Touched by the Stork - Fertility Information
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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Stress and Infertility
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Scientists claim to have found a link between stress and infertility. In general chronic stress is known to have adverse affects on people's health; from acne to stomach ulcers and headaches stress induces many ailments. Couples facing infertility issues tend to have high cases of stress. The treatments are costly, time consuming and tend to be emotional for many infertile men and women, thus causing stress.
Science Daily said, "We know stress affects the top-tier reproductive hormone, GnRH, but we show, in fact, that stress also affects another high-level hormone, GnIH, to cause reproductive dysfunction."
The study was done at the University of California, Berkley and will be published in the journal of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The researchers at Berkley are now aware of the links between stress and infertility and will be further researching the issue.
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Monday, June 15, 2009
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IVF Mix-Up
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A UK based couple was implanted with the wrong embryo in an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) mix-up. The fertility clinic has come out clean taking the blame for the mistake. The 'traumatized' couple have had the baby aborted and likewise the couple whose embryo that was has told papers they are highly distressed by the ordeal.
According to News.com.au, "But when they arrived for their appointment they were initially told there had been an accident in the lab and the embryo had been destroyed. Later it emerged a trainee doctor had failed to carry out sufficient checks and the embryo had been implanted in another woman."
IVF has fallen under the critical eye in recent months with this case and the Octomom story. However, such instances of mix-ups and complications are not that common, in fact hundreds of thousands of healthy babies are conceived each year with infertility treatments like IVF.
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Friday, June 12, 2009
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Adverse Affects of Anti-Depressants
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Studies have come out about anti-depressants damaging sperm health and hindering male fertility. The study said that nearly half the men on standard anti-depressant medications have had impaired fertility due to the side effects. There has been a large amount of research done on male infertility recently, especially highlighting the issues of home and common products with such adverse impacts.
The Chicago Tribune reported on the findings, "It's fairly well known that SSRI anti-depressants negatively impact erectile function and ejaculation. This study goes on step further, demonstrating that they can cause a major increase in genetic damage to sperm," said Dr. Peter Schlegel, the study's senior author and professor of reproductive medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. "Although this study doesn't look directly at fertility, we can infer that as many as half of men taking SSRIs have a reduced ability to conceive."
Men on anti-depressants are being urged to monitor their sperm quality, especially those ready to undergo infertility treatments. Generally obesity, smoking, alcohol and drug use impair fertility, but this new study may answer a lot of questions for many couples struggling to conceive.
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
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Fertility Holidays
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No I am not referring to a honeymoon or a romantic getaway, fertility holidays are becoming quite the popular trend for infertile couples. Dubbed 'fertility retreats' by doctors cashing in, couples are taking a holiday while also hoping to conceive. The retreats do not implement invasive fertility treatments like In Vitro Fertilization, rather they deploy natural fertility remedies.
News.com.au (Daily Telegraph) said of the swanky trips, "Using a mix of oriental medicine and western teachings, the "life-changing" retreats offer meditation and relaxation, yoga, qi gong, dance, dietary advice, self-massage techniques and acupuncture. The retreats claim a success rate of more than 30 per cent, and say they can resolve complex health problems, including premature ovarian failure and poor ovarian response. "
Many couples around the world struggle with natural conception which is why such trips are becoming so popular. Patients can enjoy the delights of a holiday while also enhancing their fertility. Although the retreats do not promise positive results of child bearing they do claim to help many infertile couples peace of mind and calm them down.
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
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Infertility and Testicular Cancer
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Male infertility has recently burst onto the front pages with research and controversy. In fact, a study reported on by Reuters has found a link between male infertility and increased testicular cancer rates. The study, after examining thousands of men in Europe and California said the link is not related to men using infertility treatments, rather it is something in the body associated with both ailments. Much of the relationship can be credited to environmental factors as well which have the ability to adversely affect health.
The Reuters article Study finds infertility-testicular cancer link said, "Infertile men are nearly three times more likely to develop testicular cancer than those who are fertile, U.S. researchers reported on Monday. The finding suggests a common source for both problems, perhaps errors in the way the body tries to repair damage to genetic material or environmental factors, Dr. Thomas Walsh and colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco reported."
The study went on to discuss links between highly industrialized countries like the US, parts of Scandinavia and the UK where men have poor sperm quality, which can associate to infertility issues.
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Tuesday, June 09, 2009
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Healthy Foods, Healthy Fertility
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Infertility research has shown a possible link between healthy eating and better quality of sperm in men. Preserving and taking care of reproductive health is essential to preventing fertility issues. In fact some studies have shown that consumption of certain nutrients and foods has the ability to significantly improve male fertility rates. Men who regularly ate more lettuce, tomatoes and salads, and removed excess dairy and meats had better quality of semen.
Reuters India reported, "Researchers found that diet remained an important factor. The men with normal semen ate more carbohydrates, fiber, folate, vitamin C and lycopene than the men with poor semen quality. The men with healthy semen also ate less fat and less protein. Low levels of antioxidant nutrients in the diet "seem to have a negative effect on semen quality," Mendiola and his team write."
However it is also important to note that a healthy diet is not the only factor related to fertility health. Lifestyle, smoking and other factors also contribute to adverse impacts on semen quality and success of fertility naturally. Trials will continue to be administered in the coming months to further investigate the current findings.
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Monday, June 08, 2009
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Obese Children and Infertility
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Recent studies are finding a link between child obesity and infertility later in life. As obesity runs rampant in the US among children, more research and studies are being administered to see what side effects exist. There are a number of adverse affects associated with obesity among adults and children, however this is one of the first links found with fertility issues.
Express Buzz said of this research, "According to the Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 50-80 per cent of obese children remain obese even as adults and are prone to obesity related diseases."
Infertility has become considerably more common, but luckily fertility experts are learning more about the risks and lifestyle factors that relate to it. Many treatments are available and affordable for infertile couples: from IVF to egg donation awareness is key to fertility health.
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Friday, June 05, 2009
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Fertility Blues
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As fertility rates and treatments seem to be increasing in clinics in the UK
and Australia (with government backed and funded procedures), the US
fertility market is dwindling. A worldwide study concluded that from
2000-2004 assisted reproductive technologies increased by nearly a quarter,
but as the recession began to destroy many markets the fertility industry
has been one of it's victims as well. Interestingly enough many people are
seeking out egg donation and sperm donation for extra money, but infertile
couples are struggling to cope with the costly expenses of infertility
treatments.
The Los Angeles Times said, "The turn of the century saw a huge burst of
babies, worldwide, conceived with assisted reproductive technologies, such
as in vitro fertilization, according to a new study. But, in the United
States, infertility treatments are down due to the recession, according to
some reports."
From job losses, lost health coverage, and general financial struggles it
has been very difficult for many couples to afford In Vitro Fertilization
(IVF) and other treatments. Without some government subsidies it may be a
difficult task to bring back to the upsurge so quickly after a recession.
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Friday, June 05, 2009
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Infertility Awareness
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An awards ceremony honoring fertility clinics that have helped raise
awareness and treatment for infertility was held last night. The National
Infertility Organization honored New York based Reproductive Medicine
Associates for their work in raising the cause. Thousands of infertile
couples struggling with conception every year, much of the reason people do
not seek out treatment is that they are unaware of what is available for
them and at what cost. Fertility clinics seek to improve the knowledge and
awareness while also providing sound healthcare.
Pr Newswire said, "RMA of New York is truly honored to be awarded The 2009
Friends of RESOLVE Award," said Alan Copperman, MD, Co-Director of RMA of
New York and Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Mount
Sinai Medical Center. "Our mission of providing patients with up to date,
accurate information about their diagnosis and treatment options in a
caring, compassionate manner is very much in synch with RESOLVE's core
goals. RESOLVE's support services have been indispensable to many of our
patients and RMA of New York pledges to continue to work closely with
RESOLVE to help individuals and couples build families."
Many options are available for infertile men and women from In Vitro
Fertilization to egg donation and surrogacy there are economically viable
treatments. In fact some procedures even can get some monetary help from
health insurers.
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Friday, June 05, 2009
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Infertility Research
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Fertility researchers have found a link in rats that connects a chemical
with infertility. When a nontoxic chemical is added to rodents which consume
crop meant for humans induced infertility. The infertility was caused due
to menopausal symptoms in the rodents.
Science Daily said, "Of particular interest was a chemical compound known as
4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide, or VCD, typically used in manufacturing rubber
tires, polyesters and plastics. She found that low, nontoxic doses of VCD in
mice sped the menopausal process and rendered them infertile. She dubbed
this new animal model of accelerated menopause "mouseopause."
Physicians and fertility experts are thrilled at the prospect of this study,
as it may show them why many countries who rely on certain crops find
infertility rampant in women. This may lead to bringing into place less
consumption of certain foods for people. The scientists again said this is
still early research and requires much more investigation before anything is
brought into action.
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