Category: Health

Pregnancy after 40 years

Nowadays, pregnancy after 40 years is a fairly common phenomenon, however, this is exactly the case when pregnancy should be prepared, and especially carefully.

The ideal age for conception, gestation and birth of a child is entered by specialists in the framework of 22-26 years, it is during this period that the hormonal level is optimal, health is tolerable, there are a lot of eggs and they are healthy. Although at this age, deviations from the norm and problems are possible. Nevertheless, a woman’s reproductive system functions not only during this short period, which means that nature allows her to continue childbirth at an older age, up to the onset of menopause, when the resource of eggs is exhausted and the extinction of all occurs. And taking into account the development of modern reproductive technologies, it is quite possible to give birth to a child after the onset of menopause.

Pregnancy after 40 years risk factors

At birth, every girl has a certain supply of germ cells that are consumed throughout her life, which means that the older the woman, the older the follicles stored in the ovaries. Every month, one egg matures and leaves the ovaries, but the remaining follicles are susceptible to aging and external factors, just like any other cells in the body.

This fact is associated with an increased risk of giving birth to a baby with chromosomal abnormalities. Merciless statistics show that the anomaly of the development of the 21st chromosome – Down’s disease in the fetus among women who gave birth at 23-25 is about 1 in 1300, and at 40 it is already 1 in 30. Doctors believe that such statistics also indicate that the mechanism of natural rejection of an embryo with genetic disorders fails with age. And this means that with its full-fledged work, even before the implantation of an egg in the uterus, its removal (chemical pregnancy) would have occurred.

The process of conception itself becomes much more complicated in adulthood, since blood flow to the reproductive organs decreases, the sensitivity of the uterus to sex hormones decreases, some chronic diseases and long-term bad habits, such as smoking, prevent conception and implantation.

It will be especially difficult for women who are planning a pregnancy after 40 years with their first child – gynecologists claim that the reproductive organs, which have been in a state of functional insufficiency for many years, age much faster.

How to prepare for pregnancy

It should be understood that clomid for ovulation stimulation will not solve all problems. First of all, it is necessary to give up bad habits six months before the expected conception, first of all, quit smoking, limit the amount of alcohol and completely abandon all kinds of surrogates, such as low-alcohol and energy drinks.

To give up work that requires strong nervous tension – recent research by scientists suggests that stress at work is one of the factors of problems with conception.

pregnancy after 40 years

To go in for sports or, at least, to increase physical activity – thus, we increase the elasticity of the joints and strengthen the muscles, which will help to carry and give birth to a baby.

Walk in the fresh air every day, away from car exhaust.

To undergo a full medical examination, in case of chronic diseases, to choose such drugs that are compatible with carrying a child.

To put the oral cavity in order, to cure the teeth. A visit to the dentist during pregnancy is possible, but not at any time and still the risks remain.

Find a doctor you trust, and who will help you prepare for pregnancy and carry a baby.

Age and fertility

In modern society, infertility associated with age-related changes in the reproductive system has become more common. There are many reasons why many girls start having families only after the age of 30. Age and fertility – today women have more opportunities to take care of themselves and monitor their health, but all this does not exclude an age-related decline in reproductive function. It is important to understand that fertility decreases as a woman ages due to the natural process of reducing the number of eggs in the ovaries. And this process can begin much earlier than most women expect.

Ovulation and menstrual cycle

During the reproductive age, women have regular menstrual cycles, during which the ovulation process occurs monthly. At the beginning of each cycle, follicle-stimulating hormone formed in the pituitary gland stimulates (to stimulate ovulation, you can use clomid, which you can buy online after being prescribed by a doctor.) the growth of a group of follicles in both ovaries. Usually only one of these follicles matures and releases an egg (ovulates), the rest stop growing and are destroyed. Pregnancy occurs when an egg is fertilized and fixed in the lining of the uterus (endometrium). If pregnancy does not occur, the endometrium comes out in the form of menstruation, and the cycle resumes.

At the beginning of adolescence, girls have “walking” ovulation, which leads to irregular menstruation, but by the age of 16, as a rule, a stable periodicity of menstruation is established. From this time on, the female cycle will remain stable, ranging from 26 to 35 days.

Unlike men, whose bodies produce sperm throughout their lives, a woman is born with an unchanged number of eggs with follicles contained in the ovaries. So, at birth, a girl has about a million follicles. By puberty, this number is reduced to about 300,000. Of all the remaining follicles, about 300 reach ovulation during reproductive age. The remaining follicles are not used during ovulation, but are involved only as the natural sequential process of degeneration, called atresia, passes.

As women age, fertility decreases due to natural age-related changes that occur in the ovaries. From about 30-40 years, you can notice that the cycle has become shorter. Over time, ovulation begins to disappear, menstruation becomes more and more rare until it stops completely. It is believed that the menopause stage occurs when a woman has no menstruation for a year. It is believed that women who like to smoke a cigarette or two have menopause a year earlier than non-smoking women.

Age and fertility: Fertility in aging women

The best reproductive years for women are considered to be the age of 20-30 years. Fertility gradually begins to decline by the age of 30, this trend is especially evident after 35 years. Every month, a healthy woman of childbearing age has a 20% chance of getting pregnant. That is, for every hundred childbearing 30-year-old women who try to get pregnant on the first attempt, only 20 will succeed, the remaining 80 will have to try their luck again. By the age of 40, this probability is less than 5%. Thus, less than 5 out of 100 women can successfully conceive during each month.

As we have already said, women remain fertile until the onset of menopause, the average age of onset of which is 51 years. However, most women fail to conceive a baby at the age of forty. These indicators apply both to those who are trying to get pregnant in the traditional way, and to those who are undergoing infertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization (IVF). Stories broadcast in the media can lead women and their partners to the erroneous idea that, no matter what, it is possible to get pregnant using procedures such as IVF. But do not forget that a woman’s age still affects the likelihood of a cure for infertility. The quality and quantity of eggs gradually decrease with age, which causes a decline in female fertility.

Fertility in aging men: Age and fertility

Unlike the early decline in fertility, which is observed in women, in men, the change in reproductive function occurs much later. Although the quality of sperm deteriorates somewhat as a man ages, this is usually not a problem until a man reaches the age of 60. Despite the fact that the problems that arise in men are not as sudden and noticeable as in women, changes in reproductive and sexual functioning also occur as they age.

At the same time, men do not have an age limit at which they cannot become a father, which is proved by gentlemen of 60-70 years of age who managed to successfully conceive offspring with their younger partners. However, as men age, the testicles tend to become smaller and softer, the structure of sperm changes, and sperm motility tends to slow down. Aging men often develop diseases that can adversely affect their reproductive and sexual functions. Moreover, with age there is a higher risk of the appearance of gene defects in spermatozoa. However, it is worth noting that not all men experience significant changes in reproductive or sexual function as they age, especially not men who maintain their health in good condition for many years.

In any case, if a man has problems with sexual desire or erection, he needs to seek treatment from a urologist. Reduced libido may be, among other things, associated with low testosterone levels.

When determining the cause of infertility, doctors can offer special treatment. However, sometimes there are cases in which it is not possible to detect any specific problems and the cause of infertility is considered “unidentified”. In case of unidentified infertility, or when traditional methods of treatment have not worked, assisted reproductive technologies can be used, such as superovulation using intrauterine insemination technology and in vitro fertilization (IVF). In the IUI cycle, infertility treatment is carried out with the help of drugs to increase the number of eggs in the ovaries. When these eggs are ready to ovulate, the selected partner’s sperm is placed directly into the female ovaries. This procedure is called intrauterine insemination (IUI) technology and does not cause any discomfort. IVF is a procedure for taking an egg and fertilizing it with a partner’s sperm in the laboratory, then the finished embryo is placed in the uterus. In each of these procedures, the sperm of the donor can be used instead of the sperm of the woman’s partner.

Conclusion

Fertility naturally declines as we age. Despite the fact that the time of fertility decline and the onset of menopause in women varies significantly, this period occurs in the life of every woman. As a rule, fertility begins to decline around the age of 30 and noticeably decreases at the age of 35. Women who decide to postpone pregnancy until the age of 35 and later should realistically assess the chances of success, have information about the possibilities of conception and, if necessary, the use of infertility therapy. Having familiarized with all the options and being aware of their needs and goals, a woman and her partner will be able to make the best decision.

The use of clomid in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Clomiphene (aka clomid) is very often used to induce ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. If ovulation does not occur at a dose of 50 mg, then withdrawal bleeding is caused by prescribing progestin, and the dose of clomiphene increases in the next cycle.

With a newer step-by-step protocol, the dose of clomiphene increases without causing withdrawal bleeding.

The presented study, which took place in the USA, involved 109 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. The patients were divided into 2 groups:

  1. the first group of 66 patients received clomiphene according to the traditional scheme: initially, a dose of 50 mg was used for 5 days, if there was no response with a documented progesterone level of less than 3 ng/ml on the 21st day of the cycle, then medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg was prescribed for 10 days to cause withdrawal bleeding. After that, the dose of clomiphene was increased to 100 mg / day for 5 days. This continued until the maximum dose of clomiphene was 250 mg/day.
  2. the second group of 43 patients received clomiphene according to a stepwise protocol: initially a dose of 50 mg was used for 5 days, then 5-7 days after the last dose of clomiphene, ultrasound was performed to assess the follicular response. If no developing follicle > 10 mm was detected, the dose was increased to 100 mg/day for 5 days. Then, 5-7 days after the last dose of clomiphene, ultrasound was performed to assess the follicular response and if no developing follicle > 10 mm was detected, the dose was increased in the same manner, increasing the dose by 50 mg / day in each step, bringing it to a maximum dose of 250 mg / day.

The primary outcome was considered to be the time before ovulation. Secondary outcomes were considered to be the frequency of ovulation, the frequency of pregnancy, side effects depending on the dose of the drug.

According to the results of the study:

  • the time before ovulation was shorter with the step protocol: 23 days with the step protocol and 48 days with the traditional scheme.
  • cumulative ovulation frequency was higher in the group with the step protocol: 88% versus 39% with the traditional scheme.
  • the frequency of pregnancy was the same in both groups: 18 % vs. 16 %.
  • in the group with the step protocol, mild side effects were more often noted: vasomotor hot flashes, headache, nausea, mastalgia and mood changes.
  • there was no difference in the frequency of serious side effects.

The authors note that for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, the use of clomiphene according to a step-by-step protocol is associated with a reduction in the time to ovulation and an increased frequency of ovulation compared with the traditional regimen of the drug.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is characterized by an increase in the ovaries with the development of numerous cysts (the condition of polycystic ovaries), the accumulation of fluid in the tissues, abdominal cavity and lungs. In 2% of cases, this condition requires immediate hospitalization. The occurrence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is associated with a sharp rise in the level of estrogens (estradiol) under the influence of gonadotropins, which can lead to the rapid development of ovarian cysts.

This disease occurs in 10-20% of cases after ovulation induction, mainly mild and moderate severity. With a mild degree of this syndrome, the ovaries are enlarged to 5 cm in diameter, there is also a slight ascites and weight gain of up to 5 kg. With moderate severity of the syndrome, the ovaries are enlarged from 5 to 12 cm, there is moderate ascites, nausea, vomiting, discomfort in the lower abdomen, and an increase in body weight of more than 5 kg. Severe cases of ovarian hyperstimulation are characterized by an increase in the ovaries, severe ascites, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, accumulation of fluid in the lungs, dropsy, blood thickening, and can lead to kidney failure.

ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Severe forms occur in young women with irregular rare menstruation, who after the first induction had a condition of polycystic ovaries (more than 15 follicles). Hyperstimulated ovarian syndrome has two phases. The first phase manifests itself from the second to the seventh day after ovulation, and the number of signs of the disease is limited. The second phase occurs after a woman becomes pregnant.

How is hyperstimulated ovarian syndrome treated?

Women with mild to moderate syndrome can stay at home, preferably in bed, strictly controlling the amount of fluid consumed and excreted. If, after the induction of ovulation, a woman has dramatically recovered by 1-1.5 kg, it is advisable to hospitalize such a woman. Severe cases should be treated in hospital conditions, taking into account the condition of the woman.

Prevention

When conducting ovulation induction, it is very important to monitor the reaction of the ovaries to the administration of medications, which can be done using ultrasound. If there is a development of 1-3 follicles up to 18-20 mm in size, such induction can be considered safe. However, with the appearance of 5 follicles or more, as well as with a sharp increase in blood estradiol, it is advisable to stop the induction of ovulation.

Ovulation induction. Part II.

We continue to answer questions related to ovulation induction

How long can the induction of ovulation with clomiphene citrate be carried out?

Induction with this drug can be carried out for 4-6 months. In 40-45% of all women and in 80% of correctly selected women, pregnancy will occur within 6 months. After six months, it is impractical to carry out ovulation induction.

What gonadotropin preparations are used to induce ovulation?

Gonadotropins are hormones that are produced by the pituitary gland, or substances that have a similar effect to pituitary hormones. Modern medicine uses the following gonadotropins to induce ovulation:

  • human menopausal gonadotropin (HMGs)
  • human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
  • follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • luteotropic hormone (LH, luteinizing hormone).

What is human menopausal gonadotropin?

Human menopausal gonadotropin is a combination of FSH and LH, mainly created by genetic engineering from mammalian ovarian cells (for example, hamsters). Such combinations have from 60 to 120 units of hormones (depends on the manufacturer). For the first time, FSH and LH were isolated from the urine of menopausal women in 1954, and this combination of hormones was called pituitary human gonadotropins. In menopausal women, the amount of FSH and LH in the urine is increased. The first ovulation induction was performed in 1958, and the first pregnancy after ovulation induction occurred in 1960.

Gonadotropins are most often indicated in cases where the induction of ovulation with clomiphene citrate is unsuccessful, as well as in women with hypothalamic-pituitary factor infertility, when a sufficient amount of FSH and LH is not produced.

Ovulation induction

What is human chorionic gonadotropin?

Human chorionic gonadotropin is produced by the placenta, and it is obtained from the urine of pregnant women. The chemical structure, and therefore the effect, is almost the same with the pituitary gland LH. Since a sharp increase in LH before ovulation contributes to the maturation of the egg, the introduction of hCG before the expected ovulation leads to the rupture of the follicle and the release of the egg.

To get a positive effect with this type of ovulation induction, it is very important to choose the right day of the cycle for the administration of the drug, which many doctors determine using ultrasound and measuring the level of estrogen in the blood. Ovulation occurs within 36-48 hours after HCG administration. This drug is often used to enhance the effects of clomiphene citrate when it is not possible to trace the peak of LH. Since hCG is excreted in the urine, a pregnancy test may be false positive within 10 days after HCG administration.

What are the side effects of using gonadotropins?

Up to 33% of all pregnancies that occur after the induction of ovulation by gonadotropins are multiple (70% are twins, 30% are triplets). Therefore, the rate of premature birth, and hence the mortality rate of newborns, is increased. A dangerous side effect is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (when using hCG, this syndrome is less common than when using other drugs for ovulation induction, in this case we are not talking about clomid and its generics). Other side effects are swelling and soreness of the mammary glands, bloating, abdominal pain, mood changes.

Unlike IVF, the level of fetal malformations after ovulation induction does not exceed the level without ovulation induction. Ectopic pregnancies occur more often after ovulation induction (5-8% of cases compared to 1-2% of cases in the general population of women). Miscarriages are observed in 15-21% of women. Pregnant women after ovulation induction are more likely to suffer from hypertension of pregnant women, and the frequency of placental abruption in such women is increased.

Review: The drug Clomid is safer than tamoxifen

Good day to all sports fans. I would like to share with you a review about the antiestrogenic drug Clomid from Balkan Pharmaceuticals (I used it). The review will clarify the issue of using clomiphene to raise the level of natural testosterone in post-course therapy, so it is designed for a very narrow circle of those who understand what they are doing and for what. In this review, I will try to tell you why clomid is a little better than tamoxifen, based on personal feelings from taking both.

Clomid from Balkan Pharmaceuticals costs about $42 for a blister of 20 tablets of 50 mg. The cost of clomid is three times higher than that of tamoximed from the same manufacturer. And it’s not so easy to buy clomid. If tamoxifen from Ebeve can be found in most pharmacies in any city, then Balkan Pharmaceuticals must be purchased only online.

At the top of any blister is the date of final use and a verification code by which you can verify the authenticity of the products.

drug Clomid

By itself, the Clomid tablet has the same size and shape as most of the drugs from this manufacturer. A square white tablet has a dividing ribbon, but in the case of clomid it is not particularly needed, since 50 mg is a fairly low dosage.

We turn to the action of the drug and the question of why it is a little better than tamoxifen. Both of them perfectly bind estrogens and increase testosterone. All the arguments of clomid supporters about blocking in the pituitary gland, hypothalamus and testicles are completely untenable, so the same effect of tamoxifen has been repeatedly proven. Clomid is a little better, but not this.

The advantage of clomid is that it is not so toxic and has absolutely no side effects, because it is a newer drug. From prolonged use of tamoxifen, vision still drops a little. Clomid is devoid of this side effect as well as possible migraines. I took clomid for a month and never had any side effects.

In general, I recommend not saving on health and using clomid for post-course therapy.

Ovulation induction

What is ovulation induction?

Ovulation induction is an artificial stimulation of the egg maturation process with the help of medications.

What are the indications for ovulation induction?

Ovulation induction is carried out according to strict indications, since the drugs used for this have many serious side effects in women of certain categories:

  • For the treatment of amenorrhea in some cases
  • To stimulate ovulation in women with anovulatory cycles
  • To regulate the cycle in women with irregular menstrual cycles
    (oligomenorrhea)
  • To obtain several eggs in the ovaries of women preparing for IVF (in vitro fertilization) or intrauterine insemination (superovulation).

Healthy women with regular menstrual cycles are not recommended to carry out ovulation induction.

What methods can determine the presence of ovulation?

There are several methods for determining ovulation. Ovulation tests are becoming more popular due to the ease of implementation. They are based on determining the level of LH in a woman’s urine using special strips. The growth and peak of LH levels is observed 32-36 hours before ovulation. Usually, this test is used 2-3 days before the expected ovulation (in women with a 28-day cycle – from 12 to 15 days). In women with irregular cycles, the test should be used from the 11th to the 20th day of the cycle. Ovulation in such women can be confirmed within 5 days in 85% of cases, and within 10 days in 95% of cases. Sometimes ovulation may be absent, which happens normally, however, if ovulation is absent for 2-3 cycles, you need to consult a doctor.

Another method of determining ovulation is ultrasound. Ovulation usually occurs with a follicle size of 1.8‑2.5 cm. This method is more reliable if several ultrasounds are performed in the middle of the cycle every other day. The same method is used by many doctors to control ovulation in infertility clinics. A less common method is an endometrial biopsy with histological examination, which is performed the day before the expected menstruation. This method also allows you to determine the readiness of the endometrium for possible implantation of the fetal egg. Some doctors suggest measuring the level of LH and estradiol in the blood for several days of the cycle. Less and less often women use basal body temperature measurement, since this is not the most reliable method for determining ovulation.

Other questions about ovulation induction in women

Is it possible to use ovulation induction in women who have borderline ovarian tumors removed?

According to new research, it is considered safe to conduct ovulation induction in women after removal of borderline ovarian tumors.

What are the methods of ovulation induction?

Ovulation induction is carried out by one or a combination of several medications, which include clomiphene citrate, FSH, hCG, MGH (human menopausal gonadotropin), bromocriptine, cabergoline, gonadotropin-releasing hormone and its analogues, LH and a number of others.

What are the indications for clomiphene citrate induction?

There are not so many indications for ovulation induction, although many doctors have been abusing this method recently. Induction is indicated for women with rare menstruation or lack of menstruation, those who cannot find out the cause of infertility, with moderate endometriosis, or according to the requirements of the women themselves. The standard dose is 50 mg, for 5 days at the beginning of the cycle. The level of ovulation, pregnancy and the outcome of pregnancy are the same if induction is started on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th day of the cycle. The doctor should monitor the effectiveness of induction. This can be done by ultrasound, measurement of basal body temperature, determination of the level of estrogen in the blood.

about ovulation induction

When does ovulation occur after the use of clomiphene citrate?

Ovulation occurs most often 5 days after the last dose of clomiphene citrate is administered, however, in many women ovulation can occur from 10 to 23 days of the cycle, so in such cases it is important to monitor the development of follicles using ultrasound.

What are the side effects of using clomiphene citrate that can hinder pregnancy?

Since clomid is an antiestrogenic drug, it can cause inferiority of cervical mucus, which is very important in the fertilization process, and create a barrier to sperm. Even with successful ovulation, such women may have difficulty conceiving due to the artificial cervical factor of infertility created by doctors. Therefore, to control the quality of cervical mucus, experts recommend conducting a postcoital test in the first half of the cycle after each induction with clomiphene citrate. Another negative result of using clomiphene is a decrease in the quality of the endometrium: it becomes thin and of poor quality for successful implantation of the fetal egg. Some side effects are associated with the occurrence of hot flushes (10% of cases), visual impairment, vaginal dryness, hyperstimulated ovarian syndrome. In 10% of cases, there is a double pregnancy (twins). Some women may experience the growth of ovarian cysts, so before conducting a course of ovulation induction, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound of the ovaries. Insufficiency of the luteal phase is also not a rare side effect when using clomid (observed in 50% of cases).

When is ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate contraindicated?

Induction of ovulation with this drug is contraindicated in the presence of ovarian cysts, pregnancy, liver diseases.

To be continued…

What vitamins are needed to get pregnant quickly?

Get pregnant quickly? In this article, questions will be considered about whether it is possible to bring the onset of pregnancy closer with the help of additional means.

How to get pregnant quickly?

Before an important life stage – bearing and giving birth to a child – a woman must undergo a medical examination. It includes examination and delivery of tests. Experts advise to do the same to a man. This is necessary in order to eliminate the risk of infectious diseases, possible future pathologies of the fetus, to receive treatment. The expectant mother should be sure that nothing threatens her health, be observed by specialists in case of chronic diseases.

Wondering what to do to get pregnant quickly, a man and a woman should not only be examined by specialists. Nutrition and lifestyle also have an impact on the reproductive activity of the body. So, for the sake of the health of the unborn baby and a calm pregnancy, it is worth giving up bad habits, expanding the diet, including all the necessary vitamins and minerals, resting more, trying to avoid stressful situations and emotional stress. If the future mother and father follow these recommendations, then the chances of an early pregnancy increase significantly.

What vitamins should I take?

Essential vitamins for women’s and men’s health can be obtained from natural food. So, it is necessary to include in the diet dishes from meat, cereals, vegetables, fruits, fresh dairy products – they are a source of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and micronutrients. The food should be full and varied. You should avoid snacking on the go, eating fast food. It is also necessary to adjust the water balance in the body. In order to get the right amount of liquid, you should drink at least two liters of water a day.

get pregnant quickly

What vitamins should I take to get pregnant quickly? The composition of such combined preparations includes, at least, folic acid, vitamins D and E. Experts advise taking them once a day, except folic acid – these vitamins should be drunk one tablet 3 times a day.

The body is enriched with useful substances, the hormonal balance returns to normal, the nervous system of the unborn child is protected from various disorders. In addition, if a woman takes care of herself and adheres to proper eating habits, she feels a surge of strength, her condition improves, which also contributes to a faster onset of pregnancy and the ability to safely carry a child.

Pills for pregnancy

What pills to take to get pregnant quickly? Are there drugs that enhance sexual function? Yes, however, you should not try to purchase and take them yourself, without the permission of a doctor. Only after the specialist examines the results of the tests from the woman, he can prescribe treatment. Otherwise, a woman risks seriously harming her health and even provoking infertility.

Everyone knows that the onset of the ovulation period promotes conception. Therefore, doctors prescribe drugs that stimulate this process and bring the onset of pregnancy closer.

Stimulation of pregnancy with the help of medications is a very difficult issue. Only a doctor can prescribe effective infertility treatment or help bring the onset of pregnancy closer, and it should be remembered that drugs (for example clomid (clomiphene)) that stimulate reproductive activity can have unpleasant side effects.

Ovulation stimulation: indications, possible complications

Unfortunately, some women have difficulties with the production of female germ cells, or with their normal maturation and subsequent fertilization. To solve this problem, such a procedure as ovulation stimulation was developed.

Thousands of married couples today face the problem of conceiving a child, which is due to various negative factors. The absence of ovulation, obstruction of the tubes, abnormalities of the development of reproductive organs – this is not a complete list of reasons that prevent pregnancy. A huge number of women suffering from infertility managed to become happy mothers only with the help of the achievements of modern medicine.

Indications for ovulation stimulation

Hormone therapy aimed at stimulating ovulation is prescribed to women in the following cases:

  • with infertility of unclear genesis (if a woman has no objective reasons preventing pregnancy, but even with regular sexual activity throughout the year, conception does not occur);
  • with hormonal insufficiency that cannot be corrected by other means;
  • when using assisted reproductive technologies that require the collection of eggs from the ovaries (in vitro fertilization, ICSI).

Contraindications to ovulation stimulation

Ovulation stimulation is not prescribed to women who are over 35 years old, who have unsuccessful experience of previous ovulation stimulation (more than six times), as well as patients with structural disorders in the body that prevent conception and the normal course of pregnancy (with obstruction of the fallopian tubes, oncological diseases, acute inflammatory processes, uterine pathologies, etc.).

Reasons for the lack of ovulation

Sometimes the hypothalamic-pituitary system of the body fails, as a result of which a woman has a violation of the menstrual cycle, up to the complete cessation of menstruation.

The reasons for this phenomenon may be:

  • genetic: the presence of certain defects in the sex chromosomes that interfere with the normal hormonal background;
  • pathological: a tumor or inflammatory process prevents the pituitary gland or hypothalamus from producing a sufficient amount of necessary hormones;
  • indirect: the normal course of ovulation is disrupted by dysfunction of the adrenal cortex and thyroid gland, closely related to the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

Drugs for ovulation stimulation

Currently , ovulation stimulation is carried out with the following medications:

  • menstrual (cyclic) gonadotropin. This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and is responsible for the various phases of the menstrual cycle. Unlike chorionic gonadotropin, which is produced exclusively during pregnancy, ovulation is stimulated by hormones that regulate a woman’s reproductive cycle in her normal state;
  • artificially created (recombinant) FSH, most often Gonal;
  • Clomiphene, with the help of which the production of gonadotropins is stimulated, due to which ovulation occurs. By binding specifically to the receptors of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, Clomiphene increases their activity;
  • traditional medicine products. Due to the content of analogues of human body hormones in some medicinal plants, preparations based on them contribute to achieving a stable positive effect in the treatment of infertility.

The dose of a particular drug is determined depending on the initial hormonal background. Each woman is selected an individual schedule of reception (ovulation stimulation protocol).

Ovulation stimulation begins on the 3rd-5th day of the menstrual cycle. To control the maturation of the follicles, ultrasound examination is performed daily, as well as basal temperature monitoring.

In addition, it is periodically necessary to take tests to determine the level of estradiol (a hormone produced by the ovaries responsible for the development of the placenta) and cervical number (studies of mucous secretions from the cervical canal: before menstruation, they acquire a more watery consistency).

In case of ineffectiveness of hormonal treatment, the dose of the drug may be increased.

An adequate reaction can be considered in the case of an increase in the follicle by 2 mm per day. If the follicle grows more rapidly, the dose of hormonal drugs must be adjusted, or stop taking them.

Effects of stimulation

The most common negative consequence of ovulation stimulation is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which is accompanied by the formation of cysts, stool disorders, fluid accumulation and deterioration of well-being.

ovulation stimulation

In accordance with the degree of OHSS, the disease may in some cases not require therapeutic measures, in others it may even require surgical treatment.

When conducting ovulation stimulation, a woman should control her well-being and listen to any changes in her health. If signs of malaise appear, you should immediately inform your doctor about them.

Ovulation stimulation often threatens the development of ectopic, as well as multiple pregnancies, due to the maturation of a large number of eggs.

One of the complications is the possible development of an allergic reaction to a particular drug taken.

The effect of ovulation stimulation occurs in 10-38% of cases. With the help of this method, the hormonal background is corrected and the necessary conditions are created for the onset of pregnancy.

The positive outcome of ovulation stimulation depends on strict compliance with medical prescriptions and on the positive attitude of the patient herself.

How to increase the chances of conceive a child

Sometimes it happens that it takes a while to conceive a child, but after several unsuccessful sexual acts, you should not sound the alarm and diagnose yourself with infertility.

Conceive a child. The first rule.

Everyone knows that the male germ cell is the basis of conception, so a certain energy is required from the sperm to ensure its mobility, because an energetic sperm is able to go further, and a weak one should not wait for conception. And if pregnancy does occur, then there is a high risk of DNA damage that leads to a frozen pregnancy or spontaneous abortion. That is why, two weeks before the decisive sexual intercourse, you need to start preparing a man. To do this, you need to start feeding him properly: include more meat, nuts, vitamin E in the diet. Such nutrition will help to increase sperm motility.

It is worth noting that excessive activity of partners for conception is not just useless, but also harmful. Therefore, before the decisive sexual act, a man should abstain for 2-3 days in order to accumulate energy. One couple went to the doctor because they could not conceive a child. During the conversation, it turned out that the couple wants a child so much that they have sex 2-3 times a day. After that, the doctor advised to abstain from sex for a few days. Following the doctor’s recommendation, the couple managed to conceive a child.

Rule number 2

The first intercourse is crucial for conception. All further acts in the evening or night are just for fun. The fact is that after the first sexual intercourse, the concentration of spermatozoa decreases almost twice, so subsequent ejaculations, as experts joke, are one water.

Rule 3, how to conceive a child

Immediately after ejaculation, a man should remove the penis from the vagina to help the sperm penetrate further unhindered, which significantly increases the likelihood of conception.

Rule 4

Female orgasm can prevent conception. This happens for the reason that during orgasm, the cervix rises slightly, so the sperm have to climb to this peak, which significantly reduces the chance of one of them reaching the egg.

conceive a child

Conceive a child 5

The right timing for conception plays a significant role in conception. A woman is more fertile in the middle of the cycle, when the egg matures (ovulation period). 5-6 days before ovulation are also considered favorable: the sperm can live as long as it waits for the egg and remains capable. The period within 6 days after ovulation is also considered favorable, since the female egg remains capable during this period of time.

The sixth rule

Of great importance for conception is the fact whether a woman takes clomid. Clomid stimulates ovulation and promotes conception. You definitely need to consult a doctor.

The last rule

The right choice of posture can significantly increase the chances of conceiving a child. Unfortunately, the choice of the right poses is not great — this is a classic missionary pose. But if you try to get pregnant, for example standing, then the liquid will just pour out. There is really an exception. If a woman has a bend in the uterus, then a pose from behind will do.