Articles filed under 'WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE'


Long-term use of estrogen hormone therapy linked to higher risk for breast cancer

In a landmark study, researchers have linked the long-term use of estrogen plus progesterone and estrogen-only hormone therapy with a higher risk for developing breast cancer.

Continue Reading Add comment April 1st, 2012

New breast cancer susceptibility gene

Mutations in a gene called XRCC2 cause increased breast cancer risk, according to a new study. The study looked at families that have a history of the disease but do not have mutations in the currently known breast cancer susceptibility genes.

Continue Reading Add comment March 29th, 2012

New more-sensitive blood test catches recurring breast cancer a year earlier

A new blood test is twice as sensitive and can detect breast cancer recurrence a full year earlier than current blood tests, according to new research.

Continue Reading Add comment March 28th, 2012

‘Bed-of-nails’ breast implant deters cancer cells

Researchers have created an implant that appears to deter breast cancer cell regrowth. Made from a common federally approved polymer, the implant is the first to be modified at the nanoscale in a way that causes a reduction in the blood-vessel architec…

Continue Reading Add comment March 23rd, 2012

Dense breasts can nearly double the risk of breast cancer recurrence

Women aged 50 and over with breasts that have a high percentage of dense tissue are at greater risk of their breast cancer recurring, according to Swedish research.

Continue Reading Add comment March 21st, 2012

Have I got cancer or haven’t I? Medical staff confuse women with ductal carcinoma in situ

Women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) need clear communication and tailored support to enable them to understand this complex breast condition, which has divided the medical profession when it comes to its perception and prognosis, accor…

Continue Reading Add comment March 21st, 2012

Dietary cadmium may be linked with breast cancer risk

Dietary cadmium, a toxic metal widely dispersed in the environment and found in many farm fertilizers, may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer, according to a new study. Cadmium occurs at low concentrations naturally, but scientists are concerne…

Continue Reading Add comment March 15th, 2012

Biologists uncover surprising connection between breast cancer cells and surrounding tissue

Biologists had found a previously unknown connection between breast cancer tumor cells and the surrounding healthy tissue. The results provide new information on the earliest stages of breast cancer metastasis.

Continue Reading Add comment March 14th, 2012

Cost of In Vitro Fertilization

Sometimes the last resort for is in vitro fertilization, and the is often foremost in most people’s minds.  Because it is a complex medical procedure, the cost of IVF is high.  Some couples would like to find ways to reduce IVF costs, but that could be a mistake if having a child is a high priority for you.  Hidden costs can creep into the cost of IVF and tend to make those low estimates higher than you would expect.  insurance often does not cover IVF  expenses, so it is left to the expectant parents to foot the bill.  If you are determined to have  a child, you will find  ways to cover the cost of IVF treatments or utilize alternative you can afford.

Cost of In Vitro Fertilization: Just the Basics

The average  price of IVF in the United States is $12,000, but it can be as high as $15,000 or as low as $10,000.  Factors affecting the cost of IVF will primarily depend on your region of the country, how skilled a practitioner you use, and what extras you want to add  to the total costs of in vitro fertilization.  This IVF  “price tag” is for one cycle of IVF, meaning one harvest of sperm and egg and one placement.  Sometimes you can use frozen embryos from a previous IVF procedure to reduce your IVF costs considerably.  The  price to merely transfer an embryo is $3,000 which is significantly less than the  expense of a complete IVF procedure.

Cost of In Vitro Fertilization: Some Extras

In addition to the cost of IVF itself, several accessory procedures are sometimes necessary that can raise the total IVF cost.  For instance, if you need the sperm injected directly into the egg, the cost of in vitro fertilization can increase by several thousand dollars.  Freezing any additional embryos that were created in the IVF process can also raise the IVF costs by at least a few hundred dollars,  or even a thousand dollars.  However, embryos can be transferred  in the future, cutting the IVF cost of later attempts drastically.

Egg and sperm donation bump up the cost of IVF significantly.  The cost of an egg donor is $25,000 to $30,000 per cycle, while sperm donation can raise the IVF cost to $13,000 to $17,000 per cycle.  You can also get an entire embryo donated, and this raises the cost of in vitro fertilization.  The cost for embryo donation is $5,000 to $7,000 for pre-created embryos.  If you would like to choose the donors for the embryo, the cost of IVF could be astronomical.

Cost of In Vitro Fertilization: Money Considerations

In some cases, when IVF doesn’t work for you,  certain clinics will give refunds .  However, you  must carefully  read the agreement to understand what a successful cycle means.  The cost of IVF may not be refunded if you become pregnant and miscarry  later.  You also want to consider the agency’s success rate when looking at the cost of in vitro fertilization.  If you find a clinic with low IVF costs but without high  success rates, then you may need to pay  for IVF several times to become pregnant.  Financially, it may make more sense to go with the more expensive clinic with a demonstrated record of success in helping couples conceive.

If you are trying to get pregnant and considering the cost of in vitro fertilization , it may interest you to know that can sometimes make IVF more successful. You can cut down on the repeated IVF costs with an investment in fertility at Fifth Avenue Fertility Acupuncture. Visit their website at http://www.fifthavenueacupuncture.com for more information on how can help with the cost of in vitro fertilization.

Add comment March 11th, 2012

Causes of Infertility in Women

Have you been struggling with  infertility for a long period of time?  Perhaps you have gone through endless appointments at infertility clinics to get treatments for your condition. Are you wondering just what  keeps you from getting pregnant?  Infertility treatments focus on restoring your fertility by  looking at the root and helping you get pregnant.

The causes of infertility in women come in three basic  categories: 1.) mechanical problems involving your reproductive organs; 2.) hormonal imbalances in the chemicals in your body that regulate ovulation, and fertility 3.) or, a disease that affects the functioning or condition of the uterus and which can interfere with hormonal balance.  Any of these causes  of infertility may send you to your physician and result in a referral to an infertility clinic. Infertility treatments can resolve or correct the causes of infertility and help you get pregnant.

Causes of Infertility in Women: Mechanical Problems

One commonly seen mechanical cause of infertility that requires infertility treatment is a blocked fallopian tube.  This is the tube that carries the egg from the ovary to the uterus. If  the tube is blocked, the sperm cannot  make its way to the egg.   One simple infertility treatment in an infertility clinic involves a procedure to “blow out” the fallopian tubes to clear them.  Endometriosis can be another cause of infertility that requires infertility treatments.  This condition involves the lining of the uterus growing outside the organ, and many infertility clinics will recommend infertility treatments that get this condition under control in order to conceive.

Uterine fibroids are very common in women, but they are not a common cause of infertility.  Still, some infertility clinics will recommend infertility treatments that involve removing these benign uterine growths because they can interfere with the egg implanting inside the uterus.  Another cause of infertility is pelvic adhesions, which are tight bands of scar tissue that constrict the uterus.  A fertility clinic might recommend having these adhesions surgically removed.

Causes of Infertility in Women: Hormonal Problems

Some of the most frustrating causes of infertility that bring a woman into infertility clinics are those that stem from hormonal issues.  Ovulation disorders can prevent the egg from releasing from the ovary, and you may need to take medications to stimulate the ovary to release an egg.  Another type of disorder that commonly requires infertility treatment is polycystic ovarian syndrome.  This condition involves an excess of male hormones in the body that interfere with pregnancy hormones. You may be given infertility treatment to correct the hormonal imbalance.

Another possible hormonal cause of infertility is elevated prolactin levels.  Prolactin stimulates the body to produce breast milk and signals the body to  prevent pregnancy.  An infertility clinic would be able to correct this imbalance with medications.  Or, you may experience early menopause  – another possible cause of  infertility, depending on your age.  Some women can experience menopause as early as 40 years old.  Even women in their 30s, those who engage in excessive exercise regimens, may find themselves in early menopause. In this case, no effective fertility treatment is possible.

Causes of Infertility in Women: Diseases and Conditions

Many different diseases and the medications prescribed for women can contribute to infertility.   You can speak with your doctor at your infertility clinic about your own concerns about infertility. Your physician may be able to adjust your medications or  successfully treat your underlying condition so that you are able to get pregnant.  Some of the diseases that prompt women to seek infertility treatments at infertility clinics are Sickle Cell Disease, kidney disease, and diabetes.  If you have had with radiation,   your treatments could be another cause of infertility.  You would need to discuss with your doctor at your infertility clinic your diagnosed conditions that are causing infertility. Your doctor will help you to  find  appropriate options and recommend the right course of action for  your infertility treatment.

If you have explored the causes of infertility and are looking for infertility treatments , Fifth Avenue Fertility Acupuncture can help you explore natural treatments instead of going to a traditional infertility clinic for your fertility needs. Visit their site at http://www.fifthavenueacupuncture.com for more information on as a treatment for fertility.

Add comment March 10th, 2012

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