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Posts Tagged ‘Centers For Disease Control’

Understanding how ART can help you create your masterpiece

Monday, November 28th, 2011

If you’re new to the world of fertility treatments or are just beginning your research into it, chances are you’re being inundated with acronyms, some of which you may not know. Here’s a big one that you’ll see often — ART. Assisted Reproductive Technology is nothing like the art you did in grade school, but it is an art form in its own right, one where science and technology work together to create a masterpiece — human life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ART refers to fertility treatments that involve the handling of both eggs and sperm. This can include procedures in which eggs are surgically removed from a woman’s ovaries, combined with sperm in the laboratory, and returned to the woman’s body (in-vitro fertilization) or donated to another woman. ART does not include treatments in which only sperm are handled, such as intrauterine insemination or artificial insemination, or procedures in which a woman takes medicine only to stimulate egg production.

Since 1981, ART has been used in the United States to assist women in their quests to become pregnant. According to the CDC, today more than 1 percent of all infants born in the U.S. were conceived using ART. Are you interested in ART helping to create your own masterpiece? Contact us for an appointment to discuss your options.

 

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Research shows recurring PID flare-ups can still affect a woman’s fertility

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center have been studying the long-term consequences of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and have found that repeated bouts of the disease can double a woman’s risk of infertility.

PID is a complication of sexually transmitted infections and is marked by the inflammation of the reproductive organs. It can cause chronic pelvic pain and ectopic pregnancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PID affects more than 800,000 women in the U.S. each year, and one in 10 of those women develops infertility.

The new research conducted by those at Johns Hopkins explored whether long-term effects of PID had changed in recent years along with changes in PID-causing pathogens and new treatments. The research showed, however, that long-term effects of PID are still serious when it comes to a woman’s fertility. In the study, women with recurrent PID were nearly twice as likely to report infertility as women who never had another PID flare-up after initial PID treatment.

If you’ve had recurrent PID episodes, there might be damage to your reproductive organs that is getting in the way of you conceiving a child. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your unique health situation and your fertility treatment options.

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Knowing the Facts about Infertility Is Critical

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

If you’re interested in learning more about infertility, it’s important to first have a good amount of knowledge about the topic area.

Below, we’ve put together eight basic facts on fertility to help you get started. If you want to learn more, contact the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) today to set up a consultation. And please understand that your case is unique to your situation. That’s why it’s so important to get advice from a reputable, experienced fertility specialist who can help you make decisions as to your reproductive concerns.

8 Basic Fertility Facts:

  1. Two-thirds of couples or individuals treated for infertility go on to have healthy pregnancies and children.
  2. One-third of women over 35 will experience some kind of fertility issue.
  3. In 2010, over 7 million American men and women sought help for their infertility issues.
  4. Ovarian cysts are the most common cause of infertility in females in the United States.
  5. Infertility statistics for 2011 have risen from those for 2010. This may be because of many factors, including couples marrying later in life and/or the willingness to seek out fertility treatments as opposed to adopting or simply not having children.
  6. 11.8 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 have impaired fecundity.
  7. 7.4 percent of married women can be clinically classified as infertile.
  8. In America, there are almost 2 million reported pregnancy losses each year. (This is compared with over 4 million live births.)

Sources: National Women’s Health Information Center, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

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Fertility Myth #1 – Pregnancy Should Be Easy

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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25 Contributors to Male and Female Infertility, part 3

Friday, March 25th, 2011

Ever wonder what causes or contributes to a woman or man’s infertility?   Our 3-part series takes a brief look at 25 factors that can result in infertility for males and females.

  • 16.  Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – According to the Centers for Disease Control, PID is an “infection of the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus) and other reproductive organs that causes symptoms such as lower abdominal pain”.  PID is a symptom of an STD and is often a cause of ectopic pregnancies.
  • 17.  Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – PCOS is a common hormonal disorder affecting women.  A female with PCOS typically has enlarged ovaries that contain many cysts.  Infertility and PCOS often go hand-in-hand.
  • 18.  Scarred Ovaries – If a female’s ovaries have become scarred due to surgeries, infections or other problems/conditions, the ovaries may not function properly.
  • 19.  STDs – Many STDs (like Chlamydia) essentially “steal” fertility.  However, a good amount of adults do not realize they carry STDs.  This is one of the reasons reproductive health physicians will frequently test both partners for STDs at the beginning of their fertility journey.
  • 20.  Stress – Though stress might not last forever, it can be a contributor to infertility.  Because the body often “shuts down” unneeded systems during stress, males and females can find themselves unable to have children when going through times of great, prolonged anxiety.
  • 21.  Thyroid Problems – The thyroid gland helps regulate hormones; consequently, an undiagnosed thyroid problem can be to blame for infertility in women.
  • 22.  Toxins and Poisons – It’s long been known that there are several toxins and poisons that create conditions for infertility.  Some items to watch out for include lead, mercury and certain plastics/polymers.
  • 23.  Treatments for Cancer – Radiation and chemotherapy can leave men and women infertile.  That’s why some females (even those who do not desire to have a child in the near future) choose to have their eggs removed and cryo-preserved in the hopes that they can be fertilized later.
  • 24.  Uterine Fibroids – Fibroids are small “lumps” that develop inside the uterus.  Though benign, they can make the uterine environment a place where conception cannot easily take place without intervention.
  • 25.  Vaginal Lubricants – Certain vaginal lubricants may contain spermicides or ingredients that can contribute to infertility.

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Fertility by the Numbers

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

Looking for some fertility statistics as you begin or continue your journey through the maze of information out there about the topic of reproduction?  You’re in luck!

 

We’ve gathered together a number of them to help you as you research fertility treatments and look for answers.

 

In the United States:

 

-          7.3 million women (ages 15-44) have fertility issues; this represents 11.8% percent of the female population.

-          Consistent miscarriages may be a sign of infertility in women.

-          2.1 million married women (ages 15-44) have been able to become pregnant for 12 consecutive months of trying; this represents 7.4% of married women.

-          The majority of women and men’s fertility issues are treatable.

-          Two-thirds of couples who are treated for infertility are able to conceive.

-          Prescription medicines and surgical procedures are the two most common ways that American couples use to combat their infertility situation.

-          One-third of all fertility cases stem from issues with the female; one-third from issues with the male; and one-third from unknown causes.

-          Embryos can be frozen for over a decade while still remaining viable.

-          Ovulation rates lower significantly each year after a woman turns 35.

 

(Information sources:  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. National Library of Health)

 

 

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Facts and Figures — U.S. Infertility Stats

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

The online version of the Chicago Tribune released a very interesting article yesterday on infertility “by the numbers”. 

Some of the more interesting facts (as culled from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Center for Health Statistics) noted were that:

- Approximately 12% of American women of child-bearing age had used an infertility service as of 2006.

- The average age of American women who gave birth for the first time was 25.2 in 2003 and 25.0 in 2006.  For contrast, the average age in 1960 was 21.5.

We encourage you to read the whole story here.

Infertility – By the Numbers

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

childs-purple-shoeDuring the past twenty years, the subject of infertility has absolutely become less taboo in American culture, yet it’s still one that’s fraught with misunderstandings and misinformation.

As a launching-point for the RSI Infertility blog, we’ve accumulated some of the most up-to-date information on infertility available, including some facts and figures that may surprise you.

  • 7.3 million women between the ages of 15 and 44  have impaired fecundity.  This translates to 11.8% of that population who will likely experience infertility issues.
  • A female’s chances of conceiving and carrying a baby drop every year after she turns 30.
  • About 10-15% of couples are considered infertile.
  • In about 50% of the cases of couples with infertility, male infertility plays a significant role.
  • Approximately 67% of all couples who are treated for infertility are able to have children.

Sources:  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Women’s Health Information Center, MayoClinic.com

  • For more information on infertility or to set up a consultation with one of our staff experts, visit the RSI website today.
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