If you’re a young woman who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer, you’re not alone – 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime. The diagnosis alone can be overwhelming, so the news that your plans of having a family in the future may be in jeopardy can make it feel even more heart wrenching. But does undergoing treatment for breast cancer mean you will be rendered infertile? In their latest blog post, the fertility experts of IVF FLORIDA’s south Florida fertility clinics discuss which common breast cancer treatments can impact your fertility, and what fertility preservation options are available to you if they will.
Chemotherapy & Infertility
One of the most common breast cancer treatments, chemotherapy carries one of the highest risks of temporary or permanent infertility in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Depending on the doses, chemotherapy drugs, and the woman’s age, chemotherapy can cause a women to go into menopause early. Women who are over 40 when beginning treatment, or who need high doses are more likely to go into menopause as a result of chemotherapy. There are also certain chemotherapy drugs which are known to carry a higher risk of infertility in women. For women who need chemotherapy to treat their breast cancer and hope to have children in the future, it is important to speak with your oncologist and a fertility specialist to go over your options.
Ovarian Shutdown
For some women, temporary or permanent ovarian shutdown can be necessary to treat their hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. This can be done using either medication or surgery. For women who are given medication to cause ovarian shutdown, they may experience temporary infertility which often resolves itself once they stop taking the medication. Other women, however, need to have their ovaries removed entirely, which causes permanent infertility. If you will need to have your ovaries surgically removed and would like to preserve your fertility, speak with your oncologist and contact the fertility specialists of IVF FLORIDA to learn more about preserving your fertility for the future.
Radiation & Hormone Therapy
The good news for women who have breast cancer that can be treated using radiation? The treatment likely won’t have an impact on their future fertility. Studies have shown that the small amounts of radiation that may scatter from the breast will likely have little or no impact on the immature eggs in your ovaries.
However, for women who are undergoing hormone therapy for their breast cancer, it may be more difficult to achieve a pregnancy after treatment. The medications used often cause your periods to become irregular or stop, and may also keep your ovaries from producing more eggs. And while most women who are fertile before undergoing hormone therapy will have their fertility return to normal after stopping treatment, others have reported difficulty achieving a pregnancy afterwards.
Fertility Preservation Options
So what can you do if you want to have children in the future but will need treatment that can cause you to become infertile? Women today are able to undergo fertility preservation treatment to store eggs or embryos for future use. It is important for women to discuss these options with their oncologist and, if medically advisable, schedule an egg retrieval cycle before starting cancer treatment.
For women who are facing a cancer diagnosis, facing possible infertility on top of cancer treatments can be overwhelming – but it is important to plan for your future after beating cancer. If you are facing a cancer diagnosis and are concerned about your ability to have a child in the future, the fertility specialists of IVF FLORIDA are here for you. Contact us today at 866.770.2168 to speak with a member of our team and learn more about the fertility preservation options available to you.
Source: https://www.breastcancer.org/tips/fert_preg_adopt/treatments
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The Fertility Experts of IVF FLORIDA at 4 Oct 2018
It's summer, which means it's time for a much needed vacation! While going out of town is pretty simple for most people, for couples undergoing fertility treatment, it can be incredibly stressful. With a strict medication schedule and the need to keep certain medications refrigerated, navigating how to stay on schedule can be complicated.
To help those traveling while in the middle of a cycle, the team of fertility experts at IVF FLORIDA have compiled three tips to help you navigate the unique hurdles you'll face on your way.
Traveling during a cycle? Contact your care team at IVF FLORIDA at 866.770.2168 to learn more about traveling with your fertility medications.
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The Fertility Experts of IVF FLORIDA at 26 Jul 2018
Summer is in full swing, meaning your days are likely filling up with invitations to pool parties, BBQs, and family reunions. Whether you’re taking a vacation or relaxing near the water, one thing is clear – school is out, and small children abound. While this is often a fun time of year for all, for those coping with infertility, the summer can serve as a painful reminder of their struggle.
If you’re struggling with infertility and trying to figure out how you’ll be able to get through the summer, just remember to give yourself the permission to do whatever feels right in the moment – even if it may upset those around you. The fertility experts of IVF FLORIDA in south Florida offer some helpful tips on how to cope with family fun in the sun when you’re struggling to have a family of your own.
Declining Invites
If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, attending events where you’ll see loved ones with their babies and small children can be incredibly painful. So what are you supposed to do? Decline the invitation. Telling friends and family that you’re just not up for an event that will bring up uncomfortable and painful feelings is perfectly acceptable. If you’re close to the person who invited you, they’ll understand. And if you’re not close to them they probably won’t care. Give yourself permission to say no if it will alleviate some stress in your life.
Practice Self Care
When you’re going through infertility treatments, the stress associated with the testing and injections can often leave you feeling drained. In these cases, those struggling to conceive often forget to do one of the most important things they can for their mental health: practice self-care. Find some activities that you enjoy, like yoga or getting a mani-pedi, that will help you unwind and center yourself. The slower pace of summer is the perfect time to decompress.
IVF FLORIDA patients have found the following activities to be very helpful:
- Take a long bath
- Go for a hike
- Practice meditation
- Get a massage or facial
- Read a good book
- Take a yoga class
Spend Some Quality Time with Your Partner
Summer is an ideal time to plan special activities with your partner. Vacations (or staycations), excursions, music festivals, and beach weekends are great ways to reconnect and take your mind off your infertility struggles. By trying new activities, discovering new places, and participating in the things you both enjoy, you’ll not only grow closer but find that it is a great way to relieve stress.
Be Kind to Yourself
One of the biggest mistakes individuals struggling with infertility make is focusing on how they should feel rather than how they actually feel. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and it’s crucial to recognize your feelings as valid and completely normal. Remember to lean on your support system and connect with those who care about you and your emotional well-being. If you’re having a rough day, call a loved one, meet a friend for some ice cream, or take a walk with someone who’ll just be there with you. Connecting with those who care is one of the best ways to cope with infertility any time of year.
If you’re struggling with infertility and could use more coping tips contact IVF FLORIDA at 866.770.2168 to a make appointment to meet with our compassionate, knowledgeable infertility experts.
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The Fertility Experts of IVF FLORIDA at 10 Jul 2018
The physical impacts of infertility is something that infertile couples are intimately familiar with – hormone injections, frequent blood draws, and reactions to medications, just to name a few. But there is another, less discussed impact of infertility – the psychological impact of infertility on individuals and couples. The physical and emotional hardship of infertility – from invasive procedures to overwhelming feelings of grief – often negatively effects the mental health of one or both members of a couple. Additionally, infertility can also put a strain on the couple’s relationships with friends, family, and even each other.
So what can patients struggling with infertility do to cope with its psychological effects? Here, the fertility experts of IVF FLORIDA discuss some options for patients seeking to look after their mental health while undergoing infertility treatments.
Support Groups
For some couples, the idea of discussing their infertility with family or friends can feel daunting. While these loved ones often want to be supportive during this difficult time, it can be difficult for couples to discuss their fertility issues with them openly due to fears of judgement, pity, and a sense of shame. But couples struggling with infertility need a strong support system in order to cope with the emotional and psychological impacts of this common disease. One way couples and individuals can get the support they need is to join an infertility support group. Organizations like RESOLVE have a vast network of support groups, and many large fertility clinics hold support groups for patients as well.
Relaxation Techniques
Most men and women dealing with infertility also struggle with overwhelming stress due to financial concerns, decision fatigue, and the need to manage complex treatment schedules. To help couples and individuals cope with infertility related stress, the fertility experts of IVF FLORIDA suggest that couples utilize relaxation techniques.
Some relaxation techniques that patients may find helpful include:
- Mindful meditation
- Yoga
- Develop a gratitude practice
- Deep breathing
- Regular exercise
The psychological impact of infertility can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools and support, couples and individuals can come out of their infertility struggle even stronger. To learn more about the resources available to you during your infertility struggle, or to schedule a consultation, contact IVF FLORIDA at 866.770.2168.
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The Fertility Experts of IVF FLORIDA at 15 May 2018
Infertility is not rare – in fact, it impacts 1 in 8 couples. Whether or not you’re aware of it, there’s a good chance you know someone dealing with this serious illness. Learning that having a child and building the family you’ve always dreamed of may be difficult can be devastating – physically, financially, and emotionally. For many of these men and women struggling with infertility, finding support in their community is invaluable.
Unfortunately, infertility is a topic that is rarely talked about, leaving many to suffer in silence. To raise awareness and shift the way others view infertility, we celebrate National Infertility Awareness Month each April. Here, the fertility experts of IVF FLORIDA explain how you can show your support and help raise infertility awareness in your community.
Walk of Hope
Each year, RESOLVE hosts their Walk of Hope, where individuals spend one morning walking one mile to unite one community. Held in several locations across the country, Walk of Hope represents the infertility journey that millions of couples begin each year and gives voice to the various ways in which families are built. The funds raised by the walk help fund local infertility support services and programs for the 7.3 million people affected by infertility while raising public awareness of its impact on families around the country.
Want to participate? Find a Walk of Hope near you, or host one yourself! Come together with friends and family to show that those who walk the infertility journey don’t have to do it alone. #HAVEAHEART and start your DIY Walk of Hope
Spread the Word
Social media has made sharing information easier than ever, making it a great way to get the word out about the disease of infertility. Use your social platforms to help raise awareness, provide facts on reproductive health, share your own infertility story, and spread the word about alternative options for building the family of your dreams.
Learn the Facts
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding infertility – who it impacts, what causes it, and when to seek fertility help. To help battle the misinformation surrounding this illness, learn all you can about infertility and then put that knowledge to use. Talk to those you know about what you’ve learned and encourage those around you to educate themselves about their own reproductive health.
Get Active
In most states, healthcare coverage for fertility care isn’t required, meaning tens of thousands of couples face high costs when they seek infertility help. Learn if your state mandates fertility coverage and how state legislation impacts those struggling with infertility in your community. Then, speak out and make your voice heard - your involvement can make a difference in making sure that people struggling with infertility can access necessary medical treatments and affordable family-building options.
Host an Event
RESOLVE’s Walk of Hope is a wonderful option for many, but if a walk isn’t your thing there are plenty of other events to help raise awareness. All types of NIAW awareness events – from yoga classes to wine tastings to poker tournaments – are happening across the nation from April 22-28. Contact the fertility experts of IVF FLORIDA in south Florida at 866.770.2168 for information on what’s happening locally or to learn how to host your own event.
This month, show the world you #HAVEAHEART and join us at IVF FLORIDA in being part of the national movement to raise awareness for infertility.
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The Fertility Experts of IVF FLORIDA at 10 Apr 2018