In a nutshell This study aimed to discover weather low testosterone levels are linked to increased risk of death. Some background Hypogonadism is a condition where the gonadal organs (testes in men and ovaries in women) produce little or no sex hormones (testosterone or estrogen, respectively). Testosterone levels gradually decline with age...
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Soy food increases fertility rates
In a nutshell This study examined the effect of soy food intake in women having fertility treatment. Some background Infertility, or the inability to conceive, affects 5-15% of couples worldwide. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) refers to any treatment in which the female egg, the male sperm, or both are handled, and pregnancy is achieved in...
Read MorePCOS is associated with better IVF outcomes in women younger than 40
In a nutshell This study examined whether polycystic ovarian syndrome is associated with an extended fertility beyond the age of 40. Some background Patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), commonly present with irregular ovulation and menstruation, elevated testosterone levels, which can lead to an overabundance of body hair,...
Read MoreChinese herbs increase pregnancy rates during IVF
In a nutshell This study examined the effects of using Chinese herb treatment during In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Some background IVF is the most common form of assisted reproductive technology, and offers the highest chance of pregnancy for most couples. IVF involves harvesting mature eggs from the female, fertilizing the eggs with the...
Read MoreNew male infertility guidelines – are some men missing out?
In a nutshell This study assessed new guidelines for diagnosing infertility, and whether this may exclude men who could benefit from vein removal surgery (varicocelectomy). Some background Enlargement of the veins within the testes is a common cause of infertility in men. It is easily treated and surgical removal of the vein has been...
Read MoreWhat is recurrent implantation failure and how do we manage it?
In a nutshell This paper reviewed what recurrent implantation failure is and how it can be treated. Some background Implantation is the process where the embryo attaches to the outer layer of the uterus and moves into the deeper layer of the uterus. Recurrent implantation failure occurs when implantation repeatedly fails. Methods &...
Read MoreWill increasing the dose of follicle stimulating hormone affect the outcome in assisted reproduction?
In a nutshell This paper studied the effect of different amounts of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone in patients undergoing assisted reproduction. Some background Ovarian stimulation is a technique where medications are used to stimulate the release of eggs in assisted reproduction. Recombinant human follicle-stimulating...
Read MoreElagolix in endometriosis – a potential new treatment?
In a nutshell This paper studied the effect of elagolix on bone density. Some background Endometriosis occurs when tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus. There are various types of drugs available to treat endometriosis. However, some of these drugs can cause gradual bone loss. Elagolix is a drug that is given...
Read MoreAre aromatase inhibitors effective in aiding reproduction in polycystic ovary syndrome?
In a nutshell This paper reviewed the safety and effectiveness of aromatase inhibitors in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that resulting in lack of egg release in the female. Some background Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with infrequent or absent periods. Many women with polycystic ovary syndrome have less than...
Read MoreCan laparoscopy help with endometriosis?
In a nutshell This paper reviewed the safety and efficacy of surgical laparoscopy on treating endometriosis. Some background Endometriosis occurs when tissue that normally lines the uterus (womb) grows elsewhere, such as in the ovaries. This leads to pain in women with endometriosis, and is also associated with fertility problems. Treatment...
Read MoreHow can birth defects be reduced in assisted reproduction?
In a nutshell This paper compared the rates of birth defects in babies born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection and after sperm were chosen for at high magnification. Some background Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (injecting sperm directly into egg) is an effective reproductive method to treat male infertility. However, there is an...
Read MoreCan ulipristal acetate treat uterine fibroids in the long-term?
In a nutshell The authors studied the effectiveness and safety of ulipristal acetate in managing fibroids in the long term. Some background Fibroids are benign tumors (non-cancerous growths) from the muscle cells of the uterus (the womb). It is associated with heavy menstrual bleeding, pain in the pelvic area and reproductive...
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