Assisted Hatching – Conception Option for Older Women

This article highlights the fact that Assisted Hatching is a good fertility treatment option for older women experiencing poor IVF outcomes.

When to Consult a Reproductive Endocrinologist

When the basic treatment for fertility related problems as recommended by an obstetrician/ gynecologist (OB/GYN) do not seem to work, it may be time to start seeing a Fertility Specialist, also called a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) who may recommend advanced treatments and medications. The OB/GYN treating infertility usually recognizes the limits of their capabilities and makes appropriate referrals to more specialized care whenever necessary.

Who is a Reproductive Endocrinologist?

Reproductive Endocrinologists complete the same education and medical requirements as OB/GYNs. In addition, they also finish a two- to three-year fellowship in reproductive endocrinology, pass specialized examinations (board certified) and complete a two-year practice in reproductive endocrinology. Thus they are the physicians with the broadest range of qualification, training, specialization and experience in treating reproductive disorders. In fact Board Certification in reproductive endocrinology infertility is the only sure identifier of a trained fertility specialist.

Reproductive Endocrinology combines reproductive medicine and endocrinology, which focuses on organs of the endocrine system and the hormones they produce. These specialists also deal with issues related to menstrual disorders, puberty-related problems and sexual dysfunction as well as the treatment of transsexuals and intersexed individuals undergoing hormone treatment.

A Positive Step towards Infertility Treatment

The decision to consult a RE is a proactive, tangible step towards addressing fertility issues. Board certification is important when choosing a reproductive endocrinologist. At the first visit the RE will ask about the patient’s medical history, any diagnostic procedures that have been done so far, and procreative efforts to date. The RE then specifies the tests which are necessary to be performed.

Who Should Consult a Reproductive Endocrinologist?

In general, women aged thirty-five or older if experiencing fertility issues should seek specialty care from a reproductive endocrinologist as their fertility can decline rapidly.  Staying with their OB/GYN for far too long expecting positive results is the error most couples make, thus wasting valuable time. Younger women can also experience premature menopause, termed “declining ovarian reserve”.  Such a condition, as also disorders like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), male factor infertility, fallopian tube disease and severe endometriosis all warrant immediate consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist.

Often patients hesitate to consult a fertility specialist due to cost concerns. But since appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment are ordered early in the evaluation during a consult with a specilist, it leads to effective treatment options and ultimately to overall savings in cost. Patients under the care of a reproductive endocrinologist are more likely to conceive, and in a much shorter period of time.

East Bay fertility clinic (http://www.ebfertility.com/) specializes in the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of infertility. Their experienced medical staff is headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician. Dr Snowden is Board Certified in Obstetric, Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology with advanced Fellowship training in the treatment of infertility, recurrent miscarriages and hormonal disorders in women. A former infertility patient herself, Dr. Snowden brings to her patients a rare and valuable firsthand empathy for the personal pain and emotional stress of dealing with infertility. Call 925.828.9235 for a free initial consultation.

How Pesticides Can Impact Fertility Levels

Environmental threats to male reproduction was first discovered around 30 years ago when sperm formation was shown to be severely impaired among agricultural workers and pesticide manufacturers. It is a well documented fact that exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides, insecticides and herbicides can decrease sperm production and quality. Among men seeking infertility treatment, those who were exposed to pesticides were most likely to have a very low sperm output.  What’s more, sperm concentration, output and morphology were all significantly worse in men more frequently exposed to pesticides.

Those living and working on a farm land, mixing and applying pesticides – including insect killers, weed killers as well as fungal killers and fungicides are potentially in danger of experiencing a low sperm count.

The Pesticide-Fertility Connection

It is important to note that many of the studies conducted on pesticides only examined people who live in an agricultural area or regularly work with pesticides. Therefore, an average person is not likely to have such a high-exposure to these chemicals. However the danger lies in the fact that even a low-level of exposure to pesticides has been found to cause health problems.

As infertility rates continue to rise in many countries, more and more studies are directed at possible environmental factors such as the effect of various chemicals, toxins and pesticides as a potential cause of infertility. Most tests have revealed alarming results. Pesticides have an adverse effect of causing health and reproductive problems in people who are continuously exposed to these strong chemicals. Here is a sampling of various findings:

• Chlorpyrifos has been found to cause autoimmune responses whereby the body attacks the sperm or egg
• DDT and chlordane are of particular concern as they have both been found to reduce sperm counts
• Many pesticides have proven links with reduced sperm counts, including ethylene dibromide (pesticide), kepone (pesticide) and DBCP (agricultural nematocide)
• Exposure to pesticides also leads to decreased levels of testosterone in men.

Pesticides in the home include indoor insect repellants and pesticides used in the garden. The combined exposure of using both types can be significant.

It’s not just men, but women also whose fertility may be disrupted by pesticide exposures. Women who live near crops on which pesticides have been sprayed may have anywhere from a 40 to 120% increased risk of miscarriage.

Tips for Safeguarding Fertility from Pesticide Exposure

• If your work involves handling chemicals consider if you can reduce the number of hours you are exposed to them. If this is not possible always wear gloves and a mask for protection.
• If you intend to put pesticide on your lawn and you are planning a baby see if there is someone else who can do the job for you
• Consider using organic fertilizers since they don’t carry a chemical risk.

Fertility Treatment Options

There has been growing concern about the effect pesticides may have on the delicate human reproductive system, and particularly on the quality of sperm. If you discover you are pregnant and you live near an agricultural area where pesticides are being used, it is advised you remove yourself to avoid exposure to these chemicals.

East Bay fertility Center, Dublin, California, (www.ebfertility.com) specializes in the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of infertility, providing a complete mind-body experience for fertility couples. Treatment options are pursued based on all known parameters and the preferences of the couple.

East Bay’s experienced medical staff is headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician. Dr Snowden is Board Certified in Obstetric, Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology with advanced Fellowship training in the treatment of infertility, recurrent miscarriages and hormonal disorders in women. Call 925.828.9235 for a free initial consultation.

Smoking Vs Infertility

Infertility arises because of many reasons such as problems in the ovaries and uterus and fluctuations in hormone levels which reduce the chances of conceiving. In addition there are external factors that could contribute to infertility. Smoking is one of them.

The link between Smoking and Infertility

Latest studies show that a considerable amount of infertility cases are the after effect of smoking. Smoking can cause severe side effects both in men and women. Women smokers have higher risk of affecting their reproductive ability and further increasing the chances of cancer in their offspring because of alterations in the genes and chromosomes.

Women who have tried to get pregnant with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and those who have been smokers in the past produce fewer eggs with IVF than non smokers. In addition, smokers also experience reduced capacity of fertilization of the eggs and increased chances of miscarriages with IVF. The reason might be nicotine, found in cigarettes, which have adverse effects on the follicles that are necessary for the induction of IVF.

Smoking during Pregnancy

The pregnancy rates of women smokers are greatly affected by nicotine. Moreover, smoking negatively influences not just the mother, but the baby as well. Even before delivery, smoking can harm a fetus exposed to nicotine while in the womb causing low birth weight, poor lung function and several other problems. The nicotine in cigarettes obstructs the flow of oxygen needed for healthy growth to the baby’s blood. Needless to say the chances of a healthy pregnancy can be improved by keeping the body smoke free.

Effects of Smoking on Female and Male Fertility

Some of the negative consequences of smoking on the female reproduction ability include:

• Damage to the fallopian tubes that produce healthy eggs
• Lower rates of fertilization of the eggs with IVF
• Chances of reaching menopause early by 1 to 4 years
• Increased risk of unprompted abortion and ectopic pregnancy
• Alterations in ovum
• Likelihood of occurrence of cancer in the babies of smoking parents

Significant consequences of smoking contributing to male infertility include:

• Decreased sperm count in men
• lterations in the sperm morphology, sperm strength and quantity of ejaculated semen
• Infertility caused by changes in the series of DNA in sperm cells

Infertility itself can be cured with the help of treatments and medications and IVF success rates are higher in women that have quit smoking. Fertility improves considerably in women who have quit smoking. Couples planning on starting a family and particularly those experiencing problems while conceiving should make a maximum effort towards cessation of smoking..

East Bay Fertility Center, Dublin, California (www.ebfertility.com) offers personalized medical counseling and treatments for infertile couples. The clinic’s experienced medical staff is headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician who is Board Certified in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology. East Bay Fertility Center provides comprehensive infertility services and motivates infertile patients throughout their course of infertility treatment. East Bay specializes in providing infertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilization, insemination, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, egg donation and gestational surrogacy.

Visit our website http://ebfertility.com/ to know more about different treatment options that we provide.

Eating Healthy During Fertility Treatment

A variety of lifestyle factors affect the fertility potential of individuals. Since infertility is a physical problem, a healthy diet plays a vital role in enhancing fertility. Studies have shown that certain foods can regulate the hormones that affect the production of eggs and sperm. A good diet also helps in maintaining a healthy weight, which can greatly impact fertility. Women who are underweight or overweight may have a harder time becoming pregnant because body fat levels do have an impact on the production of sex hormones. It is imperative that in the course of infertility treatment, a healthy diet and lifestyle is maintained.

Tips for Healthy Eating During Infertility Treatment

What you put into your body has a huge effect on the functioning of your reproductive system. A well balanced, nutritious diet is therefore essential for the formation of a healthy embryo especially while undergoing infertility treatment. Below are some natural approaches and lifestyle adaptations that should be followed in the course of fertility treatment, and maintained throughout pregnancy and thereafter:

• Eat a variety of foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, eggs and nuts to get all the different kinds of essential nutrients
• Choose foods that are high in fiber
• Include enough vitamins and minerals in your daily diet
• It is absolutely essential to have lots of water since it’s an important fertility food
• Intake of calcium-rich foods to get 1000-1300 mg of calcium in your daily diet
• Eat enough servings of iron-rich foods everyday to get 27 mg of iron daily
• Choose at least one good source of vitamin C every day, such as oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, etc. to get the daily dose of 70 mg of vitamin C
• Choose at least one good source of folic acid every day, like dark green leafy vegetables, veal, and legumes such as lima beans, black beans, black-eyed peas and chickpeas
• Choose at least one source of vitamin A every other day such as carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, spinach, water squash, turnip greens, beet greens, apricots, and cantaloupe.

Foods to be Avoided During Infertility Treatment

• Alcohol should be avoided since it can decrease sperm count and increase the production of abnormal sperm. Alcohol may cause premature delivery, mental retardation and birth defects.
• Caffeine intake should be limited. Try and substitute your daily cup of coffee with green tea that has antioxidants, which aid in healthy immune systems.
• The use of sweeteners should also be limited
• The intake of trans fats from margarine, doughnuts and other processed foods should be limited
• It is recommended to replace processed foods with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
• Avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish as they have high levels of mercury
• Avoid soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined, and Mexican-style cheese. These cheeses are often unpasteurized and may cause Listeria infection.
• Avoid raw fish, like oysters and clams
• Avoid acidic foods

Ensure that raw vegetables and fruits are washed thoroughly and cook ready-to-eat meats (like hot dogs) and leftovers until steaming hot.

Exercise

Along with a balanced and nutritious diet, it is important to undertake a moderate exercise regimen to improve the chances of conception. Exercise helps to burn off excess body fat, allowing hormone levels to return to normal. However over exercising can actually impair fertility. Exercises like swimming, walking and cycling are recommended.
It’s important to eat right at all times and especially if you are trying to conceive. Eating right does play a major part in improving fertility along with maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and keeping stress under control.

California based East Bay Fertility Center (www.ebfertility.com) provides expert medical counseling and different infertility treatment options. Our medical staff headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician provide personalized and comprehensive services for infertility and reproductive endocrine issues. Infertility can be attributed to the male or the female or to both. East Bay Fertility Center conducts tests to determine the exact fertility problem and suitable fertility treatments are then recommended.

For free initial consultation please call us at 925.828.9235 or visit our website at www.ebfertility.com for more details about infertility support, treatment and more.

How Fibroids Can be a Cause of Infertility

One of the commonly occurring medical conditions generally overlooked as a cause of infertility is the presence of uterine fibroids. It is possible for a woman with a fibroid to conceive and carry the baby to term. If left untreated, it is likely that the fibroid will continue to grow. When the woman decides she wants to add to her family, the increased size of the fibroid may be a factor in her inability to conceive.

Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that develop in and around the uterus. Fibroids are a common occurrence and it is estimated that around 25 percent of women in their childbearing years have signs of fibroids. A woman may have a single fibroid or multiple fibroids which may be located on the exterior or interior uterine surfaces or within the wall of the uterus. Fibroids are generally detected by a pelvic examination or an ultrasound.

The exact cause of fibroids is still unknown but it seems to be related to a gene that controls cell growth. When this gene is not functioning properly, cells grow and divide at an accelerated rate leading to a mass of cells or fibroid. Other causes for development of fibroids are the abnormalities in the blood vessels around the uterus and changes in chemicals in the body that cause tissue to grow.

Fibroids sometimes interfere with fertility and create complications while trying to conceive because of the growths. The symptoms of fibroids include heavy menstrual flow, pelvic pressure and bladder or bowel problems.

How Fibroids can lead to infertility

Fibroids can lead to fertility problems in a number of ways. Though uterine fibroids are considered harmless they sometimes affect fertility by blocking or distorting the fallopian tubes or by affecting the passage of sperm from the cervix to the fallopian tubes. Submucosal fibroids are the type most likely to cause fertility problems or miscarriages because of their location inside the uterine cavity. Sometimes they grow into the uterus, filling it and even growing out of the cervix. They project into the womb cavity and greatly disrupt its shape. These fibroids ultimately act as a foreign body and make the uterine environment hostile for an embryo to implant correctly. It may affect the proper growth and development of the embryo thus increasing the risk of an embryo to miscarry.

Treatment includes medications, which can help shrink the fibroids and surgery to remove the fibroids. There are two types of surgery options for the treatment of fibroids: Myomectomy in which fibroids are removed from the uterus and hysterectomy which involves removal of the uterus.

Myomectomy is the treatment of choice for women who want to have children, because it usually can preserve fertility, enabling her to retain her child-bearing ability. But this treatment is at the expense of increased risk of fibroid recurrence. Hysterectomy is commonly performed when large fibroids are the problem. By removing the uterus during hysterectomy, the possibility of fibroids returning is eliminated.

An entirely new approach to treating fibroids is by uterine artery embolisation (UAE). This involves a radiologist passing a very thin catheter into a blood vessel in the groin and guiding it toward one of the arteries that lead to the fibroid. The small artery is blocked off leading to shrinkage of the fibroid. This procedure, if proven effective, would be a welcome alternative to hysterectomy, which removes the uterus. However, because of newness of this procedure, long-term effects are still not known and it is not generally recommended for women wishing to preserve their fertility.

Doctors are working on less invasive measures and on drugs to treat fibroids. For those who face fertility issues, one of the initial tests that are recommended to be done is to test for fibroids.

East Bay fertility Center Dublin California, (www.ebfertility.com) specializes in the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of infertility, providing a complete mind-body experience for fertility couples. At East Bay Fertility Center, skilled fertility specialists treat fibroids and other obstructions before starting with fertility treatment, including IVF. East Bay’s experienced medical staff is headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician. Dr Snowden is Board Certified in Obstetric, Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology with advanced Fellowship training in the treatment of infertility, recurrent miscarriages and hormonal disorders in women.

The Link between Obesity and Fertility

Obese women are known to face difficulties in trying to get pregnant, usually taking a longer time to conceive, regardless of their age and regular menstrual cycle. Women who are obese have a greater risk of pregnancy-related problems. Obesity is found to damage a woman’s embryos and stops them from developing further. Obese women may face alterations in their ovaries which could be one of the reasons that cause an egg’s inability to become an embryo.

It is believed by the medical world that the characteristics of the eggs are determined by the environment in which they develop within the ovary. Obese women have unexpectedly high levels of fats and inflammation in the fluid surrounding the eggs, which affects an egg’s capacity of developing. The accumulated fat in a woman’s body alters the sensitive metabolism of the egg that has an adverse impact on the embryo formation.

With an altered ovarian follicular condition and increased metabolite and androgen activity levels, obese women have enough reasons for their poorer reproductive systems. Obesity causes blood lipid changes and higher inflammation rate which can impact not only fertility but also a person’s general health. According to studies, a woman is obese if she has Body Mass Index (BMI) that is more than 35.

Effects of obesity on fertility and pregnancy:

Obese women face major health risks during pregnancy. Obesity has been linked to the following infertility and pregnancy complications:
• Reduced ovulation rate
• Preeclampsia that is caused due to increased blood pressure during pregnancy
• Stillbirths
• Reduced chances of conceiving naturally
• Increased risk of miscarriage, pregnancy complications and congenital anomalies
• Long term affect on mother and child’s health
• Gestational diabetes
• Cesarean sections
• Pregnancy hypertension

Obesity can also lead to post-pregnancy complications such as urinary tract infections, endometrial infection, urinary incontinence and injuries that do not heal easily.

Possible Treatment Options for Obesity

There are a variety of obesity treatments available to women. Following are the recommended treatment options for obesity:
• Dietary therapy: the diet of the individual is modified and closely monitored
• Physical therapy: the individual is introduced to a moderate exercise program
• Behavior therapy: this includes correcting the eating disorder and other behavioral disorders of the individual
• Drug therapy: medications including drugs are provided in conjunction with physical and dietary therapy
• Obesity surgery: In some severe cases of obesity, gastric bypass surgery is also recommended

East Bay Fertility Center, Dublin, California offers counseling services not just to couples who are facing difficulties in conceiving but also to obese women with fertility issues. Our medical staff at East Bay Fertility Center helps you stay motivated throughout the infertility treatment. In addition to the infertility counseling services, we specialize in providing infertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilization, insemination, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, egg donation, gestational surrogacy.

Please visit our website www.ebfertility.com for details to know about different treatment options that we provide.

Myths Related to Infertility

Taboos and myths surround what is not completely understood, and infertility is no different. To better understand infertility, it is important to differentiate between myth and fact since infertility myths can cause emotional and mental stress to infertile couples and their loved ones.

Infertility by itself is a sensitive issue and when confronting with false information the situation becomes even more difficult to handle.

Myths can be resolved with appropriate understanding and educating ourselves with correct information about infertility. Here are some of the common myths and misconceptions related to infertility:

Myth: Infertility is a woman’s problem
Fact: It is important for couples to realize that the causes of infertility are almost equally shared by female and male partners. The surprising factor concerning this myth is that infertility is a female problem in 35 percent of the cases, a male problem in 35 percent of the cases, a combined problem of the couple in 20 percent of cases, and unexplained in 10 percent of cases, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Thus it is critical that an infertility evaluation should involve both the man and the woman.

Myth: It is a personal failing
Fact: Infertility makes the affected person experience a sense of inadequacy that affects his or her self-esteem. Those that perceive the condition as a personal failing are advised to connect with others facing similar challenges, as well as consider professional infertility counseling.

Myth: Infertility is caused by stress
Fact: Being stressed is one of the reasons that most people believe that is causing infertility. In fact infertility is a medical problem, a condition of the reproductive system which by itself causes tremendous stress to the couple. Stress is a result and not a cause of infertility. So while yoga, going on vacation, and other de-stress options can improve overall well-being, these changes in lifestyle will not solve an infertility condition which requires medical intervention.

Myth: Infertility is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle
Fact: While a healthy lifestyle certainly helps at the time when you are trying to become pregnant, it does not cure infertility. Unhealthy lifestyles that include bad eating habits, smoking, drinking, and STD can affect fertility, but infertility is not the result of an unhealthy lifestyle.

Myth: Only older couples face infertility
Fact: With growing age, the ability to become pregnant decreases. The late teens and 20s are considered to be the peak fertile period for women. This starts dropping by the mid 30’s. But infertility does affect men and women of all ages. The good news is that majority of infertile patients do conceive with the appropriate treatment.

Myth: Infertility treatments end up resulting in twins or triplets
Fact: It is a fact that fertility treatment very often leads to multiple pregnancies. This is because fertility drugs stimulate the ovaries to produce more than one egg at the same time, increasing the chance of multiple pregnancies. However, the majority of women taking fertility drugs still have single pregnancy. With advanced treatment options, the risk of conceiving multiples is minimized.

East Bay Fertility Center Offers a Complete Mind-Body Experience for Fertility Couples

Dealing with infertility is in itself challenging and exhausting without having to deal with myths and falsehood surrounding the condition which would only aggravate anxiety. Finding the right physicians and counselors to guide you through this unfamiliar territory is very important.

East Bay Fertility Center, Dublin, California helps you break the “infertility walls” by providing personalized medical counseling and treatment for infertile couples. We provide comprehensive services for infertility and reproductive endocrine issues. Our experienced medical staff is headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician who is Board Certified in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology. She brings to her patients a rare and valuable firsthand empathy for the personal pain and emotional stress of dealing with infertility.

To know more about our treatment options and counseling sessions, please log on to our website www.ebfertility.com .

When Should One Seek Infertility Treatment?

Infertility increases with the passing age, but almost every infertile couple can be successfully treated. East Bay Fertility Center is providing all their patients not just technical expertise. but a compassionate, personalized care and support throughout their treatments. At East Bay Fertility Center we think of your well-being and thus we have every possible treatment option that will help you to achieve your dream of becoming proud parents.

Aging Infertility in Men and Women

Fertility, the natural capability of creating life decreases as men and women age though it does not imply that men and women become absolutely sterile. There have been instances where a 90 year old man has been able to father a child by natural means and similarly women well past their middle ages are giving birth to healthy babies. Also with sophisticated medical treatment and a balanced diet older men and women have found it easier to conceive and deliver healthy babies.

Aging males and gene mutation

As men age, in general they experience erectile dysfunction, reduction in the volume, concentration, count and motility of the sperm. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has suggested that the age limit for sperm donors should be under-40 as the quality of sperm decreases with age. However this age limit is not based on scientific evidence as the effect of aging on fertility in men is still not conclusively proved.

Men continue to produce sperm all their life. But the fact remains that aging does affect the quality of the sperm. A research done in 2006 found that low sperm motility was affected by DNA fragmentation which increased with age. Therefore older men were most likely to pass on any mutation in the genes to their progenies. The Aging Male Syndrome is characterized by a number of symptoms like loss of libido, decrease in the levels of the male hormone testosterone, erectile dysfunction, and other physical symptoms like bone loss, hair loss, weight gain, memory problems, muscle loss, low stamina and increased urination.

Older women and fertility

Infertility is more pronounced in women than in men. Fertility in women starts declining even years before menopause sets in. Research on the incidence of pregnancy in various age groups has shown that the rate of infertility is higher in older women. Women are born with all the eggs they will have in a lifetime. As women age, the eggs in the ovaries also age making it more difficult to conceive and increasing the risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities. Also older women are more likely to develop age related diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions and gynecological problems like fibroids, endometriosis and menopause. These may result in poor quality of eggs, weight gain and disturbances in the estrogen metabolism. Although these conditions may affect a woman’s ability to conceive, current emerging technologies make it possible for older women to successfully deliver a healthy baby.

Staying healthy by remaining active and following a balanced diet, as well as reducing stress and negativity are still keys to increasing the likelihood of conception, for both men and women. It is important to seek medical advice and treatment for any conditions or problems to increase chances of conception.

For all your fertility related queries and concerns log on to www.ebfertility.com