the cost of 100 tablets runs approximately $25 and a bit less for the powder.

How to Get Pregnant Quickly & Naturally is Cindy Ferda’s most recently published book. An expert in the field of optimizing reproductive health for women and men, her mission is to help inform couples of the importance of optimal reproductive health and provide solutions to their fertility dilemmas.

How to pinpoint ovulation and get pregnant

Predicting ovulation can be a daunting monthly task for those trying to conceive a baby. Time constraints, work and family obligations may negate the opportunity and desire for sexual intercourse on a daily basis.

There are however, numerous ways to predict ovulation beginning with using a calendar. Ovulation predictor calendars or calculators are a great tool to use for conception guidance. An example would be if a period begins on February 14, the most fertile time to conceive would be February 24 – March 1. The most fertile day may be February 28. This is based on an average menstrual period with a duration lasting five days. The general rule of thumb is 10-17 days from the first day of the last period.

In addition to the ovulation calendar, fertility experts recommend becoming familiar with the cervix. During a woman’s fertile time the cervix is often high up, difficult to reach, soft and sensitive to the touch and open to the uterus. It also feels wet with cervical mucus.

If a woman becomes familiar with this region on a regular basis, she may find that on the most fertile day, she will not even be able to reach it. Prior to ovulation feel for a firm, easy to reach dry cervix. The opening to the uterus will feel closed at this time. Take notice of breast tenderness as well.

When the brain signals the ovary to release a mature egg each month, a luteinizing hormone known as LH begins to work its magic. Watch for slight cramping near the site. These cramps are generally mild and sometimes referred to as Mittelschmerz cramping. A woman may notice how the cramps change from side to side each month indicating which ovary is about to release the egg. Once an egg is released from the ovary and sent into the fallopian tube, it is ready for fertilization by sperm.

The window of fertilization opportunity is short-lived however; numerous studies cite from 12 to approximately 48hours.

With all the latest medical advancements relating to conception and pregnancy, one of the newest and best ways to predict ovulation is by using a digital ovulation predictor kit available at many retail drug stores across the country and on-line. For about thirty bucks, this digital device pinpoints the exact time a woman’s egg is being released by testing the urine daily for the elevated LH level. The digital stick comes with five replacement heads for each morning’s urine sample. There are less expensive kits available that are not digital and not as sensitive, but offer really good results.

Women can also chart their temperature using a basal body thermometer each morning. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), immediately following ovulation, a woman can detect a slight rise in her normal temp. This indicates ovulation has occurred and again the egg is ready for fertilization for up to 48 hours.

With all the helpful ovulation aids available on the market today, women can now take a pro-active approach to pregnancy without spending a fortune.

For more info on pregnancy related issues visit The National Pregnancy Examiner here.

20 strategies for getting pregnant (Part 1)

For the latest pregnancy, health and conception tips visit Cindy Ferda’s National Examiner column here.

Each year, millions of women delve into the world of baby-making to begin their journey of fulfilling their dreams of having a family.

Today, with more women in the workforce than ever before, women are waiting longer to begin their families, thus it is becoming increasingly difficult for some women to conceive due to their advanced age.

Altering ones course of action with a few new dietary and supplemental choices, exercising regularly or even changing intercourse positions may help lead you directly to the nursery.

Compiled from medical professionals and women who have conceived, the following 20 tips for getting pregnant have worked for women across the globe.

1. Water. Couples must drink plenty of water. Studies suggest proper hydration aids in fertility and conception as well as overall health. Without optimal hydration, the male sperm count and quality may be adversely affected and a woman’s cervical mucus may become more hostile to sperm.

2. Moderate and regular exercise. Studies indicate maintaining a proportionate weight to your height aids in upping your conception chances. Always check with a licensed medical professional regarding pregnancy and exercise.

3. Folic Acid. A woman should prepare the body ahead of time by taking a pre-natal vitamin with 800 mcg’s of folic acid well in advance. Some fertility specialists and reproductive endocrinologists suggest a program of at least double for a certain period of time depending on individual circumstances. Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for a higher level of folic acid.

4. Folic acid and zinc sulfate. Studies show a 74% increase in sperm and sperm motility for some men when they incorporate 5mg of folic acid and 66mg of zinc sulfate a day for 26 weeks into their diet. Check with a medical professional before beginning this regime. Taking a regular multi-vitamin daily will aid in proper male nutrition. This again may lead to better sperm.

5. Diet. Both men and women must eat a well-balanced, nutritional diet, rich in B vitamins, iron, calcium and folic acid. The Fertility Diet by Jorge Chavarro, M.D., Walter C. Willett, M.D., and Patrick J. Skerrett offers up some delicious healthy choices including ice cream but warns against trans fats. Some fertility experts, like celebrity Jennifer Lopez’ doc advise eating spinach 3 times a day will boost conception and pregnancy rates.

6. Caffeine. Remove caffeine from your diet even before you are pregnant. Unfortunately this includes chocolate. Some studies indicate an intake of more than 300 mg of caffeine per day can seriously impact fertility as well as hamper the ability of the body to absorb calcium and iron.

7. Alcohol. Stop alcohol consumption. According to a report from the Mayo Clinic, alcohol is one of the few causes of mental retardation that is preventable by stopping consumption ahead of time.

8. Smoking. Stop smoking. According to the surgeon general, smoking tobacco products may lead to birth defects and/or low birth weight. A study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center states marijuana use may increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages. Additionally, sperm may be altered by tobacco and marijuana as well.

9. Appetite suppressants. Just say no. A study from the State University of New York warn weight-loss drugs currently being used need more careful evaluation the their effects on pregnant women and those attempting to conceive.

10. Switch to a water-based lubricant. Oil-based personal lubricants may hinder sperm.

Click here for part 2 of this article to view the remaining tips and strategies for getting pregnant.

Sperm and the zinc-folic factor

For the latest pregnancy, health and conception tips visit Cindy Ferda’s National Examiner column here.

If you or anyone you know has been trying to conceive a baby for months or even years without success, it may be time to look into the zinc sulfate and folic acid factor and how it relates to sperm count.

A contributing factor in male infertility could be as simple as low zinc and/or folic acid levels. Folate-rich foods like green leafy vegetables, beans or orange juice will help a man maintain a healthy balanced diet, but remember the body does not make enough zinc or folic acid on its own, so it must be obtained from one’s diet and/or supplements.

Without the proper levels of these trace minerals, the body does not operate at full throttle; including reproductively. In some cases sperm motility is negatively affected as well as the sperm count.

Recent studies indicate zinc supplements along with folic acid may increase sperm count and improve sperm motility in some men.

One published Dutch study claims men who are having difficulty impregnating their partner may increase their sperm count by up to 74% by taking 5mg of folic acid and 66mg of zinc sulfate a day for 26 weeks. It did caution however, that taken alone, there was no significant improvement in sperm count.

Although zinc is an essential mineral required to operate the human body properly, excessive amounts may be harmful, so always consult your physician before beginning any new regimen.

Examining the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF)

 For the latest pregnancy, health and conception tips visit Cindy Ferda’s National Examiner column here.

For many women, the “baby quest” can be an emotionally daunting and costly experience, devoting many years and big bucks to the cause.

According to the most recent National Summary and Fertility Clinic Report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about 12% of women of childbearing age in the United States have used an infertility service and the percentage of women who give birth using an infertility aid each year is steadily climbing.

When natural methods fail, many women between the ages of 28 and 47 are turning to an assisted reproductive technology (ART) technique called In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

Of the 422 fertility clinics in operation and participating in this report during this time, 134,260 ART cycles were performed resulting in 38,910 births for a success rate of 29%. The majority of women using ART techniques ranged between the ages of 30-39 (68%). Women 40+ made up an additional 21%.

The IVF process begins when a woman stimulates her ovaries by taking an oral medication like Clomid or Serophene to produce or develop eggs. She can also be monitored for natural egg production via ultra-sounds or blood work. Once her egg(s) reach maturation and are potentially viable they are removed during an outpatient medical procedure called follicular aspiration which entails sending a thin needle through the vaginal canal and into each ovary (follicle) containing the egg(s). With the needle connected to a suction apparatus, it removes the egg(s) and fluid from each ovary. Mild cramping may occur for a short period of time.

In lab, the egg(s) and sperm are combined to create an embryo or embryos. Under a watchful eye, technicians monitor the development of the embryo(s) and days later, the most viable one(s) are selected and transferred through the vaginal canal, cervix, and then into the uterus during an outpatient procedure at a doctor’s office, fertility clinic or hospital. If the procedure is successful, a woman will know if she is pregnant within two weeks.

The IVF method has been used successfully in the United States since 1981. Studies support a higher percentage of conception success rates with embryo transfers to the uterus occurring on day 3 and day 5 out of the 1 to 6 day window of opportunity for this procedure.

Many factors come into play in the success of IVF such as age, origin of infertility, ovarian reserve, FSH level, semen attributes, the woman’s response to treatment, general over-all health condition, the use of a woman’s own fresh egg(s), frozen egg(s) or donor egg(s), emotional state, health insurance coverage and monetary concerns.

There are a number of other ART techniques to consider in addition to IVF such as GIFT and ZIFT with the latter being a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed laparoscopically (MIS) with a small incision (2-3cm) made through the abdomen. A woman will gain a better understanding of which procedure(s) she is a better candidate for after consulting with her OB/GYN or fertility specialist.

Although multiple embryo transfers may pose more of a health risk concern for both the mother and babies, studies suggest the rate of successful live births does increase with more than one embryo transfer.

As a woman matures, her viable egg(s) begin to diminish, especially after 40. For these women, there is another option. A donor egg. Studies reflect that even women over 40 may have a 52% success rate using a donor egg. Women who have trouble carrying to term but whose egg(s) are viable may want to consider a surrogate or gestational carrier. The same IVF method would apply to the surrogate.

Additionally, women who have previously been pregnant and/or given birth through natural methods or using ART techniques are known to have a higher chance of conceiving and birthing once again using ART methods.

Couples who are experiencing low sperm count may choose to use Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) where a single sperm is injected directly into a woman’s egg for a better likelihood of fertilization. This process is used in conjunction with IVF.

The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), an organization of ART providers affiliated with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), has been collecting data and publishing annual reports of pregnancy success rates for fertility clinics in the United States and Canada since 1989.

General information on clinics in your area and throughout the U.S. who are members of The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) can be obtained by calling 205.978.5000, extension 109.

According to the Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago, the average cost of a single IVF cycle is approximately $9500, not including medications.

If you live in and have health insurance coverage in one of the following 13 states, you may receive partial to full coverage for infertility issues, IVF cycles or ART procedures. Check with your insurance provider as states mandate different infertility coverage such as lifetime infertility treatment benefit caps of $15,000, 1 IVF session or no IVF cycle – but include other treatments like fertility medications or artificial insemination.

Currently, the list includes Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Texas, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and West Virginia while Florida and other states are currently under consideration for state mandates concerning these types of procedures.

Get Pregnant. Where do you stand statistically?

Recent studies indicate a healthy woman under the age of 35 who has unprotected intercourse on average of twice a week for three months has a 57% chance of conceiving a baby.

Six months of exposure will bring results on average of 72% while one year of baby-making will bring the number to approximately 85% and two years of trying to conceive reaches near 93%. If you are over 35, simply divide the above numbers in half. These are still great numbers!

Let’s talk eggs!

Now, for a bit of information on the life-span of “the egg”–viable and non-viable.

Studies also show a female embryo in the womb of her mother at only 4-5 months has between 6-7 million eggs also called or referred to as “oocytes“, dropping down to 1-2 million by birth. Puberty brings this number down to 300,000 – 500,000.

The menstrual cycle claims several hundred more over the decades of normal periods and by the time a women reaches her mid to late 30’s some studies indicate the number drops to a mere 25,000 eggs remaining in her ovaries.

Once into her 40’s, another study suggests she may have approximately 1.5 % of her original supply remaining. Regardless of which study you choose to agree with, there are usually plenty left after age 35 to consider the odds favorable – possibly between 25,000 and 90,000. Beyond all of this, eggs are also lost through natural cell death, as well.

Throughout the life span of a woman’s eggs the number of genetically viable ones naturally decreases with age and the proper distribution of the genetic contents may be lost or uncertain. Of the genetically abnormal pregnancies, most go on to miscarry in the first or second trimester of pregnancy and of the women who are over 35, there is even a higher risk of miscarriage with normal and/or abnormal pregnancies and several studies suggest women over 40 have a 1 in 3 or 4 chance of miscarriage.

But do not dismay. Many women go on to eventually conceive and deliver healthy babies well into their 40’s.

Seek help. Find additional helpful information and explore adding prenatal supplements to your diet. Always speak to your physician.

There is a plethora of information and ideas, methods and suggestions you may want to ponder and consider utilizing…ovulation predictor kits, ovulation calendars, natural fertility boosters, fertility handbooks, healthy diets chocked-full of greens, pre-natal vitamins months in advance, basal thermometers, best suggested sexual positions to conceive, large quantities of water to keep the body well-hydrated, suggested exercise routines, books on healthy eating, homeopathic remedies, herbal teas, female infertility information, male infertility information, yoga and relaxation techniques, and all the “dos” the “don’ts” and the pitfalls and myths to take in stride all geared to help you get educated, do what is best for you and get pregnant.

And if need be, assisted reproductive technology (or ART) is available across the globe with outstanding results in many categories in this day and age. Much scientific and medical advancement are being developed and cultivated on a regular basis.

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