Varicose Veins in Scrotum Can Lead to Infertility

We often hear about varicose veins in the legs, but did you know that men can also get them in the scrotal area?

Varicose veins, when found in the scrotum, create a condition called varicocele.  Typically, men who have varicocele experience occasional swelling and (sometimes) discomfort in the genital region.  Up to 70-80% of men with varicocele have trouble getting their partner pregnant.

Other symptoms of varicocele include (though not all will necessarily be present):

-          Pain

-          Testicular Atrophy

-          Male Infertility

If you think you may have varicocele, make an appointment with your doctor.  And if you think you have male infertility, contact a reproductive health specialist like those at RSI, one of the Philadelphia area’s premiere fertility clinics.

Visit:  http://www.rsiinfertility.com/

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CDC Urges STD Testing, As Infertility Can Result from Undetected

Even in a day and age where sexual protection is taught to kids as early as middle school, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are still a source of concern for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

According to the CDC’s numbers, around 19 million new cases of STDs are discovered each year.  And what many people don’t realize is that not all STDs have any symptoms.  So individuals may not find out until later in life… like when they are trying to conceive.

Infertility due to undiagnosed STDs is a huge problem and one we’ve often discussed at RSI, one of the most reputable fertility clinics in the Philadelphia area.  Chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause infertility issues years down the road. 

That’s why it’s so critical to get checked for an STD if you or your partner is having any infertility problems.  There’s no shame in having an STD; in fact, there are many medications and methods to reverse some of the damage that can be done by an STD.  But if you (and your physician) are not aware of your STD, you won’t be able to do anything at all.  And that would be a shame.

Visit:  http://www.rsiinfertility.com/

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Is Gender Pre-Selection Possible?

It may seem the stuff of science fiction – decide on the gender of your baby before he or she is ever even conceived.  But doctors have realized it’s now possible for fertility specialists to use medicinal know-how to attempt to pre-select whether your child is going to be wearing more pink or blue.

(The actual means for doing so is outside the scope of this blog post.)

Though many couples simply want to have a healthy baby, knowing that they can pre-select the gender of their child is an attractive possibility to others.  For instance, recently, celeb couple Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale visited a fertility specialist to determine how they could (almost) guarantee a baby girl.  According to sources close to the couple, they’re using science to help them achieve this family goal.

Again, the majority of partners may be uninterested in this kind of gender selection process.  And not all fertility specialists are familiar with how to go about pre-selecting.  Therefore, it’s critical that if this IS important to you that you have a frank discussion with your fertility specialist.  The more open you can be, the better your chances of having a strong, successful working relationship with your reproductive health professional will be.

Visit:  http://www.rsiinfertility.com/

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Does a Diagnosis of Cancer Equal a Loss of Fertility?

Practically every week, a new story comes out about cancer and fertility.  Whether it’s from the UK, from India or from the US, the message is always the same:  Get Cancer, and You Might Not Have a Child Naturally.

Though some of this message is typical media “doom and gloom” hype, there is more than a modicum of truth.  But separating fact from fiction is critically important. 

1.  Cancer does not mean you’ll have a loss of fertility.  However, cancer treatment may.

There are many types of cancer; thus, not all will have a factor in your fertility.  The problem isn’t in the cancer itself, but in the treatment.  And therein lies Shakespeare’s proverbial “rub”.  Depending upon the type of treatment needed to attack your cancer, you may not be able to reproduce. 

2.  There are ways to protect your fertility, even if you are very young.

As long as semen or eggs can be removed and frozen before radiation, chemotherapy, etc., takes place, there is a chance that those items can be used “down the road”.  Therefore, though cancer and fertility seem to go hand-in-hand, they don’t have to.

3.  More doctors are aware that future fertility is an issue to discuss among cancer patients.

Finally, it’s important to realize that there are many physicians who are now counseling cancer patients (and, in the case of minors, their families as well) on the possibilities of preserving fertility (or freezing eggs or sperm).  This means patients are becoming more educated about their options.  And education is always a positive development.

To learn more, visit:  http://www.rsiinfertility.com/
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