Posts Tagged ‘Secondary Infertility’
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.
Is Fertility Treatment Right For You?
Follow RSI on Twitter!
Join Our Group on Facebook.
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
Posted in female infertility | No Comments »
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.
Follow RSI on Twitter and Facebook!
Tags: Abraham Munabi, Alternative Lifestyles, Comprehensive Solution, Dr. Munabi, Experiences, Facebook, female infertility, Females, Fertility Clinics, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Infertility Cases, Male Infertility, Medical Clinics, medical intervention, Myths, Phenomenon, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Same Sex Couples, Secondary Infertility, Twitter
Posted in Myths & Misconceptions | No Comments »
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.
Follow RSI on Twitter and Facebook!
Tags: April 24, Couples, Dr. Munabi, Endometriosis, Facebook, Females, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Treatments, Fertilization Ivf, Infertility, Infertility Awareness, National Infertility Awareness Week, Phenomenon, Philadelphia Area, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Same Sex Relationships, Secondary Infertility, Sexual Orientation, STDs, Stigma, Twitter, Vitro Fertilization
Posted in Fertility Treatments, In the News | 1 Comment »
Monday, April 18th, 2011
For couples who are without any children and who are trying to become pregnant, it can be difficult to understand why partners facing secondary infertility* are so upset.
(*Secondary infertility is, quite simply, infertility after having successfully conceived a child or children.)
The truth of the matter is that whether or not you have a household full of children or you’ve been relegated to caring for furry, four-legged “kids”, infertility can still be emotionally difficult.
If you’ve been having issues getting pregnant even though you’ve been pregnant before, it’s time to see a reproductive health specialist to talk about secondary infertility. Stop listening to the negative people who say you’re “selfish” to want more children; if having a larger family is your goal, it’s reasonable to find out why you’re not conceiving naturally.
As for the reasons behind secondary infertility, there are numerous possibilities to explain the problem. Some, like ovulation issues, are relatively easy to address. Others, like the case of a woman who has entered into menopause earlier than expected, may require medical action.
Regardless, it’s important to recognize that secondary infertility is a condition that a) can be addressed and b) shouldn’t be ignored if the couple truly wants more kids.
Follow RSI on Twitter!
Tags: Couples, Health Specialist, Household, Infertility, Legged Kids, Medical Action, Menopause, Ovulation, Possibilities, Pregnant, Reproductive Health, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Secondary Infertility, Truth Of The Matter
Posted in secondary fertility | No Comments »
Friday, April 15th, 2011
“I felt like I wasn’t a ‘real’ woman.”
That type of comment is repeated over and over on fertility-related blogs around the Internet. Without a doubt, it illustrates just how much of a toll female infertility can take on a woman’s self-image.
Never mind the fact that women are talking more openly about the issue of their female infertility problems than ever before; there’s still a sense that a woman who wants to have a child should be able to without any issues.
It all can add up to incredible amounts of stress… which only perpetuates and amplifies the issue at hand.
In our experience, women with female infertility often come to our clinic with feelings of embarrassment, anger and/or shame. But what we try to get them to realize is that:
- It’s not their fault. Female infertility happens… and it can even happen among women who have already had a child. (In that case, it’s called secondary infertility.)
- It’s not “selfish” to ask for help. Some women feel concerned that asking for medical attention somehow is selfish, but it’s not. It’s actually reasonable, especially if the tests for female infertility uncover other conditions that need to be addressed (like endometriosis or an STD.)
- We are not here to pass judgment. As reproductive health specialists, we’re not looking at women as somehow “less than they should be” because of their infertility. Instead, we’re helping them solve a problem with care, understanding and expertise.
If you’ve been feeling depressed or ashamed because of your female infertility, we encourage you to come to RSI for a no-obligation consultation. You’ll find our clinic warm and inviting… and that just might be the catalyst for helping you move forward.
Follow RSI on Twitter!
Tags: Anger, Blogs, Catalyst, Doubt, Embarrassment, Endometriosis, Feelings, Female Infertility Problems, Infertility, Issue At Hand, Judgment, Medical Attention, Obligation Consultation, Psyche, Real Woman, Reproductive Health Specialists, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Secondary Infertility, Self Image, Shame, Stress
Posted in female infertility | No Comments »
Friday, January 28th, 2011
Secondary infertility is a topic about which we at RSI are often asked. So we thought we’d put together a handy FAQ guide to help you understand this area of reproductive science.
1. What is secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility occurs when a woman or couple has been able to have one (or more) child naturally but finds herself/themselves unable to conceive again. Thus, they experience fertility issues a “second” time around.
2. Who is at risk for secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility can happen at any time, although the older the woman, the stronger the chances are that she will experience it. For instance, women over 35 who have had regular, unprotected sex for 6-12 months and have not gotten pregnant are usually considered to have problems with fertility.
3. Are there any psychological side effects to secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility can be extremely frustrating for couples; thus, it can take a toll on the marriage or relationship. Though all fertility issues can be troubling, parents of children who wish to have more can become particularly angry, disheartened or depressed when going through secondary infertility.
4. What are the causes of secondary infertility?
There are no specific causes to secondary infertility; truly, there can be a whole host of issues at stake. That’s why it’s important for the couple to go to a place like RSI to discover what’s really going on.
5. How many people have had secondary infertility?
Though there aren’t any exact ways to measure the couples who experience secondary infertility (as some do not reach out for assistance and are therefore untracked), it is estimated that at least one million couples in the United States are currently going through the condition.
If you would like to know more about secondary infertility for yourself, please schedule an appointment for a consultation with RSI.
Follow us on twitter!
Tags: 12 Months, Appointment, Consultation, Couples, Disheartened, Fertility Issues, How Many People, Infertility, Marriage, One Million, Parents, Philadelphia Infertility, Psychological Side, Relationship Issues, Reproductive Science, Reproductive Science Institute, Risk, Rsi, Second Time, Secondary Infertility, Stake, United States, Unprotected Sex
Posted in Infertility | No Comments »
Friday, January 21st, 2011
Maybe you’ve re-married and you and/or your spouse have children from a prior relationship. Or perhaps you’re experiencing “secondary infertility” after having one or more kids naturally. Whatever the case may be, if you decide to choose a surrogate to help you have another child (or children), you’ll likely be asked plenty of questions from the kids already in the picture.
To help you have the conversation with them, we’ve designed a few ground rules to follow. These will enable you to avoid too much confusion or awkwardness as you move forward with your decision to use a surrogate.
Rules to Help You Explain Surrogacy to Your Current Children:
- Don’t lie. If you’ve decided to go with a surrogate, be honest about it.
- Be age-appropriate. If your children are young enough, they don’t really need to know the details. If they are older, they’ll require more information.
- Understand that they might not like your decision. Your children may be hesitant to embrace new siblings, regardless of whether you use a surrogate or not. Afford them the opportunity to express themselves without rebuke.
- Allow your children to process this information. Unless they’ve heard of surrogacy before, it might be an unknown and/or confusing idea. Give them time.
- If it seems to be appropriate given your circumstances, invite the child (or children) to come to a fertility appointment. (Be aware that it may not be a good idea for them to meet the surrogate; you will want to discuss that kind of approach with a counselor initially.)
Follow us on twitter!
Tags: Appointment, Awkwardness, Circumstances, Confusion, Counselor, Current, Express, Fertility, Infertility, Opportunity, Relationship, Secondary Infertility, Siblings, Surrogate
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, December 9th, 2010
Secondary infertility isn’t something that most people used to talk about; after all, if you’ve been able to conceive once, shouldn’t you be able to do so again? The answer, of course, is “no”. Fortunately, the media is finally shedding light on this subject that causes so many couples pain and confusion.
Foremost, it’s important to understand that there can be a number of reasons for secondary infertility, such as:
1) If a woman who has conceived in the past is now trying to conceive with a different partner, he may have undiagnosed fertility issues.
2) If a woman conceived several years ago, she may now be at a point in her life when it’s difficult for her body to have a baby naturally.
3) If a man or woman has experienced health issues (e.g., cancer treatments, serious weight loss/gain), he or she may have compromised fertility.
So what can be done about secondary infertility?
First, it’s important to acknowledge it. If conception hasn’t occurred in 6-12 months of trying, going to a fertility specialist could be the best possible move.
Secondly, it’s critical to understand that it’s not anyone’s “fault”. It simply is a medical fact that you’re having trouble conceiving.
Finally, it’s not a sign that you’ll never have children. In fact, here at RSI we’ve been able to help couples dealing with secondary infertility have more babies.
Tags: 12 Months, Array, Babies, Cancer Treatments, Confusion, Couples, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Health Issues, Infertility, Medical Fact, People, Rsi, Secondary Infertility, Trying To Conceive, Weight Loss
Posted in secondary fertility | No Comments »
Monday, November 29th, 2010
Scientists in Brazil have come across an interesting finding. During their research involving teen boys with varicocele, a widening of the veins located in the scrotum, they realized that those boys were quite possibly more apt to have trouble getting their future partners pregnant.
The reason for the likely infertility is two-fold:
1. Variocele can lead to lowered quality of sperm.
2. Variocele can lead to shrinking of the testicles.
Current Brazilian studies indicate that about 15% of males over the ages of 15 have varicocele. Additionally, research from Brazil has concluded that about 1/3 of men experiencing infertility have some form of varicocele and about 4/5 of men experiencing secondary infertility (e.g., those who have fathered a child at least once before) have a form of the testicular condition.
As a result, Brazilian physicians and scientists are suggesting that teens with varicocele undergo surgery to remedy the mostly-harmless testicular condition in order to preserve their fertility. Of course, this is a subject best handled in families, as any surgery brings with it potential complications. Still, it’s an interesting development and one that could lead to children for men with varicocele who might not have been able to father a child without medical intervention.
RSI… helping miracles happen.
Join RSI on Twitter.
Tags: Brazil, Brazilian Studies, Current, Fertility Problems, Infertility, Lead, medical intervention, Miracles, Physicians, Rsi, Scientists, Scrotum, Secondary Infertility, Teen Boys, Testicles, Varicocele, Variocele, Veins
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
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.
RSI… helping miracles happen.
Join RSI on Twitter.
Tags: Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Insurance, IVF, Men And Women, Myths, Reproductive Health Specialists, Secondary Infertility
Posted in Myths & Misconceptions | 1 Comment »
