Posts Tagged ‘Fertility Issues’
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
Could the decisions you make as a teen or young adult affect your fertility in later years? Absolutely, especially if you contract one of the many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that are rampant in the United States and abroad.
STDs may not be discussed in everyday circles; in fact, they are often relegated to a health education class or two. However, they can be (often silent) contributing factors to fertility difficulties in both men and women.
“I’d know if I had an STD!” people regularly say, affronted by the notion that they could possibly be carrying a condition that causes them to be unable to conceive a child. Yet many STDs do not carry any (or many) symptoms. In plenty of cases, men and women have no idea that they’ve had an STD for years until they come to a fertility specialist (like those at the Philadelphia area’s RSI clinic) and are tested as a part of routine examination.
This is why it’s so important for you to face facts. If you OR your sexual partner have ever engaged in any type of sexual activity (oral sex included) with another individual, you owe it to yourselves to get tested for STDs. Even if you’ve been together for many years, it’s critical for you to know. After all, many STDs can be either controlled or eliminated, but if you don’t know you have the problem, you cannot solve it.
Certainly, it’s a difficult topic to bring up, but if you’re having fertility issues, it’s worth knowing the answer to the question.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, ATS, Circles, Decisions, Diseases, Dr. Munabi, Education Class, Facebook, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Health Education, Inc., Men And Women, Notion, oral sex, Philadelphia Area, Routine Examination, Rsi, Sexual Activity, Sexual Partner, STDs, Twitter, United States, Young Adult
Posted in STDs | No Comments »
Friday, May 6th, 2011
You may not have heard of the syndrome commonly called “Fragile X” (also known as Escalante’s syndrome or Martin-Bell syndrome), but one of its manifestations can be infertility in females with the condition.
Fragile X typically causes inherited mental impairment, sometimes obvious and sometimes not. Everything from severe mental disabilities to mild autism can fall under the Fragile X umbrella. Thus, some who are afflicted with Fragile X may be unaware they have the condition.
Physical features of those with Fragile X or FXPOI vary; some have long faces, double-jointed thumbs and/or flat feet. But there are plenty of others who have the syndrome but show no such attributes.
Women in particular may have few of the typical Fragile X symptoms or characteristics, mainly because of their second X chromosome. In essence, their other X chromosome (ostensibly healthy and strong) keeps them from having signs.
It’s the same case for females who have FXPOI, or Fragile X-Associated Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, although some iteration of FXPOI usually raises its head sooner or later. Generally, FXPOI leads to menstrual and ovarian concerns which, in turn, create fertility issues if the individual later tries to have children.
If you’ve been having difficulty becoming pregnant and suspect that Fragile X or FXPOI may run in your family, it’s best to get a physician’s viewpoint. Then, you can proceed with more knowledge about the ideal ways for you to go about growing your family.
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Tags: Attributes, Escalante, Facebook, Females, Fertility Issues, Flat Feet, Fragile X, Infertility, Iteration, Long Faces, Manifestations, Martin Bell, Mental Disabilities, Mental Impairment, Mild Autism, Physical Features, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Twitter, Umbrella, Viewpoint, X Chromosome
Posted in female infertility, In the News | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011
It was once believed that a woman who had a tubal ligation (commonly referred to as “getting your tubes tied”) was essentially “infertile” in the sense of being unable to conceive for the rest of her life. Now, though, doctors are often able to perform “reversals”, which is opening the door for women who have changed their minds about getting pregnant again.
In the United States, almost three-quarter of a million tubal ligations occur each year. And when left alone, they are approximately 99.5% effective as a method of birth control. In fact, about a third of married people using contraceptives choose tubal ligation as a means of ceasing to have any (or more) children.
However, as was mentioned before, years go by and partners’ desires as to how large of a family they want can change. In that case, it’s wise to look into either a tubal reversal, if possible, or in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Surprised to hear that IVF would be used by someone who chose tubal ligation? It’s really not a huge surprise. IVF bypasses the risks associated with a tubal reversal (which is a surgical procedure) and also addresses additional fertility issues that may be of concern to the woman or her partner.
If you’ve had a tubal ligation and would like to have a child (or additional children), contact RSI, the Philadelphia area’s premiere fertility clinic, for a consultation.
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Tags: Birth Control, Consultation, Contraceptives, Desires, Doctors, Dr. Munabi, Facebook, fertility clinic, Fertility Issues, Infertility, IVF, Philadelphia Area, Reproductive Science Institute, Reversals, Rsi, Surprise, Tubal Ligation, Tubal Reversal, Tubes, Twitter, United States, Vitro Fertilization, Woman
Posted in female infertility | 1 Comment »
Monday, March 21st, 2011
Ever wonder what causes or contributes to a woman or man’s infertility? Our 3-part series takes a brief look at 25 factors that can result in infertility for males and females.
- Adhesions – Adhesions inside a female’s body may be the result of surgery or may occur naturally. When adhesions are present, the body cannot function at full capacity. In the case of infertility, adhesions may prohibit the sperm from fertilizing the egg, create issues in the fallopian tubes or hinder fertilization in other ways.
- Age – After 35, a woman is much more likely to struggle with fertility issues. In fact, some women lose their fertility levels in their early 30s. And most women in their early 40s will find it very difficult to conceive naturally without medical intervention.
- Behavioral Factors – For both men and women, behavioral factors such as smoking cigarettes, cigars and marijuana; drinking excessive amounts of alcohol; and taking prescription or illegal drugs can contribute to infertility.
- Blocked Fallopian Tubes – If a woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked, a necessary part of conception cannot occur.
- Cancer – There are many types of cancer in both males and females that can contribute to infertility, including colon cancer, testicular cancer, uterine cancer, stomach cancer and cervical cancer, among others. Even if the cancer is successfully defeated, fertility may be compromised or destroyed.
- Congenital Abnormalities – Some individuals are born with congenital abnormalities which limit or prohibit fertility. Often, these people do not realize they have these issues until they try to have a child.
- Damage to the Male Genitals – The male genitalia includes many parts and if any are significantly injured, infertility can result. The good news is that some injuries can be reversed and only temporarily affect fertility.
Find out if Fertility Treatment is Right for You!
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Tags: Behavioral Factors, Cancer Testicular, Cervical Cancer, Colon Cancer, Congenital Abnormalities, Fallopian Tubes, female infertility, Fertility Issues, Fertility Levels, Fertility Treatment, Illegal Drugs, Male Genitalia, Male Genitals, Males And Females, medical intervention, Smoking Cigarettes, Stomach Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Types Of Cancer, Uterine Cancer
Posted in Infertility | No Comments »
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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Tags: Clomid, Couples, Fertility Issues, Fertility Myths, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Home Remedy, Infertility, IUI, IVF, Medical Problems, Misconceptions, Myth 2, Myths, Notion, One Piece, Relaxation, Relaxed Attitude, Reproductive Health Specialists, Reproductive Science Institute, Research Papers, Rsi, Terrific Idea
Posted in Infertility, Myths & Misconceptions | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
Endometriosis is a relatively common disorder that afflicts approximately 5.5 million American women at any one time. A disorder affecting the genitalia, endometriosis is more than just an annoyance. In fact, females with endometriosis typically experience such symptoms as pain (e.g., severe cramps, intense bowel movements, discomfort during sex), very heavy vaginal bleeding, fatigue and, in a third of patients, infertility.
Ironically, infertility that stems from endometriosis may be misdiagnosed because not all women with the condition realize they suffer from it. Many simply assume that their pain is a “woman problem” related to menstruation rather than a problem that can cost them their ability to conceive. (This isn’t surprisingly, truly; for many females, endometriosis pain worsens during periods. Thus, the physical distress would seem to be connected to monthly bleeding rather than a condition of its own.)
Endometriosis typically worsens as women age, so early diagnosis is the best way to ensure that infertility treatments are attempted as soon as possible. However, even if a female with endometriosis is not diagnosed until later in life AND has been having fertility issues, she can still become pregnant through assisted reproductive techniques (ART).
Two of the most common treatments used to help those with endometriosis conceive are IUI (intrauterine insemination) and IVF (in vitro fertilization). Because these procedures position embryos directly into the woman’s womb, it becomes unnecessary for her body to go through all the other steps naturally associated with conception. Therefore, her chances of having a successful pregnancy are increased.
To learn more about endometriosis, infertility and other similar topics, visit RSI’s website today.
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Tags: 5 Million, American Women, Annoyance, Assisted Reproductive Techniques, Bowel Movements, Cramps, Diagnosis, Discomfort During Sex, Endometriosis, Fatigue, Females, Fertility Issues, Infertility, Infertility Treatments, Intrauterine Insemination, IVF, Physical Distress, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Vaginal Bleeding, Vitro Fertilization, womb
Posted in Endometriosis | No Comments »
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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Tags: Acidic Environment, Causes Of Infertility, Clomid, Consistency, Consultation, Egg, Entering The Vagina, female infertility, Fertility Doctor, Fertility Issues, Fertilization, Hostile Cervical Mucus, Infertility, Low Estrogen, Low Levels Of Estrogen, Menstrual Cycle, Ovulation, Sperm Antibodies, Typical Cycle, Uterus
Posted in Hostile Cervical Mucus | No Comments »
Friday, February 4th, 2011
Maybe you’ve known that you have endometriosis ever since you started menstruating as a girl and have always dealt with painful periods. Or maybe you didn’t realize that you have endometriosis until you began trying to get pregnant and found that it could be the cause for your struggles with fertility. Whatever your experience, it is never pleasant to deal with, but there are options for endometriosis treatment or infertility treatment.
If you’re reading this and you don’t really know what we’re talking about, endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus (the endometrial tissue) grows around other organs where it isn’t meant to be. Most often, these include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, outer surface of the uterus and other abdominal organs. The extra growth of this tissue can bleed during menstruation, which is the reason for painful periods. Scar tissue can also develop, causing disruption in the way that that organ functions. This is the most typical reason for cause of infertility with women who have endometriosis.
The most common treatment for endometriosis is through hormone therapy and, morse specifically, birth control in many cases. If you are a woman who is wanting to get pregnant in the near future or has already been trying to get pregnant, this type of treatment is obviously not a good choice for you. There is a laparoscopic surgery you could opt for, or many women with endometriosis and fertility issues have been helped by way of IVF. If you have struggled with infertility and are just beginning to explore your options, or if you have further questions about endometriosis, don’t hesitate to contact us!
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Tags: Abdominal Organs, Birth Control, cause for infertility, cause of infertility, Disruption, Endometrial Tissue, Endometriosis, endometriosis treatment, Fallopian Tubes, Fertility, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatment, Hormone Therapy, Infertility, Infertility Treatment, IVF, Laparoscopic Surgery, Morse, Organ Functions, Outer Surface, Painful Periods, Pregnant, Scar Tissue, Uterus
Posted in Endometriosis | 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
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