Study explores possibility of Viagra for women. 

New research might be bringing science a bit closer to a female version of Viagra.

In a study that explored the underlying processes of female sexual arousal, British-based researchers say they have learned more about how new treatments might be developed to help women with sexual arousal disorder.

In tests on female lab animals, a team from the drug maker Pfizer found that electrical stimulation of the pelvic nerve increases blood flow to the genitalia. This effect was enhanced if the animals were given an experimental drug called UK-414,495, which is believed to block the breakdown of a chemical messenger that plays a crucial role in increasing blood flow during sexual arousal.

Research suggests that 9 percent to 26 percent of women in the United States suffer from low sex drive, with the numbers varying depending on age and whether they’ve reached menopause.

If ever, the drug would not help all types of FSAD [female sexual arousal disorder], however, as blood flow is only one of many reasons that women experience sexual dysfunction. ”This is the closest thing out there to Viagra for women,” says Sheryl Kingsberg, chief of the division of behavioral medicine at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, “but the problem is that a Viagra-like effect will not solve the majority of sexual dysfunction cases in women.

“In contrast to men in whom erections have played a major role, for women arousal is not the key problem, desire is,” she said.

“Before this work, we knew surprisingly little about the processes that control all of these changes,” lead researcher Chris Wayman said in the news release. “Now [that] we are beginning to establish the pathways involved in sexual arousal, scientists may be able to find ways of helping women who would like to overcome FSAD.”

Women with FSAD find arousal difficult and their genital organs don’t respond to sexual stimulation. The condition affects up to 40 percent of women of all ages, the study authors said.

“While the particular chemical compound studied in this research did not prove appropriate for further development, the implications of the research could lead to the development of a product in future,” Wayman said in the news release.

The study findings were published in the April 13 online edition of the British Journal of Pharmacology.

First time was a charm, but now that you want a second child…or a third…it’s taking forever.  What’s going on?

You’ve tried everything – rhythmic timing, hormones, IVF. You’ve even gyrated to the music of some exotic fertility dance. Meanwhile, your older child is in grade school pleading every day for a baby sibling. 

It turns out an easy first pregnancy does not equate with easy conception the second time around. Struggling with this condition – known as secondary infertility – is often a long and disappointing road. The age of the woman is a major factor when trying to conceive. Fertility potential reaches its peak at 35 years old, and declines sharply after that.  It then becomes harder to get pregnant with every year that passes.

Other common explanations for secondary infertility include:

• Ovulation problems
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic adhesions
• Uterine fibroids or polyps

The same factors affecting primary infertility also come into play. Factors that affect egg production or sperm quality, or transport of the sperm to meet the egg will affect chances of getting pregnant again.

The first step is to test the couple to determine if the woman is ovulating, her tubes are open and the man’s sperm is plentiful. Depending on the identified cause of infertility, assisted reproductive techniques are offered, ranging from ovulation induction with timed intercourse, artificial insemination, or in vitro fertilization.

The emotional upshot

Secondary infertility is actually more prevalent than primary infertility, but couples are less likely to seek treatment for this condition.  It is not unusual for a second pregnancy to become a matter of obsession. Caught between the world of larger families and childless couples, joy over the child they have and heartbreak over the ones they don’t, the experience of parents who cannot overcome secondary infertility is uniquely painful. They worry about their only child who will never know what it’s like to grow up with siblings. This inability to produce siblings for the existing son or daughter frequently leads to guilt.

Suffering one or more miscarriages is also a common scenario when dealing with secondary infertility. Naturally, couples also have to contend with feelings of grief and loss.

On another level, the grieving couple may isolate themselves from friends who have more than one child due to feelings of jealousy and pain. It is completely normal for women to feel resentment towards others who were able to conceive more than once.

Since secondary infertility is often unrecognized as a problem, couples may feel tentative about seeking support and communicating their feelings, afraid they may be perceived as ungrateful for the child they have already.

Differences on how to cope and whether to accept the situation as such may affect a couple’s relationship. When this hits crisis level, professional help from a marriage counselor or a psychotherapist is necessary.

Embracing the established family

Once both parents have accepted that they are facing secondary infertility, they will need to make more decisions as a couple—primarily about whether to treat the problem at all and, if so, when to end it.

It will be necessary to talk to one’s child, and to do so in a manner that is age-appropriate.  No doubt he or she has felt the fall-out of this emotional journey and may have thoughts or feelings to express.

Though there may be discontentment, with counseling and communication, couples learn in time to accept and focus on their nuclear family of three and channel their energies to raising their only child well.

Improving your fertility after 35 is possible with a few lifestyle changes.

Making babies is the most natural thing in the world. It is also sometimes the hardest.

Unfortunately, women’s eggs have a shelf life.  Women are born with a million eggs in stock—a number that declines to about 300,000 after puberty.   At the age of 35, the window of opportunity for having a perfectly healthy, full-term pregnancy becomes smaller.  Eggs become more susceptible to  genetic defects like Down’s Syndrome, and the risk of miscarriage is greater.

Age also affects our pituitary gland’s ability to produce  the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) which controls the development of eggs during the menstrual cycle. Fertility doctors will usually test a woman’s FSH levels. 

Improving fertility 

Thankfully, there are simple steps you can take to stack the fertility odds in your favor without invasive interventions. 

Avoid excessive exercise or dieting.  Stay fit, but don’t overdo it.  Some professional athletes or crash dieters  complain of missed periods (amenorrhea). Nutritional imbalance caused by restrictive diets that cut out entire food groups and very low body fat percentage make conception problematic.

Stay within normal weight range.  Obesity can affect fertility.  Fat cells can cause insulin resistance and actually produce estrogen, which tricks the body into lowering the hormones that lead to ovulation.  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—a hormonal imbalance that affects the ability to conceive—is strongly linked to obesity. Overweight women can also be susceptible to miscarriage, gestational diabetes and other complications. Doctors advise women to get into a weight loss program about 1 or 2 years before trying to get pregnant. 

Detoxify your system. Toxins accumulate over the years through exposure to pollution, usage of body care products and cosmetics etc., and end up damaging  our systems. In order to rid your body of undesirable elements, consult with a physician for detoxification, and boost your intake of vitamin-rich foods.

Hold the alcohol and caffeine: Alcohol consumption disturbs estrogen levels, thereby hampering egg implantation. Restrict your intake to an occasional glass of wine or give it up altogether. Caffeine increases your chances of an early miscarriage. If you cannot love without coffee, limit to a single cup.

Quit smoking: Smoking directly impacts fertility. Quitting dramatically increases your chances of conception.  Cigarette smoking is harmful to a woman’s ovaries, increases risks of genetic abnormalities and miscarriage.

Ease stress.  A 2005 study conducted by the  University of California at San Diego shows that women who had scored highest on a stress test ovulated 20% fewer eggs than those who had less stress.   Excessive stress results in suppression of the menstrual cycle and irregular ovulation. Fertility clinics recommend engaging in relaxation techniques like massage therapy, yoga, and acupuncture.

Know your cycle. Know the days you are fertile. Your fertile period starts about 4-5 days before ovulation, and ends about 24-48 hours after it. Consider purchasing a fertility monitor. An ovulation monitor will indicate when you are fertile and when you aren’t.

Go herbal. Herbs are considered to be a natural fertility medication. Consult a registered naturopath who can recommend herbal medications suitable for your body. Herbs help balance hormone levels and cleanse the system of fertility damaging toxins. Herbs help in normalizing menstrual cycles, reduce premenstrual syndrome and regulate ovulation.

Boost your man’s health: The same things that harm your fertility can affect your husband’s reproductive health. Cigarettes, alcohol, a poor diet—any of these can contribute to lower sperm production or motility (ability to swim). Remember a man’s body takes 90 days to produce new sperm, and following a healthy regime can help in producing healthy sperms.

Usually between 10 and 12 months would be a pretty good standard before seeking an evaluation for infertility from a specialist.

The FDA warns food companies to be honest with their marketing claims.

Don’t take that food label as truth. U.S. health regulators have warned units of Nestle and more than a dozen other foodmakers over nutritional claims made for baby food, nuts and other products on food labels and product websites, according to letters made public last week. The warnings came as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is set to push for new package labeling geared toward making it easier for consumers to understand the nutritional content of the foods they eat.

The FDA plans to soon issue draft guidelines for nutritional labeling, but also plans to work with the food industry to design a new labeling system. FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said last week that the examples cited in the warnings were not indicative of labeling practices in the food industry as a whole.

In one of the warning letters, issued February this year to baby food maker Gerber, a unit of Nestle, the FDA cited issues with Gerber 2nd Foods Carrot and Graduates Fruit Puffs products saying their “labeling includes unauthorized nutrient content claims.”

The foods make claims that they are “Healthy as Fresh,” an “Excellent Source … of Vitamin A” and “No Added Sugar,” according to the FDA letter. “These regulations do not allow the claim for products specifically intended for children under two years of age,” the FDA wrote.

The FDA issued a similar warning to Beech-Nut, a unit of Swiss company Hero Group, the same day. The agency also warned Nestle, Gerber and other companies about similar nutritional claims made on company websites.

Others receiving warning letters include snack food company Diamond Foods Inc – relating to the health claims for the omega-3 fatty acids in the company’s walnuts – and Spectrum Organic Products Inc., a unit of Hain Celestial Group, over labeling for its vegetable shortening.

Nestle’s Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream unit was warned over labeling of certain products. A Nestle spokesman said the company was cooperating with the FDA but does not comment on pending regulatory inquiries.

Hain, Beech-Nut and Diamond have yet to release statements regarding the FDA letters. The letters call for the companies to immediately correct the products’ labeling and respond to the agency within 15 days from the day of the letter.

Can’t get pregnant? A few lifestyle changes may be in order.

Like we said, it’s never really as simple as have sex, get pregnant. Even a few lifestyle factors can mean boost or bust if you want to have a baby. If you’ve decided you’re ready to be a parent, consider our fertility don’ts. If you want to get pregnant and have a healthy head-start for your baby, time to start kicking some bad habits — or a least practice some self-control.

Here are our pre-pregnancy don’ts:

Cigarettes

We all know cigarettes are bad for our health, but you may be surprised that it can also diminish your fertility. Cigarettes bring toxins to your body that can damage your eggs — interfering with fertilization and implantation. They can also cause ovaries to age prematurely. Dr. Robert Barbieri OB-GYN at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Boston and co-author of the book 6 Steps to Increased Fertility explains, “the ovaries of a 35-year-old smoker function as if they belong to a 42-year-old and are therefore less fertile.” The good news is, when you quit smoking, ovarian function can normalize or improve.

Alcohol

More research indicates that alcohol over consumption diminishes a woman’s chances of getting pregnant. Alcohol can affect estrogen levels and also interfere with egg implantation. A glass of wine over dinner every so often shouldn’t be cause for concern, but binge drinking can lower your chances of getting pregnant. And of course, too much alcohol can definitely harm a growing fetus in the event that you find yourself already pregnant.

Caffeine

You should also consider cutting back on caffeine while trying to conceive and during your pregnancy. A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women who drank the equivalent of caffeine found in two cups of coffee were twice as likely to miscarry as those who didn’t consume any. The bottom line: If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, limit your daily caffeine fix. Consider that caffeine can also be found in soda and chocolate… so limit where you’re getting your fix for the day.

His health matters too. The same things that harm your fertility can do a number on your husband’s reproductive health as well. Cigarettes, alcohol, a poor diet — any of these can contribute to lower sperm count or motility — the sperm’s ability to swim to fertilize an egg. Studies have traced chromosomal damage in sperm to cigarettes and heavy alcohol intake. Getting enough nutrients every day — particularly vitamins E and C and the mineral selenium — helps men produce healthy sperm. Dr. Christopher Williams, reproductive endocrinologist and author of The Fastest Way to Get Pregnant Naturally says, “it takes almost three months for a man to make new sperm, so he needs to think ahead too.”

Trying to get pregnant? Here are a few To Do’s.

Having a baby is not really as simple as have sex, get pregnant. I realized this myself when it took us four years of trying before we had our first child. So many aspects of our bodies and minds are actually involved in the wonders of procreation. One thing off-kilter and your body is out of whack. Fertility treatments can be quite daunting, but before you get there or as soon as you’ve decided you’re ready for a baby… we have some advice on how to prime yourself for pregnancy.

Eat well. Good nutrition ups your chances of conceiving. Your diet should have enough protein, iron, zinc and vitamin C. If you lack these particular nutrients, it may result in longer menstrual cycles which is a precursor to less frequent ovulation. For instance, female athletes who train very hard are usually low in zinc. Dr. Christopher Williams, reproductive endocrinologist and author of the book The Fastest Way to Get Pregnant Naturally, says “oysters are a rich source, but it’s probably easier for most women to get zinc — plus all other essential vitamins and minerals — from a daily multivitamin supplement.” He also advises you include a lot of protein-packed foods in your diet — such as lean meat, fish, low-fat dairy products and eggs. Vegetarians can get their protein from beans and tofu.

Keep fit. Obesity can also result in infertility along with other commonly associated health risks. Excess body fat can result in hormonal fluctuations that will make your menstrual cycle irregular. On the other hand, too little body fat can mean too little hormones. It’s a good idea to exercise, just don’t overdo it. Dr. Williams notes professional athletes such as long distance runners tend to have a harder time conceiving because intense training can cause some women to stop ovulating.

Seek  serenity. Depression or stress can also diminish fertility. A Danish study that observed 393 couples who were trying to get pregnant, found that women were less likely to conceive during months when they reported psychological distress. Experts suspect that stress, like heavy exercise, may throw off your body’s hormone production, making your menstrual cycle less reliable. But learning to manage stress through relaxation techniques (such as mindfulness meditation or yoga) or support from a counselor or a group, can get your hormones back on track.

Know your cycle. A normal menstrual cycle lasts about 25 to 35 days (start counting on the first day of your period). If your cycle is noticeably longer — say, 42 days — you can assume you’re ovulating less often and may want to consult your ob-gyn or midwife. When you’re ready to conceive, find your “fertile window,” during which you should have intercourse regularly. A woman’s fertile days are usually the day of ovulation and the four of five days before, not after. But don’t assume that you automatically ovulate on day 14 of your cycle.

A study from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that ovulation varies dramatically from woman to woman, occurring as early as day 6 and as late as day 21 of a cycle. What’s an easy way to check if you’re ovulating? Try an ovulation test kit, which checks for certain hormones in your urine. You can also note daily changes in your basal body temperature and cervical mucus. These are a few things you should discuss with your doctor, if you think you need help conceiving.

Tomorrow, we have more advice on boosting fertility. We’ll tell you what you should not be doing if you want to get pregnant.

More reason to get healthy even before the baby comes.

We know that obesity is associated with many illnesses, from diabetes to heart conditions. Now we can add an increased risk for birth defects in babies carried by overweight mothers. This comes from an analysis conducted by US researchers and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Obesity is defined as those who have a BMI or body mass index of 29 or higher.

Researchers report that women who were obese before pregnancy were more than twice as likely to have a baby born with spina bifida or other neural tube defects. Obese women are also more likely to have babies with heart problems, cleft palate, cleft lip, abnormal rectum or anus development and hydrocephaly or excess build-up of fluid in the brain.

The Journal of the American Medical Association cited researchers’ theories to explain obsesity’s link to those abnormalities. First, many obese women tend to have undiagnosed diabetes — a disease that leads to abnormal fetal development. Second, overweight mothers-to-be are most likely not eating properly and so are not receiving adequate nutrition. Third, it is highly possible obese women do not have enough nutrients like folic acid found in green leafy vegetables. Folic acid is vital to preventing birth defects — particularly spinal or neural tube defects.

If you are planning to start a family, it’s best to get into shape before getting pregnant. This doesn’t mean just shedding pounds through fad diets. This means eating a balanced diet and exercising, as well as making sure you are cleared for diabetes.

Even before the pregnancy test turns positive, add a folic acid supplement to your daily vitamin regimen. Studies have shown that women who get 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) daily prior to conception and during early pregnancy reduce the risk that their baby will be born with a serious neural tube defect (a birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord) by up to 70 percent.

PBS series promotes resiliency and happiness.

A happy home with happy kids starts with happy parents. As caregivers, an important goal is to promote emotional well-being in the home. Enhancing relationships, helping our kids learn to cope with challenges, and nurturing optimism and resiliency are important for all families.

So here’s something for all of us striving for happiness for ourselves and our loved ones. This month, PBS launched a television series and multi-media project designed to share the newest, most useful information on emotional well-being to help people in their daily lives.

The three-part series premiered January 4 to 6, 2010, but will be repeated regularly. This Emotional Life explores how to improve social relationships, learn to cope with depression and anxiety, and become more positive, resilient individuals.

Hosted by Daniel Gilbert, Harvard psychologist and best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness, this series features expert advice and the most up-to-date scientific information about how we can find support for common emotional issues. Each episode features personal stories from ordinary people, as well as research-based information and support. There are even comments and anecdotes from celebrities and authors like Larry David, Elizabeth Gilbert, Richard Gere and Chevy Chase. For more information, visit This Emotional Life. A list of local and national resources is also available on the website at pbs.org

I saw a preview of the first episode and it looks very promising. Since I had kids I started being more conscious about striving for emotional balance and happiness in the everyday. It’s not just my own happiness that matters now, but a houseful and kids plus husband! Not to mention friends and extended family. With or without kids yet… do check it out anyway as happiness is for everyone.

What’s true and what’s an old wives’ tale?

When you announce you’re pregnant, the unsolicited advice and information pours in. It can get confusing and overwhelming. You can even be misled to do the wrong thing. We can be worried about what we shouldn’t be bothered with. We know more about medicine and health these days, but myths still abound. We sort out what’s fact and what’s fiction.

Pregnant women should eat for two. The old belief is that women should gain at least 25 pounds when we’re get pregnant. That is false. A woman just has to eat properly during pregnancy. All that’s required is to eat a good balance of food — protein, good carbs, fiber and vitamins with not too much fat and sugars. Pregnancy is not an excuse to eat whatever we want  – and as much as we want — because we are “eating for two.”

There is no set formula for how much pregnant women must gain. Generally, in the last trimester, the baby gains half a pound a week. If during this time, a pregnant woman is not gaining more than that, her doctor may be concerned and her diet should be re-evaluated.

Pregnant women shouldn’t eat fish. This is false. When we’re pregnant, certain fish must be avoided due to high mercury levels and possible food poisoning when eaten raw. However, pregnant women should not stop eating fish. Fish oil contains Omega 3 fats, which enhance the development of the baby’s brain, improve the baby’s IQ, make the baby a better sleeper after birth, prevent premature contractions and premature labor, prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy, and act as an anti-inflammatory that prevent infection. Just avoid those types of fish that are known to have high levels of mercury. We have a list of safe fish in a previous post.

Pregnant women shouldn’t take baths. Again, false. What you should avoid when pregnant is taking hot baths over 98 degrees. That level of heat is not ideal for the baby. Besides, you’ll notice you tend to be sensitive to heat or get hot easily when you’re pregnant. Warm baths are fine and safe. They can even help you relax, decrease swelling in the arms, legs and feet as well as help increase amniotic fluid. So dip in!

Pregnant women always have morning sickness. False! The nausea, lethargy and vomiting typical in the first trimester happens because of overactive hormones. But pregnancy hormone levels vary from woman to woman. Some women may also be more sensitive to hormonal changes, some not so much. Morning sickness is typical, but it doesn’t strike every pregnant woman. In the same vein, the symptoms can run from mild to severe depending on the woman.

Pregnant women shouldn’t carry heavy stuff. Yes, true especially anything weighing more than 25 pounds. The pregnant body is already carrying extra weight which throws off a woman’s balance and makes her more likely to fall. This and other things that cause a diminished sense of balance should be avoided. A hard fall after the first trimester may be dangerous to the pregnancy and always requires immediate medical attention.

Pregnant women shouldn’t drink alcohol. This one’s true. Alcohol is considered feto-toxic. The term “fetal alcohol spectrum disorder” (FASD) describes the range of alcohol effects on a child. It can damage and affect the growth of the baby’s cells. Brain and spinal cord cells are most vulnerable. Too much alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause a child to have physical or mental problems that may last all of his life. If you had a little to drink before you found it you were pregnant, you shouldn’t worry. But soon as the test turns positive, hold off on the alcohol.

Some expectant mothers are more prone to depression than others. A University of Michigan study reports that factors such as stress, mental health history, social support and whether a pregnancy was planned contribute to putting a woman at risk for depression during pregnancy.

This is important because women who are depressed have higher risk for dangerous complications during pregnancy. In fact, attending doctors are being encouraged to identify depression and its risk factors to minimize pregnancy complications.

Dr. Christie Lancaster, the study’s lead author and lecturer at the University of Michigan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology says, “Depression has been associated with adverse outcomes for both mom and baby, including pre-term delivery, pre-eclampsia, sleep disturbances for both mom and baby, and maternal-infant attachment effects, in addition to its impact on the mother’s daily quality of life.”

Depression is experienced by almost 13 percent of pregnant women. Good news is, this complication can be treated during pregnancy. What is vital is that depression is identified early, so treatment can be administered.

Dr. Lancaster and her team of researchers had set out to study risk factors that could help doctors evaluate a patient’s risk factor for depression while pregnant. Most studies have focused on post-partum depression, but theirs is among the few that closely examine depression during pregnancy.

Their results show that maternal anxiety, stress, previous depressive episodes, lack of social support, domestic violence, unplanned pregnancy and relationship factors have a high correlation with depressive symptoms among women who are expecting.

Doctors caring for pregnant women are being urged to learn how to identify depression in pregnant women, so steps can be taken to cure their depression. This has a significant impact on the mother’s health as well as the health and outcome of the baby she is carrying.

Results of the study were published last week by the University of Michigan Health System.  At their health facility, all pregnant patients are screened for depression during pregnancy even though not all women with a positive screening test will have or develop clinical depression.

Dr. Lancaster says, “We are hoping that providers (doctors) can use the presence or absence of risk factors such as those identified in our study to enhance their assessments for depression in addition to the information that they obtain from the screening test.”