HCG (Human Chorionic Gonapotropin) is a hormone present in both men and women that is typically used to increase fertility. HCG levels are especially high in pregnant women, and subsequently it's been dubbed the "pregnancy hormone." The HCG hormone is thought to trigger our bodies to burn off more stored fat than we usually would, a belief that has lead to the foundation of the HCG Diet.

The HCG diet is fairly controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, it restricts dieters to 500 calories a day -- well below the recommended daily amount -- is believed by virtually all qualified health professionals to be extremely unhealthy. Secondly, the FDA has only approved use of HCG for fertility treatments, and there are no comprehensive studies showing that the HCG hormone either works for weight loss or is safe in the long run. Finally, one of the diet's main promoters, Kevin Trudeau, is well-known in the weight-loss industry for being a convicted fraudster.

The first component of the HCG Diet is daily administration of the HCG hormones, either through an oral supplement or an injection. The second component of the diet is a strict eating plan that allows dieters to consume only 500 calories a day. Breakfast consists of only coffee or tea without sugar but with a tablespoon of skim milk if desired. Lunch and dinner on the HCG diet each consist of 100g of lean protein with one vegetable, one cracker and a small rationing of fruit. Regular doses of the HCG hormone are thought to reduce the side effects of extreme hunger, including nausea, headaches and hunger pains. There are no exercise requirements on the HCG diet.

Photo: JamieL.WilliamsPhotography/Flickr

Elite bikers are true endurance superstars. Ironman athletes stay in the saddle for 112 miles. Amazing. But it's a mere drop in the hat when you consider the Tour de France goes for over 2,000 miles (over approximately 23 days). All of the hours spent training and racing may give male competitors some of the most awesome legs around -- but they don't do the bikers any favors in the fertility department.

According to recent research, sperm quality drops with vigorous biking. Running and swimming don't have a negative impact on sperm quality. But multiple biking factors can cause the littlest swimmers to get a bit shy. Why? Researchers explain that the heat from tight clothing, friction against the bike's saddle and sheer stress on the body from vigorous activity contribute to the reduced sperm quality.

Now for the good news: The most severe fertility issues were seen in athletes who were logging more than 186 miles per week on their bikes. So biking a few days a week for exercise or commuting to work on your bike isn't likely to affect fertility.

The biking and infertility link is simply a case of "too much of a good thing." And it's a reminder to all of us that you should shake up your workout from time to time. Adding variety to your workout is good for many reasons -- it keeps things interesting, and it presents ever-changing challenges for your body. Even when training for a distance race, it's a good idea to incorporate complementary activities into your your training routine.

Source

It's still pretty summery in most places but soon enough fall and winter will be here, which means instead of cranking the A/C on your way to work you'll be hitting the seat-warmer switch.

Or maybe you'll want to think twice about that...

A recent study in Germany found that the heated seats found in more and more vehicles as a luxury option are not only heating people's chilly bums but they're also essentially cooking men's privates and causing them to have significantly lower sperm counts.

Of course this is really only an issue for guys who are trying to have a baby, in which case experts recommend wearing loose undies, making frequent stops on long trips, and trying to use the heated seats as little as possible.

Via Autoblog

Source

Source

The latest in fertility treatment might come down to a simple diet -- for both men and women.

Researchers reported last week that obese men tend to make less semen and have abnormal sperm. This finding adds to recent research showing that obese women are more likely to be infertile.

There's nothing too scientific about the implication of this research. It's simple: Men and women who wish to conceive should first achieve an ideal body weight.

Source

Did you ever see that episode of Friends where Phoebe had a cold but loved it because she was singing with a "sexy" voice? It turns out a bad head cold isn't the only way to acquire a sexier voice than usual. Research indicates that women's voices become more alluring when they're at their peak of fertility.

Recordings were taken of women's voices at different times during their menstrual cycle. When replayed to both women and men, the recordings taken closest to ovulation were rated as more attractive. Researchers think that hormones may affect the voice box, creating a sexier voice. More work is needed to determine exactly how the voice is affected. But I think we all know why, don't we?

Check out AOL Body for more on women's sexual health. Guys, here's a link for you, too.

Source

Globalization has been taking the world by storm with jobs going overseas and import/export markets booming. It's a hot topic that can sometimes spark a debate. Well add one more applicable job for the female workforce in India: commercial surrogacy. Imagine a clinic where dozens of women carry babies for people all over the place, including the United States.

These surrogate mothers eat, sleep and live together. Since 2002, this type of commercialization has been legal in India, but the government doesn't even regulate the practice. Some critics are saying this undermines the health of needy women looking to make money to support their families. After all, to be considered for the job, the women must have at least one child already.

When clients end up paying only $10,000 or less for this whole process, it becomes clear that outsourcing birth is just as competitive as any other industry. But the surrogate mothers are providing a global service for couples aspiring to build a family of their own. This comparably high compensation also provides well for their own families. Some women are making more than what others could make in 15 years! Would you consider being a commercial surrogate mother? How about contracting one?

Source

He's 64 and a father to seven kids with four different women, but that hasn't deterred Mick Jagger from wanting to become a father again with current gal pal L'Wren Scott. And the skinny senior has apparently adopted a new healthy diet to increase his fertility odds, according to this article.

What's on his list of must-have fertility foods? Avocados, for one. They're believed by the Aztecs to improve men's sexual prowess. He's also drinking lots of goji berry juice, which is known in some circles as 'fruit Viagra.' I've never heard of either of these being good for fertility, but hey -- whatever works.

What do you think of Mick's fertility plans?

Source

In Britain, a debate is raging over In Vitro Fertilization and obese women -- namely, women who are severely obese (with a BMI of 35 or higher) are being denied the treatment until they slim down. The reason? Being obese reduces a woman's chance of conceiving and it also poses health risks to both the fetus and the mother should the woman become pregnant. This would mean, for instance, that a 5'7 woman who weighed 225 lbs would be turned away.

What do you think about this decision? Is it right for the government to decide who should be allowed to have kids? I don't think so, and we have to keep in mind that BMI is considered a slightly flawed measurement of how healthy someone's weight is. But at the same time, someone with a BMI of 35 or higher is usually very obese -- it's not down to her being just a bit fat. Should we be expending valuable resources on someone who is unhealthy?

(To calculate your BMI, click here)

Source

There are things one can do to increase the possibility of becoming pregnant (well, if you are a woman), and one is going on a special food program known as the "fertility diet." This is not exactly new news to many, but some may wonder just what that includes.

It sounds like a normal, healthy diet that anyone could find pleasing (that is, if you're into healthy lifestyles). Nuts and avocados are in there along with the decline of coffee and alcohol. Starting to sound familiar?

A newer study said that ovulation disorders caused many women to become infertile, but that diet and lifestyle changes had a significant impact on the return to fertility for many women. Diet and lifestyle -- imagine that.

Source

If you're having trouble conceiving, check your fridge -- new studies show that eating soy may compromise the quality and quantity of sperm in men. This study was done at the Harvard Public School of Health in Boston, and examined the soy eating habits of a number of men who were having trouble conceiving with their partners.

However, this study contradicts previous findings that soy was good for fertility in men. Though in an interesting twist, the previous study was funded by the soy industry. Which study are you most likely to believe.

Source

A doctor once told me that there are so many pieces that have to fall into place, so many small details that have to line up perfectly, that it's a wonder anyone gets pregnant at all. He didn't tell me that to discourage me, but instead to explain that there are so many factors to fertility, beyond the obvious ones. If you're having trouble conceiving and have no clinical signs of infertility, check out this article on how to improve your fertility. They include:

• stop smoking
• reduce stress
• get enough of the right nutrition
• lose weight
• consider certain natural fertility boosters (check with your doctor first)
• avoid foods with pesticides
• get enough sleep

In some cases, those tips are derived from studies that are small or only seem to indicate a link, so take a minute to read the full article and decide what is right for you before making any changes.

Source

I'm going to warn all of you ladies in your late-20s and early-30s who hope to someday have children, that taking this fertility quiz may make cause you to feel the following: depressed, hopeless, discouraged, desperate and fruitless (in more ways that one).

Like a lot of you out there, I'd like to have kids some day but a) would ideally like to do it within a loving and committed relationship, and b) want to wait a bit until I've seen the world, established myself at a job I enjoy and feel ready to not be completely selfish and only think about myself. Unfortunately, I'm nowhere close to accomplishing most of these things and I'm already 28 which, according the quiz, means my fertility rate is starting to decline -- quickly.

Apparently only 1 out of 12,000 respondents got all 15 questions about fertility correct (I think my score was a lofty 12), which isn't very encouraging. You can take the test here and see how well you do, and also learn some interesting and potentially very important facts about fertility and conception. And if any of you out there waited until your mid-to late-30s to have kids and have some encouraging stories to tell the rest of us, please share. It may help ease a few minds that, after reading the information provided, are envisioning a life of dried-up, barren solitude.

Source

How much do you know about your household cleaning products? According to a recent report, what you don't know might surprise you.

Women's Voices for the Earth, a Montana-based nonprofit, has shown that a number common household cleaning products -- such as Windex Aerosal, Formula 409, Lemon Fresh Pine-Sol and more -- contain hidden toxic chemicals that caused fertility disorders in lab animals.

The chemical is called EGBE, and people exposed to high levels of it have reported nose and eye irritation, headaches, vomiting and a metallic taste in their mouth (this in addition to the reproductive problems found in animals who were exposed).

But what's most alarming, is that companies aren't required to list EGBE on their product labels. It used to be on the federal list of hazardous air pollutants, and is still makes the list in the state of California, but after industry representatives convinced health officials that there was no proof the chemical caused harm to human beings, it was taken off.

For a full list of products that contain EGBE, along with suggestions for more chemical-free alternatives, read this post on The Daily Green.

Source

When it comes to infertility, women definitely get the short end of the stick and have to deal with far more invasive and uncomfortable procedures. But having to provide a sperm sample in the sterile environment of a doctor's office is no walk in the park for many men either. Because the cause of infertility can be pinned on the male partner about 50% of the time, it just makes sense for a man to get screened before his wife or partner has to undergo far more invasive testing.

With the release of a new product, Fertell, however, men can now do their part from the comfort of their own home. The kit is the first to provide an analysis of sperm health and mobility in a home testing package. The test also includes a screening for women, testing FSH levels, which can indicate egg quality.

The kit isn't a replacement for a full evaluation and won't catch all fertility related problems. What it can do is send up a red flag that you may have fertility issues, and give you information you can take to your doctor. Fertell is available in stores today, and sells for about $100.

Source

Especially during the summer months, many couples will take a relaxing vacation when trying for a baby. However, recent reports from fertility experts suggest this may be the worst thing a hopeful father can do.

According to Australian researchers, too much heat can not only reduce sperm count, but also slow down those that survive.

They began their research after doctors at assisted conception clinics have recently noticed what they've come to believe is a "season effect" on men's sperm counts, but as far back as the 1950s some believed that men could take regular hot baths as a means of contraception.

That said, this report was conducted in England, a country infamous for its long months of cold, rainy weather. As noted by a UK fertility expert: "If there was a major effect, I think we would see people having problems conceiving in every country in the tropics."

But, he adds, "it's worth being cautious."

Source