In order to get pregnant, all the factors need to be just right. For many women it’s an easy process and they get pregnant without any effort. But for some women, they try so hard, but there are no positive results.

There are some factors and tips to consider, when trying to conceive. You can check below to avoid some of these mistakes that are made commonly by the people, when trying to conceive.

1.   Not keeping track of your cycle

Almost every woman has a cycle, but most of them not know about how it works.  This is the biggest mistake woman do and best tip is to keep track of your cycle when trying to conceive. There is no use of any plan, if you don’t know about your fertile days and when you ovulate. That is why you should start tracking your cycle as soon as you start planning for pregnancy.

2.   You are not having enough sex

 Some people may think that they should have sex only between fertile windows. But it’s easy to miss the fertile period if you limit sex only when you’re ovulating because many women think they’re ovulating but sometimes they are not. The another tip is to try to have sex every other day or every third day and having sex every other day during fertile days is a good plan, and it will increase the chances of getting pregnant when you are trying to get pregnant.

3.   Having too much sex

Yes, that’s also true. This can also be mistake. Some people say, having sex daily will improve your chances of getting pregnant, but in fact that’s not true. Having sex daily can decrease sperm quality. So try to have sex only every other day when trying to conceive during the fertile days also.

4.   Neglecting Healthy lifestyle and Routine visit to the doctor

Are you on a healthy lifestyle and having your routine checkup done on time? If no, then you should do this as soon as you decide to conceive. When people are trying to conceive, they only focus on their reproductive health and they neglect their overall health. But it’s important to pay attention to your overall health in general because issues like weight, smoking, stress, and medications can affect fertility in a way. Before trying to conceive, it’s a good tip for both the partner to have a medical checkup to discuss any issues that may affect your chances of getting pregnant.

Click know about 15 things to consider when trying to get pregnant

5.   Neglecting age related issues

Age is a big factor when planning for pregnancy. When you turn 35, you enter in a age which can cause many problems. As your age increases, there is a risk of having trouble-conceiving- and having-a healthy pregnancy. According to doctors, a woman’s ability to conceive decreases by about 50 percent between the ages of 20 and 40.

6.   Not involving your man and thinking only women is the problem

When you plan for pregnancy, both partner’s health matters. Both man and woman should be fertile, and healthy enough for conceiving. A lot of couples focus their fertility checkup on the woman only. But research shows, there are 40% chance of a man having fertility problem. So, if you haven’t conceived after a year of trying and are under 35, you should both go to the doctor. Your partner should do a semen analysis to rule out any issues on his side.

7.   Going to the doctor so soon before even trying

Sometime people are so stressed about pregnancy; they visit to doctors so soon. When you’re under 35, it’s very common for it to take up to a year to conceive when trying for baby. It’s also completely normal to feel stressed after a few months—but if you don’t have any health problems, you should wait for sometime before taking the help of a fertility specialist. But if you’re over 35, you should go to a specialist if you are not conceiving after trying for 6 months.

8.   Consider Expert opinion too late

It’s completely normal for a healthy and under 35 woman to take a whole year to get pregnant. but there are some exceptions also. If your periods are irregular, having problematic cycle, heavy bleeding and any other underline health issue, then it’s important to visit your health care specialist as soon as possible.  If you have any medical history and history of miscarriages then early is better.

Know about symptoms of infertility in men and women and know whether you are fertile enough or not

9.   Thinking about sex position a lot

Many people give you tips that few positions are more suitable when trying to conceiving. Some people even say that women need to keep their hip elevated to allow the movement of sperm. But the fact is after ejaculation; sperm swims into cervical mucus and enters the fallopian tubes. And this is just a process of few minutes and position is not so important. So, just go ahead with your favorite position and don’t take any stress of position when trying to conceive.

10.   Using lubricants

Some women use lubricants for vaginal dryness and to improve pleasure during sex. But all lubricants are not sperm friendly; they can sometimes cause delay when trying to conceiving. Many lubricants are not sperm friendly and can reduce the chances of getting pregnant. Woman’s vagina produces a natural lubricant that works as a pathway for the sperms to reach the target. External lubricants are not so safe when trying to conceive.

11.   Too much stress about fertility

Stress is the root cause of many other problems. You have heard it many times that you should reduce stress to live a healthy life. Stress is also an important factor in fertility. It can reduce the chances of conceiving. You should be relaxed and try to make it easy and less complicated for both partners. You can also try some kind of yoga, meditation, and light exercise. A simple tip is to stay stress free when trying to conceive.

12.   Taking too much medicines

Some medicines can make an impact on fertility pregnancy. When you are trying to conceive, it is always advised that you should avoid taking unnecessary medicines. Always ask your health care specialist for the medicines that you are taking. If you have any underline health issue, for which you are taking any medication, check with your doctor about the possible side effects they can cause while trying to get pregnant.

Read here to know about most frequently asked question about getting pregnant with irregular period

13.   Irregular cycle

Ideally woman monthly cycle is 28 day, with plus or minus 5 days. Irregular cycle can cause delay in pregnancy and can be caused by any hormonal issues or any medical problem. Women with irregular periods are more likely to have a medical condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects hormone levels of women, which can cause fertility problems. In such situation, it is always a good idea to take advice from your doctor.

The post 13 Mistakes you should avoid and tips for trying to conceive appeared first on YourHealthyMom.

A healthy sperm count is necessary for fertility. A low sperm count is considered to be anything between 10 and 20 million sperm per milliliter. Twenty million sperm per milliliter may be adequate for pregnancy if the sperm are healthy.

If you’ve been trying to have a baby and it’s just not happening then you might have a low sperm count. It’s actually one of the most common causes of male infertility. While infertility is not always treatable, there are some things you can do to boost your chances of conceiving. Fertility can sometimes be improved with a healthy diet, supplements, and other lifestyle strategies.

Causes of low sperm count

Any number of things can lead to low sperm count, including previous medical problems, age, and your environment. Your lifestyle factors in, too, so if you smoke or use recreational drugs, they can affect your fertility.

What causes low sperm count? Read to know about male fertility and infertility.

14 things to increase sperm count

Here are my top 14 recommendation in order to increase sperm count and boost male fertility. Sometime small changes in lifestyle can do wonders for you.

1.    Exercise

Staying active and leading a healthy lifestyle can help to increase your sperm count. Exercising regularly can boost testosterone levels and improve fertility. Studies show that men who exercise regularly have higher testosterone levels and better semen quality than inactive men.

In the study, regular exercise increased sperm count and motility in 45 men with obesity and sedentary lifestyles.

2.    Lose weight if you are overweight

Losing weight if you’re overweight is one of the single-most effective things you can do to increase sperm count. Studies have shown that weight loss can significantly increase semen volume, concentration, and mobility, as well as the overall health of sperm.

3.    Eat well

Like any other organ in the human body, the reproductive system relies on the nutrients and vitamins supplied to it. Foods can influence the reproductive health of a person positively. It can increase the production of testosterone, thereby increasing sperm count as well as sperm motility and quality. Some of the foods that can help in increasing sperm count are:

• Eggs
• Spinach
• Bananas
• Dark chocolate
• Maca root
• Fenugreek seeds
• Walnuts
• Pumpkin seeds
• Zinc rich food
• Asparagus

4.    Take your vitamins and supplements

Some types of vitamins, including vitamins D, C, E, and CoQ10, are important for sperm health. You can talk to your doctor regarding blood tests to check your vitamins levels and include supplements in your lifestyle to improve overall health and sperm quality.

11 best fertility supplements to consider for improving fertility in men and women

5.    Take enough sleep

Sleep quality can affect overall health as well as sperm health. It is always a good idea to take enough and proper sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours daily.

6.    Wear lose clothes

Keeping your sperm at an adequate temperature and allowing lots of air flow to the scrotum can help cultivate the right environment for healthy sperm. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing boxers, choose cotton briefs instead of synthetic ones. That will still help control air flow and temperature.

7.    Quit smoking

The researchers found that people who smoked moderate or heavy amounts of tobacco had a lower sperm quality than people who smoked tobacco less heavily.

8.    Avoid alcohol and drug use

Consumption of drugs such as marijuana and cocaine is directly related to decreased sperm count. Even excessive alcohol lowers the testosterone levels and sperm quality and quantity in men. It can even cause low libido and even impotency.

9.    Reduce stress

Stress causes your body to take defensive action and conserve energy. Because of that the body becomes less concerned with reproduction and focuses more on surviving, in times of distress. Have a healthy diet, exercise regularly and do something that you enjoy doing. All of this will help in managing stress.

10.    Avoid some prescription medications

Some prescription medications can potentially decrease healthy sperm production. Once the male stops taking the medication, however, their sperm count should return to normal or increase.

Medications that may temporarily reduce the production and development of sperm include:

• Some antibiotics
• anti-androgens
• anti-inflammatory
• antipsychotics
• opiates
• Antidepressants
• anabolic steroids, which may continue to affect sperm count for up to 1 year after stopping the medication
• exogenous or supplementary testosterone
• methadone

11.    Take vitamin D

Lower levels of Vitamin D have been directly linked with low sperm count. Taking Vitamin D and calcium supplements have shown to improve the sperm count. You can ask your doctor and buy these from anywhere without even prescription.

12.    Try supplementing with Vitamin C

Vitamin C is not only necessary for boosting your immunity, but it is good for your health in many ways. One of them is to increase your sperm count. Increasing the intake of Vitamin C can help to improve blood flow in the body and the ability to maintain an erection.

13.                Include ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, also called Indian ginseng has been used as a traditional remedy for several forms of sexual dysfunction. A 2013 study found that 46 men with low sperm count who took 675 milligrams of ashwagandha daily for 90 days increased their sperm count by 167 per cent.

14.    Take fenugreek seeds or supplement

Fenugreek seeds are not only packed with healthy nutrients, and these tiny seeds can also increase testosterone level and sperm count. The seeds can increase overall semen quality and sperm count. Add some fenugreek seeds in a glass of water and leave it overnight. Remove the seeds and drink the water first thing in the morning or you can try fenugreek seeds supplements.

The post How to increase sperm count? 14 things to boost male fertility appeared first on YourHealthyMom.

Low sperm count lessens chances of being able to fertilize your partner’s egg, hence reducing chances of pregnancy. Problems with sperm, including a low sperm count and problems with sperm quality, are quite common. They’re a factor in around 1 in 3 couples who are struggling to get pregnant.  However, it is also true that many men with a low sperm count are also able to have children.

Symptoms of low sperm count

Like causes there is no particular symptom of low sperm count. The main sign of low sperm count is the inability to conceive a child. There might be no other obvious signs or symptoms. In some men, an underlying problem such as an inherited chromosomal abnormality, a hormonal imbalance, dilated testicular veins or a condition that blocks the passage of sperm may cause signs and symptom which isn’t the same as having symptoms of low sperm count.

Some of the symptoms of these problems which causes low sperm count include:

• Low sex drive or difficulty maintaining an erection.
• Swelling or pain in or around the testicles
• Less facial or body hair
• Other sign of hormonal imbalance or chromosome abnormality.

How to increase sperm count? Read to know about 14 things to boost male fertility.

Causes of low sperm count

There are many causes of low sperm count which include all medical, environmental and lifestyle issues. If you ask what causes low sperm count there is no particular answer to this but here are some of the reasons that can cause low sperm count which are divided into two categories, one is medical causes and second is environmental and lifestyle causes.

Symptoms of infertility in men and women: How to know if you are infertile

Medical causes of low sperm count

There are number of health condition and treatment which can cause low sperm count.

1.    Hormonal imbalance

The hypothalamus, pituitary and testicles produce hormones that are necessary to create sperm. Any imbalance to these hormones may affect sperm production. Imbalance in thyroid hormone can also cause low sperm count so make sure you keep checking your blood hormonal level to rule out any kind of imbalance.

2.    Sexually transmitted infections or other infections

Some infections can interfere with sperm production or sperm health or can cause scarring that blocks the passage of sperm which include inflammation of the epididymis or testicles and some sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea or HIV.

3.    Varicocele

A varicocele is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle. It can reduce the quality of sperm. It’s the most common reversible cause of male infertility.

4.    Issues with erections

Many health conditions including diabetes, blood pressure spinal injuries, and surgery of the bladder, prostate or urethra can cause issue with erection or retrograde ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen enters the bladder during orgasm instead of emerging out of the tip of the penis.

11 fertility supplement to consider for improving women fertility

5.    Chromosome defects

Inherited disorders such as Klinefelter’s syndrome — in which a male is born with two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome instead of one X and one Y — cause abnormal development of the male reproductive organs which can affect male fertility and can cause low sperm count.

6.    Autoimmune conditions

Sometime there is an issue with immune system in which immune system make anti-sperm antibodies that mistakenly identify sperm as harmful invaders and attempt to destroy them. Sometime Celiac disease which is an autoimmune digestive disorder can also cause male infertility.

7.    Genetics issues

Low sperm count can be because of genetics issues also. Some conditions like cystic fibrosis or being a genetic carrier of cystic fibrosis may block sperm from entering the semen which can cause low sperm count.

8.    Tumors

Cancers and nonmalignant tumors can affect the male reproductive organs directly. Any type of life saving treatment for these problems like surgery, radiation or chemotherapy can also affect male fertility and can also cause low sperm count.

9.    Certain medications

Men who have used anabolic steroids for extended periods of time may experience a low sperm count as a result. In many cases, these side effects are temporary, and fertility is restored after simply stopping the medication.

Similarly some other medications like testosterone replacement therapy, certain antifungal and antibiotic medications or some ulcer medications can cause low sperm count and affect male fertility.

10.    Past surgeries

Previous surgery to the male reproductive system, such as testicular surgery, bladder surgery, surgery for undescended testicles, inguinal hernia repair, and a vasectomy might prevent you from having sperm in your ejaculate. These surgeries can cause low sperm count or can block the normal flow of sperm, and/or lead to retrograde (backward) ejaculation.

Environmental and lifestyle causes

Some of the environmental factors and lifestyle habits can affect sperm quality and male fertility. However Most of them are easy to fix and change in certain lifestyle habit can show you improvement.

1.    Heavy metal or industrial chemical exposure

Exposure to lead or other heavy metals also can cause infertility. Exposure to some of industrial chemicals like herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, painting materials on daily bases can cause low sperm count.

2.    Overheating testicles

A man’s testicles need to stay cooler than the rest of his body in order to manufacture sperm. This means that anything from frequently enjoying hot tubs and saunas to sitting with your computer on your lap may lower your sperm counts.

3. X-ray radiation

Exposure to radiation from X-rays or other sources may harm sperm production as well. It can take several years for sperm production to return to normal. With high doses of radiation, sperm production can be permanently reduced.

4.    Smoking and drinking

Smoking cigarettes has been proven to decrease fertility in men. It affects sperm volume, sperm count, and sperm motility, its ability to swim. Smoking also makes ART like IVF treatment less successful.

Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels and cause decreased sperm production. Chronic alcohol abuse has been linked to infertility and can be a cause of low sperm count as well.

5.    Obesity or overweight

Almost 3 out of 4 men in the U.S. are overweight or obese, and 35 percent are obese. Low sperm count is associated with having more body fat and a higher BMI. Obesity lowers testosterone levels, which drive sperm production and can cause low sperm count or affect male fertility.

6.    Stress or depression

Stress is bad for everything and can be a cause of many health conditions. Severe or prolonged emotional stress might interfere with hormones needed to produce sperm. Being depressed may negatively affect sperm concentration.

7.    Wearing tight cloths

Wearing tight clots like tight boxers or jeans and sitting jobs can also cause low sperm count. Try to wear loose and comfortable cloths and avoid continues sitting.

8.    Drugs usage

Activities like heavy drug and alcohol use can cause low sperm count. Anabolic steroids taken to stimulate muscle strength and growth can cause the testicles to shrink and sperm production to decrease. Similarly use of cocaine or marijuana might reduce the number and quality of your sperm as well.

The post What causes low sperm count: Male fertility and infertility appeared first on YourHealthyMom.

What does contraction feel like?

If you’re a first-time mom, you might be having some anxiety near to your delivery day. It’s normal to think when labor might start and how contractions will feel like.

 When you have a contraction, your womb tightens and then relaxes. For some people, contractions may feel like extreme period pains. You may have had contractions throughout your pregnancy, particularly towards the end. During pregnancy, these painless tightening is called ‘Braxton Hicks’ contractions.

As labor progress your contractions tend to become longer, stronger and more frequent. During a contraction, the muscles in your womb contract and the pain increases. If you put your hand on your abdomen, you can feel it getting harder. When the muscles relax, the pain fades and your hand will feel the hardness ease. The contractions are pushing your baby down and opening your cervix (entrance to the womb) ready for your baby to go through.

Sign of labor to check before going to the hospital

When you are near to due date, your body gives you some signals and signs of labor. The process of labor is different for each woman and you can feel your sign differently than other women or even different then your previous pregnancies also. Usually, the signs of labor are much more subtle and gradual.

Labor progresses in three stages: Early and active labor, childbirth stage and delivery of placenta. The early stage is the longest one where your cervix dilates from 1cm to 10cm and you can feel contraction in uterus which increases as the labor progress.

Here are some signs of labor to look for before going to the hospital.

• Bloody discharge from vagina which is also called as a SHOW
• Your contractions start coming more frequently maybe like a minute or two apart.
• Your contractions is longer in duration and more painful
• You have a lots of  back pain
• Your water breaks
• Your baby is not moving

What is the difference between true labor vs. false labor

Sometimes you may think you’re starting labor, but it’s just a false alarm. You might feel contractions, but your cervix is not dilating or effacing. Sometime false contractions come near to your due date which can be very confusing. False labor contractions are also called Braxton-Hicks contractions.

Here are some of the difference between true contractions and false contractions which you should check before going to the hospital.

9 Signs that will tell you labor is near by or coming soon

• False contraction feels better after walking but true contractions don’t feel better after walking
• False contractions don’t increase over the time but true contractions get intense as the labor progress.
• When you are having false contractions, the interval between each contraction is almost same but if you are in true labor, interval between each contraction keeps decreasing as the labor progress.
• During true labor contractions you can have bloody discharge from vagina. In false contractions there is no blood.
• False contractions are generally only at the front. True contractions begin at the back and move to the front.

What is the 511 rule of labor?

A simple rule to check when you should go to the hospital is 511 rule of labor. According to that you may be in active labor if your contractions happen at least every 5 minutes, last for 1 minute each, and have been happening consistently for at least 1 hour. Timing is the best way to check whether you are in true labor or not. You keep track of how often your contractions are coming, how long each one lasts, and how long they have been following the defined pattern.

Hospital bag checklist for dad: 19 essential things to check for

Timing your contractions before going to the hospital while labor

Timing your contractions will help you to know whether you are in labor or not. You can time your contraction before going to the hospital to check whether it’s true labor or false. Start timing your contractions when they get stronger or closer together. You can use a watch with a second hand or a mobile phone app. Your midwife will probably tell you to stay at home until your contractions are frequent.

When to go to the hospital for labor?

Your doctor/midwife will provide you specific information about when to come to the hospital. This will depend on the distance you have to travel, your previous deliveries, your health, and the state of your cervix.

You should go to the hospital if you are not sure whether you are in false labor or true labor. It is always to be cautious and it’s good for you and your baby both. Once you are at hospital, your doctor will tell you whether you are in true labor or false labor.

Timing is everything and starts timing your contractions once you feel a few in a row. Count the time between contractions from the start of one to the start of the next.

How can you prepare for labor? 20 tips to prepare for labor and childbirth

If this is your first baby, go to the hospital when you are in true labor and contractions comes every 3 to 5 minutes over an hour-long period and Last at least 45 to 60 seconds. If you are comfortable at home, stay at home. This stage may last for several hours. You can go back to the hospital when you aren’t comfortable any more.

If you’ve given birth before, go the hospital when your contractions come every 5 to 7 minute and last at least 45 to 60 seconds. If you had a fast labor the last time, go as soon as your contractions are regular or you aren’t comfortable any more.

Signs of labor you should not ignore and go to the hospital immediately

Labor progress in stages but there are still some signs that you should look for and never ignore. If you experience any of the below symptoms of labor than you should not wait and go to hospital immediately.

• Your water breaks down
• You have bloody vaginal discharge
• You feel the urge to bear down and push
• If you are having contractions according to 511 rule and this is not your first pregnancy.
• You no longer feel your baby movement.

The post When to go to the hospital for labor: signs that labor has begun appeared first on YourHealthyMom.

Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year for most couples. Some people show symptoms of infertility and some not which is very common. Infertility may result from an issue with either you or your partner, or both of you with a combination of factors. Fertility problems have become a major issue in the modern world, with more than 10% of couples having to deal with this problem. But the good news is there are many effective treatments available to improve the chances of getting pregnant.

Causes of infertility

Having a baby and getting pregnant is such a complex process that you can’t tell a single cause of infertility. Everything needs to be in a correct order from ovulation to fertilization in order to have a successful pregnancy. Sometime there is no cause of infertility in both men and women.

Causes of infertility in women

Here are some of the common causes of infertility in women.

• Ovulation problems like PCOD
• Hyperprolactinemia
• Thyroid problems
• Uterine or cervical abnormalities
• Fallopian Tube blockage
• Endometriosis
• Early menopause
• Any type of cancer or tumor

11 best fertility supplements to consider for improving reproductive health

Causes of infertility in men

Some of the men’s infertility causes include:

• Abnormal sperm production or function
• premature ejaculation
• Blockage in testicles
• Too much smoking and alcohol
• Certain cancer and related to its treatment
• Genetic problem

10 Symptoms of infertility in women

The main and obvious symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant after trying for a year. It is very common for women to experience the symptoms of infertility but many women shows no direct symptoms until they try to conceive.

Sometime the symptoms of infertility can be because of other medical conditions. It is difficult to detect infertility directly with the symptoms but these symptoms can be a cause of fertility issue and can affect your fertility in long term.

Some of the women infertility symptoms include:

1.    Irregular periods

The length of menstrual cycle varies between individual. With the regular cycle, time between each period is almost same. With irregular periods, the cycle is so unpredictable that it’s impossible to know when the next one will come and it is difficult to detect ovulation. Irregular periods are caused by hormonal issues, thyroid issues or pcos – all of which can cause fertility issues.

2.    Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance can make conceiving more difficult even can lead to infertility. There are many signs of hormonal imbalance in women for example dry skin, facial hair growth, hair thinning, sudden weight gain, severe acne, nipple discharge constant fatigue, headache and edema etc.

14 Natural ways to increase fertility and get pregnant fast

3.    Long and heavy periods

Women who experience very heavy, painful periods may be showing signs of endometriosis or fibroids in the uterus which is a condition where tissues usually found in the womb are present elsewhere in the body. However, Endometriosis is one of the most common reasons of women’s infertility.

4.    No periods

When a women miss one or more period in a row that condition is defined as Amenorrhea, which can cause difficulty in conceiving. Temporary life stress or over exercising may cause you to occasionally skip a period however if you skip 2 or more period in a row, it’s a good idea to check with the doctor.

5.    Discharge for nipple

Prolactin is a hormonal in body that is responsible for nipple discharge. Prolactin is a hormonal that helps in ovulation too. If you are having discharge from nipple which is not related to breastfeeding, that can be because of prolactin and hormonal problems which are the reason of infertility. Hyperprolactinemia, a condition in which you have too much Prolactin can interfere with ovulation.

6.    Pain during sex

Painful sex for women is not normal, some women thinks that it’s just a part of life for them but its not. It may actually point to an underlying condition, such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. So it’s important to check with your doctor if you are experiencing painful sex often.

7.    PCOS

PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) is one of the most common, but treatable, causes of infertility in women. In women with PCOS, the hormonal imbalance interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation). If you don’t ovulate, you can’t get pregnant. Check with your health care provider for the suitable treatment for you.

15 things to consider while trying to get pregnant

8.    Vaginal infection and itchiness

Vaginal itchiness and soreness with the white discharge can be vaginal infection which should be treated on time to prevent serious problem like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and mycoplasma can eventually lead to infertility. 

9.    Obesity

Obesity, also called corpulence or fatness, which can negatively affect your chances of conceiving. Women who are overweight have a lower probability of conceiving and are at a higher risk for issues during pregnancy than those without weight issues.

10.    Other medical conditions

Some medical conditions that can affect fertility in women are:

• Thyroid problems
• Fallopian Tube blockage
• Endometriosis
• Any type of cancer or tumor

7 Symptoms of infertility in men

Men’s infertility may go unnoticed until they tries to have a baby. Some of the symptoms if infertility in men includes:

1.    Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance can affect fertility in men also like women. Testosterone is a hormone that is responsible for male fertility, so problem with this hormone may lead to infertility. Other hormone like LH and FSH are responsible to make sperm. Any kind of hormonal imbalance can make it difficult to have a baby.

2.    Changes in sexual desire

Sexual desire is often associated with hormonal functions however any changes in that can be caused by hormonal issues which could indicate issues with fertility.

Are you Trying to get Pregnant? Increase the Chances of getting pregnant naturally

3.    Obesity

Obesity or overweight can also affect reproductive health in men like women. It can affect the sperm quality and can also cause sexual dysfunction.

4.    Erectile dysfunction

A man’s ability to maintain an erection is often linked to his hormone levels. Hormonal changes, psychological factors, or physical issues may make it difficult to get or keep an erection. However, If this becomes a regular occurrence, it may interfere with sexual intercourse or be a sign of an underlying issue.

5.    Problem with ejaculation

Having difficulty ejaculating or noticing changes in the ejaculate can also be sign of infertility.

6.    Pain in testicles

Swollen, painful, or tender testicles may be a sign of an underlying issue, such as an infection, that can also impact sperm quality and male fertility.

7.    Testicles health

Healthy testicles are an important aspect of male fertility. Small or firm testicles that feel “tight” may be another sign of hormone issues.

Other factors in women and men infertility

There are some of the external factors also that affect reproductive health like

• Age
• Genetics
• Smoking
• Poor diet
• Alcohol consumption
• Physical activity
• Certain medications
• History of sexually transmitted infections

When to see a doctor

On an average it can take up to 6 to 12 months.

1. Check with your doctor if you are trying from more than 12 months and your age is less than 35. But if your age is more than 35 then it is advised to wait only for 6 months. But still it’s not a standard time lines and don’t be stressed about these also because stress can also delay the process.
2. If you think that u can have some fertility issues then go to the doctor and check for fertility tests.
3. If you have any genetic or medical condition.

The post Symptoms of infertility in men and women: How to know if you are infertile? appeared first on YourHealthyMom.

Are you thinking about a baby and Trying to get pregnant? This information will help you to know about the things that you should know and in increasing chances of getting pregnant.

When I was trying to have a baby. I try to do everything that I can do to get pregnant. But as you know, nothing is easy in this world and its not like making 2 minutes noodle. It takes time.

Sometime it takes just few months and sometime it can take a whole year, mine was almost 6 to 7 months. On an average a healthy couple take around 6 to 12 months in conceiving. I know that’s a long time but all you can do is to follow some steps to increase the chances of getting pregnant.

What happen in a female body every month?

Female body is very complicated. Every month a lots of things happen there.

1. Each month a Series of hormones changes happen.
2. Each month an egg Is released by ovary that is called Ovulation. Here is will not go in the details of Ovulation. if you want to know about the ovulation in detail, click here .
3. After that egg travels to the fallopian tube and stay there for almost 24 hours.
4. Then sperm fertilize the egg and pregnancy happens.

Things to check for increasing the chances of getting pregnant

Here I am describing few tips that you can keep in mind and increase your chances of getting pregnant.

13 tips that everyone should avoid and some important tips when trying to conceive

1. Timing, Timing and Timing

The main key or can say first step in this journey is to keep track of your timing. The key is to have sex in the days before or during ovulation. The sperm can only survive in female reproductive tract for up to 5 days. Keep track of your cycle and check for your ovulation timing. 

There are so many methods by which you can keep track of your ovulation date.

1. Ovulation kits

Ovulation kits are similar to the Home Pregnancy test kits and can tell your ovulation days by urine test. I also used some ovulation kits during my time they are very effective in telling you the correct timing. You can find these kits online or any nearby pharmacy. Once the result is positive you can have sex during that time and that’s how u can check your most fertile days. Having sex on most fertile days will automatically increase your chances of getting pregnant.

FAQs about irregular period and trying to conceive

2. Keep track of Basal body Temperature

Basal body temperature is the temperature that is stable in the morning during normal days. When you are ovulating or you can say during most fertile days there is slight increase in your basal body temperature. You can keep track of your basal body temperature for few months early in the morning and check for your most fertile days. This is also a good option to keep track of ovulation and increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Generally basal body temperature during normal days is 96 to 97 degree Fahrenheit and during fertile days, it is between 97 to 98 degree Fahrenheit. To measure this slight change, you will need special basal body temperature thermometer. These types of thermometer are very sensitive to temperature and can measure slight change in your temperature. These also can be found online or any pharmacy.

3. Cervical mucus checking

This is also an ovulation tracking method. For this you should be aware of the changes in your cervical mucus throughout the month.  As hormones changes in your body, the consistency of cervical mucus also changes before and after ovulation.  As you have noticed in daily life that sometime there are dry days and sometime there is great amount of mucus. 

During initial days after periods are like dry days and as the egg starts to mature, mucus increases in the vagina, and is white or yellow and cloudy and sticky. There is great amount of mucus during ovulation. During these wet days it becomes clear and slippery, like raw egg whites. Sometimes it can be stretched apart. This is when you are most fertile. So that’s how u can calculate your most fertile days and utilize them to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

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4. Periods tracking apps or Calendars

You can also use any period tracking app or maintain a calendar to keep the track of your cycle. These types of apps also tell you about your most fertile days based on your previous cycle. 

5. Follicular method

If you are not able to find your ovulation days by any of the above methods then you can go to your doctor and doctor will do some blood test and can perform a series of ultrasound to check your most fertile day. This method is basically called follicular method. your doctor will tell you about your most fertile days so that you can have sex on right time and increase your chances of getting pregnant.

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For the best result you can use above methods in combination and accurately calculate your fertile days.

2. Eat well and Exercise

As you know, eating healthy means healthy body and healthy body means chances of getting pregnant are high. Here are few tips for that…

• Improve your diet
• Include some exercise to your daily routine.
• Quit smoking and alcohol
• Cut some sort of caffeine if you are taking too much
• Try meditation and Yoga

When to take some Medical professional advice

Some time it is very frustrating when you are trying for something and its taking too long. But I will advise you to try to be relax and enjoy this time.

On an average it can take up to 6 to 12 months.

1. Check with your doctor if you are trying from more than 12 months and your age is less than 35. But if your age is more than 35 then it is advised to wait only for 6 months. But still it’s not a standard time lines and don’t be stressed about these also because stress can also delay the process.
2. If you think that u can have some fertility issues then go to the doctor and check for fertility tests.
3. If you have any genetic or medical condition.
4. Having a history of miscarriages.

Hope Following these advices you will be able to increase your chances of getting pregnant and have positive results soon.

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