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Posts Tagged ‘Chlamydia’

Know the Facts about Male Infertility

Monday, October 31st, 2011

As we’ve noted here before, up to a third of all cases of infertility between couples can be attributed to male infertility factors. But how much do you really know about this condition?

To help you understand male infertility a little better, we’ve amassed a series of statistics and facts:

• In the United States, around 6 percent of men aged teen to midlife have fertility difficulties. Outside of the United States, especially in developing countries, that figure can be significantly higher.

• Up to 71 percent of males who are diagnosed as infertile have infections, many of which are caused by untreated sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia.

• Up to 90 percent of male infertility causes can be traced back to low sperm count. (Again, that low sperm count can be the result of many different issues, including an undiagnosed STD.)

• One in 25 males has a low sperm count. (This may or may not lead to male infertility, as the determining factor is whether or not the sperm are healthy and viable.)

• Blood tests and semen analysis are the most popular ways to determine the cause of male infertility.

• Some sources suggest that male infertility may be more prevalent than female infertility, although this hypothesis is heavily debated in the fertility specialist community.

If you’re interested in learning more about male infertility and you’re in the Philadelphia or Wyomissing, PA areas, please contact the Reproductive Science Institute today for an appointment. We’d be happy to discuss and evaluate your unique situation.

 

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Fertility Question – Is 35 the “Magic” Number?

Friday, September 9th, 2011

For women who want to have a child, the number “35” seems to be almost magical. After all, it’s the age that people anecdotally agree upon as the point where a woman’s fertility begins to decrease. Yet that’s really not the “whole story”.

While female fertility does tend to wane faster after 35, there are many women who have trouble conceiving in their late 20s and early 30s. So for a woman, waiting until the “magic number” may not be the best idea.

Why are some women infertile before 35? There are a whole host of reasons, including:

  • A pre-existing condition of the reproductive system, such as PCOS or endometriosis.
  • A bout of cancer as a child, teen or young adult.
  • An undiagnosed or diagnosed sexually transmitted disease (STD) like chlamydia.
  • A problem with regular ovulation.
  • The medications the woman is taking.

This is why most fertility specialists, like those at the Philadelphia area’s Reproductive Science Institute (RSI), recommend that women of any childbearing age not adopt a “wait for years” mentality. Typically, women should be able to become pregnant within six months of trying (e.g., having regular sex without protection.)

Whether you’re in your late 20s or your late 30s, you need to be aware of the facts. Will your fertility lessen as you age? Absolutely. But the numbers indicate that up to 7% of females are infertile by the time they reach their 30th birthdays. That’s why it’s critical to get assistance and medical advice sooner rather than later.

 

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Could You Have an STD?

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Sexually transmitted diseases may not be discussed much among adults, but they’ve slowly crept into medical charts of the over 25-year-old population. Though gonorrhea diagnoses have lowered over the past several years, cases of chlamydia are on the rise. And that’s a cause for alarm among women and men who want to have children.

STDs like chlamydia have been known to cause infertility in both males and females. Whether complete or partial infertility, they are “hidden” causes. That’s because, surprisingly, many STDs have no (or very few) warning signs or symptoms.

So what can you do to protect yourself? There are several options:

  1. Don’t have sex with any partners who have not been screened for STDs.
  2. Always wear protection during any sexual intercourse and either abstain from oral sex or use protection during those acts as well.
  3. If you have had unprotected sex, get tested.

While it’s understandable that you may feel embarrassed to talk about STDs with your primary physician or fertility specialist, it’s necessary to remove the possibility that your infertility may be exacerbated by an undiagnosed condition such as chlamydia.

And be assured that reputable fertility clinics, like the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) on the outskirts of Philadelphia, are staffed with trained professionals who pass no judgment and only want to help you achieve your health goals.

 

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Can Infidelity Affect Infertility?

Friday, May 20th, 2011

According to a variety of rather shocking statistics, a good many married Americans are engaged in infidelity.  But could their cheating be driving infertility?  Perhaps, especially if they are engaging in unprotected sex with one or more partners.

More so than the emotional and psychological outcomes of infidelity, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) could severely affect a man or woman’s ability to have children naturally.  Unfortunately, STDs aren’t easily spotted.

Many STDs, including Chlamydia and gonorrhea, are running rampant in the United States.  Yet it’s not uncommon for them to have zero warning signs.  This means an affair that took place years ago could have a lasting affect on both individuals’ fertility rates well into the future.

If you are one of the up to half of all married persons who has engaged in infidelity and is now trying (unsuccessfully) to have a child with your partner, it’s important to get tested for an STD.  Many STDs can be cured (or at least controlled), but only if they’re diagnosed… and the earlier, the better.

Contact a fertility clinic like RSI to schedule an appointment and find out if you may be an STD carrier.  Beyond infertility consequences, it’s important for you to know for the sake of your health.

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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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Sweden Launches Chlamydia Monday in Effort to Raise Awareness

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

As we’ve written about before at our blog, chlamydia can be one of the contributors to infertility or fertility issues.  A very common STD with nasty long-term side effects, chlamydia is difficult to pinpoint unless men or women get tested.

This is why the Swedish have announced “Chlamydia Mondays”, a new PR program that’s a bit “out there” (it features outlandish cartoons to get the point across) but which the government hopes will resonate with the 4-per-hour-adults who are contracting chlamydia in the country.

So how do you know if you have chlamydia?  Many people have no clue they’re carrying the disease, as it masks itself well.  So if you’ve been having trouble getting pregnant and your physician has ruled out other possibilities but hasn’t tested you or your partner for chlamydia, it’s worth a look.

If nothing else, you’ll know if you are putting your partner at risk and you’ll also be able to get healthier.

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