Posts Tagged ‘Fertility Issues’
Monday, November 21st, 2011
How much do women know about common fertility issues? Perhaps not as much as you might think.
In a recent survey sponsored by biopharmaceutical firm EMD Serono Inc., with investigators from RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, more than 50 percent of the 1,000 women questioned failed to correctly answer at least seven out of 10 basic fertility questions.
The questions that stumped many of them had to do with infertility as it relates to age and how long it may take to get pregnant at ages 20, 30, and 40. That’s not surprising, given the boon of health and beauty products that purport to keep a woman looking and feeling young as she ages. The problem is, there’s no magic anti-aging tonic for a woman’s reproductive system, which does continue to decline with time, making it considerably harder for a woman to conceive at 40 than at 20.
Researchers found that women think they can easily conceive into their late 30s and early 40s because celebrities make it look so easy. What they don’t realize, however, is that celebrities often call on fertility treatments, including in-vitro fertilization, donor eggs and surrogacy, to increase their chances of having a baby later in life.
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Tags: 40s, Boon, Celebrities, Donor Eggs, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Decline, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Having A Baby, Health And Beauty, Health And Beauty Products, Health Products, Infertility, Investigators, National Infertility Association, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Reading, Reproductive System, Serono Inc, surrogacy, Tonic, Vitro Fertilization, Wyomissing
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Monday, November 7th, 2011
The decision to undergo fertility treatments is a complex and difficult one. You have to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally before embarking on such an important, life-changing journey. But once you have your heart, body and mind set on the goal of getting help with your fertility issues, the last thing you want to worry about is the way to finance that medical assistance your family needs to make its dreams come true.
Some couples avoid the talk of seeking fertility assistance simply because they believe the cost of fertility treatments is too much for them to handle. While it’s crucial to plan for the financial aspect of fertility treatments, there are several options for financing that can help make your dream a reality. Your financing options include:
- Insurance. The first place to start is with your insurance coverage. Fertility benefits vary by insurance provider as well as employer. Some plans cover laboratory services only, while others provide extensive coverage. Few plans provide full coverage for fertility treatments, but you don’t know how much coverage you can count on until you ask.
- Credit card. If you have been a loyal customer in good standing, your credit card issuer may increase your line of credit (sometimes at a reduced rate) that you can use as part of your fertility financing plan.
- Assets and investments. You may be able to use a home equity line of credit, or take a loan against your 401K or other investment.
- Grants. Nonprofit organizations such as B.U.M.P.S Inc. (http://www.yourbump.org) raise money and award grants to assist couples in need of financial assistance for fertility treatments.
- Savings. Many couples dip into their savings to help fund treatments.
We understand that cost is a major factor in your infertility plan. If you have already identified your treatment options and are comparing prices, please contact our financial counselor at 610-981-6000.
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Tags: Award Grants, Comparing Prices, cost of fertility treatments, Credit Card Issuer, Dollars And Sense, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Equity Line Of Credit, Fertility Assistance, fertility benefits, fertility financing, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Financial Aspect, Financial Counselor, Financing Infertility, Financing Options, Funding Infertility, Home Equity Line, Home Equity Line Of Credit, Infertility, Insurance Coverage, Insurance Provider, Investment Grants, Laboratory Services, Loyal Customer, PA Infertility, Plan Assets, Reading, Wyomissing
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Friday, November 4th, 2011
The term “biological clock” is often used to describe a woman’s fertility. But what in the world does it really mean? Essentially, it’s important to understand that it refers, basically, to the diminishing amount of viable eggs that she has in her body.
When a female is born, she has about two million eggs. That number never increases, so what she has is what her body will one day use to potentially conceive a child. But when a woman begins to menstruate, her number of eggs has already dropped by about four-fifths to 400,000 total eggs.
As the months and years progress, she will lose about 12,000 eggs annually. At that rate, she will have no eggs within 33 years or so from the onset of menses, which is the point where menopause takes over.
Of course, other factors are involved in what happens to her eggs. Illnesses and medical conditions can affect the strength and health of the eggs over time, sometimes leaving them unavailable for fertilization. For instance, chemotherapy and radiation for cancer can create female fertility issues. (This is why some women free their eggs prior to undergoing such types of treatments.)
Getting back to the “biological clock”, though, it’s critical for all women to realize that there’s no set time period. The aforementioned figures are only generalizations and statistics. That’s why it’s important not to make assumptions without medical assistance to back up theories.
At The Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) of Suburban Philadelphia, we’re here to answer any questions related to female fertility or other similar concerns. Give us a call today and set up an appointment to learn more about your personal situation.
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Tags: 33 Years, Biological Clock, Chemotherapy, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Female Fertility, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatment, Fertilization, Four Fifths, Generalizations, Illnesses, Medical Assistance, Medical Conditions, Menopause, Menses, PA Infertility, Personal Situation, Philadelphia Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Suburban Philadelphia, Two Million, Viable Eggs, Wyomissing
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
It’s no secret or surprise that stress can rear its head when it comes to couples and individuals facing fertility treatments. In fact, a recent report from the UK suggests that more than three quarters of those experiencing infertility or fertility issues rate their stress level as the highest they’ve ever had in their lives.
Again, this isn’t a shocking revelation; however, it does give pause as to how men and women going through fertility treatments can better cope with their situations.
Beyond the usual suggestions to relax, put the issue into perspective and eat well, we at the Reproductive Science Institute (located in Wyomissing and Chesterbrook, PA) have some other ideas as to how you can minimize the stress that can be attributed to dealing with fertility concerns:
1. Talk about your feelings with a trained professional. It’s never a good idea to hold in your emotions, especially when you’re undergoing a potentially life-changing experience. Whether you speak with a counselor, member of the clergy or a psychiatrist, it’s essential that you discuss what you’re feeling inside rather than allowing it to build.
2. Gather information and understand what’s happening… but try not to obsess. It’s always good to understand what’s about to happen; but sometimes, too much information can be a very bad thing for couples and individuals entering into fertility treatments. If you become too engulfed in data, you may unnecessarily increase your stress levels.
3. Be open and honest with your fertility specialist. Finally, it’s essential for you (and your partner, if applicable) to be honest with your fertility specialist. If something feels amiss or you have concerns, speak up. You’ll get your questions answered, and that will seriously help you automatically lower your stress levels.
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Tags: Chesterbrook Pa, Clergy, Counselor, Couples, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, emotions, Feelings, Fertility Concerns, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Men And Women, Perspective, Philadelphia Area, Psychiatrist, Reproductive Science Institute, Shocking Revelation, Stress Level, Stress Levels, Stress Reduction, Three Quarters, Wyomissing Pa
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Friday, October 21st, 2011
It’s long been known that women’s fertility dips as they get older (and especially after they are in their mid-30s), but the traditional belief has been that males didn’t have this issue.
This may not be the case, according to a Colorado study performed in conjunction with the National Foundation for Fertility Research (NFFR) that has concluded that sperm from middle- and older-aged male mice is not as viable as that from younger male mice.
In the mice, sperm quality began to decline in their middle years, which would be roughly 40 years of age in a human man. And if the findings translate from mice to men, it could shed some light on male infertility.
For instance, a couple who is having fertility issues may find that the problem lies with the sperm quality of the man if he is in or past middle age. Should this be the case, there are options that could help the partners conceive using the strongest of his sperm as determined in a laboratory setting.
Key results of the study showed that sperm from midlife and older mice produced embryos that:
- Were less likely to implant in the woman’s uterus than were those from younger male mice.
- Were less likely to develop in the womb if they were able to implant.
If you would like to learn more about male infertility or other fertility issues, please contact the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) to schedule a consultation.
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Tags: Colorado Study, Dips, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Issues, Fertility Research, Fertility Treatment, Human Man, Infertility, Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Male Mice, Mid 30s, Middle Age, Midlife, National Foundation, Nffr, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute, sperm, Traditional Belief, Uterus, womb, Wyomissing
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Monday, October 17th, 2011
Could there really be a switch that turns fertility on and off in women’s bodies? The answer is “maybe” according to an Imperial College London study that linked a protein to infertility.
The study, which appeared in the journal Nature Medical Sunday, found that SGK1 at extreme levels seems to negatively affect female fertility. Women with low SGK1 are at higher risk of having a miscarriage, whereas women with high levels of SGK1 are more likely to be infertile.
This protein enzyme may provide a way for fertility specialists and scientific researchers to be able to essentially turn some women’s fertility “on” if it’s been “off” due to very low or high SGK1.
The study’s leaders are suggesting that perhaps blocking SGK1 altogether could help some women who are having fertility issues. Alternatively, for couples who wish to have no children, SGK1 could even be considered for a different contraception method than, say, the pill or IUD.
While only time will tell how far this finding will go, it’s promising for many reasons, including the hope that fertility specialists will have more options to provide women and their partners who are trying to have a baby.
If you’ve had fertility concerns, we invite you to contact the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) for an initial consultation.
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Tags: Contraception, Contraception Method, Couples, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Extreme Levels, Female Fertility, Fertility Concerns, Fertility Issues, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatment, Imperial College London, Infertility, Initial Consultation, Iud, Journal Nature, London Study, Nature Medical, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Protein Enzyme, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Trying To Have A Baby, Wyomissing
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Friday, October 14th, 2011
Some people call them fertility vacations. Others don’t give them names at all. But if you’re thinking of traveling out of the country to get fertility treatments, it’s important to remain cautious.
This isn’t to suggest that foreign doctors and hospitals cannot solve fertility issues. However, there are several concerns about going abroad for your fertility treatment needs. Consider the following:
- It may be difficult to find credible information about a fertility specialist, especially if he or she speaks a foreign language that you do not understand.
- If there are complications while you’re overseas, how will you deal with issues like needing to stay in that country longer than you anticipate?
- What kind of repercussions do you have legally if something goes wrong with the reproductive techniques they decide to use?
- How can you be assured that you’re getting the fertility treatments that you deserve?
- Many countries do not have the same medical hygiene standards as those in the United States. Will you risk your health?
- How long can you conceivably stay in a foreign country from a social, job-related or financial perspective if something goes amiss and you need to remain?
- How will you verify the credentials of your fertility specialist?
This is one of the reasons we highly recommended looking nationally for the best fertility specialist you can. That way, you can be less concerned with all the associated issues that traveling to another country can create.
Of course, if you’re located in or near the Philadelphia or Reading, Pennsylvania, areas, we welcome you to make an appointment with The Reproductive Health Institute (RSI).
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Tags: Appointment, Credentials, Doctors, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Foreign Language, Health Institute, Hospitals, Hygiene Standards, Nbsp, PA Infertility, Pennsylvania Areas, Perspective, Philadelphia, Reading Pennsylvania, Repercussions, Reproductive Health, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Vacations
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Monday, October 10th, 2011
If you’ve ever had surgery or trauma (as in tearing) in or on any part of your reproductive system or (sometimes) in areas surrounding your reproductive system, you may end up with pelvic, abdominal or other adhesions.
In essence, adhesions are a form of scarring that can occur. Sometimes, the adhesions are quite small and unnoticeable. In other cases, however, adhesions can pose problems, especially when it comes to fertility concerns. Many women even experience secondary infertility as a result of adhesions from their first or last childbearing occurrence.
So how do you know if adhesions could be a contributing cause of your fertility issues? For many women, adhesions accompany pain. Or they’ve been having unprotected sex regularly for six or more months without getting pregnant. Obviously, only a trained medical specialist can help you determine if adhesions exist. And if they are, you can proceed to either look for alternatives to natural conception or try surgical methods to reduce or remove adhesions.
Obviously, you need to examine the possibilities thoroughly. And that’s where a reproductive specialist who has an exemplary background can help you make the right choices for your fertility needs.
If you are within driving distance of Philadelphia or Reading, Pennsylvania, we suggest you consider setting up an appointment with The Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) of Suburban Philadelphia to talk about adhesions, fertility and other similar medical concerns.
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Tags: Abdominal Adhesions, Abraham Munabi, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Driving Distance, Fertility Concerns, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatment, Having Unprotected Sex, Infertility, Medical Concerns, Medical Specialist, Natural Conception, Occurrence, Possibilities, Reading Pennsylvania, Reproductive Science Institute, Reproductive Specialist, Reproductive System, Right Choices, Rsi, Secondary Infertility, Suburban Philadelphia
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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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Friday, September 30th, 2011
It’s called CoQ-10, and it’s heralded as an anti-aging vitamin/enzyme. Whether or not this veritable fountain of youth works is up for debate; however, Canadian scientists conducting research using the vitamin have discovered that it seems to be able to make “old” human ova (eggs) youthful. And this could be useful for females over 35 with fertility issues or who have simply delayed starting a family for personal reasons.
The Toronto research team has tried using CoQ-10 on animals (mice) and has had excellent success. In fact, team members are quite certain that this vitamin (which can be found over-the-counter) may one day help women in their late 30s and 40s have children using their own eggs. Even if they have to undergo IVF and/or IUI, they may be able to avoid getting donor eggs or using a gestational carrier.
The mice in the Canadian research project produced healthy offspring well into their midlife years. (In human years, they bred until about age 50.) Plus, the mice not only were able to conceive, but they looked healthier and younger than mice who were not injected with CoQ-10.
Noted study leader Robert Casper, senior scientist, Sinai’s Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute: “I don’t think it will delay the onset of menopause, but I do think it will improve the quality of eggs.”
If you’re a female and you’re interested in learning more about fertility treatments and techniques, contact a reputable fertility specialist like the Pennsylvania based Reproductive Science Institute.
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Tags: 40s, Canadian Scientists, Casper, Conducting Research, Coq 10, Donor Eggs, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Fountain Of Youth, Gestational Carrier, IVF, Onset Of Menopause, PA Infertility, Personal Reasons, Philadelphia Infertility, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Samuel Lunenfeld Research, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Study Leader, Veritable Fountain, Wyomissing
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