Increase Sperm Count Naturally

Male Factor Infertility, Help Sperm The Natural Way

Before you try fertility treatments for male factor infertility, have the man in your life try some of these simple, common sense approaches to increasing sperm quality and quantity. 
 http://www.getpregnantover40.com
Sperm are very susceptible to damage from free radicals, radiation and so on.  The best defense is to eat antioxidants usually found in colorful foods.  Read more:


How to Increase Sperm Count - Increase Semen Volume by Bryan Len

From the article:

Eating healthy and nutritious food - frequent consumption of over processed food (mostly found in fast food restaurants) contributes to the decrease of sperm count. In order to boost sperm count, make sure you eat foods that are rich in Vitamins and also make sure you eat lots of natural food as much as possible. Avoid foods that are acidic in nature, bitter and spicy.

Great sperm count boosting foods include: celery (uncooked), bananas, oysters, avocado pears, almonds etc.

Go easy on the caffeine - caffeinated drinks are known to decrease sperm count over a long period of time.

Drink plenty of water - drinking lots of water helps to increase sperm count and it also keeps you healthy as well. Drinking water is also one of the cheapest ways of increasing sperm count.
 
Avoid anything that will stress you emotionally - everyone goes through an emotional period which affects the production of quality sperm. Try as much as possible to keep your mind clear of emotional baggage and your entire body will benefit from this too. Feelings of depression and emotional stress are known to affect the production of quality sperm. You can take up yoga, which is very good stress relieving exercise.

Stay Still If You Want To Get Pregnant

This article has moved

SEE ALSO: WHY FERTILITY CHARTING MAY NOT WORK (getpregnantover40.com)

Our "Drug" Culture (fertility drugs that is...)

 This article has moved

SEE ALSO: DO YOU REALLY NEED IVF OVER 40? (getpregnantover40.com)

My Fertility Problems May Have Started Before I Was Born

 This article has moved, see also www.getpregnantover40.com for more on fertility over 40
 

Mind/Body Exercises In Meditation and Visualization To Meet Your Future Child

Pregnancy Over 40, Help From The Mind-Body Connection

My site: www.getpregnantover40.com
Here is a nice article on Meditation and Visualization. It gives an idea of how people actually visualize and "talk" to their bodies. Read more:

Fertility and The Mind-Body Connection
dreamhawk.com

From the article:

We live in a time in which a commonly held belief is that our fertility is diminished and that we need outside help to conceive. This belief has become very evident for women in the “baby boomer generation” who have embraced and mastered the male aspect qualities of doing and making it happen – yet conceiving eludes them. Creating a baby is a receptive act that requires embracing and using our female aspect. For many women, there exists an inner conflict and imbalance between their inner female and male aspects. As many women have learned to accomplish success by relying strongly on utilizing their male aspect, many have forsaken, forgotten and invalidated their female side. This female side includes qualities and abilities such as to be vulnerable, open and to receive...

...I urge you to not approach meditation/relaxation as another regime, project or task to get you pregnant. I would, however, invite you to covet this quiet time as a time to rejuvenate, refresh and to give to yourself regardless of what the outcome will be. Create for yourself opportunities to go inside to release the pressures and stresses of trying to get pregnant. Use this time to nourish yourself by authentically communicating with your body and to develop a relationship of working in cooperation with your body, instead of commanding and directing your body to perform and to produce. Love your body for where she is right now instead of invalidating yourself for failing to conceive. As you embrace this quiet space, don’t be surprised to find yourself feeling more empowered, alive and fertile.

For more on meditation and visualization, click here:
Meditation and Visualization (link to my CD)

Semen Quality Improved With Antioxidants

Men's Fertility: Sperm Helped With Antioxidants From Fruits And Vegetables

No surprise here. Those brightly colored fruits and vegetables can and will help the man in your life become more fertile.
My site: www.getpregnantover40.com
Here is an article about how consuming antioxidants can help sperm quality:

www.sciencedaily.com

From the article:

The study was carried out among 61 men, 30 of whom had reproductive problems, while the remaining 31 acted as controls. "We saw that, among the couples with fertility problems coming to the clinic, the men with good semen quality ate more vegetables and fruit (more vitamins, folic acid and fibre and less proteins and fats) than those men with low seminal quality", explains Mendiola.

"A healthy diet is not only a good way of avoiding illness, but could also have an impact on improving seminal quality. What we still do not understand is the difference between taking these vitamins naturally and in the form of supplements. In the studies we are going to carry out in the United States (where the consumption of vitamins in tablet form is very common) we will be looking at the role of supplements", the Spanish scientist continues.

Infertility and The Immune System: Chinese Perspective

Pregnancy Over 40, The Immune System, Fertility, and Miscarriage

I always wondered whether or not my six miscarriages had something to do with my immune system or whether it was a hormonal problem.
My site:  www.getpregnantover40.com
My personal opinion is, in my case, the problem was hormonal. However, there probably are a number of people (both men and women) who have some kind of immune system issue going on who may be labeled with "unexplained infertility" (at least until the cause is found). When I was going through fertility treatments, my doctor wanted me to go through a series of tests to find out if my immune system was the culprit. This was going to cost an exorbitant amount of money, and at that point, we just knew it was time to quit. Since I eventually conceived naturally, I need to assume that the problem was not my immune system, unless I corrected the situation with my "pregnancy protocol".

Patricia Karnowski, M.S.O.M

From the article:

Frequent miscarriages in the very early weeks
Bodyaches, PMS
Irritability and depressive episodes and /or panic attacks
Night sweats with sweating over the breast bone
Insomnia in the early mornings
Hormone levels show a decrease in every mid-cycle
Past history of hives or itchy skin
Thyroid disorders with the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies

These symptoms often translate into liver qi stagnation, and yin deficiency with heat in the heart and liver in TCM. These symptoms are further complicated by irregular menstruation and a saw-toothed, erratic BBT graph.

Everything Starts With A Thought

Pregnancy Over 40 Starts With The Right Thoughts

I recently watched a Bigraphy special on the Bee Gees which is a group I grew up with and their career has spanned about 50 years! They are best remembered for the Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack, but they were actually around for many years before that. I highly recommend watching this biography special next time it airs see an excerpt here:

The Bee Gees Biography - Biography.com

The reason I bring it up here is because one of the memorable parts of the video is when they interviewed Barry Gibb, he recalls saying to his younger twin brothers, "We're going to be famous one day". This was back when they were small children, had not performed yet, and had very little money. Wow, talk about vision! It goes to show you that everything you manifest starts with a thought and a belief.

If I can take a leap back to the subject of this blog, getting pregnant starts with a thought too. Just like the Gibb brothers had to overcome insurmountable odds to become famous singers, I had to overcome insurmountable odds to get pregnant. Two different situations, but same theory at work. When you really want something, visualize it, believe it, and receive it. I talk about this in my meditation and visualization CD (www.getpregnantover40.com). Everything you manifest in your life starts with a thought. Thoughts are things and they can come to life (and create a life!)

Acupressure For Fertility

Pregnancy Over 40, Fertility Over 40, How Acupressure Can Help

I've written before about how acupressure points throughout your body can enhance ovulation and fertility. I did an entire video on acupressure, reflexology and fertility yoga called:, "Fertility Bodywork" (www.getpregnantover40.com), I show how you can perform acupressure (and reflexology)on yourself if you don't want to seek the services of an outside professional.  

Picture:  www.acupressure.com

Here is a site that explains acupressure and acupuncture:

 http://www.acupressure.com/

From the article:

What is Acupressure?

Acupressure is an ancient healing art using the fingers to gradually press key healing points, which stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. Acupressure was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago. Using the power and sensitivity of the hand, Acupressure Therapy is effective in the relief of stress-related ailments, and is ideal for self-treatment and preventive health care for boosting the immune system. Acupressure releases tension, increases circulation, reduces pain, and develops spirituality and vibrant health. 

Acupuncture & Acupressure use the same pressure points and meridians, but Acupuncture employs needles, while Acupressure uses gentle to firm finger pressure. When these acupressure points are stimulated, they release muscular tension, promote circulation of blood, and enhance the body's life force energy to aid healing. Acupressure therapy can be used to relieve pain, fortify the sexual reproductive system, detoxify the body for greater health and beauty, and tone facial and back muscles.

Screaming Might Be What The Doctor Ordered

 This article has moved

 SEE ALSO: HOW STRESS CAN CAUSE INFERTILITY AND MISCARRIAGE (GETPREGNANTOVER40.COM)

 

Cycling and Men's Fertility

Men's Fertility:  Recreational Cycling Okay

We've all probably heard about how men are more likely to have fertility problems if they are bike riders.
My site: www.getpregnantover40.com
That's true, however, according to this article, a man who is a recreational cycler rather than a competitive cycler may not have the same risk.

Read more:

www.dailymail.co.uk

From the article:

The study looked at triathletes who compete in the demanding Ironman races, in which competitors swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles and then run a 26-mile marathon in straight succession.

It discovered that competitors covering more than 186 miles per week on their bicycles had just four per cent of normal-shaped sperm. To father a child, at least 30 per cent of sperm should have a normal shape.

The report speculated that poor sperm quality results from a number of factors: irritation and compression of the testes against the saddle, and the heat produced by wearing tight Lycra cycling shorts. Sperm production is highly sensitive to body temperature.

But, says Professor Richard Davison, an expert in sports physiology at Edinburgh Napier University, recreational cyclists do not need to worry.

'For many men, quality of sperm can be as much of an issue as quantity,' says Davison. 'The journey sperm take to the egg is long and traumatic, and it requires healthy sperm to go the distance. But most men who cycle would not have a fertility problem.'

Davison points out that other factors are likely to result in low sperm quality among men who undertake the punishing training regimes necessary for professional cycling.

'The volume of training they do can impact significantly on reproductive health. When the vast amounts of energy expended in training go towards building muscle, then other parts of the body suffer,' he says.

If You're TTC, Don't Just Pump Iron, Take Iron

Pregnancy Over 40, Trying To conceive Over 40 - The Importance of Iron

Here is an article that cites a study about iron deficiency and infertility.
http://www.getpregnantover40.com
If you prefer to get your iron from your diet, good sources of iron include red meat, fish, poultry, lentils, beans, leafy vegetables, tofu, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, potatoes with skin, whole grain bread. Read more:

Women's Health: Iron May Be the Answer for Some Infertile Women
By Deborah Kotz(health.usnews.com)

From the article:

The study examined data provided by more than 18,000 nurses participating in the Nurses' Health Study, zeroing in on 438 who reported having ovulation problems. Those who ate the most "free" iron (found in supplements, fortified foods, legumes, and grains) had the greatest protection against infertility. The researchers controlled for age, smoking, obesity, physical activity, and previous use of oral contraceptives, all of which can affect infertility.

Interestingly, the study found that the benefits didn't apply to women who got most of their iron from animal sources like red meat and pork. In fact, women who ate the largest amount of so-called "heme" iron–equivalent to four or five weekly servings of red meat–experienced no drop in infertility risk even if they also took in ample amounts of free iron. "These were very striking differences, suggesting that women should focus on getting their iron from supplements and fortified foods," says study leader Jorge Chavarro, a research fellow in the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.

The study examined iron as a factor in ovulation because the ovaries, unlike most other organs, produce key proteins involved in iron binding and transport to cells. "It could be that iron is important for the maturation of the egg," Chavarro explains, though he doesn't know why heme and free iron would have different effects on the ovary.

More than 20 percent of young women have depleted iron levels, according to recent population surveys. Women planning to become pregnant should consider taking a supplement about three months before conceiving to give their bodies a chance to build up iron stores, recommends Chavarro. A prenatal supplement containing iron, folic acid (to prevent neural tube defects), and other micronutrients may be the optimal choice, he says, adding that the supplement should contain at least 40 milligrams of iron to ensure maximum benefits.

Toxic Chemicals Women Wear Every Day Can Affect Hormones and Fertility

Chemicals In Cosmetics May Alter Hormones

One of the things I talk about in my book is how women should avoid some of the hormone altering substances in make-up, lotion, etc.
My site: www.getpregnantover40.com
This article  gives some examples of things to avoid and it also has a link to the cosmetic database. Read more:

The 515 Chemicals Women Wear

From the article:

When shopping, there are a few key ingredients to be avoid. However, due to lax regulation, you may find them in products marked “organic” and “all-natural,” so be on the lookout. Choose from the many nail polishes that have been reformulated to remove a common “toxic trio:” Dibutyl phthalate, a reproductive toxin; toluene, which affects the nervous system and may cause headaches; and formaldehyde, which can cause allergies and irritation. Stay away from sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate, which are spopular in cleaning products, such as body washes, as they can cause skin irritation.

Triclosan and triclocarban, which pop up in antibacterial hand soap, can damage both the thyroid and the environment. Instead, use plain soap. If you wash for 20 seconds, you’ll be just as germ-free.

Finally, stay away from parabens, common in shampoos, lotions and shaving gels. These preservatives have been so widely and publicly exposed as toxic contaminants that it is now relatively easy to find clearly-marked parabens-free products. Brown also counsels cutting out fragrance completely, since the term “fragrance” is poorly defined and could contain any number of mysterious and unhealthy synthetic compounds. 


Cosmetic Data Base Link

Words That Hurt The Infertile

Trying To Conceive Over 40, Infertility Hurts

When I read through this "infographic", it really rang a bell with me.
My site: www.getpregnantover40.com
 Infertile couples take a lot of emotional abuse from usually well-meaning people who just don't know the right thing to say. The way I had to deal with most of this was to have pre-planned responses I could fall back on so I wasn't taken off guard and embarrassed by fumbling around for the right thing to say. Maybe you can send this chart to your worst offenders! Read more:

Any Connection Between Fertility Treatments and Breast Cancer?

Are Fertility Drugs Related To Breast Cancer?

Many of us have heard concerns about fertility drugs and ovarian cancer (which most research has not been able to connect the two), but what about the connection between fertility drugs and breast cancer?
My site: www.getpregnantover40.com
 According to this article there are conflicting results, but it's probably worth looking into. Read more:

envirocancer.cornell.edu

From the article:

Results of existing studies

Overall, the majority of the studies of associations between infertility treatment and breast cancer risk did not detect an association between the two. The results of the largest and best designed studies supported this result. However, since the follow-up time for the majority of these studies was less than 10 years, these studies have really only evaluated the short-term effects of these treatments. This is all the more important as several studies found increased risk of breast cancer among women that were monitored for more than 20 years. Studies that examined the association of specific infertility drugs and treatments with breast cancer risk had conflicting and inconclusive results; some studies reported increased breast cancer risk, others decreased risk, and still others no risk association among women who had those specific treatments for infertility. Inconclusive results were also reported for the examination of the risks associated with treatment dosages and number of treatment cycles. 
_________________


See also, my other post on fertility drugs and thyroid cancer:

http://infertility-fertility.blogspot.com/2012/08/clomid-and-progesterone-may-double.html

FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE AND FERTILITY - GETTING PREGNANT

Pregnancy Over 40, Trying To Conceive Over 40, Watch Out For formaldehyde

When I think of formaldehyde, I think back to the dissection of those poor creatures in my anatomy and physiology class.
See also: www.getpregnantover40.com for more on environmental exposures and threats to fertility
 The smell was enough to make you sick. Well, it turns out you don't have to be in an A & P class to come in contact with fomaldehyde. We may be exposed to quite a bit of this harmful substance in our homes, offices, and other indoor areas. I've read a number of articles such as the one below about how formaldehyde can affect fertility:

Some items common in your home and office that may contain formaldehyde include:

Car polish and cleaners
Air fresheners
Disinfectants
Polishes
Doors
Cleaning fluid
Paint
Furniture
Insulation batts
Ironing sprays and fluids
Particle board
Plywood veneer
Softwood products
Hair products
Synthetic upholstery
Old carpets (no longer used in carpet manufacture)
Smaller rugs
Glues
Sealants
Paints
Foam
Cosmetics

...When in contact with the skin, it can cause irritation, burns and dermatitis, In large doses, formaldehyde can be lethal. The chemical is listed as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

In many animals and birds, formaldehyde has the same effects as in humans when ingested or inhaled. It can also create reproductive problems such as low fertility...
from:   (greenlivingtips.com)

Infertility In The Bible

Pregnancy Over 40 and Infertility in The Bible

I found an interesting site which has passages from the bible on infertility.
 http://www.getpregnantover40.com
 I'm certainly not a biblical scholar, and I know my readers come from different faiths and backgrounds, but for anyone interested, this site has excerpted biblical passages that directly or indirectly deal with infertility:

openbible.info

From the site:

1:1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children...

...19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.” [2]

See also   Biblical Keys That Can Help You Get Pregnant (www.getpregnantover40.com)

Sperm Helped By Carnitine

Pregnancy Over 40, Men's Fertility, Help Sperm with Carnitine

Carnitine is probably something most of us have never heard of.
My site: www.getpregnantover40.com
 If you're experiencing male factor infertility, it could be an important supplement because it may help sperm move better. Here is an article that explains more:


Sperm Swim Better With Carnitine (www.webmd.com)

From the article:

Carnitine supplements help sluggish sperm swim, say Italian researchers.

The finding could help men coping with fertility issues -- specifically, those men whose sperm don't move very well.

Revving Up Sperm Movement
For a sperm to fertilize an egg, the sperm must be mobile and swim to the woman's egg. But sperm that don't move very well aren't as likely to succeed. Their chances of reaching the egg to start a pregnancy are diminished.

Carnitine supplements might help spur those sperm into motion, say the researchers, who included the University of Padova's Andrea Garolla, PhD.

Carnitine is available over the counter. But, like all supplements, it's not regulated by the government, and patients should tell their doctors if they are taking it...

...Meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products are the richest sources of L-carnitine. Tempeh, wheat, and avocados contain some L-carnitine, while fruits, vegetables, and grains contain little. It is primarily made in the liver and kidneys and plays an important role in energy production by mitochondria. 

Fertility Affected By Exposure To Nitrous Oxide

Pregnancy Over 40:  If You Are Trying To Conceive, Stay Away From Nitrous Oxide

If you work in the dental profession or in any other area where you may be exposed to nitrous oxide, you may be interested in this article about how exposure to nitrous oxide negatively affected dental assistants' fertility:

Reduced fertility among women employed as dental assistants exposed to high levels of nitrous oxide

From the article:

Results.

After controlling for covariates, we found that women exposed to high levels of nitrous oxide were significantly less fertile than women who were unexposed or exposed to lower levels of nitrous oxide. The effect was evident only in the 19 women with five or more hours of exposure per week. These women were only 41 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 23 to 74 percent; P<0 .003=".003" as="as" conceive="conceive" cycle.="cycle." during="during" each="each" i="i" likely="likely" menstrual="menstrual" to="to" unexposed="unexposed" women="women">

2012 A Year In Review - What I'm Thankful For

SEE ALSO: VISION BOARDS FOR PREGNANCY VISUALIZATION (getpregnantover40.com)