How Eating Disorders Affect Fertility

Very often fertility problems can be traced to eating disorders and it is estimated that as many as one out of every five infertility cases are the result of unhealthy eating habits. Long periods of depleted nutrition and rapid weight loss interfere with hormonal balance which has an effect on the menstrual cycle and egg release and thus adversely affects fertility. Other infertility related problems that may arise among women with eating disorders include low libido, poor uterine environment, reduced egg quality (due to polycystic ovary syndrome) and ovarian failure.

Types of eating disorders

Anorexia nervosa is the most common eating disorder. It is a condition of food deprival in an effort to become thin. Characteristics of this self imposed starvation include a mortal fear of fatness leading to food avoidance, excessive exercise and a completely unhealthy eating regimen.

Bulimia nervosa on the other hand involves binge eating and then purging the food, either by vomiting or through the use of laxatives.

The other extreme condition is compulsive overeating where the person will binge on food but will not purge afterwards. This is often accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame since it involves the issue of overweight. Such women carry the risk of miscarriage due to the pressure on the body.

Since these are mental illnesses as well, anorexics, bulimics and compulsive overeaters are more likely to suffer from anxiety, stress and depression which in turn adversely affect their chance of conceiving.

Adverse effects on pregnancy

Even if a woman with an eating disorder does become pregnant, it is detrimental to the health of both mother and child. Continued avoidance of food leads to delayed fetal growth, gestational diabetes, jaundice, preeclampsia, premature labor, low birth weight and birth defects such as mental retardation and blindness. In the event that a baby is carried to term, such women tend to have problems with breast feeding and may also suffer from postpartum depression.

Women who are excessively underweight or overweight are susceptible to amenorrhea which is the cessation of menstruation. On a positive note, most women start menstruating again when they begin to gain weight and consequently achieve conception. Women identified with eating disorders should be counseled and treated for the eating disorder before further hormonal tests and infertility treatments are pursued. However regaining weight is not enough; eating patterns have to be normalized with a good distribution of eating healthy food at regular intervals.

Those struggling with an eating disorder are encouraged to consult with a gynecologist before trying to conceive. They will then be directed to a counselor and nutritionist to discuss a healthy pregnancy diet. It is best to wait until the disorder is under control before trying for a baby. The counseling sessions should ideally be continued post delivery.

East Bay Fertility Center helps couples cope with eating disorders that may be the underlying cause of infertility. As there are emotional issues involved, couples will be given one-on-one counseling to help overcome the situation. The Center offers a complete mind-body experience for couples facing infertility issues. Call 925.828.9235 for a free initial consultation.

Egg Freezing – an Alternative to Beat the Biological Clock

Egg freezing is a breakthrough technology for scores of women faced with the dilemma of career and family. It provides them an option to delay http://www.ebfertility.com/index.htmlwhile pursuing professional and personal goals. The 'biological clock' generally slows down by the late 30’s and early 40’s. The female egg quality declines with age. The option of freezing eggs extends fertility and offers women an alternative to store their eggs during their reproductive prime for use when they wish to start or expand their families after the age of 35. At this point the eggs are thawed, fertilized and transferred to the uterus as embryos. Unlike the ovary and eggs, the uterus does not age and can carry a pregnancy well in to the 40s and 50s.

The Process

The process of egg freezing (also referred to as Oocyte cryopreservation) is made up of the same steps that are involved in a typical IVF cycle: ovulation stimulation, ultrasound monitoring, and egg retrieval. The woman self administers hormone injections along with birth control pills to turn off natural hormones. Following this, hormone injections are given to stimulate the ovaries and ripen multiple eggs. The eggs are then retrieved and frozen. When the woman is ready for embryo transfer, the eggs are thawed, injected with a single sperm to achieve fertilization, and transferred to the uterus as embryos.

Other Issues

Until recently, freezing and thawing eggs without damage was a scientific challenge. The key requirement for a successful egg freezing program is a top of the line storage facility since the eggs have to be stored and maintained for a long period of time - anywhere from months to years after they are frozen. They have to be stored under proper conditions backed with controlled access, continuous monitoring and full-proof backup systems.

The ideal time to freeze eggs is when a woman is in her 20s or early 30s. After the age of 37 this procedure is usually not recommended since both the quality and number of eggs decline rapidly around then. Just how long female eggs can safely be stored before they can no longer be used for treatment is still a matter of debate.

Originally designed for women undergoing cancer treatment, egg freezing as a form of fertility preservation is a rather involved process but thanks to technological advances, is becoming more successful and popular world-wide. Egg freezing is still classified as an experimental technique by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the process should be opted for after careful consideration.

The modern trend of waiting longer to have children has led to challenges in having a healthy pregnancy later on in life. Egg freezing helps women enjoy reproductive freedom while they pursue other priorities.

Expertise in the procedure

Since egg freezing is still a fledging technology with changes and innovations taking place rapidly, it should only be offered by experts in the field, who have the requisite experience and capability of conducting this delicate procedure. East Bay Fertility Center, offers the latest infertility treatment options strictly adhering to the guidelines of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in all their procedures.

Under the guidance of Reproductive Endocrinologist and Medical Director Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, medical staff at East Bay provides dedicated treatment for infertility and reproductive endocrine issues. Call 925.828.9235 for a free initial consultation.

The Luteal Phase Defect issue in Conception

When the body is unable to produce sufficient amounts of progesterone during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle it is called a luteal phase defect (LPD). In other words, the endometrium does not respond appropriately to the progesterone stimulation due to which the endometrial lining is not sufficiently prepared for implantation.

The luteal phase refers to the second half of the menstrual cycle - the two-week period which begins after ovulation under the influence of estrogen and progesterone produced by the corpus luteum. If the luteal phase is shorter than 10 days or longer than 14 days, a luteal phase defect may be suspected. Luteal phase defect can impact fertility since a pregnancy cannot be sustained because the uterine lining begins to break down, bringing on menstrual bleeding and causes early miscarriage.

Causes and Symptoms

LPD could be attributed to more than one reason. Poor follicle production, premature demise of the corpus luteum, and failure of the uterine lining to respond to normal levels of progesterone are the three main reasons. Majority of women with LPD will have a normal menstrual cycle because of their regular periods. A few women may experience frequent but light periods.

For most women, the main cause of a luteal phase defect is low progesterone levels. A progesterone test is conducted seven days after ovulation to determine the exact deficiency. There are several ways of correcting this defect.

Diagnoses and correction of the defect

LPD can be diagnosed through the measurement of basal body temperature using a daily basis fertility chart. The basal body temperature of women with LPD does not stay elevated for the normal 12 days of the luteal phase of the cycle. Also, their next cycle will begin sooner than the normal 12 to 14 day time span.

Endometrial biopsy is another line of testing which involves the removal of a sample of the endometrium which is then studied under a microscope. This test checks to see if the endometrium can support implantation and growth of a fertilized egg. This is a test that must be done about three days before the start of the period.

On testing the progesterone levels if a hormone problem is identified, the doctor may suggest a fertility drug to see if the progesterone levels increase.
Luteal phase defects are easily treated with supplements and/or with prescription drugs. The most common prescription drugs for luteal phase defect patients are Clomid or progesterone suppositories. These are taken after ovulation has occurred until the 10th to 12th week of pregnancy - should one occur.

A luteal phase below 10 days cannot sustain a pregnancy since sufficient progesterone is not being produced. If a woman were to get pregnant with a luteal phase defect, she would most likely miscarry. However with the right treatment, fertility problems can be quickly handled. Depending on what is causing LPD, the appropriate hormonal drugs will be prescribed.

East Bay Fertility Center, Dublin, California, offers a wide range of infertility treatments along with expert medical counseling to couples facing difficulty in conceiving. Under the guidance of Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and Reproductive Endocrinologist, medical staff at East Bay provides dedicated treatment for infertility and reproductive endocrine issues. The center conducts endometrial biopsy which is a test for luteal phase defect and is one among the various female fertility tests offered. Call 925.828.9235 for a free initial consultation.