Just Us Women

8 Ways to Enhance Your Fertility

2010-09-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

When we’re young, most of us focus so much on not getting pregnant, we don’t think to wonder if we’ll be able to when we want to. But infertility is more common than you think, striking one in eight U.S. couples. Whether you’re trying to become pregnant now or hope to conceive down the road, there are some simple, science-backed steps you can take today to help enhance your fertility naturally. These tips work for every woman—whether you’re contemplating kids or your family is complete, like mine—because the health benefits extend way beyond boosting your baby-making abilities. Oh, and did I mention they might even enhance your love life? Now, that’s something to get excited about!

Practice, practice, practice!

Weekly sexual intimacy appears to regulate your monthly cycle, as well as delay the decline of estrogen as we get older, both of which can enhance fertility, according to research by Winnifred Cutler, Ph.D., founder of the Athena Institute in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. More estrogen is also linked to increased bone density, a healthier cardiovascular system, lower “bad” cholesterol, higher “good” cholesterol and a milder menopause. After all that, what are you waiting for—consider this permission to get busy!

Weigh in

Having a body-mass index greater than 25 can increase the likelihood of a whole host of health troubles, including polycystic ovary syndrome, which disrupts your menstrual cycle—and may derail your plans for getting pregnant without complications. Aim for a BMI between 18.5 and 25; calculate yours at Self.com.

Butt out

You know smoking stinks for your lung and heart health—and now studies show that it can also raise your risk for early menopause. Toxins in the cancer sticks can disrupt ovulation, but the good news is that quitting today can help preserve your fertility. For new ways to kick the habit, talk to your M.D. or visit SmokeFree.gov.

Hit the hay

Some infertile women have been shown to have low levels of leptin, a hormone that affects hunger and weight regulation. Leptin levels drop if you fall short on zzz’s, sotry to log 7 to 8 hours tonight and every night.
Clean house
Chemicals in home products can impair fertility. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants in some tech toys, plastics and fabrics, and a study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives reports that women with high PBDE blood levels took twice as long to conceive as those with lower levels. The chemicals may alter thyroid function and disrupt sex-hormone levels. PBDEs leach out and linger in dust we breathe and touch, so use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and wash your hands often to rinse away any residual toxins.
Ace your exams
Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammation and scarring of the fallopian tubes, which can lead to infertility. Practice safe sex, of course, and see your ob/gyn annually to monitor your reproductive health.
Don’t rule out ice cream
I found this article on Yahoo home page. Check it out.

All you ice cream lovers, take heart: Full-fat dairy foods (like cheese, ice cream and whole milk) may help you get pregnant, a study from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston finds. A fat-soluble compound in dairy may up your odds of conceiving. Pass the spoon!
B smart
Once recommended only for pregnant women, folic acid (400 micgrograms a day) is now considered good medicine for all women of childbearing age, says Mark Gapinski, M.D., an ob/gyn at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. We use the B vitamin to make and maintain new cells in skin, hair, nails and throughout the body. Found naturally in lentils (360 mcg per cup) and leafy greens like spinach (260 mcg per cup), folic acid prevents miscarriage and birth defects.
For the latest health and fitness news, check out our Healthy Self blog at Self.com.

2010-02-22T19:25:00.000-08:00

Long time not post. I promise I haven't forgotten about this amazing blog. This was my outlet for my emotional fertility struggle. Now that I FINALLY have my little angel I still feel that sharing others stories will help someone out. This story below is from my good friend who to put it simply (if that's even possible) she has had a dang hard time with this fertility mess. Read her story below. I love you and thank you for sharing.

Hello, I’m 27 years old, been married almost five years and we have been trying to have a baby for three years. My story is very long and frustrating, like so many of yours. My hope is that my experience so far might help someone else who is struggling conceiving and doesn’t know what in the world the problem is! I will try to spare the long details and get straight to the point

For a year my husband and I tried to get pregnant. By trying I mean, being very naïve at the time, I went off birth control and thought that by doing so I would soon be pregnant. My periods are very irregular so I thought it might take longer but after a year I got really nervous. I went to the OB and had all those tests run, everything was normal. My husband also made a nice manly donation for testing, all normal. The doc said all is well and sent me on my way.

I started researching and I must have read ten books on conceiving. I discovered charting, taking my temperature in the morning, checking my cervical fluids, doing test strips for my Lh surge and elevating after sex. Trying to get pregnant was starting to feel like a stressful, full time job with no benefits. Doing all that stuff is not fun and I know many of you can sympathize! However, six more months and still no payoff.

I went to the doc again and this time he did an HSG (they clamp your cervix and inject dye while doing an ultrasound to make sure the fallopian tubes and ovaries are clear). Not a comfortable thing but very beneficial. He said everything looked clear but one fallopian path was extra long and my uterus was tilted. Nothing to worry about, he said, none of this should affect my getting pregnant. Again, good luck and sent me on my way.

Another three months pass, I buy a $350 ovacue fertility monitor to help better determine the best day to “get busy in the bedroom.” My husband and I both feel like we are on this crazy schedule, “sorry honey we can’t today because I think I’m going to ovulate in 2 days and I need you to save up your underpants navy,” and of course the day of, “Hey honey, sex today cause I’m ovulating? You have a test tomorrow. Well we better do it now so you have time to study.” I know someone can relate to this. All the while the doctor tells us “not stress about it” and you find out everyday that someone else is preggo.

Surprise! On almost exactly the two year mark I ovulate, six weeks later (remember my periods are irregular so I don’t suspect when I don’t have it) I find out I’m pregnant. A week and a half later, I miscarry.

We move to a new place and I go to a new OB. He puts me on clomid and does an ultrasound every month. Everything looks good even though I am partly crazy now and cry at everything! 3 months No luck. He takes me off and referrs me to an infertilitly specialist, problem is we’re moving again. Right before we move I miscarry again, before I even took a test, 5 weeks or a chemical pregnancy as they call it.

We move and I finally get an app with an infertility specialist. While I’m waiting the long wait to get in, I miscarry again at about 5 weeks. My husband goes off to training to a place where I can’t live with him for six months so I know our trying has stopped for the time being. The specialist does a test (can’t remember what it’s called) where he injects a balloon into the uterus then slowly fill it with water to see the whole thing. He tells me that I have a layer of tissue over part of my uterus (not endometriosis) called a septum that doesn’t have any blood supply. If the egg is attaching (which it most likely is) to this wall and not the sides then I would definitly miscarry. He acts very surprised that with all my ultra sounds and the HSG that no one told me about this or tried to fix it. He said he could fix it by going in and shaving off the extra layer of tissue so that wall had an adequate blood supply for an egg to attach to. He thought I would then have a very good chance of staying pregnant.

That was four months ago and I just barely last Friday had this procedure. You have to be at a certain point in your period to have this done. Since my periods are irregular and I had just had mine I had to wait almost two months for it. Then I had to cancel and reschedule it twice because of insurance issues. I also had to be on this horrible birth control the whole time which made me extremely nauseous.

However, It’s an incredible relief to finally have this finished. My husband and I are very excited to start trying again. He will be done training in 3 weeks and we will finally be together again after almost seven months. It’s actually a good thing my husband is still in training because I can’t have sex for 4 weeks! But as soon as it hits March 12 we will be trying again!  It’s been over three years and our journey is still going. I hope everyone will share their stories so they might help someone else struggling, good luck to everyone!

A great LOCAL website with a lot of good info...

2009-06-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

I was driving the other day and saw a billboard with this website (fertilitydr.com) When I got home I started looking through it. I love that it is local and it shares a lot of good information.
I hope that you find some beneficial information in it.

A great story to share!!!

2009-05-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful that this blog reader sent this e-mail. We definitely need more personal stories shared, and I know how hard it sometime is to share your own. Thanks so much for sharing your personal journey.
Best wishes in the road ahead!!!

Since I found your blog I thought I'd post what our story has been, even though it's not over yet. We've been trying for 2 years (we had been married for 2 years already--and isn't it so funny that we even bothered with birth control!). I have a history of a blood clot so we weren't even able to use contraceptives besides protection. So I never had to deal with the effects of birth control or with the possibility that birthcontrol possibly caused us some fertility issues.
But anyway, after about a year I went to my OBGYN to find out what we needed to do, and she sent me home with instructions to just use ovulation predictors for the next 6 months and try that. I did that, and also in that time I read the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler, which is a fabulous book I think anyone trying to conceive should read! So I began charting my cycles and keeping really close track of things. It is SO frustrating to chart your cycles so closely and really time intercourse so that you know there is no way you are missing "prime time", and then still for nothing to happen. (you know what I mean out there ladies! :)
So after about 8 months of the cycle charting and OPKs, we finally went to a fertility specialist just last month. We both had the whole gamut of tests and everything came out clear. That was a surprise to me, I think I had convinced myself that something must have been wrong! But they even did an HSG on me and found everything clear. So we are going to be trying IUI this next month, and are hoping that it will work out. By this point we have kind of gotten the whole "hoping" thing out of our systems--it's easier to just not expect anything and then be pleasantly surprised if something does happen!
Like I said earlier, I think it is so fabulous that there are women willing to share their stories. It really has given me hope on those days when I heard someone else is expecting and all I can do is cry and wonder why it's not me. Since we've been dealing with infertility we have found out that so many people we know have dealt with it, and we never would have known if we hadn't brought it up with them! It really helps tons to see and talk to other people who have gone through it. As we continue to try for a baby I am also always praying for all the others out there who are having the same difficulty, because it is no fun for anyone. Thanks again!

A few details to remember

2009-04-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

Info found at .mothernature.com

Give it a year.
If you're under 28, your sex life is wonderful, and there's nothing in your medical history that points to a possible reproductive problem, our experts say keep trying for a year.

"About 60 percent of couples conceive within six months and 90 percent within the year," says Mitchell Levine, M.D., an obstetrician/gynecologist with Woman-Care in Cambridge, Massachusetts. "When you get older, naturally, fertility decreases a bit."

Even women in their twenties don't ovulate every month, adds Joseph H. Bellina, M.D., Ph.D., director of Omega International Institute, a fertility clinic in New Orleans, Louisiana. In the thirties, the likelihood of monthly ovulation begins to lessen. That's why the older you are, the sooner you'll want to consult a specialist.

You'd like to have a child. But your body isn't cooperating. Should you give it a little longer? Or is it time to consult a fertility specialist?

According to our experts, seek medical counsel if:

* Your menstrual periods are scant or irregular, and your cervical mucus doesn't change. You may not be ovulating.
* You've used an over-the-counter ovulation kit for three cycles now, but it's never given you any indication you're ovulating.
* You are under 35 and have been unable to conceive despite a year of unprotected intercourse, or over 35 and have been unable to conceive after six months.
* You're producing milk, or you have male-pattern hair growth on your breasts, upper lip, or chin. You may have a hormonal imbalance.
* You or your partner have suffered from chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease that can destroy the fallopian tubes in women and inflame and scar the ductal system in men.
* Your medical history includes pelvic infections, endometriosis, polycystic ovary disease, abdominal or urinary tract surgery, injuries to the perineum, excessively high fevers, or the mumps or measles.
* You've used an intrauterine device (IUD).
* You or your mate suspect exposure to some substance like lead that is known to impair fertility.

Talk it out.
Are you both sure you want that baby, or is one of you ambivalent? Our experts have had plenty of stories about couples who try half-heartedly for years but don't conceive until after one partner's uncertainty is resolved.

"I had a couple where the man was older, he had children from another marriage, and he wasn't sure he wanted to be a father at this point in his life," says Dr. Levine. "After a couple of sessions of really talking it out, he got really excited about becoming a father again. And that's when they conceived."

"It's eerie," adds Marilyn Milkman, M.D., a San Francisco obstetrician/gynecologist and clinic faculty member at the University of California, San Francisco. "I've had four patients come in for fertility evaluations, walk out the door, and become pregnant within the month."

Let the passion take you.
Forget about ovulatory charts, mucus charts, and scheduled sex until you absolutely have to worry about them. If you've got time, "let the passion take you," says Dr. Milkman. "Often that does better."

The Alternate Route

Goodbye K-Y Jelly, Hello Egg White

Heads turned when Emory University fertility specialist Andrew Toledo, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, suggested that couples use egg white as a vaginal lubricant to induce conception.

"This is not some magic bullet," cautions Dr. Toledo. "It's only useful as a lubricant for those couples who find dryness a problem."

He advises couples to use egg white only during the few days each month when a woman is fertile. The rest of the month they should use whatever lubricant they prefer.

Why egg white?

Dr. Toledo says he was intrigued by the results of a study in Canada that found egg white had the least effect on sperm motility and survival.

It makes sense, he says. Egg white is pure protein. And the vast amount of sperm is pure protein in nature. "Sperm does not do well in a carrier different from its structure."

"For the six, seven, or eight couples who told me they needed to use some kind of lubricant, this helped." Several couples who tried this did conceive.

But don't use egg white if you're allergic to it, he cautions. Take the egg out of the refrigerator ahead of time, so that it's not cold, and separate the white from the yolk. It makes no difference whether you apply the substance to the glans of the penis or the vagina.

Ease up on your work schedule. Workaholism and constant pressure can put the squeeze on fertility, says Dr. Levine. "I see a lot of career people and I say to them 'take a look at what message you're giving to your body.' " For Dr. Levine, it makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint. Your body knows that a period of extreme stress is not an ideal time to get pregnant.

Use the standard missionary position on days when you suspect the woman is fertile. The man-on-top style of intercourse is best for conception, says Dr. Bellina. The woman should remain lying down for 20 minutes after her partner ejaculates.

"I advise couples to have intercourse on those nights and then fall asleep," he says.

Stop smoking. Cigarettes can impair fertility in men and women. Studies of men have shown that smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to have sperm counts below the normal range, and to have less sperm motility. An English study of 17,032 women showed that the more cigarettes a woman smoked per day, the less fertile she was likely to be. Researchers suspect that smoking may alter hormone levels in a woman's body.
FOR WOMEN ONLY

Here are some helpful measures that women can take to help increase the chances of pregnancy.

Make sure you're ovulating. Are you having regular periods? If not, you may not ovulate.

"One key to ovulation is noticeable changes in cervical mucus midway through the cycle," says Dr. Milkman. "The mucus will be thin, watery, and clear." Other signs include premenstrual breast tenderness, cramps, and what the Germans call mittelschmerz—ovulation pain, she says.

Another way to test ovulation is with a kit you buy at the drugstore. The kit, which reads levels of the ovulation release hormone in your urine, is only about 50 percent effective when you use it morning and night, says Dr. Bellina. Kits available only through your doctor's office tend to be more accurate. The best time to test is between 10:00 a.m. and noon.

If you get a positive result the first month you use it, great. If three cycles pass without giving you a positive result, it could mean that either the kit isn't sensitive enough for you or you're not ovulating. Either way, consult your doctor.

If you want to be a fertility goddess, try to look like one. Some women can induce ovulation by putting on a few pounds or taking off a few. In general, the closer your actual weight is to the ideal weight listed in the Metropolitan Life statistical tables, the better. You want to be within 95 percent of that ideal but below 120 percent.

Researchers have found that body fat can actually produce and store estrogen, a hormone that primes the body for pregnancy. When total body estrogen is too high or too low, the system can be thrown off balance. The more fat, the more estrogen produced.

In one study by reproductive endocrinologist G. William Bates, M.D., a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and dean of the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, 29 slim and nonovulatory women attained ovulation when they gained enough weight to put them within 95 percent of the ideal. Within three years of entering the program, 24 of the 29 became pregnant. In another study by Bates, 11 of 13 overweight and nonovulatory women regained ovulation after they lost weight: 10 conceived.

Go easy on the exercise. There are two reasons for this. If exercise
causes you to lose too much body fat, you can stop ovulating. But even if you maintain normal body weight, you may still put yourself at risk if you spend more than an hour a day working hard at activities like running, cross-country skiing, or swimming.

In a study of 346 women with ovulatory dysfunction, Beverly Green, M.D., a maternal and infant health specialist in Silverdale, Washington, found some evidence that women who had never been pregnant and who exercised vigorously for more than an hour a day increased their risk of infertility. The study found that exercise exerted its effect on fertility through a means independent of its ability to promote weight loss.

What's going on here? Dr. Green is not sure. Dr. Bellina suspects the endorphins, brain chemicals released during vigorous exercise, may, like morphine, affect a woman's prolactin levels. Elevated prolactin levels may interfere with ovulation.

At any rate, Dr. Green, a marathon runner who had no difficulty bearing children, cautions against overinterpreting her study. Her advice to dedicated athletes? "Try to cut back and see if it makes a difference."

Time it just right. If ovulation is occurring normally, maybe you're just not making love when you're fertile. It could be that simple, says Dr. Levine.

"Sometimes you've got two career people, they're having intercourse maybe once or twice a week, and they're just not hitting it," he says.

How do you remedy this? Try to predict ovulation. If you don't want to fuss much, you can predict the date of your next period and count back 14 days. Then make love every night from day 11 through day 16. Or you can buy an over-the-counter ovulation test kit, which will give you about 24 to 36 hours advance warning of ovulation. When the test indicates ovulation, make love that night and the night after, advises Dr. Bellina.

Thou shalt not douche. Anything that interferes with the pH level of the vagina can make life unfriendly for sperm. That includes douches, lubrication agents, and jellies.

"I tell people never to douche," says Dr. Milkman. "If you leave the vagina alone, it will do just fine at cleaning itself."

Go easy on caffeine. More than a cup of coffee a day can hurt your chances of becoming pregnant. The same holds true if you ingest the equivalent amount of caffeine from chocolate, soft drinks, or other caffeinated beverages.

In a study of 104 women who were attempting to become pregnant, researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that those who drank more than the caffeine equivalent of a cup of coffee a day were half as likely to conceive as those who consumed less.
FOR MEN ONLY

And on the male side of the equation, there is more advice.

Give your sperm time to bounce back. Any viral illness associated with fever can depress sperm count for up to three months, says Neil Baum, M.D., director of the Male Infertility Clinic in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a clinical assistant professor of urology at Tulane University School of Medicine. Bad colds can have the same effect.

Why is the effect so long-lasting? According to Dr. Baum, the normal cycle to produce a sperm is 78 days. It takes another 12 days for the sperm to mature. Healthy semen, by the way, contains in excess of 20 million sperm per teaspoon. If you looked at the sample under a microscope, more than 60 percent would appear to be swimming forward.

If your sperm count is healthy, a cold or flu probably won't knock it out of the fertility range. But if it's borderline, an illness may.

Say no to steroids. Anabolic steroids can shut off the pituitary gland and alter the body's natural hormone balance, says Dr. Baum. "It's not uncommon for athletes to have infertility problems," he adds. "Long-time use of steroids can permanently damage the testicles."

Be wary of drugs and alcohol. Various over-the-counter and prescription drugs can depress sperm count. If you're not sure about the medications you use, consult your pharmacists or doctor. Tagamet, an ulcer medication, is one to watch out for. Others include chemotherapeutic agents and certain antibiotics. And various studies over the years show that chronic drinking and habitual marijuana use can be at fault, too.

Keep 'em cool. Nature's way of keeping your testicles a half-degree cooler than your core body temperature is to house them outside the body. But if you heat the core temperature too much, or heat the testes themselves, you can affect sperm production.

Dr. Baum advises you to be careful about excessive physical activity, temperature extremes, hot tubs, and close-fitting underwear if you want to father a child.

Remember that abstinence makes the sperm grow stronger. If a baby is what you're after, daily intercourse can be too much of a good thing because it can decrease your sperm count.

"For the average couple, this doesn't matter," says Dr. Levine. "But in a borderline case, this may do it." Most experts recommend you abstain for two days prior to the woman's fertile period to let the sperm build up, then make love every other day.

Trying to cope when everyone around you is pregnant

2009-02-25T11:28:00.000-08:00

First of all I want to apologize for taking so long to post again. The post below was something I really felt that I should post, because I have felt this way SO MANY times during our time of trying. Second I have to preface this post with our news. I am finally pregnant, 19 weeks in fact. And although I have been so over joyed and happy I have this little hole left in my heart for those of you still trying. I wanted to follow my news with the comments below. I remember the sadness and anger I would feel when I would hear of someone else getting pregnant. I found this article on babycenter.com and thought it was great because you could read what other women were feeling.

Q: Several of my close friends announced they're pregnant. I've been trying for a baby for about two years now and I hate to admit it, but I'm jealous. It's tough to hear them talk about their pregnancies. How can I deal with these feelings?

I have to admit that I am happy that I am not the only one going through this. We have been trying since June of 2004 and have had two miscarriages. We tried for 10 months last year after our mc in January 2005 and finally got a positive test in December then mc again just 5 weeks ago. Actually today I would be 12 weeks pregnant. My husbands sister is pregnant and due about two weeks earlier than we were. She tries one month and is pregnant and everything goes perfect for her, which is such a blessing of course just really hard to watch when everything seems to go wrong with us. Two of our cousins are also pregnant and two of our closer friends had babies last month. We also have about 8 other couples/friends that are pregnant!!! It seems like everywhere I turn there are constant reminders of the babies we have lost and of the heartache of ttc month after month. I am anxious to start ttc again, but terrified that it may take what seemed like forever again! This has been the biggest trial for me in every way. So many people don't understand because they have never gone through it or just don't feel the same way about it as some of us do. I am jealous and angry and resentful and bitter and I don't think this is going to change until we have a baby of our own on the way. I am just trying to work through these feelings the best I can to get through each hour, day and month. I have my breakdowns and I let myself cry because holding it all back is just too much to deal with sometimes. I know that there is nothing wrong with feeling upset about not being a parent yet because when the time finally does come for us we will appreciate it that much more. It is human nature to feel jealous of others that have something that is such a major part of life when you want it so badly. It upsets me when people think we should just brush things aside and find other things to focus on, that is a perfect example that they don?t understand and have never wanted anything the way we desire to become mothers for the first time or again. My advice to anyone going through this is to set up as much support around you as you can and just take it day by day. Although most people won't understand, I personally feel like my husband is the only one that remotely feels what I feel most of the time. I wish there were more things that were helpful, but the only Thing that will help each of us in the end are things we can?t give each other. But we can support those around us that are going or will go through this and if we talk about it with more people maybe more people will understand a little better. Anyway, sorry this is so long? I hope everyone can have a good day today and not worry about tomorrow too much. That is what I am trying to do? Baby dust to everyone!
posted 2/07/2006 by Alicia

Hey Sarah, I know exactly how you feel. Two girls I know got pregnant w/out even trying. At first I was okay with it, I was excited with them. But as soon as they started showing that's when I started feeling really down about it and literally "hating" them. When one started making plans to throw her baby shower I just tried to disconnect from her.Both of them. I didn't go to the baby shower because I knew I would be miserable. I told them up front exactly how I felt and that if ever I were to act a certain way it wasn't them. It was just me being upset about *MY* personal situations regarding my none pregnancy. Like -Suzie- said "it all depends on the relationship you have with your friends" and unfortunately our relationship wasn't as close as I had thought and both girls completely disregarded what I had said. So we are no longer friends. I hope that you are much closer to yours and that they respect you. Sometimes really all I needed was a hug from one of them at times. Don't dis associate completely but don't be around them to often because it'll just wear you down.
posted 8/13/2005 by SheedaReeder3

I think it is natural to feel what you are feeling. I have been on the other side (the pregnant friend). Please just be honest with your friends. If they are truely your friends they will understand if there is a time that you do not want to talk to them. Please do not isolate them though. I cried the first 6 months of my pregnancy because a friend made me feel so guilty about being pregnant. If they would have just told me about their feelings then I would have understood, yet I had to hear second hand about many things and then they would make comments to us that just tore me apart. I wish for them to get pregnant. I would do anything to help them.
posted 5/16/2007 by Anonymous

decided to bring in my comment after reading Stacey's post (05/03/2006). I have been on both sides and have learned a lot from it. All my friends in the US had babies before me, and I was always very involved with these very happy events until I decided that it was time for me to begin thinking of my own baby. I became pregnant immediately but miscarried quickly. It was hard. At the same time, the last of my childless friends was approaching delivery and I could not even imagine talking with her, seeing her, dealing with her happiness. So, I kept myself at a safe distance. Then there were other wonderful events in the family, while I had my second miscarriage, together with a very bad depression. Finally, I got pregnant last fall and I am approaching delivery now. Well, guess what? all my childless friend disappeared! There are people whom I haven't talked to since Christmas. I email them, send them pictures, but receive no response or response such as "very busy now, will write more later." Now I understand how it feels to be left alone too. And it hurts almost more than envy, because when you are pregnant you want the people you love to be present around you, to participate, to support you, especially if it is the first pregnancy. This is no pregnant queen syndrome, it is simply a natural feminine desire to share the incredible changes your body is going through with the people you love. And when these people disappear, it hurts. So, it is worth to work on your envy, even if it requires professional help. It demolishes yourself first, and then your friendships. Life is very strange: there is no reason why some women should have babies easily and others don't. But it happens. At one point I started becoming excited at the idea that we could adopt, that we could help other children, and it did feel good, it did help a lot. Participating your friend's pregnancies can be rewarding, as Stacey suggests. I did it every single time, with the exception of once, and I have only good memories of it and a good sense of myself. I only wish I hadn't let my sadness take over me during the pregnancy of my one friend I abandoned. I hope this helps, and good luck to all of you!
posted 6/01/2006 by MR from CA

2008-12-31T16:40:00.001-08:00

I know that this doesn't have anything to do with fertility but it will give you a new perspective on being put in a hard situation. What a great video.

Ovacue fertility Monitor

2008-12-17T11:25:00.000-08:00

OvaCue Fertility Monitor

Thanks Richae for sharing your in-put on this product. Below is a bit more info. on the product.

The OvaCue is a product of Zetek Inc. You can read more about it at the Zetek corporate website. According to the company:

Using the OvaCue is simple. You simply put a spoon-sized sensor on your tongue for five seconds each morning and the OvaCue will automatically display and record your fertility for the day. The OvaCue tracks the readings in memory and indicates your most fertile period — automatically. Plus, you can download your readings to a PC for convenient tracking on a calendar.

Zetek’s Electrolyte Method has been proven to be 98% accurate at predicting and confirming ovulation in numerous studies, including those sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and published in peer-reviewed journal articles. (Note, confirmation of ovulation requires the optional vaginal sensor.)

The OvaCue requires no handling of urine or saliva to use. The OvaCue is very economical because it can be used for years and does not require additional purchases. The OvaCue comes complete with the base unit, sealed oral sensor, carrying case, owner’s manual, battery and a free pregnancy test.

Included at the corporate website is guidance on how to choose a fertility monitor, and an article titled "Compare fertility monitors for practicality and value."

According to the Beyond Fertility website:

Of all the fertility monitors out there, the ones made by Zetek are among the very best of the "high end" monitors in my opinion. These are a bit more pricey and are an investment in the future.

The Zetek monitors called Cue II and OvaCue cost from $198 to $383 depending on which model and accessories you choose. While the price seems a bit high at the beginning, when you realize that you’ll actually be saving money in the long run, you’ll see what a gem these monitors truly are.

...The price range of the Zetek monitors compare to that of the Clear Blue Easy (Clear Plan) however the price is the only similarity in my opinion. With the Clear Blue Easy you have to purchase test strips each month, which can cost up to an additional $50 per month. With the Zetek monitors the only thing you’ll ever have to purchase after the initial buy is a 9 volt battery. I’ve had my Cue II since 2001 and I’m still using the same 9 volt battery that came with the unit!

...Do these monitors really work? YES! My baby is living proof. The Cue II alerted to ovulation seven days prior, and I confirmed ovulation and conception happened. Eleven days later I had a positive pregnancy test!

Info found at www.martinrothonline.com

Letrozole - is being used commonly as an infertility treatment

2008-11-11T13:19:00.000-08:00

Thanks Megan for sharing your in-put on this drug.

Letrozole is being used commonly as an infertility treatment. Letrozole is the most recent addition to the drugs being used for fertility treatment. Fertility drugs are used often in infertility treatments. There are two situations in which fertility drugs may be useful. First, these drugs can be used to induce an egg to develop and be released in women who are not ovulating on their own. This is known as ovulation induction. Fertility drugs can also be used to increase the chances of pregnancy in women who are already ovulating. This is known as superovulation . In many fertility centers, clomiphene citrate (Clomid, Serophene) has been the drug of first choice for either ovulation induction or superovulation for many years. In general, it has been a relatively effective medication. However, clomiphene citrate lasts for a long time in the body and may therefore have an adverse effect on the cervical mucus and uterine lining. Some groups of patients, such as women with PCOS – polycystic ovary syndrome, do not respond well to clomiphene citrate. Another group of fertility drugs which are administered as injections are called gonadotropins (Gonal F, Follistim). The gonadotropins are very efficient at inducing ovulation and have higher pregnancy rates than clomiphene citrate. However, gonadotropins are much more expensive than clomiphene citrate and the injectable route is uncomfortable for patients to administer and inconvenient. The risk for multiple pregnancies is also much higher with gonadotropins.

Letrozole is a medication that has been widely used in women with breast cancer. It is sold under the trade name Femara. Letrozole belongs to a class of medications known as aromatase inhibitors.

Recently, the manufacturer of Letrozole sent a notice to doctors warning that there are reported cases of birth defects that arose in the children of women who received Letrozole while pregnant. Novartis, the manufacturer of letrozole, reviewed their safety database and found 13 reports of pregnant women receiving the drug worldwide. Of those 13 women, two had children with birth defects. In the United States, the labeling of letrozole already warns that it has been associated with birth defects. Novartis has never sought FDA approval to market letrozole as a fertility medication and is clearly concerned about their liability if given in pregnancy.

However, there are no reports of letrozole being associated with birth defects when given prior to pregnancy. It is important to make the distinction that when used as a fertility medication, letrozole is given before the establishment of pregnancy. Letrozole is a medication that is metabolized rapidly in the body. It is not thought to have significant levels in the blood or tissues for a prolonged period of time.

At least one major pharmaceutical company, Serono, is conducting studies with a similar medication called anastrozole in the hopes of obtaining FDA approval to market it specifically as a fertility medication.

Aromatase is an enzyme that is responsible for the production of estrogen in the body. Letrozole works by inhibiting aromatase thereby suppressing estrogen production. Clomiphene citrate, on the other hand, blocks estrogen receptors. In both cases, the result is that the pituitary gland produces more of the hormones needed to stimulate the ovaries. These hormones, FSH and LH, can cause the development of ovulation in women who are anovulatory or increase the number of eggs developing in the ovaries of women who already ovulate. As a result, several studies have now been published using letrozole as a fertility drug.

One of the earliest studies using letrozole as a fertility drug looked at 12 women with inadequate response to clomiphene citrate. Ovulation on letrozole occurred in 9 of 12 cycles and 3 patients conceived. A later study by the same investigators compared the effects of letrozole to those of clomiphene citrate. This time 19 women were studied. Ten women received clomiphene citrate and nine women received letrozole. This study was unable to demonstrate any difference in the number of women who ovulated, the number of eggs that developed in each woman, or the thickness of the uterine lining during treatment. However, a more recent study by a different group of investigators found that compared with clomiphene citrate, letrozole is associated with a thicker uterine lining and a lower miscarriage rate.

Nobody has yet identified the optimal dose for letrozole. Three dose regimens have been tested: 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 7.5 mg. Different studies comparing these dose regimens have occasionally found favor with one dose or another but there is no conclusive data that one dose is better than another. The usual length of treatment is for five days.

Some early studies suggested that the pregnancy rates with letrozole far exceeded those with clomiphene citrate and were possibly even higher than gonadotropins. Further data has determined that this is not the case. Pregnancy rates with letrozole are similar to those seen with clomiphene citrate and are lower than the pregnancy rates seen with gonadotropins. Older patients have a lower chance of success than younger patients.

Treatment with letrozole may still be successful even if other treatments have failed. For example, some data shows that in women who did not ovulate with clomiphene citrate, they still may ovulate with letrozole.
Letrozole side effects
Letrozole works based on its ability reduce estrogen levels. Low estrogen levels of any cause can cause a woman to have symptoms. The data on side effects comes from women who have been using letrozole for an extended period of time in order to treat breast cancer. The treatment duration for letrozole is only five days. In our experience, we have seen side effects that are similar to those seen with clomiphene citrate:

Hot flashes
Headaches
Breast tenderness
Letrozole and pregnancy
Studies conducted so far have shown either no increased risk of miscarriage or a decrease in miscarriage risk. Letrozole is considered pregnancy Category D. Letrozole should not be given to women who are already pregnant. Studies in rats and mice have shown that letrozole increases the risk of fetal death and malformations. Since there are no studies in human beings, it should be assumed that a similar effect is possible.

Information found at ivf1.com

Another vidoe to watch...

2008-10-21T21:07:00.000-07:00

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8EEYQdfRZ8

A little advice - Please!!!

2008-10-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

I would love to hear your advice and critiques to this blog. I have had many phone calls and e-mails about your feelings on this blog and I have loved each comment. I would so so appreciate some tips on what I should put on here. Anything would help. Share your stories. What tests have you had, how long have you been trying, what articles have you found that have helped you. Something, anything ... I would LOVE your advice.

Stress & Infertility

2008-10-21T20:09:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in posting new information. I have been out of town and am back and ready to go. I have been tracking my Basel body temperature for about six month now and have been tracking the length of my cycles for even longer. I took a better look at each month the other day just to get an idea of my stats each month. In the overview I noticed how my cycles have changed since I quit my stressful job. I went from 45 day cycles to about 35 days. Could a reduction in stress really affect my cycles that much?? That led me to look into a few articles on stress and the effect that it has on fertility.

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
PATIENT FACT SHEET
Stress and Infertility
Stress can come from just about anything that you feel is threatening
or harmful. A single event (or your worry about it) can
produce stress. So can the little things that worry you all day long.
Acute stress, caused by a single event (or your fear of it), makes
your heart beat faster and your blood pressure go up. You breathe
harder, your hands get sweaty, and your skin feels cool and
clammy. Chronic stress, which is when you are always stressed,
can cause depression and changes in your sleep habits. It can also
decrease your chances of fighting off common illnesses.
Stress makes many body organs work harder than normal and
increases the production of some important chemicals in your
body, including hormones.
Is stress causing my infertility?
Probably not. Even though infertility is very stressful, there isn't
any proof that stress causes infertility. In an occasional woman,
having too much stress can change her hormone levels and therefore
cause the time when she releases an egg to become delayed
or not take place at all.
Is infertility causing my stress?
Maybe. Many women who are being treated for infertility have
as much stress as women who have cancer or heart disease.
Infertile couples experience stress each month: first they hope
that the woman is pregnant; and if she is not, the couple has to
deal with their disappointment.
Why is infertility stressful?
Most couples are used to planning their lives. They may believe
that if they work hard at something, they can achieve it. So when
it's hard to get pregnant, they feel as if they don't have control of
their bodies or of their goal of becoming parents. With infertility, no
matter how hard you work, it may not be possible to have a baby.
Infertility tests and treatments can be physically, emotionally, and
financially stressful. Infertility can cause a couple to grow apart,
which increases stress levels. Couples may have many
doctor appointments for infertility treatment, which can cause
them to miss work or other activities.
What can I do to reduce my stress?•

Talk to your partner.
• Realize you're not alone. Talk to other people who have
infertility, through individual or couple counseling, or support
groups.
• Read books on infertility, which will show you that your
feelings are normal and can help you deal with them.
• Learn stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or
acupuncture.
• Avoid taking too much caffeine or other stimulants.
• Exercise regularly to release physical and emotional tension.
• Have a medical treatment plan with which both you and your
partner are comfortable.
• Learn as much as you can about the cause of your infertility
and the treatment options available.
• Find out as much as you can about your insurance coverage and
make financial plans regarding your fertility treatments.
Who can help us?
RESOLVE is a national support organization for couples with
infertility. For information on local chapters, you can reach them
at 1310 Broadway, Somerville, Massachusetts 02144; (617) 623-
0744. Also, support information and weekly internet chat
sessions can be found through the American Fertility Association
at www.afafamilymatters.com.
Revised 2008
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine grants permission to photocopy this fact sheet and distribute it to patients.

Other articles on this can be found at:
fertilitycommunity.com

Is Chronic Stress Affecting Your Fertility?
Stress Can Affect Hormones and Prevent Women From Ovulating
An artice on abc.com said:
Nonstop pressure and chronic stress may have a significant affect on fertility and may prevent some women from getting pregnant, according to experts.

An Iowa woman says she only found out she was pregnant after a surgery in which she underwent general anesthesia.
(Corbis)"I like to say a little of this and a little of that is worse than you think for your reproductive system," said Dr. Sarah Berga, of Emory University School of Medicine.

Berga, who has studied the impact of stress on fertility for years, said while humans are designed to deal with a certain amount of stress, chronic stress may prevent some women from ovulating.

She said it starts with the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls the release of hormones.

"Your brain is hard to fool. If you're undereating, overworking and overexercising, the hypothalamus is, in essence, keeping a running tally of what you're doing," Berga said. "Even though you can say to yourself, 'I'm not stressed.' Your hypothalamus may come up with a different answer."
If the hypothalamus senses stress, the messages sent to the ovary to release eggs may be interrupted and cause stress-induced infertility. It's an interesting process, but one that patients and even some doctors may find difficult to accept.
Susan Epstein, 49, spent years running herself ragged, not only as a long-distance runner, but later as a busy wife, student and exercise physiologist.

Oral fertility drugs helped her get pregnant with her first child, but when she attempted to get pregnant a second time, Epstein couldn't. Even three rounds of IVF didn't help her.
After visiting Berga, Epstein, who defines herself as "a get up and get going kind of woman," found out stress was inhibiting her fertility.
"I was into my career and my husband had a professional career. I had a small baby. I was new at all those things," Epstein said. "I was also exercising, still running every day — trying to keep everything afloat."
But, she said she had a difficult time believing her lifestyle could be hindering her from having the child she desired.
"I had a really hard time thinking it was me because you want to get an answer, so they can fix something — you know a prescription, a pill," Epstein said.
Berga said it is often difficult for women to learn less stress can increase their fertility.
"Suddenly, we're telling them, 'you need to alter your lifestyle in some way. Run less. Eat more.' This can sound like pretty bad news," Berga said.
But, for many, stress-related infertility can be reversed. In one study, Berga found ovulation was restored in seven out of eight women who underwent talk therapy, compared with two of eight who did not.
After hearing her lifestyle might be affecting her fertility, Epstein decided to de-stress her life. She left her job to take care of her baby, and made a conscious effort to relax. She took up yoga and piano.
"I had to stop running. I had to gain some weight. I had to take more time for myself," she said. "It sounds like exercise was time for myself, but that was really part of my whole stressful routine."

To her surprise within four months and without any medication, Epstein was pregnant. Her daughters are now 11 and 7.
"It was such a relief to like let go, for me," Epstein said. "I think it must have sent all the positive hormones in my brain that said, 'OK, you're ready now.'"
It is important to note not all stress can produce infertility, ABC News medical editor Dr. Tim Johnson said on "Good Morning America" today. The acute stress, known as fight or flight, isn't the type of stress that causes the problem, he said.
And while the research about stress and women seems to point in one direction, the link between stress and men is less clear.
"We don't have such a direct connection with sperm production and men," Johnson said. "The connection with women is much clearer."
Johnson said it's important for people listen to their bodies, but not merely for fertility.
'For our health and in general, we need to pay attention to the signals our body is sending us," he said.

An amazing music video

2008-10-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

This link was on the Fertility Stumpers blog and I had to share it will all of you. Ever word in the song expresses just how I feel and Im sure how you are feeling as well.
p.s. does anyone know how to post the video as a post. I did it at one time and can't get it to work again.
Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqfGqOx2iDQ

Ovulaton Predictor

2008-10-07T22:04:00.000-07:00

I was on Parents.com today just searching for information. I came accross this digital calculator that can detect an approximation of the days that you are ovulating. I don't ovulate on a regular basis but I still decided to enter my info to see what it would tell me. Beleive it or not the times that I did ovulate were right on with the results. Just go to parents.com and click on ovulation predictor. Let me know if it worked for you as well.

Don't Forget the basics

2008-09-29T21:32:00.000-07:00

I went to the health food store the other day and was told that I needed to be taking better vitamins and minerals to balance my system out. They reccomended (Udo's 3.6.9 Oil blend pills)

The info below was found at: www.wholesalesupplementstore.com
Udo's 3·6·9 Oil Blend is a special blend of carefully chosen, all-natural, unrefined oils and nutritional co-factors that help meet your daily essential fatty acid requirements. Formulated by renowned author and nutritionist Udo Erasmus, PhD, this blend contains oils from cold-pressed, certified organic flax*, sunflower*, sesame* seeds, evening primrose oil* and the bran of rice and oats*. This oil blend is cold-pressed in a state of the art low heat light and oxygen-free environment. This process has been developed by Flora to maximize stability, nutritional value, and freshness. The oil is further protected by enclosing it in an environmentally friendly glass bottle and recycled cardboard box.

Fatty acids are organic compounds composed of carbon chains of varying lengths, with an acid group on one end and hydrogen bound to all the carbons of the chain. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are those that are necessary for health, but cannot be synthesized by the body. Therefore, it is important to supply the body with EFAs through one's daily dietary intake. EFAs are also called vitamin F or polyunsaturates. They are important ingredients for the growth and maintenance of cells. The body utilizes essential fatty acids for hormone production, specifically for the production of prostaglandins, which aid in reducing hypertension, migraine headaches, and arthritis.
A few of the benefits listed below are found at:
www.omega3faq.com
Omega-3 fatty acids are required nutrients for prenatal development. While a baby will derive his or her nutrition from the mother's body, a pregnant woman should consume enough Omega-3 fatty acids to satisfy both her and her baby's requirements. The most critical Omega-3 fatty acid is DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid). Found throughout the body, it is a key structural fat and is integral in the development of the retina, the brain, and the heart. In fact, approximately 97% of all omega-3 fatty acids found in the brain is DHA as well as 93% of the omega-3 fatty acids in the eyes is DHA.1-2 Many medical professionals believe that DHA is key to maintaining a healthy pregnancy and the consumption of DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding has shown a direct relationship with increased mental processing (i.e. IQ score) of the child.3-4 The most common question I hear (which I had a hard time finding the answer to back then) is "How much DHA should I take when pregnant or breastfeeding?" The simple answer is:
A number of studies have shown that the optimal intake of DHA during pregnancy or breastfeeding is 300 milligrams per day. That is 300mg of DHA, not "Omega-3 fatty acids."5-6 Since Omega-3 fatty acids tend to stay in the bloodstream over time, this requirement can usually be met by consuming two to three portions of fatty fish per week (such as wild salmon, sardines, or any other deep water fatty fish) or by taking Omega-3 Supplements during pregnancy. Some people prefer to take supplements to lower the possible risk of contaminants in certain fish. Physicians suggest that women who are pregnant or who intend to become pregnant should avoid Swordfish, Shark, Mackerel, and Tilefish, and should limit their intake of White Albacore Tuna to less than 6oz per week due to the potential for contaminants (mercury, PCBs, etc., which move up the food chain and concentrate in the large predatory fish).

DHA is also one of the fatty acids in Omega-3 fatty acid (or fish oil) supplements, and can be an inexpensive and effective way to increase one's intake of Omega-3 fatty acids. Be careful to read the label, however, to make sure that you are getting the proper amount of DHA (not just "omega-3 fatty acids") as well as ensuring product purity since different brands may vary greatly in quality.

Are you taking your pre-natal pills???

Ok so I know this is the most basic thing and most of you have been through bottle after bottle (At least I have) You really get a grip on how long you have been trying when you are on your third Cosco bottle. Just in case I have listed some info that might be beneficial.
I found great info at www.ezinearticles.com

It is only natural that expectant mothers should want the very best for their babies and to that end, it is important to make sure that they are consuming the most nutritious foods for their unborn child. However, this may prove to be difficult due to nausea, cravings and loss of appetite for some foods.

One of the best ways to ensure that both mother and their baby are getting enough vitamins and minerals is to take prenatal vitamin supplements.

Many doctors will prescribe prenatal vitamins as early as six weeks into a pregnancy with some even advocating that they be taken if a woman is planning to conceive. The reasoning behind this is that it will help prevent certain birth defects.

Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated to ensure that both mother and baby receive the proper amount of vitamins and nutrients regardless of any abnormal eating habits during pregnancy. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can have negative effects on the growth and well being of the unborn child.

Folic acid is one of the minerals that are contained in prenatal vitamins and is an essential nutrient during pregnancy. As well as being important for the growth of the unborn child, Folic Acid has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Calcium is one of the most important elements in an expectant moms diet as it is essential for the developing bone growth of the unborn child. However, prenatal vitamins do not always contain enough calcium while others do not contain any at all. The ones that do have it only contain around 250 mg whilst the recommended intake while pregnant is 1200 to 1500 milligrams. It is therefore important to pay close attention to the calcium content in prenatal vitamin supplements and to make up any shortfall with the consumption of dairy products.

Iron is another important mineral contained in prenatal vitamins and is responsible for helping the mother and the baby’s blood to carry oxygen. Iron deficiencies can lead to severe birth defects for the baby as well as other complications for the mother.

Other vitamins and minerals included in prenatal vitamins include Vitamin D, Vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin E, vitamin B-12, and zinc. Each of these is important for the mother and her growing baby.

As with all supplements, prenatal vitamins are just that – supplements and to that end, they should not be taken in place of a nutritionally balanced diet. Apart from anything else, any vitamin supplement requires the nutrients found in food to be correctly absorbed by the body.

Many moms to be may feel that they know enough about nutrition and eat well enough without the need to take prenatal vitamins. However, it is important to be realistic about the nutrition that you can maintain while pregnant as nausea and loss of appetite can make a big difference to nutritional intake.
Even if you are lucky enough not to experience morning sickness and nausea, it can still be difficult to be sure that you are getting enough vitamins and minerals for both you and your baby. Best advice is to play it safe and take a prenatal vitamin even if it is just an insurance policy.

Thank you!!!!

2008-09-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

What an amazing out pour of support I have received in just a few days of starting this blog. I am so grateful and appreciative of every one's support. I have had e-mails, comments on my personal blog and this blog, and phone calls from everyone who would love to contribute or show their support. I am so excited to get going on this and would LOVE everyone and any one's in-put on what to post about. Below are just a few tips that I received from women who have shared their stories. Thanks again and keep the comments coming they are really helpful.

Thanks to a new comment lead and to a dear friend of mine this information was given. For anyone who has taken Clomid this is a great supplement.
The product is called FertilAid and the website link is -
early-pregnancy-tests.com
Below is the info...

FertilAid is the nutritional supplement designed to enhance reproductive wellness, support fertility, and optimize your odds of conceiving - in women's and men's formulas. FertilAid for Women integrates chasteberry and a spectrum of vitamins to promote hormonal balance and regular ovulation. FertilAid for Men has been clinically-proven to support male fertility, sperm count & motility. Safe, scientifically-validated, doctor approved!

Enhance fertility and optimize your chances of conceiving with FertilAid or Fertility Blend - formulated on the basis of established scientific literature to help optimize fertility safely. Ob/Gyn & Doctor Approved, our fertility blend supplements are designed to promote fertility and support reproductive wellness - naturally! See our newest additions, FertiliTea fertility tea and FertileCM!

Because infertility issues are likely to touch both men and women equally, Dr. Grunebaum's FertilAid supplements and Fertility Blend are available in special His and Hers Value Packs.

The website also has a link to buy high sensitivity, early detection pregnancy tests. The tests can detect when you are pregnant sooner. I am definetly ordering these. I have the bad habit of taking a test when I'm one day late and then taking another two days later. Needless to say I have wasted a lot of money.

Discover when you are pregnant sooner! Our pregnancy tests are sensitive to 20mIU for early, accurate results.
Early Pregnancy Tests offers two varieties of reliable, early-detection pregnancy tests: the pregnancy test strip (the same style of test used in clinics) and the midstream test (the same style sold in drugstores). All pregnancy tests are over 99% accurate.

Both tests are capable of detecting human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG (a hormone present in women's urine during pregnancy) at levels of just 20 mIU/ml/hCG. That means you can begin testing accurately as early as six to eight days after conception - well before your first missed period!

If you are fertility charting, and you know your ovulation date, you may begin testing as early as 7-10 DPO (days past ovulation) when the hCG level in urine will, on average, reach 20 mIU/ml. We recommend using a first-morning urine sample as this will contain the highest concentration of hCG.

PCOS
This is something I had never heard of and was so interested to read about the details. Thanks to a comment for this lead.

What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic (pah-lee-SIS-tik) ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. With PCOS, women typically have:

high levels of androgens (AN-druh-junz). These are sometimes called male hormones, although females also make them.
missed or irregular periods
many small cysts (sists) in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.
How many women have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
About one in ten women of childbearing age has PCOS. It can occur in girls as young as 11 years old. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility (not being able to get pregnant).

What causes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
The cause of PCOS is unknown. Most researchers think that more than one factor could play a role in developing PCOS. Genes are thought to be one factor. Women with PCOS tend to have a mother or sister with PCOS. Researchers also think insulin could be linked to PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that controls the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body to use or store. For many women with PCOS, their bodies have problems using insulin so that too much insulin is in the body. Excess insulin appears to increase production of androgen. This hormone is made in fat cells, the ovaries, and the adrenal gland. Levels of androgen that are higher than normal can lead to acne, excessive hair growth, weight gain, and problems with ovulation.

Does polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) run in families?
Most researchers think that PCOS runs in families. Women with PCOS tend to have a mother or sister with PCOS. Still, there is no proof that PCOS is inherited.

What are the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Not all women with PCOS share the same symptoms. These are some of the symptoms of PCOS:

infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating
increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes—a condition called hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um)
ovarian cysts
acne, oily skin, or dandruff
weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
pelvic pain
anxiety or depression due to appearance and/or infertility
sleep apnea—excessive snoring and times when breathing stops while asleep
Why do women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have trouble with their menstrual cycle?

The ovaries are two small organs, one on each side of a woman's uterus. A woman's ovaries have follicles, which are tiny sacs filled with liquid that hold the eggs. These sacs also are called cysts. Each month about 20 eggs start to mature, but usually only one matures fully. As this one egg grows, the follicle accumulates fluid in it. When that egg matures, the follicle breaks open to release it. The egg then travels through the fallopian tube for fertilization. When the single egg leaves the follicle, ovulation takes place.

In women with PCOS, the ovary doesn't make all of the hormones it needs for any of the eggs to fully mature. Follicles may start to grow and build up fluid. But no one follicle becomes large enough. Instead, some follicles may remain as cysts. Since no follicle becomes large enough and no egg matures or is released, ovulation does not occur and the hormone progesterone is not made. Without progesterone, a woman's menstrual cycle is irregular or absent. Plus, the cysts make male hormones, which also prevent ovulation.

Does polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) change at menopause?
Yes and no. Because PCOS affects many systems in the body, many symptoms persist even though ovarian function and hormone levels change as a woman nears menopause. For instance, excessive hair growth continues, and male pattern baldness or thinning hair gets worse after menopause. Also, the risks of complications from PCOS, such as heart attack, stroke and diabetes, increase as a woman gets older.

What tests are used to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
There is no single test to diagnose PCOS. Your doctor will take a medical history, perform a physical exam, and possibly take some tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms. During the physical exam the doctor will want to measure your blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and waist size. He or she also will check out the areas of increased hair growth, so try to allow the natural hair growth for a few days before the visit. Your doctor might want to do a pelvic exam to see if your ovaries are enlarged or swollen by the increased number of small cysts. A vaginal ultrasound also might be used to examine the ovaries for cysts and check out the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. The uterine lining may become thicker if your periods are not regular. You also might have blood taken to check your hormone levels and to measure glucose (sugar) levels.

How is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated?
Because there is no cure for PCOS, it needs to be managed to prevent problems. Treatment goals are based on your symptoms, whether or not you want to become pregnant, and lowering your chances of getting heart disease and diabetes. Many women will need a combination of treatments to meet these goals. Some treatments for PCOS include:

Birth control pills. For women who don't want to become pregnant, birth control pills can control menstrual cycles, reduce male hormone levels, and help to clear acne. However, the menstrual cycle will become abnormal again if the pill is stopped. Women may also think about taking a pill that only has progesterone, like Provera®, to control the menstrual cycle and reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. (See Does polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) put women at risk for other health problems?) But progesterone alone does not help reduce acne and hair growth.

Diabetes medications. The medicine metformin (Glucophage®) is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It also has been found to help with PCOS symptoms, although it is not FDA-approved for this use. Metformin affects the way insulin controls blood glucose (sugar) and lowers testosterone production. Abnormal hair growth will slow down, and ovulation may return after a few months of use. Recent research has shown metformin to have other positive effects, such as decreased body mass and improved cholesterol levels. Metformin will not cause a person to become diabetic.

Fertility medications. Lack of ovulation is usually the reason for fertility problems in women with PCOS. Several medications that stimulate ovulation can help women with PCOS become pregnant. Even so, other reasons for infertility in both the woman and man should be ruled out before fertility medications are used. Also, there is an increased risk for multiple births (twins, triplets) with fertility medications. For most patients, clomiphene citrate (Clomid®, Serophene®) is the first choice therapy to stimulate ovulation. If this fails, metformin taken with clomiphene is usually tried. When metformin is taken along with fertility medications, it may help women with PCOS ovulate on lower doses of medication. Gonadotropins (goe-NAD-oh-troe-pins) also can be used to stimulate ovulation. These are given as shots. But gonadotropins are more expensive and there are greater chances of multiple births compared to clomiphene. Another option is in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF offers the best chance of becoming pregnant in any one cycle and gives doctors better control over the chance of multiple births. But, IVF is very costly.

How can I cope with the emotional affects of PCOS?
Having PCOS can be difficult. Many women are embarrassed by their appearance. Others may worry about being able to get pregnant. Some women with PCOS might get depressed. Getting treatment for PCOS can help with these concerns and help boost a woman's self-esteem. Support groups located across the United States and on-line also can help women with PCOS deal with the emotional affects.

For More Information...
You can find out more about PCOS by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662 or the following organizations:

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), NIH, HHS
Phone: (800) 370-2943
Internet Address: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/womenshealth

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
Phone: (904) 353-7878
Internet Address: http://www.aace.com

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
Phone: (205) 978-5000
Internet Address: http://www.asrm.org

Center for Applied Reproductive Science (CARS)
Phone: (423) 461-8880
Internet Address: http://www.ivf-et.com

InterNational Council on Infertility Information Dissemination, Inc. (INCIID)
Phone: (703) 379-9178
Internet Address: http://www.inciid.org

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association, Inc. (PCOSA)
Internet Address: http://www.pcosupport.org

The Hormone Foundation
Phone: (800) 467-6663
Internet Address: http://www.hormone.org

This FAQ was reviewed by:

Louis V. DePaolo, Ph.D.
Chief, Reproductive Sciences Branch
Center for Population Research
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Need a little support???

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For the past two years I have had so many questions and so many emotional days of wondering why I can't start a family as easily as other women. In this long emotional rollar coaster I have sometimes found more comfort in speaking with other women who are experiencing the same thing. Over the last month I have contemplated whether I should start a blog and reach out to other women in the same situation. My answer seemed to come easily. Over the last few weeks I have received numerous emails from dear friends and family who are searching for answers to the same questions I have been asking myself. This has been a topic of conversation that I have had such a hard time discussing and have only shared with family and close friends but now more than ever I feel like I should share my experience with others suffering from infertility.
I have decided to start a blog dedicated to women who need advice, would like to vent, ask eachother questions or just feel like they have a little support in this trying journey. I know not all of you have struggled with this experience but you probably know someone who has, please feel free to pass along this blog to them and let them know that they aren't alone in all of this. For me I have found a lot of comfort in hearing others experiences and listening to their stories. I will be posting helpful websites, articles and some of my personal experiences. Please feel free to post a comment with your advice, experiences,etc.Even if you haven't struggled with getting pregnant I would still love to hear any advice that you might have. Also if you would like to make a post e-mail me the details and I will make a post for you. I know that there are a number of you who have tried for even longer than I have and there are also those of you who are just getting started. Regardless of your story I am hoping that we can help each other through this trying experience. I have a lot of friends and family who are currently pregnant or who have recently given birth, please know that I am so thrilled for you and that this blog is my way of showing my support.

Below are a list of things that I have found that have helped me:

This book really helped me understand my body and the way it works. The book teaches you how to track your daily temperature which goes hand in hand with the days that you ovulate, peak fertile days and how to know when that is. I had been charting my temperatures for a few months on my own and then met with a doctor at the U of U infertility clinic who said "you need to start charting your daily temperature for us to get a better idea if you are ovulating" I had already been doing just that, which was great to already have a few months of my temperatures tracked.

Octobers issue of Parents magazine has a great article called "The latest news about miscarriage" It lists common causes and new theories of why women miscarry.

Ovulation predictor kits

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I have tried these kits for almost a year now. My doctor told me to use these with caution because they can show a false negative and that is why the FAM (temperature and cervical fluid tracking) is good to do as well.

Ovulation Test Overview
One Step LH Ovulation Test is quick, accurate, and easy-to-use. Ovulation Predictor Kit (OPK) is a qualitative test that predicts LH surge (Luteinizing Hormone), which provides useful information for individuals who are trying to conceive (TTC).

Luteinizing Hormone is a hormone released by the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain. The hormone stimulates the ovaries to produce and release eggs each month during the menstrual cycle.

The level of LH in the blood and urine is highest before ovulation. This increase in hormone level is sometimes called a "surge".

If fertility drugs are given to stimulate ovulation, an LH ovulation test can help determine the best time for getting pregnant. The LH ovulation kit may also be used to determine when eggs are mature enough to be surgically removed from the ovary as part of the in vitro fertilization process. LH ovulation predictor kit may also aid in the diagnoses of polycystic ovary disease, premature ovarian failure, and menopause.

The ovulation tests detect LH in urine in a qualitative format with sensitivity of 25mIU/mL (International Standard Value) and specificity is 99.8%. Ovulation predictor kits have an expiry date of 2 years and can be stored in a dry environment ranging from 2 to 30 degrees Celsius. Results are available in just minutes.

Facts about Clomid

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Last summer my Doctor put me on Clomid, un-fortunatly three months of taking it led to no success. For those of you taking it or have spoken to your doctor about taking it be aware that your body will go through a lot of emotional instability. Your hormones are pushed to their highest levels. My poor husband wondered what happened to his wife.

Clomid
In This Article:

Clomid Overview

Taking Clomid

Patient Monitoring

Clomid Effects

Clomid is one of the first treatments usually recommended for women suffering from infertility. Clomid is a well tested treatment that doctors have many years of experience with. It is also a relatively safe and low risk medicine. Clomid is used to treat ovary disorders and malfunctions. It helps the ovaries to perform two functions. It helps to produce eggs. Clomid also helps to produce the hormones needed in the pregnancy process.

Clomid reduces estrogen production. Low estrogen levels cause the pituitary gland produce more hormones to raise estrogen levels. The pituitary gland produces more FSH and LH hormones which stimulate follicle and egg production in the ovaries. By strengthening the weak egg producing processes, the ovaries produce more eggs. Clomid can often help women who have eggs only two or three months per year to produce every month. This greatly increases the changes of becoming pregnant.

Clomid also corrects luteal phase deficiency (LPD). In LPD, the ovaries don't produce enough luteal hormone (LH). Luteal hormone maintains the uterus's blood vessels which nourishes the embryo. Lack of LH causes the uterine lining to fall out, similar to what happens in a monthly period. Even when a women becomes pregnant, if her uterine lining is not strong enough, she miscarries.

Clomid Treatment

Clomid treatment is usually preceded by tests to determine what is causing infertility. If appropriate, the male partner should also be tested for infertility. If the problem is in the ovaries, clomid is the first treatment usually given. Clomid is taken orally starting on the cycle day 3, 4 or 5 and continued for five days. Clomid is usually effective within three to six months and pregnancy does not occur doctors usually switch to another method.

Clomid is one of the safest fertility drugs available. However, a small percentage of women do experience side effects, including: hot flashes; headaches; mood changes; vaginal dryness; and visual disturbances. These should be reported to a doctor immediately. Repeated, monthly Clomid usage should also be preceded by an ultrasound or a simple pelvic examination at the beginning of each menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, many doctors do not perform this simple but important test.

A great article to read

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Thanks to Amy Dolbin and my mother in-law for sharing this informative article. I have heard that this is a great alternative to higher priced medicine. This article was recently featured in the Deseret News.

"When are you going to have kids?"
The all-too-common question may seem simple enough to most, but for a couple who can't have kids, it may not be. Brian and Jamie Rees were such a couple.

"We had no answers," said Jamie Rees.

Two years after their marriage in 1997, the Kaysville couple decided they were ready to have a baby. But they never could get pregnant. They didn't know why.

Once her friends started having babies, Rees said she started to feel the pressure.

"Then it was hard," she said. People would say to the couple that they should have kids.

"I'm trying, thank you" was Rees' response. She said she was always honest about their situation.

The couple tried in vitro twice, artificial insemination and had signed up for adoption classes. Four years and $20,000 later, the couple was still just that — a couple.

Rees said in vitro was the most emotional part.

"I had to give myself a shot in the stomach," Rees said, "and had to have patches on me."

She said the second time in vitro didn't work was more difficult because of the physical pain, having to pay so much money and then waiting to find out it didn't work.

"I was so mad," Rees said.
The couple was running out of options.

"You get to the point where you think, I will do anything to have a baby, " she said.

In 2003, Rees heard about a woman taking herbal supplements for infertility. Rees mentioned it to her chiropractor, and he suggested that Rees try acupuncture.

"I was really at the end of my rope," Rees said. "I was willing to try pretty much anything."

Her husband, Brian, was skeptical.

"She wanted to try one last thing," Brian said. "I said it wouldn't hurt."

And it didn't.

At her first acupuncture appointment, Rees said she remembered thinking it was strange. She glanced at her body with pins sticking out of it as she lay on the table at the doctor's office. She quickly laid her head back down.

"Strange but very relaxing," she said.

According to Dr. Marshall Hai Ding, the only strange thing about acupuncture for infertility is that it has taken so long to catch on in the United States.

"About three years ago, acupuncture to assist in infertility became very popular," said Ding, who has two Chinese Health Clinics in Utah.

In 2005, a German study on acupuncture's effect on fertility was reported on TV. It showed that women who received acupuncture, in addition to Western medicine, were 50 percent more likely to become pregnant.

"Do you know where acupuncture comes from? ... Why do you listen to Germans?" Ding said. "It's from China. Acupuncture is about 4,000 years old."

But Ding does agree with the German study result. Of the 100 or more women
he has helped with infertility problems at his clinic in the past three years, roughly 60 to 70 have become pregnant, he said
"But, in America this is the last thing people try," said Ding, who was born and raised in China.
At least that was true for Jamie Rees. She started acupuncture sessions once a week for a month. Then she went less often but consistently.

"It's hard to get excited and trust anything when what Western medicine says should work doesn't work," Rees said. "And you are heartbroken over it — it's hard to believe in anything."

According to a medical journal essay by Dr. Joseph M. Helms, a patient's attitude toward acupuncture usually does not affect the result. In "Essentials of Complementary and Alternative Medicine," Helms wrote that acupuncture's effectivness isn't tied to a person's belief in it.

Four months after she started acupuncture, Rees became pregnant.

"We were just amazed," Rees said.

Rees said she tried three home-pregnancy tests — just to be certain. "They were all positive."

Jamie and Brian Rees are now believers. Their family of four will soon be five. Rees received acupuncture before her second pregnancy, but it wasn't necessary for her current pregnancy.

Ding explained how acupuncture works:

"Just like a computer, TV or car runs on certain voltage, human beings have a voltage, an energy called a qi (see accompanying article)," Ding said.
Ding said qi is the electric energy of an organism. "That is something that Western medicine has no clue. They try to deny it," he said.

For an organ to function properly, Ding said, the qi must flow properly — that is what acupuncture facilitates.

The medical director at the Utah Center of Reproductive Medicine, Dr. Harry Hatasaka, said when the German acupuncture study was reported three years ago, the center decided to monitor about 16 acupuncturists to see what effect acupuncture had on fertility.

It wasn't a formal study, but the results showed few of the women became pregnant.

"Our experience has been poor," Hatasaka said, adding that the acupuncture seemed to have no real benefit with infertility.

However, Hatasaka added that the women who finally tried acupuncture were usually the least likely to become pregnant with any type of assisted reproductive technique (ART).

Several studies say that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the uterus, increase sperm count in males and reduce stress. However, Hatasaka said, the latest studies on the effects of acupuncture on fertility, presented to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, were not promising.

Hatasaka doesn't discourage its use, though. "It's calming, relaxing, good for fertility."

Dr. Sharon Francel-Peeler of Layton is frustrated with the practitioners of
Western medicine who only ask: "What does the research say?"
"They don't take into account the different factors that Eastern medicine considers," said Francel-Peeler, who has practiced acupuncture for five years.
A woman's lifestyle, diet and mental state may affect her fertility and these factors have a lot to do with the overall success of acupuncture for infertile women.

Also, Ding pointed out, acupuncture will not help patients with structural damage, for example, to the uterus or fallopian tubes or override effects of scar tissue.

If a woman is considering acupuncture, Ding and Francel-Peeler both suggested that she check the credentials of the practitioner. Prospective patients can check nccaom.org to see if the acupuncturist is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

*Just Us Women*