Tag Archives: Fertility
05.10.2012
Exercise During Pregnancy: How Little is Too Little And How Much is Too Much?
Danielle Vitiello, Ph.D., M.D. Board-Eligible Reproductive Endocrinologist
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released guidelines on physical activity for pregnant women. They advise that healthy, pregnant women may perform moderately intense exercise for at least 150 minutes weekly. Women who exercise vigorously are encouraged to continue doing so as long as they remain in good health. Non-exercising women may [...]
05.03.2012
Acupuncture and Infertility
R. Ian Hardy, M.D., Ph.D. Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Medical Director
In 2002, a fertility center in Germany published “Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproductive therapy” (Fertil Steril 77(4):721-4). In this small study of 80 patients, those receiving acupuncture had a higher IVF pregnancy rate (42.5%) than those without acupuncture (26.3%). Since this publication, numerous studies have been published [...]
04.12.2012
Can Vitamin D Now Protect the Health of My Baby in the Future?
Danielle Vitiello, Ph.D., M.D. Board-Eligible Reproductive Endocrinologist
Much attention has been garnered in the exploration of the role of Vitamin D and its metabolites in both health and fertility. Women preparing for pregnancy religious monitor their health and food intake and commit themselves to daily regimens of vitamins, inclusive of prenatal vitamins. Two of the major components are folic acid and calcium. [...]
03.15.2012
Weight Management for Health and Fertility
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Weight management is important when trying to become pregnant. The best chance of success occurs in women of ideal body weight, which is a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 20-28.BMI is a function of height and weight which for example for a woman 5 feet 5 inches tall would be a weight between 120 to 165 pounds. Calorie consumption and expenditure is critical for [...]
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 [...]
02.03.2012
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 [...]
01.12.2012
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 [...]
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 [...]
11.25.2011
Uterine Fibroids and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Uterine fibroids are associated with miscarriages and may be a cause of recurrent pregnancy loss. A recent study from the United Kingdom (Human Reproduction 26:3274;2011) found that the intrauterine cavity was distorted by fibroids in 8.2% of women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss. They also found that surgical removal of these intrauterine fibroids increased the [...]
