For many in our audience who are not familiar with the science of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility maybe you...
ARC®Fertility Overview
Facing the Facts Myths versus Truths about Infertility
The inability to give birth to a child when desired is a very personal and stressful life experience. Many myths...
Emotional Support for Infertility and Well-being
Infertility is without a doubt a life altering experience. From your self-esteem, to your plans and dreams for the...
Diminishing Ovarian Reserve
As more women are delaying childbirth and more baby boomers are reaching midlife, the problem of diminished ovarian...
Body Fat, Exercise and Fertility
Numerous studies have repeatedly shown that women athletes who have a low body mass index, (‘BMI’), have a difficult time starting a family. We have found with our patient population that a number of female athletes have a low BMI. This low BMI often translates into fertility problems. In fact studies have shown that approximately12% of infertility cases are due to being underweight or having a low BMI.
Body fat plays a significant role in reproduction. Sex hormones are fat soluble and they are stored in the body’s fat layers. Women that have a low BMI produce a reduced amount of estrogen which can lead to an abnormal menstrual cycle. Amenorrhea, or the lack of a menstrual cycle, is a result of a low BMI.
Aromatase Inhibitor (Letrozole) Shows Promising Results in Fertility Treatment
Ovulatory dysfunction is one of the most common causes of reproductive failure in subfertile and infertile couples. Since the first clinical trial was published in 1961, clomiphene citrate (CC) has been the front-line therapy for ovulation induction. Its use quickly expanded to other empiric indications, such as luteal phase defect and the enhancement of fecundity in unexplained infertility. Failure to respond to CC occurs in up to 20% of cases, which may then require the use of injectable gonadotropins. The drawbacks of this approach are its high cost (both for the medication and the extensive monitoring it requires), risk of the potentially life-threatening ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and, perhaps most importantly, the significant risk of high-order multiple gestations. Clearly, an inexpensive yet equally efficacious oral alternative would be ideal. Recent research has focused on the successful use of aromatase inhibitors, mainly letrozole, for ovulation induction. The medical team at Georgia Reproductive Specialists has begun incorporating letrozole into treatment plans for appropriately selected patients.
The Good Egg…Everything You Need to Know About Ovulation
Ovulation is perhaps the single most important factor when trying to conceive. Women who have infrequent, irregular,...