High Blood Pressure Drugs and Erectile Dysfunction

To treat erectile dysfunction (ED), you first must lower your blood pressure if it’s high. Some people are able to do that through lifestyle changes alone. Others need help from prescription blood pressure drugs.

A problem for many men, however, is that some types of blood pressure medicines can actually cause erectile dysfunction. That may make it difficult to stay on your medication, especially if your high blood pressure never caused any symptoms before. An estimated 70% of men who have side effects from blood pressure medicine stop taking it.

Many drugs used to treat high blood pressure have been linked to erectile dysfunction. But some are much less likely than others to cause problems. Certain blood pressure drugs may even improve erectile dysfunction for some men.

It’s known that diuretics or water pills (hydrochlorothiazide, spironolatone) and certain beta-blockers (like Atenolol) can cause erection problems. These are also the first drugs that a doctor is likely to prescribe if you are not able to lower your blood pressure through diet and exercise.

If you’re taking a diuretic, you should stay on your medication until your blood pressure is under control. If your erection problem persists, or your blood pressure goes back up, then your doctor might switch you to a drug that’s less likely to cause erectile dysfunction. Or, a combination of medications might work better to control your blood pressure and reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction.

If you take a beta blocker you may also want to ask your doctor if it might cause erectile dysfunction. If so, you might be better off on a different medication.

Blood Pressure Drugs Less Likely to Cause Erectile Dysfunction

Some families of high blood pressure drugs rarely cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect. They are:

• ACE inhibitors
• Calcium channel blockers
• ARBs

ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors — such as Lotensin, Capoten, Zestril, and Prinivil — widen blood vessels and increase blood flow. Erectile dysfunction is rarely a side effect, occurring in less than 1% of patients. This seems to be true of several different medications in this category.

There are also drugs known as calcium channel blockers, such as Diltiazem, Verapamil, or Amlodipine. As a group, they rarely cause erectile dysfunction. But erection problems may be less common with some individual drugs within that group than with others. Your doctor can tell you which ones.

Read More

Diseases and Conditions That Influence Fertility

Many different health issues can affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. Some of the more common problems are listed below and linked to additional information.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when the cells that normally line the uterine cavity, called endometrium (pronounced en-doh-MEE-tree-uhm), grow outside the uterus instead.

Research has found a link between infertility and endometriosis. Studies show that between 25% and 50% of infertile woman have endometriosis and between 30% and 40% of women with endometriosis are infertile. Scientists do not know the exact cause of infertility in women with endometriosis.

Some current theories on how endometriosis causes infertility include the following:

• Changes in the structure of the female reproductive organs may occur and affect the release of the egg after ovulation or interrupt the egg’s movement through the fallopian tube.
• The lining of the abdomen, which is called the peritoneum (pronounced per-i-tn-EE-uhm), may go through changes that affect its function:
  • In women with endometriosis, the amount of fluid inside the peritoneum often increases.
  • The fluid in the peritoneum contains substances that can negatively affect the functions of the egg, sperm, and fallopian tubes.
• Chemical changes in the lining of the uterus that occur as a result of endometriosis may affect an embryo’s ability to implant properly and make it difficult for a woman to stay pregnant after conception

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility. It is a condition in which a woman’s ovaries, and in some cases the adrenal glands, produce more androgens (a type of hormone) than normal. High levels of these hormones interfere with the development of ovarian follicles and release of eggs during ovulation. As a result, fluid-filled sacs, or cysts, can develop within the ovaries.

Researchers estimate that 5% to 10% of women in the United States have PCOS. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but current research suggests that a combination of genetic and environmental factors leads to the disease.

Primary Ovary Insufficiency (POI)

POI is a condition in which a woman’s ovaries stop producing hormones and producing eggs at a young age. Women with POI do not ovulate regularly, or sometimes not at all, and may have abnormal levels of hormones due to problems with their ovaries.

Women with POI often have trouble getting pregnant. However, pregnancy is still possible. About 5% to 10% of women with POI get pregnant without medical treatment.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that form inside the uterus. Uterine fibroids can cause symptoms in some cases, depending on their size and location. Scientists do not know what causes fibroids to form, but it is believed that there may be a genetic basis.

Fibroids can contribute to infertility and are found in 5% to 10% of infertile women. Fibroids located in the uterine cavity (as opposed to those that grow within the uterine wall) or those that are larger than 6 centimeters in diameter are more likely to have a negative effect on fertility. Fibroids are more likely to affect a woman’s fertility if they:

• Change the position of the cervix, which can reduce the number of sperm that enter the uterus
• Change the shape of the uterus, which can interfere with the movement of sperm or implantation
• Block the fallopian tubes, which prevents sperm from reaching the egg and keeps a fertilized egg from moving to the uterus
• Interfere with blood flow to the uterus, which can prevent the embryo from implanting.

General Causes of Infertility

General causes of infertility include:

• Failure to ovulate
• Structural problems of the reproductive system
• Infections
• Failure of an Egg to Mature Properly
• Implantation Failure
• Autoimmune Disorders

Failure to Ovulate

The most common overall cause of infertility is the failure to ovulate, which occurs in 40% of women with infertility issues.7 Not ovulating can result from:

• POI
• PCOS
• Aging
• Diminished ovarian reserve. This refers to a low number of eggs remaining in a woman’s ovaries due to normal aging. This situation may result in hormone levels that can affect ovulation.
• Endocrine disorders. These disorders affect the hormones produced by the body. Abnormal hormone levels can disrupt ovulation. Some endocrine disorders known to affect ovulation are:
  • Hypothalamic (pronounced hahy-puh-thuh-LAM-ik) amenorrhea (pronounced uh-men-uh-REE-uh), in which a structure in the brain called the hypothalamus produces abnormal levels of hormones
  • Hyperprolactinemia (pronounced hahy-purr-pro-lak-ti-NEE-mee-uh), in which levels of the hormone prolactin are too high
  • Thyroid disease, which affects the levels of hormones released by the thyroid, a gland in the neck
  • Adrenal disease, which affects the levels of hormones released by the adrenal glands that sit on top of each kidney
• Tobacco use. Smoking or other use of tobacco can also affect ovulation and can cause complications with pregnancy. For more information on the effects of tobacco use on pregnancy go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website on pregnancy and smoking.

Structural Problems of the Reproductive System

Structural problems usually involve the presence of abnormal tissue in the fallopian tubes or uterus.

If the fallopian tubes are blocked, eggs are not able to move from the ovaries to the uterus and sperm is not able to reach the egg for fertilization. Blockage of the fallopian tubes can be associated with:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the female reproductive structures that is often caused by bacteria resulting from a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia
• Tubal ligation, a surgical procedure that closes a woman’s fallopian tubes permanently.

In addition, some women are born with blockages in their fallopian tubes.

Structural problems with the uterus that may lead to infertility include:

• Uterine fibroids, which are growths that appear within and around the wall of the uterus. Most women with fibroids do not have problems with fertility and can get pregnant. However, some women with fibroids may not be able to get pregnant naturally or may have multiple miscarriages or preterm labor.
• Polyps, which are noncancerous growths on the inside surface of the uterus. Polyps can interfere with the function of the uterus and make it difficult for a woman to remain pregnant after conception. Surgical removal of the polyps can increase the chances for a woman to get pregnant.
• Scarring in the uterus from previous injuries or surgery. Scarring may increase the risk of miscarriage and infertility.
• An unusually shaped uterus, which can affect a woman’s ability to remain pregnant after conception.

Infections

Infections can also cause infertility. Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections that affect female fertility.

Chronic infections in the cervix can also reduce the amount or quality of cervical mucus, the sticky or slippery substance that collects on the cervix and in the vagina. Reduced amount or quality of cervical mucus can make it difficult for women to get pregnant.

Failure of an Egg to Mature Properly

For some women, the egg does not mature properly, resulting in fertilization failure. This can be caused by:

• Hormonal problems, ranging from PCOS to problems with the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus sends signals from the brain to the pituitary gland, which then produces the hormones necessary to start the process of egg maturation. Any problems during this process can prevent the egg from maturing properly.
• Lack of proteins called cyclin-dependent kinases. New studies suggest this protein may be involved in the process of egg maturation.
• Injury to the ovaries. Scarred ovaries from multiple surgeries or repeated ovarian cysts can prevent the egg from maturing.
• POI

Implantation Failure

Implantation failure is a common cause of infertility among couples trying to conceive with assisted reproductive techniques (ART). Causes of implantation failure include:

• Genetic defects
• Thin endometrium
• Embryonic defects, such as problems with male or female or sperm defects
• Endometriosis

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune disorders cause the body’s immune system to attack normal body tissues it would normally ignore. Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, may cause a woman’s immune system to reject the egg and prevent it from implanting or cut off the blood supply to an implanted embryo. Autoimmune disorders may also attack sperm or the reproductive organs.

Read More

Reduce Over-sized Breasts in Women With Herbal Remedies

Not all women with big breasts are happy with their size. The discomfort and inconvenience of carrying exceptionally huge breasts make women want to get rid of them; that is why breast reduction surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedure on women. To get rid of the embarrassment, inconvenience and health issues brought by carrying huge breasts, more and more women are subjecting themselves under the knife for breast reduction. Although surgery is the popular and immediate solution for large breast problems, women should know that surgery is not the only option. There are natural ways to reduce over sized breasts in women.

Alternative treatments like herbal medicines or supplements can be very helpful to reduce over sized breasts in women. Herbal breast reduction pills are getting popular because a significant number of women are looking for non-surgical solution for their big breasts problem. You do not have to spend thousands of dollars to reduce over sized breasts and you do not have to suffer the irreversible side effects of surgery because breasts size can be reduced naturally.

Herbal breast reduction treatment comes in a form of pills. There are numerous brands out there and you have to find the one made from 100% natural ingredients and approved by doctors. Before taking any herbal remedies, it is best to consult your doctor especially if you have medical conditions or currently taking prescription medications. Those who are under the age of 18 should of course ask the permission of their parents or guardian before taking any herbal breast reduction pills.

Herbal breast reduction pills or supplements works by targeting the fatty cells in the mammary glands resulting to reduced breasts size. Herbal breast reduction pills are not magic pills that will give you instant results. You need dedication and adherence to the treatment program to eventually achieve your desired results. It is important to follow the direction in taking the pills to reduce over sized breasts and achieve your desired results. You may start to see results after 3 weeks and some women achieved their desired results after 6 months.

Women who are afraid to go under the knife and those who cannot afford the high cost of breasts reduction surgery do not have to suffer in silence because there is an alternative treatment to reduce over sized breasts. Reducing the size of your heavy big breasts will set you free from chronic neck, shoulder and back pain. Your body image and self-confidence will be restored and you will be happier and satisfied with your appearance. To reduce over sized breasts in women naturally visit Reduce Large Breasts Naturally.

To know your options visit Natural Breast Reduction

Read More

Male Factor Infertility

Approximately 25% of all infertility is caused by a sperm defect. About 40-50% of infertility cases have a sperm defect as the main cause, or a contributing cause. This is the legacy of male factor infertility. It can be difficult to know whether sperm is the sole problem, or just a contributing cause of infertility. Partly this is because ‘numbers are just numbers’. For example, we know that men with very low sperm counts can sometimes have children – and some men with normal sperm counts can be infertile. What matters most is not how many sperm there are or how fast they swim – but whether they can fertilize the female partner’s eggs. Sperm defects are a biochemical issue at the molecular level. A sperm defect is present when sperm are irregularly shaped, have poor motility or low sperm count. It takes more than looking at sperm under the microscope to assess the ability of the sperm to fertilize the female’s eggs.

In nearly 30% of all infertility cases the cause is attributed to the male. An additional 30% of infertility cases are attributed to both male and female factors. In the cases of male factor infertility, more than 90% of the time it is caused by poor sperm quality. Other causes of male infertility may include anatomic, hormonal or genetic imbalances. Less than a decade ago, treatment for a severe male factor infertility was limited to inseminations or IVF using donor sperm. Today, significant advances in male infertility have introduced innovative therapeutic options that offer men, including those with no sperm in their ejaculate due to genetic conditions, a greatly improved chance to conceive their own biological offspring.

At Male Fertility & Sexual Medicine Specialists we understand that couples seeking treatment for infertility are in search of a program that will provide them with the best chance possible for conceiving a child. Male factor infertility is a specialty of this practice. In order to maximize the chances for conception, Dr. Hashmi will work with each couple to determine exactly what their goals are and establish a treatment plan to maximize all resources in an effort to reach those goals.

Semen Analysis

The semen analysis is the central testing component to determine possible male factor infertility. The values of these guidelines only increase the probability that there is a case of male factor infertility, but it does not provide any guarantees. Guidelines for normal semen levels have been defined as follows:

• Volume: 1ml to 5ml or more
• Concentration: 20 million/ml or more
• Motility: 50% or more
• Morphology: 30% or more normal shapes (WHO criteria) or 14% or more (by Kruger strict criteria)
• Clumping: minimal
• Presence of white or red blood cells: minimal
• No hyperviscosity (Thickening of seminal fluid)

Natural Remedies

Men suffering from this problem can increase their potency by taking an effective herbal treatment for male infertility such as Baby capsules. In addition to this, there are several natural remedies which are very helpful in enhancing male potency. Dairy food items, oysters, pomegranate juice, pumpkin seeds, fruits and vegetables should be included in diet.

Read More