You Are Not Alone… Even When National Infertility Awareness Week is Over.

Every year that I’ve participated in Resolve’s National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), I typically only post once (Here are some past years: 2012, 2013, 2014) and if you scroll down below this post, you’ll see my first post for this year - 2015.

However, I felt compelled to write just one more blog to make the point that while NIAW is just a week, that for too many, it is year round and sometimes, for their entire lives.

I used to joke that my two week wait felt terminal. The reality is though that for some, it is. @Ms_Infertile posted something that I thought was so true and the public at large doesn’t get when it comes to infertility and that is you can try your best, do everything you can and use every resource and still have empty arms at the end of it.

Throughout my infertility journey, I’ve made friends with a countless amount of people and all of them have had either different conclusions or none whatsoever. Some have had children through insemination, IVF, donor eggs, surrogacy and adoption. Others however have gone on to get divorces or opt to stop treatment altogether. Neither is right or wrong – it’s what was best for them but my point is that infertility isn’t just something we talk about in a week. It’s something that can change people’s lives forever.

I’m proud of this week, that it exists and reminds the fertile public at large we’re here but frankly, it pisses me off that after this week is over, too many don’t know the reality or the scope of infertility.

As many of you know, in the past few years, I’ve been a very vocal infertility advocate. In the past couple of months, albeit in the overwhelming minority, I’ve gotten some questions (and a bit of grief) about why I continue to be an advocate when I’ve had a child (through my third IVF) and I’m currently expecting my second from what I can only describe as a Hail Mary long shot miracle. I have four responses to that:

1.   I still care. Period and end of story.

2.   There are many who survive breast cancer or other life changing diseases but just because they are seen as a success story doesn’t mean that they can no longer be an advocate for the cause. Why? See number one.

3.   I have been diagnosed with infertility. I am definitely one of the privileged who has gone on to have children but this diagnosis affected my life tremendously and again, please refer to number one.

4.   I saved this one for last because frankly, it’s the biggest most personal important reason to me and keeps me an active advocate.

When I was deep in the trenches, I was intensely private about my struggle to conceive. I was profoundly embarrassed, depressed and ashamed. Very, very few knew what was going on and what we were going through. I can honestly admit now that I was actually terrified of people finding out. It, along with never having children, was my biggest fear.

Right now, at this moment, someone is exactly in that place. Hell, I talk to people all day long who have confided in me their infertility issues and shared with me that their family or close friends don't have any idea that they are dying to have children but are unable to.

I have the luxury (yes, the luxury) to be at a place in my life to give those people who can't yet be open about infertility a voice. They are the ones who can’t tell Dolce and Gabbana what they said about IVF Babies was very offensive (Read HERE). They are the ones who can’t write a post for Huffington Post telling people they are being insensitive when they ask others why they haven't had kids yet (Read HERE). They are the ones who can’t advise the younger generation to know their fertility health to possibly try and avoid what they are currently going through (Read HERE) and they certainly would never go on television to disclose they have a child through IVF (Watch HERE).

Whether you like me or hate me, whether you think I should go away or keep on keeping on, I can never shake the person that infertility made me. I’m not saying at all that I do everything perfectly or you have to agree with all of my actions. What I’m saying though is I know how I was and I know how there are still so many, too many people scared as I was to admit that this is something they are dealing with. I promise you with every fiber of my being, whenever I do anything on this subject, they are always, completely in my heart and on my mind.

When NIAW is over, the infertility journey for one in eight is not. So again, I say to those of you who are the one in eight -- not only are you not alone, but there are others like me who aim to give you a voice if you feel you simply can’t have one.

Here are just a few of my fellow advocates/bloggers of those very people:

• @remagineit - Please see his blog HERE.
• @radkitten - Please see her blog HERE.
• @FurrowedFox - Please see her blog HERE.
• @JustineFroelker - Please see her post on HP HERE.
• @gsmwc02  - Please see his blog HERE.
• @jenrutner  - Please see her blog HERE.
• @ChancesOur - Please see her blog HERE.

And again, you can learn more about infertility by visiting these links:

• http://www.resolve.org/about-infertility/what-is-infertility/  (Basic understanding of the disease of infertility.)
• http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/about.html (About NIAW)

Infrequent periods: causes and effects

After a long hiatus here I am again talking about a very common problem. Irregular and/or infrequent periods is frequently overlooked even if conception is on the cards! I see too many patients who approach me for fertility advice, sometimes a little too late. I attempt to provide a little insight on this topic.

The first question of course would be "why?" Menstruation follows a period of approximately 14 days after ovulation. The the simplest explanation of a delayed period (with the exception of pregnancy) is the delay or absence of ovulation. Thus an obvious next question is what causes the ovulation to get delayed? The reason may be a hormonal imbalance (as in Polycystic ovaries), a fault in the system that stimulates the ovaries or failure of ovaries due to a very low reserve of eggs. 

The next important issue is about the implications of infrequent or absent ovulation. Irregular ovulation will certainly lead to a delay in conception. Another impact would be on the lining of the Uterus - the endometrium which can become thick and unhealthy leading to irregular, heavy and prolonged bleeding. Women who have infrequent periods for a long time are also at risk of cancer of the endometrium. The stoppage of periods that occurs with the failure of ovaries leads to menopause. If this event happens prematurely this can affect the strength of the bones and lead to osteoporosis. 

In short, it is not okay to not have regular periods. Visit a doctor and if you are trying to conceive, see a reproductive endocrinologist or infertility specialist. The doctor can diagnose the reason for irregular cycles and advice on whether the couple need to undergo any treatment. The common advice given to ladies who are overweight and have Polycystic ovary disease will also be advised to lose weight through diet AND exercise. 

The bottom-line is that THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY!

Infertility Treatments in India

Infertility : An Overview

The inability or disability of a person to contribute to a conception is known as infertility. Infertility are now commonly seen in both Male and Female.

Infertility is a issue that is faced by most couples now a days. Married life became complete only if the couples have a child.

Guru Infertility Centergive the solution for your problems. Guru provides the best Infertility Treatments in India.

Male Infertility :

Male infertility is caused mainly due to various reasons, they are

Problems in sperm production – This is one of the main cause of male infertility. In this case, there will be less number of sperm produced in the testes or the produced sperms are dead.

Sperm transport blockage – In these case there will be a block in the tube that leads sperms from the testes to the penis. This can cause the decrease in the number of sperms causing infertility.

Presence of sperm antibodies – In some men, there develops sperm antibodies which reduces the movement of the sperm and will block the sperm from binding to the egg.

Ejaculation or erection problems – In these case there will be problem with the ejaculation or erection during sexual intercourse causing infertility.

Problems in sending the hormonal message – In this case the infertility is caused by the failure in sending the message to the testes by the pituitary gland. This can decrease the production of sperm.

Female Infertility :

Female infertility is caused mainly due to various reasons, they are

Damage of fallopian tubes – Fallopian tubes are the tubes which carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. The damage to this tube cause infertility.

Problem in the uterus – The presence of fiberoids or polyps inside the uterus or the abnormality in the anatomy of the uterus.

Problem in the cervix – In some women there will a problem in the cervical canal and the sperm doesn't pass through the cervical canal because of the lack of mucus. This also cause infertility.

Hormonal problems – In some cases there be women who have problem with ovulation. There will not be appropriate hormonal changes happening for the releasing of egg from the ovary and the thickening of the uterus wall as the preparation for the fertilized egg.

Infertility Treatments for PCOS

   

PCOS is an endocrine disorder mainly a problem in hormonal secretions, leading to infertility. Also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome. A woman with PCOS have infertility and irregular periods with acne and excessive hair growth. In some cases, menstruating women do not. What are the infertility treatments for PCOS?
    There are some modifiable treatments that could be done to treat infertility. As is also associated with obesity, diet drugs could play a vital role in restoring fertility. Most women who are obese can give low-carb diets. You eat more fruits and vegetables is encouraged. Avoid foods high in fat. If you use oil, use olive oil or vegetable oil because they are high in good cholesterol called HDL or high density lipoprotein. These facilitate the removal of fat in the kidney.
   Regarding the medical treatment, clomiphene citrate and metformin primary treatments are used to help in cases of infertility. Metformin increases the ovulation rate and reduces the incidents of spontaneous abortion.
   Some in vitro fertilization (IVF) is recommended if the case is not suitable for any modification of the plan or drug treatments.
   There are some surgical procedures that can be used as fertility treatments for PCOS. Ovarian wedge resection can do, but it is very rare due to the formation of postoperative adhesions. Another is a laparoscopic surgery. These are just some of many surgical procedures to induce fertility. You should consult your doctor for a correct diagnosis and appropriate medical or surgical treatments.

IVF or Infertility Treatments

  

Medical science has developed rapidly, with the advancement of technology and science and has made remarkable progress in in vitro fertilization treatments and infertility. One of the greatest examples of this medical breakthrough was evident in IVF (in vitro fertilization Enter). It is a treatment or process that has allowed mankind to fight against infertility. IVF is the advanced reproductive technology or process that allows the fertilization of an egg by contact with sperm outside the body. In simple terms, this process is really getting the egg or ovum of the female body, fertilization with the help of sperm, then placing the fertilized egg in the uterus of the female.
    These IVF and infertility treatments are also popular as "test tube baby". These treatments allow women to reduce the level of fertility and infertility struggle because of problems in the fallopian tube. It also helps to eradicate male infertility due to the quality of defective sperm using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This technique improves the chances of fertilization by sperm injection of cells directly into the egg cell. Recent studies show that the use of ICSI does increase the chances of IVF fertility. This technique can be effective only if both eggs and sperm are healthy and prospective. Therefore, it is necessary to rule on the possibilities of genetic diseases by pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
   The techniques used widely practiced in IVF and infertility treatments are transvaginal egg retrieval (OCR) and embryo transfer. OCR technology in the medical procedure or a small needle is used throughout the rear of the vagina in ovarian follicles for collecting the liquid containing the eggs. This procedure is performed using ultrasound. However, in the embryo transfer process in which one or more than one embryo is placed in the uterus of the woman in order to increase the level of fertility and the chances of fertilization. Other such infertility treatments are assisted hatching zone (AZH), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), etc.
   In addition, there are other options such as egg donor, sperm donors and surrogates, so that you can eliminate infertility problems. It also helps to eradicate male infertility due to the quality of defective sperm using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This technique improves the chances of fertilization by sperm injection of cells directly into the egg cell. Recent studies show that the use of ICSI does increase the chances of IVF fertility.

What Infertility Treatments Are Suited for You?

  

According to studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10% of the female population of the United States (15-44), totaling about 6.1 million people have difficulty conceiving or maintaining a pregnancy. While there are a growing number of sophisticated infertility treatments available, life choices and a number of other social factors with physical abnormalities contribute to an increase in cases of infertility.
   infertility treatments are not limited to women only. Both men and women may be responsible for the inability of a couple to conceive. In fact, about one third of cases are caused by exclusively male problems.
The causes of male infertility are:

    A condition known as the varicocele occurs when the veins in the male testicles are too broad. Overheating of the testicles. Quality and quantity of sperm is affected by this condition.
    Sperm motility can be less than desirable. This condition occurs when the male sperm was abnormally or suffered injuries that damaged the reproductive system.
    Cystic fibrosis can cause infertility in men.
    The fertility of a man may also be affected by the life you lead. Excessive alcohol and drug consumption and smoking can affect the number and quality of sperm sperm. The presence of toxins in the environment, pesticides and lead, can cause fertility problems in men. Kidney disease, hormonal problems and mumps, are also causes of reduced fertility. Age, diseases such as cancer and the use of certain drugs can cause infertility in men.
   A woman may face difficulty conceiving, if not able to ovulate normally. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is caused by a hormonal imbalance and is the cause of the most common fertility problems in women. If the ovaries stop working normally before the woman reaches the age of 40, she is considered to suffer from primary ovarian failure or POI.
Other causes of infertility in women:

    Blocked fallopian tubes caused by endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease or scarring from surgery for an ectopic pregnancy.
    Physical abnormality of the uterus.
    Fibroids and polyps in the uterine cavity.
    The women's lifestyle and age also affects your ability to conceive. The age of the woman gets older, the less likely you are to conceive. A high level of stress, poor diet, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are factors that prevent a woman to conceive and maintain a pregnancy. 

  

 

    Sexually transmitted diseases can also cause infertility in women. Be imbalances and hormone overweight or underweight can affect chances of conceiving women. By consulting a medical professional for treatment of infertility, the doctor would require a thorough evaluation of both partners and their lifestyle and habits before suggesting infertility treatments.