The media tends to lock in on stories and statistics about women over 35 and their difficulties with infertility. While that is a significant issue, what’s often overlooked is that infertility affects women of all ages.
The American Society of Reproductive Medicine reports that 7 percent of women between the ages of 20 and 24have fertility issues.. That number increases to 9 percent for women between 25 and 29, and up to 15 percent for women between 30 and 34. If you are in your 20s and are actively trying to conceive, consider the following:
Are you at a healthy weight? Being overweight or underweight can affect your ovulation.
Do you smoke, drink a lot of alcohol, or ingest heavy amounts of caffeine? Studies repeatedly show that smoking as well as excessive alcohol and caffeine intake have a detrimental effect.
Do your periods occur regularly? You must ovulate to become pregnant. If your cycles are irregular, your chances of success are reduced..
Several other factors influence fertility but the three mentioned above are the most actionable. Simple lifestyle changes can have a positive impact. Infertility affects women of all ages – the steps a woman takes in her 20s to combat it can make a difference down the road.
If you’re currently trying to become pregnant but having issues with fertility, or you’re concerned you may be at risk for premature menopause, call Dr. Chilvers or Dr. Bonaventura at American Health Network reproductive medicine to schedule a consultation at (317) 580-4493 or click the link to CONTACT US.
In the video below, designer and reality show star Rosie Pope talks about her battle with infertility after having her first child. Pope went through many treatments in her quest to become pregnant a second time. In this video, she discusses her journey, which ultimately led to success with IVF.
“Rosie Pope is one of many women who go through several treatment options in their battle with infertility” said Dr. Rebecca Chilvers at American Health Network Reproductive Medicine. “Her story can be a wonderful source of inspiration for women who feel like they have few options left.”
If you’re currently having issues with fertility, call Dr. Chilvers or Dr. Bonaventura at American Health Network Reproductive Medicine to schedule a consultation.
Women experience dealing with the effects of infertility much differently than men. But including your spouse in the infertility discussion is a crucial part of maintaining a strong relationship. The following tips will help to keep your relationship solid as you deal with the struggles of infertility.
1) Avoid Blame – Whether it’s the man or woman suffering from infertility, you’re going through it together. Blaming or taking out your anger on your partner isn’t conducive to maintaining a healthy relationship. Take the time to talk through your feelings without becoming accusatory.
2) Stay Focused – It takes a lot to build a solid marriage, so it’s important that you focus on keeping it strong. Rather than obsessing about the problems, take steps to nurture your relationship.
3) Accept Emotions – Infertility is difficult to accept but bottling up your emotions isn’t healthy. Understand that it’s okay to feel sad, angry, depressed, or frustrated. The key is to not let those emotions overwhelm you. Accept that they’re a natural part of the process for both you and your partner. You may each deal with those feelings differently, and that’s expected.
4) Move Forward – Once you’ve come to terms with infertility, consider what you and your partner need to do to overcome. Together, continue working with your infertility specialist to identify the best course of action.
Going through the infertility alone is difficult enough, so it’s critical that you include your spouse in the discussion. If you’re concerned with infertility, call Dr. Chilvers or Dr. Bonaventura at American Health Network Reproductive Medicine to schedule a consultation.
Your first trip to a fertility clinic can be overwhelming. You’re bound have numerous questions, and many of the answers you receive from the doctor may not make sense right away. To ensure that you get the most out of your visit to our Indianapolis fertility specialist, prepare appropriately. Make sure you ask to have your records from your OB/GYN sent to our office ahead of time.
Write down questions well in advance of your appointment. When the time comes that you’re face-to-face with your physician, you’ll be ready to get the answers you need. But make sure you bring a pen to jot down notes! Not sure what to ask? Here are a few questions to get you started:
1) What testing is involved for diagnosing fertility problems?
2) What is the time table for diagnosis and treatment?
3) What are the average costs for the different treatments?
The key to your first meeting with a fertility specialist is to learn about the procedures and begin getting comfortable with the doctor. The process can take time. You’ll want the security and peace of mind that comes with establishing a good relationship with the physician.
After testing is complete and the treatment options are presented, consider the following questions:
1) What are your success rates?
2) How long will the procedures take?
3) Are surgical procedures necessary?
4) What is the age range of your patients?
5) How will you monitor my progress?
6) How do you prefer to communicate with your patients?
7) How do you handle insurance?
8) If my insurance won’t cover procedures, what payment arrangements are available?
9) Are you aware of any clinical trials I may be eligible to participate in?
If your doctor recommends in vitro fertilization (IVF), you’ll have additional questions, including:
1) How many attempts will you make with IVF?
2) Is egg retrieval done at your office or at another location?
3) Who performs egg retrieval?
4) What is your success rate per embryo transfer?
5) If a weekend insemination is required, where does that occur and by whom?
Our fertility specialists are used to being asked questions, so don’t hold back! The more informed you are, the better you’ll feel about the process and your chances of having a baby. If you have questions regarding fertility, call Dr. Chilvers or Dr. Bonaventura at American Health Network Reproductive Medicine to schedule a consultation at (317) 580-4493 or click the link to CONTACT US.
Fertility specialists are increasingly using Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) to improve success rates in patients undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). In the past, scientists were limited to examining the external appearance of an embryo under a microscope to determine its quality. Scientists have now determined that process to be incomplete. PGD enables specialists to study the internal genetic code. The information available through this process can indicate that embryos which previously appeared as good candidates could carry a genetic code that diminishes their chances for success. Conversely, embryos that outwardly appeared insufficient may in fact be genetically superior.
Couples undergoing IVF and considering PGD often match at least one of the following criteria:
Prior IVF failure
Female over age 35
Previous miscarriages
Premature menopause
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Prior conception of child or fetus with chromosomal abnormalities
Patient or another child has an inheritable medical condition
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
PGD is not 100 percent accurate, and scientists are still determining if PGD in the IVF process increases the chances of fertility. Because only the embryos that are considered to be genetically sound are transferred to the mother, many believe PGD is a benefit. Others are concerned that manipulating the embryo decreases the potential success of IVF. What is agreed on, however, is that the process reduces the risk of miscarriage because the embryos that are transferred are at a lesser risk for genetic abnormalities.
If IVF has been unsuccessful for you in the past, the time may be right to consider PGD. Talk to your Indianapolis fertility specialist about the options available to you.
To schedule an appointment contact us by clicking the link CONTACT US
In the video below, Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi discusses her battle to conceive while dealing with endometriosis. Undiagnosed until her mid- to late-30s, Lakshmi initially found it difficult to deal with her problem because infertility is such a personal issue. In this video, she talks about how she feels her story can be a resource for women going through similar issues.
“Endometriosis is a problem that affects more than 70 million women worldwide,” said Dr. Rebecca Chilvers at American Health Network Reproductive Medicine. “Padma Lakshmi’s courage in telling her story can help other women suffering from infertility – and specifically endometriosis – to know that they don’t have to deal with it alone.”
If you’re currently having issues with fertility, call Dr. Chilvers or Dr. Bonaventura at American Health Network Reproductive Medicine to schedule a consultation at (317) 580-4493 or click the link to CONTACT US.
Fertility after age 35 has its share of challenges. Advanced maternal age (≥ 35) is the patient characteristic most highly associated with abnormal embryo formation. As a woman increases in age, the number of normal embryos that result after fertilization is reduced because of a phenomenon known as aneuploidy, or abnormal number of chromosomes. This is due to a tendency for abnormal separation of chromosomes after they recombine in the early stages of embryo development and leads to embryos with too many chromosomes (like the commonly known abnormality of trisomy 21, where the embryo has 3 copies of chromosome 21 rather than 2) or too few chromosomes (as in the disorder Turner’s syndrome, where the embryo has 1 X chromosome rather than 2).
To improve one’s chances of conceiving at or after age 35, it is important to be proactive, as time is of the essence. See a reproductive endocrinologist after 6 months of trying to conceive, or sooner if you have a known gynecologic problem that may be affecting your fertility such as:
Irregular or infrequent menstrual bleeding or a past diagnosis of irregular ovulation
New changes in your menstrual cycle
Painful menstrual bleeding or a past diagnosis of endometriosis
Heavy menstrual bleeding or a past diagnosis of uterine fibroids
Inability to conceive despite being sexually active and off of birth control in the past
History of sexually transmitted infection in the past such as gonorrhea or chlamydia
Spotting between menstrual periods
Other crucial steps you can take include the following:
Quit smoking
Reduce or eliminate alcohol and caffeine
Maintain a healthy weight
Keep a positive attitude
Your fertility specialist will likely begin by learning your history and performing standard tests to estimate your ovarian reserve and see if your tubes are open. For your husband, tests will ensure that he has adequate sperm count. If you are over 35, have any of the above conditions, or have tried to conceive for 6 months and have not had success, then don’t delay – call Dr. Chilvers or Dr. Bonaventura at American Health Network Reproductive Medicine to schedule a consultation soon.
To contact us to schedule an appointment please click on CONTACT US
Welcome to a selection of resource articles provided by American Health Network – reproductive medicine. We strive to provide topical information that helps inform and educate. These articles are not a substitute for proper diagnosis and treatment by a medical professional.
