Trying For a Baby II

Ted_Hutchinson · 11 November 2008 at 8:09PM

Vitamin D can aid fertility from today's Telegraph.
A study has found a link between low levels of Vitamin D and problems with ovulation.
The research may offer a simple, cheap and safe option for women to try before resorting to drugs.
It was presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine meeting in San Francisco.
The team from Yale University School of Medicine studied 67 infertile women and took Vitamin D measures from them. Only 7 per cent of them had normal vitamin D levels and the rest had either insufficient levels or clinical deficiency.
Low levels of Vitamin D are a particular problem in winter when there is less natural exposure to sunlight, from which the body makes the vitamin.
It is also present in various foods such as oily fish and eggs, but it can be difficult to obtain sufficient amounts from diet.
Dr Lubna Pal, from Yale, said: "Of note, not a single patient with either ovulatory disturbance or polycystic ovary syndrome demonstrated normal Vitamin D levels; 39 per cent of those with ovulatory disturbance and 38 per cent of those with PCOS had serum 25OHD levels consistent with deficiency.
"Given the pandemic of Vitamin D insufficiency, if indeed our observations are substantiated, aggressive repletion with Vitamin D may emerge as an alternative approach to facilitate ovulation resumption with minimal to no risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or multiple pregnancy."
Another study has found for the first time that statins improved the reliability of ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
The team from Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland and University of California Davis, in Sacramento in California, randomly assigned 55 women with PCOS to receive either simvastatin or the other main drug metformin or a combination of both.
After six months the number of menstrual cycles increased by 89 per cent in the group on simvastatin, 36 per cent in the group on metformin and 68 per cent in the group on both.
In all groups the symptoms of PCOS including acne, excess hair and increased weight, improved.
The authors concluded: "This study demonstrates for the first time that simvastatin improves menstrual regularity in women with PCOS. Simvastatin appears to be at least equivalent to metformin in improving clinical and biochemical measures of hyperandrogenism. Furthermore, simvastatin is superior to metformin in reducing cardiovascular risk factors including effects on lipid profile and systemic inflammation."

For those who like to see the orginal research rather than press articles.
Vitamin D insufficiency in reproductive years may be contributory to ovulatory infertility and PCOSCONCLUSIONS: A pathophysiologic role for Vit D delpetion in ovulatory disturbances and PCOS is suggested. Given the pandemic of Vit D insufficiency, if indeed our observations are substantiated, aggressive repletion with Vit D may emerge as an alternative approach to facilitate ovulation resumption with minimal to no risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or multiple pregnancy.

PS uk average D3 status through the year is lower than the 75nmol/l ~ 30ng status in the above research regarded as normal. Remember also that normal is not the same as natural. The natural level our bodies attain and maintain if we naked lived as we evolved is 50~70ng or 125~175nmol/l at those levels breast milk flows replete with D3, our muscles achieve maximum strength, we have the greatest protection from chronic disease and least incidence of infection (colds and flu) Serum 25(OH)D can be expected to rise by about 1 ng/mL (2.5 nmol/L) for every 100 IU of additional vitamin D each day
2~3 drops daily of this Cheap UK source of effective strength D3 should be sufficient for most people

This follows on an earlier work Vitamin D could correct men’s damaged fertility For decades lower levels of Vitamin D have been associated with unhealthy outcomes in women and children, but now a new Australian research suggests that men too are affected equally.

Researchers believe that a lack of sunlight, nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin” because of its unique ability of being produced by the body by exposure to the warm sun, may damage sperm and thus affect the male fertility.

800 men with fertility problems were enrolled in the new study. At the start, nearly 59 percent reportedly suffered nutritional deficiencies, including lower than normal levels of folate and vitamin D, analysis revealed.

As all the participants were undergoing fertility treatments to induce pregnancy in their partners, they were urged to take up lifestyle changes.

Of them, as many as 123 participants agreed to make lifestyle changes and to take dietary supplements for 2-3 months before starting fertility treatment.

Quitting smoking, reducing coffee and alcohol intake and taking a diet rich in folic acid and other vitamins were the foundation of lifestyle changes.

Three months on, almost three-fourth reported a significant reduction in the number of damaged sperm. Out of the lot, 36 couples successfully achieved a pregnancy with 18 not using any assisted reproduction technologies.

Highlighting the importance of the vitamin, Dr. Anne Clark, medical director of the treatment centre, Fertility First, noted, "Just like women, men too should monitor their pre-conception health."

"Thinking about getting pregnant is a combined project. Fertility is a couple issue, it's not a woman's issue. The traditional sort of foods that we ask women to eat to improve their chances of having a healthy baby, men need to be told the same. They make up half the baby, so they need to be making changes too," she added.

Vitamin D also plays a vital role in strengthening bone and fabricating healthy teeth. Moreover, besides its basic function of boosting the body’s calcium absorption, vitamin D also appears to play a significant role in upholding the immune system.

A chronic Vitamin D deficiency often shows up later as brittle bones and an undermined immune system making people more susceptible to auto-immune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and to certain types of cancers, researchers noted.

ScENeYmE · 11 November 2008 at 11:29PM

Well, I haven't logged in for a while, thought I'd come say hello again... lot's of new people on here I don't recognize

No closer to getting pregnant either... have still failed to lose any weight, OH is beginning to annoy me for some reason... but then... everything is annoying me at the moment... I feel depressed lately, things are getting on top of me, and thinking about concieving isn't helping

I haven't had any improvement with the PCOS and haven't seen AF for about 6 months now, gone back to college though, so that's taking my mind off things for a bit

How are you lot doing??

becs · 12 November 2008 at 9:09AM

hi ScENeYmE,

I really feel for you and know where you're coming from. Have you had your prolactin levels tested in a blood test? I ask because I was showing pcos symptoms, also found and still do find it impossible to lose weight despite a very healthy diet, my AF disappeared for a year. They did a blood test and checked prolactin (not often checked apparantly, I had a very good GP) and they have diagnosed a pituitary tumour. I am now on meds and AF returned to normal within 4 weeks.

Good luck to you and big hugs.

Becs
x

ScENeYmE · 12 November 2008 at 9:39AM

I've never heard of that, so I guess I haven't had it checked in the numerous blood tests I've had. I'll ask him about it next time I see him

Ted_Hutchinson · 12 November 2008 at 9:57AM

becs wrote: »

I ask because I was showing pcos symptoms,

This is the most recent but there is more relating to Vit d <> pcos

also found and still do find it impossible to lose weight despite a very healthy diet

Have you cut out wheat sugar fructose?

Again this is only the most recent paper I could provide many more
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that involves the excess production of androgens. It affects up to 10% of all American women and can lead to the development of acne, hirsutism, and infertility. It has also been associated with coronary heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Over half of the women who are diagnosed with PCOS are overweight or obese. Recommendations are made for overweight/obese women to lose weight via diet and exercise. Women with PCOS should also consider maintaining a diet that is patterned after the type 2 diabetes diet. This diet includes an increase in fiber and a decrease in refined carbohydrates, as well as a decrease in trans and saturated fats and an increase in -3 and -9 fatty acids. Foods that contain anti-inflammatory compounds (fiber, -3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and red wine) should also be emphasized. Evidence is provided for the impact of these dietary changes on improvements in the androgen profile of PCOS patients.

Remember Vitamin D is also an excellent anti inflammatory agent.

If you find the idea of Atkins or the modified Atkins I use too limiting you may want to try a Paleo style diet it has been shown to work for androgen related acne.

djdymond · 12 November 2008 at 10:13AM

becs i just wanted to say im sorry you had a hard time with this "mate" people like that do get to me... at one of my most broody times a few months back, a friend of mine to me she had accidentally got pregnant and told me she was going to get rid of it. the more i thought abuot it the more it upset me. and then on the day it happened she texted me to say "right thats that, ive done it" and i felt a loss for it all day.

so big hugs to you xxxx

Ruth.77 · 12 November 2008 at 10:40AM

Hi,

Can I join you all, I have been lurking for the past few weeks hoping to get a BFP this month but instead AF arrived on time yesterday so now about my 3mth ttc.

I already have a six (almost 7 year old) and a 9mth old, so you would think by now I wouldn't get so excite at the possibilty of a BFP and so fed up when AF arrives, but it appears the disappoint of AF arriving does decrease even when your already blessed with kids.

Ruth

HypnoNu · 12 November 2008 at 10:54AM

Welcome to the club Ruth.77, i'm new to this thread too but everyone's really friendly!

I have a moneysaving tip for all us TTC'ers, i went into Savers last night and they had their ovulation strips marked up as 2.49 ofr 5 strips, at the till they go through at 99p which makes them less than 20p each, which is cheaper than access diagnostics! :T

I bought 5 packs yesterday (this is for the girl who's not really trying...arrgh!)

ginvzt · 12 November 2008 at 5:01PM

Congratulations skintchick!!!! All the best for you for the coming months.

And welcome to the new members of the crazy club! You will love it here!

Well, my temperature jumped up yesterday (36.61)and went down again today (36.39). But then I thought my thermometer switched off rather quickly and I decided to take my temperature once more - and it showed 36.76!!!! I don't know what to believe. I had a bit of spotting yesterday and today, with brown blood, not fresh. Will see what tomorrow brings, but I am pretty sure AF will be here within days, maybe even tomorrow!!!! (well, it is only the second month I have this spotting before AF due, and this month I had much more CM than before)

Also, if we d not succeed by New Year, my OH promised to get to GP to have himself tested, and I will do the same. That would make 17 unsuccessful cycles...

shadej · 12 November 2008 at 5:05PM

I am fairly new to this thread but I could do with some advice.
Been trying to get knocked up now for 19months. My periods are always on time, never late. This month I am two weeks late, I have done 5 test, took the last one last night. All are negative. I went to the doctors this morning and she asked me to take a urine sample so she could send if off to the hospital for a pregnancy test. I don't understand why, if I have done 5 and they are all negative, what makes her thing she will get a different result? She has told me I need a smear and swabs. Can cervical cancer stop your periods? I didn't think so, so why do I need another smear because I have missed my Period. I feel so anxious, I have stomach cramp and pains. Does anyone know of any reason why my periods may have stopped?
Also as I am new could someone please tell me what BFP and AF are?
Thanks all.

Trying For a Baby II

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