Posts Tagged ‘Rsi’
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
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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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Friday, September 30th, 2011
It’s called CoQ-10, and it’s heralded as an anti-aging vitamin/enzyme. Whether or not this veritable fountain of youth works is up for debate; however, Canadian scientists conducting research using the vitamin have discovered that it seems to be able to make “old” human ova (eggs) youthful. And this could be useful for females over 35 with fertility issues or who have simply delayed starting a family for personal reasons.
The Toronto research team has tried using CoQ-10 on animals (mice) and has had excellent success. In fact, team members are quite certain that this vitamin (which can be found over-the-counter) may one day help women in their late 30s and 40s have children using their own eggs. Even if they have to undergo IVF and/or IUI, they may be able to avoid getting donor eggs or using a gestational carrier.
The mice in the Canadian research project produced healthy offspring well into their midlife years. (In human years, they bred until about age 50.) Plus, the mice not only were able to conceive, but they looked healthier and younger than mice who were not injected with CoQ-10.
Noted study leader Robert Casper, senior scientist, Sinai’s Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute: “I don’t think it will delay the onset of menopause, but I do think it will improve the quality of eggs.”
If you’re a female and you’re interested in learning more about fertility treatments and techniques, contact a reputable fertility specialist like the Pennsylvania based Reproductive Science Institute.
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Tags: 40s, Canadian Scientists, Casper, Conducting Research, Coq 10, Donor Eggs, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Fountain Of Youth, Gestational Carrier, IVF, Onset Of Menopause, PA Infertility, Personal Reasons, Philadelphia Infertility, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Samuel Lunenfeld Research, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Study Leader, Veritable Fountain, Wyomissing
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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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Friday, September 16th, 2011
For couples undergoing fertility treatments, deciding when, whether and/or with whom to share their journey can be difficult. Yet an interesting study from the University of Iowa has revealed that it may end in a socially, scientifically predictable decision.
The study looked at couples who had been through fertility treatments and evaluated the people with whom they talked about their experiences. The findings, published in the Journal of Applied Communication Research as well as the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships were definitely interesting:
When the woman was the person with the fertility issue, the couple tended to tell a great deal of people, including their family and friends. However, when the man had the fertility problems, the couple was less likely to talk about it.
The study’s authors used their data to make a conclusion that social mores surrounding expectations of males and females in western culture may have something to do with their reactions and actions. For instance, they suggested that women might be under pressure to explain why they didn’t have children by a certain age; consequently, they would be justifying their childless statuses. For men, this stigma wasn’t quite as strong; in fact, they might be hesitant to say they were undergoing fertility treatments for fear of it adversely affecting the way they were perceived by those around them.
Of course, these results are based on conjecture and every partnership is unique. Plus, there are many factors involved in the “to tell or not to tell” decision. However, the University of Iowa research has given way for further dialogue and investigation to be held on the topic.
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Tags: Certain Age, Conjecture, Couples, Dialogue, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Family And Friends, Fertility Issue, Fertility Problems, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Iowa Research, Journal Of Applied Communication Research, Journey, Males And Females, Nbsp, Personal Relationships, Philadelphia PA Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Social Mores, Statuses, Stigma, University Of Iowa, Western Culture, Wyomissing PA Infertility
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Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
There has been a great deal of press recently over the realization and acceptance of cancer treatments during early childhood and adulthood as a contributor to female infertility. As a consequence, girls and women who choose to undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatments are often counseled as to their options regarding their future fertility.
But what about the men and boys with cancer?
Not surprisingly, male infertility can be exacerbated or caused by cancer treatments, especially if they’ve been given drugs such as melphalan, ifosfamide, cyclophosphamide and/or procarbazine. (Those medications have high alkaline levels.) And if they’ve needed to undergo surgery or targeted radiation to their reproductive organs as a result of cancer, they may be left without healthy sperm. Sometimes, male infertility can even come about from treatments to other areas of the body, such as the abdomen or brain.
So what are men with cancer who wish to have children later in life to do?
First, it’s important to tackle the cancer as a primary concern. Though male infertility may be a consideration, it is not the most pressing one. The cancer needs to be handled foremost. However, it’s definitely recommended that all men (or parents of boys) discuss how their treatments could have lasting effects on their fertility.
Next, if a man who has had cancer (even if it was as a young child) is having difficulty conceiving with his partner, it’s critical that he be upfront about his medical history with their fertility specialist. That way, the specialist can initiate tests to determine if the infertility is related to previous cancer treatments.
Finally, it’s not the end of the world. Many fertility specialists have found success with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a process that requires only one sperm for fertilization. There are other options as well, including the use of viable sperm donors.
If you’d like to learn more about male infertility matters as they relate to cancer and other conditions and you are within traveling distance of Wyomissing or Chesterbrook, we invite you to set up a consultation with The Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, P.C. (RSI) today.
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Tags: Abdomen, Adulthood, Cancer Treatments, Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy Treatments, Cyclophosphamide, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, female infertility, fertility specialist, Fertility Specialists, Fertilization, Healthy Sperm, Infertility, Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Medical History, Melphalan, Philadelphia PA Infertility, Procarbazine, Reproductive Organs, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Sperm Donors, Sperm Injection, Wyomissing PA Infertility
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Monday, September 12th, 2011
Many times, women who have trouble conceiving immediately assume the worst; but often, something as simple as getting them ovulating regularly can solve their fertility issues.
Ovulation occurs when the ovum is released from one of the ovaries. Typically, this happens mid-cycle; however, there are some women for whom it happens infrequently or at a different time of the month. Thus, they try to have a child, but at the inappropriate moment.
Making it even tougher to diagnose this as the heart of your fertility issues, the signs of ovulation may or may not be present. Commonly, those include any or all of the following symptoms:
- Change in vaginal fluids making them take on an “egg white”, stringy appearance. (This should not be confused with a yeast infection or STD, which can cause thick, foul-smelling discharge.)
- Change in basal body temperature. This is the temperature of your body, typically taken by women in the morning before they get out of bed. Those females who use the “rhythm method” of birth control often keep a chart of their basal body temperatures so they recognize when they need to abstain from sexual intercourse.
- Light spotting or cramping. As a woman’s hormones shift, she may experience bleeding or muscle contractions. Bloating and breast tenderness can also accompany ovulation.
So what happens if you can’t be certain you’re ovulating? First, it’s a good idea to go to a fertility specialist or your gynecologist. He or she will help you figure out if you’re ovulating regularly.
Next, if you discover that you are not ovulating, a fertility specialist can prescribe medications to help your body “reset” itself. Drugs such as Clomid are used for this purpose and have had excellent results for females with fertility issues across the world.
Finally, if testing uncovers that you do not ovulate at all and you are unresponsive to medications like Clomid, other fertility options will be presented for your consideration.
If you’d like to discuss this topic further and you live in or within driving distance of Wyomissing or Chesterbrook, we invite you to make an appointment with the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI).
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Tags: Basal Body Temperatures, Bloating, Body Temperature, Breast Tenderness, Clomid, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Gynecologist, Inappropriate Moment, Irregular Ovulation, Mid Cycle, Muscle Contractions, ovum, Philadelphia PA Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rhythm Method Of Birth Control, Rsi, sexual intercourse, Signs Of Ovulation, Time Of The Month, Times Women, Vaginal Fluids, Wyomissing PA Infertility, Yeast Infection
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Friday, September 9th, 2011
For women who want to have a child, the number “35” seems to be almost magical. After all, it’s the age that people anecdotally agree upon as the point where a woman’s fertility begins to decrease. Yet that’s really not the “whole story”.
While female fertility does tend to wane faster after 35, there are many women who have trouble conceiving in their late 20s and early 30s. So for a woman, waiting until the “magic number” may not be the best idea.
Why are some women infertile before 35? There are a whole host of reasons, including:
- A pre-existing condition of the reproductive system, such as PCOS or endometriosis.
- A bout of cancer as a child, teen or young adult.
- An undiagnosed or diagnosed sexually transmitted disease (STD) like chlamydia.
- A problem with regular ovulation.
- The medications the woman is taking.
This is why most fertility specialists, like those at the Philadelphia area’s Reproductive Science Institute (RSI), recommend that women of any childbearing age not adopt a “wait for years” mentality. Typically, women should be able to become pregnant within six months of trying (e.g., having regular sex without protection.)
Whether you’re in your late 20s or your late 30s, you need to be aware of the facts. Will your fertility lessen as you age? Absolutely. But the numbers indicate that up to 7% of females are infertile by the time they reach their 30th birthdays. That’s why it’s critical to get assistance and medical advice sooner rather than later.
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Tags: 30th Birthdays, Childbearing Age, Chlamydia, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Endometriosis, Female Fertility, Females, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatment, Magic Number, Medical Advice, medications, Mentality, Number 35, Ovulation, Pcos, Philadelphia Area, Philadelphia PA Infertility, Reading PA Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Reproductive System, Rsi, Six Months, Wyomissing PA Infertility, Young Adult
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Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
For couples undergoing fertility treatments, stressors can sometimes seem quite overwhelming. On one hand, any change in a partnership can be challenging, but on the other, infertility shouldn’t lead to the dissolution of a relationship.
To help you keep your commitment strong throughout fertility treatments, we’ve come up with seven suggestions. Feel free to leave a comment if you have others that have worked for you!
1. Don’t make infertility the “center stage” of your relationship. If all you do is talk about not being able to conceive, it will overtake your time together.
2. Make plenty of time to be together as a couple. Go to the movies, take a walk in the park, stay overnight in a nice hotel… doing so will strengthen your bond and help rejuvenate you both.
3. Spend time apart with friends. Everyone needs and deserves some space. Making plans to hang out with people other than your significant other will help you recharge.
4. Talk about your emotions as you’re undergoing fertility treatments. It’s important not to make fertility treatments the “elephant in the room”. Be open about your feelings and you’ll reap the rewards.
5. Go to a counselor if the strain becomes too great. Don’t allow your relationship to simply become more and more strained. If it’s gotten to a serious point, seek out help. (Often, your fertility specialist can assist you in getting a referral.)
6. Eat well and exercise, even if you don’t feel like it. The healthier you are inside and out, the easier it will be to handle anything that comes your way. (And working out can be yet another “to do” item you can enjoy together!)
7. Take it day by day. When times are a bit challenging, it’s sometimes helpful to remember that “this too shall pass”. Each day is another opportunity to learn, grow and love.
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Tags: Center Stage, Counselor, Couples, Dissolution, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Elephant, emotions, Feelings, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Great Don, Infertility, Nice Hotel, Partnership, Philadelphia Infertility, Plenty Of Time, Reading PA Infertility, Referral, Relationship Help, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rewards, Rsi, Stressors, Walk In The Park, Wyomissing Infertility
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