It’s normally us women who are constantly reminded about our age and how it negatively affects our fertility but now it seems that the same rule applies to men too.  A recent French study of over 12,200 couples having fertility treatment suggests the chance of a successful pregnancy falls when the man is aged over 35.  It adds that the chance is significantly lower if he is over 40.  Previous studies have shown that both natural and assisted conception is more difficult if the man is over 40.  The researchers told a European reproductive health conference that it was likely the problems were caused by DNA damage in sperm.

According to a recent BBC article, Dr. Allan Pacey, a fertility expert at Sheffield University and secretary of the British Fertility Society, said: “There is a growing evidence from a number of studies to show that men are not totally immune from reproductive ageing. “Previous studies of couples trying to conceive naturally or undergoing IVF have shown that men over the age of about 40 are less fertile than younger men.  Moreover, if they do achieve a pregnancy their partners are more likely to miscarry.”

This study reinforces the message that men aren’t excused from reproductive ageing and it’s just as important for men to consider their age as women.  This also applies to the general responsibility of fertility issues - it’s all too easy and common for the woman to take it all on herself and feel wholly responsible, but this complex process often involves both the man and the woman.  We would encourage men to consider their overall health even in advance of planning a family, by looking at their diet and lifestyle so that they have the best possible chance of producing sperm of the highest quality.

This month Natural Health magazine is taking a look at the Pill and some of the health problems that have been linked to it, including irregular cycles, mood swings, loss of libido and more serious health issues such as infertility, high blood pressure and heart complaints.

They asked a number of fertility experts, including Juno Natural Fertility, to explain some of the risks associated with the Pill and to offer advice for combating these side effects and helping your body to restore its natural state of equilibrium.

You can read the whole article, Is the Pill harming your health?, here.

We’ve talked before about chemicals affecting fertility, but as it’s hit the news again in the last week or so we thought we’d bring these new findings to your attention. Chemical toxicity in the system does seem increasingly likely to be a factor amongst couples struggling to conceive.

This is due to the use of flame-retardant chemicals also known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the last 30 years, which can now be found almost everywhere; in the soil, sediment, food, air and house dust.  As a result of their widespread use research has shown that ‘97% of Americans have detectable levels in their body’.  The effect these chemicals are having on our general health, and more specifically fertility, is now being questioned.

According to a recent Economist article, ‘Kim Harley of the University of California, Berkeley, and her colleagues decided to look at whether levels of PBDEs in women affected their fertility. They took blood samples from 223 women on low incomes living in California, most of whom were Mexican, and asked them how long they had taken to become pregnant.  Their research, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, found that each tenfold increase in the blood concentration of PBDEs was linked to a 30% decrease in the probability of becoming pregnant each month.’

Although this research is fairly conclusive about the negative effects of PBDEs on fertility, more research is needed to know the full extent of the problem.  At Juno Natural Fertility a key part of our treatment involves carrying out a Mineral and Toxicity Analysis.  Based on the results we’re able to give you tailored homeopathic remedies and supplements to detox any chemicals found in your system and restore mineral levels in the body.

You can read the Economist article in full here, and to find out more information about our Mineral and Toxicity Analysis visit our website.

We’ve talked before about minimising potentially harmful chemicals if you’re trying to conceive, and some newly published research agrees.

The Telethon Institute of Child Health Research in Australia has found a possible link between women working in certain industries and a common birth defect.[1]

They looked at pregnant women who are exposed to heavy metals in labs, petrol stations and in the defence industries. The sons of these women were two and a half times more likely to be diagnosed with hypospadias, a problem that affects the penis.

Sons of women who work as hairdressers or in the beauty industry are also thought to be at higher risk of this diagnosis as they are often exposed to phthalates, a group of common chemicals found in many personal care products, detergents and plastics.

The researchers are keen to point out that more work needs to be done to get more detailed information about the risk, and these are only preliminary findings.

So to reduce your risk of exposure to toxic chemicals when you’re trying to become pregnant, look at the common household items in your home, and consider swapping them for natural products. If you’re concerned or think you’ve been exposed to a lot of chemicals through your work, you can always check your toxic levels with a Mineral & Toxicity Analysis.

We thought we’d get back to some basic stuff this week and talk about your menstrual cycle and the part progesterone plays in it.

If you’re having difficulty in conceiving or are dealing with miscarriage, you’ll probably be advised to have a progesterone level test to check your ovulation. You’ll also probably be told that you should have it on day 21 of your cycle. But… is your cycle 28 days long? If not, then having a test then won’t yield an accurate result.

You need to have the test seven days before your period - so work out which day is the one for you, and book it then.

Progesterone is important in the second half (or luteal phase) of your cycle. It prepares the lining of the uterus for holding a fertilised egg, and women who have low progesterone may not be able to carry a successful pregnancy. If you’ve heard the term ‘luteal phase defect’, this is what it means.

For women, the interaction of fertility hormones is very complex, but as long as you know your own cycle, you’ll be well placed to get the most accurate results from your tests.

We’ve been reviewing a special report in the November issue of What Doctors Don’t Tell You, which discusses a possible link between our exposure to chemicals in the environment and rising infertility rates worldwide.

One of the studies quoted looked at perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), used in lots of everyday items such as non-stick cooking pots and pans, personal care products and pesticides. The point about these chemicals is that they hang around, contaminating food and water supplies, and eventually find their way into our bodies.

Researchers concluded that high levels of PFCs may interfere with a woman’s ovulation pattern. This could result in irregular menstrual cycles, delayed ovulation or even early miscarriage.[1]

And men’s reproductive health could also be affected, especially from the effects of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), mainly found in food. Another study in the report noted that high levels of PCBs in men can reduce sperm motility - a well known factor in male infertility.[2]

We should point out that it’s early days. More research will have to be done before any conclusions can be drawn. But if you’re trying to get pregnant, there’s no harm of being aware and avoiding unnecessary exposure.

Here are our tips for reducing your chemical load:

- Filter your tap water

- Avoid canned foods (cans labelled ‘organic’ are usually OK as they’re white lined)

- Eat organic, unprocessed, fresh food (fast food wrappers are usually treated)

- Use glass or china dishes in the microwave instead of plastic, and store food and drink in non-PVC containers

- Cook with stainless steel or cast iron pans and utensils (avoid non-stick)

- Choose natural fibres around the home

- Natural cosmetics are better for your body: ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ in the ingredient list may indicate phthalates are present

[2] Semin Reprod Med, 2006; 24:156-167

We know that infertility affects both partners psychologically and emotionally. So it was interesting to find some research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine[1] . It highlights how infertility can have a huge impact on men, and shows that the diagnosis of infertility significantly increases social strain in male partners.

One of the researchers, Dr Paul Turek, said: “Since male infertility is such a common problem, it is important to understand the real impact it has on male health and relationships. This study makes clear, for the first time, that male infertility is a ‘disease’ like any other, silent or not, and can have a serious effect on the overall well-being of the individual, the couple, and the family.”[2]

But remember, a diagnosis of male infertility is not necessarily permanent, as fresh sperm is produced every 90 days. So by taking action now for the next three months, you can improve your future sperm levels.

There are a number of natural treatments available to improve male fertility and sperm health. At Juno Natural Fertility, we can test your mineral and toxicity levels which may be affecting your sperm, and then devise a tailor-made combination of homeopathic and herbal remedies plus nutritional supplements to increase the number and improve the quality of your sperm.

For further advice on sperm health, see our earlier blog post “Healthy sperm for male fertility”.

[2] http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157496.php

Folic acid is in the news this week. The Scottish Spina Bifida Association is suggesting that women of childbearing age should take a folic acid supplement for three months before they try to conceive. They believe this could cut the risk of an embryo developing spina bifida by 75 per cent.

But what is folic acid and how does it work? In its natural form, folate and vitamin B12 are needed to produce DNA and RNA, which form part of every cell in the body. If you’ve been using the contraceptive pill, it can take three months for your body to regain adequate folate levels for pregnancy. So you can see it’s vital for healthy foetal development.

The Food Standards Agency and the Department of Health recommend that you take 400 micrograms a day of folic acid for three months before conception and on into the 12^th week of pregnancy - we recommend you take a multi-vitamin and mineral that contains this level of folic acid. You should also eat folate-rich foods like dark green leafy and root vegetables, broccoli, whole grains, pulses, avocado, organic meat and fish.

Read the news story here.

When you’re trying for a baby, you may be feeling anxious and stressed about why it’s not happening. Lovemaking can become mechanical and routine - and frankly dull.

For the best chance of conception, you need to recapture the joyful and carefree sex you enjoyed when you first got together. So says Dr Allan Pacey, secretary of the British Fertility Society, in an Observer article in March.

Men produce around 250 million sperm during intercourse. With greater stimulation and a few minutes more sexual activity before ejaculation, this can increase by 25 million, according to Dr Pacey. Not only that, but sperm have been found to be healthier and higher quality which can help conception.

For women, reaching orgasm isn’t just about pleasure. They too can increase their fertility as muscular contractions and pressure changes can help draw sperm up into the cervix and the uterus.

So don’t limit yourselves to scheduled sex. Remember that you have a loving relationship, take pleasure from one another, and you never know what might happen!

Healthy sperm are vital for achieving pregnancy. But what are the key factors for them to be in tip-top condition?

Firstly - quantity. For the best chance of fertilisation, you should have more than 20 million sperm per ml of semen. Only 200 of these will actually reach the fallopian tube, and one will make it through to fertilise an egg.

Next - quality. The shape and structure (or morphology) of your sperm are important too. A normal sperm has an oval head and a long tail for swimming, and you need more than one-third normal sperm for good fertility.

And finally - motility. Sperm have to move on their own to reach and penetrate the egg. So, motility is key, and you need at least half to be moving to characterise healthy sperm.

To make sure your sperm are as healthy as they can be, make sure your testicles stay below 32^oC. Have a shower instead of a hot bath, stay out of the sauna or jacuzzi, and try not to sit or drive for too long.

The old tale is true: wear loose fitting cotton boxer shorts instead of tight briefs, and avoid synthetic fabrics. Some like it hot - but not sperm…