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Posts Tagged ‘Men And Women’

Show Support for Infertility Awareness This Week!

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Did you know that April 24-May 1, 2010 is National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW)?

If you want to show your support for this condition that affects millions of men and women in the United States alone, why not start by doing one or more of the following things?

  1. Blog about your infertility journey.  Many bloggers have found great release and relief in (typically anonymously) blogging about their experiences.
  2. Learn all you can about infertility.  There are many myths and misconceptions out there.  Education is the key to sorting through all the hype.
  3. Be a good friend to a person or couple dealing with infertility.  You don’t have to say anything to your friend(s), of course.  Just be there.  Infertility can make someone feel very alone.  Make sure your loved one knows you’re there for support.

How will you observe National Infertility Awareness Week?

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  • Gonorrhea – On the Rise and a Fertility Risk

    Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

    Gonorrhea is the most widespread and common of STDs… which makes it a huge risk for couples looking to have children now or down the road.  It’s long been known that it can affect fertility; consequently, more fertility specialists are checking their patients for the medical condition.

    Unfortunately, gonorrhea has few symptoms.  In fact, many men and women have no idea they have the STD until years have passed.  Thus, it can “silently” affect individuals for quite a while before being uncovered.

    If you’re experiencing infertility and your physician hasn’t recommended you get checked for gonorrhea, it’s a good idea to ask if you could possibly have the disease.  It’s spread through any kind of sexual contact, so if one or both members of the couple have had other partners, it’s worth finding out if gonorrhea could be to blame for infertility.

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  • 5 Fertility Myths – Debunked!

    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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  • Is a Support Group Right for You?

    Saturday, January 9th, 2010

    For many individuals and couples going through infertility issues and the stressors often associated with fertility treatments, the answer is clear — join a support group.  Whether it’s online or in person, this kind of community often becomes a “safe haven” of sorts for men and women dealing with infertility matters.

    However, that doesn’t mean that a support group — OR that every support group — is going to fit the bill for you.  If you’re not sure if you want to join a group, ask yourself these questions:

    • Do you feel comfortable talking about your (or a partner’s) infertility matters or — even if you don’t discuss your own personal issues — hearing about others’ fertility concerns?  If the answer is “no”, a support group might be extremely uncomfortable for you.  However, you may find one-on-one therapy to be valuable.
    • Are you willing to devote time to a support group?  Maybe a support group sounds great theoretically, but you honestly know that you’ll spend a fraction of the time you should on attending meetings, whether in person or virtually.  Though that isn’t a definite reason not to join, it may hinder your experiences as a support group member.
    • Are you willing to allow yourself to be open to a group setting?  Some people simply do not wish to be around those they do not know while discussing their personal issues.  Of course, if you can bring a trusted friend or family member with you to your group, you may be able to alleviate some of those worries.

    Remember that regardless of whether or not you’re currently ready for an infertility support group, you can always change your mind in the future.  After all, it’s your experience to share… or not.

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  • Surrogacy Isn’t Only for the Stars

    Friday, June 26th, 2009

    The news was announced earlier this week — Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s surrogate gave birth to the couple’s twins.  It brought surrogacy in the news, but what many people don’t realize is that having a surrogate give birth to their children isn’t just for Hollywood’s elite.

    In fact, surrogacy can be an effective solution for couples struggling with infertility problems.  In some cases, it greatly minimizes the stress of continuing with fertility treatments that might not be working.  Consequently, surrogacy shouldn’t be ignored; it’s been and continues to be a viable way to have a baby for numerous men and women.

    Our congratulations to SJP and MB!

    Father’s Day: Coping with Fertility Issues

    Saturday, June 20th, 2009

    Both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can be difficult for couples who are having difficulty conceiving

    Because it’s tough to completely avoid these holidays, it’s important for men and women (and those who love them) to take an understanding, realistic approach to dealing with the day.

    Below are some suggestions for getting through family-centered holidays:

    1. Don’t ignore the fact that it’s Father’s Day.  But try not to spend every waking hour thinking about it, either.
    2. Spend time with your own father or a father figure.
    3. Plan to do something special with your loved ones.
    4. If you need to talk about your feelings, do so.  (If you’re religious, know that many clergy make themselves available during these particularly sensitive times.) 
    5. It’s fine to feel angry, resentful or uncomfortable.  Emotions are normal.  Just don’t take them out on those about whom you care.
    6. If you already have children, spend time with them.
    7. Remind yourself that infertility does not have anything to do with self-worth.
    8. If you and/or your partner feel being around children will be difficult on this holiday, you may want to avoid going to places (such as restaurants, amusement parks, etc.) where fathers and children will likely gather.
    9. Try to remain positive throughout the day.
    10. Do something healthy for yourself.  For instance, if you like to exercise, plan a hike in the woods or a long bike ride in the country. 

    What suggestions do you have for coping with holidays like Mother’s and Father’s Day for those who are struggling with fertility issues?  Feel free to comment.

    In the News: Number of Fertility Treatments around the World Rise

    Friday, June 5th, 2009

    baby-toyThink fertility issues are only a North American concern?  Guess again. 

    Throughout the world, more and more men and women are becoming interested in the subject of infertility; they are also becoming more apt to seek out assistance to help overcome their fertility issues.

    In a recent article, “Global Rates of Reproduction Climb”, the author notes that:

    “…in the two year period since the previous report was published, the number of people who sought ART treatment globally increased by 25 percent, while the number of babies born as a result of ART procedures rose from 219,000 in 2000 to 246,000 in 2002.”

    The article goes on to explain that the number of live births corresponds with the expected increase in multiples, a reality for many recipients of in vitro fertilization methods.

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