Cathy Taylor asked:


Do women going through menopause have lowered levels of progesterone?

Recent research tells us that women do suffer from decreased levels of progesterone and also experience other symptoms such as unexplained weight gain (particularly in the stomach area), depression, fatigue, hair loss, memory loss, mood swings, migraines and loss of libido. A natural cream can balance estrogens without side effects.

Progesterone and estrogen are the two main hormones made by women’s ovaries when they are menstruating. Smaller amounts of these hormones are also secreted by the adrenal glands. It’s necessary for the survival of the fertilized ovum, its embryo as well as the fetus during gestation.

Progesterone’s primary functions include: acting as a precursor to estrogen and testosterone; it maintains uterine lining and aids in gestation; protects against fibrocystic breasts, endometrial and breast cancer; acts as a natural diuretic, helps use fat for energy; can be a natural antidepressant; aids thyroid hormone action; normalizes blood clotting; restores sex drive; normalizes blood sugar, zinc and copper levels; restores proper cell oxygen levels, has a thermogenic effect; builds bone and helps to protects against osteoporosis.

Some doctors feel that menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and heart disease may not be due to a deficiency of estrogen, but to a relative estrogen excess due to progesterone deficiency.

Synthetic progestins, such as an HRT drug called Provera (a synthetic chemical), do not have the same biological effects as natural progesterone and have been known to cause side effects including: fluid retention, depression, breast tenderness, stroke, jaundice, blood clotting and cervical erosions.

On the other hand, natural progesterone has no known side effects and has been found to be helpful in alleviating symptoms such as PMS and hot flashes. It has also been credited with helping to prevent osteoporosis.

Many doctors now prescribe for women in menopause the use of a low-dose, natural progesterone cream during the last two weeks of the menstrual cycle. (On a personal note, I use the Emerita cream and believe it single-handedly stopped my mood swings and sudden outbursts of crying.) The cream is easily absorbed into thin-skin areas such as the breasts, inner arms, neck or belly by the subcutaneous fat and then released into the bloodstream. You should be careful of the dosage level in these products. Some may have none to very little and others provide 20-30 mg in an average application. It’s always best to first check with a doctor.

The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.



Ramon

capricornmommy asked:


ok i was just wondering what you can tell me about your first visit with the fertility clinic. i have my first appt. for august 8th and was wondering what they will do that day. any and all help is very appreciated

Glenn

Cindy Heller asked:


There are several options for infertility treatments besides the use of drugs and artificial insemination. Firstly, there is the natural approach. Traditional Chinese Medicine and herb treatment have proven effective in some cases. Lastly, there is acupuncture treatment.

Natural Treatments for Infertility

Natural treatments for infertility have worked well for some. There are many different factors leading to infertility. By making changes to tackle those infertility factors is the simplest form of natural treatments for infertility. Start by eliminating the bad habits that could be causing your infertility. Enhance your health by having a good diet and nutritional supplements where necessary. This will also enhance your chance of conception. The result for natural treatments for infertility will vary depending on the problems present.

Individualised Natural Treatments

You will need to understand that the result for natural treatments for infertility will take time to show. It may be a few months before the result is apparent. The very first things you should do are to eliminate any caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco from your body. Stay clear from non-organic foods as they may cause hormonal imbalance. You will need a healthy and balanced diet. Making these changes may be all you need to increase the chance of conception.

You should consider adding folic acid, zinc, selenium, fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin c to your daily diet. You can get these if you are taking prenatal vitamins. For men, L-Carnitine tablets are great natural treatments for infertility. It is an amino acid that helps the body to produce good quality sperm. It will help to increase the sperm count and also to give the sperm greater motility.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Traditional Chinese medicine infertility treatment works on the basis that a mixture of herbs and acupuncture can help to restore the body disharmony, which causes infertility.

Before starting TCM for infertility treatments, you should consult a medical doctor. If the doctor can determine that the cause of infertility is due to structural problem, you will probably not benefit from the traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture treatment sought to address the kidney, spleen, and liver. These three organs directly affect the reproductive organs, hence, TCM treatment focus on them.

TCM enhances result by using herbal medicines. The treatment takes into consideration any problems that may exist. If there is disharmony, the appropriate herbs will be used to correct the condition. Herbs that will help in conception can also used in unison. Herbs to curb stress and anxiety are also added to boost the chances for success.

TCM treatment can improve the chances of pregnancy. However, it is also important to continue with Western medical treatments. TCM treatments may produce results but using all avenues for treatment will increases the chances of pregnancy.

Acupuncture Treatment

Acupuncture has been used for centuries by the Chinese as a healing tool. Acupuncture works on the theory that energy flow or blood pressure can be regulated by stimulating the central nervous system. This process releases neurotransmitters and neurohormones, which help the body to heal. Acupuncture also releases endorphins which will block pain and give the body a sense of wellness. Acupuncture for infertility is not painful at all. You may feel a little tingling sensation at the treatment spot and you may experience slight bruising.

Acupuncture for infertility works on the theory that channels of energy run through the different parts of the body and the body surface. When these channels are blocked for whatever reason, health problem will occur. The needles in acupuncture for infertility help to open these blockages. The needles are used to stimulate the various nerves and cause them to release chemicals which influence the muscle, brain, and spinal cord. This allows the body to heal itself.

Acupuncture for infertility works for those who have a functional reason for infertility. If you have infertility caused by a physical problem such as damaged reproductive organs, it may not be effective. The effects should be apparent after a few visits to the acupuncturist if the treatment is indeed something that can help you. To enhance the effectiveness of acupuncture, you may also want to combine with herbal remedies as well. They are complementary treatment methods. Generally, one or two sessions per week of acupuncture is necessary for good results.



Aaron

GiGi asked:


Me and my husband are trying to have a baby for 5 years now, but we have some infertility problems. We went through that ICCE operation for 3 trials so far and all of them were worthless and damaged us…

Do u know how can I find out the best Center where can we do our next trial If we decided to re doing it ? And by the best I mean the one that has the best pregnancy success rates for the IVF or the ICCE operations.

Is it true that the more the woman do the operation, the less her success chance ?

Also, if u have such an experience or know someone who have it, would u plz share ur story with me?

Thanks a lot for ur cooperation..

Oscar

Lalu asked:


Please tell me which is the best hospital/center for infertility in NYC? I am 36 and trying to become pregnant. Where I can get details about this?

Sam

Leokadia Angela asked:


If you’re someone facing the difficult diagnosis of infertility, you may be ready to start undergoing all the painful and expensive treatments and invasive surgeries that your doctor has recommended. But is this your only option? What about trying some natural herbs for infertility; do these work? If so, what are they? And are there any other natural supplements that one can at least try first, before undergoing all those unpleasant procedures?

Vitamins and Minerals for Treatment

When thinking about what herbs for infertility actually work, you may want to consider what some experts are saying about natural treatments, including vitamins and other such substances. In a new study cited in OBGYN News, a group of Harvard researchers found that 79% of infertile couples had a lower-than-average intake of foods high in antioxidants - like fruits and vegetables.

In one study published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Medicine, doctors found that after one week of daily doses of 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C, sperm counts rose by some 140%. If you’re thinking of trying some herbs for infertility, consider something with a vitamin C supplement.

More recently, a study published in the Archives of Andrology showed the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium improved the ability of sperm to swim : a skill necessary to reach the egg.

Homeopathic Herbs for Infertility

There are some great homeopathic remedies that include herbs for infertility, and some are actually catching the attention of traditional doctors. ‘In research published in the journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online, a group of German doctors show that some natural remedies may work for men. The authors show that sperm quality and function improved with the intake of complementary food supplementation using either a combination of zinc and folic acid, the antioxidant Astacarox, or an energy-providing combination containing (actyl)-carnitine (Proxeed). The latter two also boosted the success of intrauterine insemination and spontaneous pregnancy rates.’ These substances are common in homeopathic herbs for infertility.

Moreover, in the journal Fertility and Sterility doctors reported that men with fertility problems who took a daily dose of 66 milligrams of zinc and 5 milligrams of folic acid for nearly six months saw a 74% increase in their sperm counts.

Even more recently, studies published in the journal Fertility and Sterility revealed that both L-carnitine and L-acetyl carnitine improved sperm in a number of areas key to fertilization.

The following remedies are considered potent herbs for infertility in women:

sepia 6c: used to treat irregular or absent ovulation

sabina 6c: recommended for women who have suffered recurrent miscarriage

aurum:used when lack of sex drive and depression are thought to be the cause of infertility

silica: this remedy is used to boost a woman’s weakened immune system

phosphorus:used to treat stress as well as emotional anxiety that can accompany infertility

The following remedies are considered potent herbs for infertility in men:

sepia 6c is used to treat low sex drive

medorrhinum: this homeopathy treatment is believed to help treat impotence



Jesse

Infertility Specialist asked:


Women experiencing infertility may have a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) recommended to them by their doctor or infertility specialist. This is a test performed by X-ray that can help your doctor see inside of your uterus and fallopian tubes. The surrounding area can be examined and can give your doctor a more clear view of what may be hindering you from becoming pregnant.

During a hysterosalpingogram, your doctor will inject a dye through your cervix and into your uterus. The dye is called a contrast material. It allow your infertility doctor see irregularities in your uterine cavity or fallopian tubes more clearly on an X-ray. The dye will travel through your uterus and up into your fallopian tubes. If your fallopian tubes are clear and there is no blockage, then the dye will spill out into your abdominal cavity. Occasionally the HSG procedure will clear a blockage out of a fallopian tube.

If your fallopian tube or tubes are determined to be blocked, then there are more options for clearing them that your infertility doctor will discuss with you. Fallopian tubes are usually blocked at one end or the other. A blockage at the uterus end of the tube is considered proximal and a blockage at the ovary end is called distal. You may have a partial blockage, or there may be a tubal defect. Your doctor will let you know what he/she sees in the HSG X-ray.

Your uterine cavity will also be examined in the hysterosalpingogram. Your doctor will be looking for abnormalities such as fibroid tumors, adhesions, polyps, scar tissues or congenital deformities. An HSG is usually performed for women experiencing infertility, but it can also be used to check for the effectiveness of a tubal ligation or a reverse tubal ligation. If you’ve lost a contraceptive, such as an IUD, then your doctor may perform a hysterosalpingogram to find the lost object in your uterus.

A hysterosalpingogram is a minimally invasive procedure. Your doctor will place a speculum into your vagina and then insert a catheter into your cervix. The speculum is then removed and the dye will fill your uterine cavity. X-rays are taken and observed for clarity and quality. You may be asked to lie still for a bit so that a delayed response X-ray can be taken. You may experience mild discomfort during and after the procedure, but these effects usually don’t last long. Your doctor should discuss all possible outcomes with you prior to the procedure.

Hysterosalpingography examines the inside of your uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. Your doctor may also suggest an MRI or ultrasound to examine the outside structures of the uterus, ovaries and your entire pelvic region. Make sure that you ask questions and feel comfortable with the information available before you go forward with any infertility treatment.

On occasion a patient, nurse or doctor has offered kind words about Dr. Eric Daiter in their testimonials. Here is one for you to consider when choosing your infertility specialist.

My first impression of Dr Eric Daiter was that he was a very kind hearted person with a passion for what he was doing. He treated my husband and me with the utmost respect. He examined me and asked a lot of questions regarding my history. He explained things to us in great detail and in simple terms that we could understand. He wrote everything down for us and gave us additional documentation to read regarding tests and treatments. He spent as much time as we needed, answered all of our questions and walked us to the door. He never rushed us or made us feel that any of our questions were too stupid to ask. It was the first time that I didn’t feel like I had 30 seconds to present my problem and 3 minutes of the doctor’s time before I was out the door. Infertility is a delicate subject and a problem for many couples. It takes a special personality to be able to handle this in a delicate way with compassion and professionalism. Dr Daiter does this. He made me feel like I was not alone. He let me know that there was a lot that can be done to facilitate pregnancy today and that there definitely was hope for us. Although my age was a factor, Dr Daiter never made me feel like I was “too old” to try or made me feel embarrassed for trying at my age.



Ricardo

Cindy Heller asked:


Infertility financial help is worth a look for couples who are facing infertility. Infertility treatments are costly and if you intended to go for the full course, there is a need to consider financial aid to fund the infertility treatments. You may be able to afford the cost of treatments or you might need financial assistance.

With infertility financial assistance, they help you to afford the costly treatments that you have chosen to get yourself conceived. There is a need to fully understand the various kinds of infertility financial assistance and the type of treatments it covered so as not to end up with the wrong type of coverage.

Majority will not be able to afford the type of treatment needed to get conceive but the choice is there for you to apply for a loan or through credit card if the approval for credit is given. Certain infertility clinic provide financial aid advisor to give you the support you require.

It is essential to do a bit of research on other infertility financial aid offers before coming to a decision as it is possible to find one good deal that suit you. You also might find financial aid companies through the facility you are using.

In vitro fertilization (IFV) refund program is one such infertility financial aid that merit discussing. With IFV refund program, you can afford a few IVF cycles to be carried out and it will refund you for the cycles that you found yourself unable to conceive within a certain time frame.

The couple has to be under a certain age and that come with a reduced fees to afford a certain number of cycles, minimum number of cycles that you have to go through before a refund, with the refund amount tag to seventy to hundred percent and only certain type of services are allowed. Therefore it is vital to choose the right type of infertility financial aid program.

There are always ways to get an unsecured loan to afford the infertility treatments and infertility drugs that you required. The cost of the drug can be upwards of thirty five percent of the whole cost and certain organization provide special loans that is designed to finance your IVF cycles.

With such infertility financial aid, there is a guarantee that if you cannot conceive after meeting the requirement, you can get a refund. Certain infertility procedures are covered under your health insurance policy. Irrespective of what you get for your infertility financial assistance, the ability to conceive is more important.



Besides infertility financial aid, there is infertility insurance to help you afford the cost of infertility treatments. Infertility insurance is godsend for couples who are unable to conceive and require going for infertility treatments but there are guidelines to meet before they are considered.

In vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination are two of the infertility treatments that assist the couple to conceive but they are costly. If the treatment requires more than one treatment, it can run into a hefty amount. Coupled with it, there is still the cost of medication. Couples need to consider the treatment carefully before getting the type of infertility insurance that suit you.

Adoption could be more costly than infertility treatments and most insurance companies will provide some form of infertility insurance together with your regular insurance coverage to cover certain infertility treatments. It is essential to look into your insurance policy to determine the kind of coverage that is provided for infertility insurance. Certain states legislate that it is necessary for all health insurance to have infertility insurance.

Aside from infertility insurance, you can consider making use of your credit cards to pay for infertility treatments but the credit limits must be high. Financial aid at the infertility clinic can provide the information on the kind of infertility insurance you can get.

Doing some form of research can go a long way to get the right type of infertility insurance and your regular insurance policy might provide some form of infertility insurance coverage. To get the right information on infertility insurance, it is best to consult your infertility specialist. They are there to assist couples to choose the right infertility insurance coverage that suit you.



Stacy

babhacnam asked:


My husband and I have only been TTC for 3 months, but I noticed that I have a tendency to have spotting about a wk before my period. I had it more while taking bc.

Recently though I came across information about low progesterone levels and an increased risk of miscarriage and infertility. Many of the symptoms I have: night sweats, low libido, vaginal dryness, spotting the week before period, increased pulse, bloating, etc. Should I contact my doctor or am I being paranoid? We haven’t been trying that long.

Judy

Jean Morgan asked:


Some 40 years ago, the subject of the menopausal life stage of women became a popular topic of women’s health. In those days, several segments of society and medicine popularized the idea that menopause was a tragic condition that women were obliged to suffer through, from which they should be rescued.

At that time, HRT or hormonal replacement therapy for treatment of menopause symptoms came into vogue. With this treatment, synthetic estrogen hormones were administered to women, effectively increasing their estrogen hormone levels without any method of counterbalance. Once introduced, this treatment was widely used without sufficient study of its effects and the possible health risks it may include.

By the mid-1970’s it was discovered and well-documented that HRT using synthetic estrogen was indeed hazardous with increasingly deadly consequences for women. The women who had used HRT were alarmingly more likely to develop endometrial cancer.

More recently, HRT has been employed using a combination of synthetic progesterone (progestin) and estrogen. However, in 1995 the New England Journal of Medicine published the results of a study conducted on over 120,000 women regarding the use of HRT.

The published study warned of the significant increased risk of breast cancer related to HRT. It determined that women using HRT longer than five years had an increased risk of breast cancer by as much as 30 - 40 percent. For women aged 60 - 64 years who used the treatment for more than five years, the risk jumped to an even more alarming 70 percent. Last, the study determined that women who used HRT were 45 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than those who had not used HRT, or had only used it for less than a five year period.

As a result of these and other findings, attention was turned to the use and benefits of natural progesterone as an alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy. In the 1980’s, Dr. John Lee began to research the use of synthetic hormones in HRT. Some 10 years ago, he first published his findings demonstrating that not only did synthetic hormones not perform as they were thought to, but they actually posed a threat to women’s health.

Natural progesterone is now being used by women worldwide as an alternative to HRT with positive results. Relief from menopausal symptoms as well as symptoms associated with conditions of estrogen dominance or low progesterone are widely reported. In addition, there are benefits to other systems of the body (not only reproductive) that progesterone affects .

While there needs to be ongoing study of natural progesterone use for a full understanding of its impact and potential in hormonal treatments, it’s quite evident that it is a viable alternative for women seeking help with issues related to hormonal health.



Justin