PCOS and its Impact on Fertility
PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is no joke. It’s a grim, unpleasant medical condition, and it’s a risk to fertility. PCOS affects a surprisingly large number of women. This condition affects women differently and it can reduce fertility. It can also cause “sub fertility”, a condition which directly affects the ability to get pregnant. PCOS is […]
PGT-A: A double edged sword?
The selection of the best quality embryos to transfer during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is crucially important to maximise treatment success. Quality assessment is largely based on morphological features, such as the number and appearance of cells. However, these qualitative measurements are not the most reliable, as almost two-thirds of couples still do not get […]
Planning Your Pregnancy the Best Time to Have Sex
Planning to start a family can be a truly joyous and exciting time for couples. However, after months without results, some couples begin to worry about infertility and sexual health problems. When planning to start a family, patience is important. While many couples fall pregnant in less than six months, 40% of couples wait from […]
Polycystic ovaries or PCOS – What’s the difference?
A common confusion among women, is understanding the difference between having polycystic ovaries (PCO) and having been diagnosed with a Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). PCO refers to an ultrasound scan image of the ovaries that appear to be polycystic (ovaries containing high density of partially mature follicles). PCOS is a metabolic condition that may or […]
Pre-implantation Genetic Testing In IVF
What is pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT)? A significant portion of embryos created by either natural conception or Assisted Reproductive Technology may carry genetic abnormalities such as incorrect number of chromosomes. These mistakes are usually fatal as they lead to implantation failures or miscarriages. Although it may sound horrible, these failed pregnancies are actually nature’s screening […]
Prolactin and hyperprolactinemia
High prolactin, or hyperprolactinemia is one of the most common causes for the absence of menstruation (amenorrhea), accounting for 15-30% of all cases. It mostly affects young women of reproductive age and can contribute to infertility. What does prolactin normally do, and what effects does hyperprolactinemia have? The functions of prolactin The main role of […]
Magnesium supplements – can it help with cramps in pregnancy?
Magnesium supplementation in the reduction of muscle cramps in pregnancy – is there evidence supporting its use? Dosages recommended. What supplement brands to use? Up to half of pregnant women in the second and third trimester complain of leg cramps particularly at night. There have been various mechanisms postulated for this effect, some of which […]
Male sub-fertility or infertility? Semen analysis – explained
It is commonly assumed that couples’ inability to conceive is due to a problem with a woman. In actual fact, the male factor contributes to roughly half of the infertility cases. Male infertility/sub-fertility is often due to the sperm production, getting it to reach the egg and fertilising it. For this reason semen analysis is […]
Men and Fertility: How to Prepare
If you and your partner are trying to conceive but facing some roadblocks, you will want to consider all the possibilities. While around one-third of fertility problems are due to women’s problems, the rest are caused by male infertility. Fertility problems are not anyone’s fault, there are a few things that a male can consider […]
Mode of transmission for COVID-19: droplet contact or airborne?
We know that COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that can be passed onto people within close contact with an infected case. However, there have been debates regarding whether it is transmitted via droplet contact or airborne transmission. What’s the difference and which one is right? Droplet contact Droplets containing the virus can be generated when […]
