Posts Tagged ‘sperm’
Monday, December 5th, 2011
If you’re considering surrogacy as a potential option for expanding your family due to issues of infertility, there are some things you should consider before moving forward. Gestational surrogacy — where a woman agrees to carry embryos that were formed using in vitro fertilization using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents — is a unique and relatively new process that comes with a number of emotional issues.
For women who cannot carry their own baby, the opportunity to still have a child that is biologically their own is a dream come true. But the connection between the surrogate and the child is a unique one. The surrogate, also known as the gestational carrier, may not believe it will be difficult for her to hand over your baby to you after giving birth, there already have been legal actions taken in some cases that underscore the reality that it can be difficult for a woman to relinquish all ties to the baby they carried in their womb.
Sometimes the gestational carrier is a sibling or close friend to one of the intended parents. While this can bring an even deeper meaning and joy to the process, it also means there will be an ongoing social connection between everyone involved, including the surrogate and the child.
Gestational surrogacy is a beautiful, amazing possibility in one’s fertility journey, but it is one that should be carefully considered by all involved beforehand. Talk to your partner about all your concerns, and keep in mind that we have counseling services available to help you and your partner work through some of the emotional issues that comes with such a decision.
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Tags: Counseling Services, Deeper Meaning, Eggs, Embryos, Emotional Issues, Fertility Treatment, Gestational Carrier, Gestational Surrogacy, Giving Birth, Infertility, Journey, Legal Actions, Nbsp, Partner Work, Sibling, sperm, Surrogate, Ties, Vitro Fertilization, womb
Posted in surrogacy | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011
With so many in the media and out in the world talking so openly about fertility treatments these days, some acronyms and catch phrases are becoming commonplace. In particular, many people recognize the acronym IVF and the procedure it stands for — in-vitro fertilization.
But IVF is not the only kind of with fertility treatments available — not by a long shot! There are other avenues for couples to take in their journey toward conceiving a child with medical assistance. One such procedure, called intrauterine insemination, helps scores of people who are having trouble conceiving. It is less expensive than IVF, though its success rate is lower. Here’s a little bit more about IUI:
- How does IUI work? In the IUI procedure, a catheter containing washed sperm is inserted through the cervix. The sperm is then pushed into the uterus in the hopes of fertilization with an ovum.
- When does IUI take place? IUI is typically scheduled within 6 hours (before or after) of a woman’s ovulation. (hCG injections may be used to ensure ovulation.) Timing is critical because sperm can only last 24-72 hours and are typically considered less viable after 24 hours.
- Does it hurt? Most women report very little discomfort during the procedure.
- Who is IUI most suited for? Since the IUI procedure manipulates the placement of sperm, IUI may be very effective in cases of male infertility. Also, since the IUI procedure accesses the uterus directly, it may be a good choice for women who suffer from cervical mucus problems.
- What is the success rate of IUI? Success rates vary quite a bit. Some studies report the success rate to be as little as 4-8%; others claim it is closer to 20%.
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Tags: Catch Phrases, Catheter, Cervical Mucus, Cervix, conceiving a child, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Hcg Injections, in vitro fertilization, Intrauterine Insemination, IUI, Iui Procedure, Iui Success Rates, IVF, Male Infertility, Medical Assistance, mucus problems, Ovulation, Ovulation Timing, ovum, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Reading, sperm, Success Rate, Twitter, Uterus, Vitro Fertilization, Wyomissing
Posted in IUI | 1 Comment »
Friday, October 21st, 2011
It’s long been known that women’s fertility dips as they get older (and especially after they are in their mid-30s), but the traditional belief has been that males didn’t have this issue.
This may not be the case, according to a Colorado study performed in conjunction with the National Foundation for Fertility Research (NFFR) that has concluded that sperm from middle- and older-aged male mice is not as viable as that from younger male mice.
In the mice, sperm quality began to decline in their middle years, which would be roughly 40 years of age in a human man. And if the findings translate from mice to men, it could shed some light on male infertility.
For instance, a couple who is having fertility issues may find that the problem lies with the sperm quality of the man if he is in or past middle age. Should this be the case, there are options that could help the partners conceive using the strongest of his sperm as determined in a laboratory setting.
Key results of the study showed that sperm from midlife and older mice produced embryos that:
- Were less likely to implant in the woman’s uterus than were those from younger male mice.
- Were less likely to develop in the womb if they were able to implant.
If you would like to learn more about male infertility or other fertility issues, please contact the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) to schedule a consultation.
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Tags: Colorado Study, Dips, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Issues, Fertility Research, Fertility Treatment, Human Man, Infertility, Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Male Mice, Mid 30s, Middle Age, Midlife, National Foundation, Nffr, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute, sperm, Traditional Belief, Uterus, womb, Wyomissing
Posted in Male Infertility | No Comments »
Friday, August 26th, 2011
Sialyl-lewis-x.
No, it’s not some strange name for a new alternative band. It’s a sugar chain found on the outer shell of ova. It may also be the key to binding the sperm and egg to allow fertilization to begin.
As everyone learns in high school, the egg (ovum) is fertilized by one fortunate sperm. That sperm not only has to be plucky and strong, but it also has to have the right kind of proteins on its head to push through the egg’s outer shell and start the process of conception.
The problem has been that researchers weren’t quite sure what molecular structures made the process go smoother… until now.
Scientists are seriously contemplating as to whether or not sialyl-lewis-x might make an ovum’s surface “stickier”. Thus, if the sperm that’s most likely to “stick” to that surface is introduced, conception can happen faster.
To help illustrate the point, picture a golf ball covered in glue. If a piece of material also covered in a glue-like substance were to be adhered to the golf ball, it would likely stick. But if a piece of material that had been coated with an oily substance were adhered to the ball, it would probably fall off.
So how can these “sticky situations” be encouraged in the laboratory setting? Scientists are dabbling in various ways to create sperm that better attach themselves to the gluey outside of eggs, including with medications.
It’s a real boon to the science of male infertility and we at RSI, one of the Philadelphia region’s most reputable fertility clinics, are eager to find out more as the months go by.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Alternative Band, Boon, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Treatment, Fertilization, Glue, Golf Ball, Infertility, Male Infertility, Molecular Structures, Oily Substance, Outer Shell, ovum, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Philadelphia Region, Process Of Conception, Proteins, Reading, Rhonda Hearns, sperm, Sticky Situations, Strange Name, Sugar Chain, Wyomissing
Posted in Male Infertility | No Comments »
Friday, July 29th, 2011
If you’re a man who has been told (or who believes) he has male infertility, it may be wise to make some lifestyle changes. Though such changes may not alter the infertility enough to enable you to conceive without reproductive technology assistance, they have been shown to make your body produce better quality sperm to be used during such procedures as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Working with your fertility specialist, you may be asked to make some or all of the following daily habit modifications. Be open to them; they are meant to combat the effects of male infertility, not to make your day-to-day experiences difficult!
1. Smoking cessation – Smoking has been known to reduce the quality of sperm, so if you’ve been looking for a reason to quit, now is the perfect time.
2. Reduction or elimination of alcohol consumption – Alcohol may contribute to male infertility, so opt for another drink while you’re working with a fertility specialist.
3. Elimination of drugs – Obviously, illegal drugs are not to be taken under any circumstances, but some over-the-counter medications may also be counterproductive to dealing with fertility issues. Make sure you let your fertility specialist know everything you’re taking so he or she can make recommendations.
4. Reduction of intercourse or ejaculation – Though it might seem counterintuitive, it’s not necessarily a good idea to ejaculate every day. Depending upon what your physician suggests, you may be asked to have sexual intercourse on a very strict schedule, thus increasing the chances that your sperm will be more viable.
5. Reduction of stressors – This can be easier said than done, of course. But it’s important for men and women struggling with infertility to reduce the stressors in their lives as much as they realistically can.
6. Modification of exercise habits – It’s been shown that excessive exercising can be harmful to sperm quality, and some exercises, such as cycling, have been linked to male infertility (due to pressures on the testes.)
7. Reduction of weight – Though weight plays more of a role in female infertility than it does in male infertility, it’s still a good idea to lose extra pounds, especially if your BMI has reached a rating that would qualify you as extremely overweight or obese.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Alcohol Consumption, Dr. Munabi, Exercise Habits, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Fertilization Ivf, Illegal Drugs, Infertility, Lifestyle Changes, Male Infertility, Perfect Time, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Reproductive Technology, Rsi, sexual intercourse, Smoking Cessation, sperm, Stressors, Strict Schedule, Success Rates, Technology Assistance, Time 2, Vitro Fertilization
Posted in 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 »
Sunday, June 27th, 2010
This just in from a CBS news article…
It would appear from some preliminary research performed by Australian scientists that, as might be suspected, infertilitymay be a factor that’s driven by couple-specific physical incompatibilities. Thus, a man may have fertility difficulties with one woman but not with others.
The crux of the problem appears to be in how the woman’s body reacts to the man’s sperm. If her body is accepting of his particular sperm, she’ll enable his sperm to fertilize her eggs. If her body isn’t accepting of his sperm make-up, natural conception will be more difficult.
This isn’t to suggest, of course, that any of this “denying or accepting” is happening on a conscious level. Neither men nor women can innately control the way their bodies respond. But it could lead to future fertility treatment options that, until now, haven’t been attempted.
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Tags: Australian Scientists, Cbs, Cbs News, Conscious Level, Crux, Driven, Eggs, Females, Fertility Treatment, Incompatibilities, Infertility, Miracles, Natural Conception, News Article, News Report, Preliminary Research, sperm, Treatment Options, Woman
Posted in In the News, Male Infertility | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
More and more individuals who are dealing with infertility are looking into their work histories to determine an environmental cause for their problems… and some are discovering that past jobs may have contributed to their issues involving conception.
Namely, workers who were (or are) exposed to chemicals like toxins and pesticides over long periods of time may find that they can become infertile as a result of the exposure. (This seems to be especially true for males.)
Although there is little you can do after-the-fact, it’s a good reason to be very careful about the working environments you accept, especially if you have the choice to go elsewhere. Certain chemicals cause irreversible harm to sperm and other reproductive body systems.
And if you wish to go the legal route to receive compensation for infertility that has been potentially caused by toxic working conditions, know that there are lawyers who specialize in this kind of lawsuit. However, be aware that you may end up fighting your current or past employer for years, which could end up causing emotional problems, marital stress and financial issues.
Tags: Chemicals, Current, Emotional Problems, Environmental Cause, Good Reason, Infertility, Irreversible Harm, Job Source, Jobs, Lawyers, Long Periods Of Time, Marital Stress, Miracles, Pesticides, sperm, Toxins, Work Histories, Working Conditions, Working Environments
Posted in Infertility | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
For couples just entering the world of infertility treatments, the variety of acronyms may seem a little overwhelming. In this article, we’ll talk about intrauterine insemination, typically abbreviated as IUI.
What is It?
IUI is a procedure whereby a catheter containing washed sperm is inserted through the cervix. The sperm is then pushed into the uterus in the hopes of fertilization with an ovum.
When Does IUI Take Place?
IUIis typically scheduled within 6 hours (before or after) of a woman’s ovulation. (hCG injections may be used to ensure ovulation.) Timing is critical because sperm can only last 24-72 hours and are typically considered less viable after 24 hours.
Does IUI Hurt?
Most women report feeling very little discomfort during IUI.
Can the Sperm “Fall Out” after IUI?
The sperm that has been injected into the uterus will remain there. Women do not need to go on any kind of “bed rest” post IUI.
What is the Success Rate of IUI?
Success rates are quite variable. Some studies quote numbers of as little as 4-8%; others claim the success rate is closer to 20%.
What Can We Expect to Spend on IUI?
The costs of IUI will depend on your unique situation and where you go for treatment. Therefore, you should connect with your fertility specialist for more information.
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Tags: bed rest, Catheter, Cervix, fertility specialist, Fertilization, Hcg Injections, Infertility, Infertility Treatments, Intrauterine Insemination, Iui Success Rates, Ovulation Timing, ovum, sperm, Success Rate, Uterus
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Saturday, December 26th, 2009
There are tons of myths surrounding when and how often couples who are trying to get pregnant should have sex.
For instance, some of these misconceptions include:
- A woman should have sex on day 14 of her menstrual cycle.
- A woman should have sex within three days of ovulation.
- When a woman’s BBT temperature is highest, it’s time to have intercourse.
- Couples should have sex as many times around a woman’s period of ovulation as possible.
So what’s wrong with these commonly-held beliefs? A few things:
- Most women don’t have a standard cycle, which can be a huge problem if they’re trying to have sex at the “right” time. It’s better for them to have intercourse once every three days (about two days less than the average length of time that sperm can live in a woman’s body).
- Tracking BBT can definitely be a good way to try to get pregnant, but it’s not an exact science. Again, if you’re having sexual intercourse regularly, you’ll naturally increase the chances for conception around the time of the highest BBT reading.
- Though there’s nothing wrong with having a great deal of sex, it doesn’t necessarily translate to having a child. Sperm counts may be low, ovulation may not have taken place, etc.
The bottom line? Don’t buy in to all the “information” you’ve heard regarding infertility. Though much of it has a basis in science, it isn’t as accurate (or applicable) as you might be led to believe.
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Tags: Bbt, Bottom Line, Couples, Days Of Ovulation, Exact Science, Having Sexual Intercourse, Infertility, Length Of Time, Menstrual Cycle, Miracles, Misconceptions, Myths, Right Time, Sex, sperm, Temperature, Translate, Woman
Posted in Myths & Misconceptions | No Comments »
