A recently published  study has shown that pregnant women who take antidepressants have a 68% increased risk of miscarriage compared with those who do not take the medications. Many women struggling to conceive have depression and take antidepressants so I’m glad that this study has come out and is contributing to both depression and miscarriage research. I don't think you should stop your anti-depressants because of this study. (more…)

Do you find that it's harder and hard to have sex when trying to conceive? Scheduled sex isn't easy for men or women. Here are some tips to help you make it easier: Things you may want to try: Visual aids Toys (more…)

A brand new study published in Pediatrics analyzed more than 2.4 million births in Sweden between 1982 and 2005, including 27,000 IVF babies. They found that 54 IVF children developed cancer versus 38 that that would be expected in other children of the same age. The most common cancers were leukemia and brain cancers. Should you worry about a 42 percent increased risk cancer? While it may seem that the risk is 42% higher in IVF babies, the overall risk is still much less than 1%. This is what you should know: 1. The reasons for the link may include unidentified trains in the parents that may be related to infertility and cancer risks. 2. The increased risk may be related to traits associated with increased cancer risks in found in other studies: prematurity and having breathing problems at birth. 3.  Despite the results, the risk of cancer is still much less than 1%. Read more about the study here: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2004668,00.html

The price tag associated with fertility drugs in this country is quite high. I see jaws dropping when I tell some patients that the medication cost associated with their treatment cycle can run between five to six thousand dollars. Good news for many is hopefully right around the corner. We heard this past Thursday that Watson Pharmaceuticals and Itero Biopharmaceuticals will be working together to develop a generic form of recombinant Follicle Stimulating Hormone. For those of you who are familiar with the different fertility drugs on the market, this would be the same as generic for (more…)

Did you know that half of the nation's adult population takes vitamin supplements regularly, and about a quarter take herbal supplements at least occasionally? In 1994, Congress passed legislation allowing supplement makers to sell products without FDA approval. A vast majority of suppliers of supplement ingredients are now located in China where the FDA neither has the time nor resources to perform inspections. In late May, the NY Times reported that nearly all herbal dietary supplements tested in a Congressional investigation contained amounts of lead and other contaminants. 16 of the 40 supplements tested contained pesticide residues that appeared to exceed legal limits. (more…)

Are you worried that if you take hormone shots or pills to help you conceive that you could be increasing your risk of cancer?  The decision to take fertility drugs does not come easily for every woman.  I want you to know that you’re not alone. I am asked almost daily by my patients about whether fertility treatment causes cancer. This is what you should know: Having children reduces your risk of breast cancer. Studies have shown that pregnancy also reduces your risk of ovarian cancer by 40%. A study of 25,000 women with fertility problems in the Netherlands published in 2008 showed that the women who did IVF (took fertility drugs) did not have an increased risk of breast cancer. In 2000, an Australian study of 29,700 women who had undergone IVF showed that women who took fertility medications were not at increased risk of developing ovarian, breast or uterine cancer. Should this reassure you that you your fertility medications are cancer risk free? You should talk to your doctor about your individual risk for cancer before you  make the decision to move forward with treatment. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Discuss your family history. Your doctor...