6 μύθοι για τις αποβολές

Miscarriage

Μία στις πέντε κυήσεις καταλήγει σε αποβολή.

Νέες έρευνες δείχνουν ότι οι περισσότεροι άνθρωποι έχουν λανθασμένη πληροφόρηση σχετικά με το πόσο συχνές είναι οι αποβολές και τι τους προκαλεί. Παρόλο που οι αποβολές φαίνεται να είναι η πιο κοινή επιπλοκή της εγκυμοσύνης, είναι ένα παραδοσιακά θέμα ταμπού που σπάνια συζητείται δημόσια. Ίσως αυτός είναι και ο λόγος που οι μύθοι για τις αποβολές επιμένουν.

Μία στις πέντε κυήσεις καταλήγει σε αποβολή και τις περισσότερες φορές η αιτία δεν εντοπίζεται. Αλλά αυτό δεν εμποδίζει τα ζευγάρια να αναρωτιούνται αν υπήρχε κάτι που έκαναν ή δεν έπρεπε να έχουν κάνει, που θα μπορούσε να βλάψει το μωρό τους.

1. Εάν είχατε μία αποβολή, πιθανότατα θα έχετε άλλη

Μετά από μια αποβολή, ο κίνδυνος αποβολής είναι ο ίδιος με εκείνη μιας γυναίκας που δεν είχε ποτέ αποβολή. Ωστόσο, μετά από δύο αποβολές, ο κίνδυνος μιας άλλης απώλειας εγκυμοσύνης αυξάνεται  στο 20%. Μετά από τρεις αποβολές, αυτός ο αριθμός αυξάνεται στο 30 τοις εκατό και μετά από τέσσερις, ο κίνδυνος αυξάνεται στο 40 τοις εκατό. Ωστόσο, ακόμη και αν είχατε τέσσερις απώλειες εγκυμοσύνης, υπάρχει πιθανότητα 60 τοις εκατό να γεννήσετε ένα υγιές μωρό την επόμενη φορά που θα μείνετε έγκυος.

2. Το να “τρομάξεις” μπορεί να βλάψει το μωρό σου

Εκδηλώσεις όπως δυνατός θόρυβος, πιθανό ατύχημα ή παρακολούθηση ταινίας τρόμου δεν θα προκαλέσουν καρδιακή προσβολή στο μωρό σας. Ακριβώς επειδή σας φοβίζει, αυτό δεν σημαίνει ότι το μωρό το παρατήρησε. Ακόμα κι αν το μωρό πηδά όταν ακούει κάτι δυνατά, αυτό είναι απλώς ένα εκπληκτικό αντανακλαστικό και στην πραγματικότητα ένα υγιές σημάδι ότι αναπτύσσεται κανονικά.

3. Η ανύψωση ενός βαριού αντικειμένου μπορεί να προκαλέσει αποβολή

Η ανύψωση βαρέων αντικειμένων δεν είναι παράγοντας αποβολής, καθώς το σώμα σας δεν θα είναι σε θέση να σηκώσει κάτι που δεν μπορεί να αντέξει.  Όμως, αν και γενικά προσέχουμε να μην σηκώνουμε βάρη, μια καλή συμβουλή που θα σας γλιτώσει από πιθανούς πόνους είναι να σηκώσετε οτιδήποτε βαρύ με λυγισμένα τα γόνατα και ανυψώνοντας στη συνεχεία τα πόδια σας και όχι με κάμψη και ανύψωση της πλάτη σας.

4. Η αποβολή προκαλείται από συναισθηματικό στρες

Δεν είναι σπάνιο για τις γυναίκες να βιώνουν τραυματικά συμβάντα στη διάρκεια της εγκυμοσύνης, ωστόσο οι συνηθισμένοι στρεσογόνοι παράγοντες  όπως η ταραχώδης εργασία ή ο θάνατος στην οικογένεια δεν είναι αιτίες αποβολής. Ως επιβεβαλιωση του παραπάνω, στο Ισραήλ διαπιστώθηκε διαφορά 2 τοις εκατό στο ποσοστό αποβολής μεταξύ των γυναικών που ζούσαν σε μια πόλη υπό διαρκή απειλή πυραυλικής επίθεσης και των γυναικών σε μια κοντινή πόλη που δεν δεχόταν συχνά επίθεση. Αυτή είναι σχεδόν μια διαφορά.

5. Η άσκηση κατά τη διάρκεια της εγκυμοσύνης μπορεί να αυξήσει τις πιθανότητες αποβολής

Η μέτρια άσκηση είναι πραγματικά κάτι που βοηθά εσάς και το μωρό. Υπάρχουν, ωστόσο, ορισμένοι κανόνες. Στην πραγματικότητα, διαπιστώθηκε ότι οι γυναίκες που ασκούνταν καθ ‘όλη τη διάρκεια της εγκυμοσύνης είχαν στην πραγματικότητα 40% χαμηλότερες πιθανότητες αποβολής. Ωστόσο, συνιστάται να μην αυξήσετε τον καρδιακό σας ρυθμό πάνω από 140 (εξακολουθεί να μην είναι παράγοντας αποβολής, αλλά αρχίζει να μειώνει την ποσότητα οξυγόνου στο μωρό) ή να γυμνάζεστε μέχρι να αισθανθείτε λιποθυμία ή εξάντληση.

6. Είναι λάθος της μητέρας

Είναι πολύ συνηθισμένο για τις γυναίκες που βιώνουν αποβολή να κατηγορούν τον εαυτό τους. Δεν πρέπει. Η πλειονότητα των αποβολών προκαλείται από μη φυσιολογικό αριθμό χρωμοσωμάτων στο έμβρυο ή από ιατρικές επιπλοκές που σχετίζονται με ορμονικές ανισορροπίες. Τα περισσότερα από αυτά είναι πέρα ​​από τον έλεγχο κανενός και μπορούν να συμβούν σε οποιονδήποτε. Γενικά, οι μικρές καθημερινές εμπειρίες δεν επηρεάζουν το κατά πόσον μια εγκυμοσύνη είναι επιτυχής ή όχι, λένε οι γιατροί.

Γνωρίζετε άλλες εσφαλμένες πεποιθήσεις για τα κακά αποτελέσματα της εγκυμοσύνης;


Γεια σας! Αν βρήκατε αυτό το άρθρο ενδιαφέρον ή χρήσιμο, μπορείτε να μας βοηθήσετε να γίνουμε ακόμα καλύτεροι, με την εγγραφή σας στο ενημερωτικό δελτίο μας. Απλώς γράφετε το email σας και θα έχετε ότι νεότερο υπάρχει σχετικά με θέματα γονιμότητας. Ευχαριστούμε και πάλι για την βοήθεια σας.

Γονιμότητα: εναλλακτική λύση γιόγκα!

fertility yogaΥπάρχουν πολλοί τύποι γιόγκα και η «γιόγκα γονιμότητας» είναι ένας από αυτούς. Η γιόγκα γονιμότητας έχει πολλά να προσφέρει στο σώμα σας και θα μπορούσε να κάνει μια εξαιρετική εναλλακτική μέθοδο για την ενίσχυση της γονιμότητας, προετοιμάζοντας το σώμα σας για μελλοντική εγκυμοσύνη.

Οι περισσότεροι άνθρωποι σκέφτονται τη γιόγκα ως μια δραστηριότητα που συμβάλλει στην ενδυνάμωση του σώματος και του νου, διατηρώντας τους σε φόρμα. Αλλά η γιόγκα είναι κάτι παραπάνω από αυτό. Οι στάσεις γιόγκα εκτός από την τόνωση πρέπει να βοηθήσουν το σώμα σας να ανακτήσει την ισορροπία του. Μια συνολική ισορροπία, όλων των μερών και λειτουργιών που εκτελούνται στο σώμα σας, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του αναπαραγωγικού σας συστήματος.

Αλλά τι είναι η γιόγκα γονιμότητας; Η γονιμότητα γιόγκα είναι ένα εξειδικευμένο πρόγραμμα γιόγκα που έχει σχεδιαστεί για να υποστηρίζει τόσο το αναπαραγωγικό όσο και το ενδοκρινικό σύστημα που είναι εξίσου σημαντικά για τη σύλληψη. Αυτή η εξειδικευμένη άσκηση μπορεί να αυξήσει τη ροή ενέργειας στο σώμα, βελτιώνοντας τις λειτουργίες του αναπαραγωγικού και ενδοκρινικού συστήματος.

Γιόγκα γονιμότητας, όπως τα περισσότερα προγράμματα γιόγκα, βοηθά το σώμα να διατηρήσει την ομοιόσταση που είναι απαραίτητη για τη σωστή λειτουργία του σώματος. Αποτελείται από μια ειδική σειρά ασκήσεων που υποστηρίζουν την αναπαραγωγική υγεία. Κάθε στάση άσκησης αυτής της σειράς επηρεάζει θετικά το αναπαραγωγικό ή / και το ενδοκρινικό σύστημα, όσον αφορά την ορμονική ισορροπία.

Για βέλτιστα αποτελέσματα, η γονιμότητα γιόγκα συνδυάζεται συνήθως με μια φυσική θεραπεία γονιμότητας ή άλλες εναλλακτικές θεραπείες όπως ο βελονισμός και το μασάζ γονιμότητας. Επιπλέον, μαζί με τη γιόγκα γονιμότητας, μια υγιεινή ισορροπημένη διατροφή είναι απαραίτητη για τη βελτίωση της γονιμότητάς σας και της συνολικής υγείας σας. Συλλογικά, μερικά από τα οφέλη της γιόγκα γονιμότητας:

  • – Ενισχύει το ενδοκρινικό σύστημα και προάγει την ορμονική ισορροπία
  • – Αυξάνει την παροχή αίματος του αναπαραγωγικού συστήματος
  • – Υποστηρίζει το ανοσοποιητικό σύστημα και βοηθά στην αποτοξίνωση του σώματός σας
  • – Προσφέρει αναζωογόνηση σώματος και γενική ευεξία
  • – Μειώνει το άγχος

Δεδομένου ότι η ήπια άσκηση είναι ζωτικής σημασίας για τη γονιμότητα, δεν υπάρχει βλάβη στην προσπάθεια γιόγκα. 30 λεπτά την ημέρα, 3 έως 5 φορές την εβδομάδα θα μπορούσαν να λειτουργήσουν μαγικά. Επιπλέον, η προσπάθεια για ένα μωρό μπορεί μερικές φορές να είναι αρκετά αγχωτική, ειδικά εάν χρειάζεται περισσότερο χρόνο για να συλλάβει από το αναμενόμενο. Από αυτή την άποψη, το αντι-στρες αποτέλεσμα της γιόγκα μπορεί επίσης να συμβάλει στη βελτίωση της γονιμότητας, καθώς το άγχος και το άγχος έχουν συνδεθεί με τη στειρότητα.

Θα δοκιμάζατε τη γιόγκα και άλλες εναλλακτικές μεθόδους για την αύξηση των πιθανοτήτων εγκυμοσύνης;


Γεια σας! Αν βρήκατε αυτό το άρθρο ενδιαφέρον ή χρήσιμο, μπορείτε να μας βοηθήσετε να γίνουμε ακόμα καλύτεροι, με την εγγραφή σας στο ενημερωτικό δελτίο μας. Απλώς γράφετε το email σας και θα έχετε ότι νεότερο υπάρχει σχετικά με θέματα γονιμότητας. Ευχαριστούμε και πάλι για την βοήθεια σας.

Οι καλύτερες βιταμίνες που θα σας βοηθήσουν να μείνετε έγκυος πιο γρήγορα

vitamins

Αρκετές βιταμίνες που διατίθενται στην αγορά θα μπορούσαν να βελτιώσουν τις πιθανότητες εγκυμοσύνης

Αντιμετωπίζετε προβλήματα γονιμότητας; Λοιπόν, πριν στραφείτε σε ατρική βοήθεια για τεχνικές υποβοηθούμενης αναπαραγωγής, οι βιταμίνες θα μπορούσαν να είναι το μόνο που χρειάζεστε για να σας βοηθήσουμε να μείνετε έγκυες πιο γρήγορα.

Τα καλά νέα είναι ότι υπάρχουν αρκετές βιταμίνες διαθέσιμες στην αγορά με τη δυνατότητα να βελτιώσουν τις πιθανότητες εγκυμοσύνης, όπως βιταμίνη C, βιταμίνη Ε, ψευδάργυρος και βιταμίνη Β12.

Η βιταμίνη C θεωρείται αρκετά ευεργετική για τους άνδρες που προσπαθούν με την σύντροφο τους να κάνουν ένα μωρό. Βοηθά στην αποτροπή των συγκολήσεων του σπέρματος και αποκαθιστά τη βλάβη του σπέρματος που προκαλείται από χημικές ουσίες όπως για παράδειγμα ο καπνός του τσιγάρου. Έτσι, η βιταμίνη C βελτιώνει την κινητικότητα του σπέρματος και μειώνει τον αριθμό των κατεστραμμένων σπερματοζωαρίων. Συνιστάται στους άνδρες να λαμβάνουν έως και 1000 mg βιταμίνης C καθημερινά για θετικό αποτέλεσμα.

Σε αυτό το σημείο, θα πρέπει να σημειωθεί ότι οι γυναίκες θα πρέπει να λαμβάνουν μόνο τόσο βιταμίνη C όσο περιέχεται σε προγεννητικό συμπλήρωμα βιταμινών, δεδομένου ότι πάρα πολύ βιταμίνη C θα μπορούσε να δημιουργήσει προβλήματα την τραχηλική βλέννα βλάπτοντας τη γονιμότητα. Επιπλέον η περίσσεια αυτού θα μπορούσε να μετατρέψει το σώμα όξινο και είναι πιθανό να δημιουργήσει ένα περιβάλλον που το σπέρμα δεν μπορεί να επιβιώσει.

Μία από τις καλύτερες «βιταμίνες γονιμότητας» για γυναίκες που επιθυμούν να μείνουν έγκυες είναι η βιταμίνη Ε. Φαίνεται ότι μπορεί να βελτιώσει την ποιότητα των ωαρίων και συνιστάται συνήθως μια συμπληρωματική πρόσληψη τουλάχιστον 400 IU της βιταμίνης. Οι άνδρες μπορούν επίσης να επωφεληθούν από τη συμπλήρωση βιταμίνης Ε. Θα πρέπει να λαμβάνουν το ίδιο ποσό με τις γυναίκες καθημερινά, προκειμένου να βελτιώσουν την ικανότητα του σπέρματος για γονιμοιποίηση. Συνιστάται η λήψη μαζί με βιταμίνη C για μέγιστη απορρόφηση.

Μια άλλη βιταμίνη, που δεν είναι γνωστή για τη γονιμότητα, είναι η Β12 που είναι ιδιαίτερα σημαντική για τους άνδρες. Οι άνδρες που καπνίζουν ή καταναλώνουν μεγάλες ποσότητες επεξεργασμένων κρεάτων έχουν συνήθως έλλειψη Β12. Έτσι, προσθέτοντας τουλάχιστον 100 mcg στη διατροφή τους θα μπορούσε να βελτιωθεί η γονιμότητά τους. Είναι επίσης γνωστό ότι υποστηρίζει μια υγιή ανάπτυξη νευρικού συστήματος του αναπτυσσόμενου εμβρύου, έτσι οι γυναίκες μπορούν επίσης να επωφεληθούν από την αυξημένη πρόσληψη Β12. Συναστάται πριν την πρόσληψη οποιοδήποτε σκευάσματος και τύπου βιταμινών να συμβουλευτείτε ειδικούς σε θέματα υγείας που θα σας καθοδηγήσουν με το καταλληλοτερο σκεύσασμα για την περιπτωση σας.

Έχετε ελέγξει την πιθανότητα διατροφικής ανεπάρκειας που θα μπορούσε να μειώσει τις πιθανότητες εγκυμοσύνης σας;


Γεια σας! Αν βρήκατε αυτό το άρθρο ενδιαφέρον ή χρήσιμο, μπορείτε να μας βοηθήσετε να γίνουμε ακόμα καλύτεροι, με την εγγραφή σας στο ενημερωτικό δελτίο μας. Απλώς γράφετε το email σας και θα έχετε ότι νεότερο υπάρχει σχετικά με θέματα γονιμότητας. Ευχαριστούμε και πάλι για την βοήθεια σας.

Can darkness protect female fertility?

Can darkness protect female fertility? New research says yes! Women who wish to achieve pregnancy are now advised to avoid late nights and artificial light as it can harm their fertility and, as a consequence, decrease chances of conception.

darknessEvery time we turn on the light at night, the production of melatonin is reduced. Melatonin is a hormone secreted in the brain, in response to darkness, that helps regulate other hormones in the body and is commonly known for its sleep effects. However, fertility experts from the University of Texas report another quite important role of the hormone in female fertility.

A review of studies, published in ‘’Fertility and Sterility’’, that summarized previous research results on the role of melatonin and circadian cycle on achieving pregnancy in women, provided evidence that melatonin protects the ovary, eggs and placenta from the disastrous effects of free radicals as it exhibits unique oxygen scavenging abilities. That means that melatonin prevents the production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) saving the reproductive system from oxidative damage.

Russel J. Reiter, professor of cellular biology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and lead researcher of the study, reported that ‘’darkness is important for female fertility as well as for protecting the developing embryo’’.

He also recommended women trying to get pregnant to spend at least 8 hours in the darkness during the night. Ideally, all lights should be off, however if there must be a light on, red or yellow are preferable. White and blue light should be avoided as these colours could disturb the biological clock.

So, can darkness protect female fertility? The main conclusion of the study review was that the circadian cycle and melatonin, both linked to darkness, are crucial for optimal function of the reproductive system. Additionally, the circadian cycle should remain stable smooth and undisturbed from one day to the other otherwise it is more likely for a women’s biological clock to go out of tune. Professor Reiter would advise the same for pregnant women in order to support fetus development.

Would you choose darkness over light for protecting your fertility?

DHEA for Increased IVF Success Rates?

DHEA hormone administration can significantly increase IVF success rates for women treated for infertility according to a study.

This study showed that women who used DHEA hormone supplements during their treatment increased their chances of pregnancy compared to women who did not receive the supplement.

DHEA

DHEA is a natural hormone supplement received by many women reaching menopause for slowing down age changes

There are many studies showed the value of DHEA supplementation to subfertile women and there are in agreement with the above findings. Some of them indicate a beneficial effect of DHEA on maintaining pregnancy as well, decreasing miscarriage incidents.

What is DHEA?

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a natural hormone supplement received by many women reaching menopause for slowing down age changes, fighting anility, or as a part of infertility treatment. It is converted to testosterone and estradiol in the body and it can benefit women with poor egg reserve or low response to IVF medication.

But how safe is for women to receive DHEA supplements? Despite the fact its side effects are relatively mild it is always advisable to check with your physician before you receive any supplement. Due to its androgenic activity DHEA can cause acne, hair loss, facial hair growth, voice deepening and menstruation changes. A low dose of the hormone can keep the risk of side effects low. However women suffering from certain medical conditions like endometriosis and several cancer types (ovarian, uterine and breast cancer) have increased risk for serious DHEA side effects.

Dosage of DHEA

The doctors in the study used a 25 mg DHEA tablet 3 times a day for twelve weeks prior initiation of the IVF treatment cycle for increasing the success rates.

Its use for enhancing fertility is not always an option as there is not enough data clearly documenting its effects on this condition and in some countries like the UK is not permitted. In the US on the other hand, DHEA supplementation is fully licensed in fertility issues.

 Would you consider DHEA supplementation for boosting fertility?

Stress and Infertility: Cause or Effect?

Does stress affect fertility or is it infertility that has negative effects on psychology? Fertility experts indicate that there is a bidirectional relationship between stress and infertility. Most commonly, infertility is treated as a purely medical problem even though psychological aspects of it are perhaps equally important.

Stress and infertility

Fertility experts indicate that there is a bidirectional relationship between stress and infertility

Whether stress affects fertility or infertility itself is responsible for increased stress levels, has been a major conflict among fertility specialists for a long time and still remains a controversial issue. Research suggests that this is probably not a one way street; meaning that stress can impact fertility but infertility may also have mood effects in a drastic way.

At some cases of unexplained infertility (when a medical cause for infertility cannot be found and no successful outcome can be achieved even after IVF treatment), there might be a psychological factor that hinders natural course of conception. This is called ‘’psychogenic infertility’’ and is related to a deeper unconscious desire of preventing pregnancy.

It is true that the causal role of psychological disturbances remains controversial. However, there are mechanisms which could explain in theory how depression could cause infertility. These mechanisms involve the physiology of the depressed state. Since stress is related to similar physiology effects as depression, it is possible that high levels of it can more or less impact fertility.

An example of stress impact on female fertility is hyperprolactinemia. A condition at which prolactin over production inhibits ovulation and as a consequence impacts fertility. In less severe cases high prolactin levels may only disrupt ovulation once in a while.

On the other hand, it is known that infertility, as all chronic illnesses, could cause couples to experience high levels of cumulative stress which eventually can lead to more serious psychological disturbances like depression. Especially IVF treatment can be a highly stressful procedure for subfertile couples. For many couples IVF is their last chance of having a biological child and this can lead to severe emotional distress.

For all the above, perhaps a mind-body approach to fertility treatment could possibly help couples who struggle with infertility to deal with their problem in a more effective way. Mind body medicine could perhaps be beneficial, not only for those diagnosed with unexplained infertility, but to all couples who are trying to achieve pregnancy.

Do you think mind-body medicine could apply to you?

Damaged sperm. A significant role in recurrent miscarriage

Recurrent miscarriage is typically defined as the loss of three or more pregnancies in a row. Many factors apart from maternal health have a significant role in miscarriage risk.  According to researchers from Imperial College man’s sperm may sometimes be a factor. Total sperm motility, progressive sperm motility, and normal morphology were all reduced in the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) group vs controls.  The DNA fragmentation was 2-fold higher in PRL than in controls group. The researcher published in, the journal of Clinical Chemistry, say this could be because of high levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).

The world’s first genetically edited babies

genetically edited babiesA Chinese researcher claims to have created the world’s first genetically edited babies.

The scientist, He Jiankui of Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, said he altered embryos for seven couples during fertility treatments, with one pregnancy resulting so far.

He told the audience he had worked on 31 eggs and implanted two altered embryos in one woman through IVF. The health of both children would be monitored for the next 18 years.

Many mainstream scientists think it is too unsafe to try, and some denounced the Chinese report as human experimentation. The genetic editing of a human embryo carries significant risks, including the risks of introducing unwanted mutations or yielding a baby whose body is composed of some edited and some unedited cells.

The tool for gene editing, called CRISPR-cas9, makes it possible to operate on DNA to supply a needed gene or disable one that’s causing problems. It’s only recently been tried in adults to treat deadly diseases, and the changes are confined to that person. Editing sperm, eggs or embryos is different because the changes can be inherited.

If true, it would be a profound leap of science and ethics.

Vitamin D is associated with increased likelihood of pregnancy, livebirth and reduced pregnancy loss

vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, although the association between preconception vitamin D concentrations and livebirth is unknown.

The study aimed to assess the association between preconception vitamin D and pregnancy outcomes among women with proven fecundity.

The findings were published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology and 1191 women had available data on preconception 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations.

According to the study sufficient preconception 25-hydroxyvitamin D (≥75 nmol/L) was associated with increased likelihood of pregnancy and livebirth. Increased vitamin D concentrations before conception, but not in early pregnancy, were associated with reduced pregnancy loss.

Chemicals in sunscreen may cause infertility

A new study from the National Institutes of Health finds that chemicals in sunscreens and personal care products that filter out UV rays may lead to infertility issues among men.

According to the study by the National Institutes of Health and the New York state Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center, researchers found that men with high exposure to UV filters BP-2 or 4OH-BP had a 30 percent reduction in fecundity, the biological ability to reproduce. Lower fecundity may result in a longer time to pregnancy.

The researchers studied 501 couples that were trying to conceive a child from 16 counties in Michigan and Texas in 2005 through 2009. The women participants ranged from 18 to 44 years of age, and the men were over 18; none had a medical diagnosis of infertility.

Improved sperm quality and pregnancy outcomes with spermatozoa after a short ejaculatory abstinence.

Semen samples from men after a short ejaculatory abstinence show improved sperm quality and result in increased pregnancy rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cases.

According to the study ejaculates from short (1–3 hours) compared with long (3–7 days) periods of abstinence showed increases in motile sperm count, sperm vitality, normal sperm morphology, acrosome reaction capacity, total antioxidant capacity, sperm mitochondrial membrane potential, high DNA stainability, and a decrease in the sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI).

Severity of congenital heart defects associated with assisted reproductive technologies

Congenital heart defects and ART

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been associated with a higher incidence of congenital anomalies, including a specific increase in the rate of congenital heart defects (CHD). In this study, the rate of CHD in pregnancies resulting from ART at a single high-risk pregnancy referral center are compared to the published literature.
Pregnancies were screened by fetal echocardiography for the indication of ART over a 2-year period. CHD were classified as either mild or severe based on the need for postnatal surgical intervention. Results were compared to findings from a literature review of studies examining CHD in pregnancies resulting from ART since 1980.
The greatest increase in risk appears to be for mild CHD (non surgical), which may inform counseling of patients prior to use of assisted reproductive technologies.

Homosexual Couples: Do They Have Access to IVF?

Nowadays, there is a large debate going on regarding same sex couples and whether they should have access to IVF.  Bans on homosexual marriage are tumbled across the Western World and a growing number of same sex couples want to build a family, same way heterosexual couples do.

homosexual couples

IVF experience for homosexual couples and typical couples seems to differ, according to homosexual people reports

It is not rare for homosexual men and women to want children. The problem is they have to deal with fertility limitations compared to typical straight couples. Nonetheless, gay parents are already out there and have been for some time. Studies estimate that there are about 594,000 same sex partner households in the USA and one in five same sex couples has children living in their households.

Some of them adopt while others have their own biological children. But how do they do the latter? Donor insemination and surrogacy are two standard ART options for same sex couples. Donor insemination involves using donor sperm. The donor can either be a known person, a friend for example, or an anonymous sperm donor from a sperm bank. Surrogacy applies to people who cannot carry a pregnancy so someone else does it for them.

For gay women an option for conception is one partner to donate the eggs and the other to carry the pregnancy. In that case IVF is necessary since fertilisation will take place outside the body in the lab, before the embryo can be transferred. However, intrauterine insemination is also available as a fertility treatment for lesbian couples; a far simpler treatment where IVF is not necessary.

And what about male gay couples interested in IVF? Gay couples will definitely need an egg donor and a surrogate who can carry the pregnancy. Fertilisation is accomplished by IVF using their own sperm.

But the question is how easy it really is for same sex couples to get access to these IVF treatments? There is no straightforward answer to this matter but, it appears that it is easier than it used to be, since legislative restrictions on surrogacy and egg donation are getting softer in time.

On the other hand, IVF experience for homosexual couples and typical couples seems to differ, according to homosexual people reports. There may be some states where surrogacy is fine for straight couples but not for homosexual couples, giving them a rough deal when it comes to fertility treatment.

Are you in favor of same sex couples building families?

 


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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The researchers have found that the syndrome may be triggered before birth.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects up to one in five women worldwide, three-quarters of whom struggle to PCOS, polycystic ovary syndromefall pregnant. It can cause symptoms, from infertility to hair growth, pelvic pain, hair thinning or excessive hair growth, and hormonally induced sleep issues, because the cysts affect ovarian function and alter the body’s hormonal balance.
Researchers at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research found that excess levels of a hormone called Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) reprograms the fetus and induces polycystic ovary syndrome in adulthood.
According to the study the team was able to reverse this effect in the mice using an IVF drug routinely used to control women’s hormones. After treatment with this drug, the mice stopped showing symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome.


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Male infertility tools: FISH analysis and DNA fragmentation test

ART (Assisted Reproductive Technologies) advances have now provided couples with accurate genetic screening tests like FISH analysis and DNA fragmentation test, as diagnostic tools for male infertility aiding them in improving theirs chances of pregnancy.

Infertility is not primarily a woman’s problem, as it is mistakenly believed. It is estimated that infertility for about half of couples is due to a male factor, either alone or in addition to female factors. So, if a couple suffers from infertility problems men should also be evaluated for infertility.

FISH analysis and DNA fragmentation test

FISH analysis and DNA fragmentation tests are diagnostic tools for male infertility

However, the routinely used in IVF clinics semen analysis testing appears to be inadequate in diagnosing the male factor infertility. In many cases couples dealing with conception problems have given a basic semen analysis testing result that is normal in terms of sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Yet the problem remains. In such cases genetic screening tests that can detect genetic abnormalities can be of great help, comprising diagnostic tools of great clinical value.

DNA fragmentation test is a genetic test that according to fertility doctors is associated with every fertility checkpoint and in contrast to conventional semen analysis it can discriminate between the sperm of fertile and infertile men. This test could explain the reason why you are not parents yet as high levels of DNA fragmentation can inhibit a successful pregnancy despite the type of fertility treatment provided. High levels of damaged DNA have been correlated to a series of things like infections, smoking, and exposure to environmental toxic chemicals.

Another quite useful genetic test given in IVF clinics is FISH (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridisation). FISH analysis is a genetic test screening for genetic abnormalities providing information about the sperm chromosomes. It consists of sperm chromosome-specific DNA probes labeled with fluorochromes. FISH is an advanced technique that can now facilitate evaluation of sperm aneuploidy.

Both, FISH analysis and DNA fragmentation tests are diagnostic tools for male infertility that can support a specialized diagnose of male factor especially for couples who have experienced repeated IVF failures and pregnancy loss.

If male factor infertility is the source of your trouble would you advise your doctor on proper genetic testing for improving your pregnancy chances?


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Male Fertility Declines with Age

It now appears that women are not the only one who have to worry about their biological clock since male fertility declines with age as well, research reveals. Although, there are differences between male and female fertility, experts now advise male population wishing to have biological children, to avoid losing time. ’’Men too cannot afford waiting forever’’ says Dr. Paula Fettback of the Huntingdon Reproductive Medicine Centre in Brazil.

Male Fertility Declines with Age

At the age of 45 chances of a man to father a child drop to 35%.

Dr. Fettback lead a study focused on the outcome of 570 IVF treatments carried out at her clinic. More specifically, fertility outcome was analyzed for 570 men under fertility treatment from March 2008 to April 2011. In order to eliminate female infertility factors, researchers only studied cases of IVF treatment where eggs from young and healthy women were used through egg donation.  They came to result that in couples who had difficulty in conceiving male age was greater than in couples who achieved pregnancy. Actually, for couples where the man was 41 years old chances of conception were about 60%.

‘’Our investigation showed that for each extra year of paternal age pregnancy chances exhibit a decrease of 7%’’, highlighted Dr. Fettback. Furthermore, at the age of 45 chances of a man to father a child drop to 35% and these chances are dropping even faster in older ages, indicating that male fertility declines with age.

The effects of female age on human reproduction are more or less known. As for men, even though there is data suggesting that male fertility declines with age, the effects of male age factor are not fully elaborated, explains Dr. Fettback.

According to experts, attention should be paid to the fact that a growing number of men globally are following the trend of older parenthood. In Germany, for example, the average age of married fathers has increased from 31.3 to 33.1 in about 8 years. In England, fathers aged 35-54 accounted for 25% of overall child births. 10 years later this percentage reached about 40%.

Since more and more men are now choosing to become fathers in advanced age, a better understanding of male age factor as well as men’s sperm quality renders quite critical for public health.

What do you think? What is the ideal age for fathering a child?


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Acupuncture help IVF success rates

Nowadays, IVF has become the most common infertility treatment however its success rate is still relatively low. So how can the success rate of IVF be increased? Can acupuncture make a difference? Well according to research, acupuncture may actually be beneficial for couples undergoing IVF.

Acupuncture

According to research, acupuncture may actually be beneficial for couples undergoing IVF

Acupuncture is an ancient therapeutic method, used quite often as a complementary medical practice, based on the use of very thin needles inserted in certain points of the body for treating various medical conditions. Acupuncture, it is believed to help treat medical conditions that affect fertility such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, menstrual cycle irregularities and more.

Several studies in the past have pointed out that women who undergone an acupuncture program in parallel with their IVF treatment had greater success rates than women who did not do acupuncture.
According to one study by researchers at the Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine and the University of Maryland Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology , the VU University of Amsterdam and researchers from Georgetown University which involved a review of 7 clinical trials, women having acupuncture could significantly increase their chances of getting pregnant. Researchers analysed data from over 1.300 women who underwent IVF. They examined the effect of acupuncture given within one day of embryo transfer.

They compared these results with those of women given sham acupuncture and no additional treatment and found “acupuncture group” pregnancy chances increased by 65%. Women participated in the study were of different ages, they were all however given acupuncture sessions (lasted for 25 to 30 min) right before of right after the embryo transfer.

But how could acupuncture help increase fertility and IVF success rates?

According to experts acupuncture supports IVF by:

1. Regulating reproductive hormone levels including FSH and LH
2. Improving the immune system and well-being
3. Increasing utero-ovarian blood flow and consequently improving the quality of the endometrium, promoting embryo implantation
4. Improving the quality of the eggs, necessary for successful fertilisation

So, would you give acupuncture a chance?


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Pesticides may increase risk of endometriosis

Pesticides may increase the risk of endometriosis research study warns. Study findings warn about the environmental effects on the health of women of reproductive age.

Research conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center revealed that two organochlorine pesticides are linked to endometriosis in women of reproductive age. Researchers collected data from two study groups: a group of 248 women diagnosed with endometriosis, and a second control group of 538 healthy women. All women were of reproductive age among 18 and 40 year old.

The study found that women who were exposed at greater level at such pesticides (beta-hexachlorocyclohexane, mirex) were 30-70% more likely to suffer from endometriosis. These results, suggesting that pesticides may increase risk of endometriosis, were published in Environmental Health Perspectives, a journal of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

pesticides endometriosis

Environmental chemicals used in the past could impact the reproductive health of future generations

The PhD scientist who led the study, Victoria Holt, originally thought of investigating pesticides effects on female reproductive health as it has been previously shown that organochlorine pesticides can have estrogenic properties, mimicking the effects of estrogens (reproductive hormones). It is also known that endometriosis is an estrogen dependent disease so it would make sense if such chemicals negatively affect the female reproductive system is some way.

Endometriosis is the pathogenic condition where the womb tissue lining grows outside of the womb and attaches to other organs. It is a painful, chronic condition and because of that thousands of women visit fertility clinics for treatments.

Nowadays, it is estimated that the number of women diagnosed with the disease has greatly increased since 1940 with millions of women over the globe affected, making them struggle with infertility problems as well.

Since endometriosis is the effect of hormonal imbalances it is quite possible that pesticides do exactly that. In animal studies, organochlorine pesticides have been found to alter the uterus and ovaries function as well as causing hormonal imbalances.

According to lead author of the study, Kristen Upson, the surprising fact about the results is that these pesticides were detected in the blood of the women, increasing the risk of endometriosis, while being banned in the U.S. “the message here is that environmental chemicals used in the past could  impact the reproductive health of future generations” she commented.

Are you aware of ways to avoid pesticides in your diet and protect your fertility?


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The top 10 superfoods that help you conceive

10 superfoods

Balanced diet, rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals, is directly linked to fertility.

If you have decided it is time to build a family, make sure you enrich your diet with the following superfoods that can help you conceive.

The good news for all of you who are trying to get pregnant is that a balanced diet, rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals, is directly linked to fertility.

So here is a list of our top 10 superfoods that will boost your chances to conceive.

  • Bananas: B6 vitamin in bananas can increase fertility as it is connected to hormonal regulation in women. B6 deficiency can lead to irregular periods and poor egg and sperm quality as well.
  • Asparagus: the folic acid contained in asparagus helps with reducing chances of an ovulation disorder; this is why women trying to conceive are advised to take folic acid supplements.
  • Shell fish: vitamin B12 can be found in large amounts in shell fish and it may improve endometrial thickness, decreasing miscarriage incidents.
  • Eggs: eggs are rich in nutrients, among them vitamin D. A study by Yale researchers reported that among 67 women suffering infertility, the 93% had inadequate vitamin D levels.
  • Almonds: vitamin E contained in almonds improves sperm quality and it is believed that vitamin E deficiency is linked to fertility problems. Moreover, almonds’ antioxidant properties protect sperm and egg DNA from damages.
  • Citrus fruits: citrus fruits are also rich in vitamin D, which apart from its relation to female fertility it has been shown that it may improve sperm concentration and motility.
  • Tofu: tofu is an excellent iron source, which in inadequate levels can inhibit ovulation and decrease egg quality, leading to 60% lower chances of achieving pregnancy compared to women with normal iron levels.
  • Salmon: salmon contains selenium, a mineral related to antioxidants production, which has been shown to play a protective role for the egg and sperm against free radicals. It is also necessary for the creation of sperm.
  • Peas: increased levels of zinc, found in large amounts in peas, have been found to improve sperm quality and function. In women, lack of zinc may lead to estrogen and progesterone levels imbalance.
  • Mackerel: it contains the essential fatty acids, like DHA, that contribute to a healthy female reproductive system. DHA has also been associated with enhanced sperm quality.

How many of these superfoods are already included in your diet?


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Χημικές ουσίες σε έπιπλα και στρώματα γυμναστικής θα μπορούσαν να καταστήσουν τις γυναίκες υπογόνιμες.

Χημικές ουσίες σε έπιπλα και στρώματα γυμναστικήςΧαμηλότερα ποσοστά επιτυχίας στην εξωσωματική γονιμοποίηση – IVF έχουν συνδεθεί με τα επιβραδυντικά φλόγας που απαντώνται συνήθως στα οικιακά αντικείμενα.

Τα ευρήματα αυτά προέρχονται από μελέτη που δημοσιεύτηκε ώστε να βρεθεί η σχέση μεταξύ επιβραδυντικών φλόγας οργανοφωσφορικών (PFRs) και αναπαραγωγικών αποτελεσμάτων στις γυναίκες.

Τα PFR θεωρούνται ασφαλέστερη εναλλακτική λύση έναντι των επιβραδυντικών φλόγας, τα οποία έχουν συνδεθεί με αρνητικές επιπτώσεις στην υγεία και την επιδημιολογία και μπορούν να βρεθούν σε έπιπλα, στρώματα γυμναστικής και οικιακά προϊόντα. Ωστόσο, μελέτες δείχνουν ότι μπορούν να διαδοθούν στον αέρα και μέσω της σκόνης των εσωτερικών χώρων να διαταράξουν την ανάπτυξη ορμονών και εμβρύων.