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Posts Tagged ‘Clomid’

Is Irregular Ovulation the Culprit behind Your Infertility?

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Many times, women who have trouble conceiving immediately assume the worst; but often, something as simple as getting them ovulating regularly can solve their fertility issues.

Ovulation occurs when the ovum is released from one of the ovaries. Typically, this happens mid-cycle; however, there are some women for whom it happens infrequently or at a different time of the month. Thus, they try to have a child, but at the inappropriate moment.

Making it even tougher to diagnose this as the heart of your fertility issues, the signs of ovulation may or may not be present. Commonly, those include any or all of the following symptoms:

  • Change in vaginal fluids making them take on an “egg white”, stringy appearance. (This should not be confused with a yeast infection or STD, which can cause thick, foul-smelling discharge.)
  • Change in basal body temperature. This is the temperature of your body, typically taken by women in the morning before they get out of bed. Those females who use the “rhythm method” of birth control often keep a chart of their basal body temperatures so they recognize when they need to abstain from sexual intercourse.
  • Light spotting or cramping. As a woman’s hormones shift, she may experience bleeding or muscle contractions. Bloating and breast tenderness can also accompany ovulation.

So what happens if you can’t be certain you’re ovulating? First, it’s a good idea to go to a fertility specialist or your gynecologist. He or she will help you figure out if you’re ovulating regularly.

Next, if you discover that you are not ovulating, a fertility specialist can prescribe medications to help your body “reset” itself. Drugs such as Clomid are used for this purpose and have had excellent results for females with fertility issues across the world.

Finally, if testing uncovers that you do not ovulate at all and you are unresponsive to medications like Clomid, other fertility options will be presented for your consideration.

If you’d like to discuss this topic further and you live in or within driving distance of Wyomissing or Chesterbrook, we invite you to make an appointment with the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI).

 

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Eating Disorders and Fertility Treatments

Friday, August 5th, 2011

As if women needed another reason to deal with eating disorders, a new British research study has concluded that females with eating disordered pasts tend to have trouble getting pregnant quickly… or at all. Thus, many women who had anorexia and/or bulimia may find themselves turning to fertility treatments later in life.

During the study, UK scientists tracked over 11,000 mothers and discovered that those who had experienced eating disorders lagged behind in conceiving by about six months. Mathematically, this led many to seek fertility treatments.

So what does this mean for you if you have a history of anorexia or bulimia and you want to have children now or in the future?

1. Get your eating disorder under control before attempting to conceive. This is healthy for you, your relationship with your partner and your future child(ren).

2. Seek fertility treatments sooner rather than later if you’re having trouble getting pregnant. And don’t assume “the worst”. Sometimes, a round of a drug like Clomid (which helps to regulate ovulation) can be all that’s needed to get your body on track.

3. Connect with a counselor when you do become pregnant, as the weight gain associated with pregnancy can be a trigger for someone with an eating disordered past.

Fortunately, former anorexics and bulimics have many choices when it comes to having kids of their own. Visit a fertility specialist such as the Philadelphia region’s Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) for more information on your options.

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The Big Fertility Treatment Myth

Monday, April 25th, 2011

“You’re getting fertility treatments?  Oh my gosh!  Are you ready to have triplets… or more?!?  How on earth will you deal with that???”

It’s one of those innocent statements that often rolls off the tongues of friends and loved ones, but it’s only indicative of one fact – that the media has done a poor job of educating the public on what fertility treatments really entail.

First and foremost, it’s important to realize that just because you’re going to a fertility specialist does not necessarily mean you’ll have multiples.  In fact, a very small percentage of people who go to reputable clinics like the Philadelphia area’s RSI for assisted reproductive techniques (ART) eventually have twins, triplets or more.

Secondly, not all fertility treatments have any (or much) bearing on multiple births.  Sure, IVF is spoken about repeatedly on the Internet, television and radio.  And IVF’s multiples rate is higher than for “normal” pregnancies (often said to be about 10x the normal rate.)  But it isn’t the only fertility treatment on the market.  Other fertility treatments, such as taking Clomid or similar drugs to essentially “jumpstart” ovulation, have a much lower rate of multiples (as low as 5% depending upon which medical journal/study you cite.)

In the end, it’s important to educate yourself (and your partner) and not make assumptions.  You’ll no doubt hear the “multiples” comments several times over the course of your fertility treatment journey, but take heart in knowing that just because you consider ART, you aren’t guaranteeing you’ll need two or more cribs!

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Don’t Buy into the Myths about Fertility, part I

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Despite the fact that excellent fertility information is available online and in research papers, plenty of people are still buying into fertility myths and misconceptions. 

That’s why we’ve decided to provide a little fertility information of our own in order to help you understand the topic area better.

 Myth #1:  Just Relax and You’ll Get Pregnant

 One piece of fertility information that drives reproductive health specialists crazy is the notion that relaxation alone will guarantee pregnancy.  In fact, this “home remedy advice” is touted left and right.

It would be great if this were true… but it’s simply not.  The majority of cases of infertility have their roots in medical problems/issues.  So while it IS a terrific idea to adopt a relaxed attitude when possible, it’s also necessary to contact a fertility specialist if you and your partner are struggling to conceive naturally.

 Myth #2:  Fertility Treatments are Always Going to Cost a Bundle

Until you know what kind of fertility treatment is right for you, there’s honestly no way to know exactly how much you’ll pay. 

Do some individuals and couples end up paying more than others?  Of course.  But every situation is highly unique; yours may be one that requires a small investment in a drug like Clomid or a higher investment in a procedure such as IVF or IUI.  But to assume that you “can’t afford” fertility treatments until you know the facts isn’t a smart way to approach your reproductive health.

In an upcoming post we’ll tackle fertility information myths three through five… see you then!

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Just How Important Is Cervical Mucus?

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

While reading up on fertility issues, causes of infertility and female infertility, you may have come across the topic of hostile cervical mucus or you may have even been told by a doctor that you have hostile cervical mucus yourself. But what does that mean and how does it play a role in infertility?

 

Cervical mucus is crucial in guiding sperm into the uterus where it will meet the egg for fertilization. It protects sperm from the typically acidic environment of the vagina, as well as being able to determine and slow sperm that are abnormal and keep them from reaching the egg. If cervical mucus not the right consistency or completely lacking then any sperm entering the vagina will not have the right environment to help it get to the uterus and reaching its ultimate destination of fertilizing an egg. It’s normal for cervical mucus to change in consistency throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle, but in a typical cycle the cervical mucus will reach an ideal state around the middle of the cycle, when ovulation occurs.  Cervical mucus can be considered hostile due to: ineffective or low levels of estrogen, presence of anti-sperm antibodies, thick and sticky consistency and in some cases it has occurred in women who are taking Clomid.

 

The positive in all of this is that hostile cervical mucus is a condition that can fairly easily be corrected by your fertility doctor. Set up a consultation today!

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Helena Bonham Carter’s Fertility Journey

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

In an interview with People magazine, starlet Helena Bonham Carter spoke candidly about her journey to become a second-time mother.

Bonham Carter, who is over 40, began taking Clomid as part of a fertility treatment, but did not respond favorably to the medication.  From there, she tried alternative medicine, but still had no success.

After beginning to investigate IVF, Bonham Carter became pregnant naturally.  However, she’s been quick to note that she would have turned to at least one round of IVF had she not received the good news.

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  • Weight Can Be a Significant Factor in Fertility Treatments

    Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

    If you’re a woman who is either seriously overweight OR underweight, you may want to get your diet in check before moving forward with fertility treatments.

    Weight plays a definite factor in how well a woman’s body will respond to all types of fertility treatments, from Clomid to IVF.  So it’s important to prepare if you predict that fertility treatments will be in your future.

    How can you make sure your weight is in line?  BMI is often used by physicians as a measure of how appropriate your weight is based on your height.  While it’s not always perfect (if you have a lot of muscle mass or are unusually short or tall, the results can be skewed), it’s a good starting point.

    Another measure can be just how you look and feel.  Most people in the obese and underweight categories are aware that their bodies are out of proportion from where they should be.  In this case, a diet and exercise regimen may be warranted.

    As with all lifestyle change programs, it’s a good idea to talk with your family doctor first.  Explain to him or her that you’re going to be considering fertility treatments and that you want your weight to be in your favor, not against you.  Then, you can proceed as he or she suggests.

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  • Picking the Right Fertility Treatment for You

    Friday, May 7th, 2010

    Every individual or couple’s fertility journey is unique.  Some eventually turn to surrogacy; others are able to naturally conceive after one round of Clomid.  That’s why it’s important to remember that there’s no upshot to comparing yourself to someone else.

    Many people become convinced that they know what will “work” for them before they ever even step foot in a fertility specialist’s office.  They’ve done their research (which is great!), they’ve talked to plenty of folks, and they’re sure they know the best route to take.

    But without a careful and comprehensive analysis (both physical and emotional) of their individual conditions, no fertility treatment can be pinpointed as “the one”. 

    In the end, it’s best to do your homework and investigate different types of fertility treatments.  That way, you can come to your appointments with knowledge.  Yet it’s equally as critical to have an open mind.  Depending upon what your physician tells you, your ideal fertility treatment may not be what you originally expected. 

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  • Could Hostile Cervical Mucus Be Causing Your Infertility?

    Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

    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.

    Warning ~ Do Not Self-Medicate for Infertility

    Monday, August 3rd, 2009

    warningWarning! 

    There has been a noticeable increase in the number of advertisements trying to encourage individuals suffering from infertility to purchase medicines online ”without a prescription.”  One of the biggies that’s mentioned again and again seems to be Clomid, but other drugs are named, too.

    Please, please, please do not self-medicate for infertility concerns.  Though it might be tempting to order “top of the line medicines” (and who’s to tell whether they really are or not?) without first obtaining a doctor’s assessment, it’s very dangerous.

    Exercise good judgment and avoid treating your infertility at home or through drugs you order via the Internet.  Sure, they might sound legit, but there’s no telling what they contain.  Additionally, they might be the wrong dose or script for your personal situation.

    As with any other medical issue, head to a physician rather than take the word of an advertisement or spam email.  Don’t take a detour that could cost you time, money and, quite possibly, your health.