Reports that a British couple abandoned twin girls after IVF treatment in India because they were the wrong gender have been disputed by an NHS trust.
The Sun reported that the mother, 59, and father, 72, who are Indian-born British citizens, travelled to India for fertility treatment that would not have been allowed in the UK because of their age.
The babies were born by Caesarean section in Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital a fortnight ago after which - the newspaper reported - the parents, who have not been named, told medical staff that they were of "the wrong sex".
The Sun said that the husband then asked medics how long it would be before his wife was fit enough to fly back to India for more IVF treatment in the hope of getting a boy to continue the family name.
MORE DETAILS AT:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4025532.ece
Monday, June 2, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
NATURAL IVF
For an ivf cycle, a woman’s body is practically bombarded by powerful drugs; first to shut down her ovaries (down regulation), and then other drugs to stimulate them to produce more eggs(FSH), and yet another drug to trigger ovulation (HCG). Women react to these drugs in different ways and one (costs aside), may understandably be wary of subjecting the body to them. The effects of long term use of these drugs (necessary when one has to repeat treatment cycles) can be worrisome and is still being studied.
NATURAL CYCLE IVF is definitely worth considering. In effect, you get the best of both worlds. For this procedure, it is the single egg produced in a woman’s normal cycle that is inseminated. Also known as no or low stimulation IVF, it is an invitro fertilisation procedure which uses no artificial fertility drugs, or very low dose ones.
Why Would I Want To Have IVF Without Fertility Drugs?
For some couples, the choice is financial. It is done at a fraction of the cost of standard IVF, so it may be their only chance at treatment. Some people prefer to try this method before moving on to traditional IVF.
For others, the choice may be medical. They may be contraindicated to fertility drugs (for instance, with a previous history of ovarian cancer or depression) or they may have reacted badly to a course of fertility drugs before. Women who have suffered with ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome may be offered this type of treatment as the syndrome is very serious and can be life-threatening so it may not be safe for them to continue with standard IVF.
Some couples just don't like drugs and prefer a more natural approach to infertility.
A point to note is that because of the improvement in the embryo culture technology, we are now at a point where even one egg gives a reasonable chance of success – about 15% per cycle. Therefore, in women who do not wish to use fertility medications, cannot afford fertility medications, or who do not produce many eggs even when they use fertility medications – Natural Cycle IVF is a logical and often successful alternative. Given that the success is 15% per attempt, it has been the experience of many centers that with several cycles of Natural IVF, one can achieve the same success rate of one cycle of stimulated IVF (45%).
Please see http://www.invitrofertilisation.blogspot.com for conclusion of this topic.
NATURAL CYCLE IVF is definitely worth considering. In effect, you get the best of both worlds. For this procedure, it is the single egg produced in a woman’s normal cycle that is inseminated. Also known as no or low stimulation IVF, it is an invitro fertilisation procedure which uses no artificial fertility drugs, or very low dose ones.
Why Would I Want To Have IVF Without Fertility Drugs?
For some couples, the choice is financial. It is done at a fraction of the cost of standard IVF, so it may be their only chance at treatment. Some people prefer to try this method before moving on to traditional IVF.
For others, the choice may be medical. They may be contraindicated to fertility drugs (for instance, with a previous history of ovarian cancer or depression) or they may have reacted badly to a course of fertility drugs before. Women who have suffered with ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome may be offered this type of treatment as the syndrome is very serious and can be life-threatening so it may not be safe for them to continue with standard IVF.
Some couples just don't like drugs and prefer a more natural approach to infertility.
A point to note is that because of the improvement in the embryo culture technology, we are now at a point where even one egg gives a reasonable chance of success – about 15% per cycle. Therefore, in women who do not wish to use fertility medications, cannot afford fertility medications, or who do not produce many eggs even when they use fertility medications – Natural Cycle IVF is a logical and often successful alternative. Given that the success is 15% per attempt, it has been the experience of many centers that with several cycles of Natural IVF, one can achieve the same success rate of one cycle of stimulated IVF (45%).
Please see http://www.invitrofertilisation.blogspot.com for conclusion of this topic.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
EGG WHITE AS A NATURAL FERTILITY AID
Yes indeed, egg white! If you’ve tried everything and nothing has worked, it is indeed worth a try and it does seem to work from the many testimonials on its use. However it appears that there is a slight risk of infection involved. These are the stories of ladies who swear by it:
Husband and I had been trying to conceive for 5 months with no luck. This month we decided to use real egg whites. I used a syringe without the needle to insert the egg whites. I also used the pillow to prop myself up during intercourse. And then I stayed in bed until the next morning without getting up. We used them the day before ovulation and the day after.
14 days later we found out we are pregnant. I also know two other women who got pregnant recently and the only thing they did differently that month was the egg whites. I would recommend it to anyone!
James Jelly Bean
I’m nine weeks pregnant and here’s my story: husband and I have been trying to conceive for one year after a miscarriage. I’m 43 and was aware that I was producing much less cervical mucus that I used to. Most months I am not aware of any egg white cervical mucus.
I read about the egg white in February and tried it only once a few days before ovulation. I took an egg from the fridge, broke it open and sucked up some egg white with a medicine dropper. Took it into the bathroom and inserted it into my vagina and squeezed tight as I walked to the bed. We had intercourse and I got pregnant!
My doctor says it’s an absolute miracle. I believe he is right; however I didn’t tell him about the egg whites. I’m keeping that my little secret until I find out the genetic testing comes out okay. Then I will tell him about it.
Dorian
For more info & testimonials on EGG WHITE AS A CONCEPTION AID, please visit: http://www.tryingtoconceive.com/eggwhites
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
IUI DOES WORK: ENCOURAGING SUCCESS STORIES
Ten weeks ago, I gave birth to my beautiful baby. He was conceived on my second IUI attempt in June of 2004. We were dealing with tubal issues and male factor, so we were overjoyed that the second IUI took. To give a brief history, I had one tube removed in March of 2002 due to a hydosalpinx and husband was diagnosed with low counts, morphology, and motility in 2001. After an HSG and laparoscopy to remove the bad tube, I conceived naturally in June of 2002. This was after we were told by several fertility doctors that due to our combined fertility issues, IVF was our best option. Our baby was born in February of 2003. Best of luck to everyone here and believe that miracles do happen.
*Carrie proud mommy to Alexa and Zachary
Never Give Up
This is a testament to never giving up. My husband and I tried to get pregnant for over 5 years . He was okay with no problems. But for me the story was very different.I struggled with hormone inbalances, thyroid problems and a poor reaction to the Clomid ( even though we tried it for a whole year --- mistake).In the end of the struggle - when I thought I could not bear any more tests, any more procedures ... I had my 6th IUI with Follistim for the 3rd time ... and to my surprise and pleasure. I was pregnant! I got another surprise on 02/28/2005 - when TWO HEARTBEATS were seen on the ultrasound screen. I am almost 16 weeks with these two angels!Never stop trying!
*Brooke
TIPS FOR IMPROVING IUI SUCCESS
Q: Do I have to lay down after an IUI?
A: You don't have to lay down because the cervix doesn't remain open, but most doctors let patients lay down on the table for 15-30 minutes after the procedure.
Q: Do I need to take it easy after an IUI?
A: Most people don't need to, but if you had cramping or don't feel well afterward it makes sense to take it easy for awhile. Some people reduce their aerobic activity and heavy lifting during the luteal phase in hopes it will increase the chance of implantation. It is more important to take it easy for a bit after IVF, as that is a more invasive process.
ACHIEVING PREGNANCY THROUGH IUI
Intrauterine insemination (IUI): A procedure in which a fine catheter (tube) is inserted through the cervix (the natural opening of the uterus) into the uterus (the womb) to deposit a sperm sample directly into the uterus. The purpose of IUI is to achieve fertilization and pregnancy. IUI is a relatively simple procedure. "Intrauterine" is within the uterus. "Insemination" is from "in-" + "semen," seed = seed in. So, "intrauterine insemination" = seed in the uterus.
What is an intrauterine insemination?
If you're having trouble getting pregnant, your doctor may recommend an intrauterine insemination (IUI) -- a relatively noninvasive and inexpensive way to boost your chances of conceiving.
With an IUI, your partner provides a sperm sample at home or in the doctor's office on the same day of the insemination. Then, his sperm are "washed" -- that is, the sperm are separated from the semen and concentrated; the washing also cleanses the sperm of potentially hazardous chemicals that could harm the uterus. The resulting liquid is placed in a thin soft tube and injected high into your uterus. This positions the sperm much closer to the fallopian tubes, where it will have to be for one of them to fertilize an egg.
If you don't have a male partner, or if your partner is unable to produce viable sperm, you can undergo the same procedure using frozen sperm purchased from a sperm bank.
The procedure takes only a few minutes. You may experience mild cramping, but it's usually brief and you can resume your activities immediately afterward.
Am I a good candidate for IUI?
The procedure works well for many women under 45 with certain fertility problems (whose partners have viable sperm), and for those in the same age group without male partners who are trying to get pregnant using donated sperm. Some infertility groups say it is less likely to work if women are over 42 or even 40. It's a common treatment for women who have ovulation problems or unexplained infertility, or whose partners have low sperm counts, poorly shaped sperm, or problems with sperm motility (ability to travel).
IUI is particularly appropriate when the woman has been prescribed clomiphene citrate (Clomid or Serophene) to stimulate ovulation, since this medication can result in cervical mucous that is thick and difficult for the sperm to swim through.
Fertility specialists don't usually advise women who have blocked fallopian tubes, severe tubal damage, or very poor egg quality to try IUI. They are also unlikely to suggest this treatment if a man has more than a mild problem with his sperm quality. It's standard to have a thorough fertility workup, including an evaluation for hormonal imbalances, infections, or blockages, before trying IUI.
Single women, couples where the man has no viable sperm, and lesbian couples using donor sperm are also good candidates for intrauterine insemination. Because donor sperm is often frozen and a woman's chances of getting pregnant are reduced using frozen -- as opposed to fresh -- sperm, IUI is a relatively easy way to boost the odds. It's more effective, say doctors, than using a plastic syringe to position the sperm on the cervix, a procedure known as intracervical insemination (ICI) that women generally do at home.
Will I need to take fertility drugs?
IUI is timed to occur in the most fertile period of your cycle, or ovulation. In some cases, women receive intrauterine inseminations without having to take drugs. Although there's no universal agreement, many fertility specialists feel women have a better chance of getting pregnant if they combine IUI with a drug that stimulates the ovaries to produce mature eggs. If you are having ovulation problems, your doctor may have you take an ovulation-stimulating drug, such as clomiphene, for several weeks before doing the IUI. The procedure can also be tried in conjunction with injections of FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone.
If you are injected with ovarian stimulation drugs, your doctor will need to monitor you carefully with blood tests and ultrasounds beginning on the sixth day of your cycle. Women taking these drugs are at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition marked by abnormal swelling of the ovaries and fluid collection in the abdomen.
What are the other risks of IUI?
Complications of IUI are infrequent, according to fertility experts. Besides the risks of combined IUI and fertility drug treatment, they include infection and the possibility of venereal disease. To lessen the risk of disease, fertility clinics should quarantine all frozen specimens of sperm for 180 days and retest the donor for HIV before releasing the sperm, according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Although some fertility clinics offer fresh donor sperm, the society recommends against its use.
How long will it take to get pregnant?
Specialists recommend from three to six cycles of IUI before you consider moving to a more invasive or expensive treatment, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). If your doctor thinks you could benefit from IUI, at $200 to $500 per insemination, as opposed to $7,000 to $15,000 for IVF, it's well worth a try.
-- Elaine Herscher is a senior editor at Consumer Health Interactive. She formerly covered health policy for the San Francisco Chronicle.
What is an intrauterine insemination?
If you're having trouble getting pregnant, your doctor may recommend an intrauterine insemination (IUI) -- a relatively noninvasive and inexpensive way to boost your chances of conceiving.
With an IUI, your partner provides a sperm sample at home or in the doctor's office on the same day of the insemination. Then, his sperm are "washed" -- that is, the sperm are separated from the semen and concentrated; the washing also cleanses the sperm of potentially hazardous chemicals that could harm the uterus. The resulting liquid is placed in a thin soft tube and injected high into your uterus. This positions the sperm much closer to the fallopian tubes, where it will have to be for one of them to fertilize an egg.
If you don't have a male partner, or if your partner is unable to produce viable sperm, you can undergo the same procedure using frozen sperm purchased from a sperm bank.
The procedure takes only a few minutes. You may experience mild cramping, but it's usually brief and you can resume your activities immediately afterward.
Am I a good candidate for IUI?
The procedure works well for many women under 45 with certain fertility problems (whose partners have viable sperm), and for those in the same age group without male partners who are trying to get pregnant using donated sperm. Some infertility groups say it is less likely to work if women are over 42 or even 40. It's a common treatment for women who have ovulation problems or unexplained infertility, or whose partners have low sperm counts, poorly shaped sperm, or problems with sperm motility (ability to travel).
IUI is particularly appropriate when the woman has been prescribed clomiphene citrate (Clomid or Serophene) to stimulate ovulation, since this medication can result in cervical mucous that is thick and difficult for the sperm to swim through.
Fertility specialists don't usually advise women who have blocked fallopian tubes, severe tubal damage, or very poor egg quality to try IUI. They are also unlikely to suggest this treatment if a man has more than a mild problem with his sperm quality. It's standard to have a thorough fertility workup, including an evaluation for hormonal imbalances, infections, or blockages, before trying IUI.
Single women, couples where the man has no viable sperm, and lesbian couples using donor sperm are also good candidates for intrauterine insemination. Because donor sperm is often frozen and a woman's chances of getting pregnant are reduced using frozen -- as opposed to fresh -- sperm, IUI is a relatively easy way to boost the odds. It's more effective, say doctors, than using a plastic syringe to position the sperm on the cervix, a procedure known as intracervical insemination (ICI) that women generally do at home.
Will I need to take fertility drugs?
IUI is timed to occur in the most fertile period of your cycle, or ovulation. In some cases, women receive intrauterine inseminations without having to take drugs. Although there's no universal agreement, many fertility specialists feel women have a better chance of getting pregnant if they combine IUI with a drug that stimulates the ovaries to produce mature eggs. If you are having ovulation problems, your doctor may have you take an ovulation-stimulating drug, such as clomiphene, for several weeks before doing the IUI. The procedure can also be tried in conjunction with injections of FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone.
If you are injected with ovarian stimulation drugs, your doctor will need to monitor you carefully with blood tests and ultrasounds beginning on the sixth day of your cycle. Women taking these drugs are at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition marked by abnormal swelling of the ovaries and fluid collection in the abdomen.
What are the other risks of IUI?
Complications of IUI are infrequent, according to fertility experts. Besides the risks of combined IUI and fertility drug treatment, they include infection and the possibility of venereal disease. To lessen the risk of disease, fertility clinics should quarantine all frozen specimens of sperm for 180 days and retest the donor for HIV before releasing the sperm, according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Although some fertility clinics offer fresh donor sperm, the society recommends against its use.
How long will it take to get pregnant?
Specialists recommend from three to six cycles of IUI before you consider moving to a more invasive or expensive treatment, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). If your doctor thinks you could benefit from IUI, at $200 to $500 per insemination, as opposed to $7,000 to $15,000 for IVF, it's well worth a try.
-- Elaine Herscher is a senior editor at Consumer Health Interactive. She formerly covered health policy for the San Francisco Chronicle.(from a healthyme.com)
What is an intrauterine insemination?
If you're having trouble getting pregnant, your doctor may recommend an intrauterine insemination (IUI) -- a relatively noninvasive and inexpensive way to boost your chances of conceiving.
With an IUI, your partner provides a sperm sample at home or in the doctor's office on the same day of the insemination. Then, his sperm are "washed" -- that is, the sperm are separated from the semen and concentrated; the washing also cleanses the sperm of potentially hazardous chemicals that could harm the uterus. The resulting liquid is placed in a thin soft tube and injected high into your uterus. This positions the sperm much closer to the fallopian tubes, where it will have to be for one of them to fertilize an egg.
If you don't have a male partner, or if your partner is unable to produce viable sperm, you can undergo the same procedure using frozen sperm purchased from a sperm bank.
The procedure takes only a few minutes. You may experience mild cramping, but it's usually brief and you can resume your activities immediately afterward.
Am I a good candidate for IUI?
The procedure works well for many women under 45 with certain fertility problems (whose partners have viable sperm), and for those in the same age group without male partners who are trying to get pregnant using donated sperm. Some infertility groups say it is less likely to work if women are over 42 or even 40. It's a common treatment for women who have ovulation problems or unexplained infertility, or whose partners have low sperm counts, poorly shaped sperm, or problems with sperm motility (ability to travel).
IUI is particularly appropriate when the woman has been prescribed clomiphene citrate (Clomid or Serophene) to stimulate ovulation, since this medication can result in cervical mucous that is thick and difficult for the sperm to swim through.
Fertility specialists don't usually advise women who have blocked fallopian tubes, severe tubal damage, or very poor egg quality to try IUI. They are also unlikely to suggest this treatment if a man has more than a mild problem with his sperm quality. It's standard to have a thorough fertility workup, including an evaluation for hormonal imbalances, infections, or blockages, before trying IUI.
Single women, couples where the man has no viable sperm, and lesbian couples using donor sperm are also good candidates for intrauterine insemination. Because donor sperm is often frozen and a woman's chances of getting pregnant are reduced using frozen -- as opposed to fresh -- sperm, IUI is a relatively easy way to boost the odds. It's more effective, say doctors, than using a plastic syringe to position the sperm on the cervix, a procedure known as intracervical insemination (ICI) that women generally do at home.
Will I need to take fertility drugs?
IUI is timed to occur in the most fertile period of your cycle, or ovulation. In some cases, women receive intrauterine inseminations without having to take drugs. Although there's no universal agreement, many fertility specialists feel women have a better chance of getting pregnant if they combine IUI with a drug that stimulates the ovaries to produce mature eggs. If you are having ovulation problems, your doctor may have you take an ovulation-stimulating drug, such as clomiphene, for several weeks before doing the IUI. The procedure can also be tried in conjunction with injections of FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone.
If you are injected with ovarian stimulation drugs, your doctor will need to monitor you carefully with blood tests and ultrasounds beginning on the sixth day of your cycle. Women taking these drugs are at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition marked by abnormal swelling of the ovaries and fluid collection in the abdomen.
What are the other risks of IUI?
Complications of IUI are infrequent, according to fertility experts. Besides the risks of combined IUI and fertility drug treatment, they include infection and the possibility of venereal disease. To lessen the risk of disease, fertility clinics should quarantine all frozen specimens of sperm for 180 days and retest the donor for HIV before releasing the sperm, according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Although some fertility clinics offer fresh donor sperm, the society recommends against its use.
How long will it take to get pregnant?
Specialists recommend from three to six cycles of IUI before you consider moving to a more invasive or expensive treatment, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). If your doctor thinks you could benefit from IUI, at $200 to $500 per insemination, as opposed to $7,000 to $15,000 for IVF, it's well worth a try.
-- Elaine Herscher is a senior editor at Consumer Health Interactive. She formerly covered health policy for the San Francisco Chronicle.
What is an intrauterine insemination?
If you're having trouble getting pregnant, your doctor may recommend an intrauterine insemination (IUI) -- a relatively noninvasive and inexpensive way to boost your chances of conceiving.
With an IUI, your partner provides a sperm sample at home or in the doctor's office on the same day of the insemination. Then, his sperm are "washed" -- that is, the sperm are separated from the semen and concentrated; the washing also cleanses the sperm of potentially hazardous chemicals that could harm the uterus. The resulting liquid is placed in a thin soft tube and injected high into your uterus. This positions the sperm much closer to the fallopian tubes, where it will have to be for one of them to fertilize an egg.
If you don't have a male partner, or if your partner is unable to produce viable sperm, you can undergo the same procedure using frozen sperm purchased from a sperm bank.
The procedure takes only a few minutes. You may experience mild cramping, but it's usually brief and you can resume your activities immediately afterward.
Am I a good candidate for IUI?
The procedure works well for many women under 45 with certain fertility problems (whose partners have viable sperm), and for those in the same age group without male partners who are trying to get pregnant using donated sperm. Some infertility groups say it is less likely to work if women are over 42 or even 40. It's a common treatment for women who have ovulation problems or unexplained infertility, or whose partners have low sperm counts, poorly shaped sperm, or problems with sperm motility (ability to travel).
IUI is particularly appropriate when the woman has been prescribed clomiphene citrate (Clomid or Serophene) to stimulate ovulation, since this medication can result in cervical mucous that is thick and difficult for the sperm to swim through.
Fertility specialists don't usually advise women who have blocked fallopian tubes, severe tubal damage, or very poor egg quality to try IUI. They are also unlikely to suggest this treatment if a man has more than a mild problem with his sperm quality. It's standard to have a thorough fertility workup, including an evaluation for hormonal imbalances, infections, or blockages, before trying IUI.
Single women, couples where the man has no viable sperm, and lesbian couples using donor sperm are also good candidates for intrauterine insemination. Because donor sperm is often frozen and a woman's chances of getting pregnant are reduced using frozen -- as opposed to fresh -- sperm, IUI is a relatively easy way to boost the odds. It's more effective, say doctors, than using a plastic syringe to position the sperm on the cervix, a procedure known as intracervical insemination (ICI) that women generally do at home.
Will I need to take fertility drugs?
IUI is timed to occur in the most fertile period of your cycle, or ovulation. In some cases, women receive intrauterine inseminations without having to take drugs. Although there's no universal agreement, many fertility specialists feel women have a better chance of getting pregnant if they combine IUI with a drug that stimulates the ovaries to produce mature eggs. If you are having ovulation problems, your doctor may have you take an ovulation-stimulating drug, such as clomiphene, for several weeks before doing the IUI. The procedure can also be tried in conjunction with injections of FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone.
If you are injected with ovarian stimulation drugs, your doctor will need to monitor you carefully with blood tests and ultrasounds beginning on the sixth day of your cycle. Women taking these drugs are at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition marked by abnormal swelling of the ovaries and fluid collection in the abdomen.
What are the other risks of IUI?
Complications of IUI are infrequent, according to fertility experts. Besides the risks of combined IUI and fertility drug treatment, they include infection and the possibility of venereal disease. To lessen the risk of disease, fertility clinics should quarantine all frozen specimens of sperm for 180 days and retest the donor for HIV before releasing the sperm, according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Although some fertility clinics offer fresh donor sperm, the society recommends against its use.
How long will it take to get pregnant?
Specialists recommend from three to six cycles of IUI before you consider moving to a more invasive or expensive treatment, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). If your doctor thinks you could benefit from IUI, at $200 to $500 per insemination, as opposed to $7,000 to $15,000 for IVF, it's well worth a try.
-- Elaine Herscher is a senior editor at Consumer Health Interactive. She formerly covered health policy for the San Francisco Chronicle.(from a healthyme.com)
Sunday, January 13, 2008
WHEN A WOMAN IS MOST LIKELY TO BECOME PREGNANT
WHEN A WOMAN IS MOST LIKELY TO BECOME PREGNANT
Failing to conceive may be a result of careless timing of intercourse by couples apart from diseases that contribute to infertility.
A woman is most likely to conceive just after the time she ovulates. An egg lives for about twenty four hours after it is released from the ovary. If a woman is going to conceive, the egg has to be fertilized within these twenty four hours.
If you want to become pregnant then the time to make love is around the time of ovulation. The best time of all is the day before ovulation. This gives the sperm time to travel up into the Fallopian tubes and so to be waiting when the egg is released.
You can find out when you ovulate and so when you are likely to conceive.
HOW TO FIND OUT WHEN YOU OVULATE
There are several ways of finding out when you ovulate. If you use all the methods together, you will get the most accurate idea of your time of ovulation.
The Calender Method
1. If your monthly cycle is fairly regular, you are probably used to working out when your next period is due. You can work out when you ovulate in the same way. First you have to get to know the pattern of your monthly cycle. Keep a record of your periods. Each month, record the first day of bleeding, in your diary or on a calendar. Do this for a number of months.
2. you can now work out the length of your monthly cycle. For each month that you have recorded, count the days from the first day of the next. If you have a regular cycle, the number of days between your periods will be about the same each month. But if the numbers vary a lot, you obviously have an irregular cycle and you will need to use the temperature or mucus methods to find out when you ovulate.
3. The length of a woman’s cycle varies. But most women ovulate about fourteen days before their next period. So using what you know to be the usual length of your monthly cycle, work out the first day of your period. Now count back fourteen days and you have the time when you are likely to ovulate. If you have intercourse around this time, you have a better chance of conceiving than at any other time in the month.
Failing to conceive may be a result of careless timing of intercourse by couples apart from diseases that contribute to infertility.
A woman is most likely to conceive just after the time she ovulates. An egg lives for about twenty four hours after it is released from the ovary. If a woman is going to conceive, the egg has to be fertilized within these twenty four hours.
If you want to become pregnant then the time to make love is around the time of ovulation. The best time of all is the day before ovulation. This gives the sperm time to travel up into the Fallopian tubes and so to be waiting when the egg is released.
You can find out when you ovulate and so when you are likely to conceive.
HOW TO FIND OUT WHEN YOU OVULATE
There are several ways of finding out when you ovulate. If you use all the methods together, you will get the most accurate idea of your time of ovulation.
The Calender Method
1. If your monthly cycle is fairly regular, you are probably used to working out when your next period is due. You can work out when you ovulate in the same way. First you have to get to know the pattern of your monthly cycle. Keep a record of your periods. Each month, record the first day of bleeding, in your diary or on a calendar. Do this for a number of months.
2. you can now work out the length of your monthly cycle. For each month that you have recorded, count the days from the first day of the next. If you have a regular cycle, the number of days between your periods will be about the same each month. But if the numbers vary a lot, you obviously have an irregular cycle and you will need to use the temperature or mucus methods to find out when you ovulate.
3. The length of a woman’s cycle varies. But most women ovulate about fourteen days before their next period. So using what you know to be the usual length of your monthly cycle, work out the first day of your period. Now count back fourteen days and you have the time when you are likely to ovulate. If you have intercourse around this time, you have a better chance of conceiving than at any other time in the month.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
10 INFERTILITY QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR
Ten Infertility Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Medical Author: Melissa Stoppler, M.D.Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr, MD, FACP, FACR
Be sure to take along the records of any diagnostic studies and/or fertility treatments you may have had in the past if you are visiting a new fertility specialist. If you have been keeping records of the dates of your menstrual cycles and/or basal body temperature charts, take these along too. Also, print this and take it with you to your doctor visit.
1. What is my diagnosis, and how does this condition specifically interfere with fertility? Does my partner have a condition that interferes with fertility? Will these conditions worsen over time, improve, or remain constant?
2. If the reason for my infertility is unclear, what diagnostic tests do you recommend? What is the likelihood that each of these tests will establish a diagnosis? Are there any risks associated with the testing? Does my partner need additional testing?
3. What type of treatment would you recommend trying first? Does this treatment involve surgery, medications, or both? What are the risks of treatment?
4. In your practice, how often does this treatment result in pregnancy? (Be sure to determine whether your doctor is talking about pregnancy rates or live-birth rates when discussing specific treatments so you can make adequate comparisons. For example, a treatment may have a 30% pregnancy rate per cycle but only a 25% live-birth rate due to early miscarriages.)
5. Are less-invasive or more conservative treatments available? How do these compare with your recommended treatment in terms of risks and success rates?
6. How many cycles of treatment would you recommend before trying another option? Do you recommend skipping a menstrual cycle between treatment cycles?
7. Are there any lifestyle modifications that might help my condition and increase my chances of getting pregnant?
8. (If this is an acceptable option for you) Would you recommend treatments using donor eggs and/or sperm? Does your clinic or practice offer these options?
9. What is my prognosis? In your opinion, how likely is fertility treatment to be successful for me? (While no doctor can give you an exact answer to this question, taking into account your personal medical information and age, your doctor's past experiences may allow him or her to roughly estimate whether you will have an average, below-average, or above-average chance of success).
10. What does treatment cost? Does my insurance cover any of the medications, hospital charges, or doctor's visits? If I must pay out-of-pocket, do you offer any special payment plans?
Medical Author: Melissa Stoppler, M.D.Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr, MD, FACP, FACR
Be sure to take along the records of any diagnostic studies and/or fertility treatments you may have had in the past if you are visiting a new fertility specialist. If you have been keeping records of the dates of your menstrual cycles and/or basal body temperature charts, take these along too. Also, print this and take it with you to your doctor visit.
1. What is my diagnosis, and how does this condition specifically interfere with fertility? Does my partner have a condition that interferes with fertility? Will these conditions worsen over time, improve, or remain constant?
2. If the reason for my infertility is unclear, what diagnostic tests do you recommend? What is the likelihood that each of these tests will establish a diagnosis? Are there any risks associated with the testing? Does my partner need additional testing?
3. What type of treatment would you recommend trying first? Does this treatment involve surgery, medications, or both? What are the risks of treatment?
4. In your practice, how often does this treatment result in pregnancy? (Be sure to determine whether your doctor is talking about pregnancy rates or live-birth rates when discussing specific treatments so you can make adequate comparisons. For example, a treatment may have a 30% pregnancy rate per cycle but only a 25% live-birth rate due to early miscarriages.)
5. Are less-invasive or more conservative treatments available? How do these compare with your recommended treatment in terms of risks and success rates?
6. How many cycles of treatment would you recommend before trying another option? Do you recommend skipping a menstrual cycle between treatment cycles?
7. Are there any lifestyle modifications that might help my condition and increase my chances of getting pregnant?
8. (If this is an acceptable option for you) Would you recommend treatments using donor eggs and/or sperm? Does your clinic or practice offer these options?
9. What is my prognosis? In your opinion, how likely is fertility treatment to be successful for me? (While no doctor can give you an exact answer to this question, taking into account your personal medical information and age, your doctor's past experiences may allow him or her to roughly estimate whether you will have an average, below-average, or above-average chance of success).
10. What does treatment cost? Does my insurance cover any of the medications, hospital charges, or doctor's visits? If I must pay out-of-pocket, do you offer any special payment plans?
WHAT IS ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY (ART)?
What is assisted reproductive technology (ART)?
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a term that describes several different methods used to help infertile couples. ART involves removing eggs from a woman's body, mixing them with sperm in the laboratory and putting the embryos back into a woman's body.
How often is assisted reproductive technology (ART) successful?
Success rates vary and depend on many factors. Some things that affect the success rate of ART include:
age of the partners
reason for infertility
clinic
type of ART
if the egg is fresh or frozen
if the embryo is fresh or frozen
The U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention (CDC) collects success rates on ART for some fertility clinics. According to the 2003 CDC report on ART, the average percentage of ART cycles that led to a healthy baby were as follows:
37.3% in women under the age of 35
30.2% in women aged 35-37
20.2% in women aged 37-40
11.0% in women aged 41-42
ART can be expensive and time-consuming. But it has allowed many couples to have children that otherwise would not have been conceived. The most common complication of ART is multiple fetuses. But this is a problem that can be prevented or minimized in several different ways.
What are the different types of assisted reproductive technology (ART)?
Common methods of ART include:
In vitro fertilization (IVF) means fertilization outside of the body. IVF is the most effective ART. It is often used when a woman's fallopian tubes are blocked or when a man produces too few sperm. Doctors treat the woman with a drug that causes the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Once mature, the eggs are removed from the woman. They are put in a dish in the lab along with the man's sperm for fertilization. After 3 to 5 days, healthy embryos are implanted in the woman's uterus.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT IVF : www.invitrofertilisation.blogspot.com
Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) or Tubal Embryo Transfer is similar to IVF. Fertilization occurs in the laboratory. Then the very young embryo is transferred to the fallopian tube instead of the uterus.
Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) involves transferring eggs and sperm into the woman's fallopian tube. So fertilization occurs in the woman's body. Few practices offer GIFT as an option.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is often used for couples in which there are serious problems with the sperm. Sometimes it is also used for older couples or for those with failed IVF attempts. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected into a mature egg. Then the embryo is transferred to the uterus or fallopian tube.
ART procedures sometimes involve the use of donor eggs (eggs from another woman), donor sperm, or previously frozen embryos. Donor eggs are sometimes used for women who can not produce eggs. Also, donor eggs or donor sperm is sometimes used when the woman or man has a genetic disease that can be passed on to the baby.
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a term that describes several different methods used to help infertile couples. ART involves removing eggs from a woman's body, mixing them with sperm in the laboratory and putting the embryos back into a woman's body.
How often is assisted reproductive technology (ART) successful?
Success rates vary and depend on many factors. Some things that affect the success rate of ART include:
age of the partners
reason for infertility
clinic
type of ART
if the egg is fresh or frozen
if the embryo is fresh or frozen
The U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention (CDC) collects success rates on ART for some fertility clinics. According to the 2003 CDC report on ART, the average percentage of ART cycles that led to a healthy baby were as follows:
37.3% in women under the age of 35
30.2% in women aged 35-37
20.2% in women aged 37-40
11.0% in women aged 41-42
ART can be expensive and time-consuming. But it has allowed many couples to have children that otherwise would not have been conceived. The most common complication of ART is multiple fetuses. But this is a problem that can be prevented or minimized in several different ways.
What are the different types of assisted reproductive technology (ART)?
Common methods of ART include:
In vitro fertilization (IVF) means fertilization outside of the body. IVF is the most effective ART. It is often used when a woman's fallopian tubes are blocked or when a man produces too few sperm. Doctors treat the woman with a drug that causes the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Once mature, the eggs are removed from the woman. They are put in a dish in the lab along with the man's sperm for fertilization. After 3 to 5 days, healthy embryos are implanted in the woman's uterus.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT IVF : www.invitrofertilisation.blogspot.com
Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) or Tubal Embryo Transfer is similar to IVF. Fertilization occurs in the laboratory. Then the very young embryo is transferred to the fallopian tube instead of the uterus.
Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) involves transferring eggs and sperm into the woman's fallopian tube. So fertilization occurs in the woman's body. Few practices offer GIFT as an option.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is often used for couples in which there are serious problems with the sperm. Sometimes it is also used for older couples or for those with failed IVF attempts. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected into a mature egg. Then the embryo is transferred to the uterus or fallopian tube.
ART procedures sometimes involve the use of donor eggs (eggs from another woman), donor sperm, or previously frozen embryos. Donor eggs are sometimes used for women who can not produce eggs. Also, donor eggs or donor sperm is sometimes used when the woman or man has a genetic disease that can be passed on to the baby.
WHAT MEDICINES ARE USED TO TREAT INFERTILITY IN WOMEN?
What medicines are used to treat infertility in women?
Some common medicines used to treat infertility in women include:
Clomiphene citrate (Clomid): This medicine causes ovulation by acting on the pituitary gland. It is often used in women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or other problems with ovulation. This medicine is taken by mouth.
Human menopausal gonadotropin or hMG (Repronex, Pergonal): This medicine is often used for women who don't ovulate due to problems with their pituitary gland. hMG acts directly on the ovaries to stimulate ovulation. It is an injected medicine.
Follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH (Gonal-F, Follistim): FSH works much like hMG. It causes the ovaries to begin the process of ovulation. These medicines are usually injected.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) analog: These medicines are often used for women who don't ovulate regularly each month. Women who ovulate before the egg is ready can also use these medicines. Gn-RH analogs act on the pituitary gland to change when the body ovulates. These medicines are usually injected or given with a nasal spray.
Metformin (Glucophage): Doctors use this medicine for women who have insulin resistance and/or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). This drug helps lower the high levels of male hormones in women with these conditions. This helps the body to ovulate. Sometimes clomiphene citrate or FSH is combined with metformin. This medicine is usually taken by mouth.
Bromocriptine (Parlodel): This medicine is used for women with ovulation problems due to high levels of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that causes milk production. Many fertility drugs increase a woman's chance of having twins, triplets or other multiples. Women who are pregnant with multiple fetuses have more problems during pregnancy. Multiple fetuses have a high risk of being born too early (prematurely). Premature babies are at a higher risk of health and developmental problems.
Some common medicines used to treat infertility in women include:
Clomiphene citrate (Clomid): This medicine causes ovulation by acting on the pituitary gland. It is often used in women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or other problems with ovulation. This medicine is taken by mouth.
Human menopausal gonadotropin or hMG (Repronex, Pergonal): This medicine is often used for women who don't ovulate due to problems with their pituitary gland. hMG acts directly on the ovaries to stimulate ovulation. It is an injected medicine.
Follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH (Gonal-F, Follistim): FSH works much like hMG. It causes the ovaries to begin the process of ovulation. These medicines are usually injected.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) analog: These medicines are often used for women who don't ovulate regularly each month. Women who ovulate before the egg is ready can also use these medicines. Gn-RH analogs act on the pituitary gland to change when the body ovulates. These medicines are usually injected or given with a nasal spray.
Metformin (Glucophage): Doctors use this medicine for women who have insulin resistance and/or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). This drug helps lower the high levels of male hormones in women with these conditions. This helps the body to ovulate. Sometimes clomiphene citrate or FSH is combined with metformin. This medicine is usually taken by mouth.
Bromocriptine (Parlodel): This medicine is used for women with ovulation problems due to high levels of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that causes milk production. Many fertility drugs increase a woman's chance of having twins, triplets or other multiples. Women who are pregnant with multiple fetuses have more problems during pregnancy. Multiple fetuses have a high risk of being born too early (prematurely). Premature babies are at a higher risk of health and developmental problems.
HOW DO DOCTORS TREAT INFERTILITY?
How do doctors treat infertility?
Infertility can be treated with medicine, surgery, artificial insemination or assisted reproductive technology (CLICK HERE TO VISIT: www.invitrofertilisation.blogspot.com)
. Many times these treatments are combined. About two-thirds of couples who are treated for infertility are able to have a baby. In most cases infertility is treated with drugs or surgery.
Doctors recommend specific treatments for infertility based on:
* test results
* how long the couple has been trying to get pregnant the
* age of both the man and woman
* the overall health of the partners
* preference of the partners
Doctors often treat infertility in men in the following ways:
Sexual problems: If the man is impotent or has problems with premature ejaculation, doctors can help him address these issues. Behavioral therapy and/or medicines can be used in these cases.
Too few sperm: If the man produces too few sperm, sometimes surgery can correct this problem. In other cases, doctors can surgically remove sperm from the male reproductive tract. Antibiotics can also be used to clear up infections affecting sperm count.
Various fertility medicines are often used to treat women with ovulation problems. It is important to talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of these medicines. You should understand the risks, benefits, and side effects.
Doctors also use surgery to treat some causes of infertility. Problems with a woman's ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus can sometimes be corrected with surgery.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is another type of treatment for infertility. IUI is known by most people as artificial insemination. In this procedure, the woman is injected with specially prepared sperm. Sometimes the woman is also treated with medicines that stimulate ovulation before IUI.
IUI is often used to treat:
* mild male factor infertility
* women who have problems with their cervical mucus
* couples with unexplained infertility
Infertility can be treated with medicine, surgery, artificial insemination or assisted reproductive technology (CLICK HERE TO VISIT: www.invitrofertilisation.blogspot.com)
. Many times these treatments are combined. About two-thirds of couples who are treated for infertility are able to have a baby. In most cases infertility is treated with drugs or surgery.
Doctors recommend specific treatments for infertility based on:
* test results
* how long the couple has been trying to get pregnant the
* age of both the man and woman
* the overall health of the partners
* preference of the partners
Doctors often treat infertility in men in the following ways:
Sexual problems: If the man is impotent or has problems with premature ejaculation, doctors can help him address these issues. Behavioral therapy and/or medicines can be used in these cases.
Too few sperm: If the man produces too few sperm, sometimes surgery can correct this problem. In other cases, doctors can surgically remove sperm from the male reproductive tract. Antibiotics can also be used to clear up infections affecting sperm count.
Various fertility medicines are often used to treat women with ovulation problems. It is important to talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of these medicines. You should understand the risks, benefits, and side effects.
Doctors also use surgery to treat some causes of infertility. Problems with a woman's ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus can sometimes be corrected with surgery.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is another type of treatment for infertility. IUI is known by most people as artificial insemination. In this procedure, the woman is injected with specially prepared sperm. Sometimes the woman is also treated with medicines that stimulate ovulation before IUI.
IUI is often used to treat:
* mild male factor infertility
* women who have problems with their cervical mucus
* couples with unexplained infertility
HOW LONG SHOULD WOMEN TRY TO GET PREGNANT BEFORE CALLING THEIR DOCTORS?
How long should women try to get pregnant before calling their doctors?
Most healthy women under the age of 30 shouldn't worry about infertility unless they've been trying to get pregnant for at least a year. At this point, women should talk to their doctors about a fertility evaluation. Men should also talk to their doctors if this much time has passed.
In some cases, women should talk to their doctors sooner. Women in their 30s who've been trying to get pregnant for six months should speak to their doctors as soon as possible. A woman's chances of having a baby decrease rapidly every year after the age of 30. So getting a complete and timely fertility evaluation is especially important.
Some health issues also increase the risk of fertility problems. So women with the following issues should speak to their doctors as soon as possible:
irregular periods or no menstrual periods
very painful periods
endometriosis
pelvic inflammatory disease
more than one miscarriage
No matter how old you are, it's always a good idea to talk to a doctor before you start trying to get pregnant. Doctors can help you prepare your body for a healthy baby. They can also answer questions on fertility and give tips on conceiving.
How will doctors find out if a woman and her partner have fertility problems?
Sometimes doctors can find the cause of a couple's infertility by doing a complete fertility evaluation. This process usually begins with physical exams and health and sexual histories. If there are no obvious problems, like poorly timed intercourse or absence of ovulation, tests will be needed.
Finding the cause of infertility is often a long, complex and emotional process. It can take months for you and your doctor to complete all the needed exams and tests. So don't be alarmed if the problem is not found right away.
For a man, doctors usually begin by testing his semen. They look at the number, shape, and movement of the sperm. Sometimes doctors also suggest testing the level of a man's hormones.
For a woman, the first step in testing is to find out if she is ovulating each month. There are several ways to do this. A woman can track her ovulation at home by:
recording changes in her morning body temperature (basal body temperature) for several months
recording the texture of her cervical mucus for several months
using a home ovulation test kit (available at drug or grocery stores)
Doctors can also check if a woman is ovulating by doing blood tests and an ultrasound of the ovaries. If the woman is ovulating normally, more tests are needed.
Some common tests of fertility in women include:
Hysterosalpingography: In this test, doctors use x-rays to check for physical problems of the uterus and fallopian tubes. They start by injecting a special dye through the vagina into the uterus. This dye shows up on the x-ray. This allows the doctor to see if the dye moves normally through the uterus into the fallopian tubes. With these x-rays doctors can find blockages that may be causing infertility. Blockages can prevent the egg from moving from the fallopian tube to the uterus. Blockages can also keep the sperm from reaching the egg.
Laparoscopy: During this surgery doctors use a tool called a laparoscope to see inside the abdomen. The doctor makes a small cut in the lower abdomen and inserts the laparoscope. Using the laparoscope, doctors check the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus for disease and physical problems. Doctors can usually find scarring and endometriosis by laparoscopy.
Most healthy women under the age of 30 shouldn't worry about infertility unless they've been trying to get pregnant for at least a year. At this point, women should talk to their doctors about a fertility evaluation. Men should also talk to their doctors if this much time has passed.
In some cases, women should talk to their doctors sooner. Women in their 30s who've been trying to get pregnant for six months should speak to their doctors as soon as possible. A woman's chances of having a baby decrease rapidly every year after the age of 30. So getting a complete and timely fertility evaluation is especially important.
Some health issues also increase the risk of fertility problems. So women with the following issues should speak to their doctors as soon as possible:
irregular periods or no menstrual periods
very painful periods
endometriosis
pelvic inflammatory disease
more than one miscarriage
No matter how old you are, it's always a good idea to talk to a doctor before you start trying to get pregnant. Doctors can help you prepare your body for a healthy baby. They can also answer questions on fertility and give tips on conceiving.
How will doctors find out if a woman and her partner have fertility problems?
Sometimes doctors can find the cause of a couple's infertility by doing a complete fertility evaluation. This process usually begins with physical exams and health and sexual histories. If there are no obvious problems, like poorly timed intercourse or absence of ovulation, tests will be needed.
Finding the cause of infertility is often a long, complex and emotional process. It can take months for you and your doctor to complete all the needed exams and tests. So don't be alarmed if the problem is not found right away.
For a man, doctors usually begin by testing his semen. They look at the number, shape, and movement of the sperm. Sometimes doctors also suggest testing the level of a man's hormones.
For a woman, the first step in testing is to find out if she is ovulating each month. There are several ways to do this. A woman can track her ovulation at home by:
recording changes in her morning body temperature (basal body temperature) for several months
recording the texture of her cervical mucus for several months
using a home ovulation test kit (available at drug or grocery stores)
Doctors can also check if a woman is ovulating by doing blood tests and an ultrasound of the ovaries. If the woman is ovulating normally, more tests are needed.
Some common tests of fertility in women include:
Hysterosalpingography: In this test, doctors use x-rays to check for physical problems of the uterus and fallopian tubes. They start by injecting a special dye through the vagina into the uterus. This dye shows up on the x-ray. This allows the doctor to see if the dye moves normally through the uterus into the fallopian tubes. With these x-rays doctors can find blockages that may be causing infertility. Blockages can prevent the egg from moving from the fallopian tube to the uterus. Blockages can also keep the sperm from reaching the egg.
Laparoscopy: During this surgery doctors use a tool called a laparoscope to see inside the abdomen. The doctor makes a small cut in the lower abdomen and inserts the laparoscope. Using the laparoscope, doctors check the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus for disease and physical problems. Doctors can usually find scarring and endometriosis by laparoscopy.
IS INFERTILITY JUST A WOMAN'S PROBLEM?
Is infertility just a woman's problem?
No, infertility is not always a woman's problem. In only about one-third of cases is infertility due to the woman (female factors). In another one third of cases, infertility is due to the man (male factors). The remaining cases are caused by a mixture of male and female factors or by unknown factors.
What causes infertility in men?
Infertility in men is most often caused by:
problems making sperm -- producing too few sperm or none at all
problems with the sperm's ability to reach the egg and fertilize it -- abnormal sperm shape or structure prevent it from moving correctly
Sometimes a man is born with the problems that affect his sperm. Other times problems start later in life due to illness or injury. For example, cystic fibrosis often causes infertility in men.
What increases a man's risk of infertility?
The number and quality of a man's sperm can be affected by his overall health and lifestyle. Some things that may reduce sperm number and/or quality include:
alcohol
drugs
environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead
smoking cigarettes
health problems
medicines
radiation treatment and chemotherapy for cancer
age
What causes infertility in women?
Problems with ovulation account for most cases of infertility in women. Without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized. Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods.
Less common causes of fertility problems in women include:
blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy
physical problems with the uterus
uterine fibroids
What things increase a woman's risk of infertility?
Many things can affect a woman's ability to have a baby. These include:
age
stress
poor diet
athletic training
being overweight or underweight
tobacco smoking
alcohol
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
health problems that cause hormonal changes
How does age affect a woman's ability to have children?
More and more women are waiting until their 30s and 40s to have children. Actually, about 20 percent of women in the United States now have their first child after age 35. So age is an increasingly common cause of fertility problems. About one third of couples in which the woman is over 35 have fertility problems.
Aging decreases a woman's chances of having a baby in the following ways:
The ability of a woman's ovaries to release eggs ready for fertilization declines with age.
The health of a woman's eggs declines with age.
As a woman ages she is more likely to have health problems that can interfere with fertility.
As a women ages, her risk of having a miscarriage increases.
Related links: www.invitrofertilisation.blogspot.com
www.mybabytestimony.blogspot.com
No, infertility is not always a woman's problem. In only about one-third of cases is infertility due to the woman (female factors). In another one third of cases, infertility is due to the man (male factors). The remaining cases are caused by a mixture of male and female factors or by unknown factors.
What causes infertility in men?
Infertility in men is most often caused by:
problems making sperm -- producing too few sperm or none at all
problems with the sperm's ability to reach the egg and fertilize it -- abnormal sperm shape or structure prevent it from moving correctly
Sometimes a man is born with the problems that affect his sperm. Other times problems start later in life due to illness or injury. For example, cystic fibrosis often causes infertility in men.
What increases a man's risk of infertility?
The number and quality of a man's sperm can be affected by his overall health and lifestyle. Some things that may reduce sperm number and/or quality include:
alcohol
drugs
environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead
smoking cigarettes
health problems
medicines
radiation treatment and chemotherapy for cancer
age
What causes infertility in women?
Problems with ovulation account for most cases of infertility in women. Without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized. Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods.
Less common causes of fertility problems in women include:
blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy
physical problems with the uterus
uterine fibroids
What things increase a woman's risk of infertility?
Many things can affect a woman's ability to have a baby. These include:
age
stress
poor diet
athletic training
being overweight or underweight
tobacco smoking
alcohol
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
health problems that cause hormonal changes
How does age affect a woman's ability to have children?
More and more women are waiting until their 30s and 40s to have children. Actually, about 20 percent of women in the United States now have their first child after age 35. So age is an increasingly common cause of fertility problems. About one third of couples in which the woman is over 35 have fertility problems.
Aging decreases a woman's chances of having a baby in the following ways:
The ability of a woman's ovaries to release eggs ready for fertilization declines with age.
The health of a woman's eggs declines with age.
As a woman ages she is more likely to have health problems that can interfere with fertility.
As a women ages, her risk of having a miscarriage increases.
Related links: www.invitrofertilisation.blogspot.com
www.mybabytestimony.blogspot.com
WHAT IS INFERTILITY?
What is infertility?
Most experts define infertility as not being able to get pregnant after at least one year of trying. Women who are able to get pregnant but then have repeat miscarriages are also said to be infertile.
Pregnancy is the result of a complex chain of events. In order to get pregnant:
A woman must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation).
The egg must go through a fallopian tube toward the uterus (womb).
A man's sperm must join with (fertilize) the egg along the way.
The fertilized egg must attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation).
Infertility can result from problems that interfere with any of these steps.
Is infertility a common problem?
Most experts define infertility as not being able to get pregnant after at least one year of trying. Women who are able to get pregnant but then have repeat miscarriages are also said to be infertile.
Pregnancy is the result of a complex chain of events. In order to get pregnant:
A woman must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation).
The egg must go through a fallopian tube toward the uterus (womb).
A man's sperm must join with (fertilize) the egg along the way.
The fertilized egg must attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation).
Infertility can result from problems that interfere with any of these steps.
Is infertility a common problem?
Monday, December 31, 2007
TIMED INTERCOURSE
Sometimes there is no medical cause of infertility except that the couple somehow do not get the timing right. The telephone conversion below will be of help.
“SET ME STRAIGHT, DOCTOR!”
in:
‘A telephone consultation’
When Ian and Tracy got married about 7 years ago, and the young couple wanted to get pregnant, Ian consulted me. Because we successfully handled their needs then, I guess he felt he need to talk to me about his younger sister who had gotten married some time ago and he rang me up. Ian is a Lagos based journalist.
“Doctor,” he began, after we had exchanged all the long-time-no-see pleasantries, “I’ve just spoken to my sister. She and her husband have just left my place. They came a visiting. She’s been married 3 years now, no children, so it was inevitable we would talk about her problems with her fertility. I gave them some advice but I needed to check up on the accuracy of what I told them, with you,” he explained.
‘Oh I see,’ I said, ‘And what was that?’
“It’s this – I always thought that the best time a woman should have sex so as to get pregnant is from 5 days after her menses for about a week of 7 days. I’ve always heard many people with the same opinion but it just came to my mind that I may be slightly off the mark and why shouldn’t I check it with you?”
‘Thanks for asking. You’re not slightly off the mark at all; you’re wide off the mark.’
“Say that again? I didn’t hear you.”
‘You did. I said you were wrong. Very wrong.’
“Ah, doctor, I’m surprised
Culled from the Punch, May 8 1999 by Dr. Oluranti
“SET ME STRAIGHT, DOCTOR!”
in:
‘A telephone consultation’
When Ian and Tracy got married about 7 years ago, and the young couple wanted to get pregnant, Ian consulted me. Because we successfully handled their needs then, I guess he felt he need to talk to me about his younger sister who had gotten married some time ago and he rang me up. Ian is a Lagos based journalist.
“Doctor,” he began, after we had exchanged all the long-time-no-see pleasantries, “I’ve just spoken to my sister. She and her husband have just left my place. They came a visiting. She’s been married 3 years now, no children, so it was inevitable we would talk about her problems with her fertility. I gave them some advice but I needed to check up on the accuracy of what I told them, with you,” he explained.
‘Oh I see,’ I said, ‘And what was that?’
“It’s this – I always thought that the best time a woman should have sex so as to get pregnant is from 5 days after her menses for about a week of 7 days. I’ve always heard many people with the same opinion but it just came to my mind that I may be slightly off the mark and why shouldn’t I check it with you?”
‘Thanks for asking. You’re not slightly off the mark at all; you’re wide off the mark.’
“Say that again? I didn’t hear you.”
‘You did. I said you were wrong. Very wrong.’
“Ah, doctor, I’m surprised
Culled from the Punch, May 8 1999 by Dr. Oluranti
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Options for treating Infertility
There are a number of options open to couples. After medical advice has been obtained and the prognosis seems dark or unfavourable, a lot of people find comfort in faith healing and prayers. For support and encouragement, you can read the stories of people who were able to overcome this at www.mybabytestimony.blogspot.com
Other options include
-Timed Intercourse
-IUI
-IVF
Other options include
-Timed Intercourse
-IUI
-IVF
The Causes of Infertility2
Cause Of Infertility - Things You Need To Know
One of the biggest misconceptions of the cause of infertility is that it is a woman's problem. This couldn't be further from the truth.The facts are, there is a three-way split when it comes to determining infertility causes.
In fact, it's a three-way split. It's either the man or the woman or in worst case scenarios, the problem is unknown.The upside to knowing whether either partner has a problem is treatment can then be determined and once the cause is established, appropriate treatment methods can then begin.
The downside is when the problem cannot be attributed to either and the cause is unknown.This is tough for a couple to accept and can create undue stresses emotionally to a relationship. Let's take a look firstly at the possible causes of female infertility. It's important to understand the complexity of a woman's reproductive system and that things will not be 100% all the time.
Generally, when a problem is diagnosed in can be rectified in the majority of cases and in time, conception is achieved. There is no point in beating yourself up if conception hasn't taken place after 6-12 months because the truth is, whatever the problem is, there is a good chance it can be overcome without too much fuss.
Causes Of Infertility
These are some of the problems a women could be faced with:-
pelvic issues which can affect the reproductive system.
- anatomy deficiencies which include passage blockage and uterine issues such fibroids and tumors.
- ovulation issues caused by anything from physical stress to thyroid glad problems - functioning issues associated with the reproductive system which means one or more organs malfunctioning which will upset the fertility process.
The good news is in most cases, these factors can be rectified with correct surgical procedures or medications. The bad news... when the above-mentioned problems don't respond to treatment and you begin to run out of options.
Male Infertility Issues
There are many a number of reasons attributed as a cause of infertility in men. Here are just a few:-
low sperm count which encompasses a number of possible reasons such as physical and mental stress as well as a nutritional deficiency.
- varicocele which refers to an enlarged vein within the area of the scrotum.-
testicular heating which can be attributed to clothing being too tight or even hot saunas or baths.
- substance abuse in the shape of drugs, smoking or drinking.
Again, most of the above causes can be rectified with appropriate treatment methods and as is the case with women, don't get too concerned until you've been evaluated by your physician and have undergone treatment.
Want excellent tips and sound advice on infertility issues which could be affecting you? Understand what is the cause of infertility and how you should approach and deal with it. - Get more articles at Read Articles.com
One of the biggest misconceptions of the cause of infertility is that it is a woman's problem. This couldn't be further from the truth.The facts are, there is a three-way split when it comes to determining infertility causes.
In fact, it's a three-way split. It's either the man or the woman or in worst case scenarios, the problem is unknown.The upside to knowing whether either partner has a problem is treatment can then be determined and once the cause is established, appropriate treatment methods can then begin.
The downside is when the problem cannot be attributed to either and the cause is unknown.This is tough for a couple to accept and can create undue stresses emotionally to a relationship. Let's take a look firstly at the possible causes of female infertility. It's important to understand the complexity of a woman's reproductive system and that things will not be 100% all the time.
Generally, when a problem is diagnosed in can be rectified in the majority of cases and in time, conception is achieved. There is no point in beating yourself up if conception hasn't taken place after 6-12 months because the truth is, whatever the problem is, there is a good chance it can be overcome without too much fuss.
Causes Of Infertility
These are some of the problems a women could be faced with:-
pelvic issues which can affect the reproductive system.
- anatomy deficiencies which include passage blockage and uterine issues such fibroids and tumors.
- ovulation issues caused by anything from physical stress to thyroid glad problems - functioning issues associated with the reproductive system which means one or more organs malfunctioning which will upset the fertility process.
The good news is in most cases, these factors can be rectified with correct surgical procedures or medications. The bad news... when the above-mentioned problems don't respond to treatment and you begin to run out of options.
Male Infertility Issues
There are many a number of reasons attributed as a cause of infertility in men. Here are just a few:-
low sperm count which encompasses a number of possible reasons such as physical and mental stress as well as a nutritional deficiency.
- varicocele which refers to an enlarged vein within the area of the scrotum.-
testicular heating which can be attributed to clothing being too tight or even hot saunas or baths.
- substance abuse in the shape of drugs, smoking or drinking.
Again, most of the above causes can be rectified with appropriate treatment methods and as is the case with women, don't get too concerned until you've been evaluated by your physician and have undergone treatment.
Want excellent tips and sound advice on infertility issues which could be affecting you? Understand what is the cause of infertility and how you should approach and deal with it. - Get more articles at Read Articles.com
The Causes of Infertility
DEFINITION OF INFERTILITY — Infertility in a couple is defined as the inability to achieve conception despite one year of frequent unprotected intercourse.
There are many different causes of infertility, and often there are several causes in one couple. These include:
Male factor: In about 25-40 percent of couples, a problem with the sperm is the cause of the infertility. The problem may be the number of sperm, the shape of the sperm, or their ability to move effectively.
Ovulation: In 25-30 percent of couples, there are problems with the production of the woman's egg, or ovulation. This may be the result of an abnormality in the woman's ovary (such as polycystic ovary syndrome), or other hormonal causes. These defects are treated by giving medications to stimulate ovulation.
Tubal defect: Infertility is caused by an abnormality of the Fallopian tubes, the tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus, in 20-30 percent of couples. Tubal defects can be caused by scarring from previous surgery, infection, or a previous tubal ligation ("tying of the tubes").
Unexplained: There is no obvious cause of infertility in about 10-20 percent of couples. Endometriosis: This is a disorder in which pieces of the lining of the uterus implant themselves onto pelvic organs, including the Fallopian tubes, the ovaries, and sometimes even the intestines. This is the cause of infertility in 5-10 percent of couples.
There are many different causes of infertility, and often there are several causes in one couple. These include:
Male factor: In about 25-40 percent of couples, a problem with the sperm is the cause of the infertility. The problem may be the number of sperm, the shape of the sperm, or their ability to move effectively.
Ovulation: In 25-30 percent of couples, there are problems with the production of the woman's egg, or ovulation. This may be the result of an abnormality in the woman's ovary (such as polycystic ovary syndrome), or other hormonal causes. These defects are treated by giving medications to stimulate ovulation.
Tubal defect: Infertility is caused by an abnormality of the Fallopian tubes, the tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus, in 20-30 percent of couples. Tubal defects can be caused by scarring from previous surgery, infection, or a previous tubal ligation ("tying of the tubes").
Unexplained: There is no obvious cause of infertility in about 10-20 percent of couples. Endometriosis: This is a disorder in which pieces of the lining of the uterus implant themselves onto pelvic organs, including the Fallopian tubes, the ovaries, and sometimes even the intestines. This is the cause of infertility in 5-10 percent of couples.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Overcoming Delay in Childbearing
Are you facing the challenge of delay in having children? Hang in there; God will grant you that perfectly legitimate desire: to be a parent. Please be encouraged; you are not alone! It is God’s will that you have children. It is the right of every child of God, not a privilege. That is what He says in His word, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth…” no exception. Gen 1:28 KJV.
It does not matter what has been diagnosed as the cause of your infertility; is it fibroids, blocked or even absent tubes? Anovulation? Hormonal imbalance? Low/Nil sperm count, A hostile womb? Too tiny or even non existent womb? Maybe it’s been called ‘unexplained.’ Whatever name the condition has been given, IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD? Gen 1:18a. God has no favourites when it comes to answering prayers, all He says is BELIEVE (Mark 11:24).
You may have been mocked or made to feel useless or incomplete. In some parts of the world, a married woman is almost regarded as a witch if she is childless (it is often assumed that she is the one with the problem). See mymiraclebabystory.com. It’s not unheard of, when they run out of patience, for members of a man’s family to physically throw out a wife while her husband stands meekly by!
Even where there is no stigma or hostility, it is perfectly natural to wonder why conception seems to come so easy to others and not to you. Often you feel so miserable and consumed with longing to have a baby of your own. You try to put on a happy face and conceal your misery when you go for baby showers or naming ceremonies but you only and maybe your partner, know what you are really going through. You go out and it’s like every second woman you pass either has a baby bump or a toddler clinging to her. You hear the happy laughter or cries of children everywhere but in your own home.
Lady, you are going to laugh last. You will say like Sarah: “And God has made me to laugh so that all that hear will laugh with me. Gen 21:6. Guys, have you been told that you can never biologically father a child? Through the power of God, many have become fathers after being written off by their doctors. Even if you have NO sperm count, God is able! HOW is not for you to know. If some childless couples who are not religious at all, who did not even pray but kept a positive attitude have been surprised when their babies finally came, how much more you who daily cry to God?
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