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Posts Tagged ‘Phenomenon’

5 Fertility Myths – DEBUNKED!

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

You’ve heard them all… those fertility myths that abound on the Internet. But sometimes, information seems logical or acceptable; therefore, it’s hard to tell what’s accurate from what’s incorrect.

Below are 5 fertility myths that we’ve decided to bust:

1. Infertility Is a Woman’s Problem.

While it may be that females are often more vocal about their infertility experiences, men actually contribute to infertility just as much as women do. In fact, approximately one-third of all infertility cases can be attributed to female infertility; one-third to male infertility; and one-third to unknown/unidentifiable causes.

2. If You’d Relax, You’d Get Pregnant

Though it is definitely a great idea to focus on de-stressing when going through fertility treatments, it’s also not a comprehensive solution for conception. Many problems, such as PCOS, do not go away on their own, regardless of how relaxed you are. Instead, you need medical intervention.

3. Fertility Clinics Will Not Want to Treat Those with Alternative Lifestyles

Actually, people with alternative lifestyles are being accepted more and more by American fertility clinics. In fact, RSI has a special webpage devoted to discussing options especially for same-sex couples.

4. Infertility Only Happens after 35

Though the majority of fertility patients are, indeed, older than 30, it is possible to be infertile at any age.

5. If I’ve Had One Baby, I Can Have More

Many women are shocked by secondary infertility, the phenomenon of being unable to conceive after successfully having one or more children. There are numerous reasons that a female may be having trouble getting pregnant again; that’s why it’s important to seek help from a fertility specialist.

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Facts to Know for National Infertility Awareness Week

Friday, April 29th, 2011

Hooray!  It’s National Infertility Awareness Week from April 24-30, 2011!

In celebration, we at RSI, one of the Philadelphia area’s most reputable fertility clinics, would like to share some facts about fertility treatments, assisted reproductive techniques and other pertinent tidbits:

  • The world’s first IVF birth was in 1978 in England.
  • The first American IVF birth was in 1981 (30 years ago!)
  • In some countries, fertility clinics will not allow certain couples to go through procedures because of age, sexual orientation and other factors.  Thus, a phenomenon called “fertility tourism” has sprung onto the international scene.
  • Not all fertility clinics accept patients in same-sex relationships.  (RSI does.)
  • Fertility clinics aren’t just for those over 35 or 40… many younger people are now seeking fertility treatments, especially if they have been trying to have a child unsuccessfully for six months or more.
  • In-vitro fertilization (IVF) may get a lot of press, but it only represents about 5-10% of the procedures handled by fertility clinics.
  • About 10% of all couples have trouble with fertility at some point.  (This includes secondary infertility.)
  • Endometriosis is a large contributing factor for many women; ironically, a good number of females do not realize they have this condition until they go to fertility clinics.
  • Men and women have an equal chance of being infertile. 
  • STDs (especially those which have been undetected) are an increasing problem for those wishing to become pregnant.
  • Even if you’ve had a child once, you can experience “secondary infertility.”
  • The stigma of fertility treatments has been greatly reduced; consequently, more couples (and singles) are making appointments at fertility clinics in an effort to have children.

 

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Men, Infertility and Cancer

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

Men who expect to one day become fathers may have serious decisions to make if they are diagnosed with cancer, as many types of treatment options can leave a cancer patient infertile.

How quickly does the process of infertility happen?  Some researchers say that within a week of undergoing radiation or chemotherapy, a male’s infertility can be seriously — or entirely — compromised.

The phenomenon isn’t limited to testicular cancer, either, because it’s not where the cancer strikes that’s at issue; it’s what kind of remedy is chosen to eradicate (or slow) the cancer cells.

Though men who have been diagnosed as having cancer are usually not considering future concerns such as whether they can have children, it may be worth investigating options, such as the freezing of healthy sperm pre-treatment

Cyclist Lance Armstrong did before he underwent treatment to deal with his cancer, and other men around the world have done so, too.

Certainly, the foremost goal is to attack the cancer.  But it’s worth thinking long-term, too.

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  • Fertility Issues after Giving Birth

    Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

    tn_img_6027A recent article from the UK’s Birmingham Post did an excellent job of explaining why women who have been able to conceive naturally without fertility treatments may one day find themselves dealing with infertility.

    In the story, the author discusses the experiences of Sarah Jessica Parker, the Hollywood star who recently  discovered that she was no longer able to become pregnant even though she had conceived without problems previously. 

    The phenomenon, “secondary infertility,” can happen for a number of reasons including the age of the woman, a switch in partners and potential medical problems.  Regardless of the “whys”, it can still be a devastating experience for any couple who assumed they would be able to naturally conceive.

    The upshot, though, is that there are alternatives for women who want to have children, including fertility treatments.  Although becoming pregnant may take a bit longer than expected, in many cases, it can still be a reality.