Women's Weight Loss After Menopause

Menopause Changes Your Body's Biomechanics and Can Affect How You Lose Weight!

Health and diet researchers have shown that it is much more difficult to achieve weight loss as you age. It's even harder for women. Not only must women deal with the natural slowing of their metabolism as they get older, but they must also take into account how their body changes after menopause. Menopause can affect weight loss and dieting. The Mayo Clinic says that "during your 40s or 50s - usually coinciding with the menopausal transition - you may notice that maintaining your usual weight becomes more difficult. Weight gain after menopause seems to be harder to lose, and the inches tend to accumulate around your abdomen, rather than your hips and thighs." (source)

In this health and wellness article, we'll show you how to deal with post-menopause weight loss. A woman's body is special, and the way you go about trying to lose weight is also special.

Women's Weight Loss after Menopause

On the average, a woman can gain a pound a year at this time. An average woman 30-40 years of age who leads an inactive lifestyle requires a rough estimate of 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day to maintain a normal weight. With older women menopause generally makes weight loss a lot more difficult to solve.

A woman in who is going through menopause normally notices that maintaining her usual weight or realizing weight loss becomes a lot harder. Research shows that approximately 90% of menopausal women gain some weight between the ages of 40 and 55. Still it is important to keep in mind that this weight gain is normal and to be expected.

This is not to say, however, that weight loss after menopause cannot be anticipated. It must be known that the hormones associated with menopause are not the only cause of weight gain.

Work habits and lifestyle play a big role in her change of body composition. Menopausal women have the tendency to be more deskbound than other women that can lead to weight gain. This inactivity while dietary habits stay the same or get worse makes weight loss seemingly impossible to achieve.

Menopause-related stress is also a contributing factor in weight gain. Struggling with your weight all throughout your menopausal years often affects your ego when you least expect it. Because of this you become anxious and frustrated, which in turn can prevent weight loss as they beckon your body to go into storage mode.

Another factor that should be taken into account is the fact that during menopausal years, insulin resistance can occur. This happens when the body turns the calories you take in into fat, making weight loss almost impossible. It is therefore recommended that you a low-fat but high carbohydrate diet. Avoid eating processed foods as well as refined foods. This may make your body resistant to insulin and can therefore make way for weight gain.

On the brighter side, weight gain during these years is regulated by the body. This prepares you against osteoporosis and other diseases. So try to be more accepting of new body instead of hating yourself. Strive to be healthy and more active, and not trying to fit into your old clothes.

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Top Five Reasons Infertility is Hard

Infertility and Trying to Conceive

Are you TTC?

Infertility, it is the one thing that plagues millions of Americans. And yet, trying to conceive (TTC) pushes moms to try just about anything. No matter if it is an old wives' tale, or just some new invention to help fertility, women trying to become pregnant will try just about anything to help in the process.

If I sound like I know something or two about this subject, it would be because I do. Yes, I am not hiding my face, I can admit my own struggles, not for myself, but for all the women that have to dealt with this painful subject of trying to conceive and the infertility that comes with this process.

But in light of this serious subject, here are my own top reasons infertility is hard. And yes, each women or couple who have gone through this can come up with their own, as there are many reasons it is difficult.

Top Five Reasons Infertility is Hard

#5

One of the hardest things that come with infertility is the frustration that usually follows a woman month to month. No, it isn't just a once a month thing. It becomes a lifestyle of trying to conceive.

#4

You have to watch women around you get pregnant, have babies, and you still are left with nothing. Yes, you're happy for them, but there is that little place inside you that aches for a baby.

#3

Did you ever hear someone say, "Just be patient. It will happen it when you least expect it." Only a woman who is TTC can understand the frustration that comes with this statement.

#2

Whether you know why you can't conceive or merely are struggling with the infertility on your own, there are no words to say; it is just difficult. Especially, when you've tried everything you know to try and still nothing. Sometimes, patience can be a pill to digest.

#1

No matter what you try yourself, it all is in the hands of Providence. All you can do is make your body the healthiest you can. Do all the things we've heard so much about: exercise, drink water, take herbs, and watch for ovulation...And Wait! In the end, it is in God's hands of when you will conceive.

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Then There Were Two: My Experience With Infertility

I was younger than she was. She was already a mother, and I had not fathered a child. We wanted a child together. There would one major obstacle; her tubes were tied, so we thought it would be so easy as to untie them. We quickly made an appointment with her OBGYN doctor to ask what types of options we would have to get pregnant. Then we started our journey of hopes, shattered dreams, and miracles.

After our first doctor visit, we quickly realized that we needed to really sit down and talk about the serious nature of what we were trying to do. Untying her tubes would mean surgery and a possible reduction by 20 or more percent of my wife's fertility. This would mean I needed to be rather strong in that department, which was not even a thought for me. I was young, strong, and healthy. Per the doctor's orders, he recommended I get checked before doing any surgery on my wife, to make sure we would have the best possible environment on both sides to increase our chance of getting pregnant. Our hopes were high, we thought one more test, and we will be on our way. As it turned out, I would fail the test. I had a low sperm count, low functional sperm count, and my chances of getting anyone pregnant were slim to none. Given my Wife's condition on top of mine, our chances were literally impossible to conceive without a miracle. We were not ready to give up just yet, so we searched and studied procedures and doctors who specialized in these areas near our home.

We discovered In-Vitro Fertilization. We thought it was worth exploring. After a consultation, things were looking up. We were perfect subjects for the process. There would be no need to untie tubes, and the doctors would pick the only few good quality sperm I could produce, fertilize my Wife's best quality eggs with it, and we would be on our way. We were excited and enrolled ourselves in the process. Then we were hit with the price. I was slapped by depression…again. I did not have $30,000 to spend, and was not making enough money to support a loan that big. Then we found out in the state of Hawaii insurance will pay in full one time for people suffering from infertility such as myself. We were finally getting somewhere. The process was long, with many doctor visits and sacrifices to get it right. We failed. They implanted two of our very best embryos, and we did not get pregnant. We had four embryos left, three of fair quality and one of poor quality. We tried another cycle with two fair embryos, and we failed again. I was at the end of my rope. I gave up. I felt like I could not meet my wife and the doctors half way due to weakness to make it happen.

My wife, ever determined to use the last two embryos we had left, of fair and poor quality, found another IVF doctor. I did not want to do it. I could not go through another failure. My wife enrolled us anyway, without my knowledge. When I found out, I couldn't be upset; she was still fighting when I gave up for the two of us. I reluctantly agreed to try one more time, but this would be the last time. We entered the exhausting process of shots, medicines, and tests. She got pregnant from less than good quality embryos! We went to our first ultrasound, wondering if it was a boy or a girl. The doctor turned the screen toward us and said, "And then there were two." The poor quality embryo was growing also! Today I am the proud father of twins, a boy and a girl. We had hopes of conceiving, shattered dreams through failed attempts, and the miracle of what made it despite the odds.

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Women Who Wait: Getting Pregnant in Your 30's & 40's

Nowadays, many women are waiting until their thirties or even forties to have children. It's been a huge change from a few decades ago, when most women were pregnant, and done having their children before they even turned thirty. Being career driven, waiting for financial stability, finding the perfect partner, or just second-guessing the thought of starting a family, are just a few reasons women are delaying the idea of having children.
 

Many wonder if it's a good thing, or a bad thing, and have juggled the pro's and con's of waiting or not waiting. The aspect of "trying" after multiple unsuccessful attempts, is also a denominator that hopeful mothers in their thirties and forties have to deal with. This can be a physically and emotionally draining experience, and regrets of waiting may come into mind. Questions like, "Why did I wait so long?" or "Is there really a perfect time?," or "Was I being too selfish?" are just a few ideas that can flow through a woman's mind.

Well I just wanted to write an article, to help ease these hopeful mothers' minds, and bring some light to what may seem like a hopeless battle. Hope the following words can help.

-Don't worry about the past, or the future, for that matter. "Woulda, coulda, and shoulda," need to be completely wiped out of your vocabulary. What you can control is where you are right now. That's it. And be content with the place you are in your life, no matter where it is. We're not promised tomorrow, but at least we got today.

-Patience is a virtue, and a virtue may someday be a baby. I know they say, it will happen, when it's supposed to happen. But what do you do when you want the "happen" time to be now? What you do is still give it more time, but when you feel you've given it enough time, then give it hope.

-You shouldn't have to be secretive, or unwilling to share what you're going through. This time can be hard, but you and your partner don't have to go through it alone. Tell your family, your girlfriends, your co-workers, or anyone else you feel will be there to not judge you, but just support you. The more positive energy you surround yourself with, the better.

-And enjoy yourself. This is an exciting time, not a daunting one. You've been responsible enough by this point, to know that you deserve this. So don't stress about it, and have fun doing it.

Hopefully these ideas will help make the baby-making process an easier one. Stay positive, and one day that stick will give you a positive reading as well.

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How Women's Fertility Changes from Age 30 Through Menopause

New Girl has got me thinking: Where have all the good eggs gone?

During a recent episode, Sadie, the show's "friendly neighborhood gynecologist," broke the news that a woman can lose up to 90 percent of her eggs by age 30. Jess (and I!) had a little more than a minor freak-out. Very funny, FOX. Isn't this supposed to be a sitcom?

While I'm past my baby-making days (and probably so are many of you), our lives are full of young women-our sisters, daughters, and friends-who we want to experience the same joy in raising children that we did in raising them. It's up to us to make sure they have the know-how to make that happen.

Well, there is good news and there is bad news. First, the bad news: About 95 percent of 30-year-old women have only 12 percent of their original number of ovarian follicular cells, which can develop into eggs. And at 40, only 3 percent of the cells remain, according to research from the University of Edinburgh. Now, the good news: The research says that before birth, females have roughly 600,000 cells. That means that even if you lose 88 percent of them by the time you blow out 30 candles, you can still celebrate having 72,000 cells left.

While it's easiest for women to become pregnant before age 35, all egg-laying ovaries are not created equal, says David B. Smotrich, MD, a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology specializing in Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility. During your early 30s, your eggs can decline in quality and you might begin ovulating less frequently, even if you are having regular periods, Smotrich says. A 30-year-old woman has a 20 percent chance of getting pregnant per cycle, but by the time she's 40, her odds drop to 5 percent per cycle, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

That's where some newfangled fertility tests come in. Yep, Jess and Cece aren't the only women getting their test on. If you plan to have a baby in the great "someday," Smotrich recommends treating yourself to a baseline exam or two for your 30th birthday. Follow up with yearly tests until age 35, semi-annual tests (I suggest you time them with the Victoria's Secret semi-annual sales!) until 39, and quarterly tests thereafter to monitor your fertility, he says.

Here are some of your fertility-testing options:

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test A blood test that measures your body's levels of follicle-stimulating hormones, which control your menstrual cycle and your production of eggs, he says.

25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Test A blood test that determines if your body is deficient in calcidiol, your body's main form of stored vitamin D. Calcidiol levels generally decline with age, and deficiencies can predispose your baby to health complications, according to Smotrich.

Estradiol Test A blood test that measures the amount of a hormone called estradiol in your blood. Estradiol is a form of estrogen that is largely made in and released from the ovaries, adrenal cortex, and the placenta, which forms during pregnancy to feed a developing baby, he says.

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Test A blood test that estimates the number of the eggs in the ovaries, according to Smotrich.

Running out of eggs-and time? Medical interventions can help women older than 35 conceive. During in vitro fertilization, for instance, eggs are harvested from your ovaries, frozen unfertilized, and stored for later use. Your eggs can then be thawed, combined with sperm in a lab, and implanted in your uterus.

In women ages 35 and younger who undergo up to six cycles of in vitro fertilization therapy, the live-birth rate ranges from 65 to 86 percent. Women ages 40 and older have half the chance of giving birth from in vitro therapy, with their rate ranging from 23 to 42 percent, according to an analysis of more than 6,000 patients published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The procedure typically costs about $10,000 per cycle, according to Smotrich. During perimenopause , it is possible to conceive a healthy baby, while at the same transitioning to menopause , he says. However, since the risk of chromosomal complications increases with the mother's age, Smotrich recommends women older than age 35 talk to their doctor about having their developing baby monitored for chromosomal conditions including Down syndrome. Tests include a nuchal scan, a type of ultrasound, and amniocentesis, also referred to as amniotic fluid test or AFT, in which a small amount of amniotic fluid, which contains fetal tissues, is sampled, he says.

While men experience a drop in fertility after age 50, mom's age is the most important one in terms of conceiving, according to Smotrich. Still, older men have increased levels of sperm DNA instability, which is linked with a higher risk of autism and schizophrenia in children, according to Eric J. Topol, MD, Professor of Genomics at The Scripps Research Institute and author of The Creative Destruction of Medicine.

Our baby makers don't work forever. Thank goodness. Can you imagine if they did? But if we keep an eye on our fertility clock, we can help make sure that when our lives are ready for pregnancy, childproofing, and dirty little handprints all over our walls (and our hearts), so are our bodies. If you are more in the grandma stage of life than the mom stage, share this information with the young women in your life who are in their childbearing years. It is up to us to help educate the younger generation so they can someday have the families of their dreams.

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So You’re in Your Thirties. You Don’t Have to Worry About Menopause Yet, Right? Wrong!

We've all heard that there is a peak age for ovulation; a time when your body is ripe with baby-making magic, and there are eggs as far as the sperm can swim! Well, too bad that age is about 18, and by the time we're actually ready to have babies, your egg count has gone down. Way down...

Contrary to what you may be thinking right now, this post is not meant to freak you out, or make you fall into a series of depression-induced, Ben and Jerry's-related brain freezes. Nope. This information is GOOD to know. Women in their thirties are not thinking about menopause yet, even though perimenopause (the 6-10 years before menopause) can begin as early as 35 years old. Come to mama. I'm here to help.

Perimenopause is the stage of your life that is, unfortunately, home to most of the symptoms we associate with menopause. Menopause is simply defined by the absence of your period for 12 consecutive months. Period. Perimenopause precedes this.

Rapid egg decline (this is what I like to call it) goes like this: fertility is highest between the ages of 18-22. Once you reach 30 years old, it begins to decline. At 35, it has gone down sharply. By the time you reach 40 years old, only about 40% of women are able to conceive without medical intervention.1 Why is this? Because by the time you reach 40, your body is gearing up for perimenopause, if it isn't already there. Hormones are changing, and your reproductive system has begun spring cleaning. This is why many women over the age of 40 choose to adopt their babies.

So, how do you know if you're in perimenopause? What are some symptoms that you can expect from being in this stage of your life? Brace yourself: the answers aren't all that pretty...

MENTAL/EMOTIONAL

memory lapses (sticky notes aplenty)

overly sensitive

uncontrollable crying

unusually depressed or withdrawn

overall sense that I'm not OK

tense (like a rubber band ready to snap)

overwhelmed

anxious

irritable

bursts of anger

violent

low sex drive

PHYSICAL

oddly dry skin

headaches/migraines

exhausted

hair loss

PMS-like bloating

sore or ballooning breasts

increased chin whiskers

deepening voice

pimples galore

hot flashes or flushes

night drenches

sleepless nights

heart palpitations

weight gain (shrinking pants)

stiffness, aches, and pains

bladder issues

vaginal infections

excessive vaginal discharge

breakthrough

vaginal bleeding

dry vagina (sex hurts)

harder to reach orgasm2

On the plus side of things, women rarely experience all of these symptoms. (Thank you, Mother Nature!) Some women glide right through perimenopause without even realizing they're in it. Just know that if you feel like you're going crazy, you begin to experience weird issues that make you scour the web, late at night, searching for solutions, and you're between the ages of 35-45, then you're probably experiencing perimenopause to some extent, and this is normal. Your friends may not admit it, but they're probably going through it too. The best advice I can give you in these early stages of transition, is to gather your girlfriends (otherwise known as The Sisterhood), and talk. Help yourself and them out by facilitating some perimenopause communication. You'll all be glad you did.

What's that? You're so happy to have found this awesome information that you feel the need to jump up and down and cheer for all to hear? Why not host a menopause party! They're all the rage- and rage is indeed part of perimenopause…

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What Health Conditions Can Menopause Cure?

If you're a woman in her mid to late 40s, you have probably begun dreading the upcoming change of life. According to The Mayo Clinic website, the average woman in the United States reaches menopause by age 51. But menopause can bring more than just hot flashes, tummy fat, and mood swings. In fact, there are several health conditions that menopause can actually cure, giving us something to look forward to in our post-reproductive lives.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign masses that grow either inside or on the outside of the uterus. They thrive on estrogen, which we have lots of in our reproductive years. But once menopause comes, our estrogen levels rapidly decrease, cutting off the life supply to fibroids. So if you have uterine fibroids and they're not causing you any serious medical troubles, sit tight and wait for menopause to cure what ails you.

Endometriosis

The inner lining of our uterus is called the endometrium. This is what sheds and bleeds every month when we have our period. But for some women, the same tissue that makes up the endometrium can implant on other parts of the body like the fallopian tubes or even the sciatic nerve. So every month when they get their period, not only does the lining of the uterus shed, but it also sheds in areas where endometrial tissues are. This condition is called endometriosis, and it can be very painful. But menopause cures endometriosis by ending your periods, thus ending your pain.

PMS
Women don't exactly look forward to their period every month, especially if they suffer from premenstrual syndrome or PMS. Abdominal cramps, fatigue, and bloating don't make for a good day at work let alone a fun night out. But when the change of life comes, it's goodbye periods and goodbye PMS. Menopause can cure PMS better than any bottle of Midol or cup of hot chamomile tea.

The need for birth control

This one alone deserves its own holiday! Imagine having the freedom to be sexually active without the worries of an unwanted pregnancy. Menopause puts an end to ovulation and an end using your birth control pills, IUDs, and diaphragms. However, there is something you still need to keep in mind. Sexually transmitted diseases are more common than you think among older adults. So be smart and keep using those condoms for protection.

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My Previous Experience With Secondary Infertility and How I Overcame It

After having my first child, my husband and I hadn't fathomed the thought of trying to get pregnant once more. So after having considered it a year after having our daughter, we decided to try again. With both of us being healthy adults in our mid-20s, we expected instant success in having a second child. But it did not come as easy as we had both assumed.

I had decided it was time to check in with my obstetrician who had diagnosed the secondary infertility, the inability to get pregnant after having given birth one or more times. That was then that I was told that it was a problem not uncommon to many women. But I didn't think that infertility happened to couples who had already had kids?

But it was a devastating truth that many women have to experience and face the emotional struggle that can take its toll on even the strongest dads.

According to RESOLVE, the national infertility association, more than half of all infertility cases are in fact secondary infertility cases.

It considered for a couple to be infertile when they can't conceive after one year of unprotected sex. And although these statistics exist, many ob-gyns will offer a more patient approach with patients who do in fact already have a child.

We were lucky in that we were healthy and young enough to continue trying. The struggle however was intense. While there are no set in stone figures, most cases of secondary infertility stem for the female instead of the male, which was a really hard fact for me to swallow.

Like any couple who faces the fact they may not have another child, we were in need of empathy and validation that it could happen from friends and family. There is not time limit to grieving, which was another part of the acceptation. The acceptance was not something I was willing to intake however.

We accepted the changes that needed to be made as we were willing to do anything that would help us conceive. Some changes we acted on religiously were quiting smoking, cutting back on the caffeine and keeping our bodies fit. We felt that if nothing else worked, an expensive but treatment that could be done would be egg donation. This however would have been a last resort.

When my daughter was three we had an annual visit to my doctor and to our surprise, he told us that we would be expecting a positive pregnancy test. This was completely unexpected and a very joyous time! Needless to say, he was right. Stress had also been a factor in the infertility and once we had completely just let go of the stress and began to take care of ourselves we found ourselves parents once more.

Of course this is not the case for all couples. However the possibilities are endless with fertility. However should you be facing the dreadful fears of not being able to conceive once more as we were, understand that there are possibilities and the journey has already began.

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Emotional Effects I Suffered from Years of Unknown Infertility

As a young girl, I always remember wanting to become a mother. I couldn't wait until I was mature enough and married so I could have children of my own. That dream took many heart-breaking years of disappointments and two miscarriages to come true. I never thought that I would have so many difficulties to conceive. I was healthy and in my twenties. No physical problems were found during my fertility workups. This article describes the emotional effects and difficulties I experienced throughout my journey to become a mother .

People Starting Families Around Me

It seemed like friends and family were getting pregnant and not even trying. I remember one of my Army buddies telling me she was pregnant by accident. I was so jealous. I didn't see how that was possible, considering I was trying on purpose with no luck. My older sister kept her pregnancy a secret from me for six weeks because she didn't want to hurt my feelings. I felt bad that she did not feel comfortable to celebrate her exciting news with me. I felt like time was running out before there would be a huge age gap between everyone else's kids and mine.

Not Having Control Over my Body

I would get so disappointed with my body and felt so helpless. I wished I could look inside my body to see what was happening. My reproductive organ was a such a mystery. My husband had his sperm tested and it was fine. The only thing the doctors could tell me was "Give it time". I felt less of a woman. I remember feeling like I was letting my husband down. The hardest part was not knowing if I would ever be able to conceive. I had limited control of how and when I would have children.

Becoming Obsessed

Getting pregnant became an obsession. I was constantly searching the web and visiting libraries to find that one piece of information I missed that might help me to conceive. I was hyper-alert to my body and even convinced myself that I was pregnant several times. The days surrounding my period were torture every month. I hated the waiting period to see if I had finally achieved conception. Every time I would go to the bathroom I would be relieved that I did not start, only to eventually be disappointed. Once I would start, I would feel stupid for dwelling on it so much and dedicating so much mental energy to this obsession. I went to a counselor to help me cope with the mental agony.

Sex Becomes a Chore

My sex life turned from love-making to procreating. It was not about affection, but getting that seed at the right time. Many times, I remember my husband not being able to perform because the pressure was too much. I did not want to have to wait a whole month to try again because I did not get what I needed in time. It was extremely frustrating.

Not Fitting in with People Around Me

As I was getting older, it was harder to fit in with family and friends that had children. I didn't want to go to the children's birthday parties and baby showers. I felt like it was not fair. I would think "Why did it come so easy to others?". It seemed so natural for them. I was desperate to have children and it seemed impossible. I was getting older, as was their children. I didn't want to be remembered as the Aunt that was childless.

In my late twenties, my husband and I went to training to adopt a child through the state. Artifical Insemination and In Vitro fertilization was too expensive, as well as adopting a baby. After the training, I decided to wait a little longer to see if nature would come around. At 29 years old after two miscarriages, I held my first son in my arms. The emotional journey I went through all of those years will stay in my mind. I'm lucky that eventually my dream came true, however, not all people are so lucky.

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Saying Goodbye to My Fertility

I didn't expect to be saying goodbye to my fertility so soon. I realize I am 40 years old and many women my age already have grandchildren. In fact, I see photos of beautiful grandbabies on the Facebook pages of many of the people I knew in high school. But I also see photos of pregnant friends, my age or close to it, including my own 40-year-old sister-in-law who gave birth to my little niece just a few months ago. When it comes to fertility, 40 is not so over the hill.

But this week I learned that I will likely be saying goodbye to my own fertility very soon, and in a very permanent way. The ultrasound screening my doctor prescribed, just to check and see if I might have a fibroid causing heavy menstrual bleeding and period pain, turned up several uterine fibroids. I'll soon be having a second ultrasound and then we'll be sitting down to discuss options.

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow inside and sometimes outside the uterus. They are quite common, and occur more frequently as a woman ages. They are one of the most common reasons for heavy bleeding and excess pain during a woman's menstrual cycle, and left untreated they usually get worse.

How are they treated?

I've done quite a bit of research this week to find out what my treatment options might be. A lot depends on how large the fibroids are and how badly a woman wants to have more children. Birth control pills or other hormone treatments can help to slow the growth of fibroids or shrink them. Surgical procedures can help shrink or remove the fibroids, too.

Getting rid of the pain

The best way to get rid of fibroids for good is to remove the uterus via a hysterectomy. Hysterectomies are the second most common surgery performed on women in the United States, behind Caesarean sections. Fibroids are often the reason that women choose to have this surgery.

Making a decision

I still need to talk with my doctor about my options, but I know that my menstrual periods have gotten increasingly painful and difficult over the past few years. Whether I choose a hysterectomy, birth control pills or another treatment, my years of fertility are likely over. The risks of giving birth to another preemie or miscarrying are high if I left the fibroids untreated and became pregnant.

I am truly blessed to have given birth to three beautiful children, especially after years and years of infertility. My husband and I would have been happy to welcome another had that been God's plan for us. But I am at peace with the realization that the door is likely closing on that part of our lives. I am preparing myself to say goodbye, forever, to my fertility and to carry on, thankful for what I have been given and looking forward to what is still to come.

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How Hypothyroidism Can Cause Women Infertility Problems

If you are experiencing infertility issues you may want to consider getting a full physical from your doctor to rule out any underlying medical issues such as hypothyroidism. Other reasons besides just your reproductive organs, or his sperm, could be the cause of your infertility issues. When hypothyroidism is left undiagnosed, untreated, or uncontrolled it can be a great factor in the cause of your fertility problems.

What is Hypothyroidism and What Do I Do if I Have It

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone in your body. This hormone is responsible for all types of functioning and regulations in your body. When the hormone is under produced it can created a myriad of problems for you that are not just infertility based. Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism include excessive weight gain without reason, fatigue, cognitive issues, hoarse voice, thinning of the hair, and irregular periods. These are just a small sampling of this type of thyroid dysfunction. The thyroid is located in your neck where an Adam's apple would be. It is shaped like a butterfly. Sometimes if you have hypothyroidism, you can feel the thyroid with your hands through the skin because the thyroid is inflamed due to it trying to work properly.

A simple blood test can detect the amount of thyroid hormone that your thyroid is secreting. Your doctor can quickly tell you if you have hypothyroidism. If you do have this condition, you simply will have to take a synthetic thyroid hormone pill every day. Your doctor will have you come in frequently after you are first diagnosed to re-check your levels and adjust your medication dosage as necessary.

Many women find that once they get their thyroid levels under control then their periods become more regular and hormones begin to balance out and their infertility problems are fixed. For some women; however, even with the regulation of the thyroid they continue to experience infertility problems. If this is the case, you may want to speak with a fertility specialist to find out what other causes could be the culprit for your infertility problems.

Hypothyroidism Causes Infertility Problems; How?

Hypothyroidism can cause all kinds of problems for you that are fertility based and problems that are not associated with infertility. A woman with hypothyroidism, especially when it is left undiagnosed, untreated, or uncontrolled can cause cysts on the ovaries. These cysts can keep eggs from being released to be fertilized by the sperm. Hypothyroidism can also cause infertility problems due to causing a woman to have irregular periods. It makes it more difficult to plan conception when the cycle is unpredictable, also it is not uncommon for a woman to have her period but not be ovulating if she has a hypothyroidism problem. Without an egg there is no chance of having a pregnancy because there is nothing for the sperm to fertilize.

Hypothyroidism is also linked to causing an excess release of the hormone prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates the production of breast milk and an over production of this hormone can cause irregular periods and a halt in ovulation. As mentioned earlier, once the thyroid is regulated with the use of a synthetic thyroid hormone, all of these problems could be fixed and a woman's infertility problems could be stopped.

If you find out you have hypothyroidism you should begin keeping a chart of your cycle, keep your doctor's appointments and take your medication so that your thyroid remains regulated to prevent the above problems from continuing. Once your thyroid is under control and you have been trying to conceive for at least 6 months with no success, it may be time to speak with a fertility specialist. For many women who find out they have an underactive thyroid, once they get treatment their infertility issues are resolved, but, for other women there may be other underlying medical conditions that an infertility expert can hopefully detect and resolve.

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Infertility in Men

Primary infertility in men consists of a man who is unable to conceive a child despite the fact that he has sex with a primary fertile woman without use of some form of birth control for at least one year of time. Secondary infertility in men includes a man, who has been able to have one child, but then experiences the same symptoms as a man who has primary infertility.

Many things can contribute to male infertility including, a decreased number of sperm, sperm that is blocked, or sperm that malfunctions in some way. Infertility in men can also be contributed to by environmental exposures or pollutants, genetic abnormalities, a man who is of increased age, chemotherapy (past or present), smoking, alcohol or drug usage, impotence, infections of the testes, sexually transmitted disease, trauma to the testes, or a prolonged exposure to the genitals.

Medical practitioners are able to detect primary infertility by taking a medical history, taking a semen analysis (counting the sperm count to see if it is normal or low), or by conducting a testicular biopsy.

Treatment is conducted through education, intrauterine inseminations, or in vitro fertilization (IVF). The medical practitioner may also try to treat and prevent the infections which contribute to the infertility.

During the process of infertility or non-infertility, medical practitioners recommend that both partners maintain a healthy diet, weight, and lifestyle. The medical practitioner may also prescribe a multivitamin.

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