This year National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW for short) will be the week of April 23-29, 2017. The NIAW movement was founded in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, whose mission is to unite all people struggling to build a family, the professionals, corporate partners, and the media to:
- Enhance public understanding that infertility needs and deserves attention,
- Ensure that people trying to build a family know the guidelines for seeing a specialist,
- Educate lawmakers about how infertility impacts people in their state.
There is a huge need for infertility awareness in our community. RESOLVE offers some ideas on how you can be part of the movement and raise awareness in your community:
Rummage for RESOLVE. Free your mind and your home of clutter and raise money for RESOLVE. We’ve provided an easy checklist to help you have a successful rummage sale and fundraiser. Learn more HERE
Books help. Ask your library to set up a display of infertility/adoption-related books and provide them with signs about National Infertility Awareness Week.
Host a movie screening. RESOLVE has partnered with the documentary, VEGAS BABY and Tugg.com to bring screenings to your community. This powerful film follows aspiring parents through the gamble of fertility treatments and the emotional, physical and financial costs they face.
Food and fun. Host a Dinner Party, Happy Hour, or Benefit Night at a local restaurant: Invite those who have helped you during your infertility journey and others in your community to join together to raise awareness for the disease of infertility. You can even set up a collection for RESOLVE donations in their name or ask them to help you support your favorite infertility charity.
Get Fit. Ask your yoga instructor or personal trainer for a donated class. Invite your friends to a special yoga/aerobics/step class donated by a trainer. Their admission fee of $20 becomes a donation, and the trainer gets the chance to build their client base. It’s a win-win for all.
Finally, always remember that at IVF FLORIDA we are here for you. Reach out to your physician or team to learn more about ways to get involved.
By
Dr. Carolina Sueldo at 21 Apr 2017
National Infertility Awareness Week starts April 23rd and throughout the week you will see us promoting infertility awareness through social media and at our South Florida fertility clinics. The goal of NIAW is to bring awareness to a disease that affects over 7 million women worldwide. The CDC tells us that 15% of couples in America. NIAW is an excellent opportunity for anyone involved with infertility to communicate a message of hope and understanding.
Be part of a movement that wants to remove barriers that stand in the way of building families during National Infertility Awareness Week®.
Download the facts HERE.
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IVF FLORIDA at 10 Apr 2017
The month of March marks National Endometriosis Awareness Month and provides a great opportunity to raise awareness about a disorder that affects 1 out of 10 women during their reproductive years (ages 15 to 49) and an estimated 176 million women worldwide. In the United States alone, over 5 million women suffer from endometriosis and is the most common amongst women in their 30s and 40s. Here we take a closer look at this chronic disorder and one of the biggest contributors to infertility today.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a disorder in which the endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus, grows outside of the uterus. When a woman suffers from endometriosis, it is most commonly found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments that support the uterus, the area between the vagina and the rectum, the outer surface of the uterus, and the lining of the pelvic cavity. Other less common sites for endometrial growth include the bladder, bowel, vagina, cervix, vulva, in abdominal scars.
Common Symptoms of Endometriosis Include:
- Pain before, during, or after menstrual periods
- Painful bowel movements and urination during periods
- Pain during or after sex
- Lower back, abdominal, or pelvic pain
- Infertility
- Fatigue
- Frequent yeast infections
- Gastrointestinal upsets, i.e. diarrhea, constipation, nausea
Causes, Diagnosis, & Treatment
While there is no known cause for endometriosis, there are several factors that may be associated with the disorder such as genetics, starting menstruation at a young age, and exposure to environmental toxins like the chemical dioxin (TCCD). Another theory believed to cause endometriosis is retrograde menstruation in which during menstruation, the menstrual tissue backs up through the fallopian, implants in the uterus, and grows.
Some women with endometriosis experience frequent and severe pain, an obvious indication that there is a problem. On the other hand, some women have little to no symptoms and learn they have the disorder while trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant. Endometriosis is one of the top three conditions associated with female infertility and about 30 to 40 percent of women with the condition cannot get pregnant on their own.
Diagnosis is typically considered uncertain until proven by a laparoscopy, a minor surgical procedure done under anesthesia that shows the size and location of the endometriosis. It is one of the most common treatments to remove endometrial tissue, especially for women trying to conceive. During this procedure, a surgeon will insert a camera through a small incision near the navel. Should any endometriosis be present, the surgeon will attempt to remove all endometrial tissue through another small incision. If the laparoscopy proves to be ineffective, further treatment options may need to be considered such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
Daniel R. Christie, M.D., is author of this blog and subspecialty certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is based out of the IVF Miami office and highly skilled in the areas of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). To schedule a consultation with Dr. Christie, please request an appointment at one of our IVF Florida locations.
Resources: www.endometriosis.org, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/home/ovc-20236421, http://www.endometriosisassn.org/endo.html
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Dr. Daniel Christie IVF FLORIDA at 27 Mar 2017
Aw, sweet, romantic February, a month where we take time to celebrate matters of the heart with roses, candlelight and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. So it should come as no surprise that the American Heart Association chose February for matters of the heart, too – albeit literal cardiac matters – designating February "American Heart Month."
And remembering to focus on your own heart health during your fertility journey – and not just February – is also just as important.
With heart disease as the leading cause of death for American men and women, it’s critical to take charge of your health and adopt new, heart-healthy practices that can not only help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, but can also help to ready your body to sustain a healthy pregnancy and family.
So as you focus on your fertility, you should also (re-) commit yourself to a heart-healthy lifestyle and to making the small changes that will help lay the foundation for a lifetime of health. Here are few ways to achieve heart-focused preconception health:
- Diet: Nutrition is vital to your health, and the healthier you are, the healthier your pregnancy could be. Be sure to include lean proteins, low glycemic index carbohydrates, and healthy fats. You can also include some prenatal supplements – with the guidance of your health care provider – to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.
- Sleep: Adequate amounts of rest revitalize us and help maintain the natural rhythm of menstrual cycles and hormone levels. Moreover, studies have linked poor sleep quality to an increased risk of high blood pressure, a potential cause of heart disease.
- Exercise: Start – or continue – exercising. With the help and guidance of your health care provider, determine if you want to lose or gain weight, build muscle, or improve lung capacity. Yoga is an excellent choice as it’s a calming, centering exercise, and because it incorporates posture, breathing and concentration, it can also prove beneficial during labor.
When we’re trying to conceive, we narrow our focus and train all of our attention on our fertility and any subsequent issues. Our minds become highly attuned as we try to make the best possible decisions for ourselves and the life we so long to conceive.
So this month, make the commitment to nurture yourself from the inside out by taking small, actionable heart-healthy steps that will yield big results one day soon!
By
IVF FLORIDA at 21 Feb 2017
If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to conceive this year, IVF FLORIDA’s Dr. Barrionuevo can help! Below he shares a list of superfoods that could boost your fertility.
While we all know that diet and exercise help keep our bodies healthy, and healthy bodies are essential for achieving pregnancy, did you know that there are some foods that could help boost your fertility? Add some (or all) of these to your diet this year to potentially improve your changes:
- Flax seeds contain Omega 3 and 6, which help balance hormones. Add this to a fruit smoothie, or your morning bowl of cereal or oatmeal.
- Dark leafy greens contain folic acid, which can prevent birth defects and help keep eggs and sperm healthy. Add these to your salads or sandwiches.
- Carrots have beta-carotene, which studies suggest could increase sperm motility.
- Iron-rich foods. Women lose their iron reserves every month during menstruation, but iron is vital for ovulation and keeping eggs healthy. Try adding pumpkin seeds or oysters to your diet for an iron boost.
- Vitamin C not only helps you absorb iron, it can regulate the menstrual cycle for women and increase sperm count for men. Add kiwi and bell peppers to your diet if you don’t want to take a supplement.
On the other hand, there are some foods that you should consider omitting from your diet for optimal fertility.
- Trans fats can raise your LDL cholesterol and lower your HDL cholesterol, which could affect ovulation.
- Caffeine is a debated topic when it comes to its affects on fertility. Some believe that a lot of caffeine can interfere with implantation in the uterus, so it is best to limit your caffeinated beverage intake if possible, just to be on the safe side.
If you have adopted a healthy diet and still have trouble getting pregnant after six months of trying, please schedule a fertility consultation at IVF FLORIDA in Coral Gables, Pembroke Pines, Margate, Boca Raton, Wellington, Jupiter or Port St. Lucie.
Sources: http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/082708_fert.pdf and http://www.nutritionsecrets.com/fertility-boosting-superfoods/
By
Dr. Barrionuevo IVF FLORIDA at 2 Feb 2017