So just what are the ingredients for the fertile soil in a woman’s body that supports healthy pregnancy and birth? This is an important question for a woman trying to conceive.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has some solid contribution on the topic…

First, a woman’s blood must be ample, nutritionally and hormonally healthy, and flowing unimpeded throughout the body and, in particular, the uterus.

Second, her Chi needs to be flowing smoothly in all her organs, muscles and channels (including the uterus).

Third, her mental and emotional energy system needs to be balanced in such a way that a woman trying to conceive, is enhancing her overall health versus burdening her overall health.

Whew, that’s a mouthful. And what does it all mean? Well, let’s look at each piece individually.

Ample, nutritionally and hormonally healthy as well as, flowing unimpeded throughout the body blood: In Chinese Medicine we refill our tank daily with energy or life force, via our food, drink and breath. We must sleep at night in order to repair, rebuild, regenerate and rejuvenate our entire system. This repair work requires a foundation of nourishment that we supply ourselves each day.

One of our energy systems in Chinese Medicine, The Earth System which includes the organs Spleen/Pancreas and Stomach, is responsible for receiving the food and drink we ingest, breaking it down into usable nourishment for the blood (called transformation in TCM), and then transporting nutrients, via the blood, to our entire body. Optimal function of our body can only be as good as the quality and quantity of the food we eat.

Quality refers to how healthy, vital and nutrient-rich the food we eat is. Quantity refers to the eating of food in proper portions. If we eat too little, we become deficient in nutrients. If we eat too much, our system becomes burdened in having to deal with the excess that cannot be transported or is unusable, for example excess sugar. If either deprivation of necessary nutrients, or over-burden becomes the norm, our system suffers greatly.

If deprived or over-burdened, at night, during rebuilding and regenerating, our system is mostly trying to keep up with robbing “Peter to pay Paul,” or figuring out what to do with the excess and repairing the breakdown in our system from the excess. This is quite a wasteful expenditure of our energy when we need our energy available each day and night for the important job of keeping our organs, tissues, hormones, and cells operating healthfully.

If misuse of our energy goes on over time, our soil may become infertile. We absolutely need healthy blood on a regular basis and we need this rich, nourished blood flowing throughout the uterus. When our blood becomes tired, lacks oxygen, or is nutritionally deficient, it can become sluggish, slow down and even stagnate. This means our smooth flow of blood is compromised, thus compromising fertility.

Enough Chi flowing smoothly in all organs, muscles and channels (including the uterus): Chi is a Chinese word for life force, or energy, or molecular energy. It is what we are made of in that, if we have no Chi, we have no life force. Simple stated, when we are born we have a full tank of Chi, and when the tank is empty, we die. While alive and during the reproductive years, it makes sense that in order to create a new life inside of you, you must have a reasonable life force yourself. If you don’t have enough Chi or life force in your own system, where do you think the Chi will come from to create a new life for 9 mos.? Nature, and infinite wisdom, just knows that if a woman’s Chi tank is too low, then reproduction falls below the line of possibility. It’s a no-brainer, in that, for a fetus to grow it needs a certain amount of Chi and blood.

Mental and emotional energy systems need to be balanced in such a way that a woman trying to conceive, is enhancing her overall health versus burdening her overall health: Thoughts and emotions are as much Chi as your elbow or liver is. They are just a more subtle form of Chi. Much like the wind, in that, we don’t “see” wind, but it exists because we see the effects of wind even though it is invisible. This more subtle form of Chi, like our thoughts and emotions, are just as important as the food we eat. Every time we think a thought or have an emotion, there is literally a chemical reaction in our body. To put it in simple terms, the by-product of these chemical reactions are either toxic and thus, burdensome to our system; or the by-product of these chemical reactions align with optimal functioning of our system.

When I teach a woman to observe herself in this more subtle form of Chi, it is often surprising to her that she is much more plagued with thoughts of fear, worry, or depression, in relation to her fertility, than she realized consciously. Some of it she was aware of, but the extent of it is more the eye-opener. The chemical by-product of these thoughts and emotions over a prolonged period of time, become burdensome to the system, contributing to a decreased flow of Chi and Blood. It requires practice to become aware, and then become intentional about our choice of thoughts.

“Ingredients,” or choices, are either enhancing or inhibiting our fertile soil. Either our fertility switch is ‘on’ or ‘off.’ No woman purposely turns her fertility switch off, but, unknowingly, she could be making choices, day after day, that are preventing optimal and fertile soil. Start where you’re at and begin making the best choices you can in order to fertilize your soil in such a way that pregnancy and healthy birth are a natural outcome.

About the author:
Laurie Morse, L.Ac., author of the e-book “7 Strategies to Fertility Success,”
provides skills to help women turn their fertility switch on. For information go
to: www.MyFertilitySuccess.com

“Symptoms of endometriosis are now cropping up in girls as young as twelve, in some cases even younger. Up to 47% of adolescent females with pelvic pain are suffering from endometriosis. It can be hard to spot in an adult woman but it is even more difficult in a pre-adolescent because the pediatrician may not know the signs or be on the look out for the disease.”
Click here to read the full article at www.cbs5.com

It is absolutely tragic that this article is recommending surgery for these poor young girls when there are other effective and natural solutions. Surgery may ease the frustrating and painful symptoms of endometriosis but it will not get to the root cause of the disease. Endometriosis can be very responsive to changes in diet. Some basic changes (which all involve eliminating estrogen mimics from your diet) you can try before resorting to surgery are:

• Eliminate red meat
• Eliminate soy and all soy products
• Switch to organic (or eliminate) poultry & dairy (this is critical as the hormones in traditionally raised animal products can exacerbate your endometriosis)
• Never use plastic food containers or plastic wraps(especially in the microwave)
• Get plenty of Omega-3 from flaxseeds, flaxseed oil or walnuts

These dietary changes are just a start but they might make enough of a difference to get all thoughts of surgery out of your head. Some experts recommend simply following an anti-Candida diet because it closely resembles and anti-endometriosis diet. Other women have reported great success with acupuncture and chiropractic visits.

Visit the following links to learn more about the endometriosis - diet connection at:
www.endo-resolved.com
www.womens-health.com

Learn to make a smoothie to boost your fertility.

While a multi-vitamin cannot hurt, it will not compensate for a poor diet. Some nutrients essential for fertility include: zinc, selenium, lycopene, folic acid, and water.

Foods that contain nutrients that are proven to enhance fertility and/or semen production include, but are not limited to:

• Spinach
• Spirulina (seaweed)
• Barley
• Lamb
• Asparagus
• Pumpkin seeds
• Flaxseed oil
• Oysters
• Poultry

Source: http://www.prweb.com/
A spokesperson for London Nutritionists Foods For Life has dismissed the recent health scares about fertility and IVF treatment as a moneymaking smokescreen by fertility ‘experts’.

(PRWEB)– Tony Bishop-Weston, an ‘optimum nutrition catering consultant’, says “there’s no doubt the UK health service have a poor record on assisted pregnancy but the real tragedy is that very many cases of infertility can be helped simply by better health and nutrition.”

Fertility - barometer for health
Even with IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) it’s very difficult to stay pregnant if your body hasn’t been nutritionally nurtured. The body is very good at deciding that all those nine months of effort just aren’t worth it. If you are not feeding yourself right, scoffing little but sugar and saturated fat and artificially stimulating yourself with caffeine instead of food then what chance has the baby got to grow into an optimally healthy adult?

Of course sometimes it’s more complicated than stupified, drugged, poisoned, malnourished sperm or poisoned eggs lacking essential amino acids and omega fats but even in these cases optimum nutrition is often even more important to avoid IVF being a waste of time and money.

“sometimes it’s more complicated than stupified, drugged, poisoned, malnourished sperm or poisoned eggs lacking essential amino acids and omega fats…”

The main problem is that showing people why they should avoid coffee and eat more broccoli and hempseeds is not nearly as profitable as complicated medical procedures and selling rigorously tested expensive patented drugs.

Expensive addictions
Some people would rather pay thousands of dollars on pills and surgery rather than ditch the morning espresso and give up the cigarettes and five bottles of chardonnay a week. They don’t want the extra personal responsibility. They already have enough stress in their lives which is often at the root of the problem and it’s easier to delegate to an ‘expert’.

Over 1% of births artificially ‘assisted’
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) published a guide that indicates that 8,800 babies (1.5% of all births) are now born every year by IVF, 3650 every year are born by intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and many more thorough other Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), underlining how successful the treatment has become since it was first pioneered in Britain in 1978.

Causes of infertility
In 1992, The British Medical Journal reviewed 61 separate studies and concluded there had been an average 42 per cent fall in sperm count from 113 million per millilitre in 1940 to 66 million. Sperm counts under 20 million per millilitre point to infertility and, under 5 million, sterility.

Some researchers are looking at the root cause of infertility rather than lucrative quick fix methods but funding is tight. CHAPS the Chemicals And Pregnancy Study is looking into whether workplace chemicals and toxins are to blame for problems with fertility.

Copper maybe an issue. Although copper is an essential element, an excessive amount is toxic. The symptoms of copper poisoning, which are frequently associated with suicidal intent, are clearly documented including: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension, jaundice, haematuria, anuria, coma and death. One of the most prominent sources of copper comes from our drinking water supplies running through copper piping. Particularly in areas where the water is soft and acidic, as this literally corrodes layers of copper off the pipes. Cigarette smoking is also a prominent source of excessive copper accumulation Similarly oral contraceptives are notorious in raising the body’s copper burden. (Foresight)

Nutrition Solutions
London Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston works with Foresight the charity for preconceptual care, fertility and pregnancy. Foresight help hundreds of couples every year to have healthy babies.

Yvonne reveals some interesting statistics “Foresight has shown that Nutritional Therapy can double the success rate of babies born to couples with infertility issues. Foresight therapies achieve 72% success rate of healthy babies born while the success rate for assisted conception is only 30-47%.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/jensaar/255849776/

Couples facing infertility typically have a million questions.Although the vast majority of them – from which drugs and therapies work best to what kind of undergarments the “dad-to-be” should be wearing – are asked and answered with compassion and professionalism, here are also questions that often don’t get answered. Either no one can work up the courage to ask them, or because they just don’t seem relevant to conception.

“Despite the fact that infertility treatment is so closely linked to sexuality, this aspect of a couple’s life is often very uncomfortable for them to discuss,” explains Dr. Mark Leondires, M.D., Medical Director at Reproductive Medicine Associates of CT, and a leading authority on reproductive medicine. “We find that it’s the more personal questions involving a couple’s unique sexual practices or other habits that are more likely to go unasked…and unanswered,” Dr. Leondires adds. The most embarrassing questions can be the most important ones.

According to Dr. Leondires, some of these uncomfortable questions need to be asked, because the answers can hold the key to helping couples achieve a healthy pregnancy more quickly. “Sometimes it’s the activity in question itself that should be modified or stopped in order to better the couple’schances for pregnancy,” Dr. Leondires notes. His list of straight answers
to infertility’s most uncomfortable questions includes:

1.QUESTION: Does having an orgasm help you to get pregnant?
ANSWER: “Not necessarily. During normal intercourse, the ejaculate fluid in which the sperm travel through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes is usually effective at doing its job. However, the uterine contractions that occur during orgasm may help or hinder the process, depending upon the direction of those contractions while the sperm is en route.”

2.QUESTION: Should we have to have sex every day while I’m trying to get pregnant?
ANSWER: “No. It can take up to 48-72 hours for a man’s sperm count to replenish after an ejaculation, having intercourse every day can actually decrease your chance of pregnancy. It is only important to have intercourse around your ovulatory phase for you to achieve pregnancy. For most women this occurs during the middle of the menstrual cycle, but you can confirm this using an over-the-counter ovulation predictor kit, or by charting your basal body temperature (BBT).”

3. QUESTION: I get my period regularly, so I must be ovulating and fertile…right?
ANSWER: “if you are in the 90+% of women who have regular, ovulatory cycles. However, having a regular period that is anovulatory – meaning no ovulation occurs – is not completely uncommon. Again, to confirm ovulation you can use an OTC ovulation prediction kit or by tracking your BBT.”

4.QUESTION: Should I try to stop the sperm from leaking out after sex? If so, for how long?
ANSWER: “It may provide some benefit. What you are feeling is actually the ejaculate fluid. This fluid contains protective agents that support the sperm’s survival as it travels through the vagina. The ejaculate will break down and release the sperm in about 30 minutes after ejaculation. For this reason, it may be a good idea to remain reclined on your back with a pillow under your hips if it’s comfortable, for 30-45 minutes following intercourse.”

5.QUESTION: I think my husband masturbates sometimes. Should he stop while we’re trying to conceive?
ANSWER: “He should certainly try to modify the practice. While it is very normal for men to masturbate, a man’s sperm count will decrease with each ejaculation. In general, an optimal sperm count usually is achieved after about three days of abstinence. So, masturbation is not recommended for the three days prior to the beginning of your ovulatory phase. Also, if you are having fertility concerns, your partner should have a semen analysis.”

6.QUESTION: Is it okay to diet while trying to get pregnant? Is it safe to cut out Carbs?
ANSWER: “Some women have difficulty discussing dietary habits with their infertility doctors, sometimes because they fear that their weight is a contributing factor to their difficulty conceiving. Women of all shapes and sizes can achieve pregnancy. Of course, if your ‘biological clock’ permits, it is a better bet to attain a healthy weight prior to pregnancy. But in general, it’s
safe to try to lose weight at the same time you are trying to achieve pregnancy. However, it is unsafe to diet while trying to conceive or while pregnant if you are already underweight and have abnormal menstrual cycles. Remember, it is recommended that most women attempting pregnancy eat a healthy diet, which includes consuming at least 20% carbohydrates. Pregnant women should also consume adequate amounts of folic acid, calcium and iron. While you can increase your dietary intake of these crucial vitamins and minerals, the easiest way to ensure you’re getting enough of them is to take a daily prenatal supplement.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF ASKING
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), about 10% of Americans of childbearing age experience infertility – defined as the inability to achieve and maintain a full-term pregnancy after one year of trying. The diagnosis is often devastating and stressful for both partners, Dr. Leondires notes. “The process of coping with – and receiving treatment for
– infertility is a sensitive and intimate one.” He adds, “However, because patients and practitioners are on the same team, and share the same goal of achieving a healthy, full-term pregnancy, it’s critical that patients find a doctor with whom they can frankly discuss issues and ask questions.

“A knowledgeable, well-trained, expert physician is most important, but so is a compassionate, caring advocate. The best infertility specialists are both,” Dr. Leondires adds.“We find that it’s the more personal questions involving a couple’s unique sexual practices or other habits that are more likely to go unasked…and unanswered,”

Bio:
Dr. Mark P. Leondires, M.D., FACOG, is a leading authority on reproductive medicine. Dr. Leondires is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a member of the Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Leondires earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. Dr. Leondires completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

After completion of his training, he fulfilled his military obligation by serving as the ART Director for the largest and most successful program in the military health care system at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During this time he was an Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and clinical faculty for the Combined Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology. Dr. Leondires is currently Medical Director and lead physician with Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMA-CT) in Norwalk.

Along with numerous teaching and research activities, Dr. Leondires has published articles in professional medical journals, national consumer magazines and newspapers, as well as abstracts and book chapters. More information about Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut is available at www.rmact.com.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/1974caca/2523855408/

Approximately 50% of pregnancies are unplanned which means the other 50% have the wonderful opportunity to create an ideal environment in which to conceive and carry a child. If you are reading this because you are hoping to become pregnant then you have a chance to give your child a head start almost unheard of in todays modern society.

You may be wondering “what is an organic conception?”. It simply means that a couple conceives a child with a minimum of outside chemicals and interventions. This is much easier said than done because it is virtually impossible to avoid all the toxins surrounding us today.

So your next question might be “why bother?” or “Is it really necessary?”. It is absolutely, unequivocally necessary. Toxins, stress, and diet interfere with the delicate male and female reproductive systems. The same influences can determine whether a woman can maintain the pregnancy as some toxins bring a higher rate of miscarriage. The same influences can cause a myriad of problems to a developing fetus, some minor and some will cause severe birth defects or stillbirth.

The ability to get pregnant, to carry that child, to maximize fetal development, and the ability to breastfeed all go hand in hand. Toxins, lifestyle choices, our diet, stress, and our environment greatly affect our health, our fertility, and the health of our offspring. This is not just crunchy granola talk. This is reality. It is about your health and the health of your baby (and your ability to have one). We are programmed to protect our young and this is the mandatory first step.

Many studies show a drop of over 40% in sperm counts since 1940. This could be one reason why an estimated 1 in 6 couples have difficulty conceiving. Many attribute the lowered fertility to the rampant use of chemical compounds all around us as well as our overloaded stressful lifestyles out of touch with the natural rhythms of nature.

Some studies have shown a staggering 80% success rate in couples with “unexplained infertility” when they incorporate lifestyle & nutrition changes. With potential like that it is amazing that everyone doesn’t try this prior to expensive, invasive and stressful IVF.

The unfortunate truth is that no-one, especially not the government or the FDA, is looking out for your best interest. Nor are they looking out for the best interest of your fetus. As a responsible adult you cannot assume that someone else is guaranteeing the safety of what you eat, breathe, drink, and apply.

It is up to each individual to research and take the necessary steps to “clean up” their environment because no one is going to do it for you and if this idea is new to you, then trust me, your environment needs cleaning.

It is not easy and it can seem overwhelming when you see the list of toxic substances in your life. You might have a very hard time giving up cosmetics, household cleaners, or something else you are very attached to. Giving up all of your favorite products can be a tough pill to swallow and you may face a period of disbelief and denial which ideally will lead you to further research until the truth sinks in and enables you to let go of the toxins in your life.

Surprisingly many people cannot let go of their attachments. It baffles me that in the face of numerous studies and evidence, people will still cling to outdated and ridiculous ideas just because that is what they have always been told. To some the earth will always be flat. Bear in mind that giving up so much of what you are accustomed to is impossible to do overnight. How long will it take? That depends on you, your motivation and determination, your support from family and friends, and your financial means.

It may take you six months to clean up your environment to your ideal but keep in mind that any changes you make for the benefit of your developing child are better than none at all. Generally speaking it takes three months to for diet and cleansing changes to appear for pregnancy, although you may experience many other health benefits immediately. Ideally you will wait another three months to get pregnant because the egg that drops in any given month was selected three months prior to the ovulation.

In other words if you are trying to get pregnant, do not lose hope during this process. Its not easy and certainly does not happen overnight but it is so very worth it in the long run.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/aussiegold/477856843/

Learn more at: Pr-Inside.com http://www.pr-inside.com/ano and IrishHealth.com

Source: PRWeb.com

Endometriosis, a condition caused by a back flow of menstrual tissue into the reproductive organs, afflicts over 5 million women in the U.S. Additionally, it is a factor is 25%-50% of all cases of unexplained female infertility. Recent research offers new insights into why some women develop endometriosis and how to treat it more effectively to restore fertility.

NORWALK, CT (PRWEB) According to the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 5.5 million women in the U.S. have been diagnosed with endometriosis – a condition that is a factor in 25%-50% of all cases of unexplained female infertility. What’s more, because its main symptom is pain during menstruation – a common and normal occurrence – and because definitive diagnosis requires invasive laparoscopic surgery, many women go undiagnosed for years, even decades. While the disorder has remained much of a mystery to the medical community, recent research is shedding new light on why women develop endometriosis and how doctors can more effectively treat it to restore fertility.

“Endometriosis is an enigma on several fronts,” notes Dr. Mark Leondires, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist and medical director at RMA of CT. He explains that the basic cause of endometriosis is the back flow, or reflux, of menstrual tissue into the reproductive organs, namely the fallopian tubes and the ovaries. “This occurs at one time or another in about 95% of women,” Dr. Leondires says, “But only about 5% of women develop endometriosis.
That’s the first mystery; why does this occur in some women, but not in others?”

“Another puzzling aspect of the condition, Dr. Leondires adds, is that endometriosis does not pose an obstacle to fertility for some women, yet for others, getting pregnant is a significant challenge.”

Finding the Answers
“Scientists have been working to answer these questions, and as they have begun establishing a better understanding of the disease, we are able to develop more effective treatment protocols for endometriosis- related infertility,” Dr. Leondires explains.

For example, because endometrial tissue grows in response to the rise in estrogen during a woman’s cycle, researchers have been working to uncover ways to better regulate estrogen levels in women with endometriosis. A new Japanese study, published in the April, 2005 issue of Fertility & Sterility, found that an immune-enhancing compound called Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was effective at regulating those levels.

Other recent studies have pointed to genetics as a differentiator between women who develop endometriosis and those who don’t, as well as between endometriosis sufferers who have difficulty achieving a pregnancy versus those who are fertile. In one study reported in the July, 2003 issue of Endocrinology, Stanford University researchers studied the uterine tissue of fifteen women with endometriosis-related infertility, and found that certain genes which controlled implantation, immune response to the embryo and other pregnancy-related factors were malfunctioning. In addition, the scientists found that a certain enzyme needed to ensure healthy implantation was missing in the women with endometriosis. “These are important
discoveries that have led to new treatment approaches for endometriosis sufferers who want to become pregnant,” Dr. Leondires explains.

And research reported in the April 2005 edition of Human Reproduction confirms that oxidative stress can lead to or exacerbate endometriosis. The medical community has suspected such a link for years, theorizing that a healthy lifestyle and diet rich in antioxidants – which can counteract oxidative damage to the body’s cells – could protect some women against endometriosis-related fertility.

A comprehensive treatment approach With these new discoveries in mind, Dr. Leondires notes that a comprehensive approach to endometriosis-related infertility is often most successful which stands to reason since there is not one single identified cause of infertility, there will not be one single identified cure or therapy. Women who experience this painful condition may have to experiment with many treatment options before landing on the combination that is right for them.

He recommends the following four-step plan:

Surgical Intervention
“Once we determine that endometriosis is a contributing factor to infertility, the first step is often surgery to remove the endometrial tissue that might be blocking the ovaries or fallopian tubes, and any endometrial masses in the uterus” Dr. Leondires explains. Many women do not like to rush to surgery and for them, this option should be a last resort, particularly when so many women respond well to dietary changes.

Lifestyle Changes
As with anyone struggling with infertility, patients are also encouraged to adopt healthy
lifestyles and switch to an antioxidant-rich diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. “Good nutrition and fitness supports the entire process of infertility treatment,” Dr.Leondires notes.

It is especially important to only choose organic versions of an animal products you eat to avoid an unnecessary hormones. Eggs and chicken for example are loaded with hormones unless you choose organic.

It is also exceptionally important for any woman suffering from endometriosis to avoid plastics, soy and other estrogen mimics. Do not ever eat or drink anything that was microwaved in plastic or with plastic wrap either.

Drug Therapies
Medications can be prescribed that have been shown to ready the lining of the uterus to make it more receptive to implantation, including the breast cancer drug Letrozole, along with Lupron and Danazol. These have been shown to increase implantation rates when used in conjunction with the next step, assisted reproductive technologies.

ART Approaches
“Once these initial steps have been taken to address the effects of endometriosis on the reproductive system, we tend to see more successful results with assisted reproductive technologies like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or Intrauterine Insemination,” Dr.Leondires says.

Bio:
Dr. Mark P. Leondires, M.D., FACOG, is a leading authority on reproductive medicine. Dr. Leondires is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a member of the Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Leondires earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. Dr. Leondires completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

After completion of his training, he fulfilled his military obligation by serving as the ART Director for the largest and most successful program in the military health care system at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During this time he was an Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and clinical faculty for the Combined Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology. Dr. Leondires is currently Medical Director and lead physician with Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMA-CT) in Norwalk. Along with numerous teaching and research activities, Dr. Leondires has published articles in professional medical journals, national consumer magazines and newspapers, as well as abstracts and book chapters. More information about Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut is available at www.rmact.com.

Sheryl’s comments
If you have been diagnosed with this frustrating and often debilitating condition, please research your options prior to resorting to drugs or surgery. It may seem like a fast solution but like many modern medical procedures, it only places a band-aid on the problem rather than eliminating the cause. Nutrition can play an enormous role in endometriosis. Many studies have found an overwhelming correlation between animal products like meat and dairy and endometriosis, perhaps from the estrogen mimics they contain that do not allow your own estrogen to do its job. In any case, a healthy organic diet can improve anyone’s health but if it can reduce or eradicate endometriosis, then isn’t it worth a try?

“While green tea offers a number of documented health benefits, it also may support your chances of conceiving! …Green tea contains antioxidants - and these antioxidant properties may support fertility health by mitigating and repairing the “oxidative damage” that occurs as a result of toxins in our food, water, and environment, aging, and bodily stress. A recent study found that drinking 1/2 cup or more of green tea daily doubled the odds of conceiving per discrete menstrual cycle!” Tea for Fertility -Early-pregnancy-tests.com

While green tea has been studied for its numerous health benefits, there’s at least one area of interest that needs more attention.

Can drinking green tea really enhance fertility?
Now that’s the one-hundred-thousand dollar question! There’s a lot of conflicting opinions and research results pertaining to that subject. We’ll try to be fair and present both sides of the issue.

Any tea made from the Camellia sinensis bush contains caffeine. On the bright side of the teapot, green tea has only one-sixth to one-tenth of the amount of caffeine that a similar amount of regular coffee contains.

For those of us who are trying to watch our caffeine intake, that’s a good deal. If you need a caffeine fix though, green tea isn’t going to give you what you’re looking for. Better start looking for the nearest Starbucks.

How can drinking green tea increase fertility?
A study done by the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in Oakland, California revealed that the chances of conceiving doubled for woman who daily drank more than one- half cup of green tea containing caffeine (American Journal of Public Health, 1998). Because this wasn’t the case for the other tested caffeinated beverages, caffeine wasn’t deemed the causing agent. Some credit was given to the possibility that the polyphenols and hypoxanthine, compounds found in tea, resulted in a greater number of viable embryos, and increased maturation and fertilizability of oocytes.

Another conclusion of this study was that the healthy lifestyle of many green tea drinkers, such as regular exercise and decreased smoking and fat intake, might also play a role in the enhanced fertility levels of the test subjects.

“There are three main varieties of tea — green, black, and oolong. Green, black, and oolong tea are all derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference between the teas is in their processing. Green tea is prepared from unfermented leaves, the leaves of oolong tea are partially fermented, and black tea is fully fermented. The more the leaves are fermented, the lower the polyphenol content and the higher the caffeine content. Green tea is made from unfermented leaves and is reputed to contain the highest concentration of polyphenols, chemicals that act as powerful antioxidants.” Green Tea & Fertility Babyhopes.com

How can drinking green tea decrease fertility?
Tannic acids, an element found in green tea, have been shown to cause fertility problems and greater chances at miscarrying.

While not an “initial” fertility situation, rumor has it that EGCG, the main disease-fighting antioxidant known as catechins in green tea that have been found to impede the growth of tumors, might also effect the blood vessel growth of a developing embryo. Another post-fertility issue related to an excessive intake of green tea involves the increased rate of birth defects.

Past studies have concluded that coffee consumption increases the risk of miscarriages and that caffeine intake enhances the negative effects of alcohol intake on fertility. While not directly related to green tea, caffeine is the potential cause of such problems.

Should I or shouldn’t I drink green tea for fertility issues?
The best advice that we can give you is something you’ve heard before. Check with your doctor first. Do your homework. Then and only then can you make a truly educated and well-informed decision about a very delicate issue. Whatever you decide, we wish you the best of luck in your quest for that new addition to your family. Cheers…

“When you are trying to have a baby, starting out with a healthy body is important. Developing the habits of good nutrition, a very limited intake of alcohol and caffeine, avoiding cigarette smoke and maintaining an active lifestyle are recommended steps to take to prepare your body for pregnancy. Drinking green tea with your meals is one non-invasive way to help improve your fertility.” How to Take Green Tea to Improve Fertility EHow.com

Purchase the Primula Flowering Tea Set with 40-Ounce Pot with Glass Lid
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Vaughn Balchunas is a writer and publisher of health, and self-growth articles. For more information about tea and health go to: http://www.tea-guide.com/