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To say endometriosis is a common disease is a bit of an understatement. It affects roughly one in 10 women in America and more than 176 million women worldwide.

Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that makes up the uterine lining (the lining of the womb) is found on other organs in your body. Although more often considered a reproductive disease that can impact the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes, endometriosis can also be found on the bowels, bladder, appendix, and other organs.

What does endometriosis have to do with infertility?

There is a connection between endometriosis and infertility. In fact, 20 to 40 percent of women with infertility will have endometriosis. The disease can impair fertility in two ways:

• By causing the formation of scar tissue in the pelvic area, and adhesion-related distortions of the fallopian tubes, which can interfere with the mechanics of fertilization and implantation.
• By creating inflammation that can adversely affect the function of the ovary, egg, fallopian tubes, or uterus.

Symptoms of endometriosis

Take note and see your doctor if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Intense cramps during menstruation
• Pain during intercourse
• Pain with ovulation
• Frequent urination, especially around the time of menses
• Discomfort during bowel movements, constipation or diarrhea, especially during the time of your period
• Menstrual-related lower back pain or leg pain
• Frequent fatigue

Helping you overcome every barrier to fertility

At Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility, we believe with all our hearts and minds that the family you’ve always wanted is always a possibility. Be it a disease like endometriosis, or another reason for infertility, our fellowship-trained, board-certified fertility specialists are determined to solve it. Through exceptional credentials, unfailing dedication, and the latest technology, we provide you with every available option to become pregnant, including fertility surgery in Columbus, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown, Ohio.

To learn about our individualized treatment plans, outstanding success rates, or to schedule a fertility assessment, call us today at 866-537-2461. Or use our convenient online form to request an appointment.

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries and are extremely common. They form naturally during ovulation. Fortunately, most ovarian cysts develop and go away naturally and do not cause any symptoms. However, eight percent of premenopausal women develop large cysts that need medical treatment.

Women who develop large ovarian cysts have an increased risk of infection. Infected cysts may lead to a pelvic infection and leave scar tissue in the fallopian tubes, which may be the cause of some infertility.

How do ovarian cysts affect your fertility?

While most ovarian cysts do not affect your chances of getting pregnant and resolve on their own, some can be associated with decreased fertility. To clarify, it is the illness causing the cyst that makes it more difficult to get pregnant, such as:

• Endometriosis
  Endometriosis occurs when the lining of the uterus (womb) grows outside of the uterus. Cysts caused by endometriosis are called endometriomas. These ovarian cysts may be associated with fertility problems like chronic inflammation, anatomic distortion of the fallopian tubes and reduced endometrial receptivity (which affects the embryo’s ability to implant).

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  PCOS is a condition in which many small cysts develop on your ovaries, causing irregular periods and high levels of certain hormones. PCOS is associated with irregular ovulation, which may contribute to fertility problems in some women.

Surgical treatment for large ovarian cysts

If your ovarian cyst requires surgery, your doctor will determine if it can be isolated and removed, or if the entire ovary is compromised. Surgery can be done in two different ways:

• Laparoscopy
  With this surgery, the doctor makes a very small incision near your belly button to remove the cyst. This is often recommended for smaller cysts that appear benign (noncancerous) on the ultrasound.
• Laparotomy
  This method may be preferred if the cyst is large and potentially cancerous. Laparotomy uses a slightly larger incision in the abdomen to allow for removal of the cyst. The cyst is then tested for cancer.

The best way to protect your fertility and your health from the dangers of ovarian cysts is to get annual check-ups. Preventive screening and early intervention are the best ways to protect yourself and your fertility. If you are in need of highly-skilled fertility surgery in Columbus, Akron, Canton and Youngstown, contact the reproductive specialists at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility at 866-537-2461.

It is difficult to get pregnant—despite what you may have understood growing up. In fact, fertile women in their twenties only have a 20 to 25 percent chance of pregnancy each month. At 30, the chance of pregnancy drops to about 15 percent. And by 35 the likelihood is less than 10 percent. Throughout your young adult life you likely took precautions to ensure you didn’t get pregnant before you were ready. And now that you’re ready? It seems like it’s taking forever.

When is it time to see a fertility specialist?

Too often couples struggle for months, if not years, with trying to conceive naturally before seeking help from a skilled fertility specialist. Couples who’ve been sexually active without contraception for 12 consecutive months or more without success should seek help from an experienced fertility specialist. Women who are over the age of 35 should seek medical help after 6 consecutive months of sexual activity without contraception. Fertility issues are equally common among men and women, affecting approximately one in eight U.S. couples.

What to expect at a fertility consultation

Deciding to seek help from a reproductive endocrinologist is a big step in your journey toward parenthood, and it may feel overwhelming. We want you to feel good about your decision from the start. Here is what you can expect during your initial fertility consultation:

• You will meet your fertility specialist who will help you through your entire journey.
• He or she will ask you about your medical history and your family building goals.
• Based on your discussion, your doctor will order a number of routine, minimally invasive, diagnostic tests to evaluate both you and your partner.
• Next, you will meet with your dedicated nurse who will help you coordinate and implement your doctor’s recommendations.
• You may also meet with a genetic counselor and financial counselor, depending on your individual needs.

If you and your partner have been sexually active without contraception for more than 12 consecutive months (6 months for women over the age of 35) without success, we can help. Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility offers safe, effective, leading edge fertility services in Akron, Columbus, Youngstown and Canton. Call us at 866-537-2461 to schedule an initial fertility consultation to find out how we can help you grow your family.

If you have suffered a miscarriage, or continue to struggle with recurrent pregnancy loss—you are not alone. Approximately 10-25 percent of all clinically recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage, most occurring during the first trimester. The most common reason for miscarriage in the first 12 weeks is a chromosomal abnormality, though maternal health problems, hormonal issues, infections, maternal age and maternal trauma are also risk factors.

Miscarriages are hard­—it doesn’t matter if you’ve been through one or a handful. They take a physical and mental toll on a woman’s well being. The most common physical symptoms of pregnancy loss include bleeding, cramping, passing clots of tissue and contractions. Unfortunately, these symptoms may last for weeks; which makes coping with the emotional aspects of miscarriage that much harder.

Helpful tips for coping with miscarriage

Learn how to cope with miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss with these tips:

• Get informed –This is particularly important for women who’ve suffered recurrent miscarriages. Talk to your doctor, or see a skilled endocrinologist to find out why this keeps happening. Though the answers may sometimes be hard to hear, they will help provide a clear plan of action for moving forward.
• Talk about it – We as a society don’t like to talk about miscarriages, but it’s important to set that aside and lean on your support network for emotional support. Your trusted friends and family want you to feel whole again.
• Stay hopeful – It’s okay to take time to be angry, sad or even lonely after a miscarriage, but don’t lose hope. If having a baby is your goal, keep looking forward and plan your next steps. Sometimes, that means getting help from a fertility specialist.

The highly skilled endocrinologists at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility are here to guide you past this trauma and help you have a baby. If you’re looking for experienced, individualized IVF in Columbus, Akron, Canton and Youngstown, call 866-537-2461 to schedule an initial fertility consultation. We care about you and want to help you grow your family.

Many women believe stress contributes to fertility problems, however; it is typically the opposite that’s true. Often, stress triggers a pre-existing medical condition that in turn can affect fertility.

Connection between stress and infertility

While stress in itself may lead to certain behaviors that cause fertility problems (e.g., smoking, drinking, using drugs or dropping out of fertility treatments prematurely), stress has not been clinically proven to reduce a person’s chance of becoming pregnant. However, women struggling with infertility typically have elevated levels of anxiety, and depression, which can lead to more stress.

How to lower your stress while struggling with infertility

Reducing stress is always a good idea, and it may help your body during fertility treatments. Here are a few suggestions:

• Take your mind off your fertility
  Sometimes when couples are struggling with infertility, it takes up a lot of their time and energy. Take a mental break and go out on a date with your significant other, see a movie, or take a dance class.
• Keep a positive mental attitude
  Try to keep negative thoughts or thoughts of hopelessness at bay by coming up with positive alternatives like “If getting pregnant was so easy, there wouldn’t be fertility clinics.”
• Write about it
  Sometimes the simple act of getting your worries down on paper can be enough to take the pressure off your mind. It’s a terrific way to off-load concerns you feel uncomfortable sharing. Once you’re finished, the physical act of shredding the pages and/or throwing them away may also help alleviate some of the stress.

We understand how stressful and frustrating it can be when you’re having a difficult time getting pregnant. The highly skilled endocrinologists at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility are here to guide you along your journey to parenthood.

Call us at 866-537-2461 to schedule an initial fertility consultation or to learn more about infertility treatment in Akron, Canton, Columbus and Youngstown.

When choosing a fertility clinic, IVF success rates may be one of the first statistics you review, and with good reason. In addition to other factors, IVF success rates DO matter, because they can indicate a high level of success and credibility for a clinic.

What’s more, when you consider that successful IVF and a healthy baby depend largely on your (a woman’s) age and the cause of infertility, weighing success rates is vital. But many clinics advertise high success rates, so how can you know who to trust to help you start (or add to) your dream family?

What’s behind IVF success rates and why they matter

At Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility (RGI), we proudly display our IVF success rates, and we stand behind them without fail. Our team of compassionate and highly trained infertility specialists fully understands the stress, and the emotional and financial investment involved in IVF. So, we do all we can to minimize your concerns and maximize your joy, with an IVF 100% Success Guaranteed Plan in Columbus, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown, Ohio.

Here’s what makes it possible for us to offer this exceptional program:

• We tailor treatments to each couple’s specific needs.
• We insist upon & maintain strict quality control in our IVF laboratories.
• RGI embryologists’ performance is routinely assessed to help maintain the highest standards in our laboratories.
• Our labs are equipped with the very latest technology.
• We adhere to the guidelines established by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
• RGI is a member of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART).
• Our IVF lab is accredited by SART.
• RGI physicians are board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
• We report our IVF results to the SART registry.

With IVF and our dedicated specialists, the family you’ve always wanted is possible

At Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility, we are passionately dedicated to helping you have the child of your dreams. Through meticulous evaluation and diagnosis and the latest technology and treatments, our fellowship-trained, board-certified fertility specialists will give you every available option to become pregnant and have a healthy baby.

To learn about our individualized treatment plans or outstanding success rates, or to schedule a fertility assessment, call us at 866-537-2461. Or use our convenient online form to request an appointment.

From frustration to joy, the journey to overcome infertility and bring a child into your world is life changing. If you’ve been there, and are fortunate enough to know the elation of finally being able to conceive through in vitro fertilization (IVF), congratulations are in order! So, now that your family is complete, what will become of your remaining embryos?

It’s a question millions of lucky parents ponder each year. Once they have their dream family, they must decide what to do with the extra embryos of a successful in vitro fertilization. There are three options to consider: Freeze, thaw, or donate the embryos.

Embryo donation can help other families

Of course, this is a very personal decision and only you can make it. However, for many families, donation is a particularly rewarding option. Think of it this way: You would be providing an opportunity for life. You would be “paying it forward” by helping another family experience the wonder and delight of children.

Imagine giving a hopeful mom-to-be the chance to carry and have children. It will change her and her partner’s life, and maybe even yours. Donating your embryos is not only a selfless choice, it’s a wonderful gift for the adoptive family and the child. You can even be involved in the process of selecting a family.

But what about those all-important success rates?

Embryo donation success rates are excellent. Many couples for whom IVF has failed can still give birth through donated embryos. Statistics even show that overall, implantation success rates are higher using embryo rather than IVF.

Are you ready to help a family through embryo donation?

Come see us at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility. We will guide you through every step of the donation process through our embryo donation program in Youngstown, Canton, Akron, and Columbus, Ohio.

Let us be your sole resource for donation. We’ll handle everything from screening to counseling, and we offer complete lab services in Akron and Columbus. When you’re ready, our team of credentialed and experienced physicians and nurses will be, too. Together, we’ll make another family’s dreams come true.

To schedule an appointment, call us today at 866-537-2461 or use our convenient online form to request an appointment.