Health Watch

Infertility-causes and treatment

Chelliah Thuraiappah, Dip. in Yoga Therapy (India) Consultant Yoga therapist

According to World Health Organization (WHO) about 15% of couples seek medical help for fertility issues. Fertility can be greatly impacted by diet for both men and women. For men, the primary side effect of poor eating habits is low or decreased sperm count. A man is considered to have a low sperm count if he has less than 20 million sperms per milliliter of semen at the time of semen analysis. Sperm count of males has been on a steady decline for the past ten years. For men with low sperm counts and no related medical conditions, it is generally recommended that certain dietary changes be made.

It is highly recommended that alcohol consumption be reduced or eliminated completely. Alcohol affects the liver and can both decrease sperm count and cause the development of abnormal sperm. The same is true for smoking. Males who smoke have 13-17% fewer sperm than those who don't. The intake of caffeine (Tea, Coffee) deprives the body of key nutrients and should be reduced or eliminated as well.

Vitamins A, C and E are essential vitamins for sperm production. Foods that contain high amounts of vitamin C include citrus fruits, pepper, cauliflower, tomatoes, potato skins, cabbage, broccoli, peas and spinach. Vitamin E is abundant in raw seeds and nuts, sweet potato and mango. High amounts of vitamin E can be found in some fish like tuna and salmon.

Vitamin A is found in liver, carrots, spinach, cheese and eggs. When selecting foods that improve sperm production it is important to look for items rich in iron, zinc, selenium and Folic acid. Many of the foods listed above are high in these nutrients. Studies have shown that men who take a combination of zinc and Folic acid supplements can increase their sperm counts by up to 74%. It is recommended that a man consumes 5 milligrams of Folic acid and 11 milligrams of zinc per day for optimum reproductive health.

For healthy sperm production it is essential to have a balanced diet of high protein, low fat foods including lean meats, fish, poultry, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Carrying excess body weight can also impact sperm production as the body produces more estrogen and less testosterone in men who are overweight. Reducing refined sugars and non-essential or filler foods will naturally increase the appetite so it will be important to have healthy snacks on hand to fill the void. Taking the time to plan and prepare meals at home will reduce the urge to turn to convenience foods from the take away fast foods restaurants.

Choosing healthy foods

Healthy eating at home starts with choosing healthy foods at the grocery store. It is so much easier to prepare delicious and wholesome meals if you have top-quality ingredients on hand. Here are some tips for grocery shopping for healthy foods:

* Make a list of the food items you need before you go shopping and stick to it. Without a list, you may forget something important and you may be more tempted to buy poor-quality junk foods.

* Don't shop when you are hungry or in a hurry. In either case you will be more likely to grab junk, processed foods or sugary treats.

* Fresh fruits and vegetables are the best, but if you can't eat them in a day or two, frozen fruits and vegetables are a better choice.

* Choose lean meats such as fish, skinless chicken, lean pork and turkey. Avoid processed meats like hot dogs and sausages.

* Stay away from the snack aisle. Don't tempt yourself with chips, sodas and high fat, low nutrition snack foods.

* Read the nutrition facts labels on any canned and packaged foods. Check how much fat and sodium are in the food. Those cans of “spaghetti and meat balls” aren't as healthy for you as buying a whole grain pasta, making lean, ground turkey meatballs and a fresh tomato sauce. Choose low fat milk, soy milk.

* Replace white bread with 100 percent whole grain bread.

* Keep your favourite spices and herbs on hand to add flavour to your meals instead of adding extra salt. Lime juice provides desired taste with less salt.

* Don't buy frozen dinners that are high in fat and calories.

Did you know that uncontrollable consumption of sugar can eventually kill your sex life? Indeed, researchers have determined that high concentration of sugar in your blood stream can switch off the gene that controls your sex hormones. Excess glucose and fructose are stored as fat, lipids after they are metabolized in the liver. The synthesis of these excess fats deactivates the SHBG genes (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) which control your testosterone and estrogen levels.

The bioavailability of the sex hormones is greatly influenced by the levels of SHBG. The imbalance in these hormones may lead to deterioration of your sexual function. This also increases the chances of acne, polycystic ovaries, uterine cancer, heart disease, and infertility. Research also found that sugar can negatively impact your lipid profile. Anything that disrupts your lipid profile can lead to impotence and erectile dysfunction.

Aside from this harmful impact, sugar also has a negative effect on your eating habits. It provides a sudden boost of endorphin (feel good hormone) production, stimulating you to eat more than you should. The extra calories will make you put on extra pounds which are directly associated with lower testosterone, increased risks of erectile dysfunction and infertility.

Most men are completely oblivious to the food that they are eating. Either they are aware of the sugar content and pretend not to know or they assume they know the content but because the numbers are not known to them, they continue to eat foods high in sugar content. Some of the foods with high sugar content that might be quietly killing your sex life are as follows, Vanilla ice cream – 17 grams, Sweetened yoghurt – 27 grams, Coca-Cola – 39 grams.

It has been confirmed that certain jellies and lubricants has some components of spermicide or any other chemical which may have negative effect on the sperm thereby preventing them from reaching or fertilizing the already released egg from the ovary. Should stick to the use of natural lubricants like egg white. If you can, just do it naturally by doing 5-10 minute foreplay, a natural lubricant will be much safer.

Sex positions

The position one lies during sexual intercourse is another natural way to get pregnant. It is advised that one should have sex in a position where her hip is slightly raised by putting a pillow under her hip in order to help the sperm go deeper after ejaculation and enable fertilization to take place. It has also been confirmed that lying down for some minutes after sex will stop the sperm from flowing back rather they swim further to reach and fertilize the egg.

The timing of sex is also very important for conceiving, the best time is one day before and one day after your ovulation, which mean, the 14, 15 and 16 day of your period time. That are the best time for your eggs to receive a healthy sperm.

Another natural way to get pregnant is by avoiding douching as much as possible. It has been confirmed that women who do not engage in douching have a higher percentage of about thirty percent on chances of conception than those who practices it. Since douching entails flushing out the insides of your vagina especially after sex, the sperms are not given the opportunity to survive much less fertlizing the egg.

These are just some of the ways to conceive naturally.

Yoga is ideal for combating infertility in both men and women. It gives a beneficial effect on uterus and ovaries as well as corrects ptosis (downward displacement of the womb). It remedies seminal weakness in men. It also ensures the efficient functioning of the reproductive glands in both sexes.

Yoga and herbs are like two eyes of Siddha Medicine. Herbs aim to integrate and balance the body, mind and spirit thus some view it as “holistic”. If herbs are combined with Yoga and healthy diet, the recovery is very fast.

In addition to traditional and innovative medical methods, some people seek the help of yoga practices. A study has found out that the women who intent to have a baby were 3 (three) times more likely to conceive if they took fertility focused Yoga courses than those who did not. Fertility focused Yoga poses (Asanas) suggested to reduce stress and effect the entire endocrine systems (Ductless Glands) and cause an increase in energy in the pelvis.

They also help achieve better orgasms, enhance fortitude and endurance in men enabling them to practise sex a longer time without fatigue. Couple who have been trying to conceive for some time are commonly susceptible to physical, mental and emotional stress. Yoga is a great antidote for stress. It relives stress by keeping the body healthy and releasing endorphin (natural hormone that makes you feel good).

The intense stretching of Yoga releases tension from hips and shoulders besides improving blood circulation to reproductive organs. The writer has treated successfully few women who have been trying to conceive a child for more than 3 (Three) years with no success. They became pregnant within only a year of undergoing his Yoga Therapy treatment.

IVF Department of obstetrics and gynaecology in some countries considers yoga as an invaluable asset to help infertile women increase their chances of getting pregnant. Studies have also demonstrated that Yoga has potential to lower stress hormone-cortisol.

The presence of too much of this hormone is a frequent cause of infertility; Depression and anxiety have been associated with low levels of GABA (Gama Amino Butyric Acid). Yoga helps in increasing GABA which can lead to improved mood and overall feeling of well being, which is also important to a healthy fertility. A lot of women living abroad turn to Yoga to assist them through menopause, pregnancy and other reproductive complexities. Infertility Yoga focuses on balance, strength and vitality in reproductive areas of the human physique and through stretching postures (Asanas) and breathing exercises (Pranayama). Yoga postures focus on different body organs, normal blood flow and strengthening of these organs are realized.

Breathing exercises help you get more oxygen to your blood and eventually to your brain. This helps you discard negative thoughts and focusing on positive ones. There are definite Yoga poses such as child's pose (Balasana), bridge pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana), lotus pose (Padmasana), supported headstand (Salamba Sirsasana), that reduce stress and effect of the entire endocrine system in what is belied to beneficial way.

They are also believed to cause an increase in energy in the pelvis. Inverted pose (Viparitakarani) plough pose (Halasana), cobra pose (Bhujangasana), bow pose (Dhanurasana), lucust pose (Salabhasana), posterior stretching pose (Paschimottasana), knee and head pose (Janusurasana), supine pelvic pose (Supta Vajrasana), half mastyendra pose (Ardha Mastyendrasana), symbol of yoga (Yoga Mudra), raising of the diaphragm (Uddiyana Bandha) that target the pelvis area, which in turn incrases bllod circulation and stimulates healthy organ functions.

These postures not only help in making pregnancy real but also assist you to become a healthy individual.

Five to ten minutes of corpse pose (shanthi asana) and yoga nidhra at the end of each yoga session remove tension and stress, that affect the sex life and help heal those physically weak and suffering from impotence. For many people sex can be a nervous experience. Corpse pose helps calm the mind and relax the body to make sex a great experience.

Couple who have problems with their sexual relationship can try yoga with confidence. It is better than taking recourse to chemical sexual prowess, which are not only expensive but also have side effects.

Thus yoga is a holistic and effective method to get sexual satisfaction and conceive a child successfully without incurring any expenses. Yoga can help women to conceive a child and get through their pregnancy with minimal discomfort. It also helps the birth and post – delivery stages. Yoga can be extremely beneficial for the expectant mother since it focuses on building strength, confidence and stamina while addressing many of the comon aches and pains of pregnancy.

These poses stimulate and relax abdominal and reproductive areas and even relax the mind to relieve stress. They stimulate the hormones too if doing these alone can seem rather dispiriting, get your partner to join in. Not only in seems more interesting, the relationship is also strengthened at the same time. They also improve the circulation thereby producing a tonic effect on the nerves connected to the sexual organs and the male and female reproducing glands. These poses also therefore provide a remedy for impotence and sterility. In certain cases they revitalize the nerves connected to the genital organs as well as the sexual glands in both sexes. They cure seminal weakness and control sexual energy. These poses strengthen the uterine muscles and fallopian tubes, while at the same time improving the function of the ovaries. They produce a highly rejuvenating and revitalizing effect on the male and female reproductive organs and the entire pelvic region. They remedy nocturnal emission and seminal weakness and also foster control of sexual energy.

These yoga poses can be harmful if they are performed incorrectly and without the guidance of a qualified Yoga Instructor (Guru). Some poses should not be performed by menstruating women, by those suffering from spinal problems or with high or low blood pressure and various other problems such as asthmatic and heart problem or orthopedic ailments like arthritis, osteoarthritis, weak cervical vertebrae, muscle spasm etc.

The poses can be modified or replaced with more suitable poses. The poses should be performed on empty stomach before having meals or at least 4 ½ hrs after a substantial meal and should not be performed less than 30 minutes after strenuous exercise. Regular and conscientious practice provides desired relief.

Medical crossword No 53 prize winners

Following are the prize winners in Daily News Healthwatch Medical Crossword No 53 drawn on August 10th at the crossword Wish institute auditorium at Delkanda, Nugegoda. The prizes are gift vouchers of Rs 6000, Rs 4000 and Rs 3000 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd correct entry winners drawn in each category.

The winners are: Housewives Category: 1st A C W P A Siriwardena (ENO 2) Nugegoda 2nd Mrs R Kulatunga (EN 07) Rajagiriya (3rd) Mrs Shamusta Perera (ENO 15) Kuliyapitiya.

Pensioners: Category: (1) Anton de Rosairo (ENO 8) Colombo 13 (2) C R E C Perera (ENO 5) Kandana (3) Mrs L K Karaliyadda (ENO 6) Kandy.

Professionals Category: (1) Mr K Karunasekera (ENO 4) Madapatha (2) Dr S P G C Senadheera (ENO 3) Chief Medical Officer, Ports Authority, Colombo, (3) Mrs N Fernandopulle (ENO 15) Wattala.

Daily News Editorial and Wish Institute congratulate all the winners, and thank all those who attended the draw and the health seminar.

Young housewife Chandrika Dhushyantha, the first winner in the housewife's category.	Pensioner C R E C Perera, picking a winner in the pensioners category of correct entries. Wish Institute Media Coordinator Manoja Jayasinghe (centre) and (extreme right) Medical Crossword Coordinator Senior Journalist Edward Arambewala are also in the picture.	Wish Institute Accountant Gayan C Seneviratne (2nd from right) who represented Wish Institute head Mr Mihiri Wickremarchchi at the draw presenting pensioner C R E C Perera (on left) with the gift voucher for Rs 4000 2nd prize for the retired category winners. All arrangements for the draw were organised by the Wish Institute Media Coordinator Manoja Jayasinghe.

Codliver oil improves sexual function

Experts believe that like many aspects of health, the human sex drive can be affected by the food intake. They believe that circulation enhancing nutrients such as Omega 03 fatty acids found commonly in fish such as mackerel and also found in Cod Liver Oil can contribute towards enhancing human sex drive.

“Omega-3 makes the nervous system function better,” says Dr. Barbara Bartlik,Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Sex Therapist with the Human Sexuality Program at Weill Cornell Medical Center. “Sex is really about circuitry.”

She was quoted saying in Forbes. Omega 03 found in Cod Liver Oil is considered an essential oil the body needs but cannot be produced in the body and must be taken externally. Although it is found in oily fish such as mackerel, herring and sardines, such fish are not abundantly found in countries such as Sri Lanka.

Omega 03 has been closely associated with slowing down the process of prostate cancer in men, and has also long been recognized as a part of a good health regime. Exotic aphrodisiacs including those recommended in traditional Chinese medicine have always been in demand throughout the world. In 2005 alone,Amsterdam-based health care information company Wulters Kluwer reported that in the US, just under $1.4 billion was spent to treat male sexual dysfunctiondisorders.

BBC