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category archive listing Category Archives: Infertility

HEAVY METALS AND FERTILITY

Posted by Leslie Carol Botha

Informaworld
Author: Ingrid Gerhard Bondo Monga Andreas Waldbrenner Benno Runnebaum
DOI: 10.1080/009841098158638
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, Volume 54, Issue 8 August 1998 , pages 593 – 611

Heavy metals have been identified as factors affecting human fertility. This study was designed to investigate whether the urinary heavy metal excretion is associated with different factors of infertility.

Uterine Fibroids and Fertility: Causes and Risk Factors

Posted by Leslie Carol Botha

Fertili-Talk
by Laura Mercer on February 20, 2010

Have you been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, or do you have any of the symptoms of these benign uterine growths that can affect fertility?

An estimated 3 out of 4 women will have uterine fibroids at some point. Unfortunately, these non-cancerous growths are most likely to occur during childbearing years, which is not a good thing since they can cause infertility.

3 Natural Ways to Address Infertility

Posted by Leslie Carol Botha

Hip Moms Go Green
February 20, 2010

Infertility is a growing problem that unfortunately too many couples experience during their reproductive years. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular unprotected intercourse. Interestingly, couples with absolutely no fertility issues still are only able to successfully conceive during the first year of unprotected intercourse 25% of the time.

Merck Receives European Approval for ELONVA® (corifollitropin alfa injection)

Posted by Leslie Carol Botha

PharmaNews.eu
February 15, 2010

Merck & Co., Inc., which operates outside the U.S. and Canada as MSD, today announced the European Commission (EC) approval of ELONVA® (corifollitropin alfa injection). ELONVA is indicated for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in combination with a GnRH antagonist for the development of multiple follicles in women participating in an assisted reproductive technology (ART) program. With the EC approval, Merck receives marketing authorization for ELONVA with unified labeling valid in all European Union Member States. Schering-Plough Corp. and Merck & Co., Inc. merged on Nov. 3, 2009.

Comment from Leslie – And now Merck is coming out with an injection to stimulate ovulation? I would never take an injection from Merck or anyone else to stimulate ovulation especially if it was their initial injection (vaccine) that caused it to stop.

Documentation of contraception and pregnancy when prescribing potentially teratogenic medications for reproductive-age women

Posted by Leslie Carol Botha

Schwarz EBPostlethwaite DAHung YYArmstrong MA
Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. schwarzeb@upmc.edu
CONCLUSION: Prescriptions for potentially teratogenic medications are frequently filled by women of childbearing age without documentation of contraceptive counseling.

Definition of Teratogen

Posted by Leslie Carol Botha

MedicineNet.com

Teratogen: Any agent that can disturb the development of an embryo or fetus. Teratogens may cause a birth defect in the child. Or a teratogen may halt the pregnancy outright. The classes of teratogens include radiation, maternal infections, chemicals, and drugs.

Drugs known to be capable of acting as teratogens include, but are by no means limited to, ACE inhibitors like benazepril (brand name: Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril sodium (Monopril), lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide (Zestoretic, Prinzide), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace); the acne medication isotretinoin (Accutane, Retin-A); alcohol, whether ingested chronically or in binges; androgens (male hormones); the antibiotics tetracycline…………………………………….

Providing Contraception for Women Taking Potentially Teratogenic Medications:

Posted by Leslie Carol Botha

A Survey of Internal Medicine Physicians’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Barriers.

Teratogen: Any agent that can disturb the development of an embryo or fetus. Teratogens may cause a birth defect in the child. Or a teratogen may halt the pregnancy outright. The classes of teratogens include radiation, maternal infections, chemicals, and drugs.

A Natural Approach to Hormone Regulation

Posted by Leslie Carol Botha

Bioveda

February 2, 2010

- By Liz, Guest Columnist

I WANT ANOTHER BABY! Sound familiar? There is nothing more heartbreaking than wanting a child and not being able to conceive or losing the fetus shortly after conception. I have always wondered if there would be long term effects from taking the birth control pill on my body. We are starting to learn that years of taking the pill deregulates the body and its natural ability to “cycle”. I am struggling to conceive my second child. Could this be because my hormones are not balanced?

Flame retardant may affect fertility: study

Posted by Leslie Carol Botha

Reuters.com

February 3, 2010

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Having difficulty getting pregnant? Perhaps your sofa is to blame. Or your stereo or carpet or any of the things in your house that contain common flame-retardant chemicals known as PBDEs that a new study suggests may be associated with decreased fertility.

PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are hormone-disrupting pollutants that build up in the blood and tissues.

In a study in the latest issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers found that, for each 10-fold increase in PBDE blood concentration, women experience a 30 percent decrease in the odds of getting pregnant each month.

EU Approves First Long-Acting Fertility Treatment

Posted by Leslie Carol Botha

Medscape Today

February 2, 2010 — The European Commission (EC) has approved corifollitropin alfa subcutaneous injection (Elonva, Merck and Company, Inc), the first sustained follicle stimulant.

Corifollitropin is indicated for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in combination with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist for the development of multiple follicles in women participating in an assisted reproductive technology program.

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