Fertilization occurs only when an egg cell (ovum) fuses with a sperm cell. Women reach peak fertility in their early 20s. It diminishes from the mid-30s in women and about 10 years later for men. After 30, one in four women will have some difficulty conceiving. It is estimated that one sixth of all married couples are infertile. Infertility can be due to any combination of factors, including blockage due to scar tissue, fibroids, or endometriosis. Hormonal imbalances can also be a factor.
Some ulcer medications as well as many other drugs lower sperm count and so can heat from hot baths, tight underwear, jock straps, tight jeans, long bike rides, and even hot car seats. If nerve damage occurs in men due to diabetes, it can cause ejaculated semen to back up into the bladder. Erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation can make it difficult to conceive. Even sitting for extended periods of time can lower sperm count!
Many women whose mothers took the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol) have experienced fertility problems and reproductive disorders. Irregular menses or lack of menses can make it difficult to predict when or if ovulation is occurring. No matter whether the problem is more with the woman or the man, both should work together for the best results.
Knowing when ovulation occurs and having sex close to that time will greatly increase your chances of conceiving. Chart your temperature to determine when ovulation occurs using special thermometers or kits from a pharmacy. Take your temperature every morning before doing anything. On the day of ovulation, your temperature will rise 0.4 to 1°F (-17.5 to -17.2°). Chart your menstrual cycle too. Notice when your cervical mucous is stringy, like an egg white, when held between two fingers; this is another sign of fertility. Fertile mucous is stretchy and doesn’t soak into toilet paper. Infertile mucus is pappy and breaks apart easily. Learn to read your body to improve your timing. Here are some other ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
BEST HERBS FOR FERTILITY
Ashwaganda root is a male reproductive herb that increases sperm count. Asparagus root is an ovarian tonic that supports estrogen activity. It’s also an aphrodisiac. False Unicorn Root is an alkaline uterine and ovarian tonic. One of my teachers said, “It’s the next best thing to sperm for getting you pregnant!” Take in tea, tincture, or capsule form three times daily.
GOOD TO KNOW!
Lubricants can slow down sperm motility. Even saliva, which contains the enzyme amylase, may have an inhibitory factor. Egg white at room temperature is one of the only things that can be used as a lubricant that won’t adversely affect conception. However, if one of the partners is allergic to eggs, this is best avoided. Remember, foreplay is the best way to stimulate the body’s natural lubrication.
Ginseng nourishes the entire female reproductive system and can also help correct erectile dysfunction and low sperm count. Women should stop using if they become pregnant. Licorice root encourages normal ovulation. It contains phytosterols that provide the raw material for hormonal production.
Oat straw helps relieve exhaustion and stress, nourishes the nerves, and makes tactile sensations more pleasurable. It’s also an aphrodisiac. Raspberry leaf helps regulate hormones. Red clover blossom is very alkaline, nutritive, and phytoestrogenic. Vitex berry affects the pituitary gland and stimulates ovulation. Vitex can also be used the first trimester of pregnancy to maintain the corpus luteum in women with a history of miscarriage before the twelfth week. Take a dose of herbal tea, tincture, or capsules three times daily.
Skip This!
Female smokers have a 40 percent higher rate of infertility than nonsmokers. Male smokers show a 33 percent rate of reduced sperm motility. Even electromagnetic energy from microwaves, electric blankets, waterbeds, computers without protective screens, x-rays, pollution, and toxins can affect fertility. Stress can also affect your ability to conceive. It can interfere with both sperm production and the female reproductive cycle. Avoid toxic cleaning products, heavy metals, and chemicals. Drink pure water. Love the weeds, learn to eat them, and stop using herbicides!
BEST SUPPLEMENTS FOR FERTILITY
Vitamin E (400 IU daily) helps prevent sterility in men and women and also prevents miscarriage. A deficiency in vitamin E can contribute to sluggish sperm. According to in vitro studies, taking a vitamin E (400 IU daily) supplement enhances the ability of sperm to penetrate an egg. Taking 200 mcg of selenium also improves the activity of vitamin E.
Zinc is found in the outer layers of sperm, in seminal fluid, and in vaginal lubrication. It is essential for the growth and maturity of the gonads and can help to increase the number and motility of sperm. Men with azoospermia (absence of living sperm) and oligoosperma (low sperm count) have both benefitted from zinc supplementation. Taking 15 mg daily improves testosterone production.
Taking 500 mg of L-arginine three times daily is essential for sperm formation and to promote normal sperm count and motility. Note, however, that arginine may aggravate existing herpes conditions and should be used only after other nutritional approaches have been tried.
BEST FOODS FOR FERTILITY
Foods beneficial for fertility are also good for health and sexuality. Buy organic. Raw sun-flower, black sesame seeds, chia seeds, and pumpkin are rich in potent zinc and vitamin E. Almonds, pine nuts, and walnuts are also great as they provide vitamin E and zinc.
Whole grains such as wild rice and quinoa contain beneficial complex carbohydrates. Oatmeal and barley help build sexual fluids. Other fertility fruits include seed-rich elderberries, figs, goji berries, pomegranates, and raspberries. Seeds contain the germ of life. Indeed, if you were to plant some of them they would grow into plants themselves! Use them liberally.
Carrots, yams, and winter squash are also good foods for fertility. Consider drinking vegetable juices made from beet, carrot, and spinach three times a week. Since juices are sweet, dilute them with 50 percent water. Miso, unpasteurized tamari, sea weeds, and Celtic salt are rich in trace minerals and therefore beneficial condiments when used in small amounts, particularly for low sperm count.
Avoid margarine, shortening, and hydrogenated oils as these can contribute to blockages.
Cures from Grandma’s Kitchen
If you are trying to conceive, make this shake. It’s great for both of you in providing protein and essential fatty acids!
11/2 cups (355 ml) fresh raw almond milk
1 tablespoon (15 g) raw tahini
1 tablespoon (20 g) raw honey
1 tablespoon (4 g) raw pumpkin seed
2 ripe bananas
Mix ingredients together well. Share the mixture and make a toast to each other and to new life.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR FERTILITY
Essential oils that can be used to increase fertility in massage, bathing, and inhalations include angelica, anise, basil, Clary sage, cumin, fennel, geranium, jasmine, lemon balm, neroli, and rose. Note, however, that these are not suggested during pregnancy as they have not been studied for safety during that time.
KEEP IN MIND
The best position for conception is the missionary position. If the woman can put her feet on her partner’s shoulders, this is enhancing. Other beneficial positions include rear entry and lying on your sides. The positions least likely to promote conception are those that involve sitting, standing, or woman on top. It is not imperative for a woman to have an orgasm for conception to occur, yet she should be stimulated enough to produce vaginal mucous. When the man ejaculates, he should go deep and stop thrusting.
GOOD TO KNOW!
Try Reflexology The kidney point is a reflexology point located at the center of the ball on each foot that connects through the meridians to the kidneys. It is beneficial to stimulate the foot reflex point in a circular motion for three minutes a day to increase fertility. Also work on the area of the Achilles heel, which correlates to reproductive organ points on both men and women.
After union, the woman should lie on her back with her knees elevated to her chest (urinate before sex so you won’t need to urinate right after) for at least 20 minutes. Use a pillow or two to elevate your hips. The very adept yogini can stand on her head after intercourse during her fertile period. (If you’re not adept at yoga, don’t try it!) A shoulder stand can help too. Most importantly, keep in your hearts and minds the love and good feelings you have for one another and trust the process of life.
This Best Herbs For Fertility article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
