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By Linda Tom

At some stage of life every couple complete their family by having their own child. However many are left disappointed when they cannot conceive a child. One of the important leading factors behind inability to conceive is directly related to low sperm count and low sperm motility in men.

The term fertility means, “One’s ability to produce a healthy offspring”. Although the term fertility was mostly associated with women, it is no longer the case. This term is now applicable to men as well as women equally as both partners play an equal role in conception process.

There are number of factors causing male infertility or low sperm count, such as:-

Stress: Emotional stress and other psychological issues can lead to low sperm count.

Heat exposure: Hot baths, saunas, high work temperatures, tight clothing, even using laptops, and fever – all cause testicular overheating which leads to decrease in sperm count level.

Cycling: Bicycling can raise scrotal temperature causing genital numbness.

Alcohol: Alcohol lowers fertility.

Smoking: Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause abnormal sperm morphology. It can also damage the sperm’s DNA and cause fetal defects.

Lubricants: Use of lubricants during intercourse can affect sperm motility.

Recreational drugs: Marijuana, cocaine and opium can adversely affect sperm count and quality causing erectile dysfunction.

There are various treatments available to increase sperm count. However, among all,
herbal products are gathering immense popularity in the medicinal world. People are returning to their root, because these natural remedies can fight against diseases and cure them completely. Herbs are also don’t show any kind of side effects. There are various kinds of herbs for improving fertility, such as:-

Herbs for Fertility

Black Cohosh:

Black cohosh is a phytoestrogen and most promising herbal remedy to treat mood swings, hot flashes and vaginal dryness associated with menopause. Phytoestrogens are non-steroidal, plant-derived substances that bind or activate estrogen receptors in various parts of the body.

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO):

EPO helps the body to produce more fertile quality cervical fluid also known as “egg white cervical mucus.” This is because fertile cervical fluid is thin, watery, clear and “stretchy” which can easily aids the sperm to swim through the uterus, into the fallopian tube, and then to the egg. EPO should only be taken from menstruation to ovulation.

Ginseng:

Stimulates the immune system, fight against male impotence and improve male fertility. Measurable test results show that it can increase sexual desire, raise testosterone level, increase sperm count and sperm mobility also.

Pycnogenol:

Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the Maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France. It represents a unique and natural combination of genetically programmed constant proportions of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids, making it a super antioxidant. The antioxidant Pycnogenol improves the quality and function of sperm in men with fertility problems.

Saw Palmetto:

It is a natural steroid source herb with tissue building and gland stimulating properties to strengthen the male reproductive system. It is a primary herb for male impotence, low libido and prostate health.

Vitex:

Vitex helps to minimize luteal phase defects and thus lowers the high prolactin level, both of which cause infertility. Vitex does not act fast and may take several months to build up in your system. When using vitex to treat infertility, it will take up to 12 to 18 months – or until pregnancy occurs. Vitex helps to minimize the symptoms of PMS, regulate irregular menses. It helps to improve fertility in cases where fertility is the result of hormonal imbalance.

Flaxseed Oil:

The ingredients within flaxseed oil help to keep the sperms healthy and improve male impotence. Flaxseed oil is a wonderful herbal supplement taken when trying to achieve conception and to promote fertility.

Withania Somnifera:

Withania somnifera improves the body ability to maintain physical effort and helps the body to adapt to various types of stress. It helps in maintaining proper nourishment of the tissues, particularly muscles and bones, while supporting the proper functioning of adrenal and reproductive systems.

Mucuna Puriens:

Mucuna pruriens herb helps in a number of conditions including Parkinson’s disease, fertility, and sexual enhancement.

Asparagus adscendens:

Asparagus adscendens is taken for the treatment of infertility, loss of libido, threatened miscarriage, menopausal problems, hyperacidity, stomach ulcers and bronchial infections.

Tribulus terrestris:

Tribulus is most often used for infertility, erectile dysfunction, and low libido. In the last decade, it has become popular to improve sports performance.

Many supplements contain herbs to increase fertility as well as vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that can help to combat infertility like:- Arginine, L- L-Arginine, Multivitamin-mineral, Selenium, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin C, Vitamin E etc.

For more information visit http://www.herbalabode.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Tom

By John Gibb

Menopause is defined as the absence of the woman’s menstrual periods for 12 months. The menopausal transition starts with a varying menstrual cycle length and ends with the final menstrual period and it usually installs in women once they approach or pass age 50.

Menopause has a series of symptoms through which the woman is made aware of the fact that this period is approaching. Because menopause is closely related to all sorts of hormonal activity, its symptoms differ from person to person. You will hardly find two women who will report the exact menopause symptoms.

There are many symptoms of menopause and a woman may witness more or less of them. Among the most frequent menopausal symptoms, one can mention irregular virginal bleeding. Some women have minimal problems with abnormal bleeding during perimenopause whereas others have unpredictable, excessive bleeding.

Before the woman starts her menopause, her periods can come earlier or later, she witnesses changes in the menstrual cycle. All menstrual activity must be closely watched during this period, so all women who develop irregular periods should see a doctor to confirm that the irregular menses are due to perimenopause and not as a sign of another medical illness.

Another symptom most women who are at their menopause describe are hot flashes and night time sweats. These feelings of warmth that spreads over the body that are often most pronounced in the head and chest are associated with the hormonal changes the woman’s body suffers during menopause.

Other symptoms associated with menopause are situated at the vagina’s level. Vaginal symptoms occur as a result of the lining tissues of the vagina becoming thinner, drier, and less elastic because the levels of the estrogen hormone drop.

Women have also described a long list of menopause symptoms. In fact, the list of such symptoms is very long, ranging to around 34 menopause symptoms. Other such problems women describe are emotional and cognitive changes (memory problems, irritability and sudden changes of mood and behavior), physical changes (gains in weight, skin problems – wrinkles, acne, hair growth on the chin, upper lip, chest, or abdomen) or urinary issues.

When women notice any of the 34 menopause symptoms, they should see a doctor at once to tell them exactly their medical condition and to recommend medical care, if required. If these 34 menopause symptoms are left untreated, the woman may develop a series of complications (osteoporosis or cardiovascular diseases, to mention just a few of these more severe problems that can affect women at menopause).

John Gibb is a nutrition enthusiast with over ten years of nutrition education and has now become a freelance writer. Currently, he focuses on information articles focused on women’s health and fitness. Read more at http://www.the-menopause-source.com

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By Fred Fishburne

The human body functions best when it is balanced in every area. When one area is out of balance the entire body is effected. Traditional medicine as a whole has not recognized this powerful truth. At menopause, estrogen decreases by 40 to 60 percent. However, progsterone decreases are about 12 tiimes greater nearly to zero, creating a hormone imbalance.

Estrogen and progesterone are closely interrelated in many ways. In normally functioning premenopausal women, estrogens are made from progesterone and/or from androgens within the cells of the ovaries. After menopause, estrogens are converted from adrenal produced androgens, primarily in the body fat. (This is a major reason for women to maintain normal body weight.) A key to hormone balance is knowing when estrogen becomes the dominant hormone and progesterone is deficient. There are very few western women that are deficient in estrogen. Most are deficient in progesterone.

The problem is not high levels of estrogen, but estrogen that is unopposed (balanced) by progestrone. It is worthwhile to compare unopposed estrogen to the progesterone balancing effect to see the importance of progesterone. Estrogen causes breast stimulation – progesterone protects against fibrocystic breasts; estrogen increases body fat – progesterone helps use fat for energy; estrogen causes salt and fluid retention – progesterone is a natural diuretic; estrogen increrases blood clotting – progesterone normalizes blood clotting; estrogen decreases sex drive – progesterone restores sex drive; estrogen reduces oxygen levels in all cells – progesterone restores proper cell oxygen levels; estrogen slightly restrains osteoclast function – progesterone stimulates osteoblast bone building; estrogen increases risk of autoimmune disorders – progesterone is a precursor of corticosteriods; estrogen increases risks of breast cancer – progesterone helps prevents breast cancer and estrogen increases risk of endometrial cancer – progesterone prevents endometrial cancer.

These are just a few examples of why it is important to maintain hormone balance between estrogen and progesterone. If a woman is already estrogen dominant and the doctor prescribes estrogen and does nothing to increase progesterone, the imbalance becomes greater as well as the risks associated with estrogen dominance.

Other common traits at menopause are increased facial hair and hair loss, usually caused by unopposed estrogen. It is not uncommon for premenopausal women to have low progesterone levels as well, allowing unopposed estrogen to cause some of the same side effects that occur in menopausal women. Signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance in premenopausal women are: Water retention, edema (swelling, bloating), fatigue, lack of energy, breast swelling, fibrocystic breast, premenstrual mood swings, depression, loss of sex drive, heavy or irregular menses, uterine fibroids, carving for sweets, weight gain, fat deposition at hips and thighs, and symptoms of low thyroid such as cold hands and feet. Supplementing with progesterones creams can help these problems.

Our bodies are remarkably resilient and capable of maintaining balance in all areas if the proper tools are provided. Hormone balance is no different. Diet and lifestyle is the key.

These simple tips will go a long way in balancing hormones in the body.

1. Do not smoke.

2. Eliminate alcohol consumption.

3. Eat whole, fresh organic foods and avoid refined and processed foods, additives, preservatives and colors.

4. Drink plenty of clean water and avoid sodas.

5. Keep fat consumption to 20 -30% of calorie intake.

6. Use olive oil and avoid hydrogenated oils.

7. Eat meat in small portions. Eat more fish.

8. Eat modest servings of eggs, yogurt, and deep-sea cold water fish several times a week.

9. Take a complete natural multivitamin with antioxidants daily. (Not a one-a-day.)

10. Exercise on a regular basis – including weight training three times a week.

11. Maintain a healthy digestive system and colon with digestive enzymes and acidophilus if necessary.

12. Use progesterone cream if necessary.

13. Stay away from HRT.

14. A calcium/magnesium supplement is needed in addition to a multi-vitamin.

Be sure to read Estrogen Imbalance – Progesterone Balance Part 2

Fred Fishburne and his wife are owners of a successful health store in McDonough, Ga., since 1994, specializing in combining supplementation and proper nutrition for optimal health benefits. Visit at http://prohealthnut.com to read more health articles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fred_Fishburne