There is so much information on the negative impact of being overweight today that it was only a matter of time before this research was done. Gentlemen, watch the diet,you are not immune to the effects of too many wings and frappacinos...its bad enough that your heart is stressed and your pants dont fit...now the swimmers are suffering.
Obese Men Produce Less Semen, More Abnormal Sperm (Update1)
By Frances Schwartzkopff
July 10 (Bloomberg) -- Obese men produce less semen and fewer healthy sperm and should considering losing weight if they want to have children, U.K. researchers said.
A. Ghiyath Shayeb and colleagues at the U.K.'s Aberdeen Fertility Center compared the health records of 2,037 men and found that those of normal weight had higher levels of normal sperm and more semen. Shayeb reported the findings at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Barcelona this week.
``We felt that it was possible that male overweight might contribute to fertility problems, particularly since it is a known risk factor for problems in conceiving among women,'' Shayeb said in a statement. The findings ``suggest that men who are trying for a baby with their partners should first try to achieve an ideal body weight,'' he said.
Different levels of hormones in obese men, overheating of the testicles because of fat, and diet all may contribute to lower sperm quality, researchers said. To what extent obesity and poor semen quality lead to lower fertility needs further study, Shayeb said. Other research suggests obese men produce more abnormal sperm in which the DNA, the instructions for cell growth and function, are damaged, leading to infertility and more miscarriages.
Male infertility problems may be responsible for up to half of couples' inability to conceive, the U.S. National Institutes of Health estimates.
Semen Analysis
Semen analysis measures the volume of semen, the number and structure of sperm and their ability to move. Shayeb conducted semen analysis on 5,316 men attending the fertility clinic and had complete body-mass index ratings for 2,037.
BMI reflects a person's weight compared with height. Men in the study with healthiest sperm had an optimal BMI of between 20 and 25. A person with a BMI between 25 and 30 is considered overweight and those with higher levels are obese.
The number of obese people worldwide will probably increase 75 percent from an estimated 400 million in 2005 to 700 million in 2015, largely because of fattier foods and less physical activity, the World Health Organization estimates.
Diabetes also appears to be a cause of poor DNA quality, according to another study presented at the Barcelona meeting. Researchers led by Con Mallidis of Belfast's Queens University found the amount of damaged DNA in diabetics' sperm was higher than in men with normal blood sugar levels.
To contact the reporter on this story: Frances Schwartzkopff in Copenhagen at fschwartzkop@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: July 10, 2008 10:32
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
THE STARBUCKS FERTILITY CONNECTION!!!!
Study: Women with fertility problem should avoid coffee
Posted July 11th, 2008 by Piyush Diwan
Featured
Health Update
A research based on the study of 9,000 women, reported that drinking too much of coffee, leads to the deterioration of chances of conceiving by 26% in the women, thereby making the women infertile.
Only 16% women out of the 9,000 could conceive naturally. While around 45% had to take help of the IVF treatment.
Coffee, just like consuming alcohol and smoking kills the chances of pregnancy in the women.
Another study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology declared that consuming more of coffee leads to a number of miscarriages.
American Pregnancy Association also holds caffeine as one of the reasons for preterm labor and low-birth weight babies.
Do you think there is a relationship between the closing of 600 starbucks stores and all the news around caffeine, fertiltiy and miscarriage??? what do ya think!
Posted July 11th, 2008 by Piyush Diwan
Featured
Health Update
A research based on the study of 9,000 women, reported that drinking too much of coffee, leads to the deterioration of chances of conceiving by 26% in the women, thereby making the women infertile.
Only 16% women out of the 9,000 could conceive naturally. While around 45% had to take help of the IVF treatment.
Coffee, just like consuming alcohol and smoking kills the chances of pregnancy in the women.
Another study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology declared that consuming more of coffee leads to a number of miscarriages.
American Pregnancy Association also holds caffeine as one of the reasons for preterm labor and low-birth weight babies.
Do you think there is a relationship between the closing of 600 starbucks stores and all the news around caffeine, fertiltiy and miscarriage??? what do ya think!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
male factor facts/myths
Top 10 Myths and Facts about Male Infertility
1. MYTH: Infertility is a woman's problem.
FACT: It surprises most people to learn that infertility is a female problem in 35 percent of the cases, a male problem in 35 percent of the cases, a combined problem of the couple in 20 percent of cases, and unexplained in 10 percent of cases, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. It is essential that both the man and the woman be evaluated during an infertility evaluation. Common male infertility factors include azoospermia (no sperm cells are produced) and oligospermia (few sperm cells are produced). Sometimes, sperm cells are malformed or they die before they can reach the egg. In rare cases, a genetic disease such as cystic fibrosis or a chromosomal abnormality causes infertility in men.
2. MYTH: Testicle size is what really matters..
FACT: Men of all body weight and size enter a level playing field when it comes to paternity. According to the American Urological Association, the primary factors of male infertility include possible structural and other defects in the reproductive system, hormonal deficiencies, illness or trauma that might impair fertility.
3. MYTH: The heat from laptops and hot tubs do not kill sperm.
FACT: One hour of laptop use raises testicle temperature by almost 3o C, potentially putting sperm count at risk. Testicles are located outside the body because they need to stay cooler. Men who are trying to conceive should avoid sauna and hot tub use. A University of California at San Francisco study reported in the September 17, 2007 New York Times showed men who were regularly exposed to high water temperatures (about 30 minutes a week) through hot tubs or hot baths, showed signs of infertility, with impaired sperm production and motility. Researchers also found this infertility could be reversed quickly: after the men stopped their exposure to wet heat, half had a mean increase in total motile sperm counts of 491 percent after three to six months.
4. MYTH: The biological clock has no impact on men's fertility.
FACT: Sperm quality starts to go downhill after age 35 and paternal age is a significant risk factor for miscarriage, according to a study reported in the Aug. 1, 2006 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The study of almost 14,000 pregnancies, conducted at Columbia University, showed that women with partners ages 35 or older had nearly a threefold increase in spontaneous abortions compared with women whose partners were younger than 25. Researchers found that the risk of miscarriage of a fetus conceived by a father over age 40 was 60 percent greater than if the father were 25 to 29, irrespective of other factors that have been linked with increased miscarriage risk, such as the mother's age, maternal diabetes, poor maternal health and smoking during pregnancy. The increased risk of miscarriage does not just apply to fathers in their 40s, however. The miscarriage risk in a pregnancy involving a father aged 35 to 39 was three times higher than the risk if the father were under 25.
5. MYTH: Overweight men are just as fertile as men of average weight.
FACT: One in 10 infertility problems in men may be weight related. Research from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences showed that men with increased body mass index (BMI) were significantly more likely to be infertile than normal-weight men. A 20-pound increase in men's weight may increase the chance of infertility by about 10 percent. The majority of men who participated in the study were more than 30 years old. Obesity affects nearly one-third of the adult American population (approximately 60 million). According to the American Obesity Association, the number of overweight and obese Americans has continued to increase since 1960, a trend that is not slowing down.
6. MYTH: Conception gets easier after your first child.
FACT: Men in their second or third marriages are often surprised to find they are unable to conceive--even if they had children from a previous marriage. Sperm quality is clearly impacted as child-bearing is increasingly delayed. A landmark study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association (April 14, 2004) showed that genetic defects are linked to the sperm of older fathers.
7. MYTH: Men stop making sperm after a vasectomy.
FACT: Men continue to make sperm regardless of how long it has been since they had their vasectomies unless other factors come into play, such as injury to the testicles, exposure to chemicals or toxins, and certain serious medical problems. During a vasectomy, the vas deferens from each testicle is clamped, cut, or otherwise sealed, which prevents sperm from mixing with the semen that is ejaculated. According to the American Urological Association, the testicles continue to produce sperm, but they are reabsorbed by the body.
8. MYTH: Bicycle seats cause damage to the testicles.
FACT: Evidence regarding bicycle seats pertains to erection, not fertility. Bicycle riding has been linked to an increased risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) and abnormal perineal sensations in male riders. A 2007 Boston University study examined digital three-dimensional (3D) models of a pelvis, pudendal arteries and bicycle seats to evaluate the potential sites of compression of the vessels. The study, published in the January 2007 British Journal of Urology International found that a grooved seat is better than a standard seat, but the rider's position is more important for reducing compression than seat design alone. An individual's anatomy, seat design and rider position can all increase the potential for penile hypoxia and erectile dysfunction and perineal numbness.
9. MYTH: Tight clothing contributes to low sperm count.
FACT: Evidence shows that tight pants and underwear have no effect on sperm count. There is really no difference in boxers versus briefs, tight jeans versus loose pants. However, increased scrotal temperature can impair sperm production. New research indicates that hot work environments, tight-fitting underpants, prolonged sitting, and use of laptop computers can all increase scrotal temperature but no conclusions have been reached about how these activities affect fertility. The September 2006 issues of Fertility and Sterility published data from one of the first studies of cell phone usage and decreased fertility. The study, conducted at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation suggested men's fertility may be decreased due to cell phone radiofrequency electromagnetic waves, which scientists suggest may have potentially adverse effects on brain waves, the heart and endocrine system, and DNA.
10. MYTH: Women, not men, benefit from nutritional supplements to enhance their chances of conception.
FACT: According to the Mayo Clinic, a daily multivitamin can help provide selenium zinc and folic acid -- trace nutrients that are important for optimal sperm production and function. A multivitamin also usually contains antioxidant vitamins such as C and E, which may help protect sperm from damage. In addition, a low-glycemic diet for men has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on sperm.
About IntegraMed America, Inc.
IntegraMed America, Inc. is the leading operator of fertility centers and vein care clinics in the United States. The Company supports its provider networks with state-of-the art information systems; marketing and payer contracting; financial planning, reporting and analysis; organizational planning and development; quality assurance initiatives; human resources administration; and purchasing services. IntegraMed also offers consumer treatment-financing programs and operates www.integramed.com, a leading fertility portal. The IntegraMed Fertility network consists of 31 contracted centers in 101 locations across the United States, including 171 physicians and Ph.D. scientists. One of every five IVF procedures in the U.S. is performed in an IntegraMed fertility practice.
1. MYTH: Infertility is a woman's problem.
FACT: It surprises most people to learn that infertility is a female problem in 35 percent of the cases, a male problem in 35 percent of the cases, a combined problem of the couple in 20 percent of cases, and unexplained in 10 percent of cases, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. It is essential that both the man and the woman be evaluated during an infertility evaluation. Common male infertility factors include azoospermia (no sperm cells are produced) and oligospermia (few sperm cells are produced). Sometimes, sperm cells are malformed or they die before they can reach the egg. In rare cases, a genetic disease such as cystic fibrosis or a chromosomal abnormality causes infertility in men.
2. MYTH: Testicle size is what really matters..
FACT: Men of all body weight and size enter a level playing field when it comes to paternity. According to the American Urological Association, the primary factors of male infertility include possible structural and other defects in the reproductive system, hormonal deficiencies, illness or trauma that might impair fertility.
3. MYTH: The heat from laptops and hot tubs do not kill sperm.
FACT: One hour of laptop use raises testicle temperature by almost 3o C, potentially putting sperm count at risk. Testicles are located outside the body because they need to stay cooler. Men who are trying to conceive should avoid sauna and hot tub use. A University of California at San Francisco study reported in the September 17, 2007 New York Times showed men who were regularly exposed to high water temperatures (about 30 minutes a week) through hot tubs or hot baths, showed signs of infertility, with impaired sperm production and motility. Researchers also found this infertility could be reversed quickly: after the men stopped their exposure to wet heat, half had a mean increase in total motile sperm counts of 491 percent after three to six months.
4. MYTH: The biological clock has no impact on men's fertility.
FACT: Sperm quality starts to go downhill after age 35 and paternal age is a significant risk factor for miscarriage, according to a study reported in the Aug. 1, 2006 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The study of almost 14,000 pregnancies, conducted at Columbia University, showed that women with partners ages 35 or older had nearly a threefold increase in spontaneous abortions compared with women whose partners were younger than 25. Researchers found that the risk of miscarriage of a fetus conceived by a father over age 40 was 60 percent greater than if the father were 25 to 29, irrespective of other factors that have been linked with increased miscarriage risk, such as the mother's age, maternal diabetes, poor maternal health and smoking during pregnancy. The increased risk of miscarriage does not just apply to fathers in their 40s, however. The miscarriage risk in a pregnancy involving a father aged 35 to 39 was three times higher than the risk if the father were under 25.
5. MYTH: Overweight men are just as fertile as men of average weight.
FACT: One in 10 infertility problems in men may be weight related. Research from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences showed that men with increased body mass index (BMI) were significantly more likely to be infertile than normal-weight men. A 20-pound increase in men's weight may increase the chance of infertility by about 10 percent. The majority of men who participated in the study were more than 30 years old. Obesity affects nearly one-third of the adult American population (approximately 60 million). According to the American Obesity Association, the number of overweight and obese Americans has continued to increase since 1960, a trend that is not slowing down.
6. MYTH: Conception gets easier after your first child.
FACT: Men in their second or third marriages are often surprised to find they are unable to conceive--even if they had children from a previous marriage. Sperm quality is clearly impacted as child-bearing is increasingly delayed. A landmark study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association (April 14, 2004) showed that genetic defects are linked to the sperm of older fathers.
7. MYTH: Men stop making sperm after a vasectomy.
FACT: Men continue to make sperm regardless of how long it has been since they had their vasectomies unless other factors come into play, such as injury to the testicles, exposure to chemicals or toxins, and certain serious medical problems. During a vasectomy, the vas deferens from each testicle is clamped, cut, or otherwise sealed, which prevents sperm from mixing with the semen that is ejaculated. According to the American Urological Association, the testicles continue to produce sperm, but they are reabsorbed by the body.
8. MYTH: Bicycle seats cause damage to the testicles.
FACT: Evidence regarding bicycle seats pertains to erection, not fertility. Bicycle riding has been linked to an increased risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) and abnormal perineal sensations in male riders. A 2007 Boston University study examined digital three-dimensional (3D) models of a pelvis, pudendal arteries and bicycle seats to evaluate the potential sites of compression of the vessels. The study, published in the January 2007 British Journal of Urology International found that a grooved seat is better than a standard seat, but the rider's position is more important for reducing compression than seat design alone. An individual's anatomy, seat design and rider position can all increase the potential for penile hypoxia and erectile dysfunction and perineal numbness.
9. MYTH: Tight clothing contributes to low sperm count.
FACT: Evidence shows that tight pants and underwear have no effect on sperm count. There is really no difference in boxers versus briefs, tight jeans versus loose pants. However, increased scrotal temperature can impair sperm production. New research indicates that hot work environments, tight-fitting underpants, prolonged sitting, and use of laptop computers can all increase scrotal temperature but no conclusions have been reached about how these activities affect fertility. The September 2006 issues of Fertility and Sterility published data from one of the first studies of cell phone usage and decreased fertility. The study, conducted at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation suggested men's fertility may be decreased due to cell phone radiofrequency electromagnetic waves, which scientists suggest may have potentially adverse effects on brain waves, the heart and endocrine system, and DNA.
10. MYTH: Women, not men, benefit from nutritional supplements to enhance their chances of conception.
FACT: According to the Mayo Clinic, a daily multivitamin can help provide selenium zinc and folic acid -- trace nutrients that are important for optimal sperm production and function. A multivitamin also usually contains antioxidant vitamins such as C and E, which may help protect sperm from damage. In addition, a low-glycemic diet for men has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on sperm.
About IntegraMed America, Inc.
IntegraMed America, Inc. is the leading operator of fertility centers and vein care clinics in the United States. The Company supports its provider networks with state-of-the art information systems; marketing and payer contracting; financial planning, reporting and analysis; organizational planning and development; quality assurance initiatives; human resources administration; and purchasing services. IntegraMed also offers consumer treatment-financing programs and operates www.integramed.com, a leading fertility portal. The IntegraMed Fertility network consists of 31 contracted centers in 101 locations across the United States, including 171 physicians and Ph.D. scientists. One of every five IVF procedures in the U.S. is performed in an IntegraMed fertility practice.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
cigarettes and male factor infertility
if you ever doubt the impact of not taking a new patient into your practice because they don't think they need to do the work or "believe" that smoking (cigarettes) really has an effect on their health...particularly semen quality...try being completely honest. i point blank would not take the patient on in my practice if he wouldn't even attempt to stop smoking...clearly there was a male factor fertility issue as evidenced by semen analysis conducted by his reproductive endocrinologists office...and yes his wife had read on the Internet about the ill effects on semen quality...but that wasn't "real". after telling the patient that i seriously would not accept him as a patient in my practice and that ICSI was not the be all end all for his situation...he was told the same thing on his re eval with his RE. so guess what? you guessed...he quit...BUT IT WAS HIS DECISION TO QUIT! one of the last calls i received before heading to Austin for the ABORM exam was a call from his wife to let me know that she was pregnant...and thrilled that she wasn't spending $18,000 for her scheduled IVF cycle next month. this was over a three month period of the wife being under care (acupuncture and herbs) and the husband not smoking...so it was a brief process of re balancing and detoxing ...BUT by laying the cards on the table from the get go made a life changing impact on this couples life. its not brain surgery you know...its Chinese medicine and being honest about the facts. lets not forget about the ongoing new possibilities for this man's health and life because he gave up the pack as well.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Welcome to AcuBaby.com!
Welcome to AcuBaby.com! The idea for this site was conceived about five years ago. I found my patient base shifting to a large population of fertility challenged cases. Although my experience as a practitioner of Chinese medicine specializing in womens health issues was a great base it became clear that fertility treatment and reproductive wellness was even still a greater depth of study, exploration and information. I was as confused and frustrated as my patients when I researched the internet for information.
That’s when it hit me…I would create a comprehensive resource that combined Eastern and Western medicine so that anyone and everyone looking for information about fertility could educate themselves…as well as finding a specialist in their area to support them in taking action steps to forward their fertility journey.
It s been a long gestational period…way more than the average nine months…but in fact most of us on this fertility journey do share a lengthy “gestational” period! I’ve spent countless hours putting together the seeds of the site. I have been in team with some really committed players to bring this baby to fruition. We are excited to officially launch the site at the Southwest Symposium in Austin, Texas on March 28th, 2008. This is a very exciting time for those of us in the Chinese Medical community as it is also the inaugural exam for the ABORM (American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine). My intention personally in sitting for this exam is to educate and expand the universal acceptance and relevance of Chinese medicine in the reproductive wellness arena. Let’s join forces in an effort to empower and support our patients.
As I get ready to head to Austin and introduce the site to my colleagues I have all the excitement and jitters that new parents feel as they prepare to bring their babies into the world!
I sincerely hope that AcuBaby helps each and every one of our visitors. Please come in and stay awhile. Learn more about the terms you’ve heard in your doctor’s office, read up on the latest research, find a specialist in your area who can help support your journey. Give us your feedback…this site is created for you in mind…to empower you to make self-empowering decisions about your healthcare choices.
In Service…SS
That’s when it hit me…I would create a comprehensive resource that combined Eastern and Western medicine so that anyone and everyone looking for information about fertility could educate themselves…as well as finding a specialist in their area to support them in taking action steps to forward their fertility journey.
It s been a long gestational period…way more than the average nine months…but in fact most of us on this fertility journey do share a lengthy “gestational” period! I’ve spent countless hours putting together the seeds of the site. I have been in team with some really committed players to bring this baby to fruition. We are excited to officially launch the site at the Southwest Symposium in Austin, Texas on March 28th, 2008. This is a very exciting time for those of us in the Chinese Medical community as it is also the inaugural exam for the ABORM (American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine). My intention personally in sitting for this exam is to educate and expand the universal acceptance and relevance of Chinese medicine in the reproductive wellness arena. Let’s join forces in an effort to empower and support our patients.
As I get ready to head to Austin and introduce the site to my colleagues I have all the excitement and jitters that new parents feel as they prepare to bring their babies into the world!
I sincerely hope that AcuBaby helps each and every one of our visitors. Please come in and stay awhile. Learn more about the terms you’ve heard in your doctor’s office, read up on the latest research, find a specialist in your area who can help support your journey. Give us your feedback…this site is created for you in mind…to empower you to make self-empowering decisions about your healthcare choices.
In Service…SS
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Does ovulation occur on Day 14 of the cycle?
Probably the most widely held fertility myth is the notion that women always ovulate on the 14th day of their cycle. If this were indeed true, there would be virtually no need for birth control, since couples could simply avoid that one day. And scored of couples desiring a child would simply have intercourse on the 14th day and get pregnant.
Friday, February 22, 2008
AcuBaby Site Live March 1st
Please check back March 1st to be the first to preview AcuBaby.com
AcuBaby™ is the premier integrative web source for the fertility challenged. AcuBaby™ is a comprehensive resource of Eastern and Western medical information. AcuBaby™ is committed to providing information that is educational, easy to understand, and most of all empowering.
For the practitioner, AcuBaby™ provides the opportunity to showcase your professional profile and services; including articles, case studies and research you've conducted or participated in and around fertility. This site affords you the opportunity to connect with people who need your services as a fertility specialist.
AcuBaby™ is the premier integrative web source for the fertility challenged. AcuBaby™ is a comprehensive resource of Eastern and Western medical information. AcuBaby™ is committed to providing information that is educational, easy to understand, and most of all empowering.
For the practitioner, AcuBaby™ provides the opportunity to showcase your professional profile and services; including articles, case studies and research you've conducted or participated in and around fertility. This site affords you the opportunity to connect with people who need your services as a fertility specialist.
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