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Posts Tagged ‘Infertility’
Monday, March 8th, 2010
5 Fertility Myths - Debunked!
Myth #1: If I’ve had one child naturally, I can easily have another.
Actually, numerous women experience “secondary infertility” every year, which is infertility after the female has already had a child.
Myth #2: Infertility is mainly a woman’s issue.
Not true. Men and women have an equal chance of being infertile.
Myth #3: Fertility treatments are always expensive.
There are many fertility treatments that are quite economical and may even be covered partially by insurance.
Myth #4: IVF is the only fertility treatment.
Though IVF does get a lot of press, there are plenty of other ways to successfully treat infertility.
Myth #5: No one can really tell why men and women are infertile.
Certainly, there are cases when infertility baffles even the most knowledgeable reproductive health specialists. But in the majority of cases, the cause of infertility can be uncovered.
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Tags: Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Insurance, IVF, Men And Women, Myths, Reproductive Health Specialists, Secondary Infertility
Posted in Myths & Misconceptions | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
In our last post, we talked about Guiliana Rancic’s desire to have a baby and her openness about starting IVF. Since then, Whoopie Goldberg made a public faux pas regarding Rancic’s decision.
During a recent episode of The View, Goldberg told Rancic:
“You want to have a baby? You need to prepare your body for that other person who’s gonna be there.”
While weight can play a factor in being able to conceive, Goldberg’s words indicate how misinformed she is on the topic of infertility. Women of all shapes and sizes can experience fertility issues and Rancic’s doctors have likely ruled out her body weight as the main cause of her medical concerns.
What do you think about the Goldberg-Rancic news story?
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Tags: Doctors, Fertility Issues, Guiliana Rancic, Infertility, IVF, Medical Concerns, News Story, Whoopie Goldberg
Posted in Fertility Issues In the News, Television | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
For couples just entering the world of infertility treatments, the variety of acronyms may seem a little overwhelming. In this article, we’ll talk about intrauterine insemination, typically abbreviated as IUI.
What is It?
IUI is a procedure whereby a catheter containing washed sperm is inserted through the cervix. The sperm is then pushed into the uterus in the hopes of fertilization with an ovum.
When Does IUI Take Place?
IUIis typically scheduled within 6 hours (before or after) of a woman’s ovulation. (hCG injections may be used to ensure ovulation.) Timing is critical because sperm can only last 24-72 hours and are typically considered less viable after 24 hours.
Does IUI Hurt?
Most women report feeling very little discomfort during IUI.
Can the Sperm “Fall Out” after IUI?
The sperm that has been injected into the uterus will remain there. Women do not need to go on any kind of “bed rest” post IUI.
What is the Success Rate of IUI?
Success rates are quite variable. Some studies quote numbers of as little as 4-8%; others claim the success rate is closer to 20%.
What Can We Expect to Spend on IUI?
The costs of IUI will depend on your unique situation and where you go for treatment. Therefore, you should connect with your fertility specialist for more information.
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Tags: bed rest, Catheter, Cervix, fertility specialist, Fertilization, Hcg Injections, Infertility, Infertility Treatments, Intrauterine Insemination, Iui Success Rates, Ovulation Timing, ovum, sperm, Success Rate, Uterus
Posted in IUI | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
The term “hostile cervical mucus” may not be one you hear every day, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be a factor if you’ve been unable to naturally conceive a child.
All women have cervical mucus. What makes some cervical mucus “hostile” is its thickness. Typically, cervical mucus helps sperm pass through the cervix at various times during a woman’s ovulation. However, hostile cervical mucus prevents the sperm from travelling to the ovum. Thus, the chances of pregnancy reduce greatly.
Hostile cervical mucus can be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Poor nutrition
Over-the-counter and prescription medications
Use of Clomid
Abnormal sperm
Not enough estrogen
Fortunately, there are ways for physicians to help women counteract hostile cervical mucus, rendering the condition less problematic.
How do you know if hostile cervical mucus could be to blame for your infertility problems? Only a fertility specialist can tell for certain, so it’s important to make a call today.
Tags: Abnormal Sperm, Cervix, Chances Of Pregnancy, Clomid, Estrogen, fertility specialist, Hostile Cervical Mucus, Infertility, Infertility Problems, Ovulation, ovum, Physicians, Poor Nutrition, Prescription Medications
Posted in Hostile Cervical Mucus | No Comments »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
In one of our posts from last October, we sent our congratulations to “Top Chef”’s Padma Lakshmi. Lakshmi struggled for many years with endometriosis, which can cause infertility in some women. Fortunately, she was able to conceive and gave birth to a baby girl Saturday evening (February 20).
Lakshmi’s experience shows how infertility linked to endometriosis can and does affect women representing all walks of life, including superstars. Although statistics aren’t widely available, rates of infertility among women with endometriosis range from 30-50%.
If you think you might have endometriosis (or you know you do) and you want to have a baby, it’s important to work with your doctor to give you the best chance to conceive despite your medical condition.
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Tags: Baby Girl, Endometriosis, Infertility, Medical Condition, Padma Lakshmi, Statistics, Top Chef
Posted in Facts and Figures, Fertility Issues In the News, Television | No Comments »
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
A recent article caught our eye. It discussed the potential connection between celiac disease and infertility.
In the Food Consumer piece, entitled “Can Foods Contribute to Infertility?“, the author explains:
Infertility seems to be more common in women with untreated celiac disease. Other gynecological and obstetrical problems may also be more common, including miscarriages and preterm births.
For men, problems can include abnormal sperm — such as lower sperm numbers, altered shape, and reduced function. Men with untreated celiac disease may also have lower testosterone levels.
The article goes on to explain celiac disease and several excellent ways to deal with it.
If you’re interested in the topic, it’s definitely worth a look.
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Tags: Abnormal Sperm, Celiac Disease, Infertility, Miscarriages, Obstetrical Problems, Preterm Births, Rsi, Testosterone, Testosterone Levels
Posted in Health and Nutrition | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
This article about egg donation recently caught our eye. Rather than looking from the point of view of an individual or couple, the piece tells the story from the egg donor’s experience.
As Cathy Sidaway, a three-time egg donor, explains her desire to be one of the countless “Samaritans” for childless couples:
“I know about the heartache infertility causes… My cousin has endometriosis, and it’s been torturous for her. Another friend had seven miscarriages and was desperate for the family other people have quite easily…”
Thanks to the selflessness of women who choose to become egg donors like Sidaway (who receives zero remuneration for her good deeds according to the article), hundreds of babies will be born into loving families in the coming year.
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Tags: Babies, Childless Couples, Egg Donation, Egg Donor, Egg Donors, Endometriosis, Good Deeds, Infertility, Infertility Causes, Loving Families, Miscarriages, Remuneration, Samaritans, Selflessness
Posted in Egg Donation | No Comments »
Monday, February 8th, 2010
Too often, people tend to think of infertility as being a female issue. Though this is probably due to the fact that women are the ones carrying the children, there’s as much of a likelihood that a couple’s inability to conceive is a male problem as that it is a female one.
Statistics vary on how often couples’ conception problems are related to female issues as opposed to males — some sources say a third of fertility problems is due to the female’s infertility, a third is due to the male’s infertility and a third is due to unknown circumstances. Other sources have the figures at 40%, 40% and 20%. But the crux of the studies show that men have just as much chance of having infertility issues as do women.
It’s time to stop thinking of infertility as something that’s primarily related to women. Truly, it’s a condition that’s “equal opportunity”.
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Tags: female infertility, Fertility Problems, Infertility, Infertility Issues, Male Infertility, Rsi, Statistics, Woman Issue
Posted in Male Infertility, female infertility | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
As if being unable to conceive weren’t enough of a problem, it turns out that infertilitycan also land a huge blow on an individual’s self-esteem.
(It’s not that we didn’t already realize this fact, of course, but now it’s been proven via a research study.)
A survey conducted in September 2009 on behalf of Schering-Plough resulted in some interesting findings:
- 61% couples said they attempted to hide their infertility from those around them.
- 54% of couples said it was easier to lie and say they weren’t planning to have children than to discuss infertility with friends and family.
- 63% of couples reported they were tired of people questioning them about when they would have a baby.
- 63% of couples also said they were frustrated by people trying to give them fertility “advice”.
If you’ve had a dip in self-esteem as a result of your fertility issues, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. It’s also important to realize that you can regain control of your confidence through therapy and counseling.
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Tags: Confidence, Counseling, Couples, Fertility Advice, Fertility Issues, Friends And Family, Infertility, Rsi, Schering Plough, Self Esteem
Posted in Reports, Statistics | No Comments »
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
If you’re dealing with fertility issues, you might want to consider evaluating the “health” of your home and work environment.
A recent report from the Environmental Health Perspectives journal cautioned that, during a study, women who experienced infertility often exhibited higher-than-normal concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in their bodies.
According to the U.S.’s EPA website, PBDEs can be found in furniture foam flame retardants (pentaBDE), TV cabinet plastics, consumer electronics, drapery/upholstery back coatings and even the plastics in appliances and personal computers.
Though it’s not feasible to eliminate PBDEs from your home entirely, it may be something to consider as you look to increase your chances of becoming pregnant.
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Tags: Appliances, Consumer Electronics, Drapery, Environmental Health Perspectives, Environmental Health Perspectives Journal, Epa Website, Fertility Issues, Flame Retardants, Furniture, Household Items, Infertility, Miracles, Personal Computers, Plastics, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, Rsi, Study Women, Tv Cabinet, Upholstery, Work Environment
Posted in Environmental Factors | No Comments »
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