In today’s digital age, the availability of information on fertility and reproductive health is abundant. While this accessibility is largely a good thing, it also poses the risk of spreading misinformation. In fact, global agencies like UNICEF consider misinformation a “pressing public issue”. As such, it is important for those seeking to understand more about their fertility and reproductive health to be cautious about where they get their information from.
By finding trusted sources such as ebooks, navigating this sensitive topic can be more pleasant and less confusing. Besides its natural advantage of being easily accessible, these ebooks are written by fertility experts. That means their works provide accurate and evidence-based information despite today’s misinformation age, with many providing references that allow readers to verify information.
Here’s more on how today’s ebook platforms can help you learn more about fertility, as well as 3 Fertility Ebooks titles to get you started.
How ebook platforms help
The advent of ebook platforms has given readers access to a plethora of information on a wide range of topics, which can be accessed with just a few taps of their screen. With these platforms, readers can have a seamless and immersive reading experience regarding their genre and topic of choice, from popular fiction books to informative studies. Take the ebooks on Everand: its diverse collection of titles, including those that cover fertility, are guaranteed to have authentic and reliable information regarding their reproductive health. The platform also only shares access to titles that are written not only by reputable authors but also by experts in the given health field. That includes works published by women’s hormone expert Alisa Vitti, like Womancode and In the FLO, and Harvard-educated physician-scientist Sara Gottfried, who shares her insights on hormone signaling through ebooks like The Hormone Cure. The platform also allows users to take and access books like these anywhere with ease.
Additionally, the Digital Public Library of America provides ebook access to millions of items from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States, making it an inclusive and accessible platform for individuals seeking information on important topics including health and fertility. With a dedication to providing access to diverse perspectives and voices, this library features resources like fertility rate health indicator reports, fertility-related behavior studies, and various other resources from academic institutions, government offices, nonprofit organizations, and privately-run think tanks.
With ebook platforms opening up a large collection of valuable information, it may be hard to decipher where to begin. Try starting with these 3 Fertility Ebooks titles to learn more about fertility.
Infertility: The Hidden Causes
by Sandra Cabot M.D.
Many misunderstand infertility as a disease when it is, in fact, an underlying health problem. While the causes of infertility are varied and complex, there are often hidden factors that contribute to a couple’s inability to conceive. Integrative medicine doctor Sandra Cabot explores these often overlooked factors and sheds light on the possible reasons for infertility that are not commonly addressed.
By touching upon conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, pre-cancer, and urinary incontinence—which is also discussed on our post Does Stress Incontinence Cause Infertility?—the ebook urges individuals to seek appropriate medical attention and explore alternative approaches to addressing their fertility challenges.
Queer Conception: The Complete Fertility Guide for Queer and Trans Parents-to-Be
by Kristin Liam Kali
Traditionally, the field of reproduction and fertility has been dominated by heteronormative and cisnormative perspectives, often excluding the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. Queer Conception was written by transgender activist and scholar Kristin Liam Kali as a way to challenge these normative frameworks and broaden the conversation around reproductive rights to include the unique needs of queer and transgender individuals.
At the core of this title is the recognition that LGBTQ+ individuals may pursue family-building through a variety of means beyond traditional heterosexual reproduction. The ebook acknowledges and validates these non-traditional pathways to parenthood, affirming the autonomy of LGBTQ+ individuals in making decisions about their reproductive futures.
The Infertility: Cure The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies
by Randine Lewis, Ph.D.
Using case studies and personal anecdotes from her clinical practice, licensed acupuncturist and doctor of Oriental medicine Randine Lewis, Ph.D., came up with The Infertility. The ebook serves as a guide to the basic principles of traditional Chinese medicine, covering a range of treatment methods, from acupuncture to herbal medicine and other therapeutic techniques.
It explains how these modalities help regulate the menstrual cycle, nourish the endometrial lining, enhance egg quality, and improve sperm health. Through integrations of Western medical knowledge with traditional Chinese medicine, The Infertility provides a balanced and comprehensive approach to addressing infertility issues.
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.
Common Causes of Infertility in Women and Men, Though you may feel alone, though it may seem you’re the only infertile couple among all your friends, you are not alone in this big world.
One in eight experience fertility problems at some point in their lives. There’s a good chance someone you know has struggled with trying to conceive, but like you, they are keeping it secret about the Common Causes of Infertility in Women and Men.
In Women:
Blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy.
Physical problems with the uterus.
Uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous clumps of tissue and muscle on the walls of the uterus.
Ovulation disorders, meaning you ovulate infrequently or not at all, account for infertility in about 1 in 4 infertile couples. Problems with the regulation of reproductive hormones by the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, or problems in the ovary, can cause ovulation disorders.
Are your periods irregular? Do you have acne on your chin or neckline? Do you have extra long dark hairs growing? If you answered yes to these, you may need to be screened for PCOS.
PCOS is partially genetic: 24% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome had a mother with PCOS and 32% of the women had a sister with the condition.
Researchers have shown that women with PCOS regardless of their weight (overweight and lean) will experience insulin resistance as compared to women of the same age and weight who do not have PCOS.
If you have PCOS, multiple bubble-like cysts may form on the surface of one or both of your ovaries as eggs partially mature but are not released. These eggs remain in their follicles, which swell but don’t open. A woman with PCOS may have 25 or more cysts on a single ovary.
In Men:
A varicocele is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle, which can impact sperm quality.
Ejaculation disorders include premature ejaculation, anejaculation (the failure to ejaculate), and retrograde ejaculation, which is when semen enters the bladder during orgasm instead of coming out the tip of the penis.
Prior vasectomy, inguinal hernia repairs, scrotal or testicular surgeries, prostate surgeries, and large abdominal surgeries performed for testicular and rectal cancers risk, among others.
Image by Ed Harris
The Ketogenic Diets and Infertility require 70-80% of calories from fat, 15-25% of calories from protein and only 5-10% of calories from carbohydrates, it is both controversial and risky.
As a woman embarks on the path to motherhood, she should be nourishing her body–not inducing a state of metabolic starvation like ketosis. In contrast to the keto diet, a “fertility-friendly” diet is nutrient-dense and has a low-glycemic index.
It is important to focus on incorporating protein and healthy fats and eliminating processed carbohydrates and added sugars, it is equally important to balance your diet with nutritious fruits, starchy vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. These healthy carbohydrates provide essential micronutrients to naturally promote fertility.
Reducing carbohydrate intake can reduce circulating insulin levels, improve hormonal imbalance and result in a resumption of ovulation to improve #pregnancy rates.
Low carbohydrate diets can help to optimize fertility in some clinical groups, particularly for overweight and obese women with PCOS.
However, it is not clear how low in carbohydrates the Ketogenic Diets and Infertility should be or how long the diet should be maintained for optimal fertility outcomes. There has been a lack of research on the benefit of low carbohydrate diets for non-PCOS-related infertile women. More research is needed!
Hormones and Ketogenic Diets
Eating a high fat low carbohydrate diet helps improve and regulate your reproductive hormones. It can help in two ways: by providing your body with the building blocks of hormones (aka cholesterol), reducing the intake of foods that mimic reproductive hormones, and reducing the effects of metabolic syndrome by lowering blood glucose levels. Several of the most important reproductive hormones including Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone all derive from cholesterol. That’s not all Cholesterol does for fertility, it is also a critical component of Vitamin D synthesis from sunlight, which is similarly shown to play a vital role in fertility.
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects 1 in 10 women. It is largely characterized by having high male hormone levels (hyperandrogenism), infrequent ovulation and is the leading cause of infertility. Adapting a fertility diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates is one of the best ways to improve the PCOS symptoms that prevent pregnancy. PCOS is highly correlated with carrying excess weight, type 2 diabetes, previous gestational diabetes, and cholesterol problems – problems that are all linked to high insulin levels. One recent study showed that every PCOS patient enrolled in a High Fat Low Carbohydrate fertility diet resumed regular menstruation and ovulation and half got pregnant naturally without the need of any medical intervention like ovulation induction, IUI, or IVF.
Should you take supplements on a ketogenic diet?
It can be extremely difficult to ensure your body is getting all of the vitamins and minerals that are essential to reproduction when on a ketogenic diet. Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients are known to impact fertility. Supplements can be a great way to support a healthy diet and helping to improve fertility outcomes.
Besides:
- Protein
- Good fats
- iron
You need plenty of:
- Vitamin C
- Folate
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
- Folic acid
- Selenium
Nutrients. 2017 Mar; 9(3): 204.
Published online 2017 Feb 27. doi: 10.3390/nu9030204
PMCID: PMC5372867
PMID: 28264433
The Effect of Low Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diets and Infertility Hormones and Outcomes in Overweight and Obese Women: A Systematic Review
Have you ever wondered what the connection is between BMI and Fertility? They are intertwined!!!
Obesity (higher than average (BMI) affects fertility in both women and men. The male and female reproductive systems rely on a delicate balance of hormones to function properly. When stress is placed on these systems as a result of a low or high body weight, their natural chemical rhythms begin to break down.
In particular, women who are obese have a higher rate of infertility and a lower IVF pregnancy rate. Obesity in men negatively impacts male fertility as it relates to sperm count and sperm motility (the rate at which sperm move).
Healthy lifestyle changes will not only help you conceive, but they will help you maintain a healthy pregnancy, and give you energy for raising a child. Not to mention- ensure that you will have a nice, long life to enjoy your children and grandchildren!
The #1 way to lower BMI and increase fertility
The number one recommendation for weight loss is to cut refined carbohydrates drastically!
Some experts are suggesting that women who are TTC should limit carbs to one portion a day and cut out all white bread, pasta and breakfast cereal, since doing so greatly increases the chance of conceiving.
The recommendation to go low carb is based in part on a small 2013 study from the Delaware Institute for Reproductive Medicine (DIRM). The authors analyzed the diets of 120 women who were going through IVF. They found that women who got at least 25 percent of their diet from protein and no more than 40 percent from carbohydrates were four times more likely to get pregnant as women who had less protein and more carbs before and during IVF.
How does BMI affect fertility?
If you’re overweight or have a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), your body produces more androgen hormones (a.k.a., testosterone), which can lead to irregular periods or anovulation (where you don’t ovulate).
Women with PCOS produce more insulin. When you eat lots of carbs, your body has to produce even more insulin, which increases androgen production. And that decreases ovulation.
Healthy lifestyle changes will not only help you conceive, but they will help you maintain a healthy pregnancy, and give you energy for raising a child, plus ensure that you will have a nice, long life to enjoy your children and grandchildren! You are only 18, you have so much time left to make some healthy changes and plan for your family.
Carrying a few extra pounds has a large effect on the fertility of both women and men. The male and female reproductive systems rely on a delicate balance of hormones to function properly, and when stress is placed on these systems as a result of a low or high body weight, their natural chemical rhythms begin to break down.
Harvard Medical School has made several recommendations – including;
Healthy foods to lower BMI and increase fertility
Plant-based foods, including whole fruits and vegetables.
Seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, and lake trout.
Whole grains.
Raw nuts.
Legumes (beans, lentils, etc.).
Extra virgin olive oil (monounsaturated fat).
What should I avoid?
Simple or refined carbohydrates.
Trans fats.
Highly-processed foods.
Alcohol (couples actively trying to get pregnant or undergoing fertility treatment should avoid drinking alcohol).
Excessive caffeine intake (more than 500mg per day).
If your BMI is above normal; diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes have been shown to make a significant difference in a woman’s fertility potential. Even small differences, just 5-10% of body weight can make a huge difference!
Do you know how to broken by infertility and TTC?
It’s NOT funny how cruel we can sometimes be to ourselves.
1 in 8 couples (or 12% of married women) have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. (2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth, CDC)
7.4 million women, or 11.9% of women, have ever received any infertility and TTC services in their lifetime. (2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth, CDC)
Approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third attributed to the male partner and one-third is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or, is unexplained. (American Society For Reproductive Medicine)
A couple of ages 29-33 with a normal functioning reproductive system has only a 20-25% chance of conceiving in any given month (National Women’s Health Resource Center). After six months of trying, 60% of couples will conceive without medical assistance. (Infertility and TTC As A Covered Benefit, William M. Mercer, 1997)
That makes you pretty “normal” actually. you are in plenty of good company- we can’t all be broken, can we? It almost seems like infertility is a common and normal part of the human condition, Infertility and TTC doesn’t it?
Stop blaming yourself.
Stop feeling hopeless.
Stop basing your self-worth on your fertility.
Stop suffering silently.
Get solutions from here, broken by infertility and TTC
I’m afraid to ask… what are the worst things you have said to yourself in your darkest moments?
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.
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As couples navigate through their fertility journey, you will meet with your physician and begin the process for IVF that includes preparation, stimulation, and monitoring.
In the background is the functioning of the IVF laboratory, where what is actually occurring can be a bit of a mystery. It is after all an almost literal black box! A windowless lab that is under strict lock and key and is often a dark, warm humid atmosphere, just like a human fallopian tube which is the site of fertilization inside the body.
The scientist who combines the sperm and egg and helps the resulting embryos to grow in a controlled environment is called an embryologist. Access to the laboratory or embryologists in most clinics is limited.
An embryologist is a fertility specialist that helps to create embryos to either be used in IVF right away or to be frozen for later use. Embryologists aren’t MDs, but we are highly trained medical professionals, usually holding a Masters’s degree or a Ph.D. due to the specialized nature of our work. Here are ten things we want you to know about IVF!
What is a blastocyst and why is embryo grading important?
A blastocyst describes an embryo stage reached usually after about five days of development post-fertilization. It has about 50-150 cells and has started to develop specific regions with different cellular destinies. The blastocyst is working hard; pumping fluids towards its center, creating a fluid-filled center and expanding like a water filled balloon. Embryo grading is when embryologists grade embryos based on their potential to successfully implant and result in a pregnancy. The criteria varies from clinic to clinic but the goal is always the same-transfer the best embryo! Embryologists have lots of training in grading embryos and make the best decision they can for you and your embryos. New technologies like AiVF‘s artificial intelligence system EMA are replacing the subjective human analysis of blastocysts with data-driven decision making, while bringing automation and full transparency to the process, which can make IVF efficient, accurate, and easy.Why are there so many unknowns about “IVF Add-Ons like EmbryoGlue, PGT-A, Assisted Hatching etc?
In my opinion, this is the result of thirty years of political turmoil in the US. research on embryos and IVF has largely been driven out of the public sphere and into the private sector, entirely supported by commercial interests and individual clinics.A lot of embryos look amazing on Day 3, but do not go on to form blastocysts. Why?
Embryonic gene activation (EGA) is the process by which an embryo begins to transcribe its newly formed genome. Sperm play an essential role in embryonic genome activation and embryonic progression to blastocyst. Embryos often “arrest” at this stage.Why did I get so many abnormal embryos by PGT?
Aneuploidy (abnormal or incorrect chromosome number) is common in humans and is the leading cause of all human birth defects as well as miscarriage. For those new to the terminology, PGT is a genetic test that takes place before embryo transfer, designed to tell you if each embryo is chromosomally healthy. An embryo that is euploid (normal) has 23 pairs of chromosomes and has a better chance at leading to a successful live-birth than an abnormal (aneuploid) embryo. Aneuploid embryos have missing or extra chromosomes and will typically fail to implant, result in a miscarriage, or lead to the birth of a child with a chromosomal disease. Aneuploidy (abnormal or incorrect chromosome number) is common in humans and is the leading cause of all human birth defects as well as miscarriage. We can perform up to three types of preimplantation genetic testing on embryos during the IVF process. Those include: PGT-A, which screens for an abnormal number of chromosomes. PGT–M is the test for individual, or monogenic, diseases. PGT-SR tests for abnormal chromosomal structural rearrangements, like translocation or inversion. PGT begins with a biopsy of an embryo in the blastocyst stage of development, usually on day 5 or 6 of embryo development. The biopsy removes 3 to 10 cells from the trophectoderm, which is the outer layer of cells that will become the placenta as the embryo develops. The biopsy does not remove any cells from the inner cell mass, which develops into the fetus. After these cells are removed, the blastocyst is frozen and stored in the lab. The biopsied cells are sent for laboratory testing. Results are typically returned in a week to 10 days following the biopsy. Besides the two possible PGT results we’ve already talked about– euploid and aneuploid– there are also two others: mosaic and inconclusive. A mosaic embryo consists of both euploid and aneuploid cells. While mosaicism has existed all along, PGT has only been able to recognize mosaicism in embryos within the past three years, so there is still a lot of research ongoing about their potential. What we know now is that about 10-15% of all embryos are mosaic. Embryo biopsy can also yield an “inconclusive’ or “No result”. That means that the trophectoderm biopsy sample was insufficient to be used for PGT or that it did not meet the quality control standards for analysis. A study by Cimadomo et al. (2018) showed that inconclusive results occur about 1.5-5% of the time because the cell sample is not loaded properly and the tube is actually empty, or that the sample was degraded. Inconclusive or no result embryos have a good chance of being “normal”. A large study (Demko et al., 2016) found for women <35 there is about a 60% chance of a blastocyst being euploid (normal) to 30% by age 41. The chance of getting NO euploid (normal) embryos was about 10% for <35 and about 50% by 43.I am disappointed that I didn’t have more eggs.
15 is the optimal number of eggs to retrieve without putting you at risk for #OHSS. More eggs often means lower quality and higher estrogen levels, which can impair implantation in fresh IVF Cycles.IVF has a 100% success rate.
The success rate of IVF is about 40% in couples below the age of 35. Also, the success rate of IVF depends on factors such as age, cause of #infertility, and biological and hormonal conditions. One of the reasons for this, is that although many blastocysts may LOOK morphologically normal, their behavior can differ in surprising and clinically relevant ways. For example, during development, the blastocyst pushes against the surrounding zona pellucida to expand. Some embryos do this with no trouble, while others struggle and go through a series of contractions and expansions. AiVF’s computer vision analysis of time-lapse videos of embryos has shown that blastocyst pumping events have a high negative predictive value for subsequent failed implantation. AiVF’s AI-based digital embryology management platform was able to shed light on this complex question, by showing that contractions and expansions greater than 8 microns in diameter were associated with poor implantation rates independent of other morphokinetic features.IVF is the same thing no matter which clinic you go to.
NOPE! Not all fertility clinics are created equal, so it’s important to do your research to help you make an informed decision. In addition to looking for a clinic with high-qualified #fertilitydoctors, it’s critical to choose a clinic with a superior IVF lab. You can check out a clinic’s success rates at Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.Infertility is a female problem.
Most of the practical and emotional infertility support out there is aimed at women. Maybe because we are the ones being stimmed and undergoing the surgeries. But we need to get the men more involved! It’s a common misconception that women are most affected by infertility. In some cultures “male infertility” is literally unheard of, like culturally it does not exist. In fact, men and women are equally affected. In heterosexual couples, 1/3 of infertility cases are attributed to men, 1/3 to women, and 1/3 are unknown. With regard to our healthcare, often we will be the first to approach an infertility doctor, who will then prescribe a standard work up of invasive tests that have become the norm for women who experience problems conceiving: that includes multiple appointments, multiple hormone tests, internal, transvaginal scans to check your womb for fibroids, and an HSG test, where dye is pushed into your fallopian tubes to see if they were blocked. Only then, does the male partner typically obtain a semen analysis. Sometimes, men may need to modify their lifestyle habits quite a bit, but this is often brought up late, if at all. Some providers argue that assessing lifestyle factors and history, or for physical problems like varicocele, is even more important than the traditional semen analysis. Raising awareness male infertility will help us to get more funding, resources, research, and even donations made by male donors.IVF is only used for individuals/couples struggling with #infertility.
Families with a history of genetic disorders can do IVF with pre-implantation genetic testing to screen their embryos for single gene disorders and to prevent the genetic condition from being passed onto their children. Even fertile couples use IVF to have more control over their family building, such as being able to chose the order of the sex of their children or for optimal timing for their lives and careers. Also, IVF is used by moms and dads who are single by choice and for LGBTQ couples to build their families.Eggs, Sperm and Embryo Myths!
We cannot tell “female” (X- bearing) sperm from male (Y-bearing) sperm. There is a persistent myth that X or Y bearing sperm look different from each other or swim at different rates. These myths are not based on good, solid science! Every egg, sperm and the resulting combination of the two are different. That makes every attempt at IVF using different gametes a different experience. From the embryologist’s point of view, each egg looks different, but we can’t see the DNA with a microscope to select the “good” eggs. Embryologists will care and nurture your gametes, but cannot repair or make an embryo better by culturing it in the laboratory. Some embryos don’t freeze well or survive the thaw, and are just indicators that there is probably something flawed about them or something we don’t yet understand scientifically speaking. Additionally, each embryo is as different as any child resulting from that embryo would be, but we can’t treat each embryo differently. Adhering strictly to IVF lab culture protocols is what elevated assistant reproductive technologies from being an art into being a reproducible science.
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