Posts Tagged ‘Abraham Munabi’
Monday, July 18th, 2011
A new strain of gonorrhea that’s resistant to traditionally-used antibiotics could have widespread implications when it comes to fertility. And this development is concerning physicians and scientists around the world.
The “superbug” (as the media has been dubbing it) strain was first found in Japan and is classified as H041. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has even jumped on the bandwagon, issuing a warning that includes the serious admonition:
“While antibiotics can successfully treat gonorrhea, over time the bacteria has developed resistance to several of these drugs … CDC now recommends only one class of antibiotics, called cephalosporins .. however, findings from the recent analysis signal the potential for resistance to cephalosporins, the last line of defense for treating gonorrhea.”
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in general have long been causes for infertility (temporary or permanent) in both males and females, but gonorrhea has, until now, shown itself to be curable. However, if the new H041 strain enters into the population in earnest, issues faced by couples today and in the future could become more problematic.
To protect yourself from gonorrhea and other fertility-stealing STDs, it’s important to:
1. Always use protection, even during oral sex.
2. Get yourself tested if you (or your partner) have had more than one sexual partner in your lifetime.
3. Contact your doctor or fertility specialist immediately ff you think you may have been exposed to an STD.
Remember – it may seem embarrassing to admit to having an STD, but it won’t go away on its own. Thus, it’s up to you to take care of your health, for your – and your fertility’s – sake.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Admonition, Antibiotics, Bacteria, Bandwagon, Cdc, Center For Disease Control, Couples, Dr. Munabi, Facebook, fertility specialist, Infertility, Lifetime, Males And Females, New Strain Of Gonorrhea, oral sex, Physicians, Reproductive Science Institute, Resistance, Rsi, Sake, Scientists, Sexual Partner, sexually transmitted diseases, Superbug, Twitter
Posted in Infertility, STDs | No Comments »
Monday, July 11th, 2011
If it seems like “everybody” around you is getting pregnant, it can be difficult; this is especially true if you’re having difficulty conceiving. However, looks can definitely be deceiving, and they are in this case.
There are numerous factors that go into whether or not a couple conceives. Some considerations include, but are not limited to:
- Whether the woman is ovulating.
- Whether the man has issues with sub-fertility or infertility.
- The medications each person is taking.
- Medical histories of both parties.
- Age (for females, mainly, but may also be a consideration for males).
- Lifestyle habits.
- Weight and nutrition.
- Environmental and geographic concerns.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Stress levels.
- Prior pregnancies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, up to 15% of the American population who are within child-bearing age parameters may have fertility problems. That’s over 7 million individuals!
The bottom line is that if you’re not able to naturally conceive within six months of trying, you should talk to a physician. This is especially true if you’re a woman who is over 30. But don’t convince yourself that you’re alone; pregnancy doesn’t come to every couple in the timeframe they’d prefer. That’s why every case involving fertility issues needs to be addressed in an individualized fashion.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Alcohol Consumption, American Population, Bottom Line, Centers For Disease Control, Dr. Munabi, Facebook, Fashion, Females, Fertility Issues, Fertility Problems, Infertility, Lifestyle Habits, Medical Histories, medications, Myth, Parameters, Pregnancy, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Six Months, Stress Levels, Timeframe, Twitter
Posted in Fertility Treatments, Myths & Misconceptions | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 5th, 2011
One of the biggest issues many individuals and couples face when considering fertility treatments is what financial ramifications they will have on the family’s finances.
It’s definitely a consideration that needs to be mulled over; after all, though many fertility treatments are easily afforded by most persons, some can be a little costlier than others.
To help you proceed with the knowledge you need, we’ve put together some ideas for you:
1. Understand your financial options for fertility treatments.
Many people don’t realize there are financial options out there, such as IVF refunds, IVF financing or low-cost IVF offerings.
2. Ask your fertility specialist for his/her recommendations.
Reputable fertility specialists, like Philadelphia area’s RSI, will be able to direct you to a wealth of information and professionals that can talk to you about your financial options.
3. Check online for financial assistance.
Many sites are dedicated to providing information to individuals and families looking to pay for fertility treatments. One caveat, though – never give out your personal information over the Internet. If you want to reach an organization, pick up the phone and call them.
4. Ask your financial planner for ideas.
If you have money invested with a financial planner, ask him or her what he or she recommends. You may be surprised to hear of financial possibilities about which you were previously unaware.
5. Ask friends and family for help.
Though this isn’t an option for all individuals or couples, it may be wise in your case to ask family members or very close friends for their assistance. Some may be willing to give you low-interest loans. Just make sure that all money received (that is to be repaid) is documented.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Caveat, Close Friends, Couples, Dr. Munabi, Facebook, Family Members, fertility specialist, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatments, Financial Assistance, Financial Options, Financial Planner, Financial Possibilities, Financial Ramifications, Friends And Family, Low Interest Loans, Many People, Offerings, Philadelphia Area, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Twitter
Posted in Fertility Treatments, Financial Issues | No Comments »
Friday, July 1st, 2011
There are many considerations to make when you’re struggling with infertility. Depending upon what type of fertility treatment you decide to undergo, one of those considerations may be to seek out legal assistance.
Lawyers can be an asset to individuals and couples, but only if they fully understand the complexity (and legal issues) surrounding fertility issues.
To help you make wise choices, here are several points to remember when hiring an attorney for your fertility matters:
1. Make sure the attorney you choose has experience in the area you need.
Many lawyers handle aspects of fertility treatments, but not all of them have wide-ranging experience in all types of fertility issues. Whether you need someone to help you with adoption, donor egg, surrogacy or other considerations, make sure you find someone who can represent you well.
2. Reproductive law is a very specific area right now – find someone who has immersed him- or herself in it.
It may be wise for you to hire an attorney who has made reproductive law a passion, rather than someone who does “reproductive law on the side”. Look to work with a lawyer whose other areas of law complement reproductive law.
3. Interview all prospective attorneys before making any decisions.
Don’t choose an attorney in haste. You will be paying serious money for representation, so make sure you get the best person you can afford. If a lawyer balks at being “interviewed”, move on.
4. Look for a track record and ask for referrals.
Attorneys who have a long track record of helping individuals and couples with fertility treatment and reproductive law issues will be happy to share their successes. Look at their numbers and ask for referrals to other clientele, then ask those clientele pointed questions that pertain to what you need.
5. Don’t be bullied.
Finally, it’s critical to understand that you needn’t accept any kind of verbal “pushiness” from your attorney. If you feel like you’re being bullied or “talked down to”, it’s time to find better representation.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Adoption, Areas Of Law, Attorneys, Clientele, Complement, Complexity, Couples, Donor Egg, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Haste, Infertility, Legal Assistance, Referrals, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Serious Money, Several Points, Successes, surrogacy, Wise Choices
Posted in Infertility, Legal Considerations | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 29th, 2011
You’ve heard them all… those fertility myths that abound on the Internet. But sometimes, information seems logical or acceptable; therefore, it’s hard to tell what’s accurate from what’s incorrect.
Below are 5 fertility myths that we’ve decided to bust:
1. Infertility Is a Woman’s Problem.
While it may be that females are often more vocal about their infertility experiences, men actually contribute to infertility just as much as women do. In fact, approximately one-third of all infertility cases can be attributed to female infertility; one-third to male infertility; and one-third to unknown/unidentifiable causes.
2. If You’d Relax, You’d Get Pregnant
Though it is definitely a great idea to focus on de-stressing when going through fertility treatments, it’s also not a comprehensive solution for conception. Many problems, such as PCOS, do not go away on their own, regardless of how relaxed you are. Instead, you need medical intervention.
3. Fertility Clinics Will Not Want to Treat Those with Alternative Lifestyles
Actually, people with alternative lifestyles are being accepted more and more by American fertility clinics. In fact, RSI has a special webpage devoted to discussing options especially for same-sex couples.
4. Infertility Only Happens after 35
Though the majority of fertility patients are, indeed, older than 30, it is possible to be infertile at any age.
5. If I’ve Had One Baby, I Can Have More
Many women are shocked by secondary infertility, the phenomenon of being unable to conceive after successfully having one or more children. There are numerous reasons that a female may be having trouble getting pregnant again; that’s why it’s important to seek help from a fertility specialist.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Alternative Lifestyles, Comprehensive Solution, Dr. Munabi, Experiences, Facebook, female infertility, Females, Fertility Clinics, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Infertility Cases, Male Infertility, Medical Clinics, medical intervention, Myths, Phenomenon, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Same Sex Couples, Secondary Infertility, Twitter
Posted in Myths & Misconceptions | No Comments »
Monday, June 27th, 2011
On Tuesday, June 21, 2011, it was announced that Disney/ABC Television Group and The American Fertility Association (AFA) would be working together in a limited fashion. Briefly, Disney/ABC has given the AFA an unrestricted educational grant to help the organization further its infertility prevention program.
The AFA currently has an online Infertility Prevention Handbook, which the Disney/ABC grant will help the AFA promote to educate people around the country about risks, choices and other information related to infertility. Currently, the AFA tries to get its Infertility Prevention Handbook to as many individuals as possible as a main part of its mission.
Though the amount of the Disney/ABC grant has not been publicly disclosed, it has been described in press releases as “generous”.
Like the AFA, the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI), one of the Philadelphia area’s premiere fertility clinics, also maintains a site with a plethora of in-depth, up-to-date patient resources. We invite you to look through our many webpages to find out more about infertility and the options available to you.
Remember that reputable infertility information should always be gleaned from trustworthy sources. There’s a lot of misinformation on the Internet; that’s why it’s always critical to make your final decisions with the help of a fertility specialist.
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Tags: Abc Television, Abraham Munabi, Afa, Dr. Munabi, Educational Grant, Facebook, Fertility Clinics, fertility specialist, Final Decisions, Infertility, June 21, Misinformation On The Internet, Patient Resources, Philadelphia Area, Plethora, Prevention Handbook, Prevention Program, Reproductive Science Institute, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Television Group, Trustworthy Sources, Twitter
Posted in In the News, Infertility | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
The term “varicoceles” may not be a household word, but for men, having the condition can lead to male infertility, among other medical problems.
Simply put, varicoceles are enlarged veins located in the testicles. (Think of the term “varicose veins”, which has a similar sound to it as “varicoceles” due to the etymology of the words.) Those enlarged veins cause a noticeable, soft, lumpy mass. They also contribute to conception difficulties. And a recent release from top U.S. researchers suggests that varicoceles may even stifle testosterone production, leading to other issues like depression, higher risk of heart attack and more.
So how many males have this condition? Some researchers suggest the figure could be as high as 15%, though a large number of men have no idea that they are afflicted with the condition. The onset of varicoceles seems to be puberty, but may come at any time during a man’s life.
Typically, until intense discomfort or male infertility symptoms arise, varicoceles aren’t touched, though a cadre of surgeons is pushing for men to address their varicoceles with a varicocelectomy. (Interestingly, physicians are more concerned with the low levels of testosterone associated with varicoceles than with fertility issues.) Varicoceles can be addressed using microsurgical techniques which have been proven to be lower in risk than ever before and quite effective.
If you’re concerned that you or your partner could have varicoceles, it’s important to contact your primary doctor and/or a reputable fertility specialist like those at Philadelphia area’s RSI clinic.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, conception difficulties, Dr. Munabi, Etymology, Facebook, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Heart Attack, Household Word, Infertility, Male Infertility, Medical Problems, Philadelphia Area, Puberty, Reproductive Science Institute, Risk Of Heart Attack, Rsi, Similar Sound, Testicles, Twitter, Varicocelectomy, Varicoceles, Varicose Veins
Posted in Male Infertility | No Comments »
Monday, June 20th, 2011
Weight can have a significant affect on fertility rates, especially for women.* And a recent report which was unveiled and talked about at the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) meeting adds more credibility and increased understanding to and about the options available for obese women suffering from infertility.
During a nine-year study, women who were deemed clinically or morbidly obese and then lost weight due to bariatric surgery were closely followed. At the end of the study, all the women who were tracked (and who had a desire to become pregnant) were able to conceive after losing the excess weight. This held true even for those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), giving tremendous hope to the hundreds of thousands of females suffering from PCOS and weight-related fertility issues.
(The average age of the women in the study was 32. Therefore, it should be noted that obese females who are older than 32 may have more trouble conceiving even after bariatric surgery.)
However, in the end, it’s important to accept that if you are a woman with PCOS and/or are clinically obese (BMI of more than 25), connecting with a fertility specialist like those at RSI is essential. Remember that if you’re having trouble conceiving, the answers to increasing your fertility rates may lie in a host of solutions.
* Don’t forget that being underweight can be as problematic in terms of conception as being overweight.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Bariatric Surgery, Bmi, Conception, Credibility, Desire, Dr. Munabi, Excess Weight, Facebook, Fertility Issues, fertility rates, fertility specialist, Hundreds Of Thousands, Infertility, Obese Females, Obese Women, Ovary, Ovary Syndrome, Pcos, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Study Women, Twitter
Posted in Pcos | No Comments »
Friday, June 17th, 2011
No smoker will say, “Smoking cessation is easy!” However, most will admit that it’s a habit they wish they’d never adopted.
For individuals (especially females) who are trying to have a baby and are finding it difficult, smoking may actually be a significant part of their problems. That’s because tobacco can contribute to infertility; thus, fertility treatments may not work as they would normally be expected to.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, almost without fail, smoking has an adverse affect on a person’s fertility:
- In smokers, the prevalence of infertility is higher than in non-smokers.
- It takes smokers longer to conceive than it does for non-smokers.
- “Second hand” smoke exposure can be almost as bad for fertility treatment success as smoking itself.
- Smoking seems to increase loss of eggs and may even advance menopause.
- Smoking can make a woman’s eggs more prone to abnormalities.
- Smoking has been associated with spontaneous miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies.
- Smokers tend to undergone twice as many cycles of IVF (in vitro fertilization) as non-smokers.
If you’re serious about fertility treatments, it’s a great time (and reason) to stop smoking. There are plenty of smoking cessation programs available, and if you haven’t tried any lately, you may be pleasantly surprised by the abundance of options. Of course, you’ll want to address your smoking concerns and cessation desires with both your primary physician(s) and fertility specialist for maximum outcomes.
Good luck with your journey and stay strong along the way. Tobacco is an addictive drug, but it can be overcome.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Addictive Drug, American Society For Reproductive Medicine, Dr. Munabi, Facebook, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Infertility Treatments, IVF, Miscarriages, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Second Hand Smoke, Smoke Exposure, Smokers, Smoking Cessation, Smoking Cessation Programs, Smoking Concerns, Treatment Success, Trying To Have A Baby, Twitter, Vitro Fertilization
Posted in Fertility Info 101, Infertility | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
Infertility may be a medical condition, but it has far-reaching consequences, especially psychologically. Many women and men who have been diagnosed as permanently or temporarily infertile suffer from emotional experiences like depression (mild to severe), anger, guilt and more.
Though these types of responses to infertility are completely understandable – and expected –, they can also be difficult to accept and handle.
According to an article released by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, it’s important for all individuals and couples (when applicable) to stay in touch with their psychological states when going through fertility treatments. If any of the following warning signs appear, counseling should be pursued immediately:
- disinterest in activities that used to be enjoyable
- depression that’s beyond “the blues”
- problems with relationships (e.g., partner, family members, friends, colleagues)
- inability to finish responsibilities
- sleeping too much or too little
- trouble focusing
- weight changes
- use of drugs/alcohol to “numb” the pain
- suicidal thoughts
- alienation of oneself from family, friends, etc.
- constant feelings of bitterness, pessimism or worthlessness
Again, these are not uncommon response, especially when the journey to have a baby includes challenges. However, it’s critical that those undergoing treatments for infertility be open with their fertility specialists about their psychological/emotional states in order to be at their strongest during treatment.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Alienation, American Society For Reproductive Medicine, Disinterest, Dr. Munabi, Emotional Experiences, Emotional States, Facebook, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Little Trouble, Partner Family Members, Pessimism, Psychological Aspects, Psychological States, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Suicidal Thoughts, Twitter, Uncommon Response, Warning Signs, Weight Changes, Worthlessness
Posted in Fertility Info 101, Infertility | No Comments »
