Ahmad Hammoud MD, MPH Utah Center For Reproductive Medicine
University of Utah Enhancing Natural Fertility
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Important points The effect of age on
natural fertility Other factor that can affect natural fertility
Enhancing natural fertility Naturally enhancing fertility
treatments
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM
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Protect your eggs 12 million oocytes at birth 300,000500,000 at
puberty 25,000 at age 37 years 1,000 at age 51 years
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM IVF success rates and age
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Factors that reduce the number of eggs
Age Smoking Toxins such as dry cleaning products Genetic conditions
Chemotherapy Radiation Infections Multiple surgeries on the
ovaries
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Additional factors that can affect
fertility Weight Diet Exercise Pollution
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Weight and fertility Obesity in women
Irregular ovulation Increased risk of miscarriage Increased risk of
preterm birth Underweight women Loose menstrual cycle and ovulation
Are at an increased risk for pregnancy complication such as
intra-uterine growth restriction
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Weight and fertility In men, increased
weight results in lower sperm count
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Diet and fertility Alcohol (more than 2
drinks per day ) can reduce fertility by 60% Caffeine (more than
250 mg =3 cups per day) can reduce fertility by 45% Illicit drugs
can reduce fertility by 70% Avoid high intake of seafood: can
increase blood mercury levels
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Diet and fertility Harvard study:
Increased risk of ovulation problems in women with high intake of :
Saturated fat compared to mono unsaturated Rapidly digested carbs
compared to slow digested carbs Animal protein compared to plant
protein High protein compared to low protein Low amount of whole
milk products
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Exercise and fertility Natural pregnancy
Excessive exercise can affect the menstrual cycle: Luteal phase
defect Arrest of menstrual cycle IVF 30% reduction in pregnancy
rate in IVF patients if cardiovascular exercise exceeds 4 hours per
week
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Pollution and fertility
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Pollution and fertility Ahmad Hammoud
MD
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Natural solutions
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Fertile window of the month First day of
flow 281 Ovulation 14 Fertile window
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Timing For couple who have infrequent
intercourse because of work schedule or other reasons: Use LH
predictor kit: when positive have intercourse the same day and the
following day For couple that are capable of more: Frequent
intercourse is better than ovulation predictor kits
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Myths Abstinence is better Some sex
positions are better Certain times of the days are better I need to
stay flat or the hip should be tilted upward after the intimate
relation to save the sperm
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Lubricants Some lubricants can damage
the quality of the sperm KY Jelly Astroglide Touch Olive oil Better
lubricant if needed Canola Oil Pre-Seed
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Life style interventions Weight loss or
weight gain if necessary Stop smoking Reduce alcohol or stop
completely Reduce caffeine to less than 3 cups/day Avoid heavy
exposure to chemicals, toxins, and solvents Reduce exercise to less
than 4 hours per week while attempting pregnancy
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Weight loss
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Vitamins and supplements All women
should be on folic acid 400 mg daily For men several antioxidants
have been suggested to help sperm such as Vitamin C Vitamin D
N-Acetylcysteine CoQ10 For women, a new study suggest that CoQ10
can fight the effect of aging on the quality of eggs
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Diet A balanced diet rich in
antioxidants New study showed that women undergoing IVF have a
higher rate of pregnancy with Mediterranean diet: Vegetable oil
Legumes Fish Vegetables Low snacks
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Take home message If you are less than
30, no other infertility factors, you can try naturally for a year
If you are more than 35, no pregnancy after 6 months, get checked :
clock is ticking You can still try enhancing your fertility
naturally while undergoing treatments such as insemination or IVF
Discuss with your doctor your plan for natural treatment because
some treatments can be counter productive
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UCRM UTAH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UTAH CENTER FOR
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE UCRM Ahmad Hammoud MD, MPH Utah Center For
Reproductive Medicine University of Utah