Infertility affects both men and women. When a couple wanting to be parents is battling with infertility, being united is a must in order to remain strong and overcome this trying time. Here are some potential causes of infertility in women and appropriate treatments at our IVF clinic in The Woodlands and Kingwood that may help.
Causes of Infertility in Women
Women may be infertile due to a number of reasons, such as an unhealthy diet, and medical conditions.
Unhealthy Diet
A diet that lacks in folic acid, iron, and vitamin B-12 and is heavy in artificial ingredients may affect a woman’s fertility because it doesn’t have enough of the nutrients necessary for her to sustain a pregnancy. If she is vegan, for example, then she should speak with her primary healthcare physician about possible supplements. On the other hand, if her diet leads to an eating disorder, this may also cause long-term problems with her fertility.
Medical Conditions That May Cause Infertility in Women
Medical conditions, such as ovulation disorders or problems with the uterus and/or fallopian tubes also cause women to be infertile.
Ovulation Disorders
Ovulation disorders are the most common cause of infertility and may occur due to premature ovarian failure, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Hyperprolactinemia, and chemotherapy, among others. Many of the patients we see at our North Houston fertility clinic in Kingwood and The Woodlands have one of these disorders, and approximately 1 in 10 women are affected by PCOS.
Problems With the Uterus/Fallopian Tubes
Problems with the uterus or fallopian tubes may be caused by past pelvic surgeries, endometriosis, or by submucosal fibroids, which are non-cancerous tumors that are found in the muscular wall of the uterus.
Treatments for Female Infertility at our North Houston Fertility Clinic
At HART Fertility in The Woodlands and Kingwood, we offer IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) and other fertility treatments that help couples conceive and give birth to a healthy baby. If you would like to find out if North Houston IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies are right for you, then please request an appointment with our fertility doctors at our Kingwood fertility clinic or our fertility clinic in The Woodlands.
It’s no secret that a well-balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle keep us healthy, but did you know that an adjustment in your lifestyle can help you improve your fertility and increase your chances of you and your partner getting pregnant and giving birth to a healthy baby? In this article, we will discuss the fertility-boosting lifestyle that improves both male and female infertility.
How Women Can Boost Their Fertility as They Undergo Treatment in Our Fertility Clinic in Kingwood and The Woodlands
Women trying to boost their fertility should increase the amount of whole grains they consume. They should also increase their Omega-3’s by eating foods such as flaxseed, nuts, and fish. At the same time, our fertility specialists recommend they eat less red meat and trans fats, which are found in margarine, junk food, packaged baked goods, and frying oils. In addition to adjusting their diet, we also highly encourage taking a multivitamin containing folic acid and continuing with the vitamin when they’re pregnant. Folic acid may encourage pregnancy and also prevent birth defects. To ensure birth defects aren’t present, we also conduct Preimplantation Genetic Testing.
How Men Should Adjust Their Diet in Order to Improve Fertility
In some cases, a couple is facing male infertility. In other cases, both partners are infertile. For men who want to improve their fertility, it’s best to prioritize seafood, poultry, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in their diet, as these foods help improve the health of their sperm.
As with fertile couples, we recommend reducing or cutting fast foods from the diet, as this, in addition to the other health concerns caused by excessive fast food consumption, makes pregnancy take longer to achieve.
Regular Exercise Benefits Both Men and Women Undergoing Fertility Treatment
If you seek fertility treatment at our clinics in The Woodlands or Kingwood, such as IUI or IVF, it’s a good idea to make exercise part of your daily routine. Regularly working out improves your overall health, including your fertility. For obese men and/or women, moderate to intense physical activity is a great way to lose weight. A healthy weight leads to improved fertility.
Our Fertility Specialists at HART Fertility in Kingwood and The Woodlands Will Support You In Your Fertility Journey
While you can follow our advice and guidelines for improved fertility, we know that our unwavering support is what will make the greatest impact on your IVF journey. If you have struggled to get pregnant in over a year and need some guidance, then please request an appointment with our fertility experts. We will learn more about the root cause(s), recommend appropriate treatment, whether it be North Houston IVF, donor egg or donor sperm, or IUI, and offer further advice and guidance on how to best achieve your dreams of parenthood.
Fertility is a very unique area of medicine, and with this concept comes a lot of questions. We’ve written an article that answers some FAQ’s about North Houston IVF, which you can read here. This time, we are answering a few more FAQ’s that may come to mind if you are interested in learning more about North Houston IVF from our Kingwood and The Woodlands fertility clinics.
Do IVF Injections Hurt a Lot?
We understand that the idea of giving yourself an IVF hormone injection every single day may be rather daunting, but they are a necessary component of North Houston IVF treatment. That said, the injections we utilize are designed to minimize discomfort and maximize ease of use. If we recommend HART IVF to you, our team of fertility specialists will provide you with instructions that are easy to follow as you begin the injection process, and we’ll also provide support that lifts you up and encourages you the entire time.
Don’t Fertility Hormones Cause Cancer and Other Illnesses?
A long time ago, it was suspected that there was a link between fertility hormone medication and ovarian cancer, which has lead to many of our Kingwood IVF and The Woodlands IVF patients to be a bit wary about fertility treatments. However, after much research has been done, it has been found that there is no link between fertility hormone medication and ovarian cancer.
Is There Any Pain or Discomfort During Egg Retrieval?
There is no pain during egg retrieval since we use an anesthetic. This is a very minor procedure in which we use an ultrasound probe with a needle attached to it. The needle goes through to the ovaries and punctures each egg follicle, allowing us to remove the eggs. Because of the anesthesia, you feel absolutely nothing. However, once the procedure is over, you may feel a little cramping, but that can be treated with medication.
Visit Our North Houston IVF Specialists in The Woodlands and Kingwood
When determining which fertility treatment is best, your doctor will start by getting some tests done. If IVF is then recommended to you, please request an appointment with our North Houston fertility specialists so we can further discuss any concerns and questions you may have about IVF treatment. We look forward to supporting and joining you in your fertility journey.
The quality of an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) laboratory is crucial for a successful outcome when you are undergoing fertility treatment. One of the indicators for quality is the embryo quality determined by genetic testing. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT, formerly known as PGS) which identifies which embryos have a total of 46 normal chromosomes, known as embryo euploidy, has become one of the standard techniques. PGT helps us determine which embryo has the best potential to achieve implantation and pregnancy.
Most of HART’s IVF patients choose to have this genetic testing for their embryos, which we do in conjunction with one of the largest genetic testing (PGT) laboratories in the world. The HART Fertility Clinic is proud to announce that our genetically normal embryo rates, for all age groups, exceeded the national average for all US IVF centers who utilize the same PGT laboratory in the first quarter of 2020.
Clinical investigations show that IVF laboratory conditions may affect the genetic makeup of the embryos. Therefore, better IVF culture conditions lead to better outcomes. Better culture conditions are essential for all patients to be able to get the most out of their eggs but are crucial for women with low ovarian reserve.
HART’s high genetically normal embryo (Euploidy) rates further enhance our patients’ chances to achieve their dreams of having a baby. Please contact us to learn more.
*Egg Donor
**National average for all IVF centers that utilize the same PGT laboratory in the US
Today, using a sperm donor to conceive and give birth to a healthy baby is a very popular option for same-sex couples, single women, and couples who are having a hard time getting pregnant because they are facing male infertility. Although there is some hesitation around using donated sperm as part of your Houston fertility treatment, here is how you can ensure the sperm donor you pick is right for you and your partner.
Use an FDA-Approved Sperm Bank
Our fertility and IVF specialists in Kingwood and The Woodlands will point you to an FDA-approved sperm bank. There are many sperm banks out there, but not all of them are FDA-approved, which is crucial because this ensures all the necessary legalities are in place and that the sperm is also properly stored and retrieved.
Use a Matching Tool
A lot of FDA-approved sperm banks offer a matching tool that allows couples to learn about each donor’s age, race/ethnicity, health, and even career, as well as other details. This tool helps couples choose a donor that has features similar to those of the intended father.
Your Donor’s Personality Also Matters
Most FDA-certified sperm banks will take the time to get to know each donor so that you can also factor in their personality. This may include information on temperament, sense of humor, likes and dislikes, and life experiences that made them the way they are today. By factoring in the donor’s personality, you can ensure you pick someone that meets your needs and what you wish your child to be like as a person. Often times, you may find traits the intended father also has. If you already know what traits you wish for your future child to have, this will make your search a bit more specific, which will aid in the entire process of finding a fantastic sperm donor.
Our North Houston Fertility Doctors in Kingwood and The Woodlands Will Guide and Support You in Your Fertility Journey
Your fertility journey is deeply personal, but that doesn’t mean you should go it alone or just with your partner. At HART Fertility Clinic, we not only want to educate you, but we also want to support you the entire time and help make this a positive experience for you. If you are considering using a sperm donor prior to Houston IVF or IUI, please request an appointment so we can learn more about you and your needs.
