Facts about Fertility and Ovulation

Are you planning a baby or just want to know how your reproductive system works? Either way, you are at the right place. Understanding what fertility is all about is one of the most important aspects before you start planning a baby.

Fertility (Photo Courtesy: http://geniuspregnancy.com)

Fertility is the ability of a woman to conceive and bear offspring. When referring to men, fertility is the right hormonal balance, good quality of semen and capability to produce the same. When it comes to women too, the hormonal balance has to be just right, the right number of good quality eggs, a normal menstruation cycle, and the ability of the fertilized egg to implant itself into the endometrium successfully.

There are many causes that could cause infertility including:

Infertility Causes (Photo Courtesy: http://bestnaturalfertilitytreatments.com)

• Smoking
• Alcoholism
• Stress
• Obesity and lack of exercise
• Consumption of drugs
• Environmental toxins
• Medical problems
• Advancing age
• Poor egg quality
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Ovulation problems

All about ovulation

Women need to understand their menstrual cycle to determine when ovulation occurs, and this is at the heart of conception. What exactly is ovulation? Ovulation is that time when the egg is ready to get fertilized. It is a small time-frame every month, and lasts anywhere between 12 and 24 hours. However, the sperm has the ability to live and fertilize the egg for a longer time, about three to six days.  Typically, ovulation occurs midway or thereabouts during your menstrual cycle. A typical cycle lasts 28 days, counting from day one of your cycle to the first day of the next period. However, menstrual cycles can vary between 23 and 35 days for different women. Even your own cycle could vary from month to month by seven or more days.

During ovulation, you may feel a slight pain or some cramps in the lower abdominal region. Pay some attention, and you will learn that you are ovulating. However, this is not an indication all the time. 

Ovulation Symptoms (Photo Courtesy: http://infertility.answers.com)

Another method is to check your basal body temperature with the help of a thermometer that measures BBT. Your body temperature (basal) reaches the lowest level at the point of ovulation, and rises immediately after ovulation.  If you chart your temperatures for a couple of months, you will be able to see a certain pattern. This will help you understand when you are likely to ovulate.

Temperature during Ovulation (Photo Courtesy: https://missconceptioncoach.wordpress.com)

 Other facts about ovulation

• As you reach the ovulation stage, there is an increased production of estrogen.
• Estrogen causes the thickening of your uterine lining to create an environment that is friendly for sperm.
• High estrogen levels also cause a spurt in the luteinising hormone, or LH, which causes egg release from your ovary.
• If the egg is not fertilized, the lining is shed and your period begins.

If you want to know more about ovulation and fertility, and infertility treatments, you could visit one of the infertility clinics in Bangalore. If you have not been able to conceive even a year after going off contraception, you could seek help in the form of infertility treatment in Bangalore.

How Does Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Affect Fertility?

There are many causes of infertility, and in some cases pelvic inflammatory disease or PID as it is commonly known is the culprit. So, what exactly is PID? Simply put, PID is an infection that causes inflammation of the uterus, and the fallopian tubes.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (Photo Courtesy: http://www.medicalobserver.com.au)

The symptoms of PID may be mild, but it is always better to keep an eye out for these: 

• Severe/deep pain during intercourse 
• Heavy bleeding after sex or spotting between your periods 
• Pain in the pelvis or the belly 
• Smelly discharge from the vagina 
• Pain in the back passage 
• Urinary infection symptoms such as pain or burning

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition that arises as a complication of STDs or sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea, and happens because bacteria move from the cervix or vagina into the reproductive organs. It is not necessarily only STDs that cause PID, but also bacterial vaginosis or pelvic surgery that can cause PID. Any procedure that crosses the cervix could also cause PID. 

How does PID affect fertility?

The condition can affect fertility because it can cause scarring within the uterus, the fallopian tubes or the pelvic cavity. The chances of your becoming infertile may increase every time you have PID, and it is important to curb infections in the future. Practising safe sex is therefore very important.

PID and infertility (Photo Courtesy: http://www.chatelaine.com)

Statistics show that one in every ten women suffering from PID suffers from infertility. However, if the PID occurs mildly and only once, and has been treated, your chances of pregnancy won’t be hugely affected. Damaged fallopian tubes can be treated with surgery in some cases, but if it does not work out that way, and you still want children, you may seek IVF or in-vitro fertilisation. Pelvic inflammatory disease can also cause ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy could happen when the fertilised egg implants itself outside the womb, maybe in one of the fallopian tubes. If you have PID in the fallopian tubes, the lining of the tubes tends to be scarred and the eggs will have difficulty passing through. In cases where the egg is stuck there and starts to grow, the tube could burst and cause internal bleeding.

Medication or surgery is recommended for those who have an ectopic pregnancy.

Treatment for PID
Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID is typically treated with antibiotics. You will be required to take rest and take some painkillers. A laparoscopy is suggested, and the procedure would mean making a tiny cut below your navel. A tube with a camera will be able to view the pelvic region. If you happen to live in Bangalore, the choices in terms of good doctors and specialists are vast. The infertility treatment in Bangalore may include IVF or tubal surgery for repair of fallopian tubes.

Treatment for PID (Photo Courtesy: http://www.medscape.com)

If you are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned early on, you should seek the best infertility treatment in Bangalore to be cured of PID, and eventually, achieve pregnancy if you wish to.

Tips to Boost Your Fertility

So you have decided to start a family and want to know how to increase your chances. You are in the right place! There are many simple tips you can follow to make sure you are at your most fertile phase when you are trying to have a baby. 

Ways to boost your fertility (Photo Courtesy: http://healthxwellness.com)  

Here are some of them:

The weight factor: One of the easiest ways to boost your fertility is to stay at right weight. Obesity causes a spurt in hormone production and your ovulation cycle gets disrupted. However, too little body fat also spells danger. Your body will not be able to produce enough hormones for your ovulation to be sustained. A moderate form of exercise is important to help you maintain the ideal weight. Don’t overdo the exercise as well, once you conceive. 

Weight and Fertility (Photo Courtesy: http://www.parenthub.com.au)

Eat right: Eating right is an important aspect for everyone, more so if you are trying to conceive. Make sure to have enough nutrients in your diet. Nutrient deficiencies can cause longer menstrual cycles and lower ovulation. Once you conceive too, poor nutrients could cause a miscarriage, so eat a diet that is well-balanced and has enough protein.

Eat right to be Fertile (Photo Courtesy: http://pregnancyneeds.net)

Understand your cycle: As a woman, it is important that you understand your menstrual cycle; your chances of ovulation are highest around Day 14. So, having intercourse regularly before these days can help you conceive. If you are unsure, you could try getting yourself an ovulation kit.

No smoking, no alcohol or drugs: For your fertility to be unharmed, you should avoid smoking, drinking or doing drugs. A healthy lifestyle is very important for your fertility. Smoking, drinking, drugs or a poor diet also affect sperm production or the ability of the sperm to swim. Also cut back on your caffeine consumption.

Avoid smoking, alcohol or drugs (Photo Courtesy: http://www.ovuline.com)

Cut out stress: Stress, depression and anxiety can harm your fertility, as these factors throw your hormone production off balance. Stress could affect your menstrual cycle. You could learn to manage stress by learning some relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.

Impact of Stress on your Fertility (Photo Courtesy: http://www.conceiveeasy.com)

Get enough sleep: Ensuring that both of you get adequate sleep is very important when you are trying to boost fertility. Leptin is a hormone that is linked to fertility, and studies have shown that women with low leptin levels were also infertile. 

Adequate sleep for Both Male & Female Boosts Fertility (Photo Courtesy: http://www.spermcheck.com)

Get enough supplements: You could consider taking folic acid supplements if your diet is not giving you enough of it. Folic acid, also called folate or B vitamin, plays a key role in red blood cell production, and boosts brain and spinal cord development in your baby. Also, taking folic acid before you conceive helps you overcome chances of preterm delivery. Pregnancy complications, heart disease, stroke or even Alzheimer’s disease can be kept at bay if you take folic acid supplement.  Vitamin D is also important for boosting fertility. Lack of vitamin D is said to be linked to a lower sperm count.

If you happen to be living in Bangalore, you could seek the advice of experts on diet and nutrition. Approach a fertility specialist in Bangalore for help. Seek recommendations from friends or family, do you research and seek advice from among the best infertility doctors in Bangalore.

What steps did you take to boost your fertility?

Avoid smoking, alcohol & drugs

Stress Management

Approach a fertility specialist

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