INFERTILITY AWARENESS
INFERTILITY
Infertility is defined as trying to conceive by having unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or more with no success. Infertility is common affecting every 1 out of 5 women. If a woman can become pregnant but has miscarriages and stillbirths, then she too is considered infertile. Infertility within a female can result from many reasons such as:
Age
Lifestyle
Hormonal Imbalances or problems
Physical issues
SYMPTOMS OF INFERTILITY
Not being able to conceive
Too long or too short menstrual cycles (Over 35 days less than 21 days)
No occurrence of ovulation
Irregular periods
What causes infertility?
Disruptions or missing steps of the reproductive process where the mature egg gets released and clutched by the fallopian tube. Sperm will then swim the path of the cervix, uterus and right into the fallopian tube to meet up with the mature egg for fertilization. The fertilized egg takes a journey down the fallopian tube and into the uterus. Finally, the fertilized egg attaches itself inside of the uterus and begins to grow.
Understand that the following possibilities are just an idea of what could be causing the symptom of infertility. I am not a doctor so please if you are experiencing infertility make an appointment with your physician. My methods are just providing awareness, education and comfort.
DISRUPTIONS & DISORDERS THAT CAN CAUSE INFERTILITY.
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DISRUPTIONS & DISORDERS THAT CAN CAUSE INFERTILITY
Common Disorders
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Occurs when woman adrenal glands are not functioning properly. The adrenal glands are producing an abnormal number of male hormones. PCOS causes ovarian cyst than can make it difficult to become pregnant.
SYMPTOMS:
Irregular Periods
Ovarian cyst
Excessive hair growth on the face, areola, abdomen and chest
Weight gain or failure to thrive
Oily skin or acne prone skin
Mood Swings
WHO ARE AT RISK?
Blood Pressure Problems
Women with Diabetes
Heart Disease
How is PCOS diagnosed?
• Pelvic & Physical Exam
• Blood Work
• Ultrasound
Is there a cure for PCOS?
Currently there isn’t a cure but there are multiple ways of managing your PCOS such as:
Hormonal Therapy: Birth control is an example of hormonal therapy to help reduce the male hormone.
Lifestyle Change: Diet and exercise to help balance hormones and help symptoms like weight gain and mood swings.
What are my options if PCOS is affecting my fertility?
Your doctor can talk about options that would involve surgery, medication or IVF.
Endometriosis: a painful gynecological disease where tissues that are identical to endometrium tissues grows outside of the uterus. These imposter endometrium tissue implants are misplaced every month mimicking the roles of the original tissues like reacting to hormonal changes, breaking down and building up during every menstrual cycle. But because the tissue is misplaced outside the uterus it becomes trapped causing loads of inflammation and internal scaring. Endometriosis affects about 1 in 10 women in their childbearing years but not limited to young children and teens.
SYMPTOMS
Painful menstrual cramps
Lower abdominal pain
Pain during or after sexual intercourse
Heavy menstrual cycles
Bleeding in between periods
Urinary & Digestive discomfort within bowel movements & urination
Energy depletion/exhaustion
Mood Swings
WHO IS AT RISK?
Women with a history of endometriosis in their family
Getting your period at an early age
Menstrual cycle lasting up to 7 days or me
Monthly cycles are less than 27 days
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
As of now the only way to confirm a case of endometriosis would be to have a laparoscopic surgery. However, if you feel that you may have endometriosis, please make an appointment with your gynecologist so that they can asset your symptoms and examine you properly
EX: Ultrasounds & Pelvic Exam
Can endometriosis be cure?
As of now endometriosis cannot be cured and is a long-term disorder. However, there are multiple ways to go about managing your endometriosis such as:
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs: These are medications like ibuprofen to help manage the pain of your menstrual cramps and body aches during your period.
Hormonal Therapy: These are medications like birth control to try to balance your hormones so that your periods are lighter and decrease endometrial growths.
Surgery: This would be the laparoscopic surgery that can remove endometrial implants to decrease pain.
Lifestyle Change: Managing your symptoms through diet and exercise to get a better quality of life.
What are my options if endometriosis has caused infertility?
Laparoscopic surgery: to remove any endometriosis implants
Invitro fertilization: Combination of sperm and egg through laboratory practices
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