Anovulatory Infertility is a condition of female infertility wherein a woman does not release an egg even when she’s having a menstrual cycle. This may be the culprit if you’ve had regular flow throughout and still have no luck conceiving. In this case, you’re only bleeding, but there’s no oocyte to fertilize, causing pregnancy to be out of reach.
Worry not, though, because this condition is curable through particular treatment regimens. Specifically, you could use either clomiphene citrate (Clomid), human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG), or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) with or without clomiphene. Note that while anovulation can be cured by medications, some common medications may cause it! These include treatments meant for other purposes, such as:
NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
NSAIDs are one of the most accessible drugs you can find; they’re an over-the-counter remedy requiring no doctor’s prescription. It’s an effective remedy to fight off urinary incontinence. The drugs are widely used to relieve inflammation, pain, swelling, and fever. In fact, you may even have some of its variations stocked up in your medkit, like aspirin and mefenamic acid.
That’s right, these are medications you can freely access when you’re experiencing period pain. However, no matter how much they are blocking the discomfort, there are certain effects you should be aware of. NSAIDs can alter physiological processes, including those of your reproductive system.
Studies suggest that these drugs inhibit ovulation by directly affecting the dominant follicle. Instead of splitting open to release an egg, the follicle remains in its unruptured state. This condition won’t last for a lifetime, though. Withdrawal and avoidance of these drugs may lead to pregnancy.
Skin Creams and Other Topical Products With Hormones
Anovulation can also be due to skin creams and other topical products containing various hormones. For instance, there are brands that purposefully include progesterone and estrogenic chemicals in their formula. While these are effective in addressing wrinkles, dark spots, and melasma, they have an adverse effect on women’s fertility.
In particular, estrogens are a fool-proof way to increase collagen production and skin hydration. It’s a hormone known for decreasing skin aging, so they’re sought after in facial creams. However, in return, women gain an increase in estrogen exposure. These will have a great impact on hormone levels and can even affect ovum production in the long run.
On the other hand, progesterone is a handy addition to topical products as it can treat bloating, tenderness, and fatigue. There’s a lot to be gained from using creams made with this hormone, but there’s a certain disclaimer. You should only be using this if you’re done with ovulation and entering the luteal phase of your cycle. It’s because the body only produces progesterone for thickening the uterine lining for a possible pregnancy.
Steroids and Anovulatory Infertility
You could classify steroids into two: anabolic steroids, which are a charm for bodybuilders, and corticosteroids which reduce pain and stiffness. The latter is an effective medication against asthma, inflammation, and flare-ups. However, there’s one unpopular result it can bring with constant use – steroids affect fertility.
That’s right; if you’re planning on building a family, these drugs are a no-go. It’s a substance that can no doubt affect your menstrual cycle, making it irregular, heavier, and prolonged. It can even interfere with the body’s hormone production leading to anovulation.
On the chance that you get pregnant even while taking steroids, there are bound to be some congenital disabilities. Pregnancy complications may arise and may lead to failure in fetus development. The thing is, these types of drugs should not be in contact with your body if you’re keen on conceiving and giving birth.
Cortisone and Prednisone
Cortisone and Prednisone are types of corticosteroids meant to address various clinical problems. These include but are not limited to illnesses such as severe allergies, asthma, lupus, arthritis, and IBD. However, their downside is that they prevent the necessary hormone production for ovulation from occurring.
This is especially the case if you’ve taken both drugs in high doses as a regular routine. The organic chemicals in your body, namely follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone become blocked in production. For reference, FSH and LH are a pair of hormones known to stimulate egg maturation in the ovaries.
In general, corticosteroids are not recommended for those who are eager to conceive. Studies show that some women who took a single steroid shot had their menstruation cycles turn irregular. The fickleness of monthly periods is not a good sign, especially when it comes to reproductive health.
Herbs and Natural Remedies can Cause Anovulatory Infertility
If you believe you’re safe from anovulation because you’re all about the natural route, think again. Organic remedies may be eco-friendly and safer for your body, but they can also be the source of infertility. For instance, some herbs have hormone-like substances that can make your ovum production haywire.
For instance, some organic supplements contain ingredients that are high in estrogenic substances. Think of ginkgo, ginseng, clover, and other herbal plants effective in altering the sex-hormone concentration. In turn, egg production will be affected, and conception won’t occur.
This doesn’t mean you should completely stay away from herbs and natural remedies, though. They’re still a healthier, more sustainable alternative to chemically-processed substances. The best way to go is to schedule an appointment with your fertility doctor and take note of all the organic alternatives safe for use.
To Conclude
Anovulatory Infertility is a treatable condition that is experienced by thirty percent of women. It’s not as uncommon as you think and can be remedied by withdrawing from the substances causing it. You can also opt to get medications specifically addressing ovulatory irregularities.
Advancements in the medical world are growing rapidly, so you have access to various treatments in your hands. On the chance that you’re considering IVF, ask if they manage the patient journey with ART Compass. It’s a lab management software that can assist you with your conception goals through artificial intelligence.
Could Medicare cover fertility treatments, as the U.S. is faces an unusual population problem: fewer babies are being born each year. Demographer Brady Hamilton noted that fertility rates are reaching record lows, since the annual fertility rate has dropped to 59 births per 1,000 women. The decrease in fertility rates is due to the changing trends in women’s social behavior, since more women are opting to delay both marriage and childbirth. In fact, more babies are now being born to women in their late 30s up to their 40s. This trend in delayed childbearing is a big concern as fertility rates decline with age. Though some companies—notably Facebook and Google—are beginning to include IVF and other fertility treatments as part of their employee benefit packages, most do not. This puts the United States far behind other countries.
For example, in Spain since 2006, all women aged 18 or older have access to reproductive technology—including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization (IFV). Women up to 50 are accepted by Spanish clinics, and they don’t discriminate against same-sex or single ladies, either. They also have 200 treatment centers—more than any other European country. In Denmark, IVF and artificial insemination, sperm mobility measures and basically anything you or your partner would need are 100% free of charge. Since 2006, ACT is not only limited to heterosexual couples but extends to same-sex duos and single women, too. It’s estimated that 8 to 10 percent of babies born in Denmark are by ART. Israel provides two IVF Cycles up to age 45 for free, In Australia the government covers half for the first IVF cycle and more for subsequent cycles, and the provinces of Canada all have varying levels of tax credits.
Qualifications for Medicare Coverage?
Medicare is widely known as health insurance for older adults aged 65 and above. However, individuals at a reproductive age can also apply for Medicare coverage under certain circumstances. For instance, you can apply for Medicare if you have an End-Stage Renal Disease that typically requires transplants or regular dialysis. Medicare Advocacy also points out that younger people with disabilities can apply for Medicare coverage. Furthermore, people with Alzheimer’s disease, mental illness, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease are also qualified, if their doctors deem that they meet specific criteria. As such, consult with your doctor so that they can assess whether you can qualify for Medicare coverage for your health and fertility concerns.
Medicare and Fertility Treatments?
Does Medicare cover fertility treatments? There are different Medicare plans, and each of them offers various coverages. The Kaiser Family Foundation points out that reasonable and necessary services associated with treatment for infertility are covered under Medicare. This means that your doctor must consider a fertility treatment as a necessary medical option for you to qualify for coverage. As such, treatment can only be provided if the infertility is caused by a medical condition. However, patients under the original Medicare program can only use Part B for medically necessary fertility treatments, since it covers doctor’s services and outpatient care.
Couples struggling with infertility can also get more medical coverage through Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Houston outlines that these plans offer more benefits, such as prescription drug coverage for necessary medical cases involving infertility. Besides including part B and prescription drug coverage, individuals under Advantage plans also benefit from working with a wider network of doctors, hospitals, and providers. Therefore, you have more options if you want to consult a fertility doctor regarding your case.
The fertility rates in the US have been decreasing over the past years. Many people of childbearing age are struggling with infertility due to certain health conditions, making the extent that Medicare cover fertility treatments an ever more pressing need for the general population. To learn more about news and issues concerning fertility, check out the other resources on ART Compass. We have plenty of informative articles as well as our own lab management software for embryologists and IVF clinics.
IVF treatment is emotionally and physically stressful, financially demanding, and requires the patient to become “high information” in a very technical sub specialty of medicine. This reality is reflected in a common saying in the “TTC” (trying to conceive) community; “Infertility patients earn an honorary degree in reproduction”. Meaning IVF patients need to learn so much during the course of their treatment that they could practically earn a degree. IVF clinics often operate on the narrowest of margins, which means losing even one patient over poor customer service is one too many. Despite the stumbling blocks, IVF patient satisfaction can be increased!
The paradigm of “shared decision making” – a patient-centered, individualized approach to the informed consent process that involves discussion of the benefits and risks of available treatment options in the context of a patient’s values and priorities, is of paramount importance in the field of IVF, where the financial burdens often fall on the patients and the stakes are so high. In my experience, I have seen patients re-mortgage their house, prospective grandparents cash out retirement accounts, and infertility patients move jobs, states, or even countries to obtain IVF coverage!
The manner in which fertility doctors communicate with patients affects their confidence in the physician and in the final IVF treatment decisions made. Many studies have shown that healthcare consumers crave a retail-like patient experience, they are seeking “self-service” options, automated communication options, more payment options, a so-called ‘digital front door’, and mobile app capabilities that provide instant access to medical records and test results. Failure to deliver on these capabilities can push patients to change REIs, even when the clinical aspect of their infertility care is satisfactory. It is abundantly clear, IVF patients lose confidence in IVF clinics that do not use a digital product, particularly a mobile app, to manage the IVF consumer experience.
The ART Compass (ARTC) patient IVF app links all of the IVF cycles together on a single dashboard, and includes intake forms to collect demographic and medical histories, patient satisfaction surveys, and other types of surveys to promote patient education and shared decision making with REI physicians. Critically for IVF practices that implement ARTC, this shifts the focus onto the patient and promotes a culture of IVF service excellence.
We launched our patient survey tools just 6 months ago to fulfill the regulatory requirements of the IVF lab, but already our results are yielding interesting and actionable results for IVF clinics. Thus far, most survey respondents (> 78%) said that certain aspects of IVF treatment information provision should be improved. 83% of users stated that the quality of communication and the provision of treatment support were critically important in the context of shared decision making. We also identified negative experiences, which affected women’s perceptions of the whole IVF process; such as, being given unrealistic expectations of treatment success, feelings of vulnerability to the pressures of media and society, and a sense of being ‘unprepared’ for the major steps of IVF ‘decision-making’ process were reported. Most importantly, “insufficient information” or information that appeared to be ‘generic’ and not specific to the individual couple were identified most often from the patient satisfaction surveys completed. Certainly, transforming the IVF patient experience with a cutting-edge digital infertility software like ARTC aligns IVF practices with consumer needs and can boost revenue by attracting and retaining new patients, streamlining operations, and supporting clinical care.
IVF Labs that implement ART Compass for IVF data management report higher patient satisfaction and loyalty, that staff can see how their role impacts patient experience, IVF patients feel better informed for decision-making, and that it enables continuous improvement in their healthcare organization.
A common misconception in the world of infertility is that when an individual has successfully conceived a child, they will always be able to successfully conceive a child after that. Unfortunately, that is not always true. So, what is secondary infertility? Secondary infertility is the inability to become pregnant for a full term or conceive after giving birth to a baby. This community of individuals who experience secondary infertility are often forgotten about because they have had children prior to experiencing infertility. They may even be guilted or shamed for being upset about their secondary infertility, because they already have a child.
But that isn’t fair.
Secondary infertility is as real as primary infertility. Approximately 3 million women in the United States are affected by secondary infertility. The emotional burden that comes with it is as real for many families.
What people say about Secondary Infertility
Infertility, regardless of whether it’s primary or secondary, is only truly understood by those who experience it. Has anyone said to you, “but you already have a child” “you should be grateful for what you have,” or, “just keep trying” ? These pieces of “advice” are NOT supportive.
You may be surprised to experience resentment from other couples with infertility who are unable to have their first child.
Some critics may even go so far as saying you’re not spending enough time with your current child, or you are spending too much money, jeopardizing your current child’s future. That kind of negative energy isn’t welcome. People have no business undermining the struggle and hardships of infertility, secondary OR primary!!
Confide in the friends, family and other support systems that do not try and tell you how to navigate your fertility journey. Surround yourself with people who you know will act as the shoulder to lean on. People who encourage you to take control of your fertility journey. Secondary infertility can be overcome!
Why does Secondary Infertility happen?
Secondary infertility can be confusing. When someone was easily able to conceive a child once, what could have possibly changed to prevent them from having a second one?
Let’s break it down:
It can occur in either men or women due to several reasons:
· Hindered sperm production, function or delivery in men
· Damage to the Fallopian tube
· Disorders regarding ovulation
· Endometriosis among other uterine conditions in women
· Complications related to prior pregnancy or surgery (Ashermans)
· Changes in risk factors for one of the two people involved (age, weight and use of certain medications).
· Heavy alcohol drinking can impair sperm production and disrupt hormones in men while in women it can increase the time it takes to conceive.
· Smoking can damage sperm DNA in men or damage eggs and affect ovulation in women.
· Uterine fibroids which are non-cancerous growths in or on a uterus can close off fallopian tubes or crowd the uterus
· Endometriosis (when the uterine lining cells grow outside the uterus.) This results in inflammation on the ovaries and fallopian tubes, which affect egg quality and the embryo implantation.
· Endometritis (sounds similar to endometriosis) is where the uterus becomes inflamed and impairs the ability of an embryo to properly implant into the uterus.
· Pelvic inflammatory disease resulting from a previous cesarean
When should you approach a fertility doctor?
Normally, it is suggested that those who are over 35 and have been actively trying to conceive for over 6 months should visit their primary care physician or ob-gyn. However, this is not the same for everyone. Those who have experienced pelvic inflammatory disease, painful periods, miscarriage, irregular cycles, or a low sperm count, definitely should not wait for a year before confiding in their physician. They should do so sooner.
What happens at the infertility doctor’s office?
During your appointment, the doctor will begin with questions about your current health as well as your medical history. This provides them with sufficient background information. They will also collect a blood sample and perform ultrasounds to find out whether you’re ovulating and to check your egg supply. Performing an X-ray would help identify blocked fallopian tubes and a semen analysis establish the sperm count and quality. All these measures will enable the fertility doctor (reproductive endocrinologist) to get a better understanding of what has potentially changed since the last time you conceived a child.
Talking to your child about infertility
Maybe prior to finding out about your infertility openly discussed a possible sibling. Or maybe you simply want to explain to your child why you are upset sometimes. You can always tell them you hope to bring them a sibling. If you prefer not to hint at a possible sibling but, have already mentioned a sibling in the past, remind them that they are everything you ever wanted and so much more. Let them know how much they mean to you.
Deciding on Infertility Treatments
Strategizing is key. Whether you opt for assisted reproductive technology, gestational surrogacy, adoption or any other option, having a plan is important. All of these options require investing time as they can sometimes be a handful to navigate. So, take it step by step. Self-care is critical. Reach out to your support systems. Eat well. Rest. Hydrate. Say NO. Say YES. Take social media breaks. Budget. Self-care can look like so many things other than a “spa day” – every mom knows that spa days are hard, if not impossible- to come by!!!
Infertility Support
Most people fail to understand the misery and feelings of hopelessness that accompany secondary infertility. That doesn’t mean there aren’t others out there who are enduring the same struggle as you. If you feel uncomfortable approaching your usual support systems such as friends and family, reach out to a group who specifically addresses the hardships of secondary infertility. Find a support group in your area and share your story. Resolve has some great resources. By listening to others’ stories, you’ll also be able to connect and know you are not alone.
References:
Treatment of Infertility: Secondary Infertility by Resolve The National Infertility Association and “Secondary Infertility” by Resolve The National Infertility Association.
http://familybuilding.resolve.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lrn_wii_si
The Best Fertility Apps – According to Fertility Health Professionals
When trying to conceive we think you should definitely consider the aid of some great fertility apps out there to track things like your menstrual cycle and ovulation, and even some that help your doctor help you through the process better. Below is a thorough review of our favorite apps currently available.
Fertility Apps
The Best Fertility Apps – According to Fertility Health Professionals
Deciding to conceive comes with its fair share of concerns and struggles. It can be an overwhelming process, with a multitude of factors to consider. When trying to conceive we think you should definitely consider the aid of some great fertility apps out there to track things like your menstrual cycle and ovulation, and even some that help your doctor help you through the process better. By having everything you need to know about fertility at your fingertips through an app on your phone, you can rest assured that no detail is missed out on. Below is a thorough review of our favorite apps currently available.
Bloomlife – This company offers a contraction monitor, wearables, and other technologies to improve prenatal care. They aim to provide evidence-based solutions to maternal health issues by combining connected devices with data analytics. This can aid in increasing access to care, providing personalized feedback to mothers, and help healthcare professionals to predict and manage pregnancy complications.
“By addressing modifiable risk factors, detecting abnormalities, and predicting adverse events, Bloomlife aims to ensure every family gets a healthy start.”
Clue – This is a highly-recommended period tracking app. It is able to provide period, PMS, and ovulation predictions based on recent evidence, a clear history of tracked data with frequent analysis reports and calendar overviews, and in-depth information on personal patterns such as cramps, sleep, and skin.
Ava – This app in conjunction to a wearable bracelet provides the only FDA-cleared tracking device clinically proven to determine the ovulation window, allowing users to determine their best five days of the month to try to conceive. It works by tracking the 5 physiological signs for fertility as you wear the bracelet in your sleep: skin temperature, heart rate variability ratio, breathing rate, resting pulse rate, and perfusion
Flo – This app is the #1 most downloaded health app in the App Store, and is the #1 period tracking app in the US by active audience. Its key features include a period tracker and ovulation calendar, daily health insights, a health assistance, both pregnancy and non-pregnancy modes, and anonymous chats for the discussion of intimate topics getting support from millions of women worldwide.
Progyny - This app contains mindfulness exercises and games for those on the fertility journey to destress during the overwhelming process of conception.
Kindara – This fertility tracking app pairs with the intravaginal Priya sensor to pinpoint the fertile window and aid in timing ovulation. The app alone additionally offers cycle charting and connecting with other app users.
Glow – The Glow app is an ovulation and period tracker, keeping record of menstrual cycles and providing in depth analyses of your cycle.
FertilityAnswers – This app contains frequently asked questions and answers to all your fertility and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) questions from a healthcare network of reproductive endocrinologists, geneticists, gynecologists, and more..
MyFlo – This app is a functional medicine and hormone balancing app for tracking your period and daily symptoms. It notifies and informs you about which phase of your cycle you’re entering, and recommends work, exercise, food, social and romantic activities most compatible with the phase.
OviaHealth – This company has several apps, including Ovia Fertility (for period/cycle tracking), Ovia Pregnancy (to track your pregnancy and baby’s growth), and Ovia Parenting (to track your child’s growth and celebrate memories and milestones).
Conceivable – This is another ovulation tracker that uses information from several data points to help with fertility, providing a “Conceivable Score” to assess how close you are to optimal fertility. Their fertility programs additionally provide recommendations to help build healthy fertile habits and small daily actions.
Peanut – This app allows women to connect and build communities, providing a safe space for mothers, expectant mothers, and those attempting to conceive to ask questions and find support with a group of women there to listen, share information, and offer advice.
Natural Cycles – This app uses the Natural Cycles thermometer to assess body temperature and determine whether or not you are fertile for the day. It is an FDA-cleared contraceptive app, with no prescription needed. 93% of typical users were not pregnant after one year of use.
ART Compass – ART Compass is the leading app for IVF lab management and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) tracking for your IVF experience. It connects the lab, IVF doctors, and patients.
[bdp_post_gridbox]