Infertility is defined as being unable to get pregnant despite having regular unprotected sex. Around one in seven couples are estimated to have difficulty conceiving: that’s about 3.5 million people in the UK . Those bald figures reflect a range of long-lasting physical and emotional experiences. In the best outcomes, there is a baby; in others, an empty nursery and heartache.

For fertility expert Emma Cannon, author of The Baby-Making Bible, ‘It is vitally important to engage in your own fertility and gynaecology early in life. Fertility does not last for ever but it can be preserved through lifestyle choices.’ Here, Emma summarises the advice she gives her daughters Lily, 19, and Violet, 14.

● Understand your menstrual cycle and how to use it as a guide.

● Nourish yourself physically and emotionally with good food and joy.

● Eat food in its natural state and avoid processed foods and sugar.

● Avoid food or drink in plastic packaging as the plastic may contain oestrogen mimics, which can disrupt the hormonal system.

● Keep your weight balanced.

● Drink alcohol sensibly.

● Use contraception other than the pill. Barrier methods (condoms) will protect against STD s such as chlamydia, which is estimated to cause 25 per cent of fertility problems.

● Avoid tampons to encourage blood flow and for good menstrual health.

● Don’t smoke. Smokers are 30 per cent less fertile than non-smokers.

● If you want a big family, start in your early 20s.

● Consider acupuncture, which is now recommended for couples by fertility experts. Look to the British Acupuncture Council to find a local practitioner (www.acupuncture.org.uk).

• For more information and to make an appointment with Emma, visit www.emmacannon.co.uk.

The Fertility Show is at London Olympia from 7-8 November, www.fertilityshow.co.uk.

 

THREE OF THE BEST HEADLINE TREATMENTS

 

1 Full Marks Solution, £16.99 for 300ml, www.boots.com. This contains cyclomethicone, a silicone-based ingredient that dehydrates the lice. You then use the comb provided to remove the dead lice and any eggs. It also dries the hair, so colourist Louise Galvin has developed a protocol for restoring lustrous locks; see www.louisegalvin.com.

2 Picksan Lice Stop Anti-lice Shampoo and No Lice Preventive Spray, £7.95 each for 100ml, www.victoriahealth.com. Pharmacist Shabir Daya recommends this natural, neem-based range. Use the spray when term starts or when lice are detected at school. If lice are found, the shampoo removes 94 per cent in three hours. To remove eggs, repeat ten days later.

3 Vosene Kids 3 in 1 Lice Repellent Conditioning Shampoo, £2.49 for 250ml, nationwide. Using a nit comb and this specially formulated product – based on synthetic chemicals with tea tree and lemon eucalyptus oil – can help prevent and fight nits, according to the useful website www.vosenekids.co.uk.

 

STRICTLY JOYFUL!

Superstar Dutch violinist André Rieu wants to get the world to waltz. Fans are encouraged to twirl around the aisles at his concerts and now André has designated 7-15 November as the Week of the Waltz, during which we are all encouraged to host waltz parties – and play his new album Roman Holiday, which is full of toe-tapping Italian tunes and waltzes. Like all dancing, waltzing is joy on legs (even if you have two left feet, like me), plus it burns calories, reduces stress and decreases blood pressure. As André says, ‘It’s good for the heart in every way.’ For details including how-to-waltz instructions, music suggestions and themed recipes, visit www.weekofthewaltz.com.