Couples experiencing infertility may feel especially singled out during motherhood month. Whether you are currently undergoing infertility treatment, or just beginning to suspect a problem, Mother’s Day will add extra stress to an already difficult situation.

Treating infertility involves more than ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination (IUI). The specialists at Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates recognize the importance of a mind-body connection to overall health.

This Mother’s Day, take proactive steps to minimize stress

1. Know your limits.

Give yourself permission to avoid Mother’s Day gatherings with the extended family or restaurants packed with moms and adorable babies.

2. Redirect your focus.

Create a photo book, find a special gift or write a letter celebrating your own mother. Tell her what her legacy means to you. If you haven’t already shared your struggles to get pregnant with her, consider asking your mom for her support.

3. Take a vacation from trying

Plan a long weekend away to reconnect as a couple. If you are undergoing IUI or IVF, talk with your fertility doctor about the best time to schedule your escape.

4. Renew your efforts

Approximately 80 percent of couples who partner with a fertility specialist will have a happy ending. If you haven’t already investigated all of the options available—from IUI and IVF to genetic testing and donor eggs and sperm—make a point to do so this month.

5. Treat yourself

You don’t have to be a mom to take advantage of the deals and packages that spas, stores and hotels offer this month. You will be a mom one day, so get a jump start on pampering yourself in May.

The goal of Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates is to make next Mother’s Day a joyous occasion. To make an appointment with a fertility specialist, contact us or read more about fertility causes on our website.

How Does SpermCheck Fertility work?

This FDA-approved drugstore kit costs about $40 and involves mixing a sample of semen with a solution included in the kit. Consumers then add the mixture to a test strip for results. A red line indicates a “normal” sperm count of over 20 million per milliliter . Results have proven to be nearly as accurate as lab tests.

Why Opt for a Fertility Specialist Over SpermCheck Fertility?

While a basic test for sperm count is helpful, a complete fertility evaluation gives a more accurate assessment. Sperm count can vary from week to week, and is just one factor that can interfere with conception.

A fertility specialist will first evaluate anatomical issues such as varicose veins, screen for hormonal abnormalities and ejaculatory disturbances, and ask about past medical problems.

A thorough semen analysis evaluates the quality and quantity of a sample:

• Sperm motility (how efficiently sperm ‘swims’ to reach the egg)
• Sperm morphology (the shape of the sperm, from head to tail)
• Sperm volume (the amount ejaculated during intercourse)
• Sperm concentration (the number of sperm present in a sample)

According to Samuel Chantilis, M.D. with Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates, an at-home test to measure sperm count is but one image in a complete picture.

“A man with a low sperm count can successfully get his partner pregnant, if no other factors exist,” says Dr. Chantilis. “I’m a fan of any medical advance that increases fertility awareness, but I hope this new at-home kit doesn’t offer false hope or unnecessary concern.”

If you have tried for more than one year to get pregnant, consider a fertility evaluation to determine underlying causes of male infertility or female infertility. Contact Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates about treatment options, ranging from simple modifications to IUI, IVF and ICSI.

Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates works with couples every day that are stunned to learn that getting pregnant may require medical intervention. The good news is that 80 percent of couples that partner with a fertility specialist will resolve their infertility and conceive a baby.

The reproductive endocrinologists at Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates urge men and women to heed the warning signs of a disease that often lies dormant until the time they decide to start a family.

If you have tried for 12 months to get pregnant with no luck, it’s time to partner with a fertility doctor. Women over 35 should seek help after six months.

Warning signs of female infertility

• Advanced age (over 35)
• Irregular periods
• Painful periods
• Multiple miscarriages
• A diagnosis of endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease

Warning signs of male infertility

• Advanced age (over 40)
• Variocole
• Erectile dysfunction
• History of testicular or prostate cancer

National Infertility Awareness Week occurs in April, take this time to evaluate your own reproductive goals and help educate others about the pain and disappointment of infertility.

If you suspect a problem, the sooner you get help, the better.

Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates believes that knowledge and medical intervention empowers men and women who wish to get pregnant. Contact a fertility specialist to discuss your concerns and plan for a successful outcome.

For the 1 in 8 couples experiencing infertility, partnering with a fertility specialist makes all the difference.

Successful people maximize their time and achieve career goals by making lists, delegating assignments and prioritizing then tackling the important tasks first. Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates suggests that you apply that same corporate mindset to your job of getting pregnant.

As hard as you work at getting pregnant, physical, hormonal, or even environmental roadblocks may stand in the way of successful conception. Companies hire consultants for their expertise; infertile couples can enlist the help of a fertility specialist.

A diagnosis of infertility applies when couples have tried for more than one year to get pregnant, without a resulting live birth. Women over 35 should seek help after six months. A fertility specialist, like the reproductive endocrinologists at Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates, can help determine the cause of your infertility, and prescribe a plan for building your family.

The business of getting pregnant

1. Making lists: Track your ovulation

Keep a list of the dates you ovulate and any unusual symptoms you experience each month. Female infertility can be caused by endometriosis, PCOS or other conditions that cause ovulatory dysfunction, which can be treated with hormone therapy. A couple that has tried for over 12 months to get pregnant is considered infertile. Slash that time to six months when the female partner is over 35.

2. Delegating: Partner with a reproductive endocrinologist

At some point, you need to call in an expert to diagnose and treat infertility. A reproductive endocrinologist is an obgyn with additional fellowship training in the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive disorders.

3. Tackling the important jobs first: Schedule a fertility workup

A detailed health history, physical exam and blood work can immediately reveal barriers to getting pregnant. Your fertility specialist will use this information to recommend treatment options.

Infertility is a disease, but it is treatable. If you have experienced trouble getting pregnant, contact the compassionate team at Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates for answers and a customized treatment plan.

One of the frequently asked questions from women hoping to become pregnant is whether or not inactivated influenza vaccines are safe. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates agree that flu vaccines protect both you and your baby from illness and any complications of the flu.

Fertility doctors address your flu vaccine concerns

Fertility treatment allows you to forecast your targeted month for conception. You may worry about how flu season will coincide with your pregnancy. Rest assured that you can safely receive a flu vaccine during any trimester.

When is the best time to get vaccinated? According to fertility specialists and obgyn doctors, as soon as possible.

While the inactivated flu shot is safe, pregnant women should not receive a live vaccine. Nasal spray vaccines contain the active virus, so you should avoid this form of the flu vaccine and delivery method until after giving birth.

You may have heard that the flu vaccine actually causes the flu. No scientific evidence points to this conclusion.

Another Great Argument for a Flu Shot

You’ve waited long enough to get pregnant, and have gone to great lengths to schedule fertility treatment. Dr. Samuel Chantilis understands how frustrating a delay can feel, so he highly recommends a flu vaccine to protect against an illness that could interfere with your fertility treatment regimen.

Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility specialists and the entire staff roll up their sleeves for the flu vaccine every season. This protects the health of each valued patient, and minimizes the risk of infection. We recommend that fertility patients and their families arrange for a flu vaccine each season, and practice good health habits all year long. Call us to find out more about maximizing your chances for getting pregnant.

Women sometimes opt to have their “tubes tied” through the process of tubal ligation (tubal sterilization). This birth control method involves cutting or blocking the fallopian tubes to prevent an egg from moving from the ovaries into the fallopian tubes where sperm can fertilize it. Tubal ligation is considered a permanent form of birth control.

However, if you have decided to get pregnant and add to your family, it’s possible to give your fallopian tubes a second chance.

How Does Tubal Reversal Work?

This microsurgery, performed under general anesthesia, involves a small bikini incision and a procedure to reconnect the fallopian tubes. Recovery time varies, but plan on two weeks of downtime after tubal reversal surgery.

Dr. Samuel Chantilis, M.D., board certified as an obgyn and reproductive endocrinologist says:

“Prior to undergoing a tubal reversal, an evaluation is typically conducted to ensure that there aren’t other factors that could impact fertility. This evaluation includes a semen analysis to evaluate the male, a sonogram and blood test to evaluate ovarian reserve, and a uterine cavity evaluation.”

What’s more, with package pricing at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, the cost of tubal reversal is similar/less than to that of IVF, without the risk of multiple birth associated with IVF.

The type of tubal ligation surgery and length of the tube removed determines your chances for a successful reversal, so plan to gather your operative reports prior to meeting with a fertility specialist.

Oftentimes, advanced reproductive technologies (ART) open doors that frustrated couples experiencing infertility believed were forever closed. A consultation with Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates can rejuvenate your attempts to get pregnant.

You may know that Valentine’s Day began as an ancient festival of fertility. Now, the holiday consists of greeting cards, conversation hearts and dinner reservations, but we’ve decided to recognize the couples that seek treatment to achieve fertility.

Stress and infertility, not a great couple

Take today to treat yourself and your partner to something special. Stress and fertility go hand in hand, so enjoy a holiday from worrying. Why not book a massage, sign up for a yoga class or go for a long walk together?

Dallas-Fort Worth offers some fantastic restaurants and outings for fun-loving couples. Pack a picnic lunch and head to the Dallas Arboretum or the Fort Worth Botanic Garden (both open 9-5). Secure tickets for the Theatre Three production of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” or check out “Romance Maker:  The Watercolors of Charles M. Russell” at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.

A Valentine’s Day wish from Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility  

Valentine’s Day celebrates relationships. Here at Dallas Fertility Associates, we develop relationships, too. The strength, patience and commitment that our patients demonstrate inspire us. These dedicated individuals pursue their dreams of becoming parents despite the obstacle of infertility.  We take great pleasure in celebrating the hundreds of babies born out of that deep love, and we honor the couples that diligently commit themselves to this endeavor.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates.

Infertility is not a woman’s problem, says Dr. Samuel Chantilis of Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates. He sees nearly an equal number of men in his fertility practice, and routinely dispels myths about what does and does not interfere with a couple’s plans to get pregnant.

What Causes Male Infertility?

After the negative pregnancy tests start to pile up, couples experiencing infertility quickly begin to sort fact from fiction. A fertility specialist and/or urologist will help rule out a low sperm count, or problems with how a man’s sperm looks, swims and infiltrates the egg. Semen analysis will diagnose male infertility, and guide your doctor in prescribing an effective treatment plan.

Before you visit a fertility specialist, however, you might consider making some simple changes to maximize your chances for getting your partner pregnant.

Focus on maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and managing stress. Cigarette smoke, excessive alcohol consumption and illegal drugs can also contribute to male infertility.

Studies conclusively link male infertility with other controllable factors. For example, overheating a man’s “nether regions” can impact sperm quality and quantity. But what’s fact, and what’s fiction?

FACT: Saunas and steam rooms increase body temperature to a level that stifles sperm production. Consider skipping this steamy part of your workout routine until the bun is safely in the oven.

FACT: The heat that laptop computers produce can impact sperm production as well. Rearrange your workstation or use a laptop fan to get better returns on your “home business.”

FICTION: Tight-fitting underwear will not interfere with your ability to father a child. Boxers or briefs? Whatever puts your partner in the baby-making mood.

FICTION: Love to cycle? Don’t give it up just because you are trying to conceive. There is no conclusive evidence that long bike rides cause male infertility.

Male infertility is a complex issue, but one that you don’t have to tackle alone. Contact the specialists at Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates to schedule a male fertility workup.

This exchange portrays a conversation fertility specialists wish they could have with young women everywhere. While opportunities today are limitless, there is a limit to ovarian function.

Do Female Eggs Have a Shelf Life?

The scientific community agrees that a woman is born with a finite number of eggs—around 1 million. Those eggs diminish to about 300,000 and release one at a time (sometimes more than one in the case of multiples) after the start of menses.

The optimal time to get pregnant, when egg quality peaks, is when a woman is in her 20s and early 30s. This is also the time when most American women are building careers and nurturing relationships.

In fact, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), nearly 20% of women wait until after 35 to get pregnant. By then, there is a 30% chance that those women will remain childless.

Here’s the shocker that Sarah’s TV doctor didn’t share with her: By age 40, the chance of a woman getting pregnant falls to about 5% per month, as compared with 20% per month in her 20s.

Can You Rescue Your Fertility?

The good news is that over 80% of women who see a fertility specialist go on to get pregnant.

However, the best advice that reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Karen Lee can give is to know the facts about fertility, and seek help if you’ve tried unsuccessfully for one year (6 months if you are over 35) to get pregnant.

While women can look and feel half their age, there’s no fooling the ovaries. As they said on prime time: There is a prime time for conceiving a child.

Contact the specialists at Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates to learn more about optimizing and preserving your fertility.

Two of Dallas-Fort Worth Associates fertility doctors made the exclusive list that represents best doctors from coast to coast:  Drs. Samuel J. Chantilis and Karen L. Lee.

Identifying America’s Best Fertility Doctors
In America, there are over 4,000 reproductive endocrinologists practicing today. Only 293 reproductive endocrinologists made the final Top Doctors™ list.

Within this list of the best reproductive endocrinologists, 88 were named to a highly selective Top Doctors™ list by achieving national recognition for outstanding work.

“A great fertility practice doesn’t happen by chance,” says Dr. Chantilis. “My colleagues put forth great effort every day to provide patients the very latest advances in infertility treatment, and we are honored to be recognized for our commitment to quality care.”

The Gold Standard of Physician Referrals
Dr. Chantilis and Dr. Lee, among other recognized physicians, were selected based on a peer nomination process. After the nomination process, a physician-led research team helps identify the honorees.

Once again, congratulations to Drs. Samuel Chantilis and Karen Lee of Dallas Fertility for their inclusion in U.S. News & World Reports National Best Doctors List for 2011.

Men and women in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and all of North Texas have access to Top Doctors™ to overcome infertility. Contact the specialists at Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates for a consultation.