LGBT Flag

LGBT

  • Resolve to Not Ignore Infertility

    Infertility can be a devastating disease the affects millions in our country, 6.1 million women to be exact. One in every eight couples in the nation experiences infertility. Those statistics are difficult to swallow.

    Infertility is a disease that you can do something about. The time is now. No time has ever been better to see a specialist and kick your infertility to the curb.

    Often times, infertility is something that is ignored. It’s not only ignored by persons affected directly by it, but also by insurance companies, lawmakers, health care professionals, family members and friends. The time is now to educate everyone on the fact that infertility is really a disease.

    First and foremost, for persons experiencing infertility, it is time to stop putting off seeing a specialist.

    If you have been trying to conceive and have been unsuccessful, it is time to see a specialist.  Texas Fertility Center is a world-class fertility center offering services right in your backyard.  Call and make an appointment today.  Don’t be part of the statistic; be one of the infertility survivors!

    Stop letting others put you down and make you feel like infertility is not a real problem or disease.

    No one understands the depth of infertility until they have experienced it themselves. People often time say things that they think are helpful, when in fact they turn out to be hurtful. It is important to educate yourself and others and get the help that you need and deserve. Our team of dedicated physicians and staff has the same goal as you do–to help you achieve the family you have always dreamed.
    Education is the key and it is important to remember that knowledge is power. Educate yourself by visiting our website and calling our office. The more you know about infertility, the more you will be able to educate yourself as well as others about what you are going through. It is time to stop isolating yourself from family events and friends. The time is now to see a specialist and stop ignoring the signs of infertility and the toll it can take on your everyday life.
    Infertility is something you can change. You have the power to change the course of your life with a simple phone call to get the evaluation process going and get started on the journey to become a parent.
    Visit Texas Fertility Center for more information on how to schedule an appointment.

    •

    admin

    •

    ,
    , , , , ,

  • Not a Lot of Good Swimmers? What You Can Do To Enhance Your Fertility

    It can be downright depressing getting back a semen analysis (sperm test) that is not ‘ideal’.

    However, don’t feel alone. There are MANY MANY guys in your situation (even if they are not talking about it!). It’s true that there are a number of fertility treatments that may help you to conceive, even with low numbers of sperm. In cases of very few sperm, IVF (in vitro fertilization) may be required. Your doctor will help you to make a decision after appropriate testing is done. This may include a visit to the urologist and some bloodwork.

    Guys often want to know if there are any things that THEY can do to help things out. Here are some things to consider:

    Don’t worry about penis size – it has nothing to do with your fertility.

    Don’t overdo it – though some couples feel that they have to have sex every day (or multiple times a day) to increase the odds of success, too frequent ejaculation can lower sperm counts. Consider having sex every other day during the period of ovulation.

    Be cognizant of temperature – testicles are ‘happiest’ when they are not exposed to high heat; try to limit hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and long distance bike rides.

    Get yourself healthy – guys who are overweight or obese have higher chances of sperm problems. A recent study from the University of Utah indicated that obese men are more than 3 times likely to have low sperm counts when compared with normal weight men. Lowering your weight (to a body mass index or BMI of 20-25) can do great things for your health and your fertility!

    Do not take testosterone – this is a commonly prescribed hormone to increase energy and overall sense of ‘well-being’ in men. However, it can drastically lower the sperm count (to zero in some cases). Talk to your doctor further about other potential options.

    Don’t smoke – you’ve heard it before; fertility is yet another thing that smoking can affect. Smoking can slow down sperm. Even advanced fertility treatments cannot completely overcome the impact of male smoking on overall success rates. Also smoking can do a number on your libido!

    Don’t do recreational drugs – excess alcohol and some recreational drugs can affect the function of the testicles…leading to funny-looking sperm that don’t move well. Marijuana is included in this category. Some fertility specialists will say its ok for men to have up to 2 alcoholic drinks in a day…but no more.

    Talk to your fertility specialist about any medications you are on – some medications are known to adversely affect male fertility. These include medications for blood pressure, seizure control, skin treatments, etc.

    Consider a multivitamin –  there is some evidence that deficiencies in certain vitamins (B, C & E) and minerals (selenium, zinc) may be related to male infertility.

    For more information on male factor infertility, please visit http://www.txfertility.com/09men.php

    My Zimbio

    MHNYEKEE9FEB

    •

    admin

    •

    , , ,
    , , , , , ,

  • A Fertility Specialist Explains the Science of Making Love

    For some lucky couples, the “Fertile Myrtles” of procreation, getting pregnant involves candles and a month or two of enjoyable, yet purposeful sex. They may never know exactly when ovulation occurs, or how miraculous it is that out of millions of sperm, one strong swimmer arrives at the fallopian tube precisely when a single egg is ready. Timing can be everything. However, for 1 in 8 couples, a disease called infertility can make it impossible to get pregnant even with perfectly timed intercourse. Infertility, caused by ovulation disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, PCOS, abnormal sperm, or a myriad of other conditions, requires medical attention, not a basal temperature chart or advice from well meaning friends to take a vacation.

    Texas Fertility Center specializes in dealing with couples reeling from months of frustration and failed attempts. In the hope of helping those couples who may need a little encouragment, the doctors at Texas Fertility Center wish to share the ABCs of the birds and bees so that couples with no obvious cause of infertility can increase their odds of getting pregnant each month.

    Learn the Reproductive Facts

    A woman ovulates once a month, generally 12-14 days after the start of her period. This day may vary from woman to woman or even from month to month, so consult your obgyn or track your menstrual cycle with an over-the-counter ovulation predictor kit.

    Since no accurate over the counter method yet exists to test for sperm quality, ovulation tests are your best bet for ruling out a basic barrier to getting pregnant. You’ll increase your chances for getting pregnant by having intercourse every other day around the time of ovulation. Here are some interesting facts about fertilization:

    • An egg survives in the fallopian tube for 24 hours.

    • Sperm survive in a woman’s reproductive tract for up to five days, but they can typically only fertilize an egg for 24-48 hours.

    If you know when you ovulate, you schedule your romantic interludes accordingly, and you still aren’t pregnant after one year, consider requesting a semen analysis at a fertility clinic. Male infertility (low sperm count, few moving sperm, or a high concentration of abnormally shaped sperm) accounts for nearly 40 percent of all cases of infertility.

    Protect Your Fertility

    In addition to timing intercourse, you can take other steps to protect your fertility. Women should consult with their doctor to make sure that their vaccinations are up-to-date and they should begin taking a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid. Other pro-active steps include lifestyle modifications such as eliminating bad behaviors like smoking, illicit drug use, and excessive alcohol intake, while encouraging healthy behaviors like exercise and maintain a healthy diet.

    A consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist (fertility specialist) at Texas Fertility Center can put you on the right path to pregnancy. If you have tried for more than one year to get pregnant on your own (six months if you are over 35), Texas Fertility Center recommends a basic fertility workup. Although there should always be romance in love making, understanding the science behind getting pregnant can make you more successful at baby making.

    http://www.reproductivefacts.org For more information please visit www.txfertility.com

     


     


    Paperblog

    •

    admin

    •

    , ,
    , , , , , , , , , ,

  • I thought Clomid was prescribed only for Women?

    Believe it or not, Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) is a medication that can be used both in male and female infertility.

    – when Clomid is prescribed for a woman it is used to help induce ovulation and for men it is used to help increase testosterone and increase sperm counts.

    Clomid works by blocking estrogen at the pituitary and the hypothalamus. This tells the body to make more LH hormone because it sees that there is less estrogen circulating in the body. In the male, more LH hormone yields more testosterone being produced. When Clomid is indicated, it can help improve sperm counts.

    Many people think that if the testosterone is low, the male partner should take testosterone supplements to increase the level.

    Taking testosterone supplements will actually have the opposite effect. When a man takes testosterone supplements, this tells the brain and the pituitary that enough testosterone is being made and the LH level will drop. When this drop occurs, testosterone production will stop; thus drastically decreasing sperm counts. If you or your partner are experiencing decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction or any other symptoms it is always important to have a consultation with your physician.

    Your doctor will do preliminary blood tests to determine if the male partner is a candidate for treatment with Clomid. Tests that are usually checked include FSH, LH, Testosterone, and Prolactin, and Semen Analysis. If you are a candidate, the good news is that Clomid is usually inexpensive and tolerated well by the male partner. As with any treatment, it does take time to see if Clomid is going to be a good treatment option. You will usually do follow up labs in four weeks to see if Clomid is an effective treatment option in your case.

    Please visit http://www.txfertility.com/09treatment-options.php   for more information.

    Or you can read about our study on the use of Clomid in Men at http://www.txfertility.com/08abstracts.php.

    2SearchBlogs Web

    •

    admin

    •

    , ,
    , , , ,

  • Looking for Donor Sperm

    Couples with severe male factor infertility, single women, or same-sex couples are some types of patients that will consider the use of donor sperm to help with conception. Once this is decided upon, it can be a little overwhelming to try to choose the right donor. Here are some tips:

    Find a sperm bank that fits your needs –

    There are a number of sperm banks out there, both big and small.  The amount of information that is available for a donor — or simply the variety in donors available — may help you to make a decision about which bank you feel most comfortable with.  Make sure the sperm bank is licensed and accredited. Some of the more popular banks with our patients at TFC are California Cryobank and Fairfax Cryobank.  Sperm can be shipped nationwide, so don’t let a sperm bank’s location dissuade you.

    Find out what kind of medical testing the sperm bank does.

    By law, sperm banks are required to screen all donors for HIV, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted diseases, as well as some genetic problems.  Also, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends that specimens be frozen and quarantined for six months after the initial HIV test.  After six months, the donor is retested to ensure that the donor – and thus the sperm sample – is disease-free.

    Consider whether you want to have an anonymous donor or a donor who would be open to being contacted by the offspring.

    Some patients would like to have the choice for their offspring of having communication with the donor.  Other patients would not want this kind of option.

    Decide on some parameters that are most important to you –

    Education? Appearance?  Religion? If you are making this decision with a partner, you may be surprised to find out that you have different ideas here.

    If you have narrowed down the potential donor to a handful of candidates, consider looking at extra information that the bank may provide (e.g. donor-written essays, photos, etc) to really help you to select the right one for you.

    Talk it over with a counselor –

    At Texas Fertility Center, if a patient is using donor eggs or donor sperm, we require a visit with a counselor to discuss potential issues or challenges that may come up in the short term or long term with the use of donor gametes.  This can be an important time for a couple to resolve how they will handle disclosure to the offspring.  This can also be a good time to explore other concerns or reservations about the process.

    Lastly, feel free to speak further with your TFC nurse or physician about any other questions!

    For more information about donor sperm or third party reproduction, please visit  http://www.txfertility.com/06donor-program.php

     

    Dr.5z5 Open Feed Directory

    •

    admin

    •

    ,
    , , , , ,

  • Our Latest Study is Published in Fertility and Sterility!

    We are so excited to share the publication of our latest research study in Fertility and Sterility! It is the largest prospective study in the world comparing Crinone vaginal gel to IM progesterone for IVF. The study, which evaluated 511 patients going through IVF in 2009, demonstrated statistical superiority of Crinone compared to IM progesterone for all patients, and specifically for patients under 35. We are now using vaginal progesterone exclusively for luteal phase support in our IVF and gonadotropin/IUI patients.

    We have also just received a research grant from Watson Pharmaceuticals to study the efficacy of Crinone for patients undergoing treatment with clomid/IUI. Hopefully those results will be out soon and we look forward to keeping you apprised as we learn more!

    http://www.txfertility.com/pdfs/research-library/8%20Vaginal%20Crinone%208%20gel%20vs.pdf

    For more information on current and past research studies at TFC, please check out http://www.txfertility.com/08research.php

    •

    admin

    •

    , ,
    , , , , , ,

  • Taking the stress out of sperm collection for an IUI

    There are few things that are as pressured as having to collect a specimen for an intrauterine insemination, or IUI. Not only are men expected to collect a specimen on demand, but then they get graded on the quality of it! Here are a few pointers on helping to make “the deed” a little less stressful.

     Collection tips

    The preferred method of sperm collection for an IUI is through masturbation. Saliva, vaginal secretions, and some lubricants can harm or even kill some of the sperm in the sample. Texas Fertility Center or Austin IVF can provide samples and/or suggestions of approved lubricants to use during collection. If masturbation is not possible for various reasons, collection condoms are available for a small fee which allows collection to occur during intercourse.

     Abstinence Time

    To help achieve better results, it’s best to allow a two to three day abstinence period between an ejaculation and the collection for the IUI. In the sperm cycle, mature sperm will only live inside the male’s body for a few days before they begin to die and are broken down by white blood cells. Therefore, attempting to build up sperm counts by waiting longer between ejaculations can actually backfire and result in a lower count. An abstinence time of less than the recommended time may result in a lower count as well as his body is not able to replenish the mature sperm in time.

     Freezing Sperm

    Don’t forget that there is always the option of freezing a specimen at Austin IVF prior to the IUI. This comes in handy if you will be unable to collect a specimen on the day of the IUI for any reason such as travelling or difficulty in collecting.

    We hope these tips will help to de-stress specimen collection on the day of your next IUI!

    Visti www.txfetility.com for more information!

    •

    admin

    •

    ,
    , , , , , , , ,

  • Quit Smoking! Your Sperm Will Thank You For It

    Close to 20% of Americans over 18 smoke cigarettes. That’s a pretty high number considering the well known serious health issues that this unhealthy vice can cause. For you smokers, did you know that your fertility is affected each time you or your partner lights one up? Let’s talk a little further about why you should quit.

    Smoking and it’s affect on male reproduction

    In order for a sperm to do its job, it needs to be the right shape and be able to move. Smoking not only can lower overall sperm counts, but it can affect the morphology (shape) and motility (movement) of the sperm. Studies suggest that smoking may also decrease testosterone levels, which not only can affect sperm counts, but your sex drive as well.

    Smoking and IVF

    As if that’s not bad enough, smoking appears to decrease the chances for success of an IVF cycle. Recent studies observed couples going through IVF cycles and found that women with non-smoking partners had a 32% chance of a successful cycle compared to only 18% of those with a partner who smoked. The researchers believed that the smoker’s sperm was less able to fertilize an egg, even when using ICSI.

    Don’t forget the girls!

    Smoking isn’t just hurting you, but also causes harm to your partner. A study completed in 2005 compared pregnancy rates of non-smokers, smokers, and those who lived with a smoker. The non-smokers had a 48% chance of getting pregnant while the smokers had a 19% chance. A staggering fact: those who lived with a smoker had a 20% chance, essentially the same as if she was lighting up on her own.
    So do yourself and your partner a favor and take measures to quit smoking!

    For more information on male infertility, please visit our website at www.txfertility.com or www.austinivf.com.

    •

    admin

    •

    , ,
    , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • The Sperm Story

    Infertility is not an issue isolated to the female gender. Boys are invited too!

    Infertility is not an issue isolated to the female gender.  Boys are invited too!  In fact, 40% of couples who seek evaluation will have some degree of a sperm problem, and in 25% of cases, the only identified problem is a male factor.

    The work-up begins with a semen analysis.

    The male collects a semen sample by masturbation after 2 or 3 days of abstinence.  This can be done at home or at the facility’s collection room.  The sample is evaluated for volume, concentration, motility (swimming), and morphology (appearance), as well as for the presence of infection.  If the initial test is abnormal, a second sample for confirmation is typically recommended because any one can have a bad day (or stage fright!).  If the second sample is also abnormal, further evaluation is warranted.

    Physical Evaluation of the Male

    Typically, the evaluation of the male includes a physical examination to look for anatomic issues that might explain the findings, as well as blood tests to exclude a hormonal abnormality.  If the exam and hormones are normal, treatment recommendations will depend upon the degree of impairment in the sperm parameters.

    Causes of Male Infertility

    Varicoceles: The most common type of physical problem is the presence of a varicocele.  This is a protrusion of blood vessels into the scrotum, usually on the left side, that may cause dysfunction in sperm formation.  There is significant controversy over whether or not surgical repair of a varicocele results in improvement in fertility.  Most clinicians agree that if the varicocele causes pain, or if the size of the testicle is significantly diminished, repair is warranted.

    Hormone imbalances, can often be corrected with medication and will improve semen analysis values in many cases.

    Once the sperm production and function has been optimized, or in the absence of an identifiable problem, treatment options can be evaluated.  Based on the total number of motile sperm in an ejaculate, a determination can be made as to whether the sample is sufficient for conception by intercourse, sperm washing with intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a micromanipulation technique coupled with IVF.

    Tighty Whities or Boxers?

    In a nut shell, wearing boxer shorts and avoiding hot tubs will not change sperm that need ICSI, intracytoplasmic sperm injection into sperm that will work by themselves with intercourse .  Bottom line, the more impaired the sperm, the more complex the technology required to achieve success.

    For more information on male factor infertility please visit our website at  www.txfertility.com

    If you are interested in learning more about the full range of andrology services available, please visit www.austinivf.com

    •

    admin

    •

    , ,
    , , , , , , , ,

  • Five Common Male Infertility Myths

    Five Common Male Infertility Myths

    When a couple is trying to conceive and is having difficulty, it is common to assume the problems must be coming from the woman.  This is not always the case.

    Infertility is a woman’s issue:

    Most research shows that infertility is due to male factor infertility in approximately18% of all cases.  Male and Female factors combined are common and contribute to approximately19% of infertility cases.  Infertility is definitely not just a woman’s issue it is equally shared between both partners.

    Boxers are better than brief’s when you are trying to conceive:  

    How many times have you heard people say that it is important not to wear briefs when trying to get pregnant.  This simply is not true.  The myth arose from the idea that a man’s testicles are warmer when he wears tighter fitting clothing which in turn decreases the sperm count.  While it is true that it is best if the testicles are kept cool, there are far worse things that can contribute to an increase in the temperature.  Examples of things to avoid would be: hot tubs, saunas, laptop computers on the lap for long periods of time, and extended bike rides.

    The more time men abstain  from sex, the better sperm counts they will have:

    Waiting longer periods of time does not help with the quality of the sperm.  Waiting longer than 2-3 days to have an ejaculation can decrease the sperm quality. If you have intercourse daily, it can greatly decrease the sperm counts and quality.  Therefore, it is best not to have intercourse every day either.  The best recommendation is to have intercourse every other day around the time of ovulation.  This helps to keep the sperm quantity adequate and will help to improve the chances of success.

    Taking testosterone will help improve my sperm counts:

    Many men think that they taking testosterone will help improve their sperm counts, when in reality the opposite is true.  Taking testosterone will stop a male’s ability to produce testosterone as the pituitary thinks that enough testosterone is already being made. This in turn will drastically decrease the sperm counts and the fertility potential of the male partner.

    There is nothing that can be done if a man has a low sperm count:

    The first thing to do is to have an evaluation by a fertility specialist.  They can help determine the best recommendation for treatment.  It is important to evaluate lifestyle choices that may be contributing factors to the low sperm count such as: smoking cigarettes or marijuana, excessive alcohol intake, and being over or underweight to name a few.  IUI and IVF with ICSI are treatment options that your physician may recommend to help increase your chances to conceive.

    For more information about Male infertility or answers to any other questions you may have please visit www.txfertility.com.

    •

    admin

    •

    , ,
    , , , , , ,