Posts Tagged ‘female 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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Tags: Appointment, Blood Tests, Chlamydia, Couples, Developing Countries, Diseases, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, female infertility, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Hypothesis, Infertility, Infertility Causes, Low Sperm Count, Male Infertility, Pa Areas, PA Infertility, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Statistics, United States, Wyomissing, Wyomissing Pa
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Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
If you’ve been having difficulty becoming pregnant naturally and you’ve never been tested for endometriosis, it may be time.
Endometriosis is a common cause of female infertility, but it’s often undiagnosed. That’s because endometriosis symptoms mimic PMS and other female-related conditions that do not affect fertility.
Some of the symptoms associated with endometriosis include:
- Pelvic pain, especially right before and during menstruation.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
- Pain during yearly pelvic examinations.
- Pain during bowel movements.
Obviously, the type and intensity of pain experienced by women varies. For some, it’s nagging; for others, it’s excruciating. And because endometriosis is so undiagnosed, numerous individuals who have female infertility issues don’t ever realize the true cause of their fertility problems.
That’s one of the reasons it’s so critical to choose a reproductive health specialist, like those at Philadelphia and Reading Pennsylvania area’s Reproductive Science Institute (RSI), to examine your particular case. If it is determined through testing that you have endometriosis, your fertility specialist may recommend assisted reproductive techniques (ART) such as IVF and IUI to help you get pregnant.
Remember – the first step is diagnosis. From there, treatment can begin.
Endometriosis Statistics:
- Over 5.5 million American women are estimated to have endometriosis.
- About 30-40% of females with endometriosis suffer from infertility.
- Endometriosis is one of the top three causes of infertility in America.
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Tags: Bowel Movements, Causes Of Infertility, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Endometriosis, Endometriosis Symptoms, female infertility, Fertility Problems, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Health Specialist, Infertility Issues, Intercourse Pain, IUI, Menstruation Pain, Pain During Sexual Intercourse, Pelvic Examinations, Pelvic Pain, Pennsylvania Area, Reading PA Infertility, Reading Pennsylvania, Reproductive Science Institute, True Cause
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Monday, October 3rd, 2011
For many women, irregular (or non-existent) ovulation is a contributing factor to their female infertility. But it’s interesting to note that not all ladies understand how the ovulation process works.
To help better understand this potential cause of female infertility, we’ve put together a quick timeline to help you become better informed on ovulation and its relationship to fertility issues.
What Is Ovulation? During ovulation, an egg (ovum) is released from one of a woman’s two ovaries. The egg is typically referred to as “mature”, meaning it’s ideally ready for fertilization.
The egg travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus, the lining of which has thickened enough to allow a fertilized egg to implant. If the egg becomes fertilized and implants, pregnancy results. If the egg is not fertilized, a menstrual period begins.
When Does Ovulation Occur? Ovulation generally occurs 12-16 days after the start of a woman’s last period. Thus, if a woman’s period began October 5, she would likely ovulate sometime between October 17 and 21.
During this window (and for a few days after), a woman is considered most fertile. This means if she has unprotected intercourse, she has the best chance of becoming pregnant for that menstrual cycle.
How Do You Know if Your Ovulation Is “Off”? Ironically, many women do not ovulate or ovulate infrequently and never realize it. Though they may skip periods or have a longer-than-average cycle between the times they menstruate, they may not associate their difficulties with ovulation.
Tests to determine if you’re ovulating can be performed by a fertility specialist, which will enable you to decide how to best proceed with fertility treatments.
What Are My Fertility Treatment Options? If it’s discovered that you are not ovulating at all or are ovulating at irregular rates, medication can be given to either start ovulation or regulate it. Other fertility treatments like IVF and IUI can be used if your body is unresponsive to the medications or you have serious side effects.
Where Can I Get More Information? If you’d like further info on female infertility and you are within traveling distance to Philadelphia or Reading, Pennsylvania , please consider contacting the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) for an appointment to discuss your options.
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Tags: Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Egg, Fallopian Tube, female infertility, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Fertilization, Implants, Infertility, Last Period, Medication, Menstrual Cycle, Menstrual Period, Ovulation Tests, ovum, Philadelphia Infertility, Reading PA Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Timeline, Treatment Options, Unprotected Intercourse, Uterus, Wyomissing PA Infertility
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Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
There has been a great deal of press recently over the realization and acceptance of cancer treatments during early childhood and adulthood as a contributor to female infertility. As a consequence, girls and women who choose to undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatments are often counseled as to their options regarding their future fertility.
But what about the men and boys with cancer?
Not surprisingly, male infertility can be exacerbated or caused by cancer treatments, especially if they’ve been given drugs such as melphalan, ifosfamide, cyclophosphamide and/or procarbazine. (Those medications have high alkaline levels.) And if they’ve needed to undergo surgery or targeted radiation to their reproductive organs as a result of cancer, they may be left without healthy sperm. Sometimes, male infertility can even come about from treatments to other areas of the body, such as the abdomen or brain.
So what are men with cancer who wish to have children later in life to do?
First, it’s important to tackle the cancer as a primary concern. Though male infertility may be a consideration, it is not the most pressing one. The cancer needs to be handled foremost. However, it’s definitely recommended that all men (or parents of boys) discuss how their treatments could have lasting effects on their fertility.
Next, if a man who has had cancer (even if it was as a young child) is having difficulty conceiving with his partner, it’s critical that he be upfront about his medical history with their fertility specialist. That way, the specialist can initiate tests to determine if the infertility is related to previous cancer treatments.
Finally, it’s not the end of the world. Many fertility specialists have found success with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a process that requires only one sperm for fertilization. There are other options as well, including the use of viable sperm donors.
If you’d like to learn more about male infertility matters as they relate to cancer and other conditions and you are within traveling distance of Wyomissing or Chesterbrook, we invite you to set up a consultation with The Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, P.C. (RSI) today.
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Tags: Abdomen, Adulthood, Cancer Treatments, Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy Treatments, Cyclophosphamide, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, female infertility, fertility specialist, Fertility Specialists, Fertilization, Healthy Sperm, Infertility, Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Medical History, Melphalan, Philadelphia PA Infertility, Procarbazine, Reproductive Organs, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Sperm Donors, Sperm Injection, Wyomissing PA Infertility
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Wednesday, August 24th, 2011
It’s no secret that male infertility is taking as much prominence as is female infertility in the scientific race to find solutions for fertility problems in couples.
At the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI), conveniently located outside Philadelphia, we strive to stay on top of the latest developments to help those with male infertility conditions. Recently, there’s been a lot of press from an Asian study about the possibility of creating viable “test tube” sperm in a laboratory setting.
Fertility researchers in Japan used mice for their trials and were able to replicate sperm artificially within a ten-week period using stem cells from the mice. The sperm, once verified as viable, were implanted into mice testes, later removed, and then used to fertilize ova.
Mouse babies created from this sperm were not only conceived, but were born healthy. Those babies eventually grew to adulthood and reproduced as well, suggesting that the artificial sperm had no negative repercussions on the fertility of those babies who were conceived from them.
The breakthrough is a fascinating peek into the opportunities that fertility specialists have when it comes to combating male infertility. However, it’s important to note that while this research has caused some small earthquakes, it hasn’t produced any tsunamis in terms of watershed fertility treatment methodologies.
As this story develops, RSI will, of course, keep you in the loop. Until then, if you or your partner are/is suffering from male infertility symptoms, we urge you to contact us for an initial consultation.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Adulthood, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Earthquakes, female infertility, Fertility Problems, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatment, Infertility, Infertility News, Initial Consultation, Male Infertility, Methodologies, Mice, Negative Repercussions, pa fertility clinic, PA Infertility, Peek, Prominence, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute, Rhonda Hearns, Stem Cells, Test Tube, Tsunamis, Watershed, Wyomissing
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Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
For many men, taking the first trip to a fertility specialist can seem embarrassing or uncomfortable. That’s likely due to the media’s focus on female infertility rather than male infertility. However, it’s important for guys to be open to finding out why they’ve been unable to conceive.
Many individuals are surprised to learn that male infertility is the primary issue in at least one third of all cases of infertility between couples. (Some statistics report this number to be 40 percent or higher!) Just hearing this fact is calming for many male fertility patients, as it eases the psychological burden of them feeling like they are “alone” in their fertility struggles or that they “cannot perform”.
Still, it’s not unusual for us at RSI, one of the premiere fertility clinics in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area, to come against some resistance when men initially arrive at our facility. This is especially true when they have been brought by the women in their lives; for men, this can feel akin to being “pointed at” in a crowd.
Guys, the bottom line is this: We understand. Male infertility is one of our specialties; therefore, we are sensitive to the emotional considerations that accompany the diagnosis. If you’re feeling irate, standoffish, sad or uncomfortable, it’s okay. We as fertility specialists are not here to push you in one direction or another; we’re here to make sure you have all the facts and can proceed as makes sense for you and your significant other.
The upshot – and it’s a great one! – is that we’ve successfully helped many couples with their infertility issues, whether they stemmed from female infertility or male infertility. But it’s necessary for patients to take the first step and give us (or a preferred, reputable fertility clinic) a call.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Bottom Line, Courage, Diagnosis, Dr. Munabi, Emotional Considerations, Facebook, female infertility, fertility clinic, Fertility Clinics, fertility specialist, Fertility Specialists, First Trip, Infertility, Infertility Issues, Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Many Men, Philadelphia Pennsylvania Area, Psychological Burden, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Twitter, Upshot
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Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
Though it seems as if we say it at our fertility clinic again and again, people are still sometimes hesitant to believe (or perhaps accept) that males have just as much chance of being infertile as females.
Perhaps it’s because of the age-old idea that men are testosterone-filled to the point where they can’t help but be able to impregnate women. However, that’s a flat-out myth.
In the United States, studies have shown that 40% of the issues that fertility clinics like Philadelphia area’s RSI uncover are related to male infertility. To put that number in perspective, about 40% are due to female infertility. The remaining 20% falls under a category of impossible to diagnose at this time.
So what does this mean? First of all, it doesn’t mean men are somehow “at fault”; they simply have to be aware that they might have an issue if they and their partners have been unable to have children.
Secondly, it’s critical for men to put aside any embarrassment and get treated. Sometimes, solving a couple’s fertility concerns can be easier than they might expect. But without diagnosis, there’s no chance for a resolution.
This is why we emphasize some form of therapy in conjunction with fertility treatments. Therefore, partners can address their problems together and without judgment.
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Tags: Conjunction, Diagnosis, Embarrassment, Facebook, female infertility, Females, fertility clinic, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Concerns, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Judgment, Male Infertility, Myth 2, Perspective, Philadelphia Area, Remaining 20, Testosterone, Twitter, United States Studies
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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
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Friday, May 13th, 2011
A miscarriage occurs when a pregnancy ends of its own accord somewhere before 20 weeks of gestation. Unless a miscarriage occurs very early along in a pregnancy, the woman typically experiences a number of recognizable symptoms, including cramping and bleeding. Where a miscarriage is suspected, a woman is typically taken immediately to a doctor or the ER.
Following a miscarriage, many women feel emotionally depleted. This is understandable; not only have they lost a child, but their bodies are forced into a sudden (and intense) hormonal change. A shift of this type can create a host of psychological outcomes, including depression, mania, anger and moodiness.
Miscarriages occur in about 10-25% of all pregnancies, according to national statistics. But are they indicators of female infertility?
The short answer is: not necessarily.
Because of the commonality of miscarriages, one (or even two in a row) does not mean a woman is incapable of carrying a child to term. It simply means she did not carry that pregnancy to term. A miscarriage occurs for many reasons; thus, there is no reason to immediately assume female infertility is the “culprit”.
With that being said, a miscarriage isn’t a medical experience to be ignored. If you have had a miscarriage and you continue to have difficulty becoming pregnant, you may want to connect with a reputable fertility clinic such as the Philadelphia area’s RSI.
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Tags: Commonality, Culprit, Early Pregnancy, Facebook, female infertility, fertility clinic, Infertility, Medical Experience, Miscarriages, Moodiness, National Statistics, Own Accord, Philadelphia Area, Pregnancies, Pregnancy Miscarriage, Psychological Outcomes, Recognizable Symptoms, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Short Answer, Twitter, Weeks Of Gestation
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Wednesday, May 11th, 2011
This year, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 8. Stores will be filled to the brim with cards, gifts and trinkets that celebrate moms of every age and stage. Unfortunately, for those who have dealt or are currently dealing with female infertility, Mother’s Day can seem a cold reminder of their situations.
Keeping this in mind, it’s important to approach this holiday with more than a modicum of thought and respect but without going overboard.
If you’re the friend or partner of someone who is going through female infertility:
- Don’t make a big deal out of Mother’s Day, but don’t avoid her, either.
- Don’t talk about her female infertility issues on Mother’s Day unless she wants to talk about them.
- Don’t worry about offending her every time you open your mouth. Women experiencing female infertility may be sensitive (after all, it is a sensitive subject), but that doesn’t mean they don’t want others to celebrate their other motherhood (or the motherhoods of their relatives.)
If you’re someone who is going through female infertility:
- Remind yourself that Mother’s Day is simply one moment on the calendar. Plan to spend the time doing something for yourself.
- Don’t assume that when people talk about their Mother’s Day plans that you are being deliberately excluded. Most probably won’t realize that you have mixed feelings about the topic.
- If your mother (or another female in your life who is a mom) deserves a “Happy Mother’s Day” greeting, feel free to give it to her. After all, it can often help you to reach out to another person.
- If you know of another person going through female infertility, give her a call. You can talk with one another about the day and perhaps use the opportunity as a springboard to discuss your emotions.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Brim, Cards Gifts, Cold Reminder, Dr. Munabi, emotions, Facebook, female infertility, Greeting Free, Infertility, Infertility Issues, Mixed Feelings, Modicum, Mom, Mother Day, Mother S Day, Motherhood, Relatives, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Sensitive Subject, Springboard, Trinkets, Twitter
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