Infertility is far more common than you may think. It's a deeply personal challenge and can weigh you down, but there are ways to improve your chances of delivering a healthy baby. When in conjunction with infertility treatment, a fertility-boosting diet may also help you achieve a healthy birth. Here are some of the practices our Houston fertility specialists recommend.
Eat Foods Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants attack free radicals that enter your body. In essence, free radicals are unbalanced atoms that can severely damage your cells which cause harm and aging. This means they can easily damage both sperm cells and egg cells. Antioxidant-rich foods include Vitamin C and E, folate, and beta carotene. You can find these in many fruits, nuts, and veggies.
Avoid Trans Fats
There are some healthy fats, like omega-3 fatty acids that are found in salmon and avocado, that can boost fertility. But there are also bad fats known as trans fats, which may hinder fertility. They are easily found in fried foods, processed snacks, and margarine. Trans fats have been associated with infertility because they have bad effects on insulin sensitivity.
Try A Low-Carb Diet
If you are one of many who experience infertility as a result of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a low carb diet is recommended because it helps maintain healthy weight, reduce insulin, and helps regulate your menstrual cycle. It has also been shown that eating a low-carb diet helped reduce testosterone and insulin levels, which, if too high, can lead to infertility.
Decrease How Many Refined Carbs You Eat
It's clear that the amount of carbs you eat is important when trying to achieve a healthy birth, but the kind of carbs you eat matter too, especially if you suffer from PCOS. Refined carbs, in particular, should be avoided. These can be consumed in sugary foods and drinks and processed grains, such as pasta and bread. The reason we recommend avoiding refined carbs when struggling with PCOS and fertility is because they can very quickly raise your blood sugar levels.
Replacing Animal Protein
Animal proteins, such as red meat, fish, and eggs can be replaced by vegetable proteins. Vegetable proteins are those that come from beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. These have been shown to help offer a fertility boost, but they are also good for your overall health because they are rich in vitamins and minerals.
Our Houston Fertility Clinic Recommends You Take Good Care of Your Wellbeing
When going through infertility treatment, it is especially important to be at your best health to increase your chances. Contact our Houston fertility clinic today so we can help you establish a healthy lifestyle through the course of your treatment.
IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilization and is a popular method used for couples to become pregnant. Here are some important facts to know if you are considering this fertility treatment in The Woodlands and Kingwood areas of Houston.
1. IVF Shouldn't be Your First Course of Action if You're Having a Hard Time Getting Pregnant
Getting pregnant can take some longer than others and it does not necessarily mean a woman is infertile. If you are feeling concerned because you think it's taking too long, speak to your doctor about it before anything else. When you speak with your doctor, he or she will first ask about your medical and sexual history, as well as that of your partner's. Next, tests such as semen analysis, fallopian tube evaluation, and ovarian reserve tests will be administered. Gathering this information helps your doctor determine if infertility is indeed the case and what exactly is causing it. Afterward, your doctor will walk you through all of your options and let you know if IVF treatment is recommended.
2. The Younger You Are, The Better Your Chances of Becoming Pregnant
Even healthy young women can have a hard time conceiving and may be candidates for In Vitro Fertilization. At a mere 30 years of age, it's normal to have some eggs that are out of the ordinary that cannot become properly fertilized. Women younger than 35 typically have better chances of conceiving and delivering a healthy baby, but that doesn't mean its impossible for women above that age. There have, in fact, been some success cases for women above 35 at our North Houston fertility clinic.
3. Your Lifestyle Can Affect The Outcome of IVF Treatment
It's no secret that a healthy lifestyle equals a healthy, medically-sound body. BMI and how often both partners in the relationship exercise can have an effect on whether they achieve a successful birth. At our Houston fertility clinic in The Woodlands and Kingwood, we recommend a diet rich in protein and vegetables to help improve and encourage embryo quality. Having an unhealthy lifestyle and habits can harm your chances of achieving a successful pregnancy, so we also recommend getting enough sleep (7-9 hours a night) and avoiding the consumption of alcoholic drinks, as these practices can lead to a lower rate of pregnancy.
Schedule Your First Visit With HART Fertility Clinic in North Houston
If IVF treatment has been recommended to you, please request an appointment so we can take the first step toward developing a relationship with you. Don't hesitate to ask any questions prior to your first visit so that we can ensure you have a pleasant experience.
September is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) awareness month. PCOS is the most common reproductive endocrine disorder. It is a life-long disorder which presents with different symptoms at various stages of life. Symptoms include irregular periods due to lack of ovulation, excessive hair growth and acne in adolescence and early adulthood. Weight gain can frequently accompany PCOS which may lead to medical issues seen later in life such as metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of symptoms including insulin resistance leading to prediabetes or overt diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Women with prolonged amenorrhea also may be at risk for uterine cancer later in life.
The diagnosis of PCOS is simple and can be mostly achieved based on clinical presentation. Irregular menses, such as going months without a period due to lack of ovulation, excessive hair growth and/or acne/oily skin may be sufficient to make the diagnosis. An ultrasound exam may be helpful establishing the diagnosis but not always necessary if women have the aforementioned symptoms. Blood work may be necessary if your physician is concerned about other disorders that may present like PCOS.
The treatment depends on the patient’s age and the goals she would like to achieve. If the goal is to get pregnant, the majority of women respond simple oral fertility treatments such as clomiphene or letrozole. In some women, further treatments may be necessary such as injectable hormone therapies to induce ovulation or in vitro fertilization (IVF). If reproduction is not an immediate goal then control of menstrual cycles and metabolic syndrome is of utmost importance. Menstrual cycles can be regulated using birth control pills or cyclic progesterone pills. Metabolic syndrome can be best controlled through weight loss. Combination of diet and exercise is required to prevent weight gain or to achieve weight loss. Studies have shown that 10% weight loss may resume ovulation in up to 90% of women. High protein and low carbohydrate diets have been shown to successfully assist in desired weight loss.
Your physician at HART Fertility can help assist proper diagnosis and management of PCOS. For help, call us and schedule an appointment to discuss your health and reproductive goals today.
No matter what age you are, it is essential that you know your breasts well. Knowing what your healthy breasts normally feel like will help you to recognize when they feel different and something has changed.
Just as you pay close attention to your skin and notice when you get new moles, it is equally if not more important to recognize new changes in your breasts. Although some research says that self-checks are not the most reliable method of detecting cancer, the better you know your breasts and any changes in them, the better.
What is normal, and what isn’t?
It is normal to have one breast smaller than the other, or to have hair around your nipples, or to experience extra sensitivity or tenderness around your breast during your period.
Warning signs to be aware of include:
- A firm lump that you’ve never felt before
- Blood or other fluids (besides milk) leaking from your nipples
- Swelling around your collarbone, breast or armpit
- Dry, red, cracked, or thickened skin around your nipple
- Itching or warmth in and around your breast area
Even if you experience changes that aren’t listed above, it is advisable to discuss these changes with your doctor to ensure that you are looking after yourself and your breast health.
How to do a breast self-check
- Begin by facing a mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms by your side. You should start by checking that your breasts and nipples are their usual size, shape and color. Also, notice any changes like dimpling, redness, swelling, or nipple changes, and check for fluids leaking from nipples.
- Next, raise your arms and look for the same changes.
- Examine your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and vice versa. Hold your hand in a flat position, using a firm and smooth touch. Cover your entire breast from the collarbone all the way to the abdomen, and also check from under your armpit to the center of your chest. Tip: follow a zigzag pattern to ensure you are covering the whole area.
- Finally, feel your breasts using the same pattern as above whilst standing or sitting to feel if there are any changes.
You may notice some lumps and changes, but don’t panic - there are a number of reasons for non-cancerous breast lumps. However, it is important to still have any lumps or changes checked out with your doctor for peace of mind.
How often and what do I need to check?
In your 20’s, it is recommended that women get a clinical breast examination every 3 years during their annual OBGYN visit, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
In your 30’s, continue to do clinical breast exams every 3 years. However, if you have a family history of breast cancer in a close relative like your mom or sibling, then you should talk to your doctor about starting to get more frequent mammograms.
In your 40’s, clinical breast exams should be conducted every year to check for early signs of breast cancer; these are from the guidelines of the ACS.
From your 50’s and up, it is advised by the ACS to continue with both a clinical breast exam and a mammogram yearly for the rest of your life.
Look after your breasts
Ensure that you are seeing your doctor annually for your health checks and get to know your breasts at different times of the month so that you can detect any unusual changes early.
Menopause is the time of a woman’s life that marks the end of her menstrual and fertility cycles. The average age of menopause in the United States is 51, but it generally occurs between the ages of 40-59. Menopause will occur naturally with age, or it may sometimes be caused by surgical intervention of removing ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Menopause is diagnosed once a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period. It will often occur over a few years as the body is transitioning into menopause. Menopause occurs as the levels of estrogen and progesterone begin to change. This can result in symptoms that may be uncomfortable for some. It is best to see your OBGYN, as they can help you through this time with advice and treatment.
Symptoms of Menopause
Some of the symptoms you may experience during menopause are:
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful sex
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Disturbed sleep
- Irregular periods – either very heavy or not at routine intervals
- Mood changes
- Chills
- Difficulty concentrating
- Less full breasts
- Hair thinning or loss
Due to the hormonal changes occurring in the body, some women may also develop depression.
Why Does Menopause Occur?
Menopause is a process that occurs when your ovaries age and produce less hormones. The body begins to change as you have lower levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.
Initially, you may see the start of menopause with changes in your monthly menstrual cycle – the frequency may decrease, but the flow is heavier and lasts longer.
Natural Remedies to Help with Symptoms
It is important to consult your OBGYN, as he/she may be able to prescribe medications or creams that help alleviate some of the symptoms of menopause.
However, you can seek relief at home too by following a few of these ideas:
- Keep cool and comfortable – wearing loose, layered clothing can help you to cope with hot flashes. Also, try keep your bedroom cooler at night, and avoid heavy blankets if you are prone to night sweats. You can also carry around a small portable fan for those moments when you really need a breeze to cool off.
- Exercise – adding 20-30 minutes of exercise a day, even walking, can help to increase your energy, promote better sleep at night and improve and stabilize your moods.
- Vitamin supplements – taking additional vitamin D, calcium and magnesium can help to improve energy, mood and sleep as well as help to prevent osteoarthritis.
- Communicating your needs – as your moods may be affected by menopause, it is important you have physical and emotional support around you. Whether this is family, friends, or a professional therapist, it is important that you have someone to talk to.
There are many simple things you can do to help yourself, but seeing a health professional is important too. They will assist you and guide you towards the best treatment for you.
