Myth #1: If I’ve had one child naturally, I can easily have another.
Actually, numerous women experience “secondary infertility” every year, which is infertility after the female has already had a child.
Myth #2: Infertility is mainly a woman’s issue.
Not true. Men and women have an equal chance of being infertile.
Myth #3: Fertility treatments are always expensive.
There are many fertility treatments that are quite economical and may even be covered partially by insurance.
Myth #4: IVF is the only fertility treatment.
Though IVF does get a lot of press, there are plenty of other ways to successfully treat infertility.
Myth #5: No one can really tell why men and women are infertile.
Certainly, there are cases when infertility baffles even the most knowledgeable reproductive health specialists. But in the majority of cases, the cause of infertility can be uncovered.
Because of all the media hype over how old is “too old” for women to undergo fertility treatments, we have designed the following poll. Please vote and tell us what you think!
In our last post, we talked about Guiliana Rancic’s desire to have a baby and her openness about starting IVF. Since then, Whoopie Goldberg made a public faux pas regarding Rancic’s decision.
During a recent episode of The View, Goldberg told Rancic:
“You want to have a baby? You need to prepare your body for that other person who’s gonna be there.”
While weight can play a factor in being able to conceive, Goldberg’s words indicate how misinformed she is on the topic of infertility. Women of all shapes and sizes can experience fertility issues and Rancic’s doctors have likely ruled out her body weight as the main cause of her medical concerns.
What do you think about the Goldberg-Rancic news story?
Celebrities are beginning to talk more openly about their IVF experiences. Included in the ranks of Hollywood stars opting for this method of fertility treatment is Giuliana Rancic, celebrity news personality and host of E! News.
Last week, Rancic told the hosts on The View:
“We’ve [already] done IUI; we’ve done quite a few things and we start IVF next week.”
Because Rancic is making her story public so early, it’s likely she’ll be open about telling how her IVF journey goes. We look forward to hearing more from this celeb and wish her the best of luck!
For couples just entering the world of infertility treatments, the variety of acronyms may seem a little overwhelming. In this article, we’ll talk about intrauterine insemination, typically abbreviated as IUI.
What is It?
IUI is a procedure whereby a catheter containing washed sperm is inserted through the cervix. The sperm is then pushed into the uterus in the hopes of fertilization with an ovum.
When Does IUI Take Place?
IUIis typically scheduled within 6 hours (before or after) of a woman’s ovulation. (hCG injections may be used to ensure ovulation.) Timing is critical because sperm can only last 24-72 hours and are typically considered less viable after 24 hours.
Does IUI Hurt?
Most women report feeling very little discomfort during IUI.
Can the Sperm “Fall Out” after IUI?
The sperm that has been injected into the uterus will remain there. Women do not need to go on any kind of “bed rest” post IUI.
What is the Success Rate of IUI?
Success rates are quite variable. Some studies quote numbers of as little as 4-8%; others claim the success rate is closer to 20%.
What Can We Expect to Spend on IUI?
The costs of IUI will depend on your unique situation and where you go for treatment. Therefore, you should connect with your fertility specialist for more information.
The term “hostile cervical mucus” may not be one you hear every day, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be a factor if you’ve been unable to naturally conceive a child.
All women have cervical mucus. What makes some cervical mucus “hostile” is its thickness. Typically, cervical mucus helps sperm pass through the cervix at various times during a woman’s ovulation. However, hostile cervical mucus prevents the sperm from travelling to the ovum. Thus, the chances of pregnancy reduce greatly.
Hostile cervical mucus can be caused by a number of factors, including:
Poor nutrition
Over-the-counter and prescription medications
Use of Clomid
Abnormal sperm
Not enough estrogen
Fortunately, there are ways for physicians to help women counteract hostile cervical mucus, rendering the condition less problematic.
How do you know if hostile cervical mucus could be to blame for your infertility problems? Only a fertility specialist can tell for certain, so it’s important to make a call today.
Lakshmi’s experience shows how infertility linked to endometriosis can and does affect women representing all walks of life, including superstars. Although statistics aren’t widely available, rates of infertility among women with endometriosis range from 30-50%.
If you think you might have endometriosis (or you know you do) and you want to have a baby, it’s important to work with your doctor to give you the best chance to conceive despite your medical condition.
Infertility seems to be more common in women with untreated celiac disease. Other gynecological and obstetrical problems may also be more common, including miscarriages and preterm births.
For men, problems can include abnormal sperm — such as lower sperm numbers, altered shape, and reduced function. Men with untreated celiac disease may also have lower testosterone levels.
The article goes on to explain celiac disease and several excellent ways to deal with it.
If you’re interested in the topic, it’s definitely worth a look.
This article about egg donation recently caught our eye. Rather than looking from the point of view of an individual or couple, the piece tells the story from the egg donor’s experience.
As Cathy Sidaway, a three-time egg donor, explains her desire to be one of the countless “Samaritans” for childless couples:
“I know about the heartache infertility causes… My cousin has endometriosis, and it’s been torturous for her. Another friend had seven miscarriages and was desperate for the family other people have quite easily…”
Thanks to the selflessness of women who choose to become egg donors like Sidaway (who receives zero remuneration for her good deeds according to the article), hundreds of babies will be born into loving families in the coming year.
Are you one of the numerous women whose periods don’t fall neatly into any kind of a 28-35 day cycle? If so, you may have difficulty becoming pregnant.
During a woman’s menstrual cycle, one (usually) egg is released from the ovaries. If the egg isn’t fertilized within 24 hours, it is no longer viable. Thus, within several days, menses occurs. However, if your period isn’t happening on a predictable basis, it can be tough to figure out when the best time of the month to conceive would be. (Remember — it’s a smaller window of opportunity than you might think!)
This is where a reproductive science specialist can help tremendously. Your physician can prescribe pharmaceuticals to help regulate your menses, thus increasing your chances of naturally getting pregnant.
If you’ve been trying to have a baby for over six months and haven’t been able to conceive (without using any kind of birth control), it might be worth a trip to a fertility specialist.
Don’t immediately assume that you’ll have to invest a lot of money, either. Many couples whose only problem is the woman’s irregular cycle have found great success for an extremely economical investment.
