Posts Tagged ‘Infertility’
Monday, October 24th, 2011
If you’re a woman and you’ve been having difficulty getting pregnant after trying for at least six months on a regular basis, you may want to consider the possibility that you could have polycystic ovary symptom (PCOS).
PCOS has been shown to affect fertility in women by interfering with hormones. Consequently, menstruation and ovulation may become irregular, leading to infertility or challenges in naturally conceiving a child without fertility treatments.
Ironically, many women with PCOS do not realize they have the condition. After all, PCOS symptoms can easily “mimic” ordinary experiences for many females. These may include menstruation changes, trouble with pregnancy, ovarian cysts (benign) and skin problems.
Because infertility or problems with fertility are often reasons for diagnosis, most women with PCOS are in their 20s and 30s. However, some teenagers have been known to discover that they have the condition.
For fertility specialists like the Philadelphia and Reading, Pennsylvania area’s Reproductive Science Institute (RSI), discovering PCOS can help greatly in deciding upon the best fertility treatments for a female patient and, if applicable, her partner. PCOS can be addressed with a number of medical interventions, including birth control pills, progesterone pills and medications.
The good news is that PCOS is quite treatable and can be overcome for women and couples who seek to become parents. If you’re interested in finding out more about PCOS and fertility treatments, contact RSI at your convenience to set up an appointment with one of our team.
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Tags: Birth Control, Birth Control Pills, conceiving a child, Cysts, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Female Patient, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Hormones, Infertility, Medical Interventions, Menstruation And Ovulation, Ovary, PA Infertility, Pcos Symptoms, Pennsylvania Area, Philadelphia Infertility, Polycystic Ovary, Progesterone, Reading, Reading Pennsylvania, Reproductive Science Institute, Skin Problems
Posted in female infertility, Pcos | No Comments »
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
Posted in Male Infertility | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which makes the following news story all the more pertinent…
E! Entertainment channel host Giuliana Rancic, whose fertility journey has been chronicled on the pages of major magazines as well as new blogs across the world, recently announced shocking news. The woman who has been so open about her IVF procedures now has another medical issue – breast cancer.
Ironically, it was her IVF treatments that led to the discovery. During her third round of IVF, she had to get a mammogram, and the breast cancer was detected.
Rancic is still going ahead with the third IVF treatment and has vowed to continue to try for a child despite her infertility and breast cancer. Her husband, Bill Rancic, is on board with her decision to remain a positive fighter in all aspects of her life.
We hope for the best for Rancic and her family as they battle together. We also support all the females and males who are dealing with infertility with as much grace, poise and optimism as the Rancics. We know it can be tough, but we’re here for any individual or couple who is seeking medical assistance to become a parent.
Feel free to contact the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) anytime to schedule an appointment and find out how our fertility specialists can assist you.
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Tags: Bill Rancic, Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cancer Awareness Month, Channel Host, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, E Entertainment Channel, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatment, Guiliana Rancic, Infertility, Ivf Procedures, IVF treatment, IVF treatments, Mammogram, Medical Assistance, Medical Issue, Optimism, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Poise, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute, Shocking News, Wyomissing
Posted in Fertility Issues In the News, Hollywood and Stars | No Comments »
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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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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Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
It’s no secret that fertility treatments can elicit a host of emotional responses from the individuals and couples involved. That’s why it’s such a smart idea to really plan for the ways to deal with your feelings ahead of time.
Even if you are the most optimistic person in the world, it can be challenging to stay positive, especially if fertility treatments are proceeding slower than you’d like or if the options presented to you are not what you expected.
As you proceed with your investigation into the right fertility treatments for your situation, why not take the following factors into consideration?
1. Set up an appointment with a counselor.
Many therapists and counselors specialize in helping those who are undergoing fertility treatments. They can give you feedback on your (very normal) emotions as well as providing you with ways to get through difficult times.
2. Don’t define yourself by your infertility.
Many people fall into the emotional trap of thinking of themselves only in terms of their infertility. Remember that you are someone who has a lot to offer, and are not simply a man or woman who is having issues conceiving.
3. Be open about the way you feel.
Females and males who are undergoing fertility treatments can sometimes “shut down”, essentially pretending that their emotions aren’t happening or, alternatively, aren’t important. But they most certainly are!
4. Plan fun activities.
Don’t worry about fertility treatments 24/7! Start planning some fun activities to do alone and with your partner. Go out to eat, head for a hike in the woods, take a walk along the water… and reconnect with yourself and your relationship in a way that doesn’t have to do with pregnancy.
5. Stay on top of your emotions.
Finally, it’s critical to remain “on top” of your emotions. You may even want to start a journal so you can track how you’re feeling on a daily or weekly basis. This will help you achieve a stronger sense of confidence and poise throughout your fertility treatments.
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Tags: Appointment, Counselor, Counselors, Couples, Difficult Times, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Emotional Responses, emotions, Feelings, Females, Fertility Treatments, Fun Activities, Infertility, Many People, Optimistic Person, Partner, Philadelphia Infertility, Pregnancy, Reading PA Infertility, Relationship, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Smart Idea, Stay On Top, Worry, Wyomissing PA Infertility
Posted in Fertility Treatments | No Comments »
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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Wednesday, September 28th, 2011
News from India has many men who work in the IT industry asking themselves if their chosen careers may contribute to their male infertility. A recent survey of those in the software industry has discovered that many men who attempt fertility treatments with their wives discover that they are the cause of the reproduction issues.
Though the survey doesn’t explain exactly why a higher-than-normal finding seems to exist in the IT world, there could be many sociological and environmental factors, including:
1. A stressful environment.
The IT industry is highly competitive, requiring long hours. As with any job where intensity and drive are the standard expectations, an IT professional may be living such a hectic lifestyle that he is unable to find time to have a regular sexual relationship with his female partner.
2. Obesity.
IT professionals often work in offices in front of computers day-in, day-out. This leads to a more sedentary than normal existence, which can contribute to weight issues. Obese men are known to have more fertility issues than are those of average weight.
3. Poor habits.
Long hours may lead some men to drink or smoke. Both lifestyle choices can be contributors to male infertility. Additionally, any kind of drug use (even some over-the-counter medications) can become problematic for men seeking to father children.
4. Radiation from technology equipment.
Though some scientists have felt that the notion of radiation from technological items is too minimal to have an impact on male infertility, others are cautious about dismissing the notion out of hand. After all, some cases have shown that being around such items can have effects on health.
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Tags: Drug Use, Environmental Factors, Female Partner, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Hectic Lifestyle, Infertility, Intensity, Lifestyle Choices, Male Infertility, Many Men, News From India, Obese Men, obesity, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Poor Habits, Reading, Reproducive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Reproduction Issues, Rsi, Sexual Relationship, Software Industry, Stressful Environment, Technology Equipment, Wyomissing
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Monday, September 26th, 2011
Polycystic ovary syndrome (commonly abbreviated as “PCOS”) isn’t a medical condition that’s discussed every day, which is one of the reasons so many fertility clinics have supported a movement to make September PCOS Awareness Month. However, it’s important to realize that PCOS, a common cause of infertility in women, is a condition that should be considered year-round.
Ironically, a good many women are unaware that they have PCOS, as symptoms can be mild to practically invisible. For instance, in the early stages of the condition, a woman may simply have missed or irregular menstrual periods, acne, oily skin and/or depression. Because these can be signs of very typical female issues (including PMS), many women have no inkling that PCOS is the culprit.
As PCOS develops further, women may experience weight gain, another natural phenomenon that isn’t necessary a cause for instant alarm. Some females also have problems with their breathing, including sleep apnea.
When PCOS is usually discovered is after a woman has repeated miscarriages or difficulty in getting pregnant. It’s at this point reproductive specialists like those at Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) must make a thorough evaluation.
Could you have PCOS? Perhaps. And if you’ve had any of the abovementioned symptoms, especially those relating to reproduction, we urge you to contact your primary care physician or set up a consultation at a reputable fertility clinic.
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Tags: Awareness Month, Care Physician, Culprit, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, fertility clinic, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Treatment, Infertility, Infertility In Women, Inkling, Irregular Menstrual Periods, Medical Condition, Miscarriages, Natural Phenomenon, Oily Skin, Ovary, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute, Reproductive Scienece Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Reproductive Specialists, Rsi, Sleep Apnea, Weight Gain, Wyomissing
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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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Tags: Animal Research, Bmi, Bovines, British Scientists, Common Phrase, Cows, Definite Cause, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fatty Acids, Females, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertilization, Infertility, Infertility Issues, No Doubt, Ovaries, Ovary, Philadelphia Infertility, Reading PA Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute, Suburban Philadelphia, Western Culture, Wyomissing PA Infertility
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