Infertility

Significant updates occurred in women’s health issues while the world was in survival mode.

Marijuana use may make conception more difficult for women who smoke than those who don’t, according to a prospective cohort study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

With patient-centered care being the mantra of 21st-century medicine, the decision to proceed with fertility surgery in women with endometriosis should be based on the individual patient, her reproductive expectations, her specific disease pattern, her support, family network, and available health care resources.

Effective treatment will depend on the diagnosis, but can range from simple to very complex.

A new study by French investigators shows that adenomyosis confined to the outer myometrium is associated with primary infertility—but not more diffuse disease.

This peer-reviewed article discusses the main causes of infertility, including tubal disease, uterine factor, cervical factor, and ovulatory dysfunction and anovulation.

According to a recent study from Sexual Medicine, infertility concerns for women with endometriosis are dependent on their type of dyspareunia.

Newly published research in Gynecological Endocrinology assessed the quality of embryos and the implantation rate in women with infertility associated with endometriosis.

Endometriosis negatively impacts the quality of oocyte and ovarian reserve, according to a prospective study in the journal Gynecological Endocrinology.

For in vitro fertilization (IVF), clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates deteriorated with worsening endometriosis, according to results of a recently published retrospective study.

Have you broached the topic of frozen embryos with your patients? What was their response?

Results of a UK study show that while intrauterine infection may contribute to preterm birth (PTB), a reproducible “preterm placental microbiome” does not exist. Plus: Depression in the male partner of couples being treated for infertility was linked to lower pregnancy chances, according to results of a recent study.

A first-of-its-kind epidemiologic study shows a link between exposure to organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs) and infertility.

The large body of evidence citing the effectiveness of IVF and recent advances promoting the safety of ART, including the widespread adoption of SET, have established IVF as a reasonable first-line alternative for many infertile couples rather than the treatment of last resort it was once regarded.

Recent studies suggest that a progestin-induced withdrawal bleed may reduce conception and live birth rates in women undergoing ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate.

Healthy women have higher levels of protective lactobacilli in their vaginal microbiome than women with infertility, according to a recent cross-sectional study.

A systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that in pregnancies conceived via assisted reproduction, risk of adverse perinatal outcomes may be higher with donated than with autologous oocytes. Plus: Do post-cesarean antibiotics reduce infections in obese women? Also: Researchers believe they have identified the genes associated with preterm delivery.

A CDC report looks at how effective messaging on postpartum contraception is in teenagers and the impact on repeat births. Plus: Does preeclampsia increase the risk of stroke? Also, a look at whether an old imaging technique could increase fertility.

A study looks at the impact of failed ART on the cardiovascular health of women. Plus: Does a pregnancy near the time of breast cancer lead to worse outcomes. Also, a look at how many women may have little to no access to fertility services.

Editorial director Susan C. Olmstead talks with Dr. Steven Ory about the so-called three-parent baby technique.

Fibroids are extremely common in women of reproductive age. One large study reported that 70% of Caucasian and 80% of African-American women had at least one ultrasound- or pathology-confirmed fibroid by the end of their reproductive years. While many of these women experience no negative effects of fibroids on their reproductive function, a significant number are at increased risk of infertility, miscarriage, or poor obstetric outcomes.

Following a cesarean delivery, a mother wonders why she hasn't become pregnant again and the neonate ends up in the NICU with skull fractures.

How would a male gynecologist begin to know anything about a woman's orgasm? Easy. In my pre-operative counseling for hysterectomy I discuss sexuality, orgasm, and hysterectomy. And I tell my patient that a year later I'm going to ask her about it. But this is not a controlled scientific study, so before telling you what I am hearing, let's look at some real data.

A new study questions whether the risk of infertility linked to endometriosis is as bad as previously thought.