The Infertile Patient’s Prayer and Infertility Lord, Give me Strength… To keep my cool when another period starts. To keep my chin up when a co-worker announces her pregnancy. To have a good relationship with my friend in spite of her ability to conceive easily and not be jealous of her. To endure my sister-in-law’s … Read more
Stress and Infertility Stress has become a buzzword today. It is one of the most over used words in our vocabulary – and one of the most poorly understood ones as well. Stress is defined as any event that a person perceives as threatening, and in order to protect itself, the body responds to stressors … Read more
What Is It? Intrauterine insemination, or IUI, is a common form of artificial insemination (AI). {AI refers to techniques used to introduce sperm into a woman’s body through means other than sexual intercourse.} IUI is relatively less invasive than some other assisted reproductive technology (ART), which is one of the reasons that physicians often will … Read more
Question – Effects of Robitussin on Fertility: “How does Robitussin help infertility, and how would I go about taking it?” Answer: The use of Robitussin to assist conception is one of the first things that folks hear about when they start talking to others in online communities. Let’s clear up the information: First, what you’re … Read more
Alrighty – we’re gonna get pregnant, and we’re gonna “do it” in every conceivable position, in every room of the house! Does sexual position really matter when it comes to conception? The best answer is “Sometimes…” First, let’s get your goal here straight In order for conception to occur, sperm must be deposited as close … Read more
Don’t Just Survive – Thrive! As holidays approach, it’s easy for people experiencing infertility to feel gloomy. Regardless of culture, religious affiliation, or socioeconomics, most holidays conjure up media-fed images of happy families gathering. For anyone who’s having trouble conceiving or maintaining a successful pregnancy, these images can dredge up emotional pain, even in folks … Read more
Question – What Is Significance of FSH Levels?: “I am looking for information on FSH hormone levels. Mine is prematurely high (12.9-14.5) on Day 2 of my cycle. Why is it tested on Day 2? Does the level fluctuate?” Answer: First, some background: FSH is an acronym for follicle stimulating hormone. FSH is one of … Read more
An Interview with Dr. Deborah Issokson On whether women being treated for infertility are at any greater risk for postpartum depression (PPD): First, any major life stressor that occurs around the time of childbearing becomes a risk factor for PPD. A woman going into childbearing who is already dealing with issues of loss, depression, anxiety, … Read more
Secondary Infertility – Caught Between Fertile and Infertile Worlds For most people, infertility conjures up the image of a couple without a child. But what about a couple who have borne a child, and now want to extend their family but find they are unable to do so? Secondary infertility is the inability to conceive … Read more
For many, the term “infertility insurance” is a paradox; it is also a heated topic of public debate. From federal court to Bill Maher’s “Politically Incorrect”, people are offering their opinions on the value of financial coverage for assisted reproductive technology (ART). Even the most casual listener will pick up from these debates that treatment … Read more