Withania somnifera, also called ashwagandha, improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males.
Source: Fertil Steril. 2010 Aug;94(3):989-96. Epub 2009 Jun 6.
Ashwagandha Improves a Number of Male Fertility Factors
March 14th, 2012IVF and Ectopic Pregnancy
October 13th, 2011In the presence of tubal infertility, the incidence of ectopic pregnancy following IVF is higher than in women without tubal infertility. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy in IVF patients.
Source: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2011; aop: 10.1007/s00404-011-2092-6
Myomectomy Improves Live Birth Rate in Certain Women with Fibroids
October 3rd, 2011In women with recurrent 2nd trimester miscarriages, fibroids that distort the uterine cavity should be removed by myomectomy to prevent future miscarriage. A recent study found that women with fibroids distorting the uterine cavity had a total miscarriage rate of 76.7% and a live birth rate of only 23.3%. Saravelos and colleagues found that for women with fibroids distorting the uterine cavity, having myomectomy was associated with a significant drop in 2nd trimester loss rate, from 21.7% to 0% (P<0.01). That translated to a significant increase in the live birth rate from 23.3% to 52%, they reported (P<0.05).
Source: Saravelos SH, et al “The prevalence and impact of fibroids and their treatment on the outcome of pregnancy in women with recurrent miscarriage” Human Reproduction 2011; DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der293.
Get Outside Guys!
July 3rd, 2011Sperm from 300 men was evaluated for motility and function. In this study, 44% of the men were deficient in vitamin D. The sperm of the men with the lowest levels of vitamin D had impaired motility and fewer normally formed sperm compared to men with high vitamin D levels. The same study showed that adequate vitamin D levels increased intracellular calcium levels. (Human Reproduction, June 2011)
Replete Vitamin D Stores Predict Success Following IVF
June 14th, 2011Women with a higher vitamin D level in their serum and follicular fluid are significantly more likely to achieve pregnancy following in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF).
Source: Fertil Steril. 2010 Sep;94(4):1314-9. Epub 2009 Jul 8
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake Improves Embryo Morphology
June 14th, 2011Higher total omega-3 intake preconception, in particular alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), improve embryo morphology (quality).
Source: Fertil Steril. 2011 Apr;95(5):1820-3. Epub 2010 Dec 3
Vitamin D Deficiency May Contribute to Uterine Fibroids
June 14th, 2011Vitamin D inhibits proliferation of human uterine leiomyoma cells (fibroids) via catechol-O-methyltransferase.
Source: Fertil Steril. 2011 Jan;95(1):247-53. Epub 2010 Aug 23.
Obese Mothers May Mean Infertility in Their Daughters
April 24th, 2011Research in mice has shown that female offspring of mice who were deficient in the hormone ghrelin (typically low in obese humans) had lower implantation rates and therefore 45% smaller litters. This may indicate that daughters of obese women may also experience reduced fertility due to implantation difficulties.
Source: Daughters of obese women may have trouble conceiving, Endocrinology 2011
Birth Control Pills vs Lupron for Endometriosis Pain
April 24th, 2011Continuous oral contraceptives (OCs) are equally as effective as leuprolide (Lupron) in the treatment of endometriosis-related pain and far cheaper, report US researchers. Better yet, how about helping your body balance it’s own hormones naturally through proper diet, stress reduction, exercise and liver detoxification?
Source: OCs are cheaper, just as effective as leuprolide for endometriosis pain relief
Week 13 – 04 Apr 2011 Fertility and Sterility 2011; 95: 1568-73
Why Some Women Suffer Recurrent Miscarriage
April 24th, 2011Women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage have significantly reduced endometrial and subendometrial blood vessels, compared with healthy fertile women, according to new study findings. I often recommend a hot water bottle or a castor oil pack over the abdomen in women who are having difficulty conceiving or maintaining a pregnancy for this very reason.
Source: Reduced vascularity linked to recurrent miscarriage, issue 12 – 02 Nov 2010 Fertility and Sterility