INFERTILITY FACTS NEWS AND VIEWS – Fertility Drugs and Breast Cancer Risks

October is being observed as Breast Cancer Month and as such, my Friday posts will largely surround this theme.

When I was taking fertility drugs, outside of the fact that they had such horrible side effects for me, I often wondered what other effects they were having on my body. Was I at increased risks for breast cancer or ovarian cancer, etc.

According to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, women who took the common fertility drug, clomiphene citrate (clomid) as part of their fertility treatment, did not experience increased risk for breast cancer, compared to women who did not take this drug.

Under current practices, clomiphene citrate is limited to three to six cycles with doses up to 100mg. A small group of women who took up 12 cycles however, saw an elevated risk of breast cancer 1.5 times the risks of women who did not take this drug. “This could be a result of persistent infertility rather than effects of this drug,” said Dr. Louise A. Brinton, Ph.D., M.P.H., chief of the Hormonal and Reproductive Epidemiology Branch at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, Md. 

Read more, by visiting the link below:-

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140403084245.htm

post image by: http://madamenoire.com/451647/ask-dr-renee-breast-cancer-affect-fertility/

MONDAY RAMBLINGS – Make Every Moment Count........

Experts say that the best time for women to have children is in their 20’s and a woman’s fertility peaks at the age of 24. I got married at age 25 so oops, time was already not on my side as I missed that peak.

Many of my peers by now, have children in high school, some even in college and some looking to become grandparents. It seem then, that I am among the few still raising young children. I am not disgruntled at all, as anyone who knows my story, should get by now that I am extremely grateful to God for the opportunity of being a mom to two beautiful children, regardless of my age. The only grey area is when I realize that some days I am just not physically able to keep up with them. Then I am reminded of my age and silently wished I was younger, in my 20’s maybe.

Over the past 2 weeks, I have been to 2 funerals, the last one being the hardest, as the deceased, not an old person by any means, learnt she had cancer earlier this year and died, just months afterwards. Her children were broken. It was so hard to watch. The program facilitated a slide show of stills from the deceased pass and as the images of her went by, the ones with her at the weddings of her daughters’  got my attention, which brings me then to the reason for my post. Since I had my children at such an advanced age, how far will I make it into their development. Will I be around for their college years, their graduation, their marriage. Will I be around to welcome my grandchildren. I often do the maths and it is certainly far from encouraging.

The only thing in my power, that I can do, then, is to make every moment with them count, because, after all, that is all we are given at a time. I know though, that even if their dad and I are not around for them for some of their important milestones, an aunt, an uncle or even a friend will, as God will not have it otherwise, as we know that they are indeed gifts to us, straight from his heart.

http://www.fabu-licious.com/Metal-Signs-Wall-Plaques/Vintage-Make-Every-Moment-Count-Hanging-Wall-Sign

post image by: 

INFERTILITY FACTS NEWS AND VIEWS - “Meal Timing Can Significantly Improve Fertility in Women with Polycystic Ovaries

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) was the cause of my infertility and so I am happy to post any information which could help others who are also suffering from this condition.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a common disorder that affects fertility by interfering with menstruation, ovulation, hormones, and more, is closely related to insulin levels. Women with this condition are typically "insulin resistant" -- their bodies produce an excess amount of insulin used in the delivery of glucose from the blood into the muscles. This excess makes its way to the ovaries, where it results in the production of testosterone, which impairs fertility.

According to a recent research, there has been found a way that women of normal size, (many women who suffer from PCOS are obese with a small percentage who is of normal size - I am one such) can manage their glucose and insulin levels and this is all in the timing of their meals. Women with PCOS, who have high calorie breakfasts, (which includes high protein and carbohydrate), and lower their calorie intake for subsequent meals throughout the day, saw a reduction in their insulin levels, leading to lower levels of testosterone and increased ovulation frequency, thus greatly enhancing their chance of conceiving.

Follow the link below for more information:-

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130813121626.htm

Post image by : http://www.fertilitynation.com/5-pcos-diet-plan-tips-to-boost-your-fertility-and-help-you-get-pregnant/

Freezing Embryos To Allow Hormone Levels To Reduce, Led To less Undersize Infants and Eliminated Preeclampsia

"Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers have identified what may be a major factor behind the increased risk of two adverse outcomes in pregnancies conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Two papers published in the journal Fertility and Sterility support the hypothesis that extremely high estrogen levels at the time of embryo transfer increase the risk that infants will be born small for their gestational age and the risk of preeclampsia, a dangerous condition that can threaten the lives of both mother and child. They also outline a protocol that reduced those risks in a small group of patients." 

Read more in this regard:-

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/256891.php













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"NEW DOUBTS RAISED ABOUT COMMON FERTILITY TREATMENTS"

This speaks in particular to couples who have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility, a diagnosis given to one in eight couples.

In a recent article in Shine from Yahoo, mention was made of a recent study published in British Medical Journal with findings which states that, when there was intervention for couples with cases of  unexplained infertility, the success rate for pregnancy, was not any better than for other couples with this diagnosis who just waited and see.

From the article:-

“The study, published in the British Medical Journal, compared two common treatments with the wait-and-see approach. Couples with unexplained infertility were randomly assigned to have ovarian stimulation with the drug, clomiphene citrate (otherwise known as Clomid) or to have intrauterine insemination (IUI) without ovarian stimulation drugs. A third group was encouraged to try to get pregnant but were not given any treatment. Researchers found no significant difference in pregnancy rates among the groups. Women who had no intervention had a live birth rate of 17 percent, the group taking Clomid had a birth rate of 14 percent, and the group having IUI alone had a birth rate of 23 percent. Though the rate is higher in the IUI group and lower in the Clomid group, the differences were not statistically significant.” 

The article also went on to mention that, although Clomid  is a popular drug, used to enhance fertility, it can reduce the chances of the sperm reaching the egg and can also reduce the chances of the uterus supporting implantation of the embryo.

Please follow the link below to read more:-

http://astrology.yahoo.com/channel/health/finding-fertility-new-doubts-raised-about-common-fertility-treatments-230679/

image by: http://blogs.smarter.com/blogs/FE_PR_070403pregnancy.jpg 

WE ARE STILL TIED TO THE BIOLOGICAL FORCES WHICH DRIVES ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

image by: http://bu-networking.co.cc/i/eye-contact-flirting.jpg

Apparently, we no longer think that we have much connection to the biological forces which drives animal behaviour, but it seems we still do. In a study conducted by researchers at UCLA, the University of Miami and Cal State, Fullerton, it has been found out that during ovulation female animals become flirty, seeking to attract their male counterparts, in hopes of procreation. During ovulation a woman dresses more flirty, for the same reason animals do and is said to be more attracted at this time to men with physiques that signifies virility. (I knew that about women, based on my experience, so I can attest to this).

This could assist in  maximizing a couple's chance of conceiving, because this is another way that a woman can tell the most fertile period in her cycle. I have found myself relying on this for a few of my cycles as well.

The study also found that female animals avoid close interaction with their male kin during periods of highest fertility in an effort to avoid inbreeding and women call their fathers less frequently during the period of highest fertility and when they do call, the calls are shorter than they would be for low fertility periods and this seem to be for the same reason animals avoid their male kin.

Read more from article:-

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101129160950.htm

From the article

"Evolutionary biologists have found that females in other species avoid social interactions with male kin during periods of high fertility," said the study's lead author Debra Lieberman, a University of Miami assistant professor of psychology. "The behavior has long been explained as a means of avoiding inbreeding and the negative consequences associated with it. But until we conducted our study, nobody knew whether a similar pattern occurred in women."The findings appear in the latest issue of Psychological Science.

The study builds on a mounting body of evidence of subtle and significant ways in which women's behavior is unconsciously affected by the approach and achievement of ovulation -- a physical change that in humans has no outward manifestation of its own. Research has found that women tend to dress more attractively, to alter the pitch of their voices ways that are perceived as more attractive by men, and to contemplate more frequently the possibility of straying from their mates during high as opposed to low fertility periods of their menstrual cycle. Research has also shown that women are more attracted during high-fertility periods to men whose physique and behavior are consistent with virility, especially if they're not already mated to men with these characteristics."

PREMATURE OVARIAN FAILURE (EARLY MENOPAUSE) AND FERTILITY

image by: http://img.ehow.com

I have watched helplessly as my body changedover the last year or so to the point where I became very concerned that I could be entering into early menopause.   I Remember telling a friend of mine that I feel like I am living in someone else’s body as I cannot predict what will happen around ovulation and menstruation for any given month. I also felt at times like my body was literally turning on me. As a result of this, I consulted Dr. Google, but luckily the symptoms associated with early menopause is not really what I have been experiencing.  I have since summed it up to just age taking its natural course, because it is said that a woman’s body changes in function as she ages.

According to an article in Medical News today, my concern was certainly not too far off, because Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) or Early Menopause seem to be on the rise, affecting 1 in 100 women. The good news though is, there is still hope for women who wish to have a baby.

From the article

"For women who wish to have a baby, the options include either adoption or achieving a pregnancy by oocyte or embryo donation. In oocyte donation it is necessary to prepare the endometrium for implantation. This can be successfully achieved by incremental doses of estradiol valerate and then progesterone therapy. This creates an endometrium receptive to embryo implantation.

The cause of POF is still largely unknown. The condition is usually permanent but ovarian activity can resume and fertility has been noted among 5-10% of women with the diagnosis. 

The main symptoms of POF include irregularity of the menstrual cycle, oestrogen deficiency in the form of hot flushes, night sweats and loss of libido.

A physical examination, including height, weight and body mass index, is essential. Once POF is confirmed the main areas of treatment include education, counselling and psychological support, treatment of oestrogen deficiency symptoms and fertility management.” 

Read more about Premature Ovulation Failure (Early Menopause) by following the link below.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/222689.php

“IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T CONCEIVE”

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand

Psalm 127: 3 & 4

"HOPE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE"

 

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the book, If at First You Don't Conceive: A Complete Guide to Infertility from One of the Nation's Leading Clinics by  Dr. William Schoolcraft, MD, HCLD, Director of the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine.


This book covers areas such as:-

• The basics of what you should know - Understanding the Fertility Fight.
• The most common fertility challenges – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Endometriosis and tubal and uterine challenges, among others.
• The most common solutions – The donor sperm option, and egg donor option and Invitro –Fertilization, etc.
• Preserving mind and Spirit – A look at the emotional challenges of infertility.

I highly recommend this book for persons currently involved in the fertility fight and can be a great gift for anyone you know also engaged in this fight.

"IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T CONCEIVE"

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand
Psalm 127: 3 & 4

"HOPE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE"

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the book, IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T CONCEIVE, a complete guide to infertility from one of the nation’s leading clinics. Authored by Dr. William Schoolcraft, MD, HCLD, Director of the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine.

This book covers areas such as:

• The basics of what you should know - Understanding the Fertility Fight.
  


• The most common fertility challenges – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Endometriosis and tubal and uterine challenges, among others.
  


• The most common solutions – The donor sperm option, and egg donor option and Invitro –Fertilization, etc.
  


• Preserving mind and Spirit – A look at the emotional challenges of infertility.
  
  

I highly recommend this book for persons currently involved in the fertility fight and can be a great gift for anyone you know also engaged in this fight.

Get it at, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Borders.

IS YOUR ENVIRONMENT MAKING YOU INFERTILE???

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand
Psalm 127: 3 & 4

"HOPE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE"

When it comes to infertility/fertility, The more we know, the better off we are in terms of preserving our fertility and treating our infertility. With that said. I am not trying to scare anyone, but do you all know that your environment has a lot to do with your fertility?

While these days we are trying to prevent further damage to our precious environment by trying to adapt to a ‘living green’ lifestyle, which is very good and necessary, but sadly for many people, the damage has already been done, as they were either made to experience much difficulty in trying to conceive children and have the family of their dreams, or sadly, have had to make peace with not being able to have children of their own at all.

It is found that toxic materials, among them, mercury, copper and lead, which is found in our environment in several parts of the world, do have adverse effects on your fertility and can also result in miscarriages, should you become pregnant.

If you have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility, it could be that this is a result of these toxic materials found in your environment.

Below are links to some sites, which speaks in detail to this issue.

http://www.annuaire29.org/articles/category/17/message/340/
http://www.annuaire29.org/articles/category/17/message/334/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1519933/?page=1

Please read and be encouraged and until next time, keep clinging to hope.

Cellular phones link to miscarriage

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand.”
Psalm 127: 3 & 4

I received an email a few weeks ago about a woman who carries around her cell phone in the pocket of her jacket. It turns out she kept having recurring miscarriages, as soon as she was three months into the pregnancy, she would miscarry. This miscarriage was traced back to the fact that because she carries her cell phone in the pocket of her jacket, the radiation from the cell phone has badly affected her reproductive system.

I have heard too that if we stand in front of a microwave, this can also affect our fertility becasue of the same radiation issue. My husband likes to stand in front of the microwave and whenever I remind him of this, he quickly tells me that the microwave has a protective film on the door to safeguard against this. I tell him to move anyway, because we are still not totally out of the childbearing age, so we cannot afford to take any chances.

I must say that the cell phone issue did get my attention and so I have decided to write about it on my blog because I know many of us carry around our cell phones on our person and therefore can sadly fall victim to this. Women are created to naturally to want to have children and so let’s not add one more issue to the many that currently exists, to ruin our chances in this regard.

I seem to have deleted the email, because I have been searching for it and has had no luck in finding it, or else I would have included the article with this post. There are also other issues in this article relating to cell phones, another of which is that, you should not allow your baby to play with these devices because this radiation can also affect them as they are still developing.

Since reading it, I have banned my son from playing with our cell phones.

Be informed therefore, and in the meantime, keep clinging to hope.

Age and Fertility

From website:-

“More of us are leaving it later to start a family than ever before. Figures from National Statistics for England and Wales show that, since the 1980s, the rates for women giving birth at age 30 or over have gone up, while the rates for women giving birth aged under 30 have fallen. There are many factors which make having babies less important or more difficult for young couples than it used to be, including going on to higher education, developing a career, and financial pressures to stay in the job market. Also, many people don't find a partner they want to have children with until later in life or just don't feel ready to become parents when they're younger.”

For further reading on age and fertility, please visit:-
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/preconception/activelytrying/ageandfertility/

For us, it was none of the above factors, we were battling infertility and when I woke up one day and found that I was over 35, I was terrified, as I knew too well of the challenges now facing me. I refused to let that deter me though and so I pressed on.

At one point I heard that age 40 was the cut-off point to have children and would watch helplessly as it approaches, then when I heard that it was 45, I was relieved as this now gave me a few more years. I do not know how much these numbers stand true though, as more and more I am finding that women 40 and over are having their children and many are born normal and healthy. It is therefore all up to the woman I would think, as I have heard of women having children much older than that. Rare cases I might add, but it does happen.

Having had our son, We are thinking now that he needs company and so we will be trying to give him a sibling. Mind you, it is stressful to want to get pregnant again at my age because I know too well of the odds. It will be harder to conceive for sure as you now have less healthy eggs, but you just have remain positive, trust God, stay close to your doctor and try to do everything in your power to have a healthy pregnancy. An anomaly scan is very vital at this stage. This is performed at about four months into the pregnancy and tells if the baby has any abnormalities.

When we found that our son was developing normally, we were so overjoyed.
If you are trying to have a family and are concerned about your age, I hope this post will help to put your mind at ease so that you can focus on getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy.

I found this site to be very encouraging:-

http://www.azcentral.com/families/articles/0604oldmoms0604.html

From site:-

"When Cynthia Goodwin's doctor told her she might be pregnant, "I started laughing hysterically," the Phoenix resident says.Goodwin was 47, childless and menopausal - she thought. That was in July 2003. Today, her and husband George's daughter, Anna, is 17 months old and keeps Mommy running. "She's kept me more active than I was before," says Goodwin, one of the growing number of older women enjoying first-time motherhood."

ALL THE BEST.

Welcome to - Finally a Mom

My name is Annetta Price. My husband and I suffered with infertility for over a decade. Early in our marriage, I was diagnosed with a common condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome which resulted in infertility.

My plan is to share with you my journey of struggles, anxiety, tears and disappointment and eventually, the triumphant victory of finally becoming a mother. This blog and my website, http://www.finallyamom.com/ exist to provide information, support, comfort and hope to other families who might be having similar experiences.