Posts Tagged ‘Fertility Clinics’
Monday, September 26th, 2011
Polycystic ovary syndrome (commonly abbreviated as “PCOS”) isn’t a medical condition that’s discussed every day, which is one of the reasons so many fertility clinics have supported a movement to make September PCOS Awareness Month. However, it’s important to realize that PCOS, a common cause of infertility in women, is a condition that should be considered year-round.
Ironically, a good many women are unaware that they have PCOS, as symptoms can be mild to practically invisible. For instance, in the early stages of the condition, a woman may simply have missed or irregular menstrual periods, acne, oily skin and/or depression. Because these can be signs of very typical female issues (including PMS), many women have no inkling that PCOS is the culprit.
As PCOS develops further, women may experience weight gain, another natural phenomenon that isn’t necessary a cause for instant alarm. Some females also have problems with their breathing, including sleep apnea.
When PCOS is usually discovered is after a woman has repeated miscarriages or difficulty in getting pregnant. It’s at this point reproductive specialists like those at Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) must make a thorough evaluation.
Could you have PCOS? Perhaps. And if you’ve had any of the abovementioned symptoms, especially those relating to reproduction, we urge you to contact your primary care physician or set up a consultation at a reputable fertility clinic.
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Tags: Awareness Month, Care Physician, Culprit, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, fertility clinic, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Treatment, Infertility, Infertility In Women, Inkling, Irregular Menstrual Periods, Medical Condition, Miscarriages, Natural Phenomenon, Oily Skin, Ovary, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute, Reproductive Scienece Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Reproductive Specialists, Rsi, Sleep Apnea, Weight Gain, Wyomissing
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Friday, September 23rd, 2011
Medicine is always looking for newer, smarter ways to help patients overcome their conditions. And when it comes to helping men and women overcome infertility, there is no exception to this rule!
Every year, advances are made, and as they become available, fertility clinics like the Philadelphia and Reading PA area’s Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) try to learn the techniques and absorb them into their practices. (Obviously, this is done after ensuring the methods are likely to produce positive results and have been scientifically proven to help women and men seeking fertility treatments.)
One of the latest techniques is a video test that’s being touted as a way for fertility specialists to choose which embryos will be the most viable for IVF. Spearheaded by Cambridge University’s Professor Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, the method uses time-lapse videography and photography mixed with velocitometry to pick the best embryos for in vitro.
Though Zernicka-Goetz’s research was conducted solely on mice, it is scheduled to be attempted in a few British fertility clinics. From there, if it’s successful and safe, it will be made available to other fertility specialists around the world.
In a press release, Zernicka-Goetz noted that she wanted to discover a stronger technique to help cut down on the heartache often associated with failed IVF attempts. In her eyes, the video advancement could increase IVF success rates considerably, thus shortening the time that couples have to spend going through in-vitro.
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Tags: British Fertility, Cambridge University, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Embryos, Fertility Clinics, fertility rates, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Heartache, Increase Fertility, Ivf Success Rates, Magdalena, Medical Advances, Philadelphia PA Infertility, Reading Pa, Reading PA Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute, Time Lapse, Treatment Success, Video Test, Vitro, Women And Men, Wyomissing PA Infertility
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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:
- Don’t have sex with any partners who have not been screened for STDs.
- Always wear protection during any sexual intercourse and either abstain from oral sex or use protection during those acts as well.
- 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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Tags: Chlamydia, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Clinics, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Health Goals, Infertility, Males And Females, Medical Charts, oral sex, Outskirts, PA Infertility, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, sexual intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, Std Sexually Transmitted Diseases, STDs, Undiagnosed Condition, Unprotected Sex, Warning Signs, Women And Men, Wyomissing
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Friday, August 26th, 2011
Sialyl-lewis-x.
No, it’s not some strange name for a new alternative band. It’s a sugar chain found on the outer shell of ova. It may also be the key to binding the sperm and egg to allow fertilization to begin.
As everyone learns in high school, the egg (ovum) is fertilized by one fortunate sperm. That sperm not only has to be plucky and strong, but it also has to have the right kind of proteins on its head to push through the egg’s outer shell and start the process of conception.
The problem has been that researchers weren’t quite sure what molecular structures made the process go smoother… until now.
Scientists are seriously contemplating as to whether or not sialyl-lewis-x might make an ovum’s surface “stickier”. Thus, if the sperm that’s most likely to “stick” to that surface is introduced, conception can happen faster.
To help illustrate the point, picture a golf ball covered in glue. If a piece of material also covered in a glue-like substance were to be adhered to the golf ball, it would likely stick. But if a piece of material that had been coated with an oily substance were adhered to the ball, it would probably fall off.
So how can these “sticky situations” be encouraged in the laboratory setting? Scientists are dabbling in various ways to create sperm that better attach themselves to the gluey outside of eggs, including with medications.
It’s a real boon to the science of male infertility and we at RSI, one of the Philadelphia region’s most reputable fertility clinics, are eager to find out more as the months go by.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Alternative Band, Boon, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Treatment, Fertilization, Glue, Golf Ball, Infertility, Male Infertility, Molecular Structures, Oily Substance, Outer Shell, ovum, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Philadelphia Region, Process Of Conception, Proteins, Reading, Rhonda Hearns, sperm, Sticky Situations, Strange Name, Sugar Chain, Wyomissing
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Monday, August 22nd, 2011
As one of the Philadelphia area’s premiere fertility clinics, The Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) tries to keep you informed and up to date about all things related to fertility treatments, infertility and similar topic areas.
This week, we’d like to share some of the fertility “buzz” from around the Interwaves. As always, if you’d like to discuss your specific situation, please contact our offices to schedule an appointment.
Belfast: A new fertility test from Lewis Fertility Testing is being marketed across the UK and Ireland, as well as the rest of the world. Backed by Ulster Bank, the fertility test claims to provide couples with faster ways to discover whether or not they are fertile. With the test, men and women would have the opportunity to know earlier whether or not it would be a smart idea to contact a fertility specialist.
New York: Could male hormones (androgens) be the key to successful fertility treatments in women? Researchers are studying whether a combination of specific male hormones and FSH may in fact boost a female’s fertility ability, especially in patients who suffer from PCOS.
Internet: The Journal of Reproductive Medicine has printed a piece suggesting that women with infertility may in fact often also have undiagnosed celiac disease. This is re-fueling the chicken-versus-egg debate between celiac disease and infertility. Some scientists say the two have little in common, others say one may feed the other. In the study, the authors noted: “Women with unexplained infertility are at increased risk of having undiagnosed celiac disease, which may be a potentially modifiable (and treatable) risk factor.”
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Celiac Disease, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Female Fertility, Fertility Clinics, fertility specialist, Fertility Test, Fertility Testing, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Journal Of Reproductive Medicine, Male Hormones, pa fertility clinic, PA Infertility, Pcos, Philadelphia Area, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute, Rhonda Hearns, Risk Factor, Rsi, Smart Idea, Test Men, Topic Areas, Treatment News, Unexplained Infertility, Wyomissing
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Monday, August 15th, 2011
If you’ve been investigating different types of fertility treatments, you may have come across the process known as blastocyst embryo transfer (sometimes referred to colloquially as “blast transfer”.)
The blastocyst embryo transfer procedure has been successfully used for decades; in fact, this was how the first “test tube baby” was conceived. However, it may seem a confusing process, so we at RSI, one of Philadelphia’s premiere fertility clinics, want to take the mystery out of the procedure.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand what a blastocyst is. As an embryo develops naturally, it sometimes becomes a collection of 100+ cells. This collection is referred to as a blastocyst and takes a little less than a week to reach this stage. The blastocyst has an outside (which will become the placenta) and an inside (which will become the fetus.)
Not all fertilized eggs become blastocysts; in fact, only about one fifth of them will reach this stage in nature, although some fertility specialists have been able to do better than that number in a clinical setting. They prefer to use blastocysts to do transfers, as they have a better chance of implanting than do other cells and thus producing a successful IVF treatment outcome.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that a blastocyst will implant. Even the most solid blastocyst embryo transfer doesn’t equate to a live birth. Yet it does increase the odds for parents-to-be.
If you’re interested in blastocyst embryo transfer, please contact RSI today for a consultation with one of our fertility specialists.
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Tags: Better Chance, Blastocyst Embryo, Blastocyst Transfer, Cells, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Eggs, Embryo Transfer Procedure, Facebook, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Fetus, First Test Tube Baby, IVF treatment, Live Birth, Odds, One Fifth, PA Infertility, Pennsylvania Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Placenta, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadlphia, Rsi, Test Tube Baby, Treatment Outcome, Wyomissing
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Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
A research study recently published in the Pharmacological Research journal has scientists buzzing about the possibility that antioxidants could help infertile couples and individuals.
The study, headed by Oregon State University researcher Tory Hagen and Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (Spain) scientist Francesco Visioli, is based on the hypothesis that infertility often goes hand-in-hand with diseases such as high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Consequently, Hagen and Visioli have concluded that the same antioxidants (e.g., lipoic acid) that help lower the chances of a man or woman having those conditions may also help those persons become less likely to be infertile.
This connection between nutrition and infertility is not a new one. For years, many fertility specialists have known that what goes into the body can have an effect on infertility. In fact, we at RSI, one of Philadelphia’s premiere fertility clinics, have blogged before about the topic. However, the published study has opened the doors for more in-depth research.
As Hagen said in a recent statement released to the press: “…the problem [infertility] is huge, and the data from laboratory studies is very robust, it all fits. There is evidence this might work, and the potential benefits could be enormous.”
All in all, it sounds like a promising path, and we’re all for changing diets and lifestyle habits to help improve fertility in our patients.
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Tags: Congestive Heart Failure, Diets, Dr. Munabi, Facebook, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Specialists, Hagen, Heart Failure, High Blood Pressure, Hypothesis, infertile couples, Infertility, Laboratory Studies, Lifestyle Habits, Oregon State University, Patient Appointment, Pharmacological Research, Promising Path, Reproductice Science, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Scientist, Tory, University Researcher
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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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Monday, July 25th, 2011
Recent findings in the area of male infertility may help explain why some men are subfertile or infertile.
Researchers from the University of California, Davis, have announced that a recent fertility study has shed light on the occurrence of a protective “coat” that wraps around sperm. The protein-based coat shields the sperm as they attempt to reach an egg; however, without the coat, they are left vulnerable.
The fertility study was conducted on 500 Chinese couples; birth rates among the couples were significantly lowered if the protein coating did not exist in the males.
Men with a missing sperm coating likely have the condition genetically. In fact, the University scientists are suggesting that up to 1 in 5 men may be without the protein protection, thus leaving them open to male infertility.
To combat the effects of the gene mutation, experts are suggesting the usage of assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). With IVF or IUI, the potentially-hazardous journey of the sperm to the egg is eliminated, therefore upping the chances of a successful conception.
Because the findings are new, no tests have been developed. However, it’s a topic that we at RSI, one of the Philadelphia area’s premiere fertility clinics, will be following closely in the months to come.
Male Infertility Facts:
- 30-40 percent of all couples’ fertility issues can be related to male infertility factors.
- Each year, there are approximately 2 million new cases of male infertility in the United States.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Birth Rates, Chinese Couples, Dr. Munabi, Facebook, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Issues, Fertilization Ivf, Gene Mutation, Hazardous Journey, Infertility, Intrauterine Insemination Iui, Male Infertility, Occurrence, Philadelphia Area, Protein Coating, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Shields, Twitter, University Of California Davis, University Scientists, Vitro Fertilization
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Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
What does the UK’s version of Big Brother have to do with infertility? Read on to discover the inside scoop….
Chantelle Houghton, 27, was a contestant on the show several years ago (2006) and has admitted that her obsession with being thin has hurt her chances to have a child without IVF treatment.
Noted Houghton to the BBC:
“Because of my obsession with food and my crash dieting when I had bulimia, I’ve ruined my chances of having a baby naturally.”
Though doctors have not said she absolutely cannot have children on her own, they have reportedly told Houghton she has “low fertility” and have suggested fertility treatments should she and current boyfriend Alex Reid want to get pregnant.
Houghton isn’t taking the discovery lightly and is now speaking out to raise awareness about the connection between eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and binge eating on fertility.
It’s sad to hear Houghton say she blames herself, especially since eating disorders are not a deliberate choice. Yet it’s heartening to know that she’s trying to help others not become as obsessed with numbers on a scale or looking “a certain way” to fit unrealistic media standards.
If you have or have had an eating disorder, we at RSI, one of Philadelphia area’s premiere fertility clinics, recommend you undergo therapy (and hospitalization, if necessary) to control the condition before entering into fertility treatments.
Remember that there IS life and can be pregnancy after an eating disorder. But not until you get control of your health.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Alex Reid, Anorexia Bulimia, Bbc, Big Brother, Binge Eating, Chantelle Houghton, Crash Dieting, Current Boyfriend, Deliberate Choice, Dr. Munabi, Eating Disorder, Eating Disorders, Facebook, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Treatments, Having A Baby, Hospitalization, Infertility, Obsession, Philadelphia Area, Pregnancy, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Scoop, Twitter
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