Patient Story- Breda
“Not everyone will understand IVF or be able to relate, so it’s important to surround yourself with support. More people than you realize struggle with infertility.”
Today’s patient story is from Breda. After not finding success or feeling comfortable at another fertility clinic, Breda came to us. We are all glad she did! Dr. Miller was able to diagnose her with endometriosis and after surgery and IVF, she was able to get pregnant. Breda is due in January!
Breda writes:
I met my husband later in life and we got married when I was 38. I was and still am wary of the stigma of older mothers, even though being older is accepted. I’ve always wanted a family and we started trying right away, but I had three miscarriages in a year and a half. I was at a different fertility clinic for a year, but didn’t feel comfortable there. My husband’s colleague recommended we see Dr. Miller and what a difference!
We first met online during COVID and Dr. Miller told us, “You’ll be a mother, kiddo.” He was so kind, didn’t rush us, and he explained everything. He learned I was an English teacher and told me a story that put me at ease. He never stopped his storytelling, and I welcomed his personable demeanor after some bad experiences at the previous clinic. Dr. Miller found issues that the previous doctor did not, including endometriosis.
After a biopsy, Dr. Miller found abnormalities in my uterus and I was diagnosed with Level 1 endometriosis. During surgery, he removed five spots on my uterus. I also had the Endometrial Receptivity Assay biopsy to determine the receptivity of the uterus to implantation. Soon after, we had an egg retrieval and two transfers.
Throughout this process, Dr. Miller and his staff explained everything so thoroughly and never seemed irritated or disinterested when I had questions. I also got to know Dr. Miller and the nurses because they talked to me during appointments. I always felt people cared and were invested in our success. I felt so secure going into our procedures and never felt anxiety or stress visiting the office.
Even though our first transfer failed, a second embryo implanted and I will never forget that experience. Dr. Miller, Courtney, and Melody were present for the transfer, and made me feel so comfortable. Dr. Miller even told us a funny story about meeting an actor from Will & Grace. While we waited after the transfer, my husband and I held hands and prayed, and we also talked about how wonderful it would be if it worked. Many times, we dreamed of finishing our nursery and being able to move forward with our plan. The transfer worked, and our baby is due January 8, 3.5 years after we began IVF and what seems like a million doctor appointments.
I was very nervous the first 12 weeks of my pregnancy and braced myself for bad news, but at every ultrasound Courtney reassured me with her positivity. We are so grateful for everyone at the Naperville office.
It took until I was about 20 weeks pregnant for me to relax and realize we’re finally going to be parents! I’ve cried many happy tears for a change! Not everyone will understand IVF or be able to relate, so it’s important to surround yourself with support. More people than you realize struggle with infertility. Meditation and journaling are helpful (as well as long walks with our dog, my first baby). Finally, never stop hoping and praying, even if you’re an older mother!
Patient Story- Molly
“We have been so blessed that I know all the pain and suffering we endured was worth it.”
We’re featuring Molly’s story today! Molly’s story is unique because she was diagnosed with unexplained infertility. This is a tricky diagnosis, because even after testing a cause cannot be determined. When this is the case, there is a lot of trial and error in order to achieve pregnancy. But as Dr. Miller always says: “Trust the process.” That’s just what Molly did and now she has two beautiful sons. Read her story below.
I first became a patient of Dr. Miller’s in 2012 when I had a myomectomy, a surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids. After getting married and trying for several months to get pregnant, a co-worker suggested I see Dr. Miller, but this time as a fertility specialist. At our first appointment, Dr. Miller ordered blood work and a hysterosonogram which is an ultrasound exam that provides images of the inside of the uterus to help diagnose the cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding. However, everything came back fine. I was told I had unexplained fertility. This wasn’t the news I wanted to hear! It would have been easier to have a specific reason for why I could not get pregnant.
I was put on medication for thyroid and prolactin issues. After a month on the medication, it was advised we try an IUI. We failed all three attempts. Dr. Miller said IVF would need to be our next step. Soon after, my retrieval resulted in 26 eggs! My husband and I were so excited, our dream of having a baby was one step closer.
However, we were unable to do a fresh transfer at that time because I was borderline for Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). This occurs when a woman’s ovaries swell and leak fluid into the body. This condition is temporary and occurs in less than 5% of women who receive fertility treatments. Instead, we ended up freezing 8 embryos. About two months later one embryo was successfully transferred. It was a strange feeling, because I was so happy and terrified at the same time.
After graduating from Dr. Miller’s office, my OB/GYN monitored me closely and that little embryo was born at 34 weeks gestation. Again, I was happy and terrified at the same time. Thankfully our little boy was healthy and strong.
After our son turned 18 months, we decided to start the process to have another child. We decided to follow the same protocol as before and do a transfer in three months. Unfortunately, it failed. After meeting with Dr. Miller again, he advised us to do a trial cycle with an Endometrial Biopsy (EMB). An EMB tests whether the uterine lining is preparing itself adequately for implantation of the embryo. If the lining is out of phase, it can prevent implantation from occurring or result in an early miscarriage. Because the results of my EMB were abnormal, I was treated with progesterone. The following month we had another transfer and it was successful! We welcomed our second baby boy this June./p>
Our two little boys are thriving! We are so happy we found Dr. Miller and are so grateful for everyone in the office as well as Dr. Deutch who did our last transfer. Our advice to other couples going through infertility is to know that you are strong, brave and deserve to be parents. Don’t ever give up! We have been so blessed that I know all the pain and suffering we endured was worth it.
Patient Story- Julia
“This is why you keep fighting; so that you can have peace. Whatever outcome will bring you peace, that is what you fight for.”
Julia is a patient that our office has known for quite some time. She recently welcomed her third baby boy and we have enjoyed getting updates and pictures throughout the years. A seasoned IVF veteran, Julia has been through it all and yet she is incredibly candid about her experience. This openness has led her to volunteer to answer calls for the Resolve support line twice a month. While there aren’t many calls, she is so grateful when she gets to speak to someone and give them some hope. We are so grateful that Julia has shared her story.
She writes:
The other day, I took my two older boys to the fire station open house. It was absolutely packed, it seemed like everyone from our town was there. I looked around at all of the children, moms, dads, siblings, grandparents, etc. and had a moment of self-doubt.
“I don’t belong here,” I thought to myself. “This event is for families.”
As if on cue, my middle son reached up to hold my hand, and my older son ran ahead and called out for me. “MOM! This way, follow me!”
I was instantly brought back to reality, my feelings of insecurity disappearing and belonging restored. I am a mom (of three boys!), and I DO belong at family events, school drop-off, parent-tot classes, parks and baby pools, and in the club that is Parenthood.
The lingering grief and pain of infertility can rear its ugly head at the strangest moments, like it did that Saturday morning. I remember the feeling of fear so well; the fear that I would never become a mom. I know all too well how painful the treatments and the unknowns are as I fought long and hard for my boys. However, I also know the peace that comes from a dream achieved. I want to instill hope in anyone who has that fear and pain, who is in the throes of fertility treatment, who is struggling with self-doubt and the unknown.
I have three beautiful and healthy boys. They are almost perfectly spaced apart; 2.5 years. From the outside looking in, we are a very typical family. And in most senses, that is correct – except for how our family was created.
We waited four years for our first son. I worked for one year with my ob-gyn and Clomid. I then had six stimulated rounds with my first fertility specialist and one miscarriage. When I met Dr. Miller, I had two more failed IVF rounds before we chose to use a donor egg. I had a polyp removal surgery. I did three trial cycles to determine the optimal window for an embryo transfer. We lost our first donor due to poor response to stimulation while I was on hormones alongside her. With our second donor, my first transfer was a blighted ovum that ended in two separate D&C surgeries. After extensive blood work, I was diagnosed with MTHFR, a genetic blood-clotting disorder that can affect implantation.
On November 9, 2016, my 13th cycle, I became pregnant with my first son.
Charlie was cycle 13. James was cycle 15. John was cycle 16.
I share the details of my journey not to overwhelm you, but to give you strength. Maybe your journey will be shorter than mine. Maybe it will be longer. It often felt daunting, hopeless at times, and never-ending. I remember the receptionist at Dr. Miller’s office pulled out my file. It looked like several copies of the Yellow Pages stacked on top of each other. During one of my meetings with Dr. Miller, he put his hand on top of that file and said, “Julia. We haven’t been through this much, for you to not get pregnant. I WILL get you pregnant.” I trusted him and pushed forward despite the fear and pain.
This is why you keep fighting; so that you can have peace. Whatever outcome will bring you peace, that is what you fight for. And you will know when that time comes. People ask me how I did it. They want to know how I managed the appointments and driving, the shots and tests, the physical side effects and emotional trauma, the disappointment and the grief.
I tell them the truth; you just do it. You have to keep going so that you can have your peace.
I promise that the grief and fear will fade with time. It might make an appearance here and there after you have achieved your dream, but that is just a little bit of PTSD from the journey. It will fade. You will hold your little miracle, you will walk with your child at the fire station open house, or into that parent-tot gym class, or to the first day of preschool, or story hour at the library and you will belong. You will feel peace.
Believe in Dr. Miller. Believe in his nurses, the ultrasound techs, the phlebotomist, his entire staff. Throw in some prayers, push forward, and wait for your time to come.
Patient Story- Rachael
“Our plan was always to have a baby, but our path certainly wasn’t a straight line.”
Our next patient story is from Rachael. Rachael’s journey to motherhood has not been an easy one. After undergoing several unsuccessful rounds of IVF, Dr. Miller advised Rachel to consider using an egg donor. In her story, Rachel describes the process she and her husband went through to choose an egg donor and what advice they would give to others in her situation. Rachael’s story has a happy ending- she is now pregnant and due with a baby boy in February!
Rachael writes:
To say that our journey was a difficult one is an understatement.
I was 34 years old when we wanted to start our family. After six months of trying on our own, we met with Dr. Miller. Testing and medication followed, and we eventually discovered – after finding out I had a diminished ovarian reserve, as well as confirming that I had a unicornuate uterus – that IVF was a route we needed to take. We diligently went to work ordering medication, setting up appointments, and saying so many prayers. Unfortunately, our first round failed. We just kept thinking, “This is it!” only to find ourselves back at square one.
When I met with Dr. Miller for our follow-up consult, he had another plan to try again. Upon leaving our meeting, he told me, “Stick with me, Rach! Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Knowing this was true, and knowing we had faith in our doctor, we trudged ahead and kept going. What followed were an additional five rounds (some stopped before retrieval), further testing and added medication, laparoscopic surgery, and the need to put on more weight in hopes that it would help my egg quality.
After several additional rounds of IVF and additional embryos from said rounds that didn’t take, our insurance plan was running out of options for us to keep moving forward. Dr. Miller advised us not to do the egg retrieval with my own eggs at that point and suggested turning to an egg donor. We were absolutely heartbroken. We knew that this was a real possibility, but the news was hard to take in. We were at the end of stimulation injections, and my body just wasn’t cooperating (which had happened during another of our previous cycles). Knowing my track record, Dr. Miller was concerned that this round would not work and then we’d really be out of options with my insurance. We converted the round to an IUI, but it didn’t take. A month later we transferred the one frozen embryo we had (insurance would still cover that), but we were left with a negative result.
We were angry, frustrated, and beyond depressed. We knew it was no one’s fault (I had to keep reminding myself that I did nothing wrong), but we couldn’t understand why it was happening. We did absolutely everything we possibly could to have a positive outcome, but were left with nothing but grief. You know everyone means well when they offer their condolences, but there are times when IVF is an incredibly isolating experience.
A few months later, we met with Dr. Miller again to discuss using an egg donor. He answered all our questions and felt optimistic about this new plan. When we were ready, we contacted an agency to get information. Later that fall, we chose our egg donor and started to feel more optimistic ourselves. Our donor went through the testing process and started some medication. We had psychological evaluations to make sure that everyone was in the right state of mind to go through this process, and we met with a lawyer to go through the contingencies of everything.
Our donor finally had her egg retrieval in February; we received 48 eggs (which was incredible!), and out of the 48, we had 17 embryos to freeze. We couldn’t quite sync up cycles, so we worked toward an April transfer, but then that got canceled due to me catching COVID-19. We were finally able to complete our transfer in May, and at the end of the month we received our first positive pregnancy test! I’m due in early February with a boy and am currently 18 weeks along (for a frame of reference, I am now 39 years old).
Moving forward, we have 16 embryos at our disposal. Besides some days where I didn’t feel great in the first trimester, my energy has bounced back in the second trimester and I feel pretty good! We’re really looking forward to the future and still cannot believe that we’re on the other side after years of wondering “what if?”
It was a long, difficult four-and-a-half years to get to this point. There were so many tears, early morning appointments, and hours upon hours of frustrating phone calls with insurance and pharmaceutical companies. There were so many pregnancy announcements by friends and family. There were so many times when we felt raw, numb, and alone. But on the other hand, we had hope. We had a strong support system, and we had a caring doctor who genuinely wanted the best for us. Dr. Miller’s staff was so kind and offered me hugs on more than one occasion when we received bad news. We learned to give into the unknown (something difficult for us teachers to do) and trust that we were doing everything we could.
If I can offer advice, I’d stress the importance of learning to pivot. Our plan was always to have a baby, but our path certainly wasn’t a straight line. We had to adjust the details of our dream, but that doesn’t mean that we’ll be any less of parents than we would have if things had worked with my genetics. Our dream could still be a reality, but adjustments were needed. Keep the end goal in mind: if it’s to have a child, understand that what that means might look different than what you anticipated when you started the journey.
If you find yourself in need of an egg donor (or sperm donor, if that’s the issue), I’d encourage you to take your time and go through the process when you’re ready. Don’t try to look for yourself in the pool of applicants; you won’t be there, and that’s okay. When we first got information from the egg donor agency, they encouraged us to not pay as much attention to pictures, but to focus on the information: we examined their health history and that of their relatives; we listened to their reasons for being a donor; we screened applications for the possibility of twins and triplets (given my unicornuate uterus, multiple births at one time was not considered a viable option); we also poured over their previous donor cycles to see what kind of success they had.
In the end, we chose someone who looked happy. She genuinely wanted to help other people conceive and assisted others in that goal already. The agency (and Dr. Miller’s office) couldn’t say enough good things about her, which was really reassuring. Besides matching my ethnicity, she does not look like me, but I’m keeping in mind that our boy very well may look more like my husband than the donor. If he doesn’t, that’s okay, too. This was something I had to learn to get comfortable with before we officially went through the donation process.
There are times when I look back at the last few years and the pain comes crashing back, and I’d be lying if I said it was easy to move on from my genetics. However, at the end of the day, the goal is to have a baby, and I learned that it is still possible if my genetics are no longer an option. This could be a path for you, too.
We would also encourage you to let people in and have a support network. My husband and I did not always want to talk about our struggles, but knowing we could speak with family and friends was helpful (and there are other support groups if you aren’t getting the support you need from those around you, too). Even though most of the people you know might not “get” the struggle you’re going through, it’s important to remember how many people are in your corner. You’re going to feel alone. You’re not.
Keep the faith. We’re rooting for you!
Patient Story- Courtney
“Keep going even when it feels like you can’t… The little victories will give you strength.”
Today’s patient story is from Courtney. Courtney discovered she had endometriosis when she and her husband were not able to conceive naturally after several months of trying. After undergoing surgery with Dr. Miller, she was able to get pregnant via IVF and just welcomed a baby boy only three weeks ago! Congratulations Courtney!
Courtney writes:
My husband and I began trying to conceive in late 2017. While at my yearly gyno appointment in May 2018, I mentioned we were trying to conceive. I was told to track ovulation with an app and/or pee sticks and go from there. My period had always been like clockwork and I learned that my ovulation was too. I maybe had heavier/more painful periods but nothing that ibuprofen and a heating pad couldn’t fix. My gynecologist did an internal ultrasound and noticed that one ovary was dense, leading her to believe that I might not ovulate on that side, however my pee sticks indicated that I did.
We ended up getting pregnant on our own in the summer of 2019, but that ended in a miscarriage (D&C) as there was nothing in the sac. I then had the dye test to see if my tubes were blocked and they were not. I also did 3 rounds of clomid with no pregnancy. This was the end of the road with my regular gynecologist as she couldn’t help me any further.
I then went to another gynecologist in my hometown to move onto IUIs. He did a natural IUI with no luck. Then we tried a medicated (clomid) IUI with no luck either. During this process, he did an internal ultrasound and that’s when I first learned I possibly had endometriosis. He referred me to Dr Miller.
I had laparoscopic surgery with Dr. Miller in Feb 2021 for endometriosis. We decided to try surgery before an egg retrieval, because Dr. Miller thought he could clean me out and then we could try to conceive naturally or with clomid as he didn’t think the endometriosis was as bad as it turned out to be. However, during surgery he found stage 4 endometriosis on my ovaries and appendix. He removed my appendix and did what he could on my ovaries in order to preserve them for IVF.
After my surgery, Dr Miller said that the endometriosis had been there for quite awhile because the cysts were so fixed to my ovaries. He said he did what he could to minimize the cysts but he couldn’t get rid of them fully because that would ruin good ovarian tissue for IVF. After I’m done having kids, I can have another surgery to fully clean me out.
It was invaluable to have Dr. Miller as my surgeon and fertility specialist. The entire time he was focused on the goal at hand- to have kids. I felt comfortable during the process that he knew what to do during surgery to make it possible for me to have kids.
After surgery, we started preparing for IVF and I had my egg retrieval in July 2021. We ended up with 4 well graded, untested embryos after retrieval. My first FET (frozen embryo transfer) was in September 2021 and unfortunately ended in a chemical pregnancy. Shortly thereafter, we did another transfer and I gave birth to my son, Leo, on August 11.
Going through infertility takes a toll on you emotionally and physically. Here are a few pieces of advice I would give to other women dealing with infertility.
- Keep going even when it feels like you can’t do/go anymore. The little victories will give you strength. For example, the recovery from retrieval was brutal for me, but when we found out we got 4 embryos, I felt like I could do it all over again.
- Ask for help and allow help from others. I am the most organized person out there but I had to have my husband take the reins on the meds because it was all too much for me. I never prepared, mixed, set up, or gave myself one shot!
- Don’t change your lifestyle. Dr Miller never once told me what to eat, drink, do, or not do. Working out was limited with retrieval and FET, but that was the extent of it.
- Take the month off and go on vacation. Dr Miller wrote in my message on the portal that this was a must! You have to continue to live your life as best as possible!
Patient Story: Kelly
“I’ve walked in your shoes, I see your fight. Keep going.”
Today marks the beginning of an exciting new series featuring our patients. They will be sharing personal stories that will give you hope, make you smile and bring happy tears to your eyes.
Our first story is from Kelly. She is the proud (and very new) mom of a baby boy. Kelly’s story has a happy ending, but it was a long and challenging path to get there. After going through years of infertility, Kelly became an infertility support group leader. Her group meets virtually once a month. Follow her @thesomewaymama for more information.
Kelly writes:
To My TTC Warriors in the Heart of Your Battle,
I’d like to think that I’m a polite person, so naturally after we walked away from our first appointment with Dr. Miller in September of 2018, I thanked him. He replied, “Don’t thank me until your baby is here.” This back and forth went on for years – “Thank you, Dr. Miller!” “Don’t thank me yet, Kiddo!” On day 1,663 of our time together, I was finally able to receive a gracious and supportive response from him as we welcomed our baby boy (yes, I counted the days of our often silent fight). I use the term, “fight” because if you’re reading this now, you know the roller coaster ride of infertility is truly just that – a fight.
For those of you in the thick of it, I see your pain, your grief and heartache. And although I am now a mom to my baby boy via a gestational surrogate, I will never forget the combat it took to get here. I will also say that I would go through every tear, early morning appointment, procedure, 2 week wait, heartbreak, blood draw, injection, ultrasound, sleepless nights and constant waiting by the phone a million times over if it meant bringing me to my baby.
I’m here to tell you to keep going. Refuse to take no as an answer and be relentless in your fight to become a parent. When I was told gestational surrogacy would be our best route to parenthood in 2020, I used that as fuel on my fire to become a mom. I made myself unstoppable and I want to encourage you to do the same.
I leave you with this. When they say: “Just you wait!” I say: I see you waiting. The two week wait, the constant waiting by your phone for next steps, the wait to begin treatment, the wait to let your body heal both physically and mentally.” I promise the “wait” you have been warned about when your baby arrives will be the best and biggest gift you will ever receive.
They say: “Get ready for sleepless nights.” I say: Those sleepless nights pacing your home full of worry will be replaced with sleepless nights full of happiness, joy and love you didn’t know was possible.
I’ve walked in your shoes, I see your fight. Keep going.
Thank you to Dr. Miller and every staff member who truly touched our lives and made our dreams come true.
How to Choose the Right Doctors for IVF Treatment
In vitro fertilization or IVF treatment can be a scary thought for couples who are having difficulty conceiving. It’s a complicated procedure that requires a combination of specialists from various medical backgrounds. Fertility clinics that offer IVF need to have the necessary medical specialists including specialists from gynecology, endocrinology, embryology, urology, psychology, and surgery. A clinic that does not have the right specialists present could prove to be unsafe and result in unsuccessful treatment.
The IVF Treatment Team and What They Do
Before you make any type of commitment, research various facilities, know your spending limits, and ask which fertility treatment tests you will need to have done beforehand. When researching good IVF center, you want to check to make sure treatments include care from the following specialists.
Geneticist. An examination by a geneticist to assess possible genetic disorders like thalassemia in patients that can be passed down do fetus. It also helps identify and prevent complications during pregnancy.
Reproductive Endocrinologist. The endocrinologist will monitor changes in hormones during the treatment cycle.
Reproductive Surgeon. A reproductive surgeon will be needed for surgical corrections such as obstructions in the fallopian tubes, endometriosis. and urinary tract disorders.
Urologist. A urologist will be needed in case there are obstructions in the male’s urinary tract.
Embryologist. An embryologist specializes in preserving viable embryos after fertilization. Their expertise is in freezing unused embryos and ensuring their safety and viability.
Immunologist. Should there be complications during implantation, and immunologist may be needed to handle immune-related issues.
Andrologist. Andrologists specialize in monitoring male hormones and sperm quality. The andrologist prepare sperm for the final fusion with the ova.
Gynecologist. The gynecologist treats any basic care related to the woman’s body.
Psychologist. Fertility treatments can be incredibly stressful on all parties involved. Patients often experience mental and emotional exhaustion throughout the IVF process.
These infertility doctors work in tandem to create ensure a successful pregnancy. All IVF doctors will hold a medical degree as well as an abundance of experience in their particular field. For a successful IVF treatment, providing care is a team effort among specialists. It’s imperative in order for patients to have an emotionally and physically rewarding treatment.
Because IVF is often a last resort for those seeking to have a child, an opportunity to take advantage of vulnerable patients by fake IVF doctors is rising. That’s why it’s important to make sure you research infertility doctors near me and research thoroughly.
A good IVF doctor will walk you through the entire process, have discussions and help you plan out the smallest details in order to increase your chances of a viable pregnancy. If you’re in Illinois, then you’ve likely heard about the amazing care IVF Center Chicago provides to patients. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or visit. Whether you choose us or another fertility clinic, make sure you check the success rates of facility. We can answer all your fertility and IVF questions so that you will be able to make the best decision for you and your family.
What Causes Infertility in Men and Women?
The mere word infertility can strike fear into men and women who are trying to conceive. Though infertility can affect both men and women, it’s often associated with women. Because women are the carriers of fetuses, may feel extra pressure to become pregnant when she and her partner are trying to conceive.
But their bodies may not be the cause of their inability to get pregnant. Men can also suffer from infertility issues. When seeking fertility treatment, it’s important to understand what infertility is before exploring options. The Advanced IVF Institute in Chicago seeks to help patients understand what could be causing their fertility issues.
What causes infertility?
According to The Mayo Clinic, “10% to 15% of couples in the U.S. are infertile.” There is no one cause behind infertility. And what causes infertility in women is not the same as what may cause infertility in men.
Infertility in Men
Male infertility affects roughly 7% of men and accounts for 40-50% of all infertility cases. Causes of male infertility include:
- Abnormal sperm production or function
Abnormal sperm production or function could be caused by undescended testicles, genetic deficiencies, health issues and disorders like diabetes, or infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps or HIV. Having enlarged veins in the testes (varicocele) also can affect the quality of sperm. - Difficulty with the delivery of sperm
There could be a number of factors that interfere with the delivery of sperm including, sexual problems like premature ejaculation. Some genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis could disrupt sperm delivery. Then, there are structural problems, like a blockage in one or both of the testicles. Damage or injury to the reproductive organs can also create difficult passage of sperm. - Overexposure to certain environmental factors
Exposure or overexposure to harmful chemicals like pesticides, radiation, phthalates, lead, and dioxin can disrupt sperm production. Other chemicals and habitual actions that could disrupt sperm production include smoking cigarettes, marijuana, using anabolic steroids, taking medications that treat bacterial infections, high blood pressure and depression. Environmental disruptors like frequent exposure to saunas or hot tubs could also negatively impact sperm production. - Damage related to cancer and its treatment
Chemotherapy and other chemical treatments for cancer can negatively impact sperm production.
Infertility in Women
Like men, infertility in women could be caused by one or even a combination of factors. Some factors that contribute to female infertility include:
- Ovulation disorders
Hormonal disorders that can greatly impair the release of eggs from the ovaries include Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS, Prolactinoma, Hyperthyroidism, or Hypothyroidism. Other issues that could affect the release of eggs include over-exercising, eating disorders, and tumors. - Uterine or cervical abnormalities
Abnormalities in the uterus or cervix can cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or stopping a fertilized egg from implantation in the uterus.
Fallopian tube damage or blockage
Damage to the fallopian tube is often caused by inflammation or salpingitis, usually from pelvic inflammatory disease from untreated sexually transmitted infections, endometriosis, or adhesions.
- Endometriosis
Endometriosis is when endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus.
Early menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency
Early menopause occurs when the menstrual cycle ends, and the ovaries stop functioning. There are many variables that are associated with early menopause, including immune system disease, Turner Syndrome and other genetic disorders, and chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
- Pelvic adhesions
Pelvic adhesions are pockets of scar tissue that attach to organs, usually forming after pelvic infection, appendicitis, endometriosis or abdominal or pelvic surgery. - Cancer and cancer treatment
Reproductive cancers often interfere with female fertility. The radiation and chemotherapy to treat those cancers may affect fertility as well.
If you and your partner are trying to conceive but haven’t been successful, contact Dr. Charles Miller & Associates. You can also google infertility doctors near me so that you can get the assistance you need.
Can acupuncture help with infertility?
There are many studies and anecdotes of individuals—men and women—who have overcome infertility from acupuncture. However, because both infertility and the body’s response to acupuncture can vary widely from person to person, it’s difficult to ascertain whether acupuncture will have a direct effect on someone’s fertility.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine practice of using fine needles, placed in various acupressure points, to help relieve and open up energy channels, known as meridians, that are blocked in the body to restore its flow. Chinese medicine says that this blockage is sometimes the underlying cause of many chronic diseases and pain, including infertility. In modern medicine, acupuncture has played a complementary role to help elicit biochemical responses.
Visiting an acupuncturist is sometimes done over several weeks, once or twice a week. The patient lies on a table while the acupuncturist performs the procedure. It is designed to be a calming, meditative procedure, which fertility doctors will often say is important for treating infertility as well. Finding some calm during an otherwise emotional and stressful time period is crucial to someone’s well-being and fertility treatment.
There are many acupuncture practices in Chicago and near fertility centers in Naperville, Illinois, as well, who can offer the method to individuals experiencing infertility. Contact your Chicago fertility specialist to see if there are any acupuncturists they may recommend to help you through your infertility and during your fertility treatments. Make sure that the practices do not interfere with your fertility treatments as well. In some cases, insurance may even cover your acupuncture treatments as well.
Handling Infertility and Depression
Living with depression presents a major challenge to daily life. Living with depression while dealing with infertility can be incredibly overwhelming. Luckily, treatment is available to help you handle issues of infertility and depression so that you can plan for your family in a healthy way.
According to the World Health Organization, 300 million people around the world are living with depression. Of that 300 million, 16.2 million adults in the United States have had a major depressive episode within the last year. Additionally, 1 in 8 couples have trouble conceiving or sustaining pregnancy.
Both infertility and depression used to be topics people were too ashamed to discuss. Now, people are more willing to discuss depression and infertility issues openly. The Gynecologic Surgery Institute can provide the information you need to help you stay healthy, mentally and physically, during fertility treatments.
For many couples, a diagnosis of infertility and the subsequent treatment can bring on chronic stress and may eventually lead to depression or increasing existing feelings of depression. Research has even shown that women experiencing infertility is comparable to the stress and emotional pain of women facing chronic pain, cancer, and HIV/AIDS.
Depression is more likely to surface in people facing infertility who have a history of depression or does not have a support system to help them through the stress of infertility treatment.
Depression is not the same as just being sad
Sadness and depression are not one in the same. Since we associate depression with persistent sadness, its primary symptom, many people do not know how to tell the difference. Too often, people do not seek help for depression because they think they are just sad.
Sadness is a natural emotion triggered by hurtful, disappointing, or other challenging events in our lives. When we have adjusted to the circumstances or gotten over the event, the disappointment, the sadness dissipates.
Depression, on the other hand, is abnormal sadness—a mental illness or mood disorder, that affects how we think, perceive, and behave. When someone is depressed, they are sad about everything. Most depressive episodes do not need an event to trigger sadness.
Psychology Today says to be diagnosed with depression, someone must have at least five of the following symptoms continuously:
- A depressed or irritable mood most of the time.
- A loss or decrease of pleasure or interest in most activities, including ones that had been interesting or pleasurable previously.
- Significant changes in weight or appetite.
- Disturbances in falling asleep or sleeping too much.
- Feeling slowed down in your movements or restless most days.
- Feeling tired, sluggish, and having low energy most days.
- Having feelings of worthless or excessive guilt most days.
- Experiencing problems with thinking, focus, concentration, creativity and the ability to make decisions most days.
- Having thoughts of dying or suicide.
While there is mixed evidence as to whether depression causes infertility, there may be links between depression and infertility due to hormonal imbalances and certain medications used to treat depression and/or other mood disorders. Visit your local IVF specialist in Chicago to help you understand how hormonal imbalances can affect fertility treatment.
One study found that male partners with active major depression and not using antidepressants were less likely to achieve conception. But with women with major depression, not using antidepressants, the likelihood of pregnancy increased slightly. Also, non-SSRI antidepressants were associated with increased risk of miscarriage in the first trimester.
If you begin to experience symptoms of depression during infertility treatments, talk to your fertility specialist in Chicago.