Category Archives: Fertility
03.08.2012
Advocating for Family Building in New Hampshire: Your Voice Matters!
Brian E. Miller, Ph.D.
In 1987, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was the first state to mandate that certain infertility benefits be provided by insurance companies. Since then, fourteen additional States have passed legislation to offer or cover infertility treatment. However, the last State to mandate coverage for infertility services was CT in 2005 and there is currently no Federal [...]
03.01.2012
Thyroid Hormone: Optimizing the Engine for Pregnancy and Beyond
Danielle Vitiello, Ph.D., M.D. Board-Eligible Reproductive Endocrinologist
Previous blogs have detailed mechanisms of thyroid hormone, the thyroid gland and its essential function in allowing us to function both in pregnancy and beyond. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) task force has outlined recommendations for assessing and monitoring levels. Salient recommendations are listed below: Oral thyroid hormone is indicated for women who demonstrate overt [...]
02.23.2012
Growing Sperm from Germ Cells
R. Ian Hardy, M.D., Ph.D. Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Medical Director
Scientists at the Institute of Reproductive Medicine in Munster, Germany recently reported on their ability to grow mouse sperm from germ cells. For men with azoospermia (zero sperm), this technology may, in the future, permit germ cells from a man’s testicle to produce sperm for fertilization. Currently men with no sperm in either the ejaculate [...]
02.16.2012
Natural and Minimal IVF: Caveat Emptor
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Environment friendly business promotions have a receptive audience. Cost consciousness together with ‘green’ polices embracing such terms as ‘small is beautiful’ and ‘less is better’ can be a good thing. However, when these neologisms are applied to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) using terms like, “Natural Cycle IVF” or “Minimal Stimulation IVF” under the guise of [...]
02.09.2012
Spitting: A Bad Habit. The Role of Saliva vs. Serum (Blood) Test for Hormone Evaluation
Brian E. Miller, Ph.D.
Patients undergoing infertility treatment are faced with numerous appointments, various testing, “needle-pricks” by phlebotomists, and injections of fertility medications. Quality centers search for ways to minimize the stress and inconvenience that infertility treatment can impose on patients and search for ways to make treatment more “patient-friendly“ without compromising pregnancy success rates. We believe that making infertility [...]
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 [...]
