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In today’s world, infertility is a common issue in men and women because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, poor nutrition, exposure to toxic chemicals, obesity, stress, and delay in pregnancy. 1 out of 8 couples in the United States, are dealing with infertility. These couples struggling to become parents rely on medicine and fertility treatment and they are also effective. But did you know that you can make your body more fertile through natural remedies that are devoid of side effects? Practicing yoga asanas to increase fertility is one such reliable technique that will give positive results. So, in what ways can yoga impact a woman’s overall wellness and fertility? In this article, we will discuss in detail about fertility yoga benefits so that you have the motivation to start doing it.

Benefits of Yoga for Fertility

Yoga strengthens a woman’s reproductive health on an emotional, spiritual, and physical level. Here’s how yoga practice will assist you in your fertility journey.

1. Falling in love with your body

Going through fertility treatments can make you feel hopeless at times, and you may end up feeling disconnected. When you cannot connect with your inner self, how will you address the subtle changes or forewarnings your body tries to give you?

Yoga is an excellent way of focusing inward and rebuilding the connection between your mind and body. That’s why fertility specialists recommend fertility yoga to make the journey of motherhood more fulfilling.

2. Stress relief

When you are keen on becoming a mother, but the pregnancy test results are always negative, it is natural to become stressed. Then there’s also the stress from work, job, and other problems. Did you know that there is a connection between stress and infertility? Studies have revealed that women who are stressed have lower libido and irregular ovulation.

Yoga can fix this as it keeps a person mindful. Once you begin practicing yoga, you will realize that you tend to remain happier. That’s because yoga increases endorphins and thus prepares your body to make the most of the fertility treatment.

3. Better hormonal health

Hormonal imbalance is one of the causes of infertility in young women. Maintaining hormonal stability is necessary as it helps with sexual function, metabolism, and reproduction. So, say ‘yes’ to yoga to support your hormonal health and become more fertile.

4. Improved blood flow to the ovaries and uterus

Compared to our past generations, we spend a lot of time sitting in one place – be it working on the computer or watching some web series. When a person sits down for hours, the blood flow to the reproductive organs gets limited.

So, yoga can be of help as one of the fertility yoga benefits is that it stimulates blood circulation. There are several yoga asanas that require you to open up your hips and stretch them, thus increasing the blood flow to your ovaries and uterus. Naturally, the chances of implantation will increase.

5. Eases the side effects of fertility treatment

Women undergoing fertility treatments like IVF or IUI may feel fatigued, nauseous, and discomfort in the stomach. By practicing the best fertility yoga, you can reduce these unwanted side effects of fertility medications. When these unpleasant physical symptoms are gone, you will be able to carry on with your usual routine.

Moreover, a 2018 study proved that yoga increases the success rate of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) like IVF. So, there’s no harm in trying it.

6. Builds resiliency

Yoga’s most beneficial aspect is that it encourages an individual to concentrate on their movements and breathing. So, instead of being worried about the future, you can stay in the present. This will cause a positive shift in your perspective and replenish your mental strength. It will also develop your resiliency and even if conceiving appears tough, you will be optimistic. Optimism is necessary during this phase of your life as it will increase the chances of success.

7. Community support

Compassion and support are the two things that define the yoga community. So, practicing fertility yoga with other women who have the same goals as you will be an enriching experience. You will have immense mental satisfaction and you’ll look forward to attending your yoga classes daily. Sharing your story with others and hearing about their struggles will make you understand that you are not alone in this.

Best Fertility Yoga Poses to Boost Your Fertility

When you turn to yoga to get rid of your fertility issues, regular yoga may not be as effective as fertility yoga. Fertility yoga means specific yoga asanas that help you get pregnant.

Here are some kinds of yoga that are gentle:

Suryanamaskar:

Suryanamaskar is recommended for people who suffer from intense menstrual cramps, and it can also alleviate pain during menopause. There are other amazing benefits of surya namaskar for It enhances sexual functions and cures internal flaws concerning the sexual glands. This pose also strengthens a woman’s uterus and makes it expand when she is pregnant, thus making delivery less painful.

 

 

Badha Konasana:

The Butterfly Pose or Badha Konasana is a great asana for the inner thighs, genitals, knees, and hips. The pose will help you have a smooth delivery, and it is quite simple. You just have to sit straight and stretch your legs. After that, bend both legs inward so that both soles touch each other. Now hold the joined feet with your hands and pull them towards the pelvic area. Without leaving the feet, move the thighs like a butterfly’s wings. Do 5-10 sets of this asana.

 

Paschimottanasana:

Many believe that this asana is the best yoga for female fertility. Paschimottanasana targets the uterus and ovaries, two organs that play a key role in conception. The asana also improves the person’s psychological state.

Hastapadasana:

This asana will stretch your back muscles and facilitate blood circulation in the entire body. Doing it regularly will release stress from your abdomen and make the body flexible. So, stand straight and stretch your arms over the head. Then bend forward and touch the toes with both hands without bending your knees. Hold this pose for one minute and get up slowly. If your hands can’t reach the feet initially, they will after some practice.

 

Bhujangasana: 

To use yoga for infertility females, you can try Bhujangasana twice a day. Also called the cobra pose, Bhujangasana is a tried-and-tested asana for infertile women. As it causes an increased blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, it creates hormonal balance, thus aiding the production of vaginal mucus.

 

Bhramari Pranayama:

The Humming Bee Breath or Bhramari Pranayama can ease a person’s nerves and make it easier for the nerves to flush out toxins. It can also decrease stress and so, make you fertile. To do this, sit and close your eyes. Place the index fingers on the ears to block noise. Inhale and exhale by humming in a high-pitched sound. Repeat the asana 5 times for the best results.

Doing yoga asanas properly is as important as doing them every day. If you have been trying to conceive for months, reach out to an accomplished yoga instructor and do the above-mentioned asanas daily.

Is It Safe to Practice Yoga During Fertility Treatment?

Even if you are doing it for the first time in your life, yoga is completely safe. You just need to be kind to yourself, begin slow, and don’t go too far with the difficult asanas. If you push yourself too hard, you may get injured. Therefore, focus on your breathing technique and your flexibility will gradually improve.

However, you must remember that each woman’s pregnancy journey is different, and fertility doctors customize the treatment accordingly. You should always ask your healthcare provider before you approach a yoga instructor. Rigorous exercise will not be wise as it may cause ovarian torsion. So, practice the gentle poses and complete them at your own pace.

Another thing to keep in mind is that yoga should always be done in an open space with good air circulation. Refrain from doing it in an artificially heated room and there can be dangerous consequences.

Read to know: Connection Between Diet and Fertility

To Sum Up

So, whether you’ve delayed your pregnancy because of career goals or financial reasons – you should consider fertility yoga to increase your chances of conceiving. And now you can also understand the link between yoga and fertility benefits. Focus on eating nutrient-rich foods as well. Yoga alone won’t help you unless you maintain a healthy weight and quit smoking and drinking.

Have you been struggling to get pregnant despite having sexual intercourse regularly? Then perhaps you need to pay attention to what you eat. That’s because your diet directly impacts your fertility. Healthy eating plays a key role in increasing a woman’s fertility and is the foundation of blissful motherhood. So, what’s the link between diet and fertility? What are the vital nutrients your body requires when you’re trying to conceive? What foods do fertility specialists recommend to women with fertility issues? We will answer all your questions regarding fertility-friendly diets.

Best Diet for Fertility: Foods to Increase Fertility

While there isn’t any magic food that will instantly help you have a baby, there are many foods you can eat to reduce fertility issues, increase the effectiveness of fertility treatment, and facilitate implantation. Curious to find out more about the influence of diet on fertility? These are the foods to eat when trying to get pregnant:

1. Vegetables and fruits

From children to young women to senior citizens, fruits and vegetables are important for all. Let’s understand why fresh veggies, seasonal fruits, and dried fruits top the list of fertility foods for women.

One study conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health included 18,000 subjects. The observational studies showed that women who had trans fat, carbs, animal proteins in excess, and sugar suffered from ovulatory disorders. On the contrary, women whose diet had more folic acid, iron, plant-based protein, and fiber were more fertile. What does this mean for the female reproductive health? The more veggies and fruits you intake, the more impressive your fertility outcomes. The rule is to fill half of your plate with vegetables and fruits.

Asparagus and watermelon are among the most beneficial fruits as they contain glutathione. The compound increases your sex drive and is needed to have high-quality eggs. Berries have phytochemicals so having a handful of mixed berries daily will have a fabulous impact on fertility. Kale, another great powerhouse vegetable, has elements crucial for estrogen metabolism.

If you don’t enjoy chewing certain vegetables and fruits, you can have some juices. However, eating whole veggies and fruits has the best effect on fertility. Even if you like juices, don’t have packaged juices and they have preservatives, added flavors, and are not fresh. So, wash your fruits properly and slice them to eat as snacks between meals. For veggies to become digestible, you can roast them in medium-high heat with a small quantity of water.

2. Complex carbs

For increasing fertility, try incorporating complex carbs and stay away from highly processed foods. That’s because our bodies can digest refined carbs (such as cookies, cakes, white bread, white rice, and cakes) super-fast, and they get converted into blood sugar. The pancreas is then forced to release insulin into your bloodstream to drive down the sudden spike in blood sugar levels. But how can this affect your fertility? According to doctors, high levels of insulin inhibit ovulation.

On the other hand, complex carbs (present in whole fruits, beans, whole grains, and vegetables) take time to digest and so, they have a gradual effect on your blood sugar. Unrefined grains too are incredible sources of fertility-friendly fiber, vitamin E, and B vitamins. One of the favorites of doctors is buckwheat as it is loaded with d-chiro-inositol, an excellent compound that can improve ovulation.

3. Fats

An ideal fertility diet for women should include healthy fats. Fats are an inseparable part of a balanced diet to boost female and male fertility as they can reduce inflammation and offer other benefits.

Studies have proved that consuming a limited portion of monosaturated fats throughout the IVF cycle can increase the chances of success by at least 3 times. Some good sources of fat are nuts, olive oil, grapeseed oil, and avocados. So, all women are advised to consume plant-based fats if they are undergoing fertility treatment.

However, you must stay away from trans fat (the type of fat found in processed foods like packaged snacks and deep-fried dishes). Trans fat triggers insulin resistance and this can hurt your ovulation. So, the best meals for fertility should comprise more unsaturated fats and limited trans fat.

4. Protein

Plenty of protein must be included in the fertility diet for men and women. Chicken, pork, beef, and turkey are great sources of protein, iron, and zinc – all of which are building blocks to ensure a healthy pregnancy. However, you must have beef and pork in limitation as too much-saturated fat present in these types of meat can adversely affect your fertility.

Other protein sources are seafood options like salmon, tuna, sardines, and other cold-water fish. They contain omega-3 fatty acids and DHA. These nutrients aid in the development of the nervous system of the baby and minimize the chances of premature birth. So, it will be a wise decision to consume foods rich in omega-3s the moment you plan your pregnancy.

Other than meat, eggs can also be eaten to meet your body’s daily requirement of protein and thus, make you naturally fertile. You should continue having them after you learn you’re pregnant as they have choline, and this vitamin develops the baby’s brain. If you are a vegetarian, beans, tofu, seeds, and nuts are plant-based protein sources. So, if any ovulatory disorders are making implantation challenging, those will be resolved with the daily intake of protein.

5. Dairy

If you do not have lactose intolerance, dairy products should top your list of fertility-boosting foods. Yogurt, for example, is a high-fat dairy product that you can have every day. The more full-fat milk-based products you can digest, the more fertile your body will be. If you have stomach problems after having those, then you can switch to low-fat dairy like Greek yogurt. They are effective treatments for both male and female infertility and thus, must be added to your healthy diet and lifestyle.

The Takeaway

So, now you understand the deep connection between diet and fertility. Therefore, make sure you give your body the optimal pregnancy nutrition. Other than following a diet high in protein, vitamins, and fiber, you should also minimize the intake of caffeine, processed sugars, and alcohol.

The endometrium or uterine lining is a layer that grows and then sheds during every menstrual cycle. This layer is crucial as the embryo attaches itself to the uterine lining, a process called implantation. So, if the uterine lining is too thin, implantation will not be successful, and you won’t be able to conceive. Intrigued to know the reasons behind thin uterus lining, its symptoms, and how it is treated? Then stay tuned as in this article, you will find all the information about the thin lining of the uterus and its cure.

What Is Thin Endometrium Lining?

The uterine lining needs to be nearly 7-8 mm in thickness for implantation to take place. A thin uterine lining means that the endometrium lining’s thickness is not 7 mm but less than that which is thinner than usual.

What Is the Link Between a Damaged Endometrial Lining and Your Fertility?

The correlation between fertility and endometrial thickness is a strong one. That’s because the uterus is an important reproductive organ and so, the uterine lining should be perfect to support implantation. These are how thin endometrium may impact a woman’s fertility:

1. When the endometrium is extremely thin, it will lack the strength to anchor a fertilized egg. That will lead to implantation failure.
2. Again, a thin uterine lining might result in a miscarriage.
3. Lastly, if the endometrium lining is thin, it will be challenging for a woman to get pregnant. Even if someone gets pregnant, there can be complications such as IUGR.

Causes of Thin Endometrium

Doctors have found the following causes behind thin endometrium:

1. Less blood flow

How thick your endometrium is, depends on the amount of blood flow to your uterus. If the blood flow is insufficient, the endometrium will start thinning. According to doctors, diabetes, high BP, obesity, cigarette smoking, and consumption of birth control pills are some causes of less blood flow to the uterus.

2. Hormonal imbalance

For both men and women, hormonal imbalance is directly connected to a person’s reproductive health. So, if your body fails to produce enough estrogen and progesterone, the uterine lining may be less than 8 mm thick. Low estrogen levels can be because of factors like stress, certain medications, and unhealthy eating habits.

Hormonal imbalance does not just mean low levels of female reproductive hormones. Women who PCOS have high levels of male hormones/ androgens. And PCOS affects 10% of women in their 20s. Androgens can interfere with an individual’s ovulation and thicken the endometrium.

3. Nutrition deficiency

Do you eat a balanced diet? If a person does not eat properly, her body switches to “starvation mode”. Then it breaks down muscles to get energy. It also includes the muscles present in the uterus. Hence, this may lead to atrophy less uterine contractions, and atrophy, resulting in a thin endometrium.

4. Age

As we age, our ovaries cannot produce as much estrogen as the ovaries of a youthful woman. In addition, blood vessels present inside the uterine lining also lose their flexibility and they don’t heal easily. All these things contribute to thinning the endometrium. Irregular ovulation and low-quality eggs can also be held accountable for endometrium thinning.

5. Autoimmune diseases

These diseases take a toll on the human body and affect several bodily functions. Autoimmune disease means the immune system attacks healthy tissues mistaking them to be foreign invaders. The adverse effects can be inflammation and thinning of the endometrium. Lupus, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease. are some examples of autoimmune diseases.

6. Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign growths. They are so small that the human eye can’t detect them. Fibroids can also be large enough to cause bulges in the woman’s uterus. So, fibroids affect pregnancy, thin the endometrium, and surgery is recommended to eliminate them.

7. Infections

Sexually transmitted infections can scar the endometrial tissue, making it thin over time. So, if you suspect you have some sexually transmitted infection, don’t feel embarrassed to go to a doctor ASAP.

Symptoms of Thin Endometrium Lining

Knowing the symptoms of endometritis is crucial so that you can receive timely treatment and increase your chances of getting pregnant. So, these are the symptoms that indicate you might have a thin endometrium:

• Light or irregular periods: If periods become lighter or more irregular than usual, it can signify a thin endometrial lining. A common sign that there might be some issue with your endometrium is alterations in your menstrual cycle. If the bleeding is irregular or inadequate, perhaps the endometrium has started to thin out.
• Infertility: Infertility is the inability to conceive despite having unprotected sexual intercourse regularly. If you are infertile, it may be linked to the endometrial thickness.
• Discomfort: Studies have revealed that you may experience discomfort or pain in the pelvis if you have a thin endometrium.

While some women experience the above-mentioned symptoms, many don’t experience any symptoms at all. However, if you are having trouble conceiving, a thorough check-up of your reproductive health will reveal if you have chronic endometritis.

Read to know: How to Increase Sperm Count

Treatment for Chronic Endometritis

Biopsy or ultrasound can detect thin endometrium lining. If you are eager to become a mother but have been diagnosed with an extremely thin uterine lining, there are still ways to get pregnant through IVF. With some lifestyle changes and the right treatment, your uterine lining can thicken, and chances of conceiving will increase. These are your treatment options:

1. Estrogen therapy

Doctors suggest estrogen therapy to people with thin endometrium. One common way of increasing the estrogen levels in your body is by prescribing a gel or patch containing estrogen. You simply have to apply it to your skin dedicatedly. Another alternate method is to take an estrogen supplement in the form of tablets orally.

Most people have witnessed that estrogen therapy makes their endometrium thick and helps them conceive. In case you feel you are having a hormonal imbalance after taking estrogen orally, immediately discuss it with your doctor.

2.  PRP

A person with a thin uterine lining can opt for a new kind of treatment known as PRP. The full form of PRP is platelet-rich plasma. When PRP is injected into the uterus, you will see positive results within 2-3 menstrual cycles. As far as the side effects of PRP are concerned, they are minimal. So, you won’t develop any allergic reaction after taking the injections.

3. Hysteroscopy/ removal of scar tissue

Endometriosis, previous surgeries, or pelvic inflammatory disease may result in scar tissue. So, if a woman has one of these conditions, the doctor may go ahead with surgery to get rid of the scar tissue. Hysteroscopy is the medical term for this kind of surgery.

During hysteroscopy, a fertility specialist inserts a small camera into the uterus and explores the uterine cavity to detect problems. The camera is inserted through the vagina and once the doctor spots the scar tissue, he removes it with a special instrument. Some cramping or bleeding is normal after the completion of the procedure. There is no reason to worry as the side effects will subside in no time.

4. Lifestyle changes

Some resources claim that endometrium can be thickened naturally by looking after your body. So, if the test reports confirm that you have a thin endometrium, you can try the following things:

1. For increasing vascularity, practice yoga or some other form of exercise regularly.
2. Keep track of your periods and give enough rest to your body. You will be surprised to learn that stress can decrease blood flow to the uterus, affect hormone levels, and make the endometrium thin.
3. To better your endometrial health, consume foods that are loaded with minerals and vitamins, especially omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E. Other than eating vegetables, whole grains, and fruits, you should also avoid foods that are loaded with saturated fat.
4. For thin endometrium, smoking is a serious risk factor. So, your doctor will advise you to quit smoking as reduces a woman’s fertility significantly.

To Sum Up

We may conclude by saying that thin endometrium can be caused by diverse factors and low levels of estrogen are the most common cause. However, this condition is treatable through surgery, dietary modifications, and hormone therapy. So, if you have a thin endometrium, do not delay the treatment as it is decreasing your chances of conceiving. Wish you all the best!

Know More:

IVF Follicle Growth Chart

As the term denotes, fertility preservation means protecting or saving eggs along with the reproductive tissues so that a woman can have biological babies in the future. It is a fantastic option for people who become infertile due to growing age or health issues. While some people opt for fertility preservation services because they don’t have immediate plans of becoming a mother, others choose it due to sicknesses like cancer. Whatever your reasons to consider freezing your eggs, you are at the right place. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the process of fertility preservation so that you can decide if it’s best for you.

Female and Male Fertility Preservation: Why Is It Important?

If you have certain conditions and diseases, your future fertility can be at risk. The reason could be anything from critical surgery to getting diagnosed with cancer. Even if you have no fertility issues at present, your doctor might recommend fertilized egg freezing if you don’t want to have children in your 30s. These are the top reasons why it makes sense to preserve fertility:

1. Age: Do you feel you are not ready to conceive now as you’d like to travel the world, become financially stable, and achieve professional goals? As an ambitious woman, you can think about preserving your fertility. Then you won’t have to worry about your biological clock ticking and you can live your life freely, focus on your career, or wait patiently to meet your soulmate.
2. Cancer: Cancer takes a toll on the human body and so do cancer treatments. Radiation therapy, surgery to remove cancer, and chemotherapy impact the body of the patient immensely, weakening their immunity and decreasing their fertility. So, for breast cancer patients who dream of becoming a parent to their biological child someday, finding an egg-freezing clinic is advisable.
3. Transgender care: Did you know that an individual’s reproductive abilities get altered when they go ahead with gender-affirming treatments? So, doctors suggest they save their sperm, eggs, or embryos before the treatment.
4. Reproductive health issues: For some women, it becomes challenging to conceive even if they aren’t infertile. For example, uterine fibroids and endometriosis are two such conditions that stand in the way of a woman struggling to conceive. Fertility preservation treatment can come to their rescue in such situations.
5. Autoimmune diseases: Ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can trigger fertility problems. There is even evidence that reveals that the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis decreases a person’s fertility. So, why take chances when medical science has advanced so much and you have the option of egg freezing? If you are still not sure about it and you have any questions, you can book an egg-freezing consultation with a well-known clinic.

Fertility Preservation Services for Women

Fertility preservation procedures differ widely. So, having some information about fertility processes will let you know what you should expect.

·         Embryo freezing

Embryo freezing is a process that involves removing the eggs from a woman’s ovaries. Then, the fertility specialist will proceed with fertilizing the eggs with donated sperm or the sperm of your partner, thus creating embryos. The other name for this procedure is IVF (in vitro fertilization). Depending on what you want, the doctor will perform embryo implantation right away or store the embryo for future use. The latter is known as embryo/ oocyte cryopreservation.

·         Preservation of ovarian tissue

For someone undergoing cancer treatment, they may not have enough time (4- 6 weeks) required for receiving hormone treatment. So, the most feasible option is ovarian tissue cryopreservation after removing it from the body. Once the cancer treatment is complete, the surgeon will reimplant the ovarian tissue. Once it regains function, becoming pregnant through IVF won’t be a hassle.

·         Egg freezing

The process of egg freezing will commence with ovarian stimulation. After that, your eggs will be removed. Lastly, the provider will freeze the eggs and store them. If you are looking for affordable egg-freezing facilities, you should know that the prices vary based on the city where you live and the fertility clinic you choose.

·         Radiation shielding

Did you know that your ovaries can be protected with the help of a lead shield during your radiation treatment? This is a kind of fertility assistance for cancer patients. Additionally, your doctor can use the latest radiation technologies that will limit the radiation dose that your ovaries receive.

·         Ovarian transposition

Oophoropexy or ovarian transposition is an excellent procedure that can safeguard the ovaries during radiation treatments. During this procedure, your ovaries will be moved up, into the abdomen and away from the site of radiation therapy.

Treatments to Preserve Fertility in Men

Fertility preservation services are not just for women. Men too search for fertility preservation near me and two common fertility preservation options for men are:

·         Sperm freezing

A non-invasive procedure, sperm freezing is the easiest way to preserve the fertility of a man. First, you will ejaculate semen into a container and then, you will give it to your fertility specialist. The sperm cells can be stored for years. In case you are unable to provide the sample due to anxiety, pain, illness, or some religious reason, the following assistance will be provided by your doctor:

1. Reproductive medicine: Several kinds of drugs are available that can help a person ejaculate or address problems that prevent ejaculation.
2. Electroejaculation: This involves guiding a probe into a person’s rectum and it will stimulate the prostate with an electrical current, mild. The current will make you ejaculate, and this is generally done when the person is under the effect of anesthesia.
3. Vibratory stimulation: Ejaculation can be triggered by vibration.

·         Testicular tissue freezing

The surgeon will use a scalpel to collect testicular tissue from your body. After that, the tissue will be preserved in a lab.

When Is the Right Time for a Fertility Preservation Program?

Patients with cancer should freeze eggs the moment they learn about their illness. As age affects fertility, women should explore fertility preservation methods before they are 35 years old, even if they are healthy and fit.

The Bottom Line

We may conclude by saying that many people have beautiful and healthy babies after fertility preservation treatment and so, it could be a great option for you.

References:

What is fertility preservation? | NICHD – Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (nih.gov)

The use of fertility preservation services for cancer patients: a single institution experience – PMC (nih.gov)