Tag

Infertility

All articles tagged with #infertility

PMOS: A new name for PCOS aims to improve diagnosis and care
health8 days ago

PMOS: A new name for PCOS aims to improve diagnosis and care

Experts rename polycystic ovary syndrome to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) to reflect its broader hormonal and metabolic features, not just ovarian cysts; diagnosis centers on irregular periods and signs of high androgens, with infertility and pregnancy risks acknowledged. Treatment emphasizes lifestyle changes and individualized options such as metformin, anti-androgens, and hormonal birth control based on fertility goals.

PMOS: A new name for PCOS to improve diagnosis and care
health12 days ago

PMOS: A new name for PCOS to improve diagnosis and care

PMOS—polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome—replaces PCOS to better reflect its metabolic and endocrine nature and reduce misdiagnosis; the rename, published in The Lancet after 14 years of work, aims to improve care. PMOS features irregular periods and excess androgens, can cause acne or hair changes, and is linked to infertility and metabolic risks; treatment focuses on lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, sleep) and personalized options like Metformin, anti-androgens, or hormonal birth control. The change seeks to raise awareness and better tailor care for patients.

Biology not driving fertility decline; economy and smartphones blamed
science26 days ago

Biology not driving fertility decline; economy and smartphones blamed

A Science piece argues that biological infertility is unlikely to explain the global fertility decline, noting a meta-analysis showing US sperm counts have risen and time-to-pregnancy has remained stable. The downturn since 2007–2010 is more plausibly tied to economic conditions and increased smartphone use affecting coupling, rather than toxins or climate harms.

Endometriosis: end the 'white-knuckle' pain culture and seek proper care
health26 days ago

Endometriosis: end the 'white-knuckle' pain culture and seek proper care

Endometriosis affects about 1 in 10 women and is often misdiagnosed for a decade. Experts urge patients not to normalize chronic pain and to advocate for care. Management centers on an anti-inflammatory lifestyle (Mediterranean diet, omega-3s, regular exercise, acupuncture) and may include supplements; medical options to suppress ovulation exist but aren’t curative, and surgery is not a guaranteed cure. Diagnosis lacks a gold-standard tool, and infertility is common in affected couples, underscoring the need for holistic, proactive care.

AI-powered Star system helps uncover hidden sperm for biological fatherhood
health26 days ago

AI-powered Star system helps uncover hidden sperm for biological fatherhood

A Columbia University team has developed the Star system, an AI-driven microfluidic method that can detect and extract single sperm in real time from semen samples of men with azoospermia, enabling some to achieve biological fatherhood. Since development, the technique has aided hundreds of patients, finding sperm in about 30% of cases and delivering up to 40 times more viable sperm than manual searches; the first Star-assisted birth occurred last year. While early results are promising, experts caution that large-scale clinical trials and careful handling of medical data are needed to assess long-term outcomes and manage expectations.

Biotech Start-Up Claims Lab-Grown Sperm Could Help Infertile Men (Awaiting Validation)
biotech1 month ago

Biotech Start-Up Claims Lab-Grown Sperm Could Help Infertile Men (Awaiting Validation)

Utah-based Paterna Biosciences says it has found a way to coax sperm-forming stem cells from testicular tissue to become mature, functional sperm in a lab and used this sperm to create embryos; the work has not yet been peer-reviewed or independently verified, and the company plans larger studies to compare lab-made and natural sperm in men with infertility before attempting pregnancies; if validated, the approach could offer a biological option for some infertile men, but questions of cost and safety remain.

Severe male infertility linked to higher colorectal and thyroid cancer risk, Swedish study finds
health1 month ago

Severe male infertility linked to higher colorectal and thyroid cancer risk, Swedish study finds

A Lund University study of more than 1.1 million men who fathered children found that those with severely reduced fertility had almost twice the risk of colorectal cancer and about three times the risk of thyroid cancer compared with men who conceived naturally, suggesting a genetic link between fertility issues and cancer risk amid rising male infertility.

Ultra-Processed Diets Linked to Lower Fertility Odds in Women, McMaster Study Finds
health-and-medicine2 months ago

Ultra-Processed Diets Linked to Lower Fertility Odds in Women, McMaster Study Finds

A U.S. study analyzing NHANES data from over 2,500 women found that higher intake of ultra-processed foods is associated with about 60% lower odds of conceiving, independent of age, weight and lifestyle factors. A Mediterranean-style diet showed a positive link to fertility, though the benefit diminished when obesity was accounted for. The researchers cite possible hormonal disruption from additives and chemicals in processed foods; the study is cross-sectional, so it shows association, not causation.

Endometriosis: Shedding Light on the Hidden Pain Behind Diagnosis Delays
health2 months ago

Endometriosis: Shedding Light on the Hidden Pain Behind Diagnosis Delays

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, highlighting a chronic condition that affects more than 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing severe pelvic pain, painful bowel movements or urination, dyspareunia, fatigue, and sometimes infertility. Many patients endure years of misdiagnosis or dismissal before getting answers, prompting advocates to push for greater awareness, education, and access to care, with medical experts like UAMS explaining the condition and how to seek timely care.

22-Year-Old’s Cancer Misdiagnosed as Pulled Muscle: A Wake-Up Call to Trust Your Gut
health2 months ago

22-Year-Old’s Cancer Misdiagnosed as Pulled Muscle: A Wake-Up Call to Trust Your Gut

Emma Herring, 22, from Durham, was repeatedly told chest pains were anxiety or a pulled muscle after several misdiagnoses. A later X-ray and CT scan revealed a 7cm chest tumor and a 4cm neck tumor, with cancer diagnosed as stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma, prompting immediate chemotherapy and raising concerns about infertility due to treatment. She hopes her story encourages others to trust their instincts and seek a second opinion if symptoms are dismissed.

Surprise Naturally Pregnant After Five Years Battling Infertility
lifestyle3 months ago

Surprise Naturally Pregnant After Five Years Battling Infertility

Caitlin Wright, who chronicled her five-year infertility journey online, tells People she conceived naturally at the end of December after multiple fertility steps (four IUIs and an egg retrieval). She’s now in her first trimester with a second child and again dealing with hyperemesis gravidarum, crediting her care team and supportive online communities for helping her through the journey.

Hidden Challenges in White House's IVF Initiative
health9 months ago

Hidden Challenges in White House's IVF Initiative

The White House's efforts to expand access to IVF are being complicated by political and ideological debates, with some advocating for holistic approaches like restorative reproductive medicine, which aims to treat root causes of infertility but lacks formal recognition and extensive evaluation in the U.S., leading to concerns about undermining proven fertility treatments.