Weight and Infertility: How to Manage Your Cholesterol

Your weight is one of the key indicators about your overall and reproductive health.  Many women who are overweight find that their fertility improves as they lose weight.  This is because excess weight can impact hormone levels which are vitally important while trying to conceive.   Another measurement of health is a person’s cholesterol levels.  High levels of cholesterol can indicate other health issues and can jeopardize your health including your ability to conceive.  

Managing your cholesterol levels requires lifestyle changes.  Making small changes to the way you live can make a huge impact on your health.  Use the tips below to help manage your cholesterol levels.

Eat More Fiber

In the body, fiber attaches to cholesterol which can work to lower cholesterol levels.  Unfortunately, most people in the United States do not eat sufficient amounts of fiber. Fiber can be found in beans, fruits and whole grains which are all key components of a well-balanced diet.

Eat Low Fat Foods

A portion of person’s cholesterol levels is a result of what they eat.  Eating a diet that is high in processed foods and fat can raise cholesterol levels.  Conversely, eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins can reduce bad cholesterol levels by as much as 20 percent.

Exercise

Experts recommend getting at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day.  It can help to raise levels of good cholesterol and help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight.  Simply walking can help to reverse the effects of high bad cholesterol levels.  Additionally, exercising regularly is a great way to relieve stress which is important during fertility treatment.

Medications

Medications can be used to treat high levels of bad cholesterol.  However, these medications may also create a number of negative side effects including causing inflammation and impacting the liver.  These side effects are why it is a good idea to try other options before resorting to medication to treat the issue.

Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676. Thank You.

What is PCOS and Who is Most Likely to Have It?

PCOS is a well-known cause of fertility issues in women.  However, many people are unaware of what PCOS is and how it affects the body.  Understanding how PCOS impacts fertility and which individuals are most likely to develop the disorder can help you to recognize symptoms.

PCOS Explained 

PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is a disorder that affects a woman’s reproductive system.  The disorder causes a number of issues including having ovaries that are enlarged and which contain multiple cysts.  The symptoms of the disorder include:

• Infrequent periods or the absence of periods
• Hair growth, especially on the face
• Obesity
• Acne
• Difficulty conceiving

Doctors do not have a definitive answer as to why some women develop the disease.  However, many women find the symptoms of the disorder are reduced once she loses the excess weight.

Risk Factors

PCOS is commonly associated with other chronic health issues including:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Infertility
• Sleep apnea
• Abnormal periods
• Depression

Individuals who have these conditions and are having difficulty conceiving should discuss their concerns with their physicians.

Diagnosing PCOS

There is no single test that provides a confirmation for a PCOS diagnosis.  Instead, multiple tests are used in order to diagnose the condition.  Diagnosing PCOS often includes:

• Providing detailed information on your medical history
• A physical exam that collects vital signs
• A pelvic exam where your uterus, cervix, and ovaries are evaluated
• Blood tests to determine hormone levels
• An ultrasound to look at the ovaries and your uterine lining

These tests are used to rule out other fertility issues with similar symptoms.  Additionally, the results provide doctors with key information needed to establish a personalized treatment plan.  Treating PCOS is based on whether a woman is trying to conceive and each individual’s specific medical needs.

For additional information on PCOS and treatment options to help you become pregnant, contact a member of our team today.  Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676.  Thank you.

Common Causes of an Erratic Menstrual Cycle

Depending on the length of her cycle, the average woman will have between 11 and 12 periods per year. Some women have more, some women have fewer.  Women who do not have normal, regular cycles commonly have questions about what may be causing the erratic schedule. There are a number of causes of irregular periods, many of which can be addressed with fertility treatments.

Menopause 

As a woman ages, her period may become less regular.  This is especially true in the year or two before a woman enters menopause.  This is due to hormonal changes that occur within a woman’s body as she nears the end of her reproductive years.  A woman is considered as being in menopause after not having a period for 12 months.

Weight Issues 

Being overweight or underweight can significantly impact your body’s ability to produce the hormones necessary for reproduction.  Overweight women may have very erratic cycles, and underweight women may not get a period at all.  The cycle issues that result from weight problems can typically be addressed by achieving and maintaining a healthy weight for your height.

Stress

Emotional issues can have a significant impact on your physical health.  This includes the ability to have regular periods.  While it is normal to have concerns about your ability to conceive, stress that becomes life altering or that interrupts your ability to perform normal activities needs to be addressed.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects many women.  In this condition, cysts appear in a woman’s ovaries during her cycle.  Women with this issue have irregular periods and difficulty ovulating.  The condition is among one of the most common causes of infertility in women.

Medication 

Various medications can impact a woman’s cycle, including those that are taken for chronic conditions.  Knowing what medications you are on can help your doctor to determine if your prescriptions could be impacting your ability to have a normal cycle.

Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676.  Thank you.

5 Things to Know Before Choosing a Women’s Health Center

Finding the right provider for women’s health issues is important to your overall and reproductive health.  With many health care providers available in NYC, it is important to thoroughly consider all of your options before selecting a provider for your women’s health needs.  The information below can help you with the selection process in order to find an office and provider that is right for you.

Why is finding a woman’s health center important?

Women have unique needs when it comes to their reproductive health.  It is important to work with physicians who are familiar with the female body and know what to look for.  This is important before, during, and after your reproductive years.  Preventive measures such as cancer screening allow potential issues to be identified before they become serious issues.  Additionally, a woman’s health provider can be a resource for family planning, including protecting your fertility for the future.

What should you look for in a women’s health care provider?

Look for a provider who has a convenient location with office hours that work with your lifestyle.  A center with limited availability can result in frustration if issues arise.  Additionally, it is important to find a center where every patient is treated as an individual with unique needs.  Furthermore, look for a doctor whose philosophy matches your own.  For example, if holistic treatment is important to you, look for a physician who incorporates holistic medical treatments.

What’s the best way to find a women’s health care provider?

The best way to find any doctor is through referrals.  Ask friends and family members about their experiences.  This can provide a wealth of insight into the way the medical center is run and how the doctor conducts business.  Another option is to speak with your insurance company.  They can provide a list of women’s health care providers in your area that are a part of their network.  Selecting an in-network provider reduces your out of pocket cost and maximizes your benefits.

Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676.  Thank you.

The Best Books to Read for Infertility

Fertility treatment can feel like a lonely journey.  This can be particularly true if the people around you are starting families without difficulty.  Understanding what other individuals have experienced in their fertility journey can help your process.The following fertility books can help you understand more about your reproductive system as well as provide perspective from others who have gone through a similar process. 

The Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant

Written by Jean M. Twenge, this book provides a guideline for navigating the entire process of getting pregnant and starting a family.  It also specifically addresses the real emotional issues and pressures that can arise for women.  Written by a sociologist using humor and honesty, the book provides a realistic approach to starting a family.

Inconceivable: A Woman’s Triumph over Despair and Statistics

This real life tale of fertility treatment is authored by Julia Indichova and details her experience with fertility treatment.  Indichova speaks about medical and holistic treatments as well as her experience navigating the emotions of fertility treatment.

The PCOS Diet Plan

PCOS is a condition that affects many women and can dramatically limit their ability to become pregnant.  Written by Hillary Wright, this book offers insight into how diet has a real effect on the body and reproductive health.  Through lifestyle and diet changes, women can get to a healthy weight which can help to alleviate the symptoms of PCOS.

Infertility Survival Handbook

Authored by Elizabeth Sire-Falker, this book provides a frank look at fertility treatment and how to deal with fertility issues.  The author provides an honest review of her experience and helps readers to understand what they may face during their own treatment.  Many topics are covered, from the emotional side of fertility issues to financing treatment.

The Whole Life Fertility Plan: Understanding What Affects Your Fertility To Help You Get Pregnant When You Want To

Kyra Philips and Dr. Jamie Grifo wrote this guide to addressing all of the things that can impact fertility.  From a perspective on age and fertility and how holistic treatments can aid in the fertility process, this book provides a whole life view of getting pregnant and starting a family.

Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676. Thank You.

IVF for Endangered Species

As the world’s first “Test Tube Baby,” Louise Brown celebrates her 37^th Birthday, we are reminded of how far reproductive medicine has come and where its beginnings can be found. 

Many medical techniques are refined and practiced with the help of our mammalian counterparts.  Within our own field, the newest breakthrough in egg freezing, Vitrification of oocytes, was developed for use with Tigers and successfully helped bring several of their subspecies back from extinction.

Now I share my passion for fertility and I am turning my knowledge toward the assistance of decimated species, like the North African White Rhinoceros.  Down to only 5 animals left, the remaining White Rhinos consist of 4 aged females, who’s age significantly diminishes the quality of their eggs (and who might not be able to support the natural mating patterns of Rhinos), and one male, who’s sperm quality is low.  This is the end of the species.

But conservationists are retrieving eggs and sperm and we are going to use ICSI to create and then mature embryos.  Within 5 years, while the remainders of the species might not survive, we expect to have created at least one baby White Rhino.  Currently we are looking to retrieve more sperm for a better selection and more possible embryos.  Then Rhino IVF/M will be performed.  IVF/M is also known as ‘in vitro maturation” or IVM.  This means that the embryo will be matured outside of the uterus to ensure health and stability before being re-implanted.  In humans, this also typically means fewer stimulating hormones.  After the maturation of the Rhino embryo’s, they will be transferred back into the females.  But the transfer techniques still need some sorting out.  The transfer is complicated by the Rhinoceros physiology.  Among other complications, the Rhino cervix is much longer and more curved than a human.  So special techniques are being practiced for maximum effect.  There are even discussions about using Southern White Rhino’s as surrogates to carry the babies to term.

Humanity doesn’t live in isolation but in an ecological balance with all other species.  As the top wrung on the food chain, we are burdened with being most responsible for change on a global level.  It is too short sighted to believe that what we do won’t have ramifications across the globe, to the environment, to ecosystems, and to each other.

Every life counts, and that isn’t limited to people.  The technology that I study and employ, the techniques that we use daily to help people discover the joys of family, may also be able to save a multitude of species around the globe.   I kindly thank all people involved in this project and who support endangered species.  Further, I encourage everyone to find ways to support it, even if it is solely through word of mouth.   Awareness is the beginning.

How Genetic Screening Prevents Disease in Infants

Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) may be done as a part of fertility treatment and can virtually eliminate the chance of having a child with a genetic disease. This is a step parents can take in order to help prevent diseases in their child.

Preimplantation Screening

During IVF treatment, eggs are fertilized in a laboratory setting.  The resulting embryos are then monitored as they develop before being transferred into the mother or frozen for use during a subsequent cycle.  During this stage, the number of cells present within the embryo continues to increase as the embryo develops.  One or two cells may be removed from the embryo via microsurgery and analyzed.  This process does not harm the embryos.

There are two methods of analysis.  One is to verify the presence of the correct number of chromosomes.  Humans should have 23 pairs of chromosomes.  One of each chromosome is donated from each parent.  If the pairs do not link correctly, genetic abnormalities result, which are often detrimental for the embryo’s development.  Embryos that are found to have genetic abnormalities are not transferred.

The second method is to look for the presence of a particular disease.  This testing process can be particularly useful for individuals who are carriers of a particular disease. Should the disease be found in an embryo, it will not be used during transfers.

Prenatal Testing

While the testing process is extremely accurate, it is not 100%.  Therefore, it is important to have prenatal testing during pregnancy to ensure that your child has the best healthcare they can receive.  This process can also help to identify other issues that may not have been identifiable via preimplantation screening.

For additional information on the use of PGS during pregnancy, contact the New Hope Fertility Center team today.  Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676.  Thank you.

What is ICSI and How Can It Help?

Male fertility issues can manifest in a number of ways.  Thankfully, when sperm motility, sperm morphology, or sperm count is an issue, ICSI may be used to increase the odds of fertilization.

What is ICSI?

ICSI is short for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.  ICSI may be used in tandem with IVF treatment.  With traditional IVF protocols, eggs are harvested and are fertilized in a laboratory setting.  To do this, the mature eggs are placed in a dish with sperm and fertilization takes place as it does naturally.  ICSI takes a more direct approach.  During ICSI, a single sperm is injected into the middle of an egg.  Then, the egg is watched for development and signs of fertilization.  This process may be used for a number of reasons including:

• Low sperm count
• Poor sperm motility
• Poor sperm quality
• Low fertilization rates during previous IVF cycles

How does ICSI help during fertility treatment?

In order to become pregnant, sperm must penetrate and fertilize an egg.  If the sperm is unable to make the journey to the egg, or is unable to penetrate the egg, fertilization cannot take place. ICSI directly addresses these issues by delivering the sperm directly into the egg.  This process can significantly improve fertilization rates and the overall likelihood of a healthy pregnancy.  The success rate of fertilization is as high as 80 percent when ICSI is used.  Ultimately, the chance at a healthy pregnancy is determined by the health of both the egg and the sperm.  The higher the quality, the better the chance for a healthy baby.

Is ICSI right for me?

It is important to speak with your fertility care provider about ICSI and its use during your fertility treatment.  While there are no rigid lines for the use of ICSI, some medical issues can benefit more from this treatment than others.  Your medical history will determine if ICSI is right for you.

Receive personalized information on ICSI and how it may be used as a part of your treatment plan by contacting the New Hope Fertility Center team today.  Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676.  Thank you.

Top 5 Male Infertility Myths Debunked

Fertility is often thought of as a women’s issue.  Women are more likely to speak with their doctor about their fertility concerns and more likely to have a support system to help them deal with fertility issues.  Because of this, there are many myths about male fertility.  Breaking them down to their truths can help a couple seek help and to get treatment.

Myth #1 – Men don’t have fertility issues 

The truth is male factor infertility is just as likely to be causing a couple’s trouble trying to conceive as female factor infertility.  Generally speaking, a third of issues can be directly attributed to the male, a third to the female and the final third is either unknown fertility issues or a combination of both partners.

Myth #2 – Your laptop can interfere with your fertility 

This myth is true.  In oder to function properly, a man’s testicles must be kept at a temperature that is lower than the rest of his body.  This is why the testicles are strategically located outside of the body.  Holding a laptop in your lap directs heat to the exact place where it is not wanted.  To avoid this issue, place laptops on tables when using them.

Myth #3 – Men can get a woman pregnant at any time 

This is false.  Pregnancy requires the meeting of a sperm and an egg.  A woman only ovulates once per month and that egg can only survive 24 hours unless it is fertilize.  Outside of that time, conception cannot occur.  However, sperm can live in the body for up to five days.  It is possible to provide the sperm that results in pregnancy days before she actually ovulates.

Myth #4 – If a man doesn’t have sperm in his semen, he doesn’t make sperm 

This is false.  Sperm are produced in the testicles.  However, they must move out of this area and join with semen in order to be present in the ejaculate.  Blockages along these pathways can prevent sperm from being present in semen, even if they are produced.  This condition is treatable in a number of ways.

Myth #5 – A man’s weight doesn’t matter 

Just like women, a man’s weight plays a large role in his overall health.  Men who are overweight or obese are more likely to have fertility issues.  Getting to and maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best ways to maximize fertility.

Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676.  Thank you.

FSH Levels and How They Play a Role in Fertility

A woman’s hormone levels play a large role in her fertility.  Having hormone levels that are too high or too low can cause fertility problems. FSH, follicle stimulating hormone, is one of the key players in fertility.  This hormone is responsible for the growth and maturity of eggs within the ovaries.  The level of FSH in a woman’s body varies based on her age and the point in her cycle.

High FSH Levels 

As a woman ages and moves toward menopause, the amount of FSH in her body increases.  Women who have a low egg reserve or who have declining egg quality will have high FSH as well.  Women with high FSH levels will find trying to conceive difficult without assistance.

Thankfully, world class fertility treatment centers have a number of tools available to address the issues caused by high FSH levels.  Oe such options is to supplement DHEA.  DHEA is a hormone that has proven to improve egg quality when taken as a supplement.  After several weeks of treatment with DHEA, eggs retrieved have a quality that is similar to those of women without high FSH levels.

Treatment for High FSH Levels

Unfortunately, many fertility centers turn away women with high FSH levels.  They believe that treating these women will be difficult.  In order to protect their success rates, these clinics will decline to treat women with high FSH levels.  The experts at New Hope Fertility Center realize this treatment philosophy is flawed.  It is possible to successfully provide fertility treatment to women with high FSH levels.  By focusing on holistic treatment options and tailoring treatment to each woman’s specific needs, New Hope Fertility Center is able to provide world class treatment to women with a variety of medical concerns.  The team at New Hope does not turn away patients based upon their FSH levels or their ability to produce multiple eggs during a cycle.

Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676.  Thank you.