Category Archives: Fertility
02.03.2012
Should You Get the Influenza Vaccine During Infertility Treatment?
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Many people being treated for infertility are unsure whether to get the “Flu Shot.” During the 2012 influenza season both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Health Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS), Division of Public Health Services continue to have a universal recommendation for influenza vaccination to anyone over [...]
01.26.2012
Pregnant or Not Pregnant? That is the Question
Danielle Vitiello, Ph.D., M.D. Board-Eligible Reproductive Endocrinologist
Fertility treatments allow patients to be empowered and to regain hope. Once the patient has engaged in treatment, the two-week wait prior to pregnancy confirmation can be unbearable. Not surprisingly, patients search for both emotional and physical signs to affirm or deny the potential of pregnancy; all while watching the calendar turn at a turtle’s [...]
01.19.2012
Male Fertility: The Other Half
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Approximately 40% of infertility is related to the male. Key to understanding male fertility is analysis of the semen. Semen samples can vary from month to month, or even day to day because it takes about 72 days for sperm to develop within the testicles. Unlike eggs, which are present since you were born, sperm [...]
01.12.2012
Diet and Lifestyle Issues While Attempting to Conceive
Robert M. Weiss, M.D. Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist
Although a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and proper diet, is important for general health, it is not necessary to abstain completely from caffeine and alcohol while trying to conceive. On the other hand, extremes of weight and cigarette smoking have been shown to be detrimental to people trying to conceive. Caffeine Studies have shown that [...]
01.05.2012
Cell Phones and Infertility: Is it Time to Hang Up the Phone?
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Cell phones are an everyday part of life. The advances in technology enabling not only voice communication but most recently high resolution pictures and internet access have been accompanied by increased intensity and frequency of electromagnetic waves being emitted. Our bodies receive these waves and convert them into both electric and magnetic fields. Adverse biological interactions attributable [...]
12.29.2011
The Role of Tubal Reconstructive Surgery in the Era of IVF
Danielle Vitiello, Ph.D., M.D. Board-Eligible Reproductive Endocrinologist
Over the last few years, the ease, accessibility and efficacy of IVF has increased dramatically. The success of tubal reconstructive surgery has remained relatively stable although the invasiveness of the surgery decreases. Such divergence between IVF success and need for surgical involvement calls for a reassessment of a cost/risk to benefit ratio whether it may [...]
12.22.2011
Genetic Disease – Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
R. Ian Hardy, M.D., Ph.D. Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Medical Director
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited disease that affects an infant’s muscular activity. Voluntary muscles are driven by motor neurons. Children with SMA are missing a gene that is required to produce certain proteins involved in motor neuron development. Without this protein, the nerves shrink and ultimately atrophy. Without motor neuron innervation, the muscles [...]
12.15.2011
Eat for Fertility
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
A traditional Western-type diet composed of a high consumption of trans unsaturated fats, animal proteins and carbohydrates with a high sugar content has been associated with a risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. Insulin resistance is also increased and is implicated in ovulation dysfunction in women with PCOS and with infertility and recurrent [...]
12.09.2011
What Are the Risks with IVF?
Danielle Vitiello, Ph.D., M.D. Board-Eligible Reproductive Endocrinologist
What are the true risks of in vitro fertilization? Often thought as “the great equalizer”, the internet is information-laden. However, not all sources are equitable. Deciphering amongst myth, opinion and truth, particularly in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) can be complicated and equally frustrating. When one is contemplating whether IVF is suitable for [...]
12.01.2011
Chronic Endometritis
R. Ian Hardy, M.D., Ph.D. Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Medical Director
Chronic endometritis is chronic inflammation (“itis”) of the endometrium (the uterine lining). Chronic inflammation may hinder normal implantation of an embryo and its subsequent development. A patient with good embryo morphologic quality with either a negative pregnancy or with an early miscarriage may be evaluated for chronic endometritis before proceeding with further treatment. Evaluation of chronic [...]
