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Important Physical Signs That You Are Fertile

Thinking about getting pregnant? Then it’s time to get acquainted with the big O: ovulation.

To boost your chances of getting pregnant, it helps to know when you’re ovulating. Then you’ll know when you and your partner should be having sex.

What Is Ovulation?

Ovulation occurs when an egg is released from the ovary. In a regular menstrual cycle, this typically happens two weeks before your period starts. When the egg is ovulated, you want sperm waiting in the fallopian tubes available to fertilize that egg.

When does Ovulation occur?

Ovulation typically happens on day 15 of the menstrual cycle, but it is not the same for everyone. The menstrual cycle happens between 28 to 32 days, and ovulation usually occurs between days 10 and 19 of the cycle, about 12 to 16 days before the next period. Generally, ovulation occurs 14 days before the onset of the period in healthy women.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Ovulation?

Changes in Cervical Mucus

When you’re approaching ovulation, secretions near the cervix known as cervical mucus increase and transform into a raw-egg-white-like consistency. This fertile quality cervical mucus helps sperm swim up and into the reproductive system and typically makes sexual intercourse easier and more pleasurable.

Rise in Basal Body Temperature

Basal body temperature is defined as your “lowest resting body temperature.” Your basal body temperature rises during ovulation, though only by half a degree or less. If that higher temperature stays steady for three days or more, it could signal ovulation. You can track daily changes to determine ovulation using a special basal body thermometer that measures your temperature in tiny increments.

Breast soreness or tenderness

Tender breasts or sore nipples can be another sign of ovulation, thanks to the rush of hormones entering your body right before and after ovulation. Some women will experience this tenderness just before ovulation, while others may feel it right after ovulation occurs.

Mild pelvic or lower abdominal pain

Called Mittelschmerz, ovulation pain can feel like a sharp or dull cramp on the side of your abdomen where the ovary is releasing the egg. This ovulation side effect can last anywhere between a few minutes and a few hours.

Light spotting or discharge

Brown discharge or spotting is normal during ovulation. It occurs when the follicle that surrounds and protects the oocyte matures, grows and then ruptures, resulting in a small amount of bleeding.

Signs and Symptoms of Male Infertility

Infertility problems in men are more common than you might think. Among couples who are having trouble starting a family, one-third of the time those troubles can be linked to male fertility issues. Many different medical conditions and other factors can contribute to fertility problems, and an individual case may have a single cause, several causes, or—in some cases—no identifiable cause.

Signs and Symptoms of Infertility in Men

While there may be no other obvious signs of infertility, there are a few warning flags to look out for. These include:

Ejaculation disorder

The “ejaculation disorder” is one of the most common symptoms of male infertility. Some men experience rare ejaculation or early ejaculation, while some others have a very low volume of semen during ejaculation. All of this come under ejaculation disorder.

Lifestyle factors such as alcohol and tobacco use can contribute to infertility, as can participating in high-intensity sports or activities that might expose your testicles to high temperatures (like saunas or occupational exposures).

Structural problems

Anything that blocks the genital tract can stop the flow of semen. This could be a genetic or birth defect. Infection or inflammation from a sexually transmitted disease can also block semen. Other causes include scar tissue from surgery or twisted, swollen veins in the scrotum.

Lack of Sexual Desire

Usually, men produce a greater amount of testosterone, a hormone responsible for their libido or sex drive. If due to some hormonal issues, there is a dip in the testosterone, then their sexual desire or drive decreases.

Pain or Swelling in the Testicles

A dull pain or swelling in your testicles is not normal and seeks immediate medical attention. There many reasons for this condition that includes testicular tension (twisted testicles), Epididy mitis (testicle infection), Hydrocele (building up of fluid around testicles) and hernia.

Do Fibroids Affect Your Fertility?

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are muscular tumors that may develop in the wall of the uterus. They are usually benign, meaning not cancerous.  About 80% of women will have had a fibroid by the time they turn 50. They’re common growths that develop in the uterus, and they’re generally painless. But sometimes fibroids can interfere with fertility and make it more difficult to get pregnant.

Approximately 5% – 10% of infertile women have fibroids. Their size and location determines whether fibroids affect fertility. Fibroids may cause infertility by obstructing the fallopian tubes and impairing gamete transport. The critical factor may be distortion of the endometrial cavity, causing abnormal endometrial receptivity, hormonal milieu, and altered endometrial development.

Women with fibroids and their partners should be thoroughly evaluated to find other problems with fertility before fibroids are treated. A fertility specialist can help assess if fibroids might be hampering conception.

How do fibroids cause infertility?

There are several ways uterine fibroids can reduce fertility:

• Changes in the shape of the cervix can affect the number of sperm that can enter the uterus.
• Changes in the shape of the uterus can interfere with the movement of the sperm or embryo.
• Fallopian tubes can be blocked by fibroids.
• They can impact the size of the lining of the uterine cavity.
• Blood flow to the uterine cavity can be affected. This can decrease the ability of an embryo to stick (implant) to the uterine wall or to develop.

Fibroids are found in 2% to 12% of pregnant women, but not all fibroids get larger or cause problems in a pregnancy. If a fibroid grows, it usually does so in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

How to select best hospital for fertility treatment?

Having a baby is an incredible experience for every couple, but not all couples are able to conceive naturally. Fertility treatment is physically and emotionally demanding so it’s important to find a hospital and doctor that’s right for you. Listed below are few essential characteristics to look out for.

Success Rates

This is one of the foremost things that couples should consider in hospitals that offer comprehensive fertility treatments. Having the highest success rate doesn’t necessarily mean the clinic is the best. Some clinics avoid taking on hard cases or refuse treatment to women above age 40 with their own eggs. Understand that different rates are associated with each procedure and vary according to the age group of patients.

Facilities Offered and Technologies used

The fertility clinic you prefer should offer all the latest fertility treatments within its premises to provide maximum convenience to the couple undergoing the treatment. Andrology, Embryology, Genetics and other essential labs absolutely need to be in-house parts of the hospital. It is of the utmost importance that your clinic uses the highest standards in quality control within the labs they utilize.

Qualified & Specialized Doctors

Always check details & information about the doctors. Read, research and find out more about doctors, doctor reviews online (digital media) and offline, their qualification, specialization & experience.

Experience of Clinical Staff

A good fertility clinic will have a team of highly experienced professionals with specialization in infertility treatments. Most treatments are expensive and hence being treated by a clinic that has the best panel of experts should be a given.

Two-way Communication

The doctor must be willing to listen to your wishes and concerns. He or she must make efforts to make you comfortable and make a customized treatment plan for you. He should discuss the basics of the treatment with you.

Transparency in Cost and Procedures

An efficient fertility clinic will follow professional ethics and transparency in terms of both medical and financial procedures.

If you want to end your infertility journey at the earliest then contact us now to book your first free consultation with us and know your best suitable IVF Doctor for quicker & better fertility results.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

In vitro fertilization (IVF) makes it possible for people with infertility to experience the joy of having a child. It is the process of collecting eggs and fertilizing them in the laboratory.

IVF works by using a combination of medicines and surgical procedures to help sperm fertilize an egg, and help the fertilized egg implant in your uterus.

The first step in IVF is taking a combination of tablets and injections for several days to help the ovaries produce several eggs that are mature and ready for fertilization. The response to injections is monitored by ultrasound scan and blood tests on a regular basis during this step in the IVF process to check on your ovaries and monitor your hormone levels.

Egg Retrieval

A little more than a day before your eggs are scheduled to be retrieved from your body, you’ll receive a hormone injection that will help your eggs mature quickly. Then, you’ll have a minor surgical procedure — called follicular aspiration — to remove the eggs. You’ll get medicine to help you be relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. Using an ultrasound to see inside your body, the doctor puts a thin, hollow tube through your vagina and into the ovary and follicles that hold your eggs. The needle is connected to a suction device that gently pulls the eggs out of each follicle.

Insemination

The male partner will now need to give a semen sample. Embroyologist will mix the sperm with the eggs in a petri dish. The sperm are then put through a high-speed wash and spin cycle in order to find the healthiest ones. The egg and sperm are then combined in a lab through varying technologies of fertilization, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Embryo Culture

Your doctor will monitor the fertilized eggs to ensure that they’re dividing and developing. The embryos may undergo testing for genetic conditions at this time.

Embryo Implantation

When the embryos are big enough, they can be implanted. This normally occurs three to five days after fertilization. Implantation involves inserting a thin tube called a catheter which is loaded with embryos and inserted past your cervix, and into the uterus. Your doctor then releases the embryo into your uterus.

Pregnancy Test

After 2 weeks of embryo transfer, blood test is done to check if embryos have implanted.

laparoscopy help infertility treatment

Laparoscopy is a keyhole surgery used to assess abnormalities in the female reproductive organs: uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs. Laparoscopic techniques avoid large incisions, inflammation, and excess scar tissue. Laparoscopy will allow the diagnosis of infertility problems that would otherwise be missed.

Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery can be beneficial for endometriosis, treating cysts or fibroids, and removing lodged IUDs.

Endometriosis Treatment

Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial tissues normally found lining the uterus, spreads to other areas within a woman’s pelvic cavity and abdomen, usually the fallopian tubes, ovaries and intestines. The condition is known to interfere with fertility; as many as 25 to 50 percent of infertile women have endometriosis.

Minimally invasive laparoscopy for infertility can help in a situation like this by fulgurating the lesions using cautery or laser or removing the lesions   of endometriosis. In many cases, treating a woman’s endometriosis can pave the way for a pregnancy.

Another problem that can only be identified through laparoscopic surgery are pelvic adhesions also known as scar tissue. Adhesions cannot be seen with ultrasound, x-rays or CT scans. Adhesions can interfere with the ability to conceive if they make it more difficult for the egg to get into the fallopian tube at the time of ovulation.

Laparoscopy can be a useful diagnostic or therapeutic workup in fertility treatment, including:

• Demonstrate tubal patency or problems
• Diagnose and correct uterine abnormalities
• Diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome
• Removal of pelvic adhesions, fibroids, cysts, tumours, scar tissues
• Treat ectopic pregnancies
• Treat pelvic inflammatory disease and other gynaecological problems

Many patients with fertility problems can benefit from a diagnostic or operative laparoscopy. The procedure allows your doctor to see if your fallopian tubes are open, whether you have any fibroids or endometrial tissues that could affect conception or pregnancy.

In some cases, women who have normal HSG results could experience recurrent in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) failures. Laparoscopy has been shown effective in diagnosing unrecognised pelvic pathologies and improving the subsequent pregnancy rate.

To learn more about laparoscopic surgery and additional fertility treatments, schedule an appointment today.

How to relieve stress during fertility treatment?

At the beginning of treating infertility, it’s totally normal to feel nervous and even anxious about the unknown. Though the disease of infertility has many causes, reducing stress can allow couples to participate in more cycles, which can have an impact on overall success rates. It has been observed that all stress-free month of cycle yields better egg quality, embryo quality & implantation leading to a better pregnancy rate.

• Go for a walk

Regular exercise lowers the level of stress hormones. It also helps release endorphins, which are chemicals that improve your mood. Exercise can also improve your sleep quality, which can be negatively affected by stress and anxiety.

• Mindfulness and meditation

Gentle activities like yoga can really reduce stress and anxiety, both in the short- and long term.

• Enjoy Time with Friends or Family

A solid social network can help you navigate anxiety-ridden experiences and provide a sense of belonging and worth. Studies show that being socially connected increases happiness and leads to better health and longer life.  It helps overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation.

• Reduce caffeine intake

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition which affects 1 in 10 women, however, it is still often misdiagnosed or misunderstood, leading many women to suffer in silence. Many women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) struggle to maintain a normal body weight. When one suffers from PCOS, the kind of dietary restrictions or changes which may need to be made depend on the kind of symptoms one has.

Here are some of the foods to eat with PCOS and some to avoid.

Choose High Quality, High Fiber Carbohydrates

Women with PCOS are more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes than women who do not have. Similar to a diabetic diet, it is important for women with PCOS to consume high quality, high fiber carbohydrates. This will aid in stabilizing your blood sugar levels.

Maintaining a balanced diet and healthy weight are key in managing PCOS symptoms. Consuming a diet rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals will aid in healing your body from the inside out.

Try to have more fruits and vegetables, including nuts and seeds, whole grains in your diet, while limiting the consumption of refined flour, processed and packaged foods, high glycaemic index fruits, and other foods which may be bad for your fertility.

Leafy Greens

No matter what diet you are undertaking, green leafy vegetable is a good call. They are nutrient rich and low in calories, making them ideal for weight loss as well as nutrition.

Healthy Fats

There are many healthy fats that you can enjoy in your diet, from avocados to oily fish, and these are incredibly important for eating with PCOS. Healthy fats are a source of essential fatty acids, which are key components in the maintenance of cell walls.

Berries, Nuts, Green Tea (high in antioxidants)

Women with PCOS have been shown to have a higher level of oxidative stress, which can then be combatted by eating higher levels of antioxidants in our diet.

An anti-inflammatory diet

Anti-inflammatory foods, such as berries, fatty fish, leafy greens, and extra virgin olive oil, may reduce inflammation-related symptoms, such as fatigue.

What foods should I avoid for my PCOS Diet?

A PCOS Diet emphasizes eating whole, unprocessed healthy food to enable vitamin absorption, nutrient intake, and weight loss. It is important to stay away from refined sugars, white flour, and excessive sugary beverages.

• Sweetened juice, fruit in heavy syrup
• Processed meats, such as hot dogs, sausages, and luncheon meats
• Refined grains made with white flour (pasta, white bread, white rice, bagels)
• High sugar cereals and protein bars
• Soda and Juice
• Cookies, cake, and candy
• Potato chips
• Some research suggests caffeine can make PCOS symptoms worse
• Excess red meat, such as steaks, hamburgers, and pork.

Reducing stress through self-care practices, such as getting enough sleep, avoiding over-commitment, and making time to relax, can also help a person manage PCOS.

Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. This results in heavy menstrual cycles, fertility issues, painful intercourse and even missed days at work. Endometriosis care should include both a pain management plan and a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition and exercise.

The basic concept of an endometriosis diet is to limit inflammatory foods and things that can trigger symptoms.

Eat More Greens and whole fruits

Leafy vegetables and Fruits are good sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals and nutrients which can lower estrogen levels and help manage endometriosis symptoms. Women who eat a plant-based diet are less likely to get endometriosis.

Fiber Rich Foods

Fiber is not only great for reducing the symptoms of endometriosis but it will also help reduce your cholesterol. Fiber can be found in a number of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds.

Iron Rich Foods

Iron-rich foods, such as dark leafy greens, broccoli, beans, fortified grains, nuts, and seeds can help boost iron resources and guard against deficiencies.

Liver-supporting foods

Certain foods help the liver process and break down estrogens and cleanse your body of toxins. Increase your intake of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cauliflower, boy choy, arugula), beets, lemon, beets, onion, garlic, turmeric (like in this turmeric tea latte) and ginger.

Good fats

Good fats are available in many foods, including: avocado, olive oil, olives, nuts, salmon, other fatty fish.

Water

Drink four to six 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Avoid caffeine, refined sugars, sweeteners, soda (including diet), and alcohol when struggling with endometriosis or trying to get pregnant.

 Food you should avoid

The endometriosis diet involves limiting certain foods that can exacerbate inflammation and pain

Red meat

Red meat consumption — both processed and unprocessed — increases the development and the progression of endometriosis.

 Avoid gluten

Gluten is a protein found in most grains, and it usually works as a binder in breads and baked goods.

Coffee and alcohol

Coffee and alcohol would seem to be bad for endometriosis since coffee has been found to increase an estrogen hormone in the body, and increased estrogen may be linked to causing endometriosis.

Dairy

It is helpful avoiding dairy products especially milk, yogurt, and cheese, to keep endometriosis symptoms in check.

There’s no specific diet that will prevent or cure endometriosis but eating anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce symptoms and help you feel better. Seek help from our experts in www.craftivf.com

Male factor infertility is responsible for about 40-50% of all infertility cases. Despite its high prevalence, not much effort has been made at tackling this problem.

Low sperm count, motility and abnormal morphology are common problems. The following are some natural ways to increase sperm count and quality.

1. ​Enough Exercise and sleep

Several studies have suggested that weight loss and exercise among people who are overweight or obese can lead to an improved  sperm count. Being overweight can also lead to several other health concerns like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases. So exercise and eat healthy to lose weight and increase your sperm count.

2. Quit smoking& Avoid excessive alcohol

Smoking reduces sperm count consistently. The researchers have found that people who smoked moderate or heavy amounts of tobacco had a lower sperm quality than people who do not.

Excessive alcohol lowers the testosterone levels and sperm quality and quantity in men. It can even cause low libido and even impotency.

3. ​​Take supplements- Get enough vitamins

Taking antioxidant supplements have shown to improve the sperm count. Lower levels of Vitamin D have been directly linked with low sperm count. Vitamin C supplements significantly improve sperm count and motility, while reducing the numbers of deformed sperm cells.

4. Include more antioxidant rich food in diet

Increasing the number of antioxidant foods in your diet can help increase the sperm count, say several studies. Green leafy vegetables, fruits, plenty of water can help. Cut down high energy foods like sugars, carbonated drinks, red meat, canned and tinned foods. Maintaining a healthful, balanced is the best way to boost sperm count through the diet.

5. Reduce Stress, have healthy sexual life

It’s hard to get in the mood when you’re feeling stressed, but there might be more to it than not feeling up for sex. Stress may reduce your sexual satisfaction and impair your fertility. Prolonged stress raises levels of cortisol, which has strong negative effects on testosterone. When cortisol goes up, testosterone levels tend to go down. Healthy sex life is always a stress buster. .

6. Give up your tight clothes, reduce time spent on gadgets

Tight clothes, hot water bath  can make your scrotum too warm, which can have a negative impact on the production of the sperm. Excess use of mobile phones and laptops   also impair fertility as per evidence from literature.