Trying to conceive? South Florida’s reproductive specialist, Dr. David Hoffman, answers some common questions on how to best navigate the season of sniffles.
Q: Is it a good idea to get the flu vaccine while undergoing fertility treatment?
A: It is important for all individuals to get the flu vaccine as the benefit of the vaccine in reducing the risk of getting the flu far outweighs the risk of the vaccine. This is especially important to couples that are undergoing fertility treatment as getting the flu during treatment might result in cancellation of the cycle, adversely affect the sperm and/or delay embryo transfer.
Q:What are the different types of flu vaccines available? Is there one that is a better choice for those trying to conceive?
A: There are 2 types of vaccines that are available. The first is injectable and utilizes killed virus from strains that are expected to be the predominant strain for that year. This enables you immune system to make antibodies against the virus to reduce your likelihood of getting the flu. The injection is given either in the muscle which is the preferred route or under the skin - subcutaneous. This vaccine is also recommended for pregnant women as well. The other vaccine is given in the nose by a spray (intranasal). This vaccine utilizes attenuated live virus (actual flu virus that is grown in culture to significantly reduce the risk of infection) and also enables your immune system to make antibodies against the virus to reduce your likelihood of getting the flu. This vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women, but is given to young children. The injectable vaccine usually causes soreness at the site of injection and will not give you the flu. It is important when getting the injectable vaccine to answer several questions to reduce allergic reactions or see if you would be better to receive the intranasal preparation. Some individuals that receive the intranasal get mild flu-like symptoms that can be treated with Tylenol and rest.
Q: For those undergoing IVF who do come down with the flu, what are the possible complications?
A: Getting the flu can be very serious with lost days from work, possible hospitalization and a very small percentage of individuals can get Guillain-Barré syndrome which can result in paralysis (source: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/gbs/detail_gbs.htm). The flu virus still results in many deaths worldwide. If you contract the flu, you can be treated with antiviral medications provided it is within the first 48 hours. These medications reduce the duration and severity of the illness. Speak with your healthcare provider.
Q:Is it necessary to get the vaccine if you got it last year?
A: Even if you have received the vaccine the previous year it is important to get the vaccine every year as immunity does not last longer that the flu season (approximately 9 months) and the strains vary from year to year. Now is the time to take action and get the vaccine. We, as healthcare providers get the vaccine every year and encourage all of our staff and patients to do so as well.
For more information on the flu vaccine and fertility or to schedule an appointment with one of the fertility experts at IVF FLORIDA call 866.770.2168 or click here.
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Dr. David Hoffman at 13 Oct 2016
So you definitely want to be a mother someday, but you are in your 30’s and you are not ready to have a baby now. You are concerned about your fertility potential and you may have friends or relatives who are dealing with infertility and others who are considering oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing). How do you decide if this is the right choice for you?
You are not alone. Generation X and Millennials are delaying child bearing to a greater extent than any generation in American history for a variety of reasons. While this decision is ideal for many aspects of their lives, it can make having a baby later more challenging because fertility potential in women declines with age. This is because women are born with all the eggs they will have and they lose a few thousand eggs each month up until menopause. Furthermore, the good eggs with the right genetic makeup are expended first and the chance of becoming pregnant decreases over time for all women as a result of the decline in egg quantity and quality.
Science has not figured out a way to arrest or slow down this process but it is possible to collect eggs from a woman with good fertility potential and save them for use at a time when she might have less potential to conceive. Egg freezing is a relatively new technology but it seems to be safe and effective particularly for younger women with a good number of eggs remaining.
Who are the best candidates for egg freezing?
- Women under the age of 35 in good general health
What are the advantages?
- It may allow women who otherwise may not have an opportunity to have a baby to conceive at an age of their choosing
- Peace of mind
What is the downside?
- Limited amount of information about long term success rates and safety
- Less successful than overall IVF
- Experience and success rates vary significantly among clinics due to complexity of process
IVF FLORIDA has been an industry leader in oocyte cryopreservation and has had a successful program for six years – a long time for a new technology. We would be delighted to meet you and review your situation and the opportunities that our fertility preservation program offers.
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Dr. Steven Ory at 19 Aug 2016
You never know where life is going to take you, or perhaps the road you’re currently traveling doesn’t include the immediate desire to start a family, at least not quite yet. Whatever the reason, more and more women are choosing to stop the biological clock and are opting for elective fertility preservation – a process that freezes eggs in order to have children later in life.
As women age, the quantity and quality of eggs decline each year – dramatically declining after the age of 35 and leaving only a 5% chance of conceiving by the age of 40. With egg freezing, a woman can serve as her own egg donor when she is ready to conceive later in life.
Reasons for Fertility Preservation:
- Medical reasons, including cancer treatment *According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology in the Journal of Oncology Practice, “Oncologists should address the possibility of infertility with patients treated during their reproductive years. Fertility preservation is often possible, but to serve the full range of options, fertility preservation approaches should be considered as early as possible during (cancer) treatment planning.”
- The desire to start a family later in life
- Personal reasons that delay child bearing
- To avoid freezing surplus embryos after an IVF cycle
At IVF FLORIDA, fertility preservation has never been easier with our Egg Freezing Fertility Preservation package. The first step of the process starts with a physician consultation that includes an in-depth discussion of the patient’s needs and expectations, as well as a detailed description of the procedure. Once the patient decides to move forward, blood tests and a pelvic ultrasound are performed to assess the number of eggs in the ovaries. The next step is ovarian stimulation - a two-week process that involves fertility hormone injections (gonadotropins) in order to produce more mature eggs than a typical cycle. The physician will then determine the exact time to retrieve the eggs which soon after will be frozen and stored. When a woman decides to attempt a pregnancy, the eggs are thawed, fertilized, and transferred into the uterus.
For more information on elective fertility preservation at IVF FLORIDA, please give us a call today!
Resources: http://jop.ascopubs.org/content/2/3/143.full, http://uscfertility.org/egg-freezing/, http://ivf.org/fertility-preservation/elective-fertility-preservation/
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IVF FLORIDA at 14 Jul 2016
June is Men’s Health Month and is celebrated across the country to bring awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men. This month gives us a great opportunity to spotlight a condition that affects millions of men around the world and one of the toughest challenges a man can face - male infertility.
In about 20% of infertile couples, the man is the sole cause of the inability to conceive, and in another 30%-40%, he is the contributing factor. This is why it is crucial for men to get tested for fertility as well as women. By discovering male fertility issues early, the better the chances of nixing the problem sooner and achieving a successful pregnancy with their partner.
Most often, male infertility can be attributed to issues with making or moving the sperm. However, even everyday activities can cause problems. See below…
Causes for low sperm count or abnormal sperm:
- Varicocele – an abnormal collection of bulging veins above the testicle (Good news! This condition accounts for 38% of male infertility cases and is the most correctable issue.)
- Undescended testicle
- Infections in the testicle, the prostate, or elsewhere in the body
- Chemotherapy or cancer
- Medicines such as anabolic steroids or anti-seizure medicines
- Genetic abnormalities
- Hormone problems
Causes for sperm mobility issues:
- Retrograde ejaculation – semen ejaculates backwards into the bladder instead of out the penis
- Absence of the vas deferens (the main sperm pipeline)
- Obstruction anywhere in between the testicles and the penis
- Anti-sperm antibodies that attack a man’s own sperm on their way to the egg
Daily activities that can affect the viability of sperm:
- Drinking more than 2 drinks per day
- Tobacco or marijuana use
- Hot baths and whirlpools
- Stress
- Taking testosterone or any over-the-counter androgen like DHEA
While this information can be hard to swallow for men suffering from infertility, there is good news. Most of these conditions can be reversed, HOWEVER, it is critical to have an evaluation by a physician and a treatment plan in place to achieve a successful pregnancy with your partner. For information on male fertility testing at our South Florida clinics or to schedule a consultation, please give us a call today!
Resources: http://www.menshealthmonth.org/, http://www.webmd.com/men/features/male-infertility-treatments?page=1, http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/male-fertility-tests
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IVF FLORIDA at 16 Jun 2016
Since 1949, the month of May has been observed as Mental Health Awareness Month and an opportunity to educate millions of people about mental health through the media, local events, and screenings. As part of the “big picture” when dealing with fertility issues and treatments, mental health is just as important as your physical health. So as we head into summer, check out these ten tips that can help boost your mental well-being.
- Start your day with a cup of coffee. Studies show that coffee consumption is linked to lower rates of depression, but remember to stick to just one cup. If coffee isn’t your morning drink of choice, try a cup of tea instead. Even the non-caffeinated stuff can do the trick.
- Plan a vacation. Did you know that when you have something to look forward to, it can boost your overall happiness for up to 8 weeks? Go ahead, and book that vacation you’ve been daydreaming about!
- Get creative. Experiment with a bunch of new recipes, start a DIY project at home, paint or even just color in a coloring book. When your creative juices are flowing, your mind is focused and you tend to be in an overall happier place.
- Laugh a little. Laughter is a great way to ease anxiety, so hang with a friend that makes you laugh, see a funny move, read a silly book, or watch funny videos online. We all have our own quirky sense of humor, so do whatever makes you smile.
- Dance! Hit your favorite dance club or simply dance around the house while you do your housework. Dancing reduces levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases endorphins (the body’s feel-good chemicals).
- Take a bath. Give yourself the gift of a relaxing, warm bath at least once a week. Add some Epsom salt to soothe aches and pains which in turn will boost magnesium levels and help with depression.
- Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into your diet. Among their many benefits, omega-3’s have been linked to decreased rates of depression. Fish oil supplements work, but you can also try adding foods like wild salmon, flax seeds, or walnuts into your diet.
- Practice forgiveness. Put the road rage aside and forgive the guy who totally cut you off. Studies show that people who forgive have better mental health and are more satisfied with their lives.
- Go outside for a walk. Whether it’s a stroll through the neighborhood or a walk in the park, research shows that being outside can increase energy levels, reduce depression, and boost your well-being.
- Smile! When you’re down, the hardest thing to do is smile. We totally get it. But keep this in mind, smiling can help lower your heart rate, calm you down, and help you have that all important positive mindset.
If you would like more information about IVF FLORIDA fertility centers, please give us a call for more information or to schedule a free consultation.
Resource: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/31-tips-boost-your-mental-health
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IVF FLORIDA at 31 May 2016