Are men using over-the counter therapies to treat their infertility?

Most definitely!

Two reports show widespread use of alternative therapies for male factor infertility. The most commonly used self-administered supplements were antioxidants, with 92/147 (63%) using vitamin C or E, selenium, or zinc. Further, many men (11%) surveyed reported admitted using herbal preparations. Schoer (2002) reported a similar percentage of men taking herbs. The two most common herbal preparations being used were compounds containing ginseng or DHEA (dehydroepiandosterone). The Schoer study emphasized that, while the men took these preparations, over 80% had known medical causes of their infertility, such as varicocele, ejaculatory duct obstruction, or excessive marijuana use and, therefore, the herbal preparations would be unlikely to increase the pregnancy rate for these men.

Assisted reproductive technologies have given couples realistic options, and often solutions, when they face infertility. But, with these options sometimes come tough choices from unwanted or unanticipated outcomes. One such example is the issue of multiple gestations such as twins, triplets, quadruplets, or more.

Calling Dr. Google! Who hasn’t summoned the ‘good doctor’ to their home (computer) over a sickness, symptom or suggestion?  The internet and the information highway have changed the practice of medicine forever. And both patients and physicians are trying to adjust to this new technology. The internet has given patients an amazing amount of information but unfortunately in an unorganized, unobjective way without the built in ‘controls’  that evaluate the information dispensed.  Instead, patients gather information from the internet and then ask their physician to interpret the results.  Problem is that the results that they have collected may be inaccurate at worst, and at best, have absolutely nothing to do with their individual circumstances. 

Just like the Birds and the Bees, most people will have no problems conceiving once they decide to do so. However, about 15% of the couples trying to conceive will not get pregnant, at least not within their time frame. The temptation is to seek medical help will increase their chances of achieving a pregnancy. However, before embarking on this sometimes arduous journey, it might be a good idea to make sure that all non-medically necessary efforts have been made to enhance the chance of conception.

For some time, Reproductive endocrinologists have believed that Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) has psychological consequences on its sufferers.  This general opinion was affirmed in the most recent edition of Human Reproduction (2011: 26: 1399). Deeks et al reported on a study involving 177 women with the diagnosis of PCOS. The authors tested the participants with a number of psychological tests designed to diagnose anxiety and/or depression. Women with PCOS were more likely to have problems with self-worth and body image. Women with PCOS also had higher levels of anxiety and depression. The problems with depression and anxiety occurred independent from weight and seemed to be related to the PCOS itself.

So much can be, and is, said about the best means to conceive a child in the shortest duration possible.

There is little doubt that when looking at ‘The Women most likely to…”, age plays a significant factor.

While earlier studies seem to point to women maintaining optimal fertility through the age of 35, 40 and beyond; recent evidence has demonstrated that a woman’s fertility peaks at @ 28 years of age and then begins a steady decline, with significant acceleration after the age of 35.

The story on RMI patient Sara Connell that ran in The Chicago Tribune and on The Oprah Winfrey Show highlights an interesting case of Gestational Surrogacy as a treatment for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, as suffered by the patient described.  And while the family and age related details of this case drew the attention of the media, it is the diagnosis and means of addressing this in order to ‘deliver’ a healthy pregnancy and baby, that is foremost to us at Reproductive Medicine Institute.

Hormones and hormonal therapy for women are frequently discussed by the media yet there is a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding on the subject among the general public. Based on my knowledge of female physiology, steroid hormone biochemisty, and more than 40 years experience in the management of hormone deficient states, I am hoping to shed additional light on this important issue for patients and physicians.