Public education has replaced stigma of infertility with understanding and support

There was a time when infertility was only spoken about in hushed tones behind closed doors, when the stigma of having trouble conceiving a child ostracized a couple from their friends and family.

Luckily, those days are long gone. Today the issue of infertility is talked about openly for the medical condition it is, not for the vaguely undefined inadequacy it used to appear to be. There are support groups for couples undergoing fertility treatments. There are personal blogs dedicated to both male infertility and female infertility. And the media, both online and in print, keep us abreast of changes and improvements in the various kinds of fertility treatments that are available.

We see TV personalities like Giuliana and Bill Rancic going through the process, and their openness brings with it an enlightenment for us all, the understanding that this is a real-life issue for couples of all walks of life, not something to be whispered with shame. The fact that people can see the Rancics’ fertility specialist counseling them through the process is comforting, making the whole thing less mysterious and more confidence-building.

If you are considering fertility treatments, know that there is a wealth of resources to guide you on your way, and support you through your journey.

http://www.rsiinfertility.com/

Know the causes of male infertility

Approximately one-third of infertility cases are attributed to the male partner. But how much do you really know about the causes of male infertility? Here is a rundown of the most common causes of male infertility, according to the Mayo Clinic:

• “Abnormal sperm production or function (motility) due to various problems, such as undescended testicles, genetic defects or repeated infections.
• Problems with the delivery of sperm due to sexual problems, such as premature ejaculation or painful intercourse (dyspareunia); health issues, such as retrograde ejaculation; certain genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis; or structural problems, such as blockage of the part of the testicle that contains sperm (epididymis).
• General health and lifestyle issues, including poor nutrition, obesity, or use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
• Overexposure to certain environmental factors, such as pesticides and other chemicals. In addition, frequent exposure to heat, such as in saunas or hot tubs, can elevate your core body temperature. This may impair your sperm production and lower your sperm count.
• Damage related to cancer and its treatments. Both radiation and chemotherapy treatment for cancer can impair sperm production, sometimes severely. The closer radiation treatment is to the testicles, the higher the risk of infertility. Removal of one or both testicles due to cancer also may affect male fertility.
• Age. Men older than age 40 may be less fertile than younger men.”

If you and your partner have been trying to conceive a child by having unprotected sex for at least six months, it might be time to explore your fertility treatment options. Both partners should be screened for potential infertility issues, so that we can find the very best fertility treatment to meet your unique situation and make your family’s dreams come true.

http://www.rsiinfertility.com/

What’s a fibroid and is it affecting your fertility?

A woman’s fertility issues could be caused by any number of things, one of which is fibroids.

Fibroids are benign growths that can occur either in the wall of the uterus, in the lining of the uterus or protruding from the outside of the uterus into the abdominal cavity. Sometimes called uterine leiomyomas, or simply myomas, Most uterine fibroids are harmless, do not cause symptoms, and shrink with menopause.

However, fibroids that are in the wall of the uterus or in the uterine lining can cause or contribute to infertility. They are usually a sign of a hormone imbalance, referred to as “estrogen dominance.” Essentially that means one of three things is happening: 1. There is a higher than normal estrogen level; 2. There is higher than normal estrogen activity; or 3. There is a lower level of progesterone to balance out the estrogen.

Surgery can remove existing fibroids but it doesn’t prevent new ones from growing, and unfortunately fibroids often return after surgery if the estrogen dominance issue is not addressed. Surgical removal of fibroids also can result in scarring inside the uterus that could interfere with pregnancy.

It’s important to keep in mind that uterine fibroids are the cause of infertility only 2 to 3 percent of the time. Many women with fibroids have no trouble getting pregnant. If you know you have fibroids and wonder whether they could be contributing to your fertility issues, make an appointment with a specialist to discuss your health history, and your options.

http://www.rsiinfertility.com/

Can surfing the Web on your laptop affect male fertility?

In the past, male infertility studies have focused on the fact that elevated temperatures in a man’s testicles due to a laptop sitting on his lap can affect the quality of his sperm. But a new study out of Argentina, published in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility, has found a larger concern — the effect on sperm situated very near a Wi-Fi-connected laptop.

The study found that semen samples placed under a laptop connected to the Internet experienced more DNA damage and mobility issues than regular sperm. After four hours sitting about an inch below a Wi-Fi-connected laptop, 25 percent of the sperm samples lost their mobility and 9 percent showed defects in their DNA — three times more than the control samples, which were kept at the same temperature but away from the Wi-Fi.

The study also tested the sperm next to laptops that were not connected to Wi-Fi. They showed some damage, but less than the connected laptops, which reinforces the previous studies about how the mere heat of the laptop could impact male fertility.

More research needs to be conducted to learn the true effects of electromagnetic radiation generated by a laptop’s Wi-Fi connection, but it’s a good idea for all men to take precautions — such as using special laptop desks and laptop fans — when using laptops.

http://www.rsiinfertility.com/

Male Infertility and Junk Food Junkies

We often focus on the diets of women who are undergoing fertility treatments or are trying to conceive; however, it seems that men need to watch what they eat as well.

Doctors at Harvard University have concluded that all those trans-fats men eat in fast food, junk food and the like may be contributing to higher-than-normal levels of male infertility.

The Harvard study analyzed the sperm of 188 18-22 year old males.  Those males who ate diets that could hardly be deemed healthy seemed to be on a trajectory to have male infertility in their futures.

To keep the study participants’ results “clean”, Harvard’s researchers ensured that no medical factors could be contributing to any of the sperm quality results. 

The study’s results were presented recently at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, where one of the study’s leaders noted that “…a healthy diet seems to be beneficial for semen quality.”

Our suggestion?  Obviously, we’ve all heard that “we are we eat”, and it’s essential that we take that to heart every day, whether or not fertility factors are involved in our lives.  Besides, it’s prudent and responsible to maintain the healthiest lifestyle possible for our future children.

If you’d like to learn more about male infertility and you can travel to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area, please contact the Reproductive Science Institute’s offices today.

http://www.rsiinfertility.com/

Work and Your Fertility Treatments

If you’re considering fertility treatments and you have a job (whether you work for yourself or someone else), it’s important for you to address the following issues before proceeding.  While none are “deal breakers”, they can be causes of undue stress if they are not dealt with prior to the fertility treatment taking place.

1.  Do you need to let your employer know?

Depending upon the fertility treatment you choose, you may not need to tell your employer what is happening medically.  For instance, if you’ve been given a medicine such as Clomid to help you ovulate regularly and you’re not going to miss work, it’s feasible for you to remain quiet about your plans.

However, if you know that you’ll need to have a week off after an assisted reproductive technique (ART), you may want to talk to your human resources representative.

2.  Do you need to let your coworkers know?

Generally speaking, unless your coworkers are direct supervisors, they needn’t know exactly what you’re doing.  Unless you feel comfortable talking about your impending fertility treatments, there’s no need to let the proverbial “cat out of the bag”.

3.  Do you need to let clients know?

Again, it isn’t necessary to tell clients what you’re doing.  However, if you know that you’ll be unavailable for a certain time period, it is essential that their needs be covered by someone else.  That’s something you’ll have to arrange.

Remember that this is your story.  Each man or woman deals differently with how and whether they talk about their fertility treatments.  There are no steadfast rules.  Go with your instincts and you’ll make wise choices.

http://www.rsiinfertility.com/

Pregnant via Fertility Treatments? Eat Right!

Many women who are undergoing fertility treatments make it a point to eat right and stay healthy throughout the process.  But sometimes, when they do become pregnant, they forget that it’s still essential to watch their nutritional intake.

To get the best results from a pregnancy, make sure to follow these simple rules:

ó Avoid “junk foods” as much as possible.  Sure, cravings can and do happen, but eating Reese’s peanut butter cups all day isn’t a good solution.  Be practical and responsible.

ó Eat in moderation.  It can be tough not to gorge sometimes, but the more you eat, the more pressure you put on yourself physically.  Graze throughout the day for good results and consistent energy levels.

ó Eat colorful foods.  No, we’re not suggesting Froot Loops!  We’re talking about colorful veggies and fruits, like red bell peppers, rich green broccoli and yellow squash.  Each contains a plethora of vitamins to help you boost your daily nutritional intake and stay as fit as you can.

ó Try to eat “in”.  Sure, it can be tough to make most of your meals, but if you’re eating out, you can’t be certain of what you’re really getting.  We know it tastes good, but so can a home-cooked meal!  Buy (or go to the library and borrow) cookbooks and try some new recipes.

ó Ask your fertility specialist for thoughts on how you can maintain a healthful diet throughout your pregnancy.  He or she will be happy to assist you.

ó Visit a nutritionist if you’re in the dark about what to eat.  Not sure you know what’s best?  There are plenty of nutritionists who are well-versed in ways to keep in tiptop nutritional shape during pregnancy.

ó Don’t buy things you know are bad for you!  One of the easiest ways to eat well is to rid your pantry, refrigerator and shelves of all the stuff that’s tempting… but not healthy.  If it’s out of sight, it’s more likely to be out of mind!

Here’s to a happy and healthy pregnancy post fertility treatments! 

If you’re interested in fertility treatments and you can travel to either suburban Philadelphia or Berks County please contact the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) for an appointment.