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To some people, conceiving, carrying and giving birth to a healthy child may seem routine. But for women who are facing cancer, having a baby is much more complicated. Cancer treatments can disrupt the process of conception and affect a woman’s ability to have children.

If you’ve yet to begin cancer treatment, talk with your doctor about fertility. Different treatments can have different effects, but there may be ways to save or protect your fertility before, and possibly even during treatment.

Cancer and fertility: Things to consider

Before moving forward with fertility-saving treatment, your physician must try to answer the following questions:

• Has the cancer spread?
• Is there a high risk of the cancer returning to the same areas or organs?
• Is pursuing a time-consuming method to preserve fertility going to delay treatment of a fast-growing cancer?
• What are the chances of success? (Most fertility procedures are less successful for women over age 40.)

Cancer and fertility: Options you may have

When it comes to starting or continuing to build your family, you do have choices. In fact, you and your doctor may attempt to preserve your fertility by using more than one option. These may include:

• Freezing sperm for men
• IVF to freeze embryos
• Egg freezing (stimulating the ovaries to retrieve mature eggs)
• Surrogacy
• Surgery

Helping you overcome every obstacle to fertility

At Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility, we’ve been helping couples bring children into their lives for more than 25 years. If cancer has interrupted your plans to have a baby, our experienced physicians will explore every option with you, including fertility preservation in Canton, Akron, Columbus, and Youngstown, Ohio.

Surgery is one of the most successful methods for correcting infertility due to cancer treatments or other challenges. Our surgeons expertly and gently perform a range of procedures, including minimally invasive laparoscopic and microscopic surgical techniques, which can shorten both down time and recovery time. To learn more, reach out today. Our caring, dedicated team of specialists is here to put their whole hearts and minds into making pregnancy and parenthood possible.

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

Coping with infertility can be a difficult, isolating experience. But it is important to remember you’re not alone. Approximately 1 in 6 couples in the United States struggle with some type of infertility. And, while it may be surprising to learn, nearly 30 percent of infertility cases are related to male factor issues. But the good news is there are plenty of options available to help you achieve the family of your dreams.

Diagnosing male factor infertility

Diagnosing male infertility typically includes:

• General physical exam and medical history
• Semen analysis

Common causes of male factor infertility

Here are the most common factors that can contribute to male infertility:

• Structural abnormalities
  This may include abnormalities or blockages along the reproductive tract due to a birth defect, injury or illness.
• Sperm production disorders
  Defects in sperm quality (morphology) or quantity.
• Sperm motility issues
  Poor sperm motility means the sperm can’t swim properly, which decreases their chances of fertilizing the egg.
• Ejaculatory disorders
  A condition in which it takes an extended period of sexual ejaculation for men to reach sexual climax and release semen.
• Immunologic disorders
  This disorder causes the immune system to attack sperm.

What are the treatment options for male factor infertility?

In some cases, your doctor may recommend assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or the use of donor sperm. For couples where both male and female factor infertility are an issue, your doctor may recommend donor embryos.

If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for at least 12 consecutive months (6 months for women aged over 35), it’s time to see a specialized reproductive endocrinologist. The caring doctors at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility can diagnose and treat male factor infertility in Columbus, Akron, Canton and Youngstown. Call 866-537-2461 to get the answers you need.

It’s a fact that American women are starting families later in life. Since the year 2000, 46 states and Washington, D.C. have experienced an increase in the number of women over age 35 having their first child.

As a result, many of these older women need to rely on assisted reproductive technologies, like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Female fertility begins to decline naturally around age 30. A woman in her early 40s has only about a five percent chance of conceiving naturally in any monthly cycle.

How old is too old for in vitro fertilization?

Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy answer to this question. Generally speaking, women over the age of 43 are not advised to undergo IVF with their own eggs. Instead, reproductive specialists recommend using donor eggs, as older eggs have a higher chance of being chromosomally abnormal. These abnormalities can lead to miscarriage, disease, or problems in growth or development. Women over the age of 50 are generally not considered candidates for IVF.

However, women of any age with access to viable eggs or embryos (her own or from a donor) and a receptive uterus (her own or with a gestational surrogate) is capable of achieving motherhood through IVF. If you are between the ages of 35 and 50 and are considering in vitro fertilization, it’s important to understand your risks of pregnancy and perinatal complications, such as:

• Obstetric hemorrhage
• Preeclampsia
• Pregnancy induced hypertension
• Gestational diabetes
• Higher rate of Cesarean delivery
• Preterm delivery
• Low birth weight

If you would like to explore your options for fertility treatments or are in need of skilled in vitro fertilization services in Columbus, Akron, Canton, Youngstown and other Ohio communities, please contact Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility at 866-537-2461. Our fellowship-trained, board-certified fertility specialists are dedicated to helping you achieve the family of your dreams in a safe, compassionate, and state-of-the-art environment.

While some women get pregnant faster than others, it’s not uncommon for it to take longer than expected. This is especially true if you or your partner are dealing with known or unknown fertility issues.

If you’re a healthy woman between age 25 and 35 you have about a 20 percent chance of getting pregnant each cycle with regular unprotected sex. For women over 35, the probability of conceiving goes down steadily. For example, 40-year-old women have about an eight percent chance of getting pregnant each month, while 42-year-old women have about a two-to-four percent chance.

What is the average time it takes to get pregnant?

So, how long does it take to get pregnant? It really depends on a lot of factors, but here are some average statistics: Approximately 25 percent of women under the age of 35 (with no known fertility problems) will conceive within three months of regular intercourse. Fifty percent will get pregnant within six months, and 85 percent within 12 months.

If you are a woman under age 35 and have been trying to conceive for at least 12 consecutive months (or have irregular cycles), we recommend seeking treatment as soon as possible (six consecutive months for women over age 35).

How can I increase my chances of getting pregnant?

Here are some things you can do to tip the odds in your favor:

• Maintain a Healthy Weight
  Carrying too much or too little weight can have an adverse effect on your hormones, which are responsible for ovulation.
• Eat Well and Exercise
  Regular exercise and a healthy diet will increase your chances of conceiving.
• Practice Clean Living
  Now is the perfect time to stop drinking and smoking. Not only will it be good for your overall health, but your fertility as well.
• Fertility Evaluation & Diagnosis
  There are many factors that can affect male and female fertility. A comprehensive evaluation can help identify your condition and set you on a new path to achieve the family you so desire.

The reproductive endocrinologists at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility are highly skilled and specialized in treating both male and female factor infertility. Contact us for skilled fertility evaluation & diagnosis in Columbus, Akron, Canton & Youngstown, Ohio.

Approximately one in ten couples struggle with infertility. In fact, infertility can affect women of any age, and from any background. If you’ve been trying to conceive for more than 12 consecutive months (6 months for women over age 35) without success, your primary care physician may refer you to a specialized fertility center for diagnostic testing and potential medication or services.

Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility (RGI) offers every available fertility treatment with unsurpassed expertise—to give you the child of your dreams. Our treatment plans are individualized to your specific needs to ensure you’re getting the exact treatment or procedure you need.

Fertility services at RGI

When you choose RGI, you’re maximizing your chances of having a child with leading-edge fertility capabilities, such as:

• Evaluation & Diagnosis
  Our thorough fertility testing capabilities examines everything from ovulation cycles and uterine health to body weight and possible infections. We also provide on-site male fertility testing for maximum convenience and peace of mind. Once we have a diagnosis, we’ll help you determine the next best step in your fertility journey.
• Fertility Surgery
  For many women, surgery is one of the most effective methods of improving fertility. The skilled RGI fertility specialists and surgical gynecologists can perform any leading edge, minimally invasive procedure you need.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
  We use IVF to help with the trickiest aspects of pregnancy (fertilization and implantation) and to optimize your chance of success. We also combine IVF treatment with advanced techniques, like pre-implantation genetic screening & diagnosis, to improve your chance of having a healthy baby.

Get started on your fertility journey with RGI

We have outstanding IVF success rates for both fresh and frozen embryo transfer cycles. However, we’re proud to offer the first IVF 100% Success Guaranteed Plan in Northeast and Central Ohio. It’s our goal to help you have a baby—or we’ll refund every penny.

Contact Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility for leading-edge fertility services in Columbus, Akron, Canton and Youngstown, Ohio, and maximize your chance of having a child.

A woman’s age is the most important factor affecting her fertility and chance of having a baby. As men and women age, their potential to have children naturally decreases, though the exact time this starts to happen varies.

All about fertility in your 20s

Whether you’re ready to start thinking about a family or not, there are some important things you should know about fertility while you’re in your 20s. This information could affect how you view your fertility and the idea of getting pregnant in the future. Here’s what you need to know:

• Fertility
  Fertility declines at a different rate for every single woman and can happen as early as her late 20s.
• Lifestyle Choices
  The lifestyle choices you make now could heavily affect your fertility in your thirties. If you love white rice, white sugar, smoking and/or adult beverages, it could make it more difficult to conceive down the road.

All about fertility in your 30s

A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have. As she ages, so do her eggs—and their number and quality reduce over time. Here’s what you need to know about fertility on your 30s:

• Fertility
  Between the ages of 33 and 42 (with an average age of 38), the loss of immature eggs accelerates. This marks the beginning of decline in a woman’s fertility, which eventually leads to menopause.
• Preservation
  If you are a woman in your 30s and aren’t quite ready to start a family, it might be time to consider egg freezing (cryopreservation). Egg freezing allows women to use their young, healthy eggs to help them achieve pregnancy later in life, when they are ready. Frozen eggs are viable and may be used to achieve pregnancy for more than 10 years.

All about fertility in your 40s

Your chances of conceiving naturally in any given month lower significantly once you reach 40 years of age. In fact, the average 40-year-old woman has only a 8 percent chance of getting pregnant each month..

• Fertility
  Women in their 40s are less likely to become pregnant naturally due to poor egg quality. As women age, more and more of their eggs have either too many or too few chromosomes, which can significantly lower the chance of pregnancy and increase the chance for miscarriage or birth defects.
• Assisted Reproductive Technologies
  Whether you froze your eggs in your 20s or 30s or have decided to use an egg donor, assisted reproductive technologies (like in vitro fertilization) can help you achieve pregnancy in your 40s.

If you are a woman in your 20s or 30s and would like to learn more about preserving your fertility with egg freezing (Cryopreservation) in Columbus, Akron, Canton & Youngstown, Ohio, contact the skilled physicians at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility.

Approximately one in every 50 pregnancies in the United States is ectopic. Ectopic pregnancies, also known as tubal pregnancies, occur when a fertilized egg grows in the wrong place (e.g., ovary, fallopian tube, cervix or abdominal cavity). Most ectopic pregnancies—nearly 98 percent—occur in the fallopian tube.

Unfortunately, ectopic pregnancies cannot move or be moved to the uterus, so they always require treatment. They cannot result in a baby and can be life threatening for the woman. There are two main treatment options for ectopic pregnancies which depend on your unique signs and symptoms: medication or surgery.

Signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy

Light vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain are the usually the first symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy. The following symptoms may indicate a serious medical emergency:

• Sharp waves of pain in the abdomen, pelvis, shoulder or neck
• Severe pain on one side of the abdomen
• Light to heavy vaginal bleeding
• Dizziness or fainting
• Rectal pressure

Ectopic pregnancy and fertility

If you’ve suffered an ectopic pregnancy you have a slightly higher risk for another, however as many as 65% of women are healthily pregnant within 18 months of an ectopic pregnancy.

The chance of subsequent pregnancies after an ectopic pregnancy depends on the health of your ovaries and fallopian tubes. Some women who experience ectopic pregnancy require medical intervention to remove the fertilized egg and, in some cases, the ovary or fallopian tube.

Am I at risk for ectopic pregnancy?

You have an increased risk for ectopic pregnancy if you have a history of or currently use the following:

• Previous ectopic pregnancy
• Salpingitis (pelvic infection)
• Damaged fallopian tube
• Infertility
• IVF
• Tubal ligation
• Intrauterine device (IUD)
• Progesterone-only oral contraceptive

To learn more about ectopic pregnancies and fertility, contact the skilled specialists at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility. We can help you achieve a healthy pregnancy, whether you’ve experienced a previous ectopic pregnancy or are struggling with unexplained infertility. Call 866-537-2461 so your dreams of growing your family can come true.