Posts Tagged ‘Couples’
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
Women in your mid-to-late 30s… have you been experiencing any (or all) of the following symptoms?
- lowered sex drive
- unexplained weight gain (especially around your middle)
- hot flashes
- night sweats
- shorter- or longer-than-usual cycles between periods
- heavier-than-usual periods (sometimes including blood clots)
- more painful/uncomfortable periods than before infertility
If so, you may be surprised to learn that your body could be entering into perimenopause.
As the name suggests, perimenopause is the stage before full-blown menopause. Though it typically is seen in women who are approximately 40 years or older, it can absolutely affect those in their 30s. And because it is a result of changing hormone levels, fertility changes are to be expected during this phase of life.
Perimenopause can last anywhere from a few years to a decade, so it’s not an indication that menopause is “just around the corner”. With that being said, it can and does cause many couples to have issues when it comes to conception, so it’s important to get a diagnosis if you’re not getting pregnant within a few months of trying sans contraception.
If you feel that you might be entering into perimenopause, never fear. Go to a reproductive specialist and discuss your concerns. If you are perimenopausal, he or she can help you identify a variety of fertility treatments to give you the best chances of having a child naturally.
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Tags: Blood Clots, Conception, Contraception, Couples, Decade, Diagnosis, Fear, Fertility Treatments, Hormone Levels, Hot Flashes, Infertility, Menopause, Perimenopause, Periods, Reproductive Science Institute, Reproductive Specialist, Rsi, Sex Drive, Unexplained Weight Gain
Posted in Medical Conditions & Diseases | No Comments »
Thursday, February 3rd, 2011
Tomorrow, February 4th, is National Wear Red Day to raise awareness for heart disease. I know what you’re thinking, “this is a blog about fertility issues, why are we talking about heart disease?” The reason is because a recent large study found strong correlations showing that women who suffered recurrent pregnancy loss were at a very high risk for disease later on in life. Those women who had experienced a stillbirth or multiple miscarriages had increased risk of heart attack, with those experiencing three miscarriages or more raising their risk for heart attack nine times!
For many women in the study, traits such as being overweight, being less physically active and having diabetes were contributing factors. Additionally, women who smoked or consumed a high amount of alcohol were put at higher risk than otherwise healthy women who had also experienced recurrent pregnancy loss.
Keeping these things in mind, if you are a woman who has suffered multiple miscarriages or stillbirths or a combination of these types of pregnancy loss, please be mindful of your risk. Talk to your doctor and make sure that you are living a lifestyle that will prevent heart disease.
Furthermore, if you have suffered recurrent pregnancy loss and have not sought the help and advice of a fertility specialist, please contact us! We welcome every new client with open arms and we offer many options for couples who have suffered infertility. Please let us help you find the one that will be the best fit.
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Tags: Alcohol, Being Overweight, Best Fit, Correlations, Couples, Diabetes, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Risk, Infertility, Lifestyle, Miscarriage, Multiple Miscarriages, National Wear Red Day, Nine Times, recurrent pregnancy loss, Risk Of Heart Attack, Stillbirths, Those Women
Posted in Miscarriage | No Comments »
Friday, January 28th, 2011
Secondary infertility is a topic about which we at RSI are often asked. So we thought we’d put together a handy FAQ guide to help you understand this area of reproductive science.
1. What is secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility occurs when a woman or couple has been able to have one (or more) child naturally but finds herself/themselves unable to conceive again. Thus, they experience fertility issues a “second” time around.
2. Who is at risk for secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility can happen at any time, although the older the woman, the stronger the chances are that she will experience it. For instance, women over 35 who have had regular, unprotected sex for 6-12 months and have not gotten pregnant are usually considered to have problems with fertility.
3. Are there any psychological side effects to secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility can be extremely frustrating for couples; thus, it can take a toll on the marriage or relationship. Though all fertility issues can be troubling, parents of children who wish to have more can become particularly angry, disheartened or depressed when going through secondary infertility.
4. What are the causes of secondary infertility?
There are no specific causes to secondary infertility; truly, there can be a whole host of issues at stake. That’s why it’s important for the couple to go to a place like RSI to discover what’s really going on.
5. How many people have had secondary infertility?
Though there aren’t any exact ways to measure the couples who experience secondary infertility (as some do not reach out for assistance and are therefore untracked), it is estimated that at least one million couples in the United States are currently going through the condition.
If you would like to know more about secondary infertility for yourself, please schedule an appointment for a consultation with RSI.
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Tags: 12 Months, Appointment, Consultation, Couples, Disheartened, Fertility Issues, How Many People, Infertility, Marriage, One Million, Parents, Philadelphia Infertility, Psychological Side, Relationship Issues, Reproductive Science, Reproductive Science Institute, Risk, Rsi, Second Time, Secondary Infertility, Stake, United States, Unprotected Sex
Posted in Infertility | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
One of the first questions asked by many couples consulting with fertility specialists is: “How much will IVF treatment cost?”
It’s not surprising in the least; after all, IVF treatments are investments and are not an inexpensive proposition. However, there are definitely ways to prepare in terms of having money to pay for IVF treatments:
ü Saving – This is one of the tactics many couples use. They put aside a certain amount of money each month for a year or more and essentially “save up” for IVF treatments.
ü Second Jobs – One or more individuals may take on a second job. The money is then entirely set aside for fertility treatments.
ü Donations/Personal Loans – Some couples choose to ask friends and relatives for donations or loans to pay for IVF treatments. Often, those friends and relatives are happy to help.
ü Insurance – Occasionally, we hear of insurance companies being willing to pay for a portion (even if it’s a small portion) of fertility treatments. Call your carrier and find out if there’s a possibility of yours being open to such an arrangement.
ü Loans – Taking out a loan with a financial institution to pay for IVF treatment can be done. Just make sure you’re getting a good rate.
In the end, if you have a desire to undergo IVF treatments, there’s really little reason to allow the money aspect to completely hold you back. Is it a factor? Definitely. But it’s not one that needs to be seen as insurmountable.
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Tags: Amount Of Money, Couples, Desire, Donations, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatments, Financial Institution, Friends, Inexpensive Proposition, Insurance, Insurance Companies, Investments, IVF treatment, IVF treatments, Jobs, Money Aspect, Personal Loans, Relatives, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Second Job, Small Portion
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, January 7th, 2011
One of the common complaints of couples undergoing fertility treatments is that the sexual intercourse becomes dulled and perfunctory. But it doesn’t have to begin to feel like a chore or become too routine.
Here are several ways to keep your sex life enjoyable during fertility treatments:
- Be creative in the bedroom.
- Be as spontaneous as possible. Even if you have to make love at a certain time or day, try to keep the spark alive.
- Don’t stop doing romantic activities together.
- Talk to one another if you feel like the sex is becoming lackluster. Communication is a key to a happier sex life.
- Don’t argue about sex; it will make it difficult to have a good experience.
- Don’t have sex when you’re exhausted; it will feel like a responsibility.
- Try not to use the terms “we HAVE to have sex today”.
In the end, if you begin to focus more on the fertility treatments and less on honing your relationship, it may be time to discuss the situation with your fertility specialist.
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Tags: Add New Tag, Couples, Creative, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatments, Good Experience, Love, Relationship, Romantic Activities, Rsi, Several Ways, Sex Life, sexual intercourse
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
Unless you’ve struggled to have a child naturally, it can be tough to understand why couples don’t “automatically” realize they are having a fertility issue. The truth is, though, that many people simply don’t always recognize infertility.
Below, we’ve put together 5 common signs that you or your partner is having or is at risk of having fertility issues. Remember that these aren’t all-inclusive; you may have other symptoms and should always ask your physician if you have any concerns about your reproductive health
1. The Woman Doesn’t Menstruate
A lack of menstruation usually means little to no ovulation. Thus, there is no egg to be fertilized.
2. The Man Cannot Ejaculate
Though there has been some research indicating that pre-ejaculatory fluid may contain a small amount of semen, it’s unlikely that a woman will get pregnant if her partner cannot fully ejaculate.
3. No Conception within a Year of Trying
If partners have been having sex 2-3 times per week (especially during ovulation) and there has been no conception, there may be a fertility issue.
4. The Female Partner is Extremely Overweight or Underweight
Conception is made more difficult if one of the partners has a weight problem. Excessively overweight woman and excessively underweight women often have reproductive health issues as a result.
5. A History of STDs or Cancer
People who have had STDs or cancer are at higher risk for fertility issues.
Again, you should consult with your own doctor to learn more about the factors that may affect your ability to conceive on your own.
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Tags: Cancer, Couples, Egg, Ejaculate, Ejaculatory, Female Partner, Fertility Issue, Fertility Issues, Having Sex, History Of Stds, History People, Infertility, Ovulation, Pre Ejaculatory Fluid, reproductive health issues, Risk, Rsi, Semen, Signs, Truth, Underweight Women
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
The new year is almost upon us and we at The Reproductive Science Institute want to thank everyone who has allowed us to be a part of their fertility journey in 2010.
With that being said, we’re always open to working with new individuals and couples as they explore fertility treatments such as IVF, IUI and surrogacy. After all, if you want to take this route to having a baby, it’s important to find a fertility specialist you can trust.
Please contact RSI today if you’re interested in learning more about our assisted reproductive techniques. We’d be happy to provide you with a free consultation so you have a better idea of your fertility treatment options.
Happy holidays!
Tags: Assisted Reproductive Techniques, Couples, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Free Consultation, Happy Holidays, Having A Baby, IUI, IVF, Journey, New Year, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, surrogacy, Treatment Options
Posted in Fertility Treatments | No Comments »
Thursday, December 9th, 2010
Secondary infertility isn’t something that most people used to talk about; after all, if you’ve been able to conceive once, shouldn’t you be able to do so again? The answer, of course, is “no”. Fortunately, the media is finally shedding light on this subject that causes so many couples pain and confusion.
Foremost, it’s important to understand that there can be a number of reasons for secondary infertility, such as:
1) If a woman who has conceived in the past is now trying to conceive with a different partner, he may have undiagnosed fertility issues.
2) If a woman conceived several years ago, she may now be at a point in her life when it’s difficult for her body to have a baby naturally.
3) If a man or woman has experienced health issues (e.g., cancer treatments, serious weight loss/gain), he or she may have compromised fertility.
So what can be done about secondary infertility?
First, it’s important to acknowledge it. If conception hasn’t occurred in 6-12 months of trying, going to a fertility specialist could be the best possible move.
Secondly, it’s critical to understand that it’s not anyone’s “fault”. It simply is a medical fact that you’re having trouble conceiving.
Finally, it’s not a sign that you’ll never have children. In fact, here at RSI we’ve been able to help couples dealing with secondary infertility have more babies.
Tags: 12 Months, Array, Babies, Cancer Treatments, Confusion, Couples, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Health Issues, Infertility, Medical Fact, People, Rsi, Secondary Infertility, Trying To Conceive, Weight Loss
Posted in secondary fertility | No Comments »
Thursday, November 18th, 2010
Many women have been taught to believe that as long as they menstruate, they should be able to become pregnant. But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth, as fertility and menstruation do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.
What’s the problem? Well, there could be several that would affect fertility, such as:
- Irregular Periods. This can be caused by any number of issues, including not ovulating on a regular cycle. No or infrequent ovulation makes getting pregnant incredibly difficult, especially if couples are trying to “time” the conception.
- Periods That Aren’t Periods. Sometimes, what looks like a period really isn’t one at all and could actually be “spotting”. And frequent spotting should always be investigated by an OB/GYN to ensure that there isn’t a serious problem.
- Ovulation at Unusual Times. For some women, ovulation doesn’t take place when it’s “supposed” to (e.g., midway through a menstrual cycle.) This makes it tough to predict the most fertile time of the month for a female.
If you have been having difficulty getting pregnant, it’s time to see a fertility specialist. Even if you’re getting a period, it’s not an indicator that you “should” be able to get pregnant without any concerns.
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Tags: Couples, Fertile Time Of The Month, fertility specialist, Irregular Periods, Menstrual Cycle, Menstruation, Midway, Miracles, Ob Gyn, Ovulation, Time Of The Month, Truth
Posted in female infertility, Menstruation | No Comments »
Friday, November 5th, 2010
The rich and famous aren’t any less likely to need fertility treatments than everyday individuals and couples. That’s one of the reasons that it comes as no surprise to learn that Rod Stewart and his wife spent over two years investing in IVF treatments to conceive.
In August, the couple (Stewart is married to Penny Lancaster) announced that they were pregnant; however, what the world didn’t realize is that it took so long for them to have a child together.
Stewart, 65, and Lancaster, 39, have begun to discuss their IVF treatmentjourney publicly, including the struggles they experienced in their relationship while trying to have a baby. As Stewart has said, it was an “emotional rollercoaster” ride the couple endured as they waited.
Stewart and Lancaster went through three rounds of IVF treatments before hearing the good news. Though that sounds like many, various sources indicate that the average number of IVF treatment cycles needed before conception hovers closer to four.
As with all couples who have taken the fertility walk together, we wish Stewart and Lancaster all the happiness in the world.
* * *
If you or someone you care about is interested in learning more about IVF treatments, please contact RSI. Our team is more than happy to help you as you investigate the best fertility treatment course(s) for your situation.
Tags: Couples, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Happiness, Investing, IVF treatment, IVF treatments, Journey, Miracles, Penny Lancaster, Relationship, Rod Stewart, Rollercoaster Ride, Rsi, Surprise, Treatment Cycles, Trying To Have A Baby
Posted in Hollywood and Stars | No Comments »
