"Can't Get Pregnant Again"

Lot of couples plan their extended family when they plan their second baby. But problem occurs when they came to know that they are suffering from secondary infertility which means inability to get pregnant after the birth of your first biological child. This kind of state can be stressful and upsetting and also difficult to process, especially if the first pregnancy went well.  

Now, let us consider few facts which lead you to secondary infertility: 

1. Time and Gap between the ages: 

We cannot say that somebody is suffering from secondary infertility for particular amount of time. But if a couple has been trying unsuccessfully for at least one year or so then I would strongly recommend that they should pay a visit to fertility expert who will be able to investigate their situation and help them get to the bottom of what might be wrong. Age

Boost up your fertility at 40+ with these tips

By Dr Shobha Gupta 

According the reports by National Statistics Bureau , people have been increasingly delaying childbearing until later life, resulting in rising the number of infertility cases. The main reason of delaying chlid bearing would be the increasing importance of a career and the rising costs of child rearing.

It is a proven fact that as the body ages, getting pregnant can be more challenging as compare to people in their teens and twenties. Many women considering pregnancy in their 40s will then look to IVF treatment as their last resort. In my opinion before jumping to IVF treatment; there are lifestyle choices that every woman needs to consider to improve her fertility and likelihood of having a healthy baby. 

1. Get sexually active 

Have sex at least every other day during your fertile window. Understanding your own menstrual cycle (which you can do here) is probably one of the most important things you can do, studies show you're most likely to get pregnant if you have sex within a day or so of ovulation. Ovulation usually happens about 14 days after the first day of your last period. 

2. Eat good 

Include nuts, vegetables and pulses in your diet for healthy fibre and limit sugar content. Being overweight can seriously affect your chances of conceiving so, maintaining a healthy weight, and and cutting out the processed foods should assist both your chances of conceiving and the potential health of the foetus. 

3. Give yourself a pre natal vitamin boost 

Vitamin D and Folic acid are both recommended by the NHS to encourage the healthy development of the foetus and in particular its neural pathways. 

4. Be aware of changes in your body 

If you notice symptoms like sudden weight gain or

Direct causes of Female infertility

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

In my previous blog, I have listed indirect causes of female infertility such as stress, over working, age factor, smoking etc. Now let’s talk about direct causes of women reproductive dysfunction that resulted in infertility.

1. PCOS/PCOD:

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease are the disease both associated with ovaries; ovaries are the very important part of women’s reproductive body. PCOS is an endocrine system disorder in which woman’s levels of sex hormones estrogen and progesterone gets out of balance. This leads to growth of ovarian cysts. PCOD is a condition developed by the hormonal imbalance, which lead to collection of mature eggs in the ovary, as they cannot be discharged. These also become cysts and some of the cysts lead to more cysts and this cycle goes on. One of the causes would be insulin diet; hormonal disturbances or stress that leads to PCOD.

2. Blockage in fallopian tube:

Fallopian tubes are needed for transmitting of eggs and sperms. The tube is usually wherein woman’s egg and man’s sperm meet up to get fertilization. When there is a blockage of the tube in one area or perhaps each side, natural pregnancy is not possible. This blockage might be because of sexually transmitted infections (STI) for example PID i.e pelvic inflammatory disease. Therefore all the vital fertility checks are carried out by the infertility specialists in Patna to find out the real reason of fallopian tube blockage before starting any infertility treatment.

3. Vaginal issues:

Sometimes, woman’s vagina might be too narrow to allow access to the man’s penis or perhaps panic could hold her in the course of sexual

Let’s talk about female infertility

Dr. Shobha Gupta addressing female infertility issues

By Dr. Shobha Gupta  

These days couples plan their pregnancy after 30 years of age but if you are over 35 and have been trying for a baby for more than a year without getting any results, it is best to contact a fertility expert.   

Here are few signs that could help in indicating that there can be problems in conceiving:  

1. Irregular menstrual cycle:  Abnormal or irregular menstrual cycle or periods is one sign that can point towards a woman’s infertility. A menstrual cycle that is too long (35 days or more) or too short (21 days or less) could indicate problems with ovulation. Sometimes a healthy diet, exercise and medication can regularize your periods and help you conceive.  

2. Medical issues:  There are various medical problems or issues like endometriosis, PCOS and tubal blockage that can reduce one’s chances of conception drastically. PCOS is a major cause of infertility for urban Indian women. Tubal blockage or fallopian tube obstruction is again a prime cause of female infertility. Blocked fallopian tubes are unable to deliver the sperm and ova to the uterus for implantation and so conception becomes difficult. While most of these conditions can be rectified with help of a doctor, the sooner you meet a fertility expert, the better.  

Deccan Herald

3. Thyroid:  According to Indian Thyroid Society, about 70% of women with PMS have thyroid dysfunction and possibly results in infertility. Since the thyroid hormones regulate cellular functions, abnormal thyroid function affects ovulation and fertility as well.

Is Thyroid giving you infertility..?

 

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

Let’s know some facts first:

• According to Indian Thyroid society about 70% of women with PMS have low thyroid levels, which make the ovaries less able to produce progesterone leading to PMS symptoms. 
• 25.6% of Indian population have thyroid dysfunction and possibly resulted infertility
• Women are 4 times more prone to thyroid disorders than men
• About 18–20% of couples in reproductive age are infertile.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular intercourse without contraception. It is one of the medial, social and psychological burden in the world. About 18–20% of couples in reproductive age are infertile.

The thyroid hormone regulates cellular function; abnormal thyroid function can affect your fertility. Undiagnosed and untreated thyroid disease can be a cause for infertility or frequent miscarriage.

According to Indian Thyroid society about 70% of women with PMS have low thyroid levels, which make the ovaries less able to produce progesterone leading to PMS symptoms. 25.6% of Indian population have thyroid dysfunction and possibly resulted infertility.

Having trouble getting pregnant? Your thyroid could be the problem - and your doctor may not even know it. Standard blood tests miss up to 80 percent of cases in which low tissue thyroid levels are causing or contributing to infertility.

Under active thyroid (hypothyroidism) is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones. For women, there is a link between hypothyroidism and infertility. Low levels of thyroid hormone can interfere with ovulation, which impairs fertility. In addition, some of the underlying causes of hypothyroidism — such as certain autoimmune or pituitary disorders — impair fertility.

I can recall a case of my patient Payal Mehra (name changed on request), 29, a working professional, her world came to an end when she got to know that she can’t be pregnant. As thyroid is very much common in today’s lifestyle, Payal diagnosed with thyroid but

Stress can give you thyroid

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

Most people are aware that stress can cause various health problems. A sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, smoking, drinking, eating junk food, poor sleep - especially in people who work night shifts, desk job, the tension of meeting targets, all of these lead to stress.

Stress can also cause hypothyroidism. It refers to a state in which the production of thyroid hormone is below normal. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are often subtle, but can include increased cholesterol levels, a state of depression, loss or gain in weight, swollen neck, mood swings, low energy, hair loss, constipation, dry skin, brittle nails, problem with vision and the trembling of hands.

Our bodies are not designed to handle chronic stress. That is why we have adrenal glands. These glands produce hormones in response to stress which help control the heart rate, blood pressure, the level of minerals such as sodium and potassium in the blood and the way the body utilises food, among other things.

Sometime, the adrenal glands are unable to handle the high level of stress we live with these days. They then become weak and put the body in a state of breaking down. We can say that weak adrenal glands cause hypothyroidism.

It is a common problem these days, especially after 25 years of age. Women are four times more prone to thyroid disorders than men. If undiagnosed or untreated, thyroid disease can be a cause of infertility or frequent miscarriage.

Hyperthyroidism can be treated in many ways. However, a doctor chooses the line of treatment based on several variables like the cause of hyperthyroidism, the age of the patient, the size of the thyroid gland and the presence of other illnesses.

Thyroid hormone replacement is very effective in restoring fertility. It may take one to two months to normalise your thyroid hormone levels with medication. Once you start the medication, you must check your TSH levels to ensure that they are in the normal range. You will usually need to continue the medicines for the rest of your life and recheck your thyroid function every six months or so.

QUICK TIPS:

• Do not ignore early symptoms: Be alert to symptoms like weight loss or gain, constipation, muscle and joint aches, sluggishness, intolerance towards cold weather, abnormal and irregular periods, fatigue, brittle nails, hair fall, blackening of skin and sleeplessness.

• Get proper diagnosis: People should go for a thyroid test once in a year. These include the TSH test, chest X-ray and T4 or thyroxin test.

• Lose weight: Losing weight is of utmost importance for a patient of hypothyroidism. Consult a dietitian or join a gym.

• Get enough sleep and eliminate stress: Immediately address your stress level for the proper functioning of your adrenal glands. You can try yoga or practise breathing exercises.

• Exercises regularly: Even a five-minute walk in office counts. Ideally, walk for 30 minutes in a day and take the stairs instead of the lift. Small lifestyle chances can make a big difference.

• Eat well: Have a proper balanced diet and three meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - in a day. Consult a dietitian who can recommend the ideal diet for thyroid patients.

Some common facts about male infertility

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

Infertility is a complex and often misunderstood condition, which is why there's so much confusion surrounding it. 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 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