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Archive for April, 2010

Having Trouble Conceiving? It Could Be Asherman’s Syndrome.

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Asherman’s Syndrome isn’t a commonly discussed condition… yet.  Lately, it’s been getting a lot of press because doctors have connected it to infertility, a problem faced by millions of individuals around the globe.

Asherman’s affects women, not men, and is described as:

“…an acquired uterine condition, characterized by the formation of adhesions (scar tissue) inside the uterus…”  (From  http://www.ashermans.org/)

With proper treatment, many women are able to reproduce naturally; however, nothing can be done without a diagnosis.

If you’ve been experiencing infertilityand know (or suspect) you have Asherman’s Syndrome, contact a reproductive health specialist for a more in-depth analysis.

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  • ABC News Looking for Couples Who Sought Fertility Treatments

    Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

    This just in…

    ABC News wants to hear from couples who are willing to tell their stories of trying to get or getting fertility treatments.

    If you submit your information to the media outlet, make sure you understand that you will be asked to discuss how (or if) paying for your fertility treatments affected the experience.

    Tired of the “Relax to Get Pregnant” Myth?

    Monday, April 26th, 2010

    If you’re tired of hearing you just need to “relax” or “take a vacation” to get pregnant, you’re not alone.

    Millions of men and women throughout the United States each year deal with infertility and it’s very rarely a case of them being too “stressed out” to conceive.  That’s why it’s so important for males and females struggling with fertility issues to go to a physician who’s been trained in the area of reproductive health.

    Remember:  If it were as easy to get pregnant as going on a trip or taking a day off to get to the spa, we’d all know it and do it.  But it’s not that simple.

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  • Giuliana Rancic’s IVF Journey Chronicled

    Saturday, April 24th, 2010

    Giuliana Rancic has been extremely open about her fertility journey, specifically her experiences undergoing IVF.

    The star is now 35 and recently told an AOL reporter that she’s hopeful that she will “have some good news to report soon”.

    Rancic is undergoing her first round of IVF.  No doubt she will let fans and media know of the outcome.

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  • Show Support for Infertility Awareness This Week!

    Friday, April 23rd, 2010

    Did you know that April 24-May 1, 2010 is National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW)?

    If you want to show your support for this condition that affects millions of men and women in the United States alone, why not start by doing one or more of the following things?

    1. Blog about your infertility journey.  Many bloggers have found great release and relief in (typically anonymously) blogging about their experiences.
    2. Learn all you can about infertility.  There are many myths and misconceptions out there.  Education is the key to sorting through all the hype.
    3. Be a good friend to a person or couple dealing with infertility.  You don’t have to say anything to your friend(s), of course.  Just be there.  Infertility can make someone feel very alone.  Make sure your loved one knows you’re there for support.

    How will you observe National Infertility Awareness Week?

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  • Men Dealing with Infertility May Want to Evaluate Their Omega-3 Intake

    Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

    If you’re a man struggling with infertility, there’s an interesting way for you to naturally boost your fertility — your intake of foods containing omega-3 fatty acids.

    Where are omega-3 fatty acids found?  Look for them in oily fish (think salmon and anchovies), enriched milk and enriched yogurt.  And make sure you eat enough of them to have the same positive effect that occurred when researchers from the University of Illinois studied omega-3 fatty acid diets in mice.

    The mice were missing an amino acid (DHC) that rendered them infertile.  However, when they added omega-3 fatty acid to their diets in substantial quantities, their infertility was reversed.

    It’s a fascinating result and could be a solution for some men experiencing infertility.

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  • Why You Should Be Careful about Leaving the U.S. for Fertility Treatments

    Saturday, April 17th, 2010

    There are some couples that have believed the media hype that it’s terribly expensive and difficult to get fertility treatments in the U.S.  So they’re setting up appointments in Europe, Canada and India.

    This type of knee-jerk reaction is detrimental for a number of reasons, including:

    • You don’t know the real training of your overseas fertility doctor.  You have to go on what he/she says. 
    • You may save a little money on the fertility treatments, but you’ll have to pay for the plane ride, the living quarters once you’re there, food, etc.  And that can be costlier than you might expect, even in countries where the U.S. dollar will stretch a little farther than it does in the States.
    • The fertility treatments may not be performed in the most up-to-date hospitals or clinics.
    • Fertility drugs and procedures could be subpar… or even dangerous.

    Obviously, it’s up to you to decide what’s right when it comes to fertility treatments.  But we urge you to work with local and regional reproductive health care providers before looking outside your country’s borders.

    (Remember:  The grass is NOT always greener.)

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  • Be Careful of Wasting Money on So-Called Fertility “Cures”

    Thursday, April 15th, 2010

    It’s disheartening to see the amount of advertisements preying on women and men dealing with infertility.  Far too many make impossible promises, such as the products and services that claim to be able to “cure” any infertility.

    This falls directly under the “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” label.

    First, understand that infertility isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition.  Therefore, no manufacturer or company can possibly make guarantees, especially without a medical evaluation.

    Second, remember the adage that “a fool and his money are soon parted.”  We’re not suggesting you’re a fool, of course.  But you don’t want to make a foolish decision, especially with your finances.

    Third, some of these infertility “cures” on the market can be downright harmful.  Many are so-called “medicines” that have not been approved for safety or ingredients.  Taking this kind of product could actually compound your problems.

    Let’s face it — if fixing infertility was as easy as buying a product on the Internet or spending cash on a certain service, we would all know about it and be using this method to treat infertility.

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  • Katie Price to Undergo Fertility Treatments

    Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

    As we’ve discussed with other celebs, many are choosing to go public with their infertility journeys.  And Katie Price is no exception.

    Price is a British model/actress/singer and although she might not be as well-known to people in the U.S. as she is in the U.K., she’s gaining popularity… not to mention headlines.

    Unlike the “typical” Hollywood IVF story, Price is still young — in her early thirties.  As more information comes forward, it will be interesting to hear which fertility treatments she chooses.

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  • The Number of “Over 40″ Moms is on the Rise!

    Saturday, April 10th, 2010

    Is 40 really the new 30 when it comes to starting a family?  The CDC reports that it just might be, as there has been a marked increase in females who are 40+ having children.

    Though some women in this age range are conceiving naturally (about 10%, according to the CDC), a large percentage are opting for fertility treatments such as IVF, IUI and egg donations to make their mommy dreams a reality.

    It’s exciting to be able to see the results of advanced reproductive treatment options.  Here’s to all those great older moms and dads!

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