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Fertility health

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Reproduction can be a complex topic

Giddy square logo for Dr. Rosenbluth's in the news feature on reproductive health | RSC of the SF Bay AreaAccording to the World Health Organization, reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. It is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Although defining reproductive health is more difficult than you might think, Dr. Evan Rosenbluth discusses how it’s not just about your reproductive system, but covers all life stages for both men and women.

“Probably the best way to describe reproductive health is that it represents the state of our reproductive systems throughout our entire lives,” Dr. Rosenbluth said.

This includes the body’s capability to make functional gametes (eggs and sperm) that result in fertilization and development into an embryo capable of implantation in the womb, which can assist with fetal development and allow for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

 

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Bacterial vaginosis (BV), lower estrogen and how it relates to menopause

Giddy logo for news article on bacterial vaginosis | RSC of the SF Bay AreaBacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition that can occur when there’s an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina. In an interview with Giddy, RSC’s Dr. Ramya Sethuram explains how as the body ages it produces less estrogen and progesterone. These are hormones that help maintain a healthy level of acidic pH in the vagina.

“A community of good bacteria called Lactobacillus within the vagina keeps it acidic and this helps ward off infections,” said Dr. Sethuram. She added that lower estrogen levels push this acidic environment into a more alkaline one, which means Gardnerella vaginalis, the bacteria that cause BV, can overgrow.

Dr. Sethuram describes symptoms of BV to include vaginal burning or itching, burning when you urinate or a strong fishy odor. Although your chances of getting the infection increase if you’re perimenopausal or menopausal, there are steps you can take to help prevent or decrease your risk of getting a BV infection.

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Dr. Eduardo Hariton advises on the appearance of vaginal discharge

Giddy logo for news article on vaginal discharge | RSC of the SF Bay AreaVaginal discharge serves as a natural lubricant and helps protect against infections and irritations. But the color, consistency and odor of your discharge can vary based on different factors like hormone levels, bacteria and your menstrual cycle.

In this article for Giddy, RSC’s Dr. Eduardo Hariton explains the different meanings behind clear discharge, suggesting a few can be potential signs of ovulation or pregnancy. According to Dr. Hariton, the colors of discharge can also indicate potential medical concerns such as sexually transmitted infection (STI) or bacterial vaginosis (BV).

“Monitoring your vaginal discharge is an important aspect of understanding your reproductive health,” Dr. Hariton said. “It can help you identify changes in your body and when it is important to seek medical attention.”

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Dr. Michael Homer talks to Giddy about hazards to male sperm count from prolonged cycling

Giddy logo for news article on sperm count and cycling | RSC of the SF Bay AreaPedaling for miles & miles is good for a man’s cardio health but possibly bad for his fertility and chances of becoming a father down the road. Dr. Homer gives Giddy, the largest online platform for sexual health, his viewpoint and advice for male cyclists concerned about their fertility.

“I think for bicycling in general, too much of a good thing applies,” said Dr. Homer, a reproductive endocrinologist and expert in infertility at the Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Some studies show a link between cycling and erectile dysfunction, sperm count and sperm viability, and numbness in the genitals. Other studies found no links to cycling and male infertility.

“We don’t have a definitive answer (to whether cycling can cause infertility issues), but we have biological plausibility,” Dr. Homer said. “We know that some men who bike report genital numbness. But in recreational bicyclists, weekend warriors and mountain bikers who stand up (occasionally while they ride), there’s no evidence to suggest that’s a problem.”

He adds, “If you aim to stand 20 percent of the time while cycling, that’s associated with lower odds of numbness, which is a decent marker for possibly causing issues with sperm.”

To maximize comfort and minimize risk, ride a bike that’s the right size and is fitted specifically for you. Dr. Homer also recommends standing up while pedaling.

 

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Is it 16/8 or 5/2, or should it be every other day? Is intermittent fasting really better than low-carb or keto?

Forty percent of the American population is obese, and this translates into a lot of women trying to get pregnant who are not at their ideal in terms of physical health. They are often struggling to figure out the best way to lose weight while keeping their body healthy enough to conceive. Intermittent fasting is a possible solution.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, math always tells the truth. Reducing caloric intake while increasing expenditure is the only real way to lose weight and keep it off.

For many people, subtle changes in what they eat as well as increasing exercise will help them move steadily toward their desired weight without causing undue stress on their body. By cutting down on simple carbohydrates, including the simple sugars in sweets and desserts, the body can better utilize proteins and vegetables with some healthy fats to get all of the nutrients it needs – without the extra calories or the detrimental effects of glucose and insulin.

Intermittent fasting could be the not-a-diet plan for those TTC (trying to conceive)

However, following a diet plan requires an enormous amount of willpower to maintain over the long haul, and this has proven to be impossible for most. But intermittent fasting introduces a novel idea: shorten the number of hours that people are allowed to eat, then let them eat what they want. This is not a diet at all!

“Most subjects lost 8-9 pounds in three months. Their systolic blood pressure decreased by 7 mmHg.”

Time-restricted eating is often suggested in a 16/8 ratio: 16 hours is for the fast (allowing water and calorie-free beverages) and 8 hours is the time during which they may eat (a regular, healthy selection of foods). Most people will eat from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some time-restricted eating plans alternate days where there is a relative fast with a subsequent day being greater than average intake. Another variation requires that patients have two nonconsecutive days per week of only 500 calories a day.

The exciting thing is that intermittent fasting works! A study by Dr. Krista Varady over 12 weeks showed that the eight-hour, time-restricted feeding produced mild caloric restriction (300 calories) and weight loss, without calorie counting. It also reduces blood pressure.

Weight loss, improved health, and a lifestyle change you’ll stick to that can help you get pregnant

Most subjects lost 8-9 pounds in three months. Their systolic blood pressure decreased by 7 mmHg. However, there was no significant difference in fat mass, diastolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin. By shortening the window even more to only 6 hours of eating, 500 calories a day on average were restricted and there were improvements in metabolic disease risk including less insulin resistance and less oxidative stress.

Most importantly, patients opted to stay on this “diet” even when the study was closed as they felt that intermittent fasting was easy to maintain. While it may be a slower process of weight loss, the benefit is that patients, men, and women, will be able to stick to it longer, maintaining their ideal body weight.

So if you’re noticing that the scale has gone a bit higher recently and you’re hoping to trim down to give yourself the best chance of pregnancy, intermittent fasting can be a reasonable approach while you are attempting to conceive.

Get off to a good start by calculating your  macros and daily supplementation details:

Intermittent Fasting Calculator

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Many women experience unnecessary anxiety about gynecology concerns

gynecology changes in a woman | RSC Bay Area | StyleCaster logo
The Atlantic

Dr. Erin Ilana Lewis (former Reproductive Science Center physician) provides insight and calms women’s fears over common gynecology changes and concerns in a piece by StyleCaster. From ovarian cysts to birth control, Dr. Lewis shares her expertise on topics that cause many women to panic.

Dr. Lewis reassures women that changes happen, and it is a normal process. She also encourages individuals to know their body and never be afraid to reach out to their gynecologist about these concerns.

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