Bollywood’s love for Surrogacy

By Dr. Shobha Gupta 

It isn’t a long time when the chaos of discussions and controversies about IVF or surrogacy got settled that Shahrukh Khan having Abram Khan, yet another triggered it recently with the news of Tusshar Kapoor become a single proud father of a baby boy born through surrogacy. 

There is all of a sudden so much craze about IVF and Surrogacy in the celebrities. As a matter of fact it may be a new trend in Bollywood, but it has been prevailing from a long time in Hollywood and the other countries. 

These days awareness about surrogacy is increasing. People who would have never thought that they would be able to become proud parents are finally getting chance to be. 

We all knows that India is a led by country, people here do not think of its own they do things and believes things which is happening in and around them. As an Infertility specialist, in this matter I believe that it is a positive step taken by celebrities by far. When celebrities like Tusshar Kapoor or Shahrukh Khan opts for surrogacy and talks about such a medical procedure openly, it helps remove taboos associated with it. Common people do look up to celebrities be it their dressing sense, or any other thing, they simple love to do what they do. So, now mentality is more like if Tusshar Kapoor or Shahrukh Khan can have their babies via surrogacy why can’t we. 

What is IVF Surrogacy..? 

Surrogacy is now a well explored and accepted form of starting a family that people are turning to. Derived from the Latin word surrogates

Yoga for your fertility

By Dr. Shobha Gupta 

On the occasion on International Yoga day i.e. today 21 June let’s pledge to do yoga for your health every day. Studies have shown that yoga can help reduce stress, which can affect fertility. Also there are some specific poses that can help promoting baby-making by increasing blood flow to your pelvis, stimulating hormone-producing glands, and releasing muscle tension. 

Try yoga workout to relax, better align your pelvis and increase blood flow. All factors that may help promote quicker conception. 

Yoga is beneficial in many other ways too. One of the lifestyle problems is stress which further produces many diseases such as obesity, infertility, heart problems, it also disturbs your digestive system and many more. There is a strong link between stress and digestion. Stress has the ability to interfere with your digestive system and your digestive process. You may have heard of a little hormone called cortisol. We all need cortisol in our life, but this also happens to be the hormone that’s released when we’re stressed out. The trouble is that excess cortisol remains in the body if you’re under chronic stress and it contributes to excess belly fat. That’s because cortisol promotes the storage of belly fat to help you survive. When you’re stressed, your body doesn’t know the difference between a deadline at work or being chased by a bear. So it reacts the same way in either situation. To boost metabolism you must RELAX and stop producing so much cortisol. Try Yoga meditation to help in reducing stress. Yoga is a great stress buster. 

The Hindu

It is very mandatory to practice yoga especially for women. It is indeed a modern day trend which is actually very helpful in boosting your immunity as well as fertility. Now days you can practice yoga anytime even at your home, no need to take out extra time from your hectic schedule to go to gym or anywhere else. It is simple and easy to perform. Yoga exercises, meditation and breath-control exercises makes the mind state calm and reduces anxiety.  By performing fertility yoga, you are strengthening your reproductive organs and muscles that are used during pregnancy and childbirth. Their deep-breathing technique promotes increased blood circulation, reduces stress and gives you easier relaxation.

Related Articles: The Hindu 

Let's talk about male infertility

By Dr. Shobha Gupta 

Infertility as we all know means inability to conceive despite of one year of trying. In most infertility cases we cannot ignore male factors as there is a very big myth that infertility is woman’s problem. But actually out of 100% nearly 30% of all infertility cases, the cause is attributed to a problem in the male, 30% of cases, the cause is attributed in female and 30% to both male and female factors and rest 10% is unknown. 

Infertility in males is also very common these days. Let’s have a look at some facts about male infertility: 

1. Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels, cause erectile dysfunction and decrease sperm production. Liver disease caused by excessive drinking also may lead to fertility problems.

2. Occupation or job: There are certain occupations can increase your risk of infertility, including those associated with desk jobs or extended use of computers or video display monitors, shift work, and work-related stress. 

3. Tobacco consumption or smoking: Men who smoke may have a lower sperm count than do those who don’t smoke. Secondhand smoke also may affect male fertility. 

4. Hormonal imbalances: Low thyroid hormone levels can cause poor semen quality, poor testicular function and may disturb libido.  May be caused by a diet high in iodine.  Reducing iodine intake or beginning thyroid hormone replacement therapy can elevate sperm count.  This condition is found in only 1 percent of infertile men. 

5. Stress: It is one of the main reasons of infertility in today’s time .It can interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm. Severe or prolonged emotional stress, including problems with fertility, can affect your sperm count. Men may consider it an

Tobacco only kills

By Dr. Shobha Gupta 

World No Tobacco day is observed on 31st May every year. Tobacco usage has been considered controversial for long although scientific evidence regarding its health hazards. We get to see many advertisements regarding not consume tobacco in an any form. Though our Government has also taken various measures to curb this growing problem but despite we have 114 tobacco related deaths every hour in India reported by WHO. 

Tobacco use has not been considered as a good habit by many societies, right from its introduction in 16th century. Consumption of tobacco is mainly in the form of bidi, followed by cigarette, hukah, chilum, etc. The habit of smokeless tobacco (also referred as tobacco chewing) is also very common. Some common forms of smokeless tobacco include khaini, Mainpuri tobacco, mawa, mishri etc. 

Many of us are aware about the diseases that caused by consumption of tobacco which is mainly cancer of oral cavity, larynx, oesophagus, urinary bladder, kidney, stomach, pancreas, cervix. But several research studies have also identified smoking or consuming tobacco in any form adds multiple risk factors of infertility especially in men; risk of osteoporosis, bone fractures and early age wrinkles also. 

Tobacco usage in any form like cigarette smoking, hookah, consuming bidi etc can harm you in many ways. 

There is direct link between Tobacco and Fertility: 

The Statesman

Male fertility is affected by a variety of lifestyle habits that include tobacco use. A large population of Indian men is addicted to tobacco chewing. Tobacco chewing is strongly associated with a decrease in sperm quality and to a lesser extent with oligoasthenozoospermia or azoospermia. 

The relationship between tobacco use and male fertility has always been controversial but yes indeed; tobacco use is a potential detrimental factor for decrease in sperm count in men. Smoking can decrease sperm count in men, making the sperm more sluggish, and it can increase the number of abnormal sperm. With men, the effects on fertility are increased with the number of cigarettes.  Men who smoke heavily or drink too much may have lower sperm mortality and a higher proportion of abnormal sperm. 

There have been many studies of tobacco usage