Fertility and sexual health

Information about changes in sexual health and fertility.

Cancer and Fertility Preservation: Patient’s Fact Sheet by ASRM

In the United States there are approximately 800,000 reproductive-aged men and women who have cancer, many of whom have concerns about their fertility. Life- saving cancer treatments may reduce fertility by destroy- ing eggs and sperm. The likelihood of reproductive dam- age depends on the age and sex of the patient and the type and duration of treatment. The most severe damage comes from...

Qus & Ans: Secondary Fertility Problems

I am 33 years old and want to have a second child. My first child is now 10 years old, and I had no problem getting pregnant with him. About two weeks ago I had a laparoscopy with tubal lavuge and laser surgery, and the outcome was this: I have severe endometriosis and blocked tubes. I am also in a lot of pain. My doctors told me the only way I could get pregnant is through in-vitro fertilization...

Hydrosalphinx

Hydrosalpinx is yet another cause of infertility. A hydrosalpinx occurs when a damaged fallopian tube fills with fluid. In a normal functioning fallopian tube, fluid is both secreted and then later reabsorbed. As tubes become damaged they are still able to secrete fluid but can no longer reabsorb it. In general, a hydrosalpinx occurs when the very end of the tube is blocked and then the tube...

Immunological Testing and Treatment for Infertility

A new ELISA-based hormonal test, measuring the levels of Inhibin B in serum on day 3 of the menstrual cycle. Since only the Follicular Granulosa cells secrete this hormone, its level reflects on the potential of the ovary to grow follicles, which physicians refer to as 'ovarian reserve'. Women with low levels of the hormone were found to have more impaired ovulation in the course of the IVF cycle...

Hostile Cervical Fluid (Mucas)

Part of what makes understanding fertility so difficult is that there are so many aspects that need to be considered, from sperm motility to egg quality and everything in between. Cervical mucus, a jelly-like substance produced by glands in the cervical canal, is a factor in a woman's fertility. Just how important a factor it is remains controversial. Cervical mucus changes in consistency and...

Fertility: General Questions and Answers Part 2

Estrogen Level and Egg Development Q: I am undergoing medicated IUI cycles and have 3 mature eggs ranging from 18-22mm. I've heard that the estrogen level should be around 200 for each mature follicle, but my estrogen level is only 337. Does this mean that some of the eggs are not mature? Thank you. Low estrogen levels could reflect 2 things happening: 1. If the medication you are taking...

Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma

When you complain of burning on urination, feeling like you have to urinate all the time, getting up in the night to urinate or having urgency to urinate when your bladder is full because it hurts so much, you usually have a urinary tract infection. Sometimes, your doctor will order a culture and if the culture grows no bacteria, that usually means no infection or that you have interstitial...

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Some STDs and Treatment

Nongonococcal Urethritis and Chlamydial Cervicitis Nongonococcal urethritis and chlamydial cervicitis are sexually transmitted diseases usually caused by Chlamydia trachomatis or (in men) Ureaplasma urealyticum but occasionally by Trichomonas vaginalis or herpes simplex virus. These infections are called "nongonococcal" to indicate that they aren't caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium...

Infertility Medication: Brand vs. Generic

What do FSH, HCG and HMG stand for? FSH, HCG, and HMG are abbreviations for three different medications used to treat infertility. The following table summarizes generic and brand names that correspond to each abbreviation: Abbreviation Generic Name Brand Name FSH Follicle Stimulating Hormone Gonal-F®, Follistim®, Fertinex® HCG Human...

Klinefelter's Syndrome

Klinefelter's syndrome only occurs in males and results from a congenital abnormality of the sex chromosomes, X and Y. Normally a male has only one X and one Y chromosome and a female has two of the X-chromosomes. In Klinefelter's syndrome, two or more X-chromosomes are present in addition to one Y chromosome. The X-chromosomes contain a large amount of genetic material that has many effects...

Symptoms of Syphilis

A puslike urethral discharge that may he yellowish, cloudy, green, white, or bloodstained. Frequent need to urinate. Burning sensation while urinating. Severe pelvic and lower abdominal pain. Constant Urge to Move Bowels (Anal Gonorrhea): nausea; vomiting, fever, chills. pain during intercourse. reddened, irritated tip of penis. severe sore throat; pain on swallowing (pharyngeal gonorrhea)....

Hyperprolactinemia (High Prolactin) Causes

Normal ovulation is a complex process that requires many things to happen properly and at the correct time with the proper hormone levels. Often subtle hormonal imbalances or ovulation abnormalities result in decreased fertility. One hormone imbalance that can affect fertility is prolactin levels. Excessive prolactin levels in nonpregnant women is known as hyperprolactinemia. Prolactin is a...

Miscarriage and The Father’s Feelings

“I felt very alone and lost with everything: from the whirlwind experiences leading up to and including the day in hospital; to the lack of understanding on both physical and emotional levels as to what my wife was experiencing; as well as coming to terms with my own feelings." Introduction The loss of a baby through miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy can be one of the most devastating things to...

Actos: New Hope for PCOS Sufferers

Actos, the latest drug in a long line of medications used for treating various blood sugar disorders, may offer hope to infertile women suffering from Type II diabetes or polycystic ovarian syndrome/disorder (PCO)**. In short, the theory behind PCO is that the body does not effectively use the insulin it produces, usually leading to, among many other problems, irregular menstrual cycles and high...

Balanced Translocation

A balanced translocation is a condition in which the correct number of chromosomes are present, but two pieces of chromosomal material have switched places. The individual who has a balanced translocation usually appears completely normal and healthy, but when a carrier attempts to have children, that is when problems are encountered. Those who have a balanced translocation are plagued by...

Qus & Ans: Unexplained Infertility

I have been trying to conceive for two years now and recently I read an article about dysmenorrhea. I feel that I have some signs of this, like painful periods that bring me to tears. I also read that it can cause infertility. How true is this? Should I discuss this with my doctor before getting fertility tests done? The two common signs/symptoms of endometriosis are menstrual pain and inability...

STDs: AIDS Is Not The Only Threat!

Concerns about AIDS in recent years have overshadowed other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) that also have serious health consequences, including sterility, cancer or death. Some STDs can even make you more prone to the AIDS virus. Learn how to safeguard your health and recognize signs of an STD. Every year, 12 million Americans are infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). STD is...

Lifestyle Factors That Affect Fertility

Dealing with infertility is particularly difficult because couples find that they are no longer in control of their reproductive choices. They can't decide when to have a baby, how many they will have, or how far to space children apart. Success is largely dependent on a wide combination of factors ranging from emotional and financial resources, access to adequate medical care, and sometimes,...

Conceiving in NATURE'S WAY

Human conception is an elegantly simple and marvelously complex series of events. Before we can begin to discuss the reasons certain couples have difficulty conceiving, it is important to have a full understanding of the way things are supposed to work. A good working knowledge of normal events will make the steps that can be taken to evaluate a couple's fertility make more sense. Understanding "...

Diagnosis of Asherman's Syndrome

Asherman's Syndrome is a gynecological disorder causing a decrease in menstrual flow, abdominal pain, cessation of menstruation and infertility. In females with the disorder, such symptoms and findings occur due to inflammation of the lining of the uterus (endometritis) and the development of bands of scar tissue abnormally joining portions of the uterus (intrauterine adhesions and synechiae). Dr...