Family Planning

Couples who are looking to get pregnant often think that simply engaging often in sexual intercourse should do the trick. While this works for many, others need additional help getting pregnant....

Ovulation occurs when an egg is released from the ovary. This is the only time a woman can get pregnant, as it is the only time an egg is able to be fertilized by male sperm.

The Billings Method of Ovulation is a method of natural family planning invented by the Catholic church to aid couples in better controlling the amount of children conceived. The Billings method...

When couples are having trouble conceiving, they often turn to fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI). Sperm washing, the removal of unhealthy sperm and debris from semen, is...

While there are many options for women who are suffering from infertility, male fertility options are considerably more limited. If a semen analysis has returned with a low sperm count, you may be...

Excessive weight loss can have an effect on a couple's ability to conceive a child. Proper diet, weight and exercise play key roles in preparing for childbearing.

Low sperm count, also referred to as oligospermia, can greatly reduce a man's chance of impregnating a woman and is one cause of male infertility. If a couple has been unsuccessful at conceiving...

When you are trying to get pregnant you want to have the best chance possible. One way to increase your chances of becoming pregnant is to make sure your husband or boyfriend has a good sperm...

A sperm's motility explains its ability to move progressively to the egg. Movement is essential for egg fertilization. Before undergoing any fertility testing, couples should understand what it...

Pregnancy does not come easily to all couples. When fertility issues are present, it can be difficult to conceive a child. Men with low sperm count must try to increase their sperm count to better...

Both men and women have problems getting pregnant. This can be caused by various underlying conditions but can be caused by high stress levels or improper timing for instance. There are various...

A vasectomy reversal is a procedure in which the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the semen are reconnected. While this outpatient procedure is successful about 50 percent of the time,...

Sperm morphology refers to the shape and structure of sperm. Normal sperm have an oval head and a straight tail that measures seven to 15 times the length of the head. Abnormal sperm have...

Sperm motility is simply the ability of sperm to propel themselves forward to reach the goal of fertilizing the egg. Immotile sperm are often the cause of infertility in couples.

The National Infertility Association reports that approximately 40 percent of all fertility problems are due to male factor issues. Male infertility is caused by low sperm count, poor sperm...

Vasectomy reversal is an operation that surgically rejoins the tubes that take sperm from the testicles to the semen. If the operation works, men who undergo vasectomy reversal may again be able...

Taking advantage of all pregnancy opportunities is the key to becoming pregnant as fast as possible. To succeed in your venture, you will need to understand when your pregnancy opportunities are...

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure typically performed by a urologist for the purpose of male sterilization. It is one of the most popular birth-control procedures in the world because, when...

The cost of artificial insemination can vary depending on a variety of factors including the fertility of the mother and father, the health of the mother and father, the needs of the couple and,...

Our culture is made up of a variety of different belief systems all perpetuating individual theories on the major questions of life. Most societies create myths to answer questions and frighten...

Tracking and detecting ovulation helps increase the chance of getting pregnant. Having sex around and during ovulation increases the chances of fertilization. Other ways to help become pregnant...

When couples can't seem to achieve pregnancy it's generally assumed that the woman has some type of fertility issue. What many people don't realize is that male factor infertility accounts for...

Several decades ago, when children asked their parents how babies were made, there was only one answer. These days, multiple responses exist. This is good news for the one in six of American...

After having four boys, maybe you really want a girl. Or maybe you are only planning to have one baby and you really want a boy. No matter what your reason is for wanting to have a baby of a...

Infertility has been defined medically as trying for a pregnancy for a year and not being able to get pregnant. According to the University of Chicago Medical Center, as of 2009, approximately 12...

Families may decide to attempt to choose the gender of their child for a variety of reasons, ranging from family balancing to genetic issues. For many years, people have relied upon old wives'...

Low sperm motility refers to the inability of a male's sperm to reach the egg after ejaculation. If the sperm cannot move quickly enough or cannot move at all, it becomes difficult for a woman to...

More than 25 years ago, Dr. Landrum Shettles devised a method that was meant to help couples conceive the gender of their choice; it is still being practiced today. He claims that couples who take...

Having a low sperm count creates an obstacle for men who wish to reproduce. Male infertility due to low sperm count can be treated once it is properly tested and detected. A sperm count check may...

You're trying to conceive a baby, but you keep running into disappointment, as the pregnancy tests come up negative and your period returns. Before you go to a doctor for fertility drugs or pay...

When you hear talk of newborn babies and unplanned pregnancies, it might seem like getting pregnant is one of the easiest things to do. But when it comes to planning a baby, many women discover...

Conceiving a baby isn't always as easy as it appears to be. As with many things in life, it happens easier for some than it does for others. While there are medical treatments available for those...

Approximately 40 percent of all fertility problems in the United States are due to male-factor issues. Men with fertility problems have low sperm counts, high sperm morphology (abnormally-shaped...

Sperm production begins at puberty and continues until death, unless an illness is preventing it. Sperm take up to 72 days to mature. Millions of sperm leave the penis during ejaculation. Sperm...

If you are looking to prevent pregnancy, but do not want to have to make a trip to the doctor, non-prescription birth-control methods may be right for you. A wide range of birth-control options...

As costs for fertility treatments skyrocket, many couples are looking toward alternative means to boost their fertility. Acupuncture is becoming an increasingly popular option. Acupuncture is an...

Having normal semen volume is a critical component of male fertility. Semen is the fluid that is ejaculates from the penis during orgasm. It is composed of sperm and other bodily fluids....

Because medical fertility treatments can cost thousands of dollars per cycle, many couples trying to conceive seek to boost their fertility through natural methods, such as taking vitamins....

Many couples become disappointed and frustrated when they are unable to conceive a baby. In some situations, the male has a low sperm count. Medications are available to help raise the sperm count.

There's a lot of information available that claims to give couples the power to determine the sex of their baby. While much of it has not been scientifically proven, many swear by these methods...

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, many doctors caution women older than 35 against taking standard hormonal or oral birth control because of an increased risk of blood...

The ParaGard IUD is a device that is inserted into the uterus. When properly used, it provides efficient protection against pregnancy by using the properties of copper to kill sperm before they...

This article will tell you all that you need to know about ovulation and timing for intercourse to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

An IUD, or intrauterine device, is a small birth control device that is inserted through the cervix into the uterus. This T-shaped object, which can remain in the uterus for years, must be...

Some people could care less if they have a child. Others, however, can't wait to get pregnant. The odds of conception success can be improved for these individuals by paying attention to some dos...

It's well understood that a man's overall health is important to his level of fertility. Most fathers-to-be know to lay off the smoking, drinking, excessive cell phone use, and lying around in hot...

Men may choose their own contraceptive method for a variety of reasons, but perhaps none more important than relieving themselves of the emotional and financial burden unwanted pregnancies bring....

Although the most common use of contraceptives is the prevention of pregnancy, they do have other uses. As more women use them, and as they undergo changes and improvements as a result of studies...

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a kind of assisted conception wherein a woman's fertility cycle is monitored, she takes fertility drugs, her eggs are collected and then sperm and eggs are mixed...

Are you having trouble getting pregnant on your own? Do you think you need to see a fertility doctor or do simply want a child but don't have a partner? An IUI helped me have a child and it may...