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Posts Tagged ‘fertility specialist’

Knowing the Facts about Infertility Is Critical

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

If you’re interested in learning more about infertility, it’s important to first have a good amount of knowledge about the topic area.

Below, we’ve put together eight basic facts on fertility to help you get started. If you want to learn more, contact the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) today to set up a consultation. And please understand that your case is unique to your situation. That’s why it’s so important to get advice from a reputable, experienced fertility specialist who can help you make decisions as to your reproductive concerns.

8 Basic Fertility Facts:

  1. Two-thirds of couples or individuals treated for infertility go on to have healthy pregnancies and children.
  2. One-third of women over 35 will experience some kind of fertility issue.
  3. In 2010, over 7 million American men and women sought help for their infertility issues.
  4. Ovarian cysts are the most common cause of infertility in females in the United States.
  5. Infertility statistics for 2011 have risen from those for 2010. This may be because of many factors, including couples marrying later in life and/or the willingness to seek out fertility treatments as opposed to adopting or simply not having children.
  6. 11.8 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 have impaired fecundity.
  7. 7.4 percent of married women can be clinically classified as infertile.
  8. In America, there are almost 2 million reported pregnancy losses each year. (This is compared with over 4 million live births.)

Sources: National Women’s Health Information Center, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

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Know the Facts about Male 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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Fertility Treatments for Couples with “Alternative Lifestyles”

Friday, October 28th, 2011

Gay and lesbian couples who are seeking fertility treatments are often concerned with several issues, including but not limited to:

  • How they will be treated by a fertility specialist.
  • What their options are depending upon their infertility issues.

What the legal ramifications of fertility treatments will be, especially given that they may not be “legally” married in the eyes of the government.

That’s why it’s so critical for them to connect with a reproductive services team that understands the emotional, social and financial considerations for couples with “alternative lifestyles” who are looking into fertility treatments.

At suburban Philadelphia’s Reproductive Science Institute (RSI), we have a deep understanding of and consideration for all individuals and couples who come through our doors, no matter if they are in heterosexual or homosexual relationships.  To us, that’s not important, nor should it be.  What is important is that we help them achieve their goals in the most practical, pragmatic way that we can using our many years of expertise in assisted reproductive techniques.

If you’re involved in a stable gay or lesbian partnership and you’d like to discuss fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertility (IVF), donor egg/sperm, intrauterine insemination (IUI) and/or gestational surrogacy, please contact us at (610) 981-6000 for an appointment.  We’re happy to help.

 

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Stress Reduction and Fertility Treatments

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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Going Abroad for Fertility Treatments? Think Twice.

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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Endometriosis and Female Infertility

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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Female Infertility Factors – Understanding Ovulation

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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Could Improved Fertility Be As Close As Your Daily Vitamin?

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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Hollywood News – Rancics Having Another Go at Fertility Treatment

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Giuliana and Bill Rancic haven’t been shy about seeking fertility treatments. In fact, after two rounds of IVF, they declared not quite a year ago that they would wait to attempt a third. However, it seems that they made the choice to try sooner than they thought.

The couple has now announced that they’ll be going to their fertility specialist for another IVF fertility treatment in the coming weeks. As they’ve noted to the press, the impetus for their decision was a statement by their physician that Giuliana was in a good position egg-wise for another attempt.

Though we don’t always talk about Hollywood duos who are undergoing fertility treatments, we have kept up with the Rancics. As a team, they are a positive force for getting a true picture out about what it’s like to go through the process of working with trained reproductive specialists to attempt to conceive.

The Rancics also seem to be excellent at putting the experience in perspective and focusing on the end goal – having a child. In fact, despite Giuliana’s good-natured grumbling, she’s incredibly optimistic. She’s even noted that if she had twins, she’d still go for more fertility treatments if it were a possibility, just to have additional babies.

In the end, the Rancics seem to have chosen a fertility specialist they trust, which is probably one of the reasons they have remained so upbeat. If you’re interested in finding out about whether or not fertility treatments are right for you, contact the Reproductive Science Institute with locations in Chesterbrook and Wyomissing PA to set up a consultation.

 

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Infertility Info – Ovaries That are “Fat” Can Cause Problems

Monday, September 19th, 2011

“Do I look fat in this?”

It’s a common phrase, especially in western culture where extra pounds are seen as verboten! There’s no doubt about it – many women complain about the weight, but what plenty with infertility issues don’t ever consider is the size of their ovaries.

However, researchers have shown that ovaries can be “fat”, or, more to the point, “fatty”. And the heavier/larger the ovaries are, the harder it can be for females to conceive without intervention from a fertility specialist.

Fatty ovaries have a tendency to be found in women who are already obese or in those who have diabetes. Because of the additional fatty acids contained within the ovaries, conception is made problematic. Essentially, fertilization cannot occur because fat is being metabolized at a faster-than-normal rate.

A recent study looked at this phenomenon by testing the ovaries of cows. Though not all animal research translates to humans, the British scientists who headed this one have emphasized their certainty that findings are pertinent for humans as well as bovines.

So is a “fat” ovary a definite cause of your infertility? Without a comprehensive checkup from a reputable fertility specialist, like those found at the Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, PC (RSI), it is really impossible to say. Yet it is wise to lose weight if your BMI is greater than 25 or lands you into a “clinically obese” category, regardless of whether your ovaries are contributing to your infertility issues or not.

 

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