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How do food supplements add a value to IVF?

How do food supplements add a value to IVF? Treating each case of infertility opens a new window of knowledge to me. I have no hesitation in accepting the fact that treating infertility is a taxing job. However, the challenges and thrills keep me excited about it.  Resolving queries of childless couples and giving them correct and authentic information is a major part of the treatment.

Patients always wonder about the variety of food supplements prescribed during infertility treatment. They are not able to realize the importance and relevance of it. We all know that food supplements are prescribed when there is a deficiency of particular nutrients in the body.  Since they support our daily diet by fulfilling the deficiency of vitamins and minerals, they are called dietary supplements also. As an infertility expert, we prescribe various supplements after analyzing the physical condition of the patient. It varies from patient to patient.

Role of food supplements When we prescribe these supplements to an infertile couple, there are two reasons. Firstly, they correct the deficiency, if any. Secondly, these supplements improve the quality of eggs and correct the hormonal balance by reducing stress. They provide micronutrients that are available in fruits, vegetables, herbs, and nuts. Though it is possible to provide them through a balanced diet also, but it is not possible during infertility treatment.  Stress, anxiety, and other psychological factors affect the intake of food in females resulting in malnutrition. The process of conception may get hindered due to inadequate nutrients. Therefore, we prescribe dietary supplements.

Types of supplements Food supplements prescribed to IVF patients can be categorized based on their characteristics. I prefer antioxidants and essential amino acids because they help greatly in the success of IVF procedures. PCOD mimetic or Insulin sensitizers are given in specific cases if needed. It is a fact that these supplements play a vital role in the success of the treatment.

Antioxidants extracted from the natural sources are considered goodfor treating infertility patients. These antioxidants delay the process of aging and thus, remarkably improve the health of a reproductive system. Pycogenol, Melatonin, and co-enzyme Q are some of the popular antioxidants. They all are extracted from the natural sources like wheat grass or a pine tree.Myo-inositol is an insulin resistant that improves the ovulation process.

Folic acid is another vital supplement that is prescribed during the treatment.  It is an important element that helps in sustaining pregnancy. Folic acid also plays a critical role in the development of the fetus. Extracting the maximum benefit from it

It is a reality that dietary supplements alone do not help. The success of infertility treatment or IVF depends on the treatment method, physical and mental readiness of the patient, and the overall health. It is a combined effect of dedicated efforts of the patient and the doctor.  We decide food supplements according to the physical condition of a patient. Though there are hardly any side-effects of these supplements, but still we need to monitor them for some time. Anything unusual needs immediate consultation.

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Am I the best infertility expert?

Am I the best infertility expert?

When I look back at the past as an infertility expert, it is impossible to believe the revolutionary change. I remember the times when people had limited choices to opt for. Infertility experts were not many, and treatment was costly and cumbersome. The success rate was very low, and the charges were overwhelming.  The scenario has completely changed today. The awareness has increased manifold. The patients are well-informed about the treatment methods.

How do patients select an infertility expert? Patients do a lot of homework before they take an appointment.

•    They consult others: Even today, patients rely most on the opinion of others. They talk to the friends, family members, and relatives about the best infertility expert around. Hence, it is important for me to maintain a good reputation in the market.  It is important to be a great infertility expert, but it is more important that people talk about it.  High professionalism and cut practice force people to rely on t the opinion of close friends or relatives.

•    First impression matters:It is the most crucial moment when the couple visits my clinic for the first time. It is nothing but “love at the first sight”! Patients expect that the infertility expert listens to the problem sympathetically. They need proper handholding and guidance. They need a reassurance about the effectiveness of IVF treatment. They like to listen about the success stories. As an infertility expert, it is my duty to build trust about the treatment method. If I do it successfully, then half of the battle is won.

Characteristics of a great infertility expert I have been in the field of infertility treatment from a long time. A few characteristics are important in an infertility expert:

•    Counseling:  There are various moments of pain and sorrow during the infertility treatment. Good infertility expert acts as friend, philosopher and guide to the infertile couple. He or she responds to the questions and explains the reasons for failure.

•    Command over the subject: A good infertility expert has superb command over the subject. He keeps the patients well-aware of the treatment methods and procedures. He knows the pros and cons of every move and does not get panic with the situation.

•    Attitude: a good infertility expert always gives full attention to the patients. They are not left on the mercy of junior staff during the crucial moments. They are treated with utmost care and affection.

•    Transparency: Patients like complete transparency in the treatment. They should be involved in every decision and explained about the risks and success ratio.

Success of an infertility treatment greatly depends on the patient-doctor relationship. There has to be complete trust between the two parties. It is a long running treatment, and there are various ups and downs in the journey. Hence, it is important that the bonding is good. It is important that patients must consider me the best infertility expert.  I may be a great doctor from my perspective, it is important that my patients perceive that!

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Study shows that frozen embryos are better than the fresh ones

Study shows that frozen embryos are better than the fresh ones

The treatment of infertility takes advantage of the modern techniques. We infertility experts talk to the infertile couples and discuss various aspects and possibilities of bringing the joy of parenthood in their life. One such remarkable technique is the use of frozen embryos for In Vitro Fertilization.  Infertility experts have been using them from a long time with a great success rate. According to the specialists worldwide, it is one of the leading reproductive techniques. Modern tools have increased the possibility of successful childbirth manifold. IVF with frozen embryo is bridging the gap between having no children and having children. Though the techniques have been in use from years, it was not so much developed and sophisticated earlier.

Statistical research reveals the effectiveness of frozen embryo in making the pregnancy effective in multiple ways. Infertility experts worldwide have admired the technique of frozen embryos for easiness and convenience. However, these findings establish their credibility in terms of improving the quality of pregnancy and childbirth.

Does frozen embryo affect the quality of pregnancy?

It is a fact that frozen embryos have better success rate as compared to the normal one. According to statistics, women in the age group of 36 to 42 have shown more than 75% successful pregnancies with frozen eggs against 54% with fresh fertilized eggs. This is a major contradiction to the popular belief that fresh embryos show better success rates than frozen ones.

Not only the better success rate, but frozen embryos show fewer miscarriages and longevity of the fetus. In addition to that, chromosomal screening proves that frozen embryos show fewer birth defects as compared to the normal embryos. A single embryo implantation makes sure that the couples will have only one child per birth reducing the most common problem of multiple births, the biggest nuisance in IVF Treatment.

It is a biological fact that pregnancy through frozen embryo is much stable because women are free from the hassles of hormonal treatment and painful procedure. Stress and strain affect the quality of pregnancy. Earlier it was believed that immediate implantation of embryo needed for a successful pregnancy. However, research in the later years showed that frozen embryos are equally effective in a successful pregnancy.

How are frozen embryos convenient?                                    

I work in two steps as an infertility expert. First, I give hormonal treatment so that the body starts producing quality eggs. Modern technology makes it possible extracting multiple eggs and keeping them preserved for subsequent use. It is obvious that the facility gives us a chance to use frozen embryos in each case we treat. Since IVF depends on various factors, multiple attempts may fail. Frozen embryos are helpful in trying pregnancy for multiple times.

The procedures are time-taking and tedious. Therefore, I extract matured eggs with hormonal treatment.It is especially helpful for patients above the age of 40 years where women can’t undergo stressful treatment.  The latest findings give a positive thrust to the infertility treatment. With the coordinated efforts of patients success can be achieved quickly.

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Being pregnant at 40 with infertility treatment

Pregnancy at the age of 40 is surely not a recommended thing in the normal case. However, we infertility experts consider it quite a normal thing. Today, women diagnose infertility problem quite late, and they don’t have any option than trying for pregnancy till the age of 40. Recent studies indicate that the modern techniques have made it easy to conceive in the later life. Thousands of women are experiencing the joy of motherhood with the help of advanced infertility clinic. Due to the intense care and constant supervision, it is possible to carry out pregnancy safely and give birth to a healthy child. Infertility treatment is the process of correcting the fundamental medical problem and establishing the natural balance of the reproductive system.

What helps in the journey of successful pregnancy at 40?

A few factors make the journey of pregnancy successful and smooth. Infertility is a condition affected by several internal and external factors and we experts work on resolving these conditions. Several physical and psychological factors contribute to the issues related to fertility problem.

1.    Understanding that it is not a local problem: We need to understand that infertility is not a local problem, but the disruption of various systems including the reproductive system.  We infertility experts work on the problems in totality and not on an individual basis.

2.    Establishing the natural balance is important: Factors like pollution and toxic elements affect the inner environment of the body. For infertility expert like me, the biggest challenge is to bring the balance in the body. The internal environment shows incredible improvement when we establish the natural balance back.

3.    It is important to achieve an early breakthrough: The journey of infertility treatment is not easy. It is important to achieve success as early as possible. If we repeat the cycles of IVF especially after the age of 40, then there are multiple times increase chances of miscarriages or premature birth. It is possible that babies born with deformities or they are mentally challenged. It is a painful experience for the couple.

Though advanced medical science reduces the chances of such mishaps, but it is recommended going through the procedures as early as possible.

4.     Step-by-step holistic treatment helps: When we work on the cases of infertility treatment at the age of 40 or above, the prime focus is on a step-by-step holistic process. Understanding the capability of the reproductive system is the first step. Various methods are used for assessing it. Physical and mental capability are tested through physical examinations and counseling. We explain the painful and arduous procedures to patients and analyze the readiness; Treatments and procedures are explained to them at length and also told about the probability of success. These efforts set the expectations well, and the journey becomes easy.

The combined efforts of infertility experts and infertile couple dramatically increase the chances of having a healthy baby. It is a remarkable moment for the childless couple, a joint success of the patients and the infertility expert!

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The latest finding could save infertile men from biopsy

The latest finding could save infertile men from biopsy

It is a fact that male infertility is much complex, and we infertility experts need to put a lot of efforts to dig out the cause. Moreover, the diagnostic procedures involve many evasive surgical procedures to determine whether the infertility is caused due to obstructive reason or non-obstructive. It is a depressing and painful experience for the patient. However, the recent findings have shown a ray of hope for painless diagnosis.

According to the researchers, two distinctive proteins ECM1 and TEX101 can help in diagnosing the cause of male infertility and deciding the plan of action. They are hopeful that the findings can give as accurate results as biopsy, and it is an encouraging fact indeed. Thousands of infertile men would feel a great relief to know about it. They will be relieved from the painful holes in the testicles.

Statistics reveal that almost half of the cases of male infertility are caused due to a physical blockage in some part of the male reproduction system. It prevents the sperms from entering into the semen before ejaculation. The above-mentioned research is based on the analysis of various proteins found in the semen.  Researchers are hopeful that the analysis of the protein itself would indicate whether the patient is suffering from obstructive infertility or not.

Types of male infertility

a.    Structural infertility: It occurs when there is a congestion or obstruction in the male reproduction system. Swelling in the nerves or structural problems in the testicles cause this type of infertility. The treatment involves surgical procedures. Male infertility surgery is highly complicated and prone to risk. We need time to diagnose the exact cause of infertility.

b.    Functional infertility: Functional infertility is associated with the quality and quantity of semen. The most frequent causes are low count of sperms and low motility of sperm. Genetic issues and hormonal disorders also come under this category. Absence of semen or low production of semen can also cause functional infertility. We treat the symptoms by prescribing drugs. In some cases, minor surgical procedures may also be needed.

Treating obstructive male infertility

We treat obstructive male infertility in two ways: a)    We fix the problem by a surgical procedure b)    We extract sperms from testicles by sperm retrieval process that lasts around three hours

In case of men suffering from obstructive infertility and absence off sperms, we have to undergo sperm extraction surgery without any guarantee of finding sperms.  Even in case of men who do not produce any sperm we need to perform sperm extraction surgery. It is a total waste of resources because there are no sperms present in the testicles.

The latest research indicates that it is possible to determine the presence of sperms by testing protein TEX101. We need not perform the painful operation for sperm extraction. It is assumed that with the completion of the research it is possible to derive simple and cheap infertility treatment for men. The latest findings will open further options for effective treatment of male infertility.

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The surprising relationship of Asthma and infertility

The surprising relationship of Asthma and infertility

Dramatic increase in the cases of Asthma and other respiration problems has been observed recently. There are some fundamental reasons behind it. Firstly, air-conditioning has become quite common in the household and office premises. Secondly, the percentage of dust particles and other irritant factors have increased manifold. As a result, people face respiration related problems quite frequently. Surprisingly, these problems are not a cause of concern for ENT specialists only, but infertility experts are also equally worried about it. Research indicates that women suffering from Asthma are less fertile as compared to women without Asthma. In some cases, the problem does not cause infertility, but there is a significant delay in pregnancy.

The research

The research was conducted on a sample of 15000 women under the age of 40 years. 1000 women of the lot wereAsthmatic. They were identified into two categories further. Those who received treatment for Asthma identified separately. Lifestyle factors like smoking and eating habits were also considered. The group was asked about the pregnancy history. The results were surprising. Out of those suffering from Asthma, around 27% had a hard time during pregnancy. The percentage was 21% in the healthy women. Similarly, the women suffering from Asthma and did not receive treatment had 30% fewer chances of conception.

The same percentage was 23% in those who received treatment. It is quite clear that Asthma creates an adverse effect on fertility. Treatment of Asthma certainly reduces the risk of infertility but doesn’t eliminate it fully. Experts think that Asthma causes systemic inflammation, and that is the cause of infertility.  Such patients should start the married life early. It may cover-up the delays in conception, and they become pregnant at the right age.

Why does Asthma cause infertility?

Asthma is a chronic disease related to the respiration system affecting millions of people worldwide. It causes inflammation in the air passage and other areas of the body. Along with other organs, it affects the fallopian tubes causing infertility problem in females. There is a clear association between Asthma and delay in pregnancy.  Though the research indicates the trend only and concrete conclusion yet to be established, but the interrelationship shows a direct correlation.

Other than inflammation, Asthma affects the immunity of patients, and they are prone to infections.  Due to weakness of the overall system, there is an adverse impact on the hormonal secretion, a vital aspect of the reproduction system. It may create infertility issues in the future. This research will help significantly in the treatment of infertility. Doctors are hopeful that treating Asthma with strong medication will help in recovering the problem and women will not face infertility problems in the future. Therefore, it is important to treat Asthma in the early years, especially in case of the girl child. In a Country like India where living conditions are prone to respiration related diseases, the finding could be extremely useful. Dedicated programs are needed from government and other agencies for eradicating Asthma. It will reduce infertility cases tomorrow.

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The latest finding could save infertile men from biopsy

The latest finding could save infertile men from biopsy It is a fact that male infertility is much complex, and we infertility experts need to put a lot of efforts to dig out the cause. Moreover, the diagnostic procedures involve many evasive surgical procedures to determine whether the infertility is caused due to obstructive reason or non-obstructive. It is a depressing and painful experience for the patient. However, the recent findings have shown a ray of hope for painless diagnosis.

According to the researchers, two distinctive proteins ECM1 and TEX101 can help in diagnosing the cause of male infertility and deciding the plan of action. They are hopeful that the findings can give as accurate results as biopsy, and it is an encouraging fact indeed. Thousands of infertile men would feel a great relief to know about it. They will be relieved from the painful holes in the testicles.

Statistics reveal that almost half of the cases of male infertility are caused due to a physical blockage in some part of the male reproduction system. It prevents the sperms from entering into the semen before ejaculation. The above-mentioned research is based on the analysis of various proteins found in the semen.  Researchers are hopeful that the analysis of the protein itself would indicate whether the patient is suffering from obstructive infertility or not.

Types of male infertility

a.    Structural infertility: It occurs when there is a congestion or obstruction in the male reproduction system. Swelling in the nerves or structural problems in the testicles cause this type of infertility. The treatment involves surgical procedures. Male infertility surgery is highly complicated and prone to risk. We need time to diagnose the exact cause of infertility. b.    Functional infertility: Functional infertility is associated with the quality and quantity of semen. The most frequent causes are low count of sperms and low motility of sperm. Genetic issues and hormonal disorders also come under this category. Absence of semen or low production of semen can also cause functional infertility. We treat the symptoms by prescribing drugs. In some cases, minor surgical procedures may also be needed.

Treating obstructive male infertility

We treat obstructive male infertility in two ways: a)    We fix the problem by a surgical procedure b)    We extract sperms from testicles by sperm retrieval process that lasts around three hours In case of men suffering from obstructive infertility and absence off sperms, we have to undergo sperm extraction surgery without any guarantee of finding sperms.  Even in case of men who do not produce any sperm we need to perform sperm extraction surgery. It is a total waste of resources because there are no sperms present in the testicles. The latest research indicates that it is possible to determine the presence of sperms by testing protein TEX101. We need not perform the painful operation for sperm extraction. It is assumed that with the completion of the research it is possible to derive simple and cheap infertility treatment for men. The latest findings will open further options for effective treatment of male infertility.

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Infertility is an issue to be taken seriously

Infertility is an issue to be taken seriously Infertility experts are one of the busiest people in the medical field. Not because they treat more patients than they can handle, but because they need to spend a lot of time with patients. The treatment is lengthy and tiring. It drains out the energy and enthusiasm from patients and doctors. According to the researches, one in six couples faces some kind of infertility problem. Some of the couples don’t even notice it till they realize the delay in conception. They waste valuable time in waiting for conception. It causes delay in the treatment and eventually in the pregnancy. Therefore, it is highly recommended taking infertility seriously. Why should couples take it seriously? 2009 was the turning point when WHO formally declared infertility as a disease and declared that it needs treatment just like other diseases. It opened new possibilities of research and development towards effective treatment of the ailment. Infertility is a severe mental and physical issue for the couple, especially for women. It is difficult to face the reality and cope up with the mental trauma. In spite of being the most advanced medical advancement in the medical history, IVF is quite complicated and cumbersome treatment. Infertility is a major crisis and not only gets the couple, but the entire family and society affected by it. Infertile couples need love and understanding.

Counseling helps in fighting with the crippling effect. Infertility treatments usually last long and there are multiple iterations of treatments. Hormonal treatment is an integral part of it causing mental ups and downs. There are moments of joy and devastation. Hence, couples need perpetual motivation and support. They need encouragement and positive thrust. Though infertility experts work in resolving the mental and psychological problems, but they need equal support from family and friends.

Some myths and facts about infertility The more a couple takes it seriously, the better are the chances of recovery. Early treatment helps a lot in eliminating the fundamental cause and making the pregnancy possible.

A few myths and facts about the infertility problem are: • Infertility is caused in women only: It is the commonest myth about infertility. As a matter of fact, only one third of the infertility cases are contributed by women. Rest two-third is shared by the male infertility and unexplained infertility. Therefore, find the fundamental cause of the problem as early as possible. • Every other couple is able to conceive as so as we: Couples think that conception is possible at the drop of a hat. In reality, every third couple is facing infertility issues. Infertility experts convince and counsel patients about the reality. • Stress does not have correlation with infertility: In reality, stress has a direct correlation with infertility problem. It affects the hormonal secretion that is a vital element of the reproductive system. Deep rooted tensions and emotional problems make the impact severe. • Infertility problem gets cured with time: Infertility is an ailment that needs treatment. Waiting for years without a treatment makes the condition worse. Take the infertility problem seriously to overcome it quickly. The joy of parenthood can be experienced after serious efforts only.

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Why do I counsel my infertility patients?

Why do I counsel my infertility patients? Well, truly speaking a lot of my energy goes in the process of counseling my patients. People sometimes feel strange about it. Why counseling plays such a critical role in resolving infertility issues when it is a physical problem? In reality infertility problem is not a physical problem completely, but involves a lot of mental and emotional aspect. Therefore, infertility experts have to put great amount of time, energy and resources in counseling the patients and keeping their morale level high. In some cases, the couples are so frustrated that they do not have belief in the process of infertility treatment. In such cases, we call expert counselors that use psychological techniques to regain the faith level. Regular sessions improve the situation and the clinical procedures can be resumed. Counseling is an integral part of the treatment and hence, can’t be overlooked. I categorize counseling process broadly in the following categories: Emotional Counseling It is the most important aspect. Infertile couples undergo a tough time. The moments of frustration and stress are unbearable. Men and women perceive infertility problem in a different way and the perception is entirely different. Therefore, I counsel both separately and then together to understand the common pain points. In some cases, it is needed to take professional assistance from professional counselors. I arrange individual sessions or joint sessions depending on the severity of the case. Couples discuss their concerns, sorrows, doubts and worries about the problem. They discuss the probable cause and remedy of their problems. Couples find it extremely encouraging and exciting experience that recharges their spirits to overcome the problem. Physical counseling There are various cases where the couples are unaware about the reproduction system and its functionality. As an infertility expert, I counsel them to explain the human reproductive system and the exact problem they are facing. I explain the mechanism of various tests and the outcome to them. Financial counseling It may sound strange, but I spend considerable time on the financial counseling part. Infertility treatment is a costly affair and not all patients can pay higher fees for the treatment. However, a few offers reduce the overall cost to make it affordable. Community counseling When the infertile couple comes to me for infertility problems, I always counsel them to form community groups and support groups. While the modern special networking tools offer brilliant platform to do so, the conventional methods of forming support groups is equally effective idea. It is important to bring a feeling of self-confidence in the infertile couples. By making communities, the infertile couples realize that there are many people who are sailing in the same boat. It is surely a physical, mental and emotional turmoil to go through a phase of infertility. When I treat infertility problem, it is not just treating the physiological aspect, but the mental aspect as well. Counseling is, therefore, incredibly important in resolving the issue completely. I train the patients to leverage the strengths to boost the chances of a successful pregnancy!

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Who Needs CGH Embryo Testing?

Who Needs CGH Embryo Testing?

When I treat infertility problems, there is an obvious need of tools and techniques. Modern medical science brings some of the best methods to understand, analyze and correct fundamental problems that were not possible earlier.

Transfer of embryo is a critical step in the treatment of infertility and testing procedures like Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) makes it possible to increase the possibility of success dramatically. We call this test a game changer in the history of infertility treatment.

What is CGH embryo testing? CGH embryo testing is an effective technique to indentify the most competent and strong embryo based on chromosome testing. A typical human genome contains 23 pairs or 46 individual chromosomes. If an embryo doesn’t contain these many chromosomes, then we call it an incompetent embryo that can’t produce successful pregnancy.  We call them aneuploid embryos. Most of the embryos will not reach to the stage of blastocyst. If some incompetent cases reach to the stage of blastocyst, then they will not get attached to the wall of the uterus. The pregnancy will get terminated in the first trimester.  In very rare cases, the pregnancy will continue with fundamental genetic problems.

To make the problem further complicated, it is not possible to find the difference between an incompetent embryo and a competent embryo by the conventional methods.

CGH Embryo testing, the effective tool Experts say that the competency of embryo does not depend on the quality of the sperm, but on the egg.  A competent embryo will result in a live birth almost 80% of the times, provided all other factors like internal environment of the uterus, age, overall health  etc.

Since it is clear that competent embryos result in higher chances of pregnancy, we recommend doing CGH Embryo testing for such cases. With respect to various research and studies, I emphasize CGH Embryo testing in the following scenario:

•    Female partners suffering from PCOS, it is recommended undergoing CHH embryo testing because higher percentage of eggs are problematic in such case. •    In case of known disorders of chromosomes, I recommend it. •    In case of women with old age (usually more than 35) will have to undergo this test to ensure higher pregnancy rate.  The chances of success in such case are relatively low and CGH testing will eliminate one major possibility of failure. •    Cases of unexplained IVF failures or unexplained termination of pregnancy. •    Older women with a decreasing trend of ovarian reserve must go for this test to ensure higher chances of pregnancy. •    Women with genetic problems.

It is quite clear that CGH Embryo testing is the paramount technique of chromosomal testing. Although there have been new techniques like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) emerging on the horizon, but it will take some time for credibility establishment of these methods. CGH has been a proven method with fantastic results.

Modern tools help us in identifying typical factors that cause infertility problems. With the help of such modern tools, we are able to bring happiness in the life of an infertile couple!

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Uterine lining damage and infertility, a case study The severity of agony and frustration could be felt very clearly during the discussion with an infertile couple sitting in front of me. We were going through the case history and it was surely quite pessimistic. It was a peculiar case of secondary infertility after successful full-term childbirth. The first baby boy was quite healthy and the pregnancy was smooth. However, the secondary infertility has really tested their patience a lot and 3 IVF attempts and equal number of Frozen Embryo Transfers. Each pregnancy had resulted in bleeding, pain and a lot of physical discomfort. They had undergone every possible test and everything seems to be normal. Her ovulation was great, her tubes were fine and her husband was producing enough sperms! However, the pregnancy was not happening in spite of all these supporting factors. I checked the case papers. To my surprise, they had tried all the aspects of infertility treatment; Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, IVF and FET. After getting disappointed from everything, they were sitting next to me for a second opinion! The strange case of uterine lining problem It wasn’t less than a Sherlock Homes mystery for me and I decided to play the role of master detective. First of all I convinced the couple to undergo fresh set of investigations. Not because I didn’t trust the earlier reports, but to do the investigations in my way. Secondly, I assured the couple about the success of the pregnancy. The female had conceived once and delivered a healthy baby, so there were always better chances of success. As the first step, I decided to perform Hysterosonogram to confirm the uterine cavity and checked the IVF records to understand the thickness of the uterine lining. Hormonal tests were conducted to confirm the uterine lining and… BINGO! I found the fundamental cause of her problem. Investigations concluded that basal Endometrium was incapable of getting stimulated by estrogen, the female hormone. It is the internal germinal layer that gets refreshed every year. The layer was damaged severely and the chances of recovery were nil. There was no option left other than trying for surrogacy! The treatment Treatment method was equally peculiar in this case. We found some surrogates and the couple selected the best according to their choice. We prepared both the ladies by giving hormonal stimulation. For the patient, it was done to achieve matured eggs whereas in the surrogate to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. The matured eggs were fertilized with her husband’s sperms in the laboratory and the embryos were transferred to the uterus of the surrogate. Hormonal treatment was the most important part of the whole process. We need to match the timings of fertilization and transfer of embryo to make sure the success of implantation. The process was successful and the couple was blessed with a cute baby girl after full-term pregnancy. The case was certainly a challenge for me and my team because of the symptoms of unexplained infertility. However, with the determination of the patient and a dedicated work by our team, we could achieve a happy ending!

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Understanding the process of cervical cap insemination

Understanding the process of cervical cap insemination Treatment of infertility is a complex procedure and timing is extremely important. Fertilization has to be achieved in the window of three to five days and hence, we need to schedule it with 100% perfection. As an infertility expert, I always keep track of the minute points and act accordingly. The treatment methods vary from case to case and there is no single path for every incidence of infertility. Among various methods, some are simple and fast. At the same time, some methods are lengthy and complicated. However, each method is suitable for a particular type of infertility. It is not possible to use a single method for all. What is cervical cap insemination? Cervical cap insemination is an optimized way of conception in typical cases of male infertility when the count and mobility of the sperms is low. We use this method in the rare case of hostile mucus in females when the internal environment of the vagina is harmful for the sperms. Studies indicate that the method has been useful in couples having immunological problems. Cervical cap insemination is relatively less popular category used for the treatment of infertility. The process is quite simple. A small cap is taken to collect the semen and it is inserted in the vagina through cervix. As the sperms enter in the environment of the uterus, mucus present inside helps the sperms to reach towards mature egg. This mucus gives adequate protection to the sperms and without it the sperms die within minutes. When we cap the semen across the cervix, it makes sure that the sperms swim up to the fallopian tubes and the uterus. The cervical cap method is ideal in treating the problems of tilted cervix, low sperm motility and low sperm count. Use of cervical cap insemination has been there from last three decades in the treatment of infertility caused by low sperm count or tilted cervix. Doctors have successfully tried it in treating unexplained infertility as well. It is a cost-effective method It is a fact that cervical cap insemination is one of the cheapest methods of infertility treatment. While the cost of few other treatments has touched the sky, this method is still within the reach of many patients. Couples who can’t spend huge amounts in the treatment of infertility can afford it easily. When we prescribe fertility medications to maximize the ovulation process in females, cervical cap insemination is the best method to achieve pregnancy. Even for couples undergoing IVF cycles, it can work as an aggressive treatment plan to achieve pregnancy. Today, many variants of user-friendly cups are available easy to wear. Soft implantable grade silicone versions can be worn in the daily routine. It is a confirm way to achieve positive pregnancy. When I talk to the patients and have a detailed analysis of the problem, it is easier to decide a particular line of action without any ambiguity. Not so popular methods as cervical cap insemination are quite useful in specific cases of infertility.

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Thrombophelia the culprit behind miscarriage!

Thrombophelia the culprit behind miscarriage! Human reproduction system is a sequence of surprises. The successful pregnancy is a miracle against hundreds of odds. As an infertility expert, I always believe that it is a roller-coaster ride with various ups and downs. The peak fertility years between 20 to 30 years of age have greater chances of success. As the age progresses, we have feeble chances of pregnancy. Even during the peak years we experience as high as 15% cases of miscarriages due to various reasons. The percentage rises up to 50% in the old age women. In many cases, pregnancies terminate at so early stage that we do not know about it. It is typically called a biochemical pregnancy. As the pregnancy proceeds further, the rate of miscarriage drops significantly. However, the same is not true in case of women more than 40 years of age. Abortion is the technical term for any kind of miscarriage, either induced or spontaneous. However, miscarriage is more common term for spontaneous abortions. We have to deal with a large number of abortions as an infertility expert, in fact more than successful pregnancies! It is important to note that recurrent miscarriages need to be handled with additional care. We infertility experts work out every possible step to prevent reoccurrence of the same. We can classify recurrent pregnancy loss into several categories, e.g. genetic, anatomic, hormonal, infectious and Thrombophelia, etc. In case of genetic category, the female inherits the tendency of termination of pregnancy. There is no apparent cause of it, but the pregnancy can’t survive more than a few weeks. In case of anatomic cases, the female reproductive system has structural failures causing abnormal termination. In the hormonal cases, the hormonal combination gets disturbed in the body causing a tendency of miscarriage. Thrombophelia, a major cause of miscarriage Out of the total cases of abortion, a major chunk is due to Thrombophelia. It is a peculiar case of blood clot that causes pregnancy loss. Bleeding and blood clotting is a delicate process peculiar to the humans. Clotting is the reflex action against excessive bleeding. In case of genetic disorders like hemophilia, the clotting process does not happen resulting in excessive bleeding. In the same way, some people have a tendency of excessive blood clotting resulting in pregnancy loss and intrauterine fetal demise or intrauterine growth retardation.

There are multiple causes and treatments of Thrombophelia. It is a fact that if a patient has no other apparent causes of miscarriage, then it is high probability that Thrombophelia is the culprit. It is important to evaluate the presence of the same and treat it accordingly. Usually the success rate is very high (almost 90%) and the side-effects are minimal. With the correct diagnosis and perfect medication, the problem can be controlled up to a large extent. Recurrent miscarriage is a traumatic experience for the couples, especially the mothers. We have to keep a close monitoring on the mental and emotional status of the patients while treating the physiological aspects of the problem.

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Take care of yourself while undergoing infertility treatment

Take care of yourself while undergoing infertility treatment As an infertility specialist I talk to my patients on various topics other than infertility. It is part of the treatment because the patients need to be counseled and motivated. I speak a lot about self care and underline the importance of it repeatedly.  

Why self care is so much important? Well, there are fundamentally two reasons of it.

a)    It is very much possible that the patients forget about self care during the treatment cycles. Infertility treatment is a long-term process. There are unending iterations of treatment, medication, clinical examinations and tests. The patients forget everything else during the treatment; about the job, business and self care.

b)    Treatment cycles of infertility are tiring and frustrating. Hence, the patients should take extra care of them to keep fit, young and charming. What is self-care?

When we say self care in this context, there are basically two aspects of it, physiological and psychological. Infertility treatment involves very high physical and emotional involvement. Failure cycles generate intense agony and frustration. Higher stress levels, feeling of isolation and dejection are the most common symptoms. The treatment process demands more physical energy and affects the overall health.

Self care means keeping the morale high and maintaining physical and emotional fitness in the proper manner.  There are no fixed parameters for it. We can say that every single effort to enhance the personality is self-care. However, there are some tips for it:

1.    Sleep well: Sound sleep is essential for good health. Couples undergoing infertility treatment must sleep for at least six to seven hours. It reduces the anxiety. The procedures and steps involved in the treatment are quite tiring. Inadequate sleep may cause fatigue, drowsiness and depression.  I always suggest reducing the intake of caffeine and alcohol because it creates chemical imbalance in the body.

2.    Try something different: It is a great idea to do something very different that takes you away from the thoughts of infertility, childbearing and everything related to it. Believe it or not, but it is a great way to take care of yourself. It reduces the tension and frustration caused by infertility problem. You develop positive attitude and look at the brighter aspect of the life.

3.    Exercise regularly:  It is recommended doing exercise daily not just to stay fit, but to enhance the positivity. Exercise makes the body energetic and you feel happy, enthusiastic and alert. Indulge in any kid of exercise you feel suitable. It may be light jogging, aerobics, weight-training or meditation and Yoga!

4.    Build a support system: It has become quite challenging in the modern times, but you can build a strong support system if you decide. Meet people who have overcome infertility problem. Talk to them and understand the way they fought against infertility. Discuss with your doctor regularly about the distress and agony. You will find new ways of dealing with it.

It is very important to take good care of yourself to conquer infertility problem. After all, you need a lot of stamina to fight against it!

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Post Coital Mucus Test, the best tool to determine sperm quality

Post Coital Mucus Test, the best tool to determine sperm quality As an infertility expert I use multiple tools to diagnose infertility. Some of the tools are not generic and used in very special case. Post Coital Mucus test is one of them. It is a post-intercourse test to determine the movement of sperms and their ability to survive in the mucus. We check the movement of the sperms immediately after the intercourse and understand the overall quality and quantity of the sperms. How does it help? This test identifies the problems in the cervical mucus and its relation with infertility. Also, it helps in determining the level of bacterial infection, thickness of the mucus, disorders pertaining to the ejaculation, antibodies in the mucus that reject the sperms and the semen related disorders. It gives valuable results about the probability of pregnancy. Importantly, this test gives significant information about the male infertility, in case the male partner is not ready to undergo fertility test. The procedure I suggest the patient to chart the menstrual cycle at least three to four months prior to the test. It gives accurate timing to perform the test. I call the female one or two days prior to the ovulation. Ovarian follicles release one mature egg during that time. The couple is asked to have intercourse before two to eight hours of the appointment. There is significant change in the mucus at the time of ovulation. The body produces extra estrogen resulting change in the viscosity, thickness and color of the mucus. It becomes clearer, less viscous and more slippery to give favorable environment to the sperms. They are able to swim easily and survive for a longer time. The test is very simple and quick. It doesn’t need any hospitalization and performed in the clinic. Post coital Mucus test is performed just like a Pap test. The Results The beauty of this test is the quick results. It takes hardly a few minutes to determine the results. This test is quite inexpensive. We share the results with the patients immediately. The result of the test is NORMAL if: • Adequate number of sperms are visible in the sample • The sperms show forward movement through the mucus • The mucus is at least 2 inch long • The mucus shows a fern like pattern while drying The result of the test is ABNORNAL if: • Very few sperms or no sperms are visible in the sample • Dead sperms are visible in the sample • The mucus is less than 2 inch long • The mucus does not show a fern like pattern while drying Possibility of errors Post Coital Mucus Test gives quite accurate results, but we infertility experts have to take utmost precaution while performing the test. Maintaining perfect timing is important to obtain correct results. In some cases the inflammation in the vagina or irregular menstrual cycle could generate erroneous results. Therefore, we do it with extra care.Infertility experts worldwide recognize Post coital mucus test a great tool to determine infertility.

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Is there a dramatic increase of infertility problems recently?

Is there a dramatic increase of infertility problems recently? Has there been significant increase in the infertility cases in the recent years? This is perhaps the most frequently asked question to infertility experts. Many people believe that it is true. However, to your surprise, the reality is not like that. In fact, the percentage of infertility has shown quite static trend. The awareness and acceptance of infertility has greatly increased. Now people come forward boldly for infertility treatment. The utilization of infertility treatment services has increased multiple times. The availability of modern methods and increase in the expertise of the doctors has given a boost to it. The history The history of modern infertility treatment goes back to 1978 when the first baby was born through a revolutionary technique called In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). It was popularly called as Test Tube Baby. The options to treat infertility were very limited that time. Tubal microsurgery and ovulation using hormonal drugs were the only options available to treat infertility. The present The times have changed now and so many effective treatments are available today to handle multiple aspects of infertility problems. There has been dramatic increase in the success rate of infertility treatment due to the modern techniques. Statistics reveal that more patients are visiting the clinics today to get rid of infertility problem. We can see incredible change in the way people look towards infertility today. The stigma and taboo of infertility problem has been reduced considerably. Couples are ready to about it openly. People are more aware about the problems because of the information explosion. The Internet has become a major source of information today. Couples come prepared for the infertility treatment and they know the basics of their problem. The future Although we have not seen a dramatic increase of infertility cases in the past, but experts say that it will surely happen in the future. There are multiple reasons of it: a) Delayed childbearing: It is a common trend today to delay the childbirth in lieu of career and education. As we know that the reproductive capacity decreases with the age, the cases of infertility problem will shoot up in the future. It is a trend in the upper crust of the society to think about expansion of the family in late thirties. It is very obvious that the chances of pregnancy lower about this age. Also, it increases the chances of interrupted pregnancies. b) Lifestyle and pollution: Experts indicate that the human reproductive system has direct linkage with the pollution and lifestyle related issues. Exposure to various chemicals, living in a highly polluted areas and addiction of toxic elements are the major causes of infertility problem. c) Stress and fatigue: Modern lifestyle generates a lot of stress and fatigue that affects human reproduction system adversely. It is a fact that we infertility experts will have to work harder to get rid of infertility problems in the future. However, with the advancement in medical treatment and increased support and cooperation of the patients, we will be able conquer the battle against infertility!

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There is no link between fertility drugs and ovarian cancer

There is no link between fertility drugs and ovarian cancer When we plan infertility treatment, medication plays an important role. As an infertility expert I need prescribe several drugs to the patients. Some of these drugs are swollen and some are injected. It is a known fact that infertility drugs have some or the other side-effects because the drugs directly interrupt the hormones in the body. Some of these side-effects are hardly noticeable while a few are quite visible and irritating. There has been a lot of misconception and misunderstanding about infertility drugs and as an infertility expert I spend considerable time in counseling the patients and convincing about these baseless theories. People come with the fear of ovarian cancer mostly and it is quite hard to convince them about no linkage between infertility treatment and ovarian cancer. The scary thought sometimes forces couples to stop infertility treatment. This is an unfortunate situation and therefore, we do not leave any chance to correct it. What does the recent study say? Undoubtedly there is no relation between the ovarian cancer and infertility drugs. These drugs neither induce nor boost the chances of getting affected by this fatal disease. However, there has been a recent study conducted that clearly suggests that there is no direct or indirect harmful effect on the reproductive system. The results of the research indicate that ovarian cancer is rare as compared to uterine and breast cancers. It develops in the later part of life and therefore, no significant correlation with the age group that undergoes infertility treatment. However, researchers recommend doing further research for long-term use (more than a year) of infertility drugs. What are the risk factors then? It is a fact that infertility treatment is not directly associates with ovarian cancer, but there are some risk factors clearly associated with it: a. Age of the female: Ovarian cancers normally occur after menopause because the female reproductive hormones prevent it. b. Family history: If anybody in close family (mothers, sisters) have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, then the female is very likely to have it. Doctors recommend frequent checking of the disease in order to prevent it in the early stage. c. Females who have never conceived: Ovarian cancer is more common in the females who have not been able to conceive even once.During the fertilization process body secrets hormones that prevent ovarian cancer. d. Secretion of male hormones: Sometimes we have to prescribe drugs that cause androgen secretion in women. It increases the risk of ovarian cancer. e. Endometriosis disease: It is very common in women and the treatment involves a few drugs that increase the risk of the ovarian cancer. The prevention When we convince the patients about no link between the ovarian cancer and infertility drugs, we also tell them about the probable symptoms of it. Menstrual irregularities or pain in the stomach is the common symptom. Normally women ignore it and the problem gets identified in the later stage. Regular check-up and immediate medical attention could prevent and treat the problem quickly.