• Does acupuncture help boost fertility? Jennifer Aniston thinks so (and we do too). According to Kiddicare.com:
  
  “Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston has reportedly turned to acupuncture in a bid to improve her chances of conceiving, according to new celebrity rumours.

  Acupuncture is said to stimulate the energy pathways of the body using very fine needles and is thought to help boost fertility levels in patients hoping to get pregnant.”

• Have a big brother? He could be unknowingly influencing your reproductive patterns. According to an article at thefrisky.com,
  
  “Sheffield University researchers, who poured over birth, marriage, and death records, discovered that anyone, male or female, with an older male sibling is 5% less likely to have children than people with female older siblings. They also have children later in life and space their babies out.”







• Considering assisted reproductive technology such as IVF or donor eggs? A new study has found that the use of ART (assisted reproductive technology) increases the risk of certain birth defects such as heart defects, cleft lip and/or palate and gastrointestinal defects. According to CNN.com,

  ” As part of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, which gathers information on birth defects from 10 states, Reefhuis and her colleagues compared 281 births using ART with more than 14,000 naturally conceived births. The researchers looked at approximately 18 categories of birth defects, but only those four were found to be “statistically significantly associated with ART.”

  The study findings pertain only to single births; the researchers did not find a link between ART and birth defects among multiple births. ART increases the chances of having a multiple birth, and infants born as part of a multiple birth are more likely to have birth defects regardless of the method of conception.”

  Sounds like one more reason to boost your fertility naturally before resorting to medical technologies.

• On the subject of natural fertility, copulation for many couples used to be fun until infertility set in. Then timing, ovulation, BBT and other tracking becomes the norm and lovemaking becomes a means to and end rather than something to do for pleasures sake. For some tips on how to bring the love back to your lovemaking and still try to conceive at the same time, check out this article at chealth.com. From the article:
  
  “Another common cycle that reproduction-focused couples fall into is going straight for the finale without spending time on foreplay. Remember when your relationship first began, before baby-making was on your mind, and you would spend so much time just exploring each other’s bodies? Well, go back to that.

  Include foreplay in your sexual regime in order to avoid letting sex become simply a means to an end. Enjoy the process and enjoy being close to one another by remembering that you used to have sex for pleasure.

  In order to keep your sex life thriving, it is important to focus on pleasure. Just because the mission is to get the sperm to the egg doesn’t mean the experience can’t be orgasmic and pleasurable for both members of the partnership.”

Read more at:
Jennifer Aniston turns to acupuncture to boost fertility, Kiddicare.com
Researchers Watch Big Brothers, thefrisky.com
Fertility Treatments Linked to Certain Birth Defects, CNN.com
Fertility and Your Sex Life, Chealth.canoe.ca

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

Exposure to Viagra…. caused a premature acrosome reaction. Acrosomes are structures that cover the head of the sperm and contain a variety of enzymes that help the sperm penetrate the outer membrane of the egg.”

Click here to read the full story at www.timesofindia.com

This article may be of no interest to a man of advancing years who trying to keep up with his midlife crisis girlfriend that he has no intention of bearing children with. If you are a young, healthy man however, who is using Viagra to spice things up a bit consider this a warning. Sperm are very delicate and any chemical you take intentionally or via your environment has the potential to damage your fertility. Some are more damaging than others and we simply do not know the potential damage caused by others.

The diagnosis of unexplained infertility is such a frustrating diagnosis because even the specialists cannot figure out why a couple cannot conceive. One of the easiest steps to take prior to invasive medical assistance is trying to get the chemicals out of your bodies.

• Stop taking any prescriptions (if you are able) and recreational drugs,
• Eat and drink as organically as possible and thoroughly soak the non-organic produce.
• Only use organic or food grade toiletries, cosmetics, skin and hair care products
• Get a great water and air filter

The intended effect of Viagra may seem like a great fertility booster but clearly hours of sex and optimal fertility are not the same thing. If you are trying to conceive then err on the side of caution and lay off the Viagra.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) — Why has infertility increased over the last decade, despite a proliferation of fertility clinics and alternative options? Is it simply that couples wait longer to start families, or is there more to it than that?

There are many fertility routes available today for couples trying to conceive a baby. More couples than ever utilize an array of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), both with and without complementary or alternative support. Other couples are trying to overcome medical limitations of various kinds that appear to be interfering with successful pregnancy. Despite this, a surprising number of couples are suffering because of having been told they have an unexplained fertility problem. What’s more, trying to conceive can be an expensive venture. It is therefore vital to optimize the chances of success, especially because conception assistance programs may not have anywhere near as high a success rate as hoped.

Everyone trying to conceive falls on a spectrum of life energy and intention energy that is somewhere between fertility and infertility. Knowing where one is on that spectrum is crucial. Even though highly experienced fertility doctors and practitioners are aware of this, most rarely assess or sufficiently treat this key fertility factor.

According to Laurie Morse and David Gruder, the developers of the My Fertility Success program, “Teaching women and couples where their energy falls on the fertility-to-infertility spectrum could be an important missing link in their fertility journey.” The step-by- step approach of the My Fertility Success program provides those trying to conceive with a powerful understanding of the difference between “infertility energy” and “fertility energy.” Specific exercises are then utilized to move toward fertility on the spectrum. Says Morse, “This approach appears to dramatically optimize the chances of successful conception and birth, no matter what technologies and/or alternative methods a woman or couple utilizes.”

Laurie Morse, L.Ac. is the director of Holistic Health Services in San Diego, CA. She has a Master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego. A licensed, board certified Acupuncturist, she possesses a rich knowledge of Chinese & Energy Medicine. She has specialized in fertility issues for over a decade.

David Gruder, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and the Executive Director of Willingness Works in Del Mar, CA. He was the Founding President of the International Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology and the principle author of the two-award winning book, Sensible Self Help.

Morse and Gruder are passionate about showing women and couples how to take personal responsibility for their fertility energy in ways that promote successful conception and birth.

For Information:
www.MyFertilitySuccess.com

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/zmte/2669481119/

Dr Judy Ford has released a new E-Book “Making Love and Babies”. Her work with couples has shown that more than 50% of infertile couples have infrequent sex. Her book explores the reasons and helps couples to address the various issues.

Adelaide, South Australia (PRWEB) — An e-book “Making Love and Babies” written by infertility expert, geneticist Dr. Judy Ford, is available on theweb-site http://www.drjudyford.com/Making_Love.shtml.

Many people would think it obvious that couples need to make love in order to conceive naturally. Obvious perhaps, but Dr Ford’s work with hundreds of couples shows that more than 50% of infertile couples are intimate less than once a week. About 30% have sex only once a month in order to try to conceive. So she asked why is this so and what can be done about it?

In this helpful book, Dr Ford explores the reasons for the low level of intimacy. There are many reasons found including age, the length of the relationship before deciding to have children, stress, business pressures, several different types of emotional problems and poor sexual technique. There are also effects of reduced fertility itself and Dr Ford lists a number of simple lifestyle changes that can vastly increase fertility.

The book encourages couples to throw away the thermometer and ovulation monitors and learn how to make time for and enjoy great sexual encounters. It gets down to the nitty gritty as it explains the role of orgasm in fertility and shows how some common sexual practices could be inhibiting conceptual success.

This is a book about loving relationships. It has many words of wisdom that would benefit most couples, even those who have had their families or who don’t wish to conceive. It has lots of practical and helpful advice for many couples who have been having problems.

Counselling and Consulting services are also offered at http://www.drjudyford.com

When it comes to a discussion of human fertility, the saying “life is not fair” seems to have extraordinary significance. Couples who don’t want to get pregnant seem to be the ones that do and the ones that do–don’t. Nobody knows this better than the couples that desperately want children but fail to conceive, month-after-month. As the biological clock keeps on ticking, is there anything more that these couples can do? Absolutely!

Having interviewed hundreds of couples who have meticulously documented the woman’s fertile days and the days on which intercourse occurred, it has become crystal clear that: (a) most couples think that they are doing a good job of having intercourse on all the right days, while (b) the vast majority are completely missing the boat!

What is so difficult about Fertility Focused Intercourse?
Let’s start with the basics of female fertility cycles. First, women of normal fertility are not fertile very often. From a biologic perspective, the most fertile woman on the planet can only conceive between 5 and 6 days per menstrual cycle. A woman with reduced fertility might have significantly fewer days that are truly fertile, perhaps 2 or 3. According to simple mathematics, if there are only 3 days per month to conceive, that is only 36 days at the end of the year. Second, not all fertile days are created equal. Intercourse that occurs on “the day” of ovulation can be assumed to be the most fertile day of the menstrual cycle, but even then the probability of achieving a pregnancy is never 100%!

When does ovulation occur?
Frequently, ovulation occurs approximately 14 after the first day of the menstrual period. In a classic study by Vollman[1] of 14,848 menstrual cycles, ovulation as detected by a shift in basal body temperature occurred on exactly day 14 in only 1,591 cycles (10.7%). Thus the exception here is far more common then the rule. The 28-day normal menstrual cycle is simply a myth. The first step in fertility focused intercourse, therefore, is to do away with any notion of a calendar and to adopt a method of detecting when ovulation actually occurs.

There are many ways to “detect” the day of ovulation such as monitoring LH and estrogen in the urine or checking for cervical mucus and changes in the basal body temperature (just to ovulation actually occurs. No matter what method you are using, the margin of error is at least plus or minus 2 to 3 days (sometimes more). This means that if you rely on your favorite indicator of the day of ovulation to tell you when to have intercourse you may be missing the most important day to conceive on a regular basis.

What is the best way to time intercourse?
So what is the best advice? Unfortunately, healthcare providers frequently offer some of the worst information. For example, “we were told to have intercourse ‘every other day’ in order to ’save sperm.’” “Have intercourse every month starting on day 6 for 12 consecutive days.” Or even worse, “because you do not know when t he most fertile day is you would have to have intercourse every day to maximize your chances.” - nonsense!

From this brief discussion, the best advice is: (a) choose a method of fertility monitoring that will give you a few days notice that ovulation is going to occur. This means monitoring estrogen levels directly or the effect of estrogen on saliva or cervical mucus. (b) When fertility begins, intercourse should occur daily until at least 2 days after ovulation is detected. Once released, the egg can only be fertilized during a narrow window of approximately 24-hours. You want to make sure that intercourse occurs on “the day” of ovulation in order to maximize your chances.

Intercourse Patterns
By now you have figured correctly that fertility focused intercourse is truly a “labor of love.” It is not easy! It might mean having intercourse as many as nine days in a row. Even among couples with the strongest convictions for attempting to achieve pregnancy a few fertile days always seem to be missed.

Here are some helpful suggestions:
1. Plan in advance. If you were going to go on a fancy date with your spouse you would give a few days notice. If you know the fertile days are coming, then you likewise will have time to prepare for them.

2. Get your priorities straight. If the doctor scheduled a procedure to test some aspect of your fertility you might take a day off work. Furthermore, you would probably follow through even if you had a headache! Should you not subject yourself to similar inconveniences when your most fertile days arrive!?

3. Get professional help. Believe it or not, there are professionals who can help you make sense of all this and give you real good advice. The American Academy of Fertility Care Professionals is an excellent place to start.

If you and your spouse have been having difficulty achieving a pregnancy, then just remember –knowledge is power. In this case, the right knowledge may even give you the power to procreate! You may as well consider the question of when to have sex to be the single most important issue. Why? Because there is no diagnostic medical procedure, test, or surgery that is going to make you pregnant. If you just had surgery to correct a fertility problem, for example, and you are not following these instructions you could very well be making out badly on your investment. Fertility focused intercourse may not be easy, but it is not mission impossible–it is mission responsible–and the responsibility falls upon both you and your spouse.

Have fun!

1. Vollman, R.F., The Menstrual Cycle. 1977, Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.

Article:
Copyright 2006 Majella.us

Author: David Picella
About the author: David Picella helps couples who are trying to conceive naturally without the use of expensive artificial reproductive techniques. You can read more articles by him and by other experts in Natural Procreative Techniques (NPT) and NaProTechnology or NaProSurgery at: http://www.majella.us

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/71502646@N00/1309409634/

Author: Sheryl Lyon

Everyone is aware of cycles of the sun and moon. They give structure to our days, months, and seasons. But did you know that the sun and moon can influence your fertility?

When you are in sync with the earth’s natural rhythms and cycles you can boost your fertility. If you work against nature’s rhythms as many of us do, then you may be harming your delicate fertility balance.Your biological clock is intimately linked to your reproductive system by utilizing the same hormones that trigger ovulation and sperm maturation. Therefore both women and men are affected by respecting or ignoring their natural rhythms.

Importance of Bright Light
Getting adequate sunlight or other full spectrum light during the day is key to optimum fertility for many reasons. Vitamin D is created in our bodies when we are exposed to sunlight and Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to infertility.

Adequate sunlight also helps regulate circadian rhythms which allow you to sleep better at night. Regular exposure to the sun also helps you maintain a strong immune system which is necessary to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Women who get more sunlight also have consistent and stronger menstrual cycles.

Finally, bright light prevents your body from overproducing melatonin which suppresses fertility. This might explain why it is easier for women to conceive in southern regions and during the summer months.

Importance of Darkness and Full-moon Light
Many researchers believe that prior to the introduction of electricity into our homes, all women menstruated during the new moon and ovulated during the full moon. This has been proven by studying cultures today that do not use electricity. Women in these cultures sleep in close to total darkness except for the days surrounding the full moon.

The small amount of light from the full moon is enough to halt melatonin production long enough for ovulation to occur. Most women can synchronize with the cycles of the moon in about three to four months by altering the light level while they sleep. Coordinating menstruation not only strengthens your cycle in many ways but it also makes it much easier to pinpoint the optimal timing for intercourse.

Darkness also plays an important role in optimal fertility by triggering melatonin, on most dark nights, which leads to a good nights sleep. Just make sure to prevent overproduction with bright light in the morning.

Deep sleep helps restore and rejuvenate the reproductive system. Lack of sleep can increase cortisol levels, lead to an increased use of caffeine and other fertility reducing substances, disrupt your hormone balance, cause depression which in itself can affect fertility, or it can lead to relationship problems with your partner. In extreme cases sleep deprivation can stop ovulation altogether.

How to synchronize with nature

• Get at least one hour of bright sunlight a day
• Try to get bright light soon after waking
• Use full spectrum indoor bulbs during the winter months
• Use a light simulation device 15-30 min morning and night (particularly in winter)
• Aim for total darkness at night. Use room darkening shades. Avoid all lights
• On the three days of the full moon, try to bathe yourself in soft light while you sleep. A light from a closet, a 75-100 watt nightlight or even opening your blinds to the street light should do the trick.
• Try to go to sleep with sun and get up with the sun. You might be surprised if you do not use lights or TV, how sleepy you get.
• Make love during the full moon
• Keep sleep and wake times consistent and avoid shift work. If you are tracking ovulation signs, then you should taking your basal body temperature at the same time every morning anyway.

Efforts to conceive can be challenging and heartbreaking. The fertility enhancing methods mentioned here are easy, free, and painless. They will boost your overall health as well as your fertility so if you are trying to conceive it can only help and not hurt to synchronize your cycles with the earth.

Some studies have shown a horrifying generational effect of toxins. In these studies, pregnant rats were exposed to certain toxins. Not only were the rats offspring affected but the offspring for three additional generations were affected as well. That means what your grandmother was exposed to while pregnant can impact your grandchildren.

How exactly do these toxins affect your fertility? Only about 5% of the almost 80,0000 chemicals used in the US today have been tested for their reproductive effects. Nobody knows the full extent of the damage these chemicals are causing to our reproductive systems. The following are just a couple of examples of some of the toxins we know of and their effect on your fertility.

TOXIC FOOD

• Vinclozolinis a fungicide used in the fruit industry. Vinclozolin blocks cell receptors that are normally activated by the hormone androgen which is responsible for male characteristics and the development and function of male sexual organs.
• Methoxychlor or MCX is a common pesticide used to kill flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches and other insects and is applied directly to crops, livestock, home gardens, and pets. It was designed as a safer alternative to the now banned DDT. MCX alters a gene in the female reproductive tract and reduces the ability of the uterus to support embryo implantation.
• Estrogen mimics wreak havoc on the human reproductive system. All humans, male and female included, manufacture estrogen. Cells within their bodies contain receptor sites for this estrogen. Estrogen mimics are close enough in structure to trick the body. These mimics are then able to attach to these receptor cells as if they were real estrogen. At best the estrogen mimics may simply block true estrogen from doing its job or they can totally redirect cellular behavior. In females these estrogen mimics can contribute to or cause endometriosis which is a leading factor in infertility. The mimics can cause males to develop without testes, with undescended testes or with abnormally small penises. Estrogen mimics can also contribute to testicular cancer and poor semen quality. Estrogen mimics are also found in paints, toiletries, pesticides, spermicides, & as a breakdown product of the plastics used in some water bottles and baby bottles.
• Xenoestrogens are found in most commercial meat and dairy products as well as soft plastic food storage containers and plastic wrap (particularly after microwaving). Recent Italian research showed women with the highest concentration of meat and dairy in their diet had an 80-100% higher risk of endometriosis.
• Phytoestrogens are found in plants, most notably soy. Soy contains endocrine disrupting isoflavones genistein and diadzen. There is evidence that soy consumption has been linked to infertility, increased cancer risk, and infantile leukemia.
• The common pesticides Kepone, DBCP and ethylene dibromide have been found to reduce sperm counts.
• MSG has also been linked to reduced fertility
• A number of toxic substances are found in fish, including: mercury, PCBs (which have been banned for decades), radioactive materials, stronium, lead, chromium, arsenic, and cadmium. These chemicals have been linked with autism, alzheimers, kidney dysfunction, infertility, MS, thyroid problems, and more.

TOXIC COSMETICS
Use of Phthalates, dibutyl phthalate in particular (DBP) which is one of the most common and potent reproductive and developmental toxins, is widespread. DBP is used primarily in nail polishes, but also in shampoos, conditioners, lotions, antiperspirants, sunscreen, gums, candy, and oral pharmaceuticals.

Phthalates are linked with reproductive damage in both men and women. They are considered dangerous enough that phthalates are banned in the European Union. Phthalates can cause low sperm counts, damaged or absent testicles, and absent prostate glands. They are also linked to premature breast development in girls.

Parabens, the second most common ingredient in household products are estrogen mimics. Parabens are found in bath products and cosmetics everywhere, including baby wipes. Parabens are linked to breast cancer, falling sperm counts, and hormonal damage.

To check the dangers of your cosmetics, visit the fantastic interactive website called Skin Deep sponsored by the Environmental Working Group at www.ewg.org. You can research specific products on the site and find out if they have reproductive or developmental toxicity as well as other health and safety hazards.

TOXIC TOOTHPASTE, TAP WATER AND SOAP
Fluoride is the toxin prescribed to the masses without their consent. In animal studies, fluoride has lowered the total number of offspring, the total number of litters, and the number of offspring born alive. In other studies, countries with high levels of fluoridation in the water supply had a lower total fertility rate. Fluoride has been shown to cause hormone disruption and low sperm counts. Additionally, Chinese studies have found fluoride to cause neurological damage to children in early embryonic life or infancy.

Triclosan, also known as Irgasan and Microban - is found in anti-bacterial soaps, dental care, cosmetics, deodorant, first aid products, small appliances, kitchenware, kids toys, and more. Triclosan is linked to decreased fertility, and altered sex hormones. cancer, allergies and weakened immune systems. In addition to creating antibiotic resistant bacteria, triclosan pollutes our groundwater from the chlorinated dioxins formed when it comes in contact with the chlorine in tap water.

These fertility impairing toxins are just the tip of the iceberg and no one know the true extent of damage that living in a chemical soup is doing to us and our fertility. If you think you are not being exposed to as many toxins as we list, think again. Most people are exposed to most of these toxins and to many more. This list is just a handful of toxins that are known to affect fertility so far. Your fertility can also be affected by over the counter or prescription drugs. Alcohol, cigarettes, and illegal drugs have a very direct and negative impact on fertility. Toxic stress can also be major factor in infertility, particularly in cases of “unexplained infertility“.

The good news is that there is something you can do about it. First you can do your best to detox for fertility through fasting, high fiber diet, deep breathing, sweating with FIR infrared saunas or rigorous exercise, urban rebounding, herbal and nutritional detox plans, colon hydrotherapy, showers and baths in filtered water, and various kidney, liver, lung, gallbladder flushes, dry skin brushing, aromatherapy

Naturally if you are going through the effort to detox your body then you want to minimize any new toxins coming in. Think of your body as a boat. You can expend great energy bailing out the boat but it does not do much good if you are not going to plug the leak. Do not expect to eliminate all toxins from your life it is impossible. You can do your best by:

• eating organic, raw, and vegan
• using water and air filters
• use non toxoc cosmetics
• use safe cleaning and laundry products
• try to meditate or practice yoga to minimize mental stress and clutter
• Do a great detox for fertility at least three months before you try to conceive

Do what you can to detox your body and mind then use this list as a guide to avoid re-toxing, and then get down to the fun business of making babies!

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/pulpolux/118824750/

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/

What is EFT:
EFT is short for emotional freedom technique. It is disarmingly easy to perform on yourself, takes mere minutes and is remarkably effective. This technique is used by countless therapists and natural health advocates such as Kevin Trudeau and Dr. Mercola.

EFT is very similar to acupuncture or acupressure except that you perform it on yourself while addressing emotional issues. To perform EFT, you simply tap specific points of your body with your own fingertips while you recite a mantra. These are powerful energy points and most people are literally amazed at the immediate difference they feel when first practicing EFT.

How Can EFT help with infertility?
There are a number of underlying emotional issues that may impact a couple’s ability to conceive. In many cases it is a fear based issue, such as fear of becoming a mother, fear of repeating the mistakes of your own parents or fear of childbirth.

In addition, the stress associated with infertility and its treatments can compound problems leading to further trouble conceiving. EFT can address these underlying issues allowing your body to do its job without the extra burden of psychological stress, which could subconsciously be preventing conception.

According to and article about infertility and EFT at emaxhealth.com, “EFT targets a person’s disrupted energy meridian system (Chi or Qi) as the real driver behind heightened stress levels, and the inability to conceive. This simple do-it-yourself acupressure technique balances one’s energy and eliminates the body and mind’s stress response. EFT claims an 80% success rate.”

“EFT targets a person’s disrupted energy meridian system (Chi or Qi) as the real driver behind heightened stress levels, and the inability to conceive.”

How to do EFT
While EFT is very easy to learn and practice, the easiest way to learn is often from watching a video. There are plenty of introductory videos, like this one on YouTube and other video websites which you can watch in 5 minutes and understand the basics of EFT. It is tremendously helpful to watch someone else doing EFT on themselves before you do it on yourself initially.

In the video, you will see that there are a number of points on your hand, head, face and body that you will tap repeatedly while you repeat a mantra. Use two hands on the points which have two sides, such as your eyes and one hand on single points, such as under your nose. The following points are the most common used in EFT:

1. The “karate chop point” on the outside of your hand slightly below your pinky
2. The crown of your head
3. At the inside of your eyebrow
4. Near the outside of your eyebrow, near your temple
5. Under your eye where the eye socket begins
6. Directly under the nose
7. The center of your chin
8. Your collarbone
9. A few inches under your underarm
10. Tap your tongue to your palette (although you cannot recite your mantra during this step)

The most important step of EFT is identifying your underlying concern, fear or issue. This may take some work and many people find that they need a therapist or counselor to identify their concerns. Once you identify your fear or issue, you need to break it down into a 2-5 word phrase. Once the phrase is broken down, you insert it into the following sentence and it becomes your EFT mantra.

“Even though I ___________________, I completely and deeply love and accept myself.”

“Even though I ___________________, I completely and deeply love and accept myself.”

If you determine that you have an underlying fear of childbirth for example, you may repeat the following while you tap, “Even though I am terrified of childbirth, I am completely and deeply love and accept myself.” Here are some sample phrases that have helped other women overcome emotional issues related to conception and may help you identify your own issues which in turn may allow you to relax enough to become pregnant:

1. Fear of Childbirth
“Even though I am terrified of giving birth again, I understand and love myself”
“Even though I’m stuck in my fear of panic at birth and it blocks conception, I really love and accept myself.”

2. Fear that you won’t become a Mother
“Even though I am petrified with fear that I will never get to experience pregnancy….”
“Even though I am terrified that this life dream of mine won’t come true…”
“Even though I am scared because I have done all I know how to do and I am still not pregnant…”

3. Fear of Parenting
“Even though I have this fear of not being a good mother…”
“Even though I cannot see myself with another baby…”
“Even though I am afraid of making the same mistakes my parents made….”

4. Anger at your body
Even though I am angry at my body for failing me….”
“Even though my love making has become a means to an end…”
“Even though our love making seems mechanical now….”

5. Anger at the doctors and infertility treatments
“Even though the doctors wasted the best years of my fertility because they didn’t know what they were doing….”
“Even though I am afraid that we will have a mountain of debt and STILL not be parents…”

6. Anger at your friends and family because they don’t understand
“Even though my family ridicules me because I won’t go to the baby shower…..”
“Even though I can’t forgive my sister for being so insensitive…….”

7.Other Emotions
“Even though I feel completely isolated and alone….”
“Even though I don’t feel like I fit in with my friends anymore….”
Even though I’ve lived life by all the “rules” and I am angry that I can’t get what I want…..”
Even though I am feeling guilty that I should have started my family earlier….”
Even though I have this guilt about leaving my father when he was sick…”

8.Fear of EFT or the intangible
“Even though I worry my birth fear wasn’t the problem in preventing conception….”
“Even though there is just one slight niggle and I don’t know what it is, I feel good about myself”
“Even though I don’t know if EFT will work for me …..”

These are just sample phrases to get you started. They may or may not be applicable to your underlying issues. Sometimes it takes multiple phrases to find the one that resonates with you. While EFT cannot magically cure all cases of infertility, specifically ones with an incurable physical cause, EFT can almost always help resolve the underlying emotional issues from both your past and those related to the infertility treatments themselves.

More resources:
The EFT Manual
Free EFT manual
Study Links Stress to Infertility
EFT for Fertility
Emofree.com