Posts Tagged ‘Hypothesis’
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
Posted in Male Infertility | 1 Comment »
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
Posted in Infertility | No Comments »
Thursday, January 27th, 2011
Male infertility is a topic that’s becoming more mainstream in the media as well as widespread in terms of how it’s being studied. Consequently, there’s a growing amount of evidence (both anecdotal and some scientific) that antioxidants may indeed help men dealing with fertility issues.
New Zealand scientists have been conducting studies on the topic of how to assist men with their fertility problems. As a result, they have developed a theory that taking antioxidants (e.g., vitamin E, zinc) can help guys dealing with male infertility.
To be sure, the men that were studied were not entirely infertile. They had sperm healthy enough to fertilize an egg, but their sperm counts were lower than normal. However, when they began to take doses of antioxidants, their sperm counts increased. The New Zealand researchers have suggested this is proof that their theory is sound; other scientists aren’t convinced.
So… does this mean it’s time for men to OD on antioxidants?
Not really.
But even if the hypothesis is hogwash, men with male infertility can and will still benefit from taking better care of themselves… and that may just include adding appropriate amounts of antioxidants into their daily diets.
FYI… 10 FOODS HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS
Apples
Plums
Blueberries
Red kidney beans
Pinto beans
Cherries
Pecans
Artichokes (cooked)
Cranberries
Russet potatoes
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Tags: Apples, Blueberries, Cherries, Cranberries, Diets, Fertility Issues, Fertility Problems, Hypothesis, Infertility, Mainstream, Male Infertility, Pecans, Pinto Beans, Red Kidney Beans, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Russet Potatoes, Sperm Counts, Vitamin E, Zealand Researchers, Zealand Scientists, Zinc
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, December 6th, 2010
If you’ve heard that having IVF increases the chances of women getting cancer, you’re not alone. This ominous headline has been splashed across the Internet for years. But new research from Sweden shows that there is no connection between IVF and cancer after all.
The Swedish study, which included thousands of participants, took place over 25 years and discovered no link between the chances of IVF patients having a higher risk of breast, cervical or uterine cancers than their counterparts who did not undergo IVF.
In fact, part of the research suggested that women who underwent IVF might actually have LESS risk than other females, though this hypothesis remains to be seen.
It’s good news not only for those seeking fertility treatments, but also for all the women who have used IVF (including stars like Celine Dion and Guiliana Rancic) to help them conceive.
Tags: Breast, Cancer Link, Celine Dion, Counterparts, Females, Fertility Treatments, Guiliana, Hypothesis, Ivf Patients, Participants, Risk, Stars, Sweden, Swedish Study, Uterine Cancers
Posted in IVF treatments | No Comments »
Saturday, May 15th, 2010
Straight from the latest in reproductive health science come stories that say ultrasound may someday be the key to contraception for men.
Tests have been performed at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and have preliminarily shown that a single treatment of ultrasound (focused on a man’s testicles) could provide up to six months of contraception.
Thus far, it would also appear that the contraception is easily reversible, meaning the effect wouldn’t be long-term in terms of affecting male fertility. (Of course, it’s always important to know that in the early stages of any study, a claim like this is only a hypothesis.)
To find out more about this innovative (and low cost) method of potential birth control for men around the globe, you can read the official press release from UNC here.
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Tags: Birth Control, Birth Control For Men, Carolina Chapel Hill, Contraception, Globe, Health Science, Hypothesis, Male Fertility, Miracles, North Carolina Chapel, North Carolina Chapel Hill, Press Release, Reproductive Health, Six Months, Testicles, Ultrasound, Unc, University Of North Carolina, University Of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Posted in Birth Control, Male Infertility | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, so in recognition of this fact, we’d like to bring to you some facts and figures regarding the ways that fertility may be affected by diabetes.
- Women with diabetes (Type 1 or 2) tend to experience menopause a little earlier than women without diabetes.
- Some women with Type 2 diabetes have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a contributor to infertility.
- Some physicians and researchers are concerned that men with diabetes may have damaged DNA in their sperm. Studies are being conducted to provide further information on this topic, although initial research supports the hypothesis.
- Women with diabetes may have more difficulty becoming (and remaining) pregnant. Miscarriages among women with diabetes (even diabetes that is well-controlled) are a common occurrence (as high as 30-60% among women in the first trimester.)
- A recent study discovered that, among men with Type 2 diabetes, there was about half the amount of testosterone in their bloodstreams than in similarly-aged men with Type 1 diabetes.
- There is a link between diabetes and being overweight. Consequently, men and women who had diabetes but who made an effort to stay in shape improved their chances of conceiving naturally.
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Tags: Being Overweight, Contributor, Diabetes, Diabetes 2, Diabetes Awareness Month, Diabetes Type 1, Fall Newsletter, Fertility, First Trimester, Hypothesis, Infertility, Initial Research, Menopause, Miracles, Miscarriages, Occurrence, Testosterone, Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Type Diabetes
Posted in Diabetes | 1 Comment »
