enhancing natural fertility

Enhancing Natural Fertility

Ahmad Hammoud MD, MPHUtah Center For Reproductive MedicineUniversity of UtahEnhancing Natural FertilityUCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRMUCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM

Important pointsThe effect of age on natural fertilityOther factor that can affect natural fertilityEnhancing natural fertilityNaturally enhancing fertility treatments

UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRMUCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM


Protect your eggs12 million oocytes at birth300,000500,000 at puberty 25,000 at age 37 years1,000 at age 51 years


IVF success rates and ageUCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRMUCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM

Factors that reduce the number of eggsAge Smoking Toxins such as dry cleaning productsGenetic conditionsChemotherapyRadiationInfectionsMultiple surgeries on the ovaries


Additional factors that can affect fertilityWeightDiet ExercisePollution


Weight and fertilityObesity in womenIrregular ovulation Increased risk of miscarriageIncreased risk of preterm birth

Underweight womenLoose menstrual cycle and ovulationAre at an increased risk for pregnancy complication such as intra-uterine growth restriction


Weight and fertilityIn men, increased weight results in lower sperm count


Diet and fertility Alcohol (more than 2 drinks per day ) can reduce fertility by 60%Caffeine (more than 250 mg =3 cups per day) can reduce fertility by 45%Illicit drugs can reduce fertility by 70%Avoid high intake of seafood: can increase blood mercury levels


Diet and fertility Harvard study: Increased risk of ovulation problems in women with high intake of :Saturated fat compared to mono unsaturated Rapidly digested carbs compared to slow digested carbsAnimal protein compared to plant protein High protein compared to low proteinLow amount of whole milk products


Exercise and fertility Natural pregnancyExcessive exercise can affect the menstrual cycle:Luteal phase defectArrest of menstrual cycle

IVF30% reduction in pregnancy rate in IVF patients if cardiovascular exercise exceeds 4 hours per week


Pollution and fertility


Pollution and fertility

Ahmad Hammoud MD


Natural solutions


Fertile window of the month

First day of flow 281Ovulation14Fertile window


Timing For couple who have infrequent intercourse because of work schedule or other reasons:Use LH predictor kit: when positive have intercourse the same day and the following dayFor couple that are capable of more: Frequent intercourse is better than ovulation predictor kits


MythsAbstinence is betterSome sex positions are betterCertain times of the days are betterI need to stay flat or the hip should be tilted upward after the intimate relation to save the sperm


Lubricants Some lubricants can damage the quality of the sperm KY JellyAstroglideTouchOlive oilBetter lubricant if neededCanola Oil Pre-Seed


Life style interventionsWeight loss or weight gain if necessaryStop smoking Reduce alcohol or stop completelyReduce caffeine to less than 3 cups/dayAvoid heavy exposure to chemicals, toxins, and solventsReduce exercise to less than 4 hours per week while attempting pregnancy


Weight loss


Vitamins and supplementsAll women should be on folic acid 400 mg dailyFor men several antioxidants have been suggested to help sperm such as Vitamin CVitamin DN-Acetylcysteine CoQ10For women, a new study suggest that CoQ10 can fight the effect of aging on the quality of eggs


DietA balanced diet rich in antioxidants New study showed that women undergoing IVF have a higher rate of pregnancy with Mediterranean diet: Vegetable oilLegumesFish Vegetables Low snacks


23Take home messageIf you are less than 30, no other infertility factors , you can try naturally for a year If you are more than 35, no pregnancy after 6 months, get checked : clock is ticking You can still try enhancing your fertility naturally while undergoing treatments such as insemination or IVFDiscuss with your doctor your plan for natural treatment because some treatments can be counter productive


Ahmad Hammoud MD, MPHUtah Center For Reproductive MedicineUniversity of Utah


enhancing natural fertility

Documents

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