The Unofficial Guide to Overcoming Infertility

by Liebmann-Smith, Joan; Egan, Jacqueline Nardi; Stangel, John J.

• ISBN13: 9780028629162
• ISBN10: 0028629167
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-05-01
• Publisher: Macmillan General Reference

Summary

The inside scoop...; for when you want more than the official line! Having a baby is a joyous event that most couples look forward to. But sometimes nature just doesn't cooperate. If you and your partner are having difficulty conceiving, how can you increase your chances of pregnancy? You want to know what causes infertility, how much your lifestyle may be contributing to the problem, and what you can look for in medical and non-traditional therapies aimed at overcoming infertility. You want the inside scoop. The Unofficial Guide " to Overcoming Infertility is designed to give savvy consumers like you a foolproof appraisal of what works and what doesn't-the good treatments and the bad ones-with unbiased recommendations that are not influenced by any company, product, or organization. This book, like every Unofficial Guide, " is intensively inspected by the Unofficial Panel of Experts, a team of highly respected health-care professionals. They ensure that you are armed with the most up-to-date insider information on infertility treatments and are told exactly what the Official establishment doesn't want you to know. Vital Information that other sources can't or won't reveal-including an unbiased guide to the many infertility treatments available. Insider Secrets from health-care professionals and clinical researchers-and once-infertile couples who are now experiencing the joy of parenthood. Money-Saving Techniques that will help you find the resources to pay for your medical tests and expenses. Time-Saving Tips that enable you to take an active role in overcoming infertility while keeping your day-to-day life on track. The Latest Trends in infertility treatments-including medical and nonmedical procedures and holistic approaches. Handy Checklists and Charts that will help you plan your eventual pregnancy and keep the process stress free.

Table of Contents

The Unofficial Guide Reader's Bill of Rights. The Unofficial Guide Panel of Experts. Introduction. 1. Trying...;and Failing to Get Pregnant. 1. Understanding Human Reproduction. A Refresher Course on Conception, or Back to the Basics. The Female Reproductive System. The Male Reproductive System. Female Hormones-the Language of Her Reproductive Cycle. The Male Hormones: the Language of His Reproductive Cycle. Making Love ...;and Babies. The Journey Towards Conception. From Egg to Embryo: in Eight Sometimes Not-so-Easy Steps. When Everything Goes Right. When Everything Seems to Be Going Wrong. Take Control of the Situation. Determine if and When You're Ovulating. Other Ways of Taking Control of Your Fertility. Just the Facts. 2. Understanding Infertility. What Is Infertility? What Is Female Factor Infertility? What About Male Factor? Common Conditions That Can Affect You and/or Your Partner. Age and Infertility. Recurrent Miscarriage. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Antisperm Antibodies. Diabetes. Smoking. Alcohol and Mind-Altering Drugs. Diethylstilbestrol (DES). Athletic Activity and Weight. Female Factor Infertility. Cervical Factors. Tubal Factors. Ovarian Factors. Uterine Factors. Male Factor Infertility. Seminal Abnormalities. Structural Abnormalities. Medical Disorders. Infections. Testicular Trauma or Torsion. Medications, Toxins, and Illicit Drugs. Myths and Misconceptions About Infertility. Just the Facts. 2. Finding the Problem. 3. Dealing with Doctors. Finding the Right Doctor for You. What Is a Fertility Specialist? What to Look for in a Doctor. What About Charisma? Looking for Dr. Right. Common Obstacles to Consulting a Fertility Doctor. Making the Most of Your Consultation. Not Being Taken Seriously. Taking Charge of Your Infertility Treatment. The Doctor-Patient Relationship. Switching Doctors or Doctor Hopping. Just the Facts. 4. The Basic Infertility Workup. Getting Ready. Reasonable Expectations. The Initial Evaluation: Both Partners. The Diagnostic Rationale. The Workup. History. The Physical Examination. Routine Office and Laboratory Tests. Common Hormone Tests for the Woman. More Specialized Tests for the Woman. More Specialized Tests for Men. Taking the Steps to Diagnosing Infertility. Just the Facts. 3. Finding the Right Treatment. 5. Fertility Drugs and Other Noninvasive Treatments. How Age Affects Fertility Drug Treatment. Fertility Drugs for All Types of Infertility. The Basics of Hormonal Control. Ovulatory Dysfunction and Fertility Drugs. What Fertility Drugs Treat. What to Remember about Fertility Drug Treatment. Why Monitoring Is Needed. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). How Ovulation Induction Is Monitored. A Guide to Fertility Drugs. Other Common Nonsurgical Treatments for Male or Female Infertility. Therapeutic (Artificial) Insemination by Any Name. Other Nonsurgical Treatments of Male Infertility. Fertility Drugs: Not for Women Only. Antibiotics. Other Causes of Male Factor Infertility. Just the Facts. 6. Surgical Treatment for Infertility. The Dilemma: to Cut or Not to Cut. Surgery Is Less Invasive Than Ever Before. Surgical Solutions. Tubal Disease or Obstructions. When More Is Needed. Reversing Tubal Sterilization. Endometriosis and Other Pelvic Adhesions. Removing Uterine Fibroids. S