Thursday, January 26, 2012

Sexual Health and Fertility



Being sexually healthy — having an interest in sex, being able to function sexually, and being able to get pregnant (if she so chooses) — is a key part of a woman's overall well being.
A woman's sexual desire, or libido, can go up and down naturally, for many different reasons (and usually for a short time). However, sex drive that's perpetually stuck in neutral deserves attention. Some medications, notably antidepressants, can cause a drop in libido, as can shifts in hormone levels and changes in sleep patterns and stress levels.
Most women can expect to be fertile — capable of getting pregnant — for the full extent of their reproductive years (the time between the first menses and the onset of menopause). A woman is considered “infertile” if she and her partner have been trying for a year to get pregnant (and her partner's fertility has been verified by a doctor).
Can herbs work as contraceptives?
Several herbs traditionally used to prevent pregnancy are now being seriously studied for more widespread use. For example, the Indian herb neem (Azadirachta indica) works as a safe and reversible contraceptive. In one study, rats given an intrauterine shot of neem were infertile for up to 180 days, then had healthy litters with no apparent problems.
Female infertility can be caused by a physical problem (such as ovarian cysts or a blocked fallopian tube), a hormonal imbalance, or various other factors (such as age, stress, or poor nutrition). In most cases, it's a temporary condition.

Conventional and Other Approaches

Conventional medicine typically addresses women's sexual irregularities with things like counseling and stress reduction. Fertility treatments typically include drugs that stimulate ovulation, such as follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH (Follistim), which can cause pulmonary and vascular problems and other side effects. Other options include in vitrofertilization. Here are some herbs that can help:
Ashwagandha(Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is considered a sexual stimulant for both men and women in Ayurvedic tradition, as is the herb schisandra (Schisandra chinensis). Both appear to increase sensitivity in the genitals (and thus stimulate the libido).
• Rhodiola(Rhodiola rosea)
Rhodiola seems to restore fertility to women who have minor hormonal imbalances or are suffering the effects of stress.
• Shatavari(Asparagus racemosus)
Shatavari, which means-no kidding-“she who has hundreds of husbands” in Sanskrit, is used in Ayurvedic medicine to increase sexual vitality and fertility.
• Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus)
Research has shown that vitex can increase a woman's chance of getting pregnant.
• Yohimbe(Pausinystalia yohimbe)
Yohimbe is an African herb used as an aphrodisiac and sexual function treatment for both men and women. In women, it seems to work by dilating vaginal blood vessels to increase circulation.
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