Tuesday, August 27

Fertility Awareness Week 2013

I've been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome after my son was born thirteen years ago. This explains why Rap is an only child. We tried to get pregnant but, I guess, God has other plans for me. If you are like me who's having problems in conceiving, then the activities prepared for this year's Fertility Awareness Week is for you.

Fertility Awareness Week 2013 is an awareness campaign endorsed by the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) & Philippine Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (PSREI) in collaboration with Merck Serono to improve knowledge surrounding fertility and recognize the issue of infertility.

I was invited last week to the Hope for Starting Families Workshop where I learned a lot about infertility. Being someone who has secondary infertility, I thought that I already know everything there is about the subject but I was wrong.

Here are some facts I learned about infertility from Dr. Anthony Marc B. Ancheta of The Medical City:

  • Infertility is the inability to conceive within a year of regular, unprotected intercourse.
  • Infertility can be primary or secondary (inability to conceive again after bearing the first child).
  • As much as 15% of couples have problems conceiving.
  • Female factors contribute to as much as 35-40% of a couple's inability to conceive. Usual reasons are Polycycstic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, and age.
  • Male infertility typically results from low or absence of sperm cells, poor sperm motility (inactivity), and poor sperm quality.
  • Stress can also cause infertility causing the brain to tell the body that it's not yet ready to have a baby.
  • There are 3 modes of treatment: 1) Ovulation induction and timed intercourse; 2) Ovulation induction, follicle monitoring, and artificial insemination; and, 3) In-vitro fertilization (IVF).

It's time to break the silence! If you're also suffering from infertility, join your local fertility specialist for a daily web congress starting August 25 until the 30th. Visit www.fertilityphilippines.com to know more aout your condition and the treatment options most suited for you and your partner.

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