We all know that alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause birth defects, low birth weight and contribute to other problems, but does alcohol reduce a woman’s ability to become pregnant in the first place? According to preliminary studies, the answer is yes. One study published in the British Medical Journal examined 430 Danish couples ages 20–35 [...]
If you’re having trouble conceiving, you may feel frustrated and confused. Add a pile of information (and misinformation!) to that, and feelings of hopelessness arise. How do you go about separating fertility fact or fiction? Here are five fertility myths from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Parents Magazine, along with the realities [...]
Endometriosis is a relatively common disease, affecting 6-11% of women of childbearing age in the U.S. The disease occurs when uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, causing lesions or patches on or around the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowels or bladder. Symptoms of endometriosis range from chronic pelvic pain to infertility, and treatment options vary [...]
Taking prenatal vitamins helps to prepare your body for pregnancy and ensures that you are getting important nutrients for your health and your baby’s development. With so many supplements on the market today, it can be tough to choose which prenatal vitamin is right for you. A great first step is to talk with your [...]
An estimated 27 million Americans suffer from a thyroid disorder – usually an overactive or underactive thyroid – which can affect mood, metabolism and menstrual cycles in women. Thyroid dysfunction may cause hormonal imbalances that disturb ovulation, making it more difficult to get pregnant. So how do you know if your thyroid is healthy? The [...]
Over 6 million women in the U.S. suffer from impaired fertility, making it difficult to get pregnant. Fertility drugs are one treatment option for these women. If you are considering drug therapy for fertility, talk to your doctor or fertility specialist. He or she can provide you specific information about fertility drugs that may improve [...]
One in every eight couples struggles with conception, and there are many reasons for this. In fact, one-third of infertility cases can be attributed to male problems, including low sperm count. According to the American Fertility Association, in about 40% of infertile couples, the man is either the sole or a contributing cause of the [...]
When you’re trying to get pregnant, every month can feel like a roller coaster – undergoing fertility treatments, charting your ovulation, planning romantic evenings, and then…waiting to see if all of your planning and preparation pays off. If you’re not getting pregnant month after month, the result can be a feeling of hopelessness or depression, [...]
Fertility issues affect about 10% of American women, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Cancer and cancer treatment, along with many other factors, can affect a woman’s fertility – the impacts vary widely based on the type of cancer, stage of development, and type of treatment received. The American Cancer Society offers the [...]
Infertility problems are common in the U.S., affecting about ten percent of women (more than 6 million), according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Many factors can contribute to infertility, including age, smoking, alcohol use, stress, poor diet, overweight or underweight, sexually transmitted infections and health problems related to hormonal changes, such as polycystic [...]