Coping with Infertility: Research and Facts on Coping with Infertility If you're having a hard time coping with infertility, you're not alone. Research has shown that the psychological stress experienced by women with infertility is similar to that of women coping with illnesses like cancer, HIV, and chronic pain. Infertility is not an easy disease to cope with.To make things worse, you may hear from friends or family that your...more
What is Infertility? Infertility Myths and Facts On Fertility What is Infertility?Infertility is usually defined as the inability to get pregnant after a year of unprotected sex. According to statistics collected by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 6.1 million women between the ages of 15 to 44 have an impaired ability to have children, and 2.1 million married couples are experiencing infertility. The statistical study also...more
All About Laparoscopy for Infertility: What to Expect During Laparoscopy for Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment What Is Laparoscopy?Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that involves making one, two, or three very small cuts in the abdomen, through which the doctor inserts a laparoscope and specialized surgical instruments. A laparoscope is a thin, fiber-optic tube, fitted with a light and camera. Laparoscopy allows your doctor to see the abdominal organs and sometimes make repairs, without making a larger incision that can require a longer recovery time and hospital stay.When Is Laparoscopy Done?Your doctor may suggest laparoscopic surgery to help in diagnosing a cause for infertility. Usually, it's performed only after other infertility testing has been completed.If you're experiencing pelvic pain, a potential symptom of endometriosis or PID, your doctor may suggest laparoscopic surgery to determine the source of the pain and possibly treat it (by removing scar tissue, for example). Laparoscopic surgery is also performed in the case of ectopic pregnancy.Why Is Laparoscopy Important?Some causes of infertility, like endometriosis, can only be diagnosed through...more
Male Infertility Overview: What You Need to Know About Male Infertility Causes and Treatment Male infertility isn't something you hear much about on the news, so you may be surprised to know that male infertility is almost as likely as female infertility to be involved in a couple's inability to achieve pregnancy.The good news is...more
What Does Medical Research Say About Acupuncture and Infertility? Acupuncture for infertility is probably the most popular and commonly recognized alternative treatment for those trying to get pregnant. The media seems to report on research related to acupuncture and fertility every few months, and more and more fertility clinics...more
New Study Connects Stress to Infertility? Not Quite Once again, the media has taken a study and made it out to be something it's not. If you read the New York Times online, you might have come across this headline: "Old Maxim of Fertility and Stress Is Reversed."The article then goes onto to say that some infertility experts claim stress does not cause infertility, but in fact, infertility causes stress. It then postulates that this is no longer accurate, given the latest study on stress and infertility. Referring to stress and infertility, the article states, "Now researchers suggest that the two conditions may indeed be linked."Except that's not exactly true.What the latest study does say is that acute stress may make it less likely to get pregnant - at least during the first cycle.The study from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development involved tracking approximately 270 couples, who had just begun trying to conceive, between the ages of 18 and 40. They analyzed their salvia (their spit) during the fertile window, looking for biological markers of stress.They found that higher levels of the enzyme alpha-amylase, a marker...more
Diagnosis of Infertility: What You Need To Know About Infertility Diagnosis When is a diagnosis of infertility given?A diagnosis of infertility is usually given when a couple, after a year of trying to conceive, does not become...more
Why You May Want to Speak to an Infertility Counselor There are a variety of reasons for seeking infertility counseling from a mental health professional. It may be that your reproductive endocrinologist recommends or requires you to...more
RESOLVE Infertility Support Groups: What to Expect and How to Find a RESOLVE Infertility Support Group Joining an infertility support group can be a great way to cope with infertility. Finding support when dealing with infertility is...more
Tips on Finding an Infertility Counselor: Where to Look and What to Ask When Looking For Infertility Counseling If you're looking for a counselor to help you cope with infertility, or your doctor requires it before certain treatments,...more
Why am I having trouble getting pregnant if I have regular periods? Question: Why am I having trouble getting pregnant if I have regular periods?A reader asks, "Why can't I get pregnant? I have regular periods, my husband and I have...more
Can I Include Sweets in What to Eat During Pregnancy? There is nothing uncommon about a woman experiencing cravings during pregnancy, and in our current nutritional climate, many people eat much sugar day and night. The combination...more