Posts Tagged ‘Ovaries’
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
Posted in Infertility | No Comments »
Friday, July 22nd, 2011
For women, especially those under 40, a diagnosis of breast cancer is difficult enough to hear. But when compounded with the fact that she might not be able to retain her fertility after undergoing chemotherapy, it can be doubly devastating.
Realizing this, researchers have begun medical treatments on younger females who have early stage breast cancer to suppress the women’s ovaries. Using triptorelin, physicians in an Italian study have successfully been able to help breast cancer victims stave off early menopause, a common side effect of chemotherapy. Patients in the study were able to potentially avoid permanently losing their fertility, enabling them to possibly have children naturally in the future.
The use of triptorelin to reduce the rate of early menopause in subjects by greater than 17 percent made waves throughout the international fertility treatment community, especially after the Italian study was made public earlier this week by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Of course, it’s important to note that results haven’t been confirmed long-term and are only the tip of the iceberg. Cautions oncologist Lucia Del Mastro, the study’s leading author, in an article widely spread throughout the Internet:
“This strategy [of using triptorelin] increases the probability of ovarian function maintenance but it doesn’t assure the fertility.”
Still, it’s a happy prospect for women who have been given the devastating news that they have breast cancer and who want to have children later in life.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, American Medical Association, Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Victims, Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy Patients, Diagnosis Of Breast Cancer, Dr. Munabi, Early Menopause, Facebook, Females, Fertility Treatment, Italian Study, Journal Of The American Medical Association, Mastro, Medical Treatments, Menopause, Oncologist, Ovaries, Probability, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Stage Breast Cancer, Tip Of The Iceberg, Triptorelin, Twitter
Posted in Cancer, female infertility | No Comments »
Monday, February 28th, 2011
In the past decade or so, the realization has come about that bones are more than simply a structure to hold our organs, muscles and skin. There are in fact correlations to the internal make-up of bones and energy metabolism as well as reproduction. It is well-known that there is a connection between menopause and osteoporosis in women. Thus, it came a surprise to Gerald Karsenty and his colleagues at Columbia University in New York City that their study with mice showed a relationship between bone cells and sperm production in male mice, yet no effect (at this time) on any female reproductive aspects.
To break the study down, osteocalcin is a hormone contained in osteoblasts. Osteoblasts are bone cells that partake in building new bone cells. In this study, the researchers took osteoblasts and combined them with cell cultures from either testes or ovaries of mice. The results showed a great increase in testosterone in the testis cells but no reaction or change in hormones in the ovary cells due to the introduction of the osteoblasts. Given these results, the researchers went on to inject osteoblasts into the blood stream of male mice, which resulted in increased production of testosterone in the blood stream. To further specify their testing, the researchers took a batch of male mice and removed their gene for osteocalcin. The mice without osteocalcin had smaller testes, lower sperm counts and smaller litter sizes when bred than normal male mice.
Though this study has only been performed on mice at this time, Karsenty has strong feelings that the hormone osteocalcin may play a factor in fertilty in men and believes that it could possibly be used in the future in treatments for male infertilty.
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Tags: Blood Stream, Bone Cells, Cell Cultures, Columbia University, Correlations, Dr. Munabi, Energy Metabolism, Fertility, Fertilty, Hormones, Infertilty, Litter Sizes, Low Sperm Count, Male Factor, Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Male Mice, Menopause And Osteoporosis, Osteocalcin, Ovaries, Ovary, Reproductive Aspects, Rsi, Sperm Counts, Testes, Testosterone
Posted in In the News, Infertility, Male Infertility | No Comments »
Friday, February 25th, 2011
It is understandable that individuals who fought cancer and are in remission want to go on and lead their normal lives. For those in the childbearing years, this could very likely include starting a family at some point. Unfortunately, though, the odds are high for female infertility in individuals who have undergone chemotherapy. Why do we only mention women, you may ask. Because women are born with their ovaries containing all the eggs they will ever have in their lives, where as men’s sperm is continually replenished throughout their reproductive lives. Thus, chemotherapy is much more likely to spread to and effect a woman’s ovaries than to have a long-lasting effect on a man’s sperm.
Luckily, there are so many options for a woman who wants to have children these days. If you have not yet undergone chemotherapy, but know that you will, talk to your doctor about the state of your health and whether a procedure of removing some of your eggs to have them frozen for future use would be something you could withstand prior to your chemotherapy treatments. If not, or if you have already undergone chemotherapy and now find that you are facing infertility, there are still plenty of options for you! You could look into egg donation and IVF or perhaps surrogacy. A study is also currently in the works in Melbourne, Australia, testing the effectiveness of goserelin in protecting the ovaries of the women to whom it has been administered prior to their chemotherapy treatments. Please feel free to contact us at RSI for a consultation or if you have any questions.
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Tags: Cancer, Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy Treatments, Childbearing Years, Consultation, Egg Donation, Eggs, female infertility, Goserelin, health, Infertility, IVF, Lead, Melbourne Australia, Odds, Ovaries, Reproductive Science, Rsi, sperm, surrogacy
Posted in Cancer, Infertility | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010
When women undergo many of the common cancer treatments — radiation, chemotherapy — they often wind up with fertility issues, including the loss of one or both ovaries. That’s why the trial of a new drug that could help protect the ovaries during these cancer treatments is so exciting.
Making news in the online papers of Melbourne, the medication, goserelin, is scheduled to be tested on a group of Australian women who are battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After they have completed their cancer treatments, the subjects will be examined and the condition of their ovaries assessed periodically for five years.
As results of the study become available, we at RSI will let you know more about the outcomes of the research.
Tags: Australian Women, Cancer Chemotherapy, Cancer Radiation, Cancer Treatments, Chemotherapy, Fertility Issues, Goserelin, Hodgkin S Lymphoma, Lymphoma, Medication, Melbourne, Non Hodgkin S Lymphoma, Ovaries
Posted in Cancer | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010
In yesterday’s post, we discussed obesity and fertility. Today, we’re going to look at the opposite end of the spectrum — specifically eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
Anorectics and bulimics often lose copious amounts of weight which can contribute to ammenorrhea (the loss of regular menstruation.) Those with severe eating disorders will often stop ovulating altogether, as their bodies are focused on survival. All nutrients are sent directly to the most important organs. (As you might guess, the ovaries are not included in that list.)
Even those who have overcome eating disorders may still face temporary (or sometimes permanent) infertility as a result of years of self-inflicted starvation through extreme dieting behaviors.
If you have or had an eating disorder and are trying to become pregnant, it’s important to get under the care of a fertility specialist who can help you healthily reach your goal of becoming a parent.
There’s no shame in your medical experiences; you simply need to address the realities of your situation before you can move on.
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Tags: Anorectics, Anorexia And Bulimia, Anorexia Bulimia, Becoming A Parent, Copious Amounts, Eating Disorder, Eating Disorders, Extreme Dieting, fertility specialist, Infertility, Medical Experiences, Miracles, Nutrients, obesity, Organs, Ovaries, Realities, Shame, Spectrum, Starvation
Posted in Weight Gain and Loss | No Comments »
Saturday, March 13th, 2010
As part of our newest series, Fertility Info 101, we’re offering information about PCOS.
PCOS Defined:
PCOS stands for “polycystic ovary syndrome”. Women with PCOS have issues with their hormones and tend to grow benign cysts on their ovaries, ultimately causing problems with menstruation. As a result, PCOS can create issues with fertility.
How Many Women Have PCOS?
Statistics on PCOS vary, since some women do not get treatment. However, out of every 100 females, around 6-7 are likely to have or develop PCOS.
What Are Common PCOS Signs and Symptoms?
Some of the more common signs and/or symptoms of PCOS include:
- Unexplained weight gain.
- Acne.
- Repeat miscarriages.
- Extra facial and body hair.
- High cholesterol.
- Stroke.
- Diabetes.
- Irregular menstruation.
- Problems becoming pregnant.
How is PCOS Treated?
PCOS is treated through a mixture of home remedies (exercise, eating right, controlling weight) and, sometimes, hormone-balancing medications.
Can a Women with PCOS Get Pregnant?
Women with PCOS can and do get pregnant. However, it is important that they be a) diagnosed and b) under the care of a specialist throughout their journey to conceive.
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Tags: Acne, Benign Cysts, Body Hair, Cholesterol, Females, Fertility, High Cholesterol, Hormones, medications, Menstruation Problems, Miscarriages, Ovaries, Ovary, Ovary Syndrome, Pcos, Pregnant Women, Unexplained Weight Gain
Posted in Fertility Info 101 | No Comments »
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Are you one of the numerous women whose periods don’t fall neatly into any kind of a 28-35 day cycle? If so, you may have difficulty becoming pregnant.
During a woman’s menstrual cycle, one (usually) egg is released from the ovaries. If the egg isn’t fertilized within 24 hours, it is no longer viable. Thus, within several days, menses occurs. However, if your period isn’t happening on a predictable basis, it can be tough to figure out when the best time of the month to conceive would be. (Remember — it’s a smaller window of opportunity than you might think!)
This is where a reproductive science specialist can help tremendously. Your physician can prescribe pharmaceuticals to help regulate your menses, thus increasing your chances of naturally getting pregnant.
If you’ve been trying to have a baby for over six months and haven’t been able to conceive (without using any kind of birth control), it might be worth a trip to a fertility specialist.
Don’t immediately assume that you’ll have to invest a lot of money, either. Many couples whose only problem is the woman’s irregular cycle have found great success for an extremely economical investment.
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Tags: Best Time, Birth Control, Couples, Economical Investment, Egg, fertility specialist, Irregular Menstruation, Menstrual Cycle, Miracles, Ovaries, Periods, Pharmaceuticals, Reproductive Science, Science Specialist, Time Of The Month, Trying To Have A Baby, Window Of Opportunity, Woman
Posted in Menstruation | No Comments »
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
Scientists believe that smoking may impair fertility by as much as 30%.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, nicotine and other toxic chemicals in cigarettes impede fertility by interfering with the body’s ability to make estrogen, a hormone integral to regular ovulation, and can make women’s eggs more vulnerable to genetic abnormalities.
Fertility.com lists some of the ways smoking can undermine female fertility:
- Restricted blood flow to the genitals, contributing to vaginal dryness and other sexual problems.
- Decreased egg counts due to destruction of eggs in the ovaries before the eggs reach maturity.
- Alterations in the release of hormones.
- Decreased fallopian tube motility and tubal disease.
- Decreased ability of an embryo to implant.
Women who want to be as healthy as possible while trying to conceive should stop smoking immediately. Support Groups, Hypnotherapy, Acupuncture, Nicotine Patches and Chewing Gum are all popular methods for kicking the smoking habit.
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Tags: American Society For Reproductive Medicine, Blood Flow, Chemicals In Cigarettes, Chewing Gum, Estrogen, Fall Newsletter, Fallopian Tube, Female Fertility, female infertility, Genetic Abnormalities, Genitals, Motility, Nicotine, Nicotine Gum, Nicotine Patches, Ovaries, Ovulation, Sexual Problems, Smoking Habit, Toxic Chemicals In Cigarettes, Vaginal Dryness
Posted in female infertility | 1 Comment »
Friday, October 9th, 2009
“Model, author, and Emmy-nominated Padma Lakshmi confirms that she is carrying her first child after years of struggling with endometriosis, a cause for which she has co-founded the Endometriosis Foundation of America,” the rep tells Us of Lakshmi, 39.
As outlined on the FAQ page of our website: Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, in other parts of the body. Endometriosis typically grows in the abdominal cavity and most often attaches to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, outer surface of the uterus, bowels, or other abdominal organs. Endometriosis growths, called implants or lesions, often bleed during menstruation, causing pain. They may also develop scar tissue (adhesions) that can interfere with an organ’s normal function. Scar tissue can also cause pain and difficulty becoming pregnant (infertility). The diagnosis of endometriosis is usually made by ultrasound and is verified by surgery through a procedure called laparoscopy.
Endometriosis can be treated with medicines or with surgery to remove implants and scar tissue. Infertility caused by endometriosis can sometimes be successfully treated with surgery, fertility drug treatment and assisted reproduction. The common forms of assisted reproduction include intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization. Additional frequently asked questions on this topic can be found at: http://www.rsiinfertility.com/FAQ.html
RSI provides comprehensive services in both male and female infertility and reproductive gynecological treatments. Our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality of medical care with respect and compassion.
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Tags: Abdominal Cavity, Abdominal Organs, Adhesions, Assisted Reproduction, Bowels, Comprehensive Services, Diagnosis Of Endometriosis, Endometriosis, Fall Newsletter, female infertility, Fertility Drug, Implants, Infertility, Intrauterine Insemination, Lesions, Outer Surface, Ovaries, Padma Lakshmi, Rsi, Scar Tissue, Top Chef, Ultrasound, Uterus, Vitro Fertilization
Posted in female infertility, Fertility Issues In the News, Infertility | 1 Comment »
