An FDA press release reports, “U.S. Marshals, acting at the request of the Food and Drug Administration, have seized Other-Sonic Generic Ultrasound Transmission Gel located at Pharmaceutical Innovations Inc. in Newark, N.J., after an FDA analysis found that product samples contained dangerous bacteria. The agency reports that at least 16 patients from one hospital were infected with the bacteria.
Month: April 2012
Doc Solves Mystery of Frida Kahlo’s Infertility
A surgical pathologist at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, Antelo decided to investigate why Kahlo, who died in 1957 at age 47, suffered numerous miscarriages and underwent at least three therapeutic abortions.
New face of Infertility, Under 35, Frustrated – Watching the Fertility Clock
TTC, in Internet-speak, means “trying to conceive.” Being labeled “infertile” or discovering a partner’s infertility is changing the life plans of many in their late 20s and early 30s.
The Effect of Alcohol on Fertility
The data regarding the effects of moderate alcohol intake on fertility is inconclusive at this time. The largest prospective studies conducted in Europe indicate that high levels of alcohol consumption are associated with greater difficulty conceiving.
One small Danish study identified a slight delay in conception even with alcohol ingestion of 5 drinks or less per week. However, this research relies on self-reporting of alcohol consumption which may be inaccurate. In many cases, the studies do not fully account for other factors that could be affecting fertility.
Don’t Overdo It
When you are attempting to conceive, taking a moderate approach to alcohol consumption is the wisest course of action. If having an occasional beer or glass of wine once or twice a week is part of your normal lifestyle, this is unlikely to have a significant effect on your ability to conceive. Drinking every day or consuming several drinks at one sitting is behavior you should avoid. High levels of alcohol can negatively affect many aspects of your health and is probably not good for eggs or sperm development either.
Alcohol and Pregnancy
If you think you might be pregnant, it’s time to stop consuming alcohol. Fetal harm from exposure to alcohol in the womb can lead to lifelong health problems. In fact, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) caused by maternal alcohol consumption is the leading identifiable cause of neuro-developmental disorders and birth defects in babies. No “safe level” of prenatal alcohol exposure has been identified, so pregnant women are advised to abstain from alcoholic beverages altogether.
Pregnancy Myths
Getting pregnant is not easy for every couple. There are some steps women can take to promote optimal fertility through better health. However, there are also many myths about how pregnancy and fertility work. Knowing what works and what doesn’t can keep couples from wasting time and money on unproven and unscientific remedies.
Here are several myths about pregnancy that many people believe:
Myth: Some sexual positions boost your chances of getting pregnant.
Fact: No sexual position increases the likelihood of pregnancy. Neither does having the female partner stand on her head or lie with her legs up in the air after intercourse. The natural angle of the vagina promotes pooling of semen right where it is supposed to be. Changes in cervical mucus leading up to ovulation help sperm move efficiently into the uterus.
Myth: There are techniques you can use to make sure you conceive a baby that is the gender you want.
Fact: It is not possible to consistently select the sex of a baby through any means when conceiving naturally. It is possible to increase the likelihood of having a baby of the desired gender through sperm sorting prior to artificial insemination. The only way to be certain of selecting the desired gender is by screening embryos prior to transfer during IVF treatment.
Myth: Guys need to rest up for a day or more between sexual encounters to increase the potency of their sperm.
Fact: Men with normal sperm can have sexual intercourse daily. This doesn’t decrease the likelihood of a couple achieving a pregnancy.
Myth: There are pills and supplements you can take to increase male or female fertility.
Fact: There is no magic supplement that enhances fertility. No herb, vitamin, dietary supplement, or wonder food will increase your chances of getting pregnant or help you get conceive sooner.
Myth: Infertility is a problem for women but not for men.
Fact: Actually, in 25% or more of infertility cases, it’s the male factor that is the underlying cause. This is why both partners are tested during fertility treatment.
Oklahoma House won’t Take up Personhood Bill
Oklahoma House Republicans decided in a caucus meeting Thursday against having the personhood measure heard on the House floor. Their action essentially kills the bill this year.
Birth Defects More Common in IVF Babies: Study
Babies conceived through certain fertility treatment techniques are about one-third more likely to have a birth defect than babies conceived without any extra help from technology, according to a new review of several dozen studies.
FDA Warning: Infection Risks from Contaminated Ultrasound Gel
The Food and Drug Administration is warning doctors, hospitals and clinics that contaminated ultrasound gel produced by a New Jersey company infected 16 cardiac patients and could pose serious risks to pregnant women and others who undergo ultrasound imaging and treatment.
Stopping Medical Treatment and Moving On to Other Options
by Andrea Braverman, Ph.D.
When is enough, enough? This question creeps in at different moments as you pursue treatment. Enough is a judgment that is weighed individually but has common thoughts and feelings. For many, enough …
Contraceptive Coverage Bill Scaled Back in Arizona
A bill that would have allowed any Arizona employer to deny health care coverage of contraception for religious reasons has been changed, allowing only religious entities to opt out of the coverage.