Can you imagine your life without your cell phone? Difficult isn’t it, but did you know that these devices could be harming your sexual health? Most people keep their cell phones in their jeans or trouser pockets or clipped to a belt on their waist. While this does make the phone easily accessible, it also affects male fertility.

There are two main aspects to male fertility; the motility and viability of sperm cells. Motility refers to the sperm cell’s ability to swim through body fluids and fertilise the egg. Viability refers to the number of living vs non-living sperm cells and sperm cell abnormalities.

Cell phones are constantly working even when we’re not talking into them. They constantly send out and receive electromagnetic frequency radiation to keep your social media accounts updated. Given the close proximity of the cell phone and your body, this energy may be absorbed by your genitals. As a result, the sperm cells may change shape and lose their ability to attach themselves to an egg. The structural abnormality may impede the sperm’s ability to swim and thus reduce motility. Semen exposed to this type of radiation also has a high level of free radicals.

In order to produce sperm, the testicles maintain a specific temperature that is ideal for sperm health. Smartphones typically also have a higher temperature than that of the room you are in. Thus, when you keep your cell phone in your pant pockets, they increase your skin temperature in the groin by approximately 2 degrees as well as the temperature within your testicles. This slows down the production of sperm cells and can even kill them thus, reducing sperm cell viability.


In the ideal world, a cell phone should only be carried in a bag, but almost all men may cringe at the thought of carrying a bag. Hence, take your phone out of your pocket whenever possible, for example while driving, at a restaurant etc. The use of Ayurvedic aphrodisiacs can also lower the harmful effects of cell phones. The dried roots of asparagus or safed musli can help increase sperm count and rejuvenate a man’s libido. Ashwagandha, shilajit and kawach are also very effective Ayurvedic herbs to treat male infertility. Increasing your intake of food rich in vitamin C and E can also help deal with the stress in sperm caused by phone radiation. The use of these herbs has negligible side effects and hence can be safely used by men of all ages. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Sexologist.

Fertility can be a very confusing topic, and there’s a lot of misinformation about it. In fact, just 14 percent of women surveyed recently by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine knew the length of time it can take to achieve pregnancy, and less than 10 percent accurately guessed the likelihood of becoming pregnant across different age groups. To help clear a few things up, here are some commonly believed pregnancy myths that can negatively affect women’s health and the ability to conceive.

Fertility Myth: 45 Is the New 35
Reality: While you might look younger than your mom did when she was your age, your eggs don’t reflect this youthful exuberance. Live birth rates in women sink from an already tepid 28.4 percent at age 40 to 0 percent by age 46, according to research done at a Boston infertility center that looked at 2,700 women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

In fact, your fertility starts to decline in your late twenties. “Women go from approximately 2 million eggs to 0 between birth and menopause,” says Daniel Potter, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist at HRC Fertility in Southern California. “Women who want to postpone pregnancy beyond age 35 should consider having their ovarian reserve baselines tested to determine how much time they have left.” You can also freeze your embryos or eggs when you’re younger to preserve fertility later in life, he adds.

Fertility Myth: Drinking Cough Syrup Improves Pregnancy Chances
Reality: “The mucolytics [chemicals that help loosen mucus and make a cough more productive] in cough syrup may also make cervical secretions more liquid and inviting to sperm,” says Charla Blacker, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist with the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. “But you have to drink a lot of cough syrup to get the effect.”

Taking more than the recommended dose of any medicine — or using it in a way other than what it was designed for — is never a good idea. “However, as an alternative to cough syrup,” Blacker says, “Mucinex, which is sold over the counter, can do the same thing with a pill twice daily.”

Fertility Myth: It’s Easier to Get Pregnant the Second Time
Reality: Women who have gotten pregnant before are more fertile than the population at large, which accounts for this misconception. “Pregnancy itself is a test of the fertility system, so women with a prior pregnancy know that at least at that time everything was right,” Dr. Blacker explains. “However, some of my most frustrated patients are those who conceived easily the first time and are now having trouble. To treat secondary infertility, the same potential causes need to be evaluated as in those having trouble the first time.”

Fertility Myth: The Best Time to Have Sex Is After Your Temperature Rises
Reality: Women facing infertility are often told to take a body temperature reading first thing every morning, looking for that small increase that may signal the best time to get pregnant each month. “Unfortunately, a temperature rise [which indicates ovulation has taken place] only gives you information after the fact,” Dr. Potter says. “Instead, I would recommend women aiming for pregnancy look at their average cycle length” — the number of days between day one of your period and the next day one of your period — “subtract 14 days, and have intercourse three days in a row, with the day calculated above being the second day.”

Fertility Myth: Your Sexual Position Affects Your Fertility
Reality: “There have been few studies that have been able to demonstrate differences in conception rate based on sexual position,” Blacker says of this commonly held fertility belief. “However, it’s important that a woman not jump right up after intercourse. Lying quietly for a few minutes for the sperm to get to their destination can be helpful in achieving pregnancy.”

Fertility Myth: Infertility Is a Female Problem
Reality: Causes for infertility are split right down the middle. “Roughly 40 percent of infertility cases arise from female causes, such as ovulation problems, tubal disease, or endometriosis," Blacker says. "Another 40 percent arise from male problems, such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormally shaped sperm. And 20 percent of couples will have something go wrong on both the female and the male sides to prevent pregnancy."

Fertility Myth: You Should Only Have Sex During Ovulation
Reality: “Studies have actually shown the highest pregnancy rates in couples having daily intercourse around the fertile time,” Blacker says. In fact, the worst thing a couple can do, particularly when you’re dealing with infertility, is to “save up” for that one day. “Not only do you have an excellent chance of missing the big day,” Blacker adds, “but older sperm are less motile and more likely to contain genetic abnormalities.”

Fertility Myth: Stopping Birth Control Makes You Extra Fertile
Reality: Among 2,000 women who stopped taking birth control pills to try to have a baby, just 21 percent became pregnant within one cycle of stopping, according to a respected European study on oral contraceptives. This rate is nearly the same as the natural pregnancy rate of 20 percent to 25 percent per menstrual cycle in women not using any birth control.

“For normally ovulating women, there may actually be a delay in fertility for a few months after stopping the pill,” Blacker says. However, this shouldn’t stop couples who want to get pregnant from trying at this time.

Many women spend much of their young adult lives trying not to get pregnant. But when it’s the right time for you to start your family, you want to know you’re doing everything you can to protect and enhance your fertility. And there are steps you can take to make getting pregnant easier.

Getting Pregnant: Common Fertility Misconceptions

The most common fertility misconception is that getting pregnant is an easy thing to do. “In school they taught you how to avoid getting pregnant, but nobody tells you how to increase your chances of conceiving,” says Amos Grunebaum, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist based in New York City and medical director of a natural fertility supplement supplier. “Most people don’t realize that the average couple only has a 20 to 25 percent chance of achieving pregnancy each cycle.”

Beyond the idea that pregnancy is an easy state to achieve, Dr. Grunebaum says that another common fertility misconception he sees is the idea that if there’s a problem, it’s the woman’s fault. “In reality, roughly half the causes of infertility are due to male factors, like low sperm count or low sperm motility,” he says.

Getting Pregnant: Tips to Increase Your Chances

He adds that while “fertility diets” can be useful, you don’t have to memorize any strange recipes or shopping lists to stick to a diet that can boost your fertility levels. Here are some basic guidelines:

Avoid trans fats: According to data from the Nurses’ Health Study, trans fats can deter ovulation and conception. Even just four grams a day — less than the average American gets regularly — may have a negative effect on fertility. Trans fats are common in fried and processed foods, so skip the drive-thru and the snack packs at the grocery store, and go with whole, natural foods for the biggest nutrient boost. “In general, you want to eat healthy, natural foods that are rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and folic acid,” according to Grunebaum. “Good examples are citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, and fortified cereals.”

Pick plant protein over animal: The Nurses’ Health Study also found that women who ate the most animal protein — such as beef, chicken, and pork — were 39 percent more likely to have fertility issues than women who ate the least. However, the opposite was true for women who ate plant protein such as beans, tofu, and nuts.

Eat slow carbs, not no carbs: Harvard researchers found that it’s not the quantity but the quality of carbs that influences fertility. For example, fast carbs, including white bread and potatoes, which your body digests quickly, can decrease your chances of conception, while slow carbs, such as brown rice and other whole grains, can improve your odds.

Getting Pregnant: See Your Gynecologist

Before trying to conceive, schedule an appointment with your gynecologist. “It’s a good idea to ensure that you’re going down the right path,” says Grunebaum. Even if you don’t visit a doctor when you first begin trying to have a baby, if you’re trying to conceive for six months or more and haven’t had success, Grunebaum says, it’s a good time to see a doctor to check for any fertility problems with you or your partner. “A good ob-gyn can teach you about how your cycle works, how best to predict ovulation, even what sexual positions are recommended to help you conceive,” he says.

You should also take some time to get familiar with your body in your own home. If you don’t already, start tracking your cycle on a calendar so you can better predict your most fertile window, which, according to the National Institutes of Health, is somewhere between days 7 and 20. If you have an irregular cycle, consider picking up an ovulation prediction kit at your drug store. You can also use a special thermometer to track your basal body temperature (BBT), which rises after you ovulate and then stays at a higher-than-normal level until the end of your cycle.

Getting Pregnant: Substances to Steer Clear Of

Obviously, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is of utmost importance when you’re trying to conceive. The first few weeks of pregnancy are the most critical, and much of this occurs before you even realize you may be pregnant. So during that time, it's best to steer clear of substances like:

Tobacco
Alcohol
Drugs that may be toxic to a developing baby
Grunebaum also advises that skipping your morning cup of coffee might help boost your fertility. “Caffeine can reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron and increase the potential for complications during pregnancy,” he says. In fact, researchers from the Netherlands found that more than four cups a day cut chances of conception by 26 percent. Grunebaum also recommends that women trying to conceive minimize stress to the best of their ability. “Exercise can provide stress relief, and there are a number of fertility yoga programs that are designed to help couples conceive,” he says.

Fertility Levels: Getting Tested

If you’re trying to conceive and have not yet had success, a doctor may recommend having your fertility levels tested. Grunebaum says the most common fertility analysis is called the “Day 3 FSH Test.” This test measures the level of follicle stimulating hormone present in a woman’s body on the third day of her menstrual cycle. “It is essentially a way to measure the ovarian reserve, although even a low reserve does not necessarily mean one cannot get pregnant,” he says, adding there are also tests that measure hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which are key to a successful pregnancy.

Your doctor may also need to rule out endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, and problems with your partner’s sperm production or mobility, all of which can cause fertility issues.

“Don’t get discouraged if at first you don’t succeed,” Grunebaum says. “Take advantage of all the information and resources available for couples who are trying to conceive.”

Cinnamon has long been used to add flavor to sweet and savory foods. Now, preliminary research suggests the spice may also help jump-start irregular menstrual cycles in women affected by a common infertility disorder.

A small study by researchers from Columbia University Medical Center in New York City found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome who took inexpensive daily cinnamon supplements experienced nearly twice the menstrual cycles over a six-month period as women with the syndrome given an inactive placebo. Two of the women in the treated group reported spontaneous pregnancies during the trial.

"There is a lot of interest in homeopathic or natural remedies for this condition," said study author Dr. Daniel Kort, a postdoctoral fellow in reproductive endocrinology at the medical center. "This may be something we can do using a totally natural substance that can help a large group of patients."

The study was scheduled for presentation Wednesday at a meeting of the International Federation of Fertility Societies and American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Boston.

An estimated 5 percent to 10 percent of women of childbearing age have polycystic ovary syndrome, with up to 5 million Americans affected. Polycystic ovary syndrome, which involves many of the body's systems, is thought to be caused by insensitivity to the hormone insulin. Typical symptoms include menstrual irregularity, infertility, acne, excess hair growth on the face or body, and thinning scalp hair.

Treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome currently includes weight loss, ovulation-inducing drugs such as clomiphene (brand name Clomid) and diabetes medications such as metformin, said Dr. Avner Hershlag, chief of the Center for Human Reproduction at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y.

Kort said that it's not yet clear exactly why cinnamon may work to regulate menstrual cycles in those with polycystic ovary syndrome, but it may improve the body's ability to process glucose and insulin. Prior research among diabetic patients suggested the spice can reduce insulin resistance.

Of the 16 patients who completed Kort's trial, 11 were given daily 1,500-milligram cinnamon supplements and five were given placebo pills. Diet and activity levels were monitored, and patients completed monthly menstrual calendars.

After six months, women receiving cinnamon had significant improvement in menstrual cycle regularity, having an average of nearly four menstrual periods over that time compared to an average of 2.2 periods among the placebo group. Two women reported spontaneous pregnancies after three months of cinnamon treatment, meaning they became pregnant without additional help.

Polycystic ovary syndrome "is one of the most common causes why women don't have regular menstrual cycles," Kort said. "But the clinical consequences later in life are truly great -- from an increased risk of diabetes and glucose intolerance to endometrial cancer. Many women can go their whole lives without regular menstrual cycles, and it doesn't necessarily bother them until they want to have children."

The 1,500-milligram cinnamon dose was chosen for this trial because it was between the 1,000 to 2,000 mg daily that seemed to have metabolic effects on diabetic patients in earlier research, Kort said. But all doses in that range are cheaply obtained, costing pennies per capsule.

"Compared to most medical therapies these days, the cost is very small," he said.

Although the study suggests a link between cinnamon and improvement of polycystic ovary syndrome, it doesn't establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Still, Hershlag called the study "welcome and interesting" and said he sees no reason women with polycystic ovary syndrome shouldn't use more cinnamon in their food or take cinnamon supplements.

"Any work that's something nutritional in nature and seems to affect the abnormal physiology of polycystic ovaries is welcome," Hershlag said. "If they want to spice up their life and take it, that's fine . . . but I think the best thing to do when you have polycystic ovaries is to be under the control of a physician."

Some women with polycystic ovary syndrome from Kort's clinic are already trying cinnamon supplementation at home in the hopes of regulating their own menstrual cycles, he said, although he acknowledged the spice wasn't likely to be a cure-all for the condition.

"It's unlikely to be the sole source of improvement or to change entire (treatment) protocols," he said. "It's not going to regulate every patient who takes it, but a good percentage who take it may experience some benefit, and the side effects are low. It's relatively cheap and well tolerated."

Some day, Kort added, he hopes to organize a larger trial examining the issue.

Data and conclusions presented at scientific conferences are typically considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

Many women spend much of their young adult lives trying not to get pregnant. But when it’s the right time for you to start your family, you want to know you’re doing everything you can to protect and enhance your fertility. And there are steps you can take to make getting pregnant easier.

Getting Pregnant: Common Fertility Misconceptions

The most common fertility misconception is that getting pregnant is an easy thing to do. “In school they taught you how to avoid getting pregnant, but nobody tells you how to increase your chances of conceiving,” says Amos Grunebaum, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist based in New York City and medical director of a natural fertility supplement supplier. “Most people don’t realize that the average couple only has a 20 to 25 percent chance of achieving pregnancy each cycle.”

Beyond the idea that pregnancy is an easy state to achieve, Dr. Grunebaum says that another common fertility misconception he sees is the idea that if there’s a problem, it’s the woman’s fault. “In reality, roughly half the causes of infertility are due to male factors, like low sperm count or low sperm motility,” he says.

Getting Pregnant: Tips to Increase Your Chances

He adds that while “fertility diets” can be useful, you don’t have to memorize any strange recipes or shopping lists to stick to a diet that can boost your fertility levels. Here are some basic guidelines:

Avoid trans fats: According to data from the Nurses’ Health Study, trans fats can deter ovulation and conception. Even just four grams a day — less than the average American gets regularly — may have a negative effect on fertility. Trans fats are common in fried and processed foods, so skip the drive-thru and the snack packs at the grocery store, and go with whole, natural foods for the biggest nutrient boost. “In general, you want to eat healthy, natural foods that are rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and folic acid,” according to Grunebaum. “Good examples are citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, and fortified cereals.”

Pick plant protein over animal: The Nurses’ Health Study also found that women who ate the most animal protein — such as beef, chicken, and pork — were 39 percent more likely to have fertility issues than women who ate the least. However, the opposite was true for women who ate plant protein such as beans, tofu, and nuts.

Eat slow carbs, not no carbs: Harvard researchers found that it’s not the quantity but the quality of carbs that influences fertility. For example, fast carbs, including white bread and potatoes, which your body digests quickly, can decrease your chances of conception, while slow carbs, such as brown rice and other whole grains, can improve your odds.

Getting Pregnant: See Your Gynecologist

Before trying to conceive, schedule an appointment with your gynecologist. “It’s a good idea to ensure that you’re going down the right path,” says Grunebaum. Even if you don’t visit a doctor when you first begin trying to have a baby, if you’re trying to conceive for six months or more and haven’t had success, Grunebaum says, it’s a good time to see a doctor to check for any fertility problems with you or your partner. “A good ob-gyn can teach you about how your cycle works, how best to predict ovulation, even what sexual positions are recommended to help you conceive,” he says.

You should also take some time to get familiar with your body in your own home. If you don’t already, start tracking your cycle on a calendar so you can better predict your most fertile window, which, according to the National Institutes of Health, is somewhere between days 7 and 20. If you have an irregular cycle, consider picking up an ovulation prediction kit at your drug store. You can also use a special thermometer to track your basal body temperature (BBT), which rises after you ovulate and then stays at a higher-than-normal level until the end of your cycle.

Getting Pregnant: Substances to Steer Clear Of

Obviously, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is of utmost importance when you’re trying to conceive. The first few weeks of pregnancy are the most critical, and much of this occurs before you even realize you may be pregnant. So during that time, it's best to steer clear of substances like:

Tobacco

Alcohol

Drugs that may be toxic to a developing baby
Grunebaum also advises that skipping your morning cup of coffee might help boost your fertility. “Caffeine can reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron and increase the potential for complications during pregnancy,” he says. In fact, researchers from the Netherlands found that more than four cups a day cut chances of conception by 26 percent. Grunebaum also recommends that women trying to conceive minimize stress to the best of their ability. “Exercise can provide stress relief, and there are a number of fertility yoga programs that are designed to help couples conceive,” he says.

Fertility Levels: Getting Tested

If you’re trying to conceive and have not yet had success, a doctor may recommend having your fertility levels tested. Grunebaum says the most common fertility analysis is called the “Day 3 FSH Test.” This test measures the level of follicle stimulating hormone present in a woman’s body on the third day of her menstrual cycle. “It is essentially a way to measure the ovarian reserve, although even a low reserve does not necessarily mean one cannot get pregnant,” he says, adding there are also tests that measure hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which are key to a successful pregnancy.

Your doctor may also need to rule out endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, and problems with your partner’s sperm production or mobility, all of which can cause fertility issues.

“Don’t get discouraged if at first you don’t succeed,” Grunebaum says. “Take advantage of all the information and resources available for couples who are trying to conceive.”