The IRH Baby Reunion ANNOUNCEMENT

Good morning IRH Families! 
We are thrilled to announce the details of the 2011 IRH Baby Reunion, which will be held at the Cincinnati Zoo on October 9th from 1pm-4pm.  The baby bash will take place at the Whiting Safari Camp (near the carousel) inside the zoo.  The physicians and staff will be on hand to celebrate the afternoon with all of our families.  A picnic lunch will be served at 1:30 and the tri-state's largest birthday cake will be served at 2:00pm.  Be sure to bring your little ones in their best halloween costumes for the zoo's 'Hall-Zoo-Ween" festivities. 

Check out our website, http://www.cincinnatifertility.com/, to purchase discount tickets on admission, parking, food and zoo entertainment.  YOU MUST PURCHASE TICKETS IN ADVANCE THROUGH THE IRH ONLINE STORE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE DISCOUNT.  Tickets will be available starting tomorrow, 5/3/11.

ZOO SEASON PASS HOLDERS -- we ask that you RSVP to this event by calling Cindi Lorenz, IRH Practice Liaison @ 513.289.9151 or emailing irhinfo@fuse.net. 

For additional information or general questions, please contact Cindi @ 513.289.9151 or email irhinfo@fuse.net.  We can't wait to see you and your family at the Zoo!

2009 Baby Reunion

While you are here, become a follower of our blog!

Causes of Infertility in Women

Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system that inhibits a couple's ability to have a baby. Infertility affects men and women equally.  In a previous post we discussed male factor infertility and how age plays a major role in woman's ability to conceive, so now let's look at what other issues cause fertility problems for women. 


Tubal factor infertility, which makes about 35% of infertility issues in women, can be a result of blocked tubes (hydrosalpinges), damaged tubes (pelvic adhesive disease or scarring from STDs), or tubal disease (scarring from surgery or endometriosis). 


Ovulation factors can result from various hormonal imbalances (PCOS, hyperprolactinemia, premature ovarian failure, hypothalamic amenorrhea) and make up 25% of infertility disorders in women.


Cervical/Uterine factors, accounting for 30% of female infertility diagnoses, can be attributed to fibroids, endometriosis, and pelvic adhesive disease.


Unexplained infertility, which accounts for 10% of infertility in women can be caused by a large number of factors including:  egg &/or sperm dysfunction, age, weight, environmental factors such as stress and smoking, or a combination of these.  This diagnosis can only be made after an extensive infertility diagnostic work-up has been completed.

On our next post, we'll explore the details of the infertility evaluation.  As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us at irhinfo@fuse.net.

New Look -- Same Valuable Resource

Our blog has a fun, new look, but it's still a great resource for all of your fertility questions.  Follow us for daily updates, find answers to your questions, participate in our latest poll, send a link to your friends, and keep up with the latest fertility news.  Feel free to leave us a comment here, check out our website,   http://www.cincinnatifertility.com/, or send us an email at irhinfo@fuse.net.

IRH West Chester Opens TODAY!

The IRH West Chester office is officially open TODAY! Our new facility is open for new patient consultations M-W, F and for early morning monitoring on Mondays and Fridays. Other services include: follow-up appointments, blood work and ultrasounds, and Wi-Fi access. By late spring we will also offer semen analyses, sperm washes, and IUIs. For the convenience of our patients, you have the opportunity to see any of our three docs in this location. We are thrilled to offer fertility services to the communities north of I-275. If you'd like to schedule an appointment, please call IRH @ 513.924.5550. For more information about IRH, check out our website at www.cincinnatifertility.com.

The Fertility 411 -- Common Causes of Infertility

What are the Common Causes for Infertility?

Infertility doesn't discriminate.  It impacts every culture, crosses socio-economic lines, impacts the young and "old", the healthy and not-so-healthy, and both sexes almost equally.  Male factor infertility occurs is close to 40% of the reported cases of infertility.  Factors related to women -- such as ovulatory dysfunction & tubal/pelvic pathology -- happen in about 45% of reported cases.  The other 15% comes from issues effecting both partners or is attributed to unexplained infertility.
Ok...so what does all of this mean?  Well, let's start with the guys.  Male factor infertility can mean low/no sperm count (which can happen for a variety of reasons), poor morphology (structure of the sperm), poor/no motility (sperm can't swim b/c of defective or missing tails), and genetic defects to the sperm.  The best way to test for male infertility is with a semen analysis.  At IRH, our skilled andrologists examine the sperm and grade the morphology, motility, and count.  The report is reviewed by the physicians and recommendations are made.  If any of these values fall out of the "normal range", it can greatly impact your course of treatment.   For more details about the semen analysis or treatment options available for male factor infertility, please check out our website at:
http://www.cincinnatifertility.com/causes-of-infertility/male-infertility 

Later today, check back in and I'll give you the scoop on the causes of infertility for women and the treatment options available.  Until then, have a great day!

The Fertility 411 -- Age & Infertility

                    Does AGE Effect My Fertility?

YES!  15% - 20% of all couples will experience difficulties with conception, but this increases up to 50% for women 35-40 years old.

        

ART Pregnancy Rates & Live Birth rates by Age of Women   



Source:  Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001

This is a powerful graphic.  As you can see, our ability to conceive takes a nose dive after the age of 35.  Should this scare you...no, of course not.  But what it tells you is that you have to be informed and prepared if you make the decision to postpone starting a family.      

The Fertility 411 -- Infertility 101

Fertility Facts

• The average chance of a woman becoming pregnant each cycle is 20%
• It takes 5-6 months for the average fertile couple to conceive
• 1 out of every 6 couples has trouble conceiving and/or caring a child to term
• There are an estimated 2.4 million new infertility cases each year in the US alone

Is Infertility More Common Today?

• The overall incidence of infertiltiy has remained relatively unchanged over the past 30 years.
• However...the evaluation and treatment of infertility has changed dramatically over that period of time.
• 3 major developments have had the greatest impact:
1. In vitro fertilization
2. Changes in population demographics -- women attempting pregnancy at older ages when they are biologically less fertile
3. Greater media attention & public awareness

As always, you can log onto http://www.cincinnatifertility.com/ for more information.  If you have questions, post them here or send them to irhinfo@fuse.net.

'The Fertility 411' Kickoff

IRH is launching a new blog series called "The Fertility 411".  These posts will be packed with fertility facts, tackle fertility myths, address the latest fertility topics in the news and keep you 'in the know' about what is on the horizon for treating infertility...all from a source you can trust.  Plus, you will be able to post your questions and hear from our experts.  Tell your girlfriends, share this link, mark us as a 'favorite' and check-in with us daily.

Potential Egg Donors

If you have ever thought about becoming an egg donor, IRH has just posted a 'Frequently Asked Question' page to their website.  If you have any burning questions you'd like answered, please post here or send an email to eggdonor@fuse.net.

Basic criteria to become an egg donor includes:

• be between the ages of 21-33
• be a non-smoker
• have a healthy BMI
• have regular menstrual cycles
• have no history of genetically transmitted diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, or cancer.
• have no history of alcohol or substance abuse
• be willing to undergo an extensive screening process
• be willing to use barrier contraception for at least two complete menstrual cycles

Our screening process is very thorough and completely confidential.  For more information, visit us at http://www.cincinnatifertility.com/.

Snowy Weather Doesn't Effect Office Hours

Mother nature may be throwing a lot of the fluffy white stuff our way today, but the IRH offices are still open.  If you have an appointment or procedure today (Tuesday, 1/11/11), please come in at your scheduled time.  If you are unable to make it, give us a call at 513.924.5550.  Thanks and safe travels!

Welcome to the Institute for Reproductive Health!

Raising the standard of reproductive care, one family at a time.