Getting Pregnant Naturally Read Online Free Page B

sperm.
    Instead of using commercial products, use egg white if you really need a lubricant. The egg white is pure protein—and so are the sperm—and the egg white won’t disrupt the natural pH balance in the vagina.
    Note:
Do not use egg white if either partner is allergic to eggs. Be sure to separate the yolk from the egg before using egg white as a lubricant.
Consider Whether Either Partner Has Anti-sperm Antibodies
    Anti-sperm antibodies are evidence of an overzealous immune system. When the immune system is working as it should, the white blood cells produce proteins known as antibodies, which seek out and destroy hostile proteins, known as antigens. These antigens attack a range of foreign invaders—viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that can cause illness. Sometimes, however, the body mistakenly sets its sights on harmless proteins, such as sperm. When antibodies attach themselves to the sperm, they can cause problems with motility and the ability of the sperm to penetrate the egg.
    Experts disagree about how often anti-sperm antibodies cause infertility, but some believe the condition exists in up to 20 percent of infertile women and 10 percent of infertile men Many researchers believe that the antibodies can reduce the chances of conception, but do not necessarily prevent it.
    In women, experts believe the problem can be triggered by infection, though the condition is not very well understood. In men, anti-sperm antibodies sometimes appear after vasectomy; the condition can also follow infection or injury to the genital area. Lab tests involving blood, cervical mucus, and sperm will be needed to detect the presence of the antibodies.
    If a man has anti-sperm antibodies, he should workwith a urologist with expertise in fertility to take steps to manage the problem. If a woman has developed antibodies to her partner’s sperm, the problem can be corrected in some cases by having the man wear a condom during intercourse and oral sex for six months to give the woman’s immune system a chance to stop forming antibodies. Then, after this period of rest, it is possible that the couple can have intercourse without a condom at the time of ovulation and pregnancy can occur before the antibodies form again. If you have this problem, this low-tech approach is certainly worth a try, and some researchers have reported success rates of up to 50 percent using this technique. If this method does not work, do not despair. Many couples with immunological disorders can conceive with the help of assisted reproductive technologies.
    This is a complex problem that will probably require diagnosis and treatment from a physician. If either partner has a history of infections or sexually transmitted diseases, consult a fertility expert to find out if anti-sperm antibodies are contributing to your problems with conception. Keep in mind that the low-tech techniques described in this book cannot help you if anti-sperm antibodies are present.
Test for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Treat Them Promptly
    Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can scar the reproductive system and cause infertility in both women and men. Americans report 12 million new cases of STDs and 1 million cases of pelvic inflammatory disease each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. About 12.5 percent of these infections lead to infertility after a single episode, and an astonishing 75 percent of people are left infertile after three infections. (People who smoke are particularly susceptible to scarring and infertility because smoking slows down the healing process.)
    In women, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is almost always sexually transmitted. It can be caused by any of a number of organisms, but once they reach the vagina during intercourse, they spread throughout the reproductive system. PID is often found in women who have had multiple sex partners, especially in couples who did not use a barrier form of