If you are considering becoming an egg donor, you may wonder what you can expect. First, you need to be at a good reproductive age, preferably in your twenties or early thirties. You will be screened to be sure that you are of a sound mind, capable of adhering to the regimen required for egg donation. You must be of normal height and weight. You have to be a non-smoker, non-drinker and you can not use any drugs. You will be screened for healthy egg production and previous successful pregnancies may be required.
When applying to participate in an egg donor program, you can expect that it will take a lot of time, effort and dedication. The egg donation program is extensive, sometimes complicated and can take up to several months. In many cases, multiple visits to the infertility specialist office will be necessary. An extensive medical history and gynecological exam will be performed. You will also need a physical exam, blood tests and urine tests. Genetic testing is common and an extensive medical and family history will be needed. All of this will happen before you are accepted into an egg donation program.
Once accepted, you will generally be put on a medication to stop your ovary’s normal function. This helps to control how and when they react to fertility drugs. These medications are injectable, so be prepared to give yourself daily injections at home. There are side effects to consider, such as aches and pains, mood swings, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, fatigue and headaches. Make sure that you have the time to take care of yourself through all of these ailments. This stage of the process can last anywhere from one week to a month.
The next step is to stimulate your ovaries into producing many mature eggs, as opposed to your normal one egg per month. Hormone injections stimulate your ovaries with a much higher dose than your body normally produces. This stage generally lasts about ten days and you will need to inject them daily. In this stage, you can also expect side effects like mood swings, fatigue, water weight gain and abdominal pain or swelling. Make sure that you talk with your infertility specialist about what types of side effects are normal and which ones you should be concerned about, as more serious complications could require hospitalization or careful monitoring.
During all of the injections, you will undergo regular screenings, ultrasounds, blood tests and urine tests by your infertility specialist. Your eggs will be monitored for development. When they are ready, you will receive another injection to prepare the eggs that are to be retrieved. An ultrasound probe will be inserted through your vagina and a small needle equipped with a suction device will remove the mature eggs from the ovarian follicles. Sometimes anesthesia is used and sometimes you will just be given a mild sedative for the procedure. It can take a few days of rest to fully recover from the procedure, so be prepared to take some time off for healing.
Once you have completed the donation procedure, talk with the infertility specialist about caring for yourself at home. You can take pride in giving someone the gift of a family and aiding in someone’s infertility treatment. Do not hesitate to ask a lot of questions before and after your procedure. A full understanding of what will take place will help you to be happy with your decision to donate your eggs.
This information is provided by Dr. Eric Daiter MD.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter MD, the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER. Dr. Eric Daiter MD offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Dr. DAITER, Eric, MD: One Patient Experience
He (DAITER, Eric) spoke to me for quite a while about my personal situation, my chances of having a successful pregnancy, and what we were doing, and about my mental frame of mind and how I was dealing with all of this. He was not just my doctor; Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) was a caring friend. He gave me a lot of reassurance and by the end of the conversation, I had regained so much faith that it was going to work out. Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) performed the D+E in October 2001. Everything went smoothly with the procedure and once again I was back on my feet soon after.
Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) monitored me very closely for the next six months and I was still not having any luck getting pregnant. He suggested that I have another hysterosalpingogram to make sure the fibroids had not come back and that there were not any new blockages. I took his advice and he did the procedure in April 2002. He did not see anything to be concerned about. The following month I was pregnant again. I called Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) with the good news and he answered the phone. I was so happy to be able to tell him personally. He was so excited for me. I went in a few days later and saw the heartbeat. I went back regularly over the next several weeks and the heartbeat was strong and the growth was right on target. With each visit we got more and more excited. I was so disappointed when he had to hand me off to another OB GYN for care. I knew it would not be the same quality care I had been receiving. For me, Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) set the standard very high for medical care. I now have high expectations for other doctors and can’t seem to find one that even comes close to the quality care Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) provided.
He told me before I left his practice that if I needed some reassurance that things were okay, that I could call him and get an ultrasound for piece of mind. He also said that if I started to miscarry, he would bring me right in to see what was up if the OB GYN would not. I kept him up to date on my progress and he was happy to hear it. I went into labor in February 2003. Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) came in to see me that afternoon. He had heard in the operating room that I was there and stopped in to say HI and wish me luck. He was the last person I expected to see, but it made me so happy that he stopped by. My son was born the next morning. He is the biggest blessing in my life and I have Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) to thank for that!
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) monitored me very closely for the next six months and I was still not having any luck getting pregnant. He suggested that I have another hysterosalpingogram to make sure the fibroids had not come back and that there were not any new blockages. I took his advice and he did the procedure in April 2002. He did not see anything to be concerned about. The following month I was pregnant again. I called Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) with the good news and he answered the phone. I was so happy to be able to tell him personally. He was so excited for me. I went in a few days later and saw the heartbeat. I went back regularly over the next several weeks and the heartbeat was strong and the growth was right on target. With each visit we got more and more excited. I was so disappointed when he had to hand me off to another OB GYN for care. I knew it would not be the same quality care I had been receiving. For me, Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) set the standard very high for medical care. I now have high expectations for other doctors and can’t seem to find one that even comes close to the quality care Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) provided.
He told me before I left his practice that if I needed some reassurance that things were okay, that I could call him and get an ultrasound for piece of mind. He also said that if I started to miscarry, he would bring me right in to see what was up if the OB GYN would not. I kept him up to date on my progress and he was happy to hear it. I went into labor in February 2003. Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) came in to see me that afternoon. He had heard in the operating room that I was there and stopped in to say HI and wish me luck. He was the last person I expected to see, but it made me so happy that he stopped by. My son was born the next morning. He is the biggest blessing in my life and I have Dr. Daiter (DAITER, Eric) to thank for that!
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
Sperm Cell Anatomy and Function: Dr. DAITER, Eric, MD
Sperm cells, or spermatozoa, are highly specialized cells produced by men. Each cell is comprised of three sections. There is a head, midpiece and tail. The sperm cell acts as a transport for male genes. It moves the DNA from the male to the female in an attempt to fertilize a female egg.
The head portion of the spermatozoa has enzymes that help the sperm burrow into the outer wall of the female egg. If the sperm does penetrate the egg, then fertilization occurs. The head should ideally be oval shaped, not round, crooked or pointed. Many sperm cells are not exactly perfect and it takes a lot of misshapen sperm to affect your fertility. Generally, about one-third of your sperm should have an ideal shape. The male genes are carried in the head of the spermatozoa.
The midsection, or midpiece, of the sperm cell acts as the energy source for the sperm. Nutrients are converted into energy in the midpiece. A spermatozoa cell has the main components of any other cell. The DNA is contained in the nucleus, located in the head. The mitochondria and centrioles are in the midpiece and help it to create enough energy to move the tail.
The tail is able to whip and propel the sperm using the energy produced in the midpiece. This whip-like motion should give the sperm a forward momentum to move through the female reproductive system and travel to the egg. Sperm motility depends on the tail being fully functional. Abnormalities, such as double tails or underdeveloped tails, can cause a sperm to move in circles, sideways or not at all. A healthy sperm tail should help the sperm move forward in a straight line. Again, many abnormalities are normal and should not be a big concern when you are trying to conceive unless an infertility specialist tells you that too many sperm are abnormal. This condition is commonly referred to as abnormality of sperm motility.
The sperm has one major function. This is to move forward, penetrate the wall of the egg and fertilize it. Reduced sperm function can be a cause of male factor infertility. Many things can affect your sperm health and function. Medications, illness, temperature, environment and diet are just a few examples. Men with severely low sperm functionality, such as low motility, can change things in their lifestyles and overcome problems. If your efforts fail, then your infertility specialist will give you other options for conceiving, besides through natural intercourse. In Vitro Fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can help you achieve pregnancy. In these methods, the sperm is either placed very near the egg or injected directly into it.
Talk to your doctor about what options can help you improve your sperm health or increase your chances of conceiving.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
The head portion of the spermatozoa has enzymes that help the sperm burrow into the outer wall of the female egg. If the sperm does penetrate the egg, then fertilization occurs. The head should ideally be oval shaped, not round, crooked or pointed. Many sperm cells are not exactly perfect and it takes a lot of misshapen sperm to affect your fertility. Generally, about one-third of your sperm should have an ideal shape. The male genes are carried in the head of the spermatozoa.
The midsection, or midpiece, of the sperm cell acts as the energy source for the sperm. Nutrients are converted into energy in the midpiece. A spermatozoa cell has the main components of any other cell. The DNA is contained in the nucleus, located in the head. The mitochondria and centrioles are in the midpiece and help it to create enough energy to move the tail.
The tail is able to whip and propel the sperm using the energy produced in the midpiece. This whip-like motion should give the sperm a forward momentum to move through the female reproductive system and travel to the egg. Sperm motility depends on the tail being fully functional. Abnormalities, such as double tails or underdeveloped tails, can cause a sperm to move in circles, sideways or not at all. A healthy sperm tail should help the sperm move forward in a straight line. Again, many abnormalities are normal and should not be a big concern when you are trying to conceive unless an infertility specialist tells you that too many sperm are abnormal. This condition is commonly referred to as abnormality of sperm motility.
The sperm has one major function. This is to move forward, penetrate the wall of the egg and fertilize it. Reduced sperm function can be a cause of male factor infertility. Many things can affect your sperm health and function. Medications, illness, temperature, environment and diet are just a few examples. Men with severely low sperm functionality, such as low motility, can change things in their lifestyles and overcome problems. If your efforts fail, then your infertility specialist will give you other options for conceiving, besides through natural intercourse. In Vitro Fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can help you achieve pregnancy. In these methods, the sperm is either placed very near the egg or injected directly into it.
Talk to your doctor about what options can help you improve your sperm health or increase your chances of conceiving.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Sperm with Low Motility: Dr. Daiter, Eric MD
If you’ve received a semen analysis that came back with good sperm count results, but your sperm is low in motility, then you probably have some questions. Most men wonder what could be causing their sperm to have a low motility and how they can improve the quality of their sperm. Dr. Daiter, Eric MD provides information about what sperm motility means, how it can affect your fertility and what you can expect.
Your doctor has probably detected low sperm motility through a semen analysis. Sperm motility refers to the way that your sperm moves. A sperms forward progression is also evaluated to determine if it is capable of fertilizing an egg. For a sperm to have proper movement and progression, it must first have a normal shape. A sperm cell should have an oval head, pronounced mid-section and a long tail. Abnormalities are completely normal in all semen samples. The percentage of perfectly formed sperm can be very low and you can still have good motility and sperm count.
When the laboratory tests your sample, they will look for abnormalities such as clumping. Sperm can clump if there are sperm antibodies present. This can severely impact sperm motility. A man can produce antisperm antibodies if his sperm is exposed to his immune system. This generally happens after surgery or infection, such as vasectomy or prostate infection. Your sperm is normally kept separate from your immune system by your testes. If it comes in contact with your immune system, then your immunity kicks in and fights off the sperm. It can produce proteins to kill or severely damage the sperm cells. This can lower the chances of your sperm being capable of fertilizing an egg by normal means. Your reproductive endocrinologist, or infertility specialist, may choose to test for the antibody proteins if clumping is observed in the semen analysis.
Sperm motility can refer to how fast your sperm can move. We also mentioned that it can refer to whether or not the sperm have forward progression. This just means that a sperm that moves forward in a straight line is more likely to get to the egg that you want to fertilize. Some sperm can even move hyperactively, very fast and in a circular pattern. Heat exposure, prolonged abstinence, and poor lifestyle can all contribute to low sperm motility. Sperm can take up to three months to mature. If you had an illness or injury, then your sperm motility can be affected for some time afterward. Normal sperm motility can sometimes just return on its own. Your infertility specialist may need to track your sperm motility over a long period of time to accurately determine the cause of your low sperm motility.
Work with your infertility specialist to help restore your sperm motility. If favorable results are not achieved through your infertility treatment, then In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) may be an option. With In Vitro Fertilization, your sperm is either put into direct contact with an egg or it is actually injected inside of the egg, rendering sperm motility less of a factor. IVF has been very effective in helping couples experiencing infertility achieve pregnancy.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
Your doctor has probably detected low sperm motility through a semen analysis. Sperm motility refers to the way that your sperm moves. A sperms forward progression is also evaluated to determine if it is capable of fertilizing an egg. For a sperm to have proper movement and progression, it must first have a normal shape. A sperm cell should have an oval head, pronounced mid-section and a long tail. Abnormalities are completely normal in all semen samples. The percentage of perfectly formed sperm can be very low and you can still have good motility and sperm count.
When the laboratory tests your sample, they will look for abnormalities such as clumping. Sperm can clump if there are sperm antibodies present. This can severely impact sperm motility. A man can produce antisperm antibodies if his sperm is exposed to his immune system. This generally happens after surgery or infection, such as vasectomy or prostate infection. Your sperm is normally kept separate from your immune system by your testes. If it comes in contact with your immune system, then your immunity kicks in and fights off the sperm. It can produce proteins to kill or severely damage the sperm cells. This can lower the chances of your sperm being capable of fertilizing an egg by normal means. Your reproductive endocrinologist, or infertility specialist, may choose to test for the antibody proteins if clumping is observed in the semen analysis.
Sperm motility can refer to how fast your sperm can move. We also mentioned that it can refer to whether or not the sperm have forward progression. This just means that a sperm that moves forward in a straight line is more likely to get to the egg that you want to fertilize. Some sperm can even move hyperactively, very fast and in a circular pattern. Heat exposure, prolonged abstinence, and poor lifestyle can all contribute to low sperm motility. Sperm can take up to three months to mature. If you had an illness or injury, then your sperm motility can be affected for some time afterward. Normal sperm motility can sometimes just return on its own. Your infertility specialist may need to track your sperm motility over a long period of time to accurately determine the cause of your low sperm motility.
Work with your infertility specialist to help restore your sperm motility. If favorable results are not achieved through your infertility treatment, then In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) may be an option. With In Vitro Fertilization, your sperm is either put into direct contact with an egg or it is actually injected inside of the egg, rendering sperm motility less of a factor. IVF has been very effective in helping couples experiencing infertility achieve pregnancy.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Will Laparoscopy for Endometriosis Improve My Fertility?
Many women face infertility in their lives. Sometimes, the infertility is being caused by endometriosis. Endometriosis causes scar tissue, or adhesions, to grow and attach to your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the uterus. This can make it very difficult to become pregnant. If you are concerned about your fertility and you are seeing an infertility specialist, then laparoscopy may have been recommended to you.
Laparoscopy is used to diagnose and remove endometrial tissues that may be causing your problems. Endometriosis is a progressive condition, meaning that it can get worse and worse as time goes on. Symptoms can be mild to severe and can mimic other disorders. This is why it is very hard to diagnose without laparoscopy.
A laparoscopy procedure can help your infertility specialist actually see the endometriosis and have a definite visual confirmation that it is present. Many women with endometriosis experience painful periods, intercourse, and lower back pain. They may also have irregular and/or heavy periods. At first, these symptoms are consistent with normal menstruation and may not be considered abnormal. Over time, the symptoms can get a lot worse and alert you that something may be wrong. Infertility is the first sign of endometriosis for many women.
Your doctor will first perform a pelvic exam if endometriosis is suspected. This involves the doctor feeling and looking for abnormalities that could be caused by endometriosis. Enlarged ovaries, severe tenderness, nodules and an abnormal uterine location are things that you doctor will be looking for. The only way to know for sure that endometriosis is present, is to actually look inside of your abdominal cavity and inspect your reproductive organs. Your doctor can use a laser or surgically remove growths and lesions during a laparoscopic procedure.
Laparoscopic removal of endometriosis can greatly improve your chances of becoming pregnant. Even if your endometriosis is mild, it may cause infertility. In these mild cases, thorough removal of small implants of endometriosis via laparoscopy may help you become pregnant. If the endometriosis is a little more severe, then laparoscopy has been proven to greatly improve your chances of conception, assuming that no other major factors of infertility are at play. However, if your endometriosis is extremely severe or advanced, damage to your reproductive organs, such as your ovaries or fallopian tubes, can be extensive. In these cases, laparoscopy may not be very effective in restoring fertility. In severe cases, such as this, your doctor may give you other options for treatment, such as in vitro fertilization.
In any case, you need a skilled, experienced infertility specialist to help you tackle your infertility. Ask about pregnancy success rates, patient testimonials and experience when selecting your doctor. The doctor’s skill is critical when you’re trying to achieve fertility through laparoscopy for endometriosis. Ask a lot of questions and make sure that you are comfortable with the surgeons experience and success before you begin treatment.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
Laparoscopy is used to diagnose and remove endometrial tissues that may be causing your problems. Endometriosis is a progressive condition, meaning that it can get worse and worse as time goes on. Symptoms can be mild to severe and can mimic other disorders. This is why it is very hard to diagnose without laparoscopy.
A laparoscopy procedure can help your infertility specialist actually see the endometriosis and have a definite visual confirmation that it is present. Many women with endometriosis experience painful periods, intercourse, and lower back pain. They may also have irregular and/or heavy periods. At first, these symptoms are consistent with normal menstruation and may not be considered abnormal. Over time, the symptoms can get a lot worse and alert you that something may be wrong. Infertility is the first sign of endometriosis for many women.
Your doctor will first perform a pelvic exam if endometriosis is suspected. This involves the doctor feeling and looking for abnormalities that could be caused by endometriosis. Enlarged ovaries, severe tenderness, nodules and an abnormal uterine location are things that you doctor will be looking for. The only way to know for sure that endometriosis is present, is to actually look inside of your abdominal cavity and inspect your reproductive organs. Your doctor can use a laser or surgically remove growths and lesions during a laparoscopic procedure.
Laparoscopic removal of endometriosis can greatly improve your chances of becoming pregnant. Even if your endometriosis is mild, it may cause infertility. In these mild cases, thorough removal of small implants of endometriosis via laparoscopy may help you become pregnant. If the endometriosis is a little more severe, then laparoscopy has been proven to greatly improve your chances of conception, assuming that no other major factors of infertility are at play. However, if your endometriosis is extremely severe or advanced, damage to your reproductive organs, such as your ovaries or fallopian tubes, can be extensive. In these cases, laparoscopy may not be very effective in restoring fertility. In severe cases, such as this, your doctor may give you other options for treatment, such as in vitro fertilization.
In any case, you need a skilled, experienced infertility specialist to help you tackle your infertility. Ask about pregnancy success rates, patient testimonials and experience when selecting your doctor. The doctor’s skill is critical when you’re trying to achieve fertility through laparoscopy for endometriosis. Ask a lot of questions and make sure that you are comfortable with the surgeons experience and success before you begin treatment.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Ectopic Pregnancy Overview Daiter,Eric
An ectopic pregnancy, or tubal pregnancy, is one that occurs outside of the womb. The most common location for an ectopic pregnancy is inside one of the fallopian tubes. This can occur when an egg is fertilized and does not implant into the uterus. The fertilized egg can attach to the inside of the fallopian tube, the ovary, the outside of the uterus or to the intestine. Fertilized eggs that implant outside of the uterus can not grow to become fetuses due to the lack of nutrients and non-accommodating organs.
Ectopic pregnancies are very dangerous. As the attached fertilized egg grows, it can damage organs and cause severe internal bleeding. For example, your fallopian tube isn’t designed to expand and accommodate a growing fetus. Therefore, if a fertilized egg implants there, it can rupture the tube. Arteries are located nearby and they can rupture as well.
The most common symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are vaginal bleeding and abdominal or pelvic pain. Symptoms can become much more severe if the ectopic pregnancy ruptures. You may become dizzy or even pass out. You may experience a fast heart rate of over one hundred beats per minute. You may become pale, clammy and sweaty. Pain will become so severe that you are unable to stand or walk. Many women go into shock when an ectopic pregnancy ruptures.
If you suspect that you have an ectopic pregnancy or ectopic rupture, then you should immediately seek medical attention as you could have an immediate life-threatening condition. First, pregnancy will be confirmed. Second, an ultrasound will be performed to confirm that the pregnancy is ectopic. This will also help locate the developing embryo (fertilized egg). If the embryo or the gestational sac is too small to be detected by ultrasound, and you are in stable condition, then your doctor may monitor you closely by performing blood tests every two to three days to follow hormone levels. When the pregnancy (gestational sac, embryo or fertilized egg) has grown large enough, the ultrasound will be repeated to locate it. If it is confirmed that the pregnancy is ectopic, then immediate treatment will be ordered.
Depending on how long the fertilized egg has been growing, your doctor may be able to treat your ectopic pregnancy with a methotrexate injection. Make sure that you discuss with your doctor what you should expect after the injection, the risks involved and how to take care of yourself after the drug has been administered. If the drug is not effective or if the pregnancy (fertilized egg) has grown too large, then surgery will be necessary to remove the growing gestational sac and embryo (fertilized egg). Remember that this is not a viable egg capable of growing into a live born fetus, and it is a definite life-threatening situation.
The surgery depends on the size and location of the implanted egg. Whether or not you want to be able to conceive again is also a consideration. Laparoscopy can sometimes be used to remove the pregnancy. Keep in mind that if it is an emergency situation or if there is extensive internal injury, then a more a more extensive surgery called a laparotomy often must be performed.
If you believe that you may be experiencing any of the symptoms discussed here, seek immediate medical care. Time is of the essence when dealing with a possible ectopic pregnancy.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
Ectopic pregnancies are very dangerous. As the attached fertilized egg grows, it can damage organs and cause severe internal bleeding. For example, your fallopian tube isn’t designed to expand and accommodate a growing fetus. Therefore, if a fertilized egg implants there, it can rupture the tube. Arteries are located nearby and they can rupture as well.
The most common symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are vaginal bleeding and abdominal or pelvic pain. Symptoms can become much more severe if the ectopic pregnancy ruptures. You may become dizzy or even pass out. You may experience a fast heart rate of over one hundred beats per minute. You may become pale, clammy and sweaty. Pain will become so severe that you are unable to stand or walk. Many women go into shock when an ectopic pregnancy ruptures.
If you suspect that you have an ectopic pregnancy or ectopic rupture, then you should immediately seek medical attention as you could have an immediate life-threatening condition. First, pregnancy will be confirmed. Second, an ultrasound will be performed to confirm that the pregnancy is ectopic. This will also help locate the developing embryo (fertilized egg). If the embryo or the gestational sac is too small to be detected by ultrasound, and you are in stable condition, then your doctor may monitor you closely by performing blood tests every two to three days to follow hormone levels. When the pregnancy (gestational sac, embryo or fertilized egg) has grown large enough, the ultrasound will be repeated to locate it. If it is confirmed that the pregnancy is ectopic, then immediate treatment will be ordered.
Depending on how long the fertilized egg has been growing, your doctor may be able to treat your ectopic pregnancy with a methotrexate injection. Make sure that you discuss with your doctor what you should expect after the injection, the risks involved and how to take care of yourself after the drug has been administered. If the drug is not effective or if the pregnancy (fertilized egg) has grown too large, then surgery will be necessary to remove the growing gestational sac and embryo (fertilized egg). Remember that this is not a viable egg capable of growing into a live born fetus, and it is a definite life-threatening situation.
The surgery depends on the size and location of the implanted egg. Whether or not you want to be able to conceive again is also a consideration. Laparoscopy can sometimes be used to remove the pregnancy. Keep in mind that if it is an emergency situation or if there is extensive internal injury, then a more a more extensive surgery called a laparotomy often must be performed.
If you believe that you may be experiencing any of the symptoms discussed here, seek immediate medical care. Time is of the essence when dealing with a possible ectopic pregnancy.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Infertility and DES Exposure
Women who were pregnant between 1938 and 1971 were commonly given diethylstilbestrol (DES) by their doctors. DES is a synthetic estrogen. Doctors used to believe that DES helped to reduce the number of miscarriages and premature births that women were experiencing. If your mother was given DES, then you may experience some infertility problems or other health complications as a result.
First, try to determine if your mother was given DES during her pregnancy with you. This may be hard to determine because it may have happened so long ago. Also, many doctors just told their patients that they were taking vitamins. The really sad part about this is that DES exposure can cause cancer and infertility in the women that took it, as well as their children. If you determine that you were exposed to DES, then you should inform your doctor or infertility specialist so that special care can be taken, especially during infertility treatment.
Being exposed to DES in utero puts women at a higher risk for pregnancy complications such as ectopic pregnancies, miscarriage or premature deliveries. This does not mean that you are incapable of becoming pregnant and carrying to term if you have been exposed to DES. Many women do become pregnant and carry to term despite their exposure. The reasons that DES has negative effects on women are not entirely clear. It is widely believed that the DES exposure affects the formation of the cervix. If this is true, then it can explain why exposed women have a higher number of miscarriages than non-exposed women.
If you suspect that you have been exposed to DES, then it is very important to work closely with your family physician or infertility specialist. Your doctor should order screenings to see if you have any of the negative health effects of DES exposure. Breast exams and mammograms should be performed regularly. Self breast exams should be performed at least monthly so that you can catch changes early. You should receive regular pelvic exams and PAP smears. Your doctor may do an extra type of PAP smear to check for clear cell adencarcinoma, believed to be caused by DES exposure.
Clear cell adencarcinoma is the type of cancer believed to be linked to DES exposure. This is a rare type of cancer that affects the vagina and cervix. Survival rates are very high for this type of cancer. The most common treatment for clear cell adencarcinoma is surgery. The surgery usually includes the removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Occasionally the vagina, or parts of the vagina, must also be removed. The surrounding lymph glands may also be removed. Radiation may also be used to treat the cancer.
Work closely with a caring physician or infertility specialist that understands what you could be facing. If it is determined that you were exposed to DES, then you will need special health care as well as special pregnancy monitoring in your quest to conquer infertility.
On occasion, patients of Dr. Daiter, Eric have offered their testimonials for other couples seeking quality infertility treatment. This testimonial may help you with your decision when you are choosing a reproductive endocrinologist for your infertility treatment.
Dr. Daiter, Eric was always discussing with us where we were and what our next options were. He explained all the various treatments from mildly aggressive to very aggressive and worked with us to come up with a plan that we all felt comfortable with. I always felt like he kept me very well informed so that I could make intelligent choices. He always personally called me when ever I had some tests done, as soon as he got the results and discussed them. This was usually within a day of the tests being done. That really stood out in my mind because, with all my other doctors, when I have lab work done, it takes a good week before I hear anything from them. Even then, many times their policy is to have the office staff call only when there is a problem. You can only hope that nothing was overlooked.
I spoke to other people who were going to other Infertility Specialists in the area and they said their doctors would only discuss the test results after a whole series of tests were done. The patients expressed that the doctors made them feel rushed and uncomfortable asking a lot of questions. They also expressed that the office staff was rude and abrupt with them when they called with questions. I was very fortunate – I never felt this way with Dr. Daiter, Eric or his office staff.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
First, try to determine if your mother was given DES during her pregnancy with you. This may be hard to determine because it may have happened so long ago. Also, many doctors just told their patients that they were taking vitamins. The really sad part about this is that DES exposure can cause cancer and infertility in the women that took it, as well as their children. If you determine that you were exposed to DES, then you should inform your doctor or infertility specialist so that special care can be taken, especially during infertility treatment.
Being exposed to DES in utero puts women at a higher risk for pregnancy complications such as ectopic pregnancies, miscarriage or premature deliveries. This does not mean that you are incapable of becoming pregnant and carrying to term if you have been exposed to DES. Many women do become pregnant and carry to term despite their exposure. The reasons that DES has negative effects on women are not entirely clear. It is widely believed that the DES exposure affects the formation of the cervix. If this is true, then it can explain why exposed women have a higher number of miscarriages than non-exposed women.
If you suspect that you have been exposed to DES, then it is very important to work closely with your family physician or infertility specialist. Your doctor should order screenings to see if you have any of the negative health effects of DES exposure. Breast exams and mammograms should be performed regularly. Self breast exams should be performed at least monthly so that you can catch changes early. You should receive regular pelvic exams and PAP smears. Your doctor may do an extra type of PAP smear to check for clear cell adencarcinoma, believed to be caused by DES exposure.
Clear cell adencarcinoma is the type of cancer believed to be linked to DES exposure. This is a rare type of cancer that affects the vagina and cervix. Survival rates are very high for this type of cancer. The most common treatment for clear cell adencarcinoma is surgery. The surgery usually includes the removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Occasionally the vagina, or parts of the vagina, must also be removed. The surrounding lymph glands may also be removed. Radiation may also be used to treat the cancer.
Work closely with a caring physician or infertility specialist that understands what you could be facing. If it is determined that you were exposed to DES, then you will need special health care as well as special pregnancy monitoring in your quest to conquer infertility.
On occasion, patients of Dr. Daiter, Eric have offered their testimonials for other couples seeking quality infertility treatment. This testimonial may help you with your decision when you are choosing a reproductive endocrinologist for your infertility treatment.
Dr. Daiter, Eric was always discussing with us where we were and what our next options were. He explained all the various treatments from mildly aggressive to very aggressive and worked with us to come up with a plan that we all felt comfortable with. I always felt like he kept me very well informed so that I could make intelligent choices. He always personally called me when ever I had some tests done, as soon as he got the results and discussed them. This was usually within a day of the tests being done. That really stood out in my mind because, with all my other doctors, when I have lab work done, it takes a good week before I hear anything from them. Even then, many times their policy is to have the office staff call only when there is a problem. You can only hope that nothing was overlooked.
I spoke to other people who were going to other Infertility Specialists in the area and they said their doctors would only discuss the test results after a whole series of tests were done. The patients expressed that the doctors made them feel rushed and uncomfortable asking a lot of questions. They also expressed that the office staff was rude and abrupt with them when they called with questions. I was very fortunate – I never felt this way with Dr. Daiter, Eric or his office staff.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Hysteroscopy
Couples looking to get pregnant may find themselves seeking help from an infertility specialist. After an infertility evaluation and diagnosis, your doctor can give you all of your options weighing cost, benefits and risks. If you are a woman combating infertility and you have irregular or uncommonly heavy periods, then your reproductive endocrinologist may wish to perform a hysteroscopy.
This procedure is performed with a hysteroscope, or a tiny telescope that allows your doctor to look around inside of your uterus. It is inserted through the vagina and cervix and is considered a minimally invasive surgery. The shape and structure of the uterus will be inspected for any abnormalities. Your doctor will look for polyps and fibroids that could be causing you problems. From here, your doctor can take biopsies of your uterine lining for closer inspection. Fibroids can be removed as well. The openings of your fallopian tubes can be inspected with the hysteroscope. For removal of fibroids, polyps or uterine lining, special surgical instruments can be inserted through the hysteroscope once it is in place.
Your doctor may suggest that you have a hysteroscopy in the office under a local anesthetic for diagnosis of uterine problems causing irregular periods, heavy bleeding or failed attempts at becoming pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. If it is determined that a surgical procedure is necessary, then you will most likely be placed under general anesthesia for the hysteroscopy. Many surgeries inside of the uterine cavity can be performed with the help of a hysteroscope.
Recovery time is generally very low when a hysteroscope is used. This is because there are no actual incisions made during the procedure. Hysteroscopic procedures are very common when determining the causes of infertility. When used for diagnostic purposes, the complication rate is extremely low. When used operatively, you should discuss the risks associated with the specific procedure that you’re having with your doctor.
Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend a sonohysterography before a hysteroscopic procedure. This is basically a fluid injected through the cervix into the uterine cavity. A sonogram is then performed to get an idea of what may be going on inside the uterus. The fluid gives a contrasting view of the uterine cavity and can be very effective at determining the presence of uterine abnormalities.
Talk to your doctor about all of your options when determining the causes of your infertility. Choose your reproductive endocrinologist well. Consider experience, success rates and patient testimonials when making your decision. This information about hysteroscopic procedures has been provided by Dr. Daiter, Eric. Here is a sample patient testimonial about Dr. Daiter, Eric that may give you an idea of what type of person you are looking for when choosing your infertility specialist:
I was referred to Dr Eric Daiter by my OB-GYN in early 2002. Dr Daiter offers extended office hours for the convenience of his patients. As a result, my husband and I were able to get an appointment within a few days. Before even meeting Dr Daiter, I was happy with the way he accommodated us. After meeting with him, I was very pleased to have been referred to him. He was extremely professional, taking the time to thoroughly explain to us all of the available procedures, their ramifications, and their potential outcomes. I felt very comfortable to continue the pursuit to identify and understand the cause of our infertility under the care of Dr Eric Daiter.
I had the following procedures performed by Dr Eric Daiter: uterine biopsy, hysterosalpingogram, hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. In general, each procedure was completed safely, successfully and without complications. Before each procedure, Dr Daiter explained, in detail, what I could expect during each procedure and what the possible outcomes would be. Dr Daiter never progressed to the next step until he was certain that all of my questions had been addressed and I felt comfortable with the upcoming procedure. I trusted Dr Daiter because I felt he was committed to me and my husband and our quest to find the root of our infertility. I value Dr Daiter as a professional, but more importantly as a caring and compassionate human being. The attention he displays through his commitment toward his profession and patients made us feel as if he was truly an interested party and not just a detached professional.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric) is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
This procedure is performed with a hysteroscope, or a tiny telescope that allows your doctor to look around inside of your uterus. It is inserted through the vagina and cervix and is considered a minimally invasive surgery. The shape and structure of the uterus will be inspected for any abnormalities. Your doctor will look for polyps and fibroids that could be causing you problems. From here, your doctor can take biopsies of your uterine lining for closer inspection. Fibroids can be removed as well. The openings of your fallopian tubes can be inspected with the hysteroscope. For removal of fibroids, polyps or uterine lining, special surgical instruments can be inserted through the hysteroscope once it is in place.
Your doctor may suggest that you have a hysteroscopy in the office under a local anesthetic for diagnosis of uterine problems causing irregular periods, heavy bleeding or failed attempts at becoming pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. If it is determined that a surgical procedure is necessary, then you will most likely be placed under general anesthesia for the hysteroscopy. Many surgeries inside of the uterine cavity can be performed with the help of a hysteroscope.
Recovery time is generally very low when a hysteroscope is used. This is because there are no actual incisions made during the procedure. Hysteroscopic procedures are very common when determining the causes of infertility. When used for diagnostic purposes, the complication rate is extremely low. When used operatively, you should discuss the risks associated with the specific procedure that you’re having with your doctor.
Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend a sonohysterography before a hysteroscopic procedure. This is basically a fluid injected through the cervix into the uterine cavity. A sonogram is then performed to get an idea of what may be going on inside the uterus. The fluid gives a contrasting view of the uterine cavity and can be very effective at determining the presence of uterine abnormalities.
Talk to your doctor about all of your options when determining the causes of your infertility. Choose your reproductive endocrinologist well. Consider experience, success rates and patient testimonials when making your decision. This information about hysteroscopic procedures has been provided by Dr. Daiter, Eric. Here is a sample patient testimonial about Dr. Daiter, Eric that may give you an idea of what type of person you are looking for when choosing your infertility specialist:
I was referred to Dr Eric Daiter by my OB-GYN in early 2002. Dr Daiter offers extended office hours for the convenience of his patients. As a result, my husband and I were able to get an appointment within a few days. Before even meeting Dr Daiter, I was happy with the way he accommodated us. After meeting with him, I was very pleased to have been referred to him. He was extremely professional, taking the time to thoroughly explain to us all of the available procedures, their ramifications, and their potential outcomes. I felt very comfortable to continue the pursuit to identify and understand the cause of our infertility under the care of Dr Eric Daiter.
I had the following procedures performed by Dr Eric Daiter: uterine biopsy, hysterosalpingogram, hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. In general, each procedure was completed safely, successfully and without complications. Before each procedure, Dr Daiter explained, in detail, what I could expect during each procedure and what the possible outcomes would be. Dr Daiter never progressed to the next step until he was certain that all of my questions had been addressed and I felt comfortable with the upcoming procedure. I trusted Dr Daiter because I felt he was committed to me and my husband and our quest to find the root of our infertility. I value Dr Daiter as a professional, but more importantly as a caring and compassionate human being. The attention he displays through his commitment toward his profession and patients made us feel as if he was truly an interested party and not just a detached professional.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric) is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
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