Infertility causes and treatment can be quite complicated, due to the numerous factors that add up to the achievement of a successful pregnancy. More than 10% of couples do not achieve this much wanted pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected sex and trying very hard to conceive. This, in most cases is because one or more of the factors necessary for conception is absent or malfunctioning.

The factors vital for conception include:

- Adequate and viral sperm from the male partner

- Appropriate frequency of sexual intercourse around the woman’s ovulation time

- Optimally free passageway for the eggs to travel down the fallopian tube, meet with sperm coming up the tube and then fertilization

- Appropriate and timely transportation of the product of fertilization down to the uterus for implantation and development

- Adequately free passageway for the sperm to get through the cervix into the uterus, so they can swim up into the fallopian tube to meet and fertilize the female egg

- Healthy and sound uterine cavity with adequate uterine lining conducive to implantation and development of the pregnancy

In evaluating infertility, therefore, or in assessing a couple’s chances at conception, we can sub divide the factors vital for achieving conception as thus:

• Male Factor (Sperm count and quality)
• Ovarian factor (ovulation frequency and regularity)
• Tubal factor (free and clear passage to egg and sperm)
• Cervical factor (clear passage to sperm from the vagina)
• Uterine factor (adequate space and tissue for the fertilized egg to implant and grow)

Male Factor
The male factor accounts for 40-50% of infertility problems. Out of this amount only about 10-20% of men have no mature, motile sperm at all (azoospermia). The others only happen to have low counts or a fewer number of normal shaped, mature and motile sperm cells compared to other fertile men. In normal conditions, an absolute sperm count of 16 million is perfect, while a count of less than 5 million almost always result in sterility. Counts between 5 and 16 can in most cases be overcome with infertility treatments.

Ovarian Factor
Women who do not produce eggs each month or those who only produce eggs every 2-3 months will have problems getting pregnant. The most common causes of annovulation (menses without ovulation) or irregular menses are; Polycystic Ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition where follicles mature, but the eggs are arrested and not released and Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, which is like a stress or medication induced lack of ovulation. There are other medical conditions that can cause lack of ovulation, but these occur only in rare occasions. Ovarian factor problems are usually treated with fertility pills (e.g. clomiphene citrate) or medications like gonadotropins.

Intercourse around Ovulation Time
Women with a regular menstrual cycle can always predict their ovulation time. Ovulation occurs midway between the onset of the last menses and the beginning of the next one. Even for women with an irregular menstrual cycle, there are several ovulation predictions kits out there that can provide clues as to when your ovulation occurs. Intercourse should be more frequent around this period, with a frequency of at least, every other day. Therefore, for a 28 day cycle, ovulation will probably occur on day 14, days 11, 13, 15 and 17 should not be missed.

Tubal Factor
The fallopian tubes also constitute a vital actor in conception. The tubes must be free and clear to sweep up eggs that have been ovulated, free and no obstruction to the passage of egg and sperm. Fertilization takes place in the tubes and it is also important that the tubes transport the product of fertilization to the uterine cavity on time for implantation and growth. Pelvic surgery, past ruptured ovarian cyst, past pelvic infections and endometriosis are all conditions that can affect the ability of the tube to sweep up ovulated egg. PID can also produce scarring inside the tube that prevents passageway for ovum.

Uterine Factor
The uterus is the final home of the fertilized ovum and where implantation and growth to full term occurs. Any condition that affects or alters the amount of space or shape of the surface area inside the uterus or disturbs the hormonal sequence that prepares the lining of the uterus for conception may impair fertility. Conditions like fibroids, polyps, congenital anomalies of the uterus or past scarring due to surgery or infection will alter the shape and surface area of the endometrium and in turn fertility. Also, malfunctioning of the corpus luteum may hormonally retard the lining of the uterus and its readiness for implantation.

Cervical Factor
Under most conditions, the cervix does not constitute a factor in infertility, except when the cervical mucous glands have been destroyed during some procedures like Cervical Cryosurgery, conization LEEP etc. The cervical mucous glands act as a storage for sperm cells, so they can ’shower’ the uterus and the uterine tube with sperms in order not to miss ovulation. The frequency of intercourse may need to be increased to achieve conception if these glands have been destroyed.

Author: Michael Russell
About the author: Your Independent guide to Infertility

Reproductive medicine author and expert simplifies five steps in navigating the maze of infertility.

Norwalk and Danbury, CT (PRWEB) — For couples that have tried in vain for months — sometimes years — to conceive a child, the diagnosis of infertility is usually met with a barrage of emotions. The most intense of all is often confusion, as a maze of possible problems and potential solutions spurs more questions than answers. “Is it me, or is it him, or is it both of us? Will I have to take drugs, or have surgery? Do I need a specialist? Is in vitro fertilization (IVF) our only choice? Where do we start?”

“The field of reproductive medicine has made rapid and incredible advances over the past decade in the area of infertility treatment options, and now the vast majority of infertile couples can achieve a successful pregnancy,” says Dr. John J. Stangel, Westchester County Medical Director of Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut. Dr. Stangel, co-author of the new book, The Unofficial Guide to Getting Pregnant, adds, “But a huge amount of new information has left many couples to navigate a maze that seems to be intimidating.” This can lead to emotional frustration from not knowing which path to choose, physical discomfort from unnecessary or inappropriate treatments, and even financial troubles from the cost of treatment and the confusion over insurance coverage, Dr. Stangel notes.

“Fortunately, although the sea of infertility solutions is vast and deep, there is a step-by-step system that simplifies the process of determining which path is right for each individual couple,” Dr. Stangel assures. “The first step, of course, is to consult a reproductive specialist — a medical doctor, often an obstetrician, trained and board certified in Reproductive Medicine and infertility,” Dr. Stangel explains. Then, after the following five steps, an infertile couple is usually on their way to a healthy, successful pregnancy:

Step 1: The Fertility Workup -
This exam is the crucial first step for couples requiring treatment for infertility. Both mom-to-be and dad-to-be participate, and the questions range from the mundane (”How old are you?” and “Have you ever had a child?”) to the complex (”Did your mother take Diethylstilbestrol [DES] when she was pregnant with you?” and “Have you ever had chemotherapy or radiation to treat cancer, and if so, what specific drugs were used?”). Dr.Stangel adds, “A physical examination, along with discussion of medical histories, lifestyle histories, timing of intercourse and even choices of undergarments for dad-to-be are fair game during the workup.” This is also a good time to ask specific questions, or to tell your doctor about anything you suspect might pertain to your infertility.

Step 2: The Hormone Check -
While In Vitro Fertilization and other Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) tend to get most of the attention, the fact is that only 3% of infertile couples require IVF or other ARTs to conceive. “The great majority of female infertility can be attributed to hormone imbalances,” Dr. Stangel notes. “When this is the case, there are a number of drug and hormone therapies available to normalize the hormone levels, and even some lifestyle options like weight loss or weight gain that may help regulate a woman’s cycle to help conception along,” he adds.

Step 3: The Sperm Check -
Motility, viscosity, quantity, quality — the possible problems with sperm are a contributing factor in nearly half of all infertile couples’ inability to conceive. “A lab experienced at doing semen analysis should evaluate the sperm. The lab results should be interpreted by a urologist, andrologist or reproductive endocrinologist – each experienced with this type of study,” Dr. Stangel urges. Again, there are a number of lifestyle-related fixes for sperm issues, as well as several drug and hormone therapies available.

Step 4: The Structural Inspection –
Along with the above studies, specialists move to the structure of both the male and female reproductive systems. Troubles in this area include blocked fallopian tubes, uterine malformations and even problems with the penile and seminal structures. “Most of the time, if there is a structural problem surgery is needed to correct these issues in order to achieve a pregnancy,” Dr. Stangel explains.

Step 5: Exploring the ARTs -
In the event that the first four steps don’t result in pregnancy, Assisted Reproductive Technology can help. From In Vitro Fertilization, ZIFT, GIFT and TET procedures to promising new techniques for maturing eggs outside the womb and cryopreservation of human eggs, the ARTs are helping tens of thousands of couples each year to achieve a healthy, successful pregnancy. Originally designed for women with damaged fallopian tubes, ART is now used to address every conceivable fertility issue, with an average success rate of about 30% per attempt.

“While it can be overwhelming at times, with the right guidance, the maze of infertility can be a journey of hope and, ultimately, happiness for couples wishing to have a child,” Dr. Stangel concludes.

Bio:
Dr. John J. Stangel is Westchester County Medical Director and a lead physician with Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut, Dr. Stangel is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He has been in private practice since 1976 with his office located in Rye, NY.

Some of Dr. Stangel’s former positions include: Medical Director of the Westchester Affiliate of the Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science of Saint Barnabas; Clinical Director of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health Montefiore Medical Center at The University Hospital for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Medical Director of IVF America Program Westchester in Port Chester, NY; and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at New York Medical College at Metropolitan Hospital in NY and at Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla, NY.

Upon graduating from NY Medical College, Dr. Stangel completed his internship at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City and his residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. He returned to NY Medical College for a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology. Dr. Stangel is a charter member of both the Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists and the Society of Reproductive Surgeons.

Dr. Stangel is the editor and contributing author of the textbook, ‘Infertility Surgery’. He has published numerous scientific papers and articles and has contributed to many textbooks. Dr. Stangel has also authored a laymen guide to infertility entitled, ‘The New Fertility and Conception‘. His most recent book, co-authored with Joan Liebman-Smith, Ph.D., and Jacqueline Nardi Egan, is ‘The Unofficial Guide to Getting Pregnant’. He has also lectured widely in the United States and abroad.

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Source: PRWeb.com

Endometriosis, a condition caused by a back flow of menstrual tissue into the reproductive organs, afflicts over 5 million women in the U.S. Additionally, it is a factor is 25%-50% of all cases of unexplained female infertility. Recent research offers new insights into why some women develop endometriosis and how to treat it more effectively to restore fertility.

NORWALK, CT (PRWEB) According to the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 5.5 million women in the U.S. have been diagnosed with endometriosis – a condition that is a factor in 25%-50% of all cases of unexplained female infertility. What’s more, because its main symptom is pain during menstruation – a common and normal occurrence – and because definitive diagnosis requires invasive laparoscopic surgery, many women go undiagnosed for years, even decades. While the disorder has remained much of a mystery to the medical community, recent research is shedding new light on why women develop endometriosis and how doctors can more effectively treat it to restore fertility.

“Endometriosis is an enigma on several fronts,” notes Dr. Mark Leondires, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist and medical director at RMA of CT. He explains that the basic cause of endometriosis is the back flow, or reflux, of menstrual tissue into the reproductive organs, namely the fallopian tubes and the ovaries. “This occurs at one time or another in about 95% of women,” Dr. Leondires says, “But only about 5% of women develop endometriosis.
That’s the first mystery; why does this occur in some women, but not in others?”

“Another puzzling aspect of the condition, Dr. Leondires adds, is that endometriosis does not pose an obstacle to fertility for some women, yet for others, getting pregnant is a significant challenge.”

Finding the Answers
“Scientists have been working to answer these questions, and as they have begun establishing a better understanding of the disease, we are able to develop more effective treatment protocols for endometriosis- related infertility,” Dr. Leondires explains.

For example, because endometrial tissue grows in response to the rise in estrogen during a woman’s cycle, researchers have been working to uncover ways to better regulate estrogen levels in women with endometriosis. A new Japanese study, published in the April, 2005 issue of Fertility & Sterility, found that an immune-enhancing compound called Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was effective at regulating those levels.

Other recent studies have pointed to genetics as a differentiator between women who develop endometriosis and those who don’t, as well as between endometriosis sufferers who have difficulty achieving a pregnancy versus those who are fertile. In one study reported in the July, 2003 issue of Endocrinology, Stanford University researchers studied the uterine tissue of fifteen women with endometriosis-related infertility, and found that certain genes which controlled implantation, immune response to the embryo and other pregnancy-related factors were malfunctioning. In addition, the scientists found that a certain enzyme needed to ensure healthy implantation was missing in the women with endometriosis. “These are important
discoveries that have led to new treatment approaches for endometriosis sufferers who want to become pregnant,” Dr. Leondires explains.

And research reported in the April 2005 edition of Human Reproduction confirms that oxidative stress can lead to or exacerbate endometriosis. The medical community has suspected such a link for years, theorizing that a healthy lifestyle and diet rich in antioxidants – which can counteract oxidative damage to the body’s cells – could protect some women against endometriosis-related fertility.

A comprehensive treatment approach With these new discoveries in mind, Dr. Leondires notes that a comprehensive approach to endometriosis-related infertility is often most successful which stands to reason since there is not one single identified cause of infertility, there will not be one single identified cure or therapy. Women who experience this painful condition may have to experiment with many treatment options before landing on the combination that is right for them.

He recommends the following four-step plan:

Surgical Intervention
“Once we determine that endometriosis is a contributing factor to infertility, the first step is often surgery to remove the endometrial tissue that might be blocking the ovaries or fallopian tubes, and any endometrial masses in the uterus” Dr. Leondires explains. Many women do not like to rush to surgery and for them, this option should be a last resort, particularly when so many women respond well to dietary changes.

Lifestyle Changes
As with anyone struggling with infertility, patients are also encouraged to adopt healthy
lifestyles and switch to an antioxidant-rich diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. “Good nutrition and fitness supports the entire process of infertility treatment,” Dr.Leondires notes.

It is especially important to only choose organic versions of an animal products you eat to avoid an unnecessary hormones. Eggs and chicken for example are loaded with hormones unless you choose organic.

It is also exceptionally important for any woman suffering from endometriosis to avoid plastics, soy and other estrogen mimics. Do not ever eat or drink anything that was microwaved in plastic or with plastic wrap either.

Drug Therapies
Medications can be prescribed that have been shown to ready the lining of the uterus to make it more receptive to implantation, including the breast cancer drug Letrozole, along with Lupron and Danazol. These have been shown to increase implantation rates when used in conjunction with the next step, assisted reproductive technologies.

ART Approaches
“Once these initial steps have been taken to address the effects of endometriosis on the reproductive system, we tend to see more successful results with assisted reproductive technologies like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or Intrauterine Insemination,” Dr.Leondires says.

Bio:
Dr. Mark P. Leondires, M.D., FACOG, is a leading authority on reproductive medicine. Dr. Leondires is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a member of the Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Leondires earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. Dr. Leondires completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

After completion of his training, he fulfilled his military obligation by serving as the ART Director for the largest and most successful program in the military health care system at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During this time he was an Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and clinical faculty for the Combined Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology. Dr. Leondires is currently Medical Director and lead physician with Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMA-CT) in Norwalk. Along with numerous teaching and research activities, Dr. Leondires has published articles in professional medical journals, national consumer magazines and newspapers, as well as abstracts and book chapters. More information about Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut is available at www.rmact.com.

Sheryl’s comments
If you have been diagnosed with this frustrating and often debilitating condition, please research your options prior to resorting to drugs or surgery. It may seem like a fast solution but like many modern medical procedures, it only places a band-aid on the problem rather than eliminating the cause. Nutrition can play an enormous role in endometriosis. Many studies have found an overwhelming correlation between animal products like meat and dairy and endometriosis, perhaps from the estrogen mimics they contain that do not allow your own estrogen to do its job. In any case, a healthy organic diet can improve anyone’s health but if it can reduce or eradicate endometriosis, then isn’t it worth a try?

Chlamydia is a common transmitted disease (STD). It caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman’s reproductive organs. Name “chlamydia” is derived from the Greek word “chlamys,” which was a kind of cloak worn by men in ancient Greece. Chlamydia is one of the most widespread bacterial STDs in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 2.8 million people are infected each year. Chlamydia bacteria live in fluid and in semen.

Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur “silently” before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia is known as a “silent” disease because about 75% of infected women and about 50% of infected men have no symptoms. Even if symptoms are present, they may be mild and last only a few days, and may not be noticed or considered significant.

Symptoms usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after you are infected. Those who do have symptoms may have an abnormal discharge (mucus or pus) and may experience pain while urinating. These early symptoms may be very mild. In women, bacteria can infect the cervix and urinary tract. If the bacteria move into the fallopian tubes, they can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can lead to infertility if untreated.

In men, chlamydia can infect the urinary tract and the epididymis, causing epididymitis (inflammation of the reproductive area near the testicles). Chlamydia also can cause discharge from the penis of an infected man.

“Officially, it [Chlamydia] is a bacterium, but it is more like a virus in being very small and unable to multiply outside living cells. Chlamydia is not life-threatening, but it can do serious damage to a woman’s Fallopian tubes. If this happens, the woman could become infertile.”… - EmbarrasingProblems.co.uk

Causes of Chlamydial Infections

• Chlamydia trachomatis.
• Chlamydia pneumonia.
• Chlamydia psittaci.
• Unprotected sex (oral, vaginal or anal)

Symptoms of Chlamydial Infections

• Irritation with discharge
• Cough and fever can occur in pneumonia (although the classic description is afebrile)
• Eye discharge and/or swelling develop in conjunctivitis
• Lower abdomen tender to palpation

Treatment & Prevention of Chlamydial Infections
1.Chlamydial infection is treated with oral antibiotics.

2.Persons with chlamydia should abstain from intercourse until they and their partners have completed treatment, otherwise re-infection is possible.

3.Having multiple infections increases a woman’s risk of serious reproductive health complications, including infertility. Retesting should be considered for women, especially adolescents, three to four months after treatment. Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of chlamydia.

4.Use condoms correctly every time you have sex.

5.Limit the number of partners, and do not go back and forth between partners. Practice abstinence, or limit contact to one uninfected partner.

6.Common methods of birth control, like the oral contraceptive pill or the contraceptive shot or implant, do not give women protection from STDs. Women who use these methods should also use condoms every time they have sex to prevent STDs.

“Some of the young women have never even heard of the disease that threatens to sterilize them. They wonder, in their classic youthful way, how this possibly could be happening to them.” - Source: Chlamydia: the cruel fertility thief - Seattle Times.

Juliet Cohen writes articles on rare skin disorders and health disorders. She also writes articles on health care.

Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles

By: Keysha

The first thing that the infertility specialist will do is analyze your medical history and perform a physical examination. He will ask questions about your medical and emotional health, menstrual history, whether you or your partner are under any medications, about your lifestyle, if your or your partner smoke, consume dugs, alcohol or caffeine. All these can help the doctor establish what kind of tests to perform.

The following tests can be performed to determine the cause of infertility:

• Monitoring the body’s temperature in order to determine if ovulation takes place
• A urine test to detect LH surges helps to determine the precise day of ovulation
• Blood and urine tests can be performed to determine hormone levels
• The doctor may take tissue samples of the uterus to establish if the corpus luteum produces an appropriate quantity of progesterone so that to the risk of premature ovarian failure or the absence of ovulation could be eliminated;
• To measure FSH (follicle stimulating hormone, the woman will take clomiphene citrate (a fertility drug) on days 5 and 9 of the menstrual cycle and on the 10th day the doctor will measure FSH to test the ovarian reserve;
• Women with ovarian failure may take a test for autoimmune disease like diabetes or hypothyroidism

If these tests don’t show off any result (which is very possible), then other procedures are performed for examining the uterus.

“Before you have infertility tests, try fertility awareness methods to find the best time to become pregnant. A woman is most fertile during ovulation and 1 to 2 days before ovulation. Some couples find that they have been missing the most fertile days when trying to become pregnant. A woman should keep a record of her menstrual cycle and when she ovulates. This record will help your doctor if you decide to have infertility tests.” - Webmd.com

Ultrasound
The ultrasound procedure uses sound waves, is painless and is used to evaluate the ovaries and the uterus in order to detect ovarian cysts and tumors, fibroids.

Hysterosalpingography
Hysterosalpingography is a procedure used to discover any abnormalities of the uterus and an eventual blockage in the fallopian tubes. A small tube is inserted into the cervix and a special dye is injected through this tube into the uterus and the fallopian tubes. The uterus and the fallopian tubes filled with this dye are exposed to an X-ray. If the X-ray shows that the dye emerges from the end of the tube then there is no blockage. This procedure carries a risk of pelvic infection so it is recommended that the patient take antibiotics prior to the procedure.

Hysteroscopy
A hysteroscopy procedure uses a tube (hysteroscope) inserted into the vagina, then into the cervix all the way to the uterus. The hysteroscope is equipped with a small camera that allows the doctor to view the uterus. This procedure may detect conditions like: fibroids, pelvic scar tissue, endometriosis and correct them by eliminating the scar tissues that may attach organs together. There are some risks associated with this procedure such as: infection, bleeding, or side effects of the anesthesia.

Sheryl’s comment:
While it may be comforting on some level for you to find out a specific cause of your failure to conceive, you very well may undergo these invasive, painful & expensive tests only to hear what many before you have heard. “Unexplained infertility“. Some studies have shown that up to 80% of couples diagnosed with unexplained infertility are able to conceive after undergoing natural treatments for infertility (such as acupuncture) and lifestyle changes (such as yoga for fertility, daily walks and better sleeping habits). Perhaps it makes sense to implement as many of these changes as is reasonably possible prior to undergoing medical fertility testing looking for an answer.

For more information about in vitro fertilization you can visit our site In Vitro Fertilization , find what are the in-vitro-fertilization.eu/infertility-treatment.htm“>infertility treatment . More information here in-vitro-fertilization.eu .

Buy the Book: Some Dreams Come True

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PCOS or Poly cystic ovarian syndrome is a condition that affects approximately ten percent of the female population, the symptoms vary from woman to woman but generally the main symptoms are:

• Infertility due to lack of ovulation
• Acne and oily skin
• Infrequent menstrual periods or no menstrual periods or irregular bleeding
• Increased hair growth on face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs and toes
• Weight gain
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Thinning hair
• Mood swings and irritability
• Sleep apnea
• Patches of dark skin
• High blood pressure

There is no cure for PCOS, but each of the symptoms can be managed individually.

Birth control pills can be used to regulate the menstrual cycle in woman that do not wish to become pregnant. They will also help reduce the male hormone levels and reduce acne. All symptoms will return when the pill is stopped.

Diabetes medication can be prescribed to control the type 2 diabetes, namely Metformin. Metformin will reduce the amount of male hormones produced which will help slow down the excessive hair growth and can also help with ovulation.

Fertility treatment can be used to stimulate ovulation for woman that wish to become pregnant, although by using these medications there is a risk of multiple births. IVF is another option.

Laser hair removal and electrolysis are two non medical ways to remove unwanted excess hair. Other options are Spironolactone, which is a blood pressure medicine but it has been shown to decrease the male hormones effect on hair, or Propecia.

To relieve symptoms of PCOS it is important to keep healthy. Exercise and a healthy diet will help the body to lower glucose levels and to use insulin more efficiently. Even a small loss in body weight can help to regulate the menstrual cycle.

To help induce ovulation, surgery is an option, although it is not recommended as a first course of treatment. Ovarian drilling is performed by the surgeon by making a small incision above or below the navel and inserting a small instrument that acts like a telescope into the abdomen. The doctor then punctures the ovary with a small needle carrying an electric current to destroy a small portion of the ovary. These effects may only last a few months and it is possible that the surgery can create scar tissue on the ovaries. This treatment doesn’t help with increased hair growth and loss of scalp hair but it will help to lower male hormone levels and induce ovulation.

About the author:
Lucy Bartlett is a proud contributing author. Find more articles here. For more info visit PCOS or PCOS Treatment

Sheryl’s comment:
Please explore fitness and nutrition options prior to ovarian drilling or IVF. These drastic options may address the symptoms but not the cause. Check out this site for lots of information on PCOS including natural remedies. Or read Positive Options for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

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Fertell’s female fertility test works like a home-pregnancy-test urine stick. The test strip measures the level of follicle-stimulating hormone present in the first morning urine on Day 3 of the menstrual period. The hormone, when measured in serum, has been found to be a key measure of “ovarian reserve,” or the ability of the ovary to produce viable eggs. Results are available in 30 minutes.”

Click here to read the full article at Courant.com

Sheryl’s comment:
I will always advocate anything that keeps people out of the doctor’s office and helps them avoid humiliating and degrading testing. Generally sperm testing and checking FSH aren’t particularly degrading (compared to other fertility testing) in a doctor’s office but it is still more comfortable in the privacy of your own home.

If you have been trying to conceive without success then the home test might be a place to start. There are many conditions that can contribute to fertility problems and this test will not identify all of them so even if the test results are fine there still could be a structural or other problem precluding pregnancy.

Fertell is available at CVS stores and online if you are interested in satisfying your own curiosity in the privacy of your own home. It might just fill in some blanks for you.