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continued from page 4
Treatments to improve sperm count
Q: I was wondering if you could recommend any particular alternative treatments to improve sperm counts? cl-kathy_02
A: Avoiding alcohol is important - even a moderate intake has been linked with 40 per cent of male subfertility. Antioxidants are important - vitamins C, E, selenium, zinc plus folic acid have beneficial effects on sperm quality and quantity. Wearing loose cotton boxer shorts, and even cold water douching of testicles to cool them down is also beneficial (really). I've written a lot about sperm health in my book Planning a Baby (published by Vermilion), which you can request through your library (new edition out soon).
Coming off of the Pill and conceiving
Q: I have been trying to conceive for five months since coming off the Pill in November 2003. I realise that it can take some time to regulate cycles after coming off the Pill. However, my cycles to date have been 34 days, 40 days and I am now currently at 55 days with no sign of my period. This latest cycle is worrying me and I wonder whether you can suggest anything to reduce my cycle times. I started taking agnus castus at the start of this cycle, other than that, I am only taking folic acid. zagster
A: Agnus castus can help to regulate a cycle. As you have only been off the Pill for five months, it is still early days. In general, taking the Pill does not seem to reduce fertility and 90 per cent of previously fertile women who stop using the Pill have a baby within 30 months. This is only two months longer than the average figures for women who had previously used the diaphragm or coil, and is thought to reflect that fact that many women stop the Pill two to three months before trying to conceive a child so the hormones are out of their system.
After stopping the Pill, half of older women (30-35 years old) take up to a year longer to conceive compared to those of the same age who had previously used a diaphragm. The number of women in both groups who successfully became mothers within 72 months was similar however, suggesting there is no long-term effect on fertility. It does mean that a few older women who have used the Pill may face a delay of up to six years before conceiving once they decide to start a family, however. There is no firm evidence that this is due to the Pill. Chances are good that you will have a successful outcome.
Back to main question page
Treatments to improve sperm count
Q: I was wondering if you could recommend any particular alternative treatments to improve sperm counts? cl-kathy_02
A: Avoiding alcohol is important - even a moderate intake has been linked with 40 per cent of male subfertility. Antioxidants are important - vitamins C, E, selenium, zinc plus folic acid have beneficial effects on sperm quality and quantity. Wearing loose cotton boxer shorts, and even cold water douching of testicles to cool them down is also beneficial (really). I've written a lot about sperm health in my book Planning a Baby (published by Vermilion), which you can request through your library (new edition out soon).
Coming off of the Pill and conceiving
Q: I have been trying to conceive for five months since coming off the Pill in November 2003. I realise that it can take some time to regulate cycles after coming off the Pill. However, my cycles to date have been 34 days, 40 days and I am now currently at 55 days with no sign of my period. This latest cycle is worrying me and I wonder whether you can suggest anything to reduce my cycle times. I started taking agnus castus at the start of this cycle, other than that, I am only taking folic acid. zagster
A: Agnus castus can help to regulate a cycle. As you have only been off the Pill for five months, it is still early days. In general, taking the Pill does not seem to reduce fertility and 90 per cent of previously fertile women who stop using the Pill have a baby within 30 months. This is only two months longer than the average figures for women who had previously used the diaphragm or coil, and is thought to reflect that fact that many women stop the Pill two to three months before trying to conceive a child so the hormones are out of their system.
After stopping the Pill, half of older women (30-35 years old) take up to a year longer to conceive compared to those of the same age who had previously used a diaphragm. The number of women in both groups who successfully became mothers within 72 months was similar however, suggesting there is no long-term effect on fertility. It does mean that a few older women who have used the Pill may face a delay of up to six years before conceiving once they decide to start a family, however. There is no firm evidence that this is due to the Pill. Chances are good that you will have a successful outcome.
Back to main question page
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