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Melbourne IVF
As with all couples attempting to achieve a pregnancy, you should focus on your
own general health and lifestyle. It makes sense to be aiming for a healthy
approach to life, but often advice in this area can be confusing and is not
always supported by hard evidence. It is worth discussing any health concerns
and medications you or your partner are taking with your doctor. Some
medications have an effect on the production of sperm for the man, and for the
woman there may need to be a change of medication before or during pregnancy.
After the infertility evaluation your consultant will have come to an
understanding of the factors that may be preventing you from achieving
pregnancy. Your treatment options will depend on the diagnosis made and the
chances you have of conceiving with the different options available. Your
consultant may suggest trying other methods for several months before turning to
IVF. If the chances of pregnancy are very low or non-existent using these
methods, then Assisted Reproductive Technology may be the best option. With
older women IVF may be suggested as the optimal treatment, as their chance of
success with other alternatives needs to be balanced with the impact of age on
their fertility.
Sperm are produced by repeated division of cells in the small coiled tubules
within the testis at an average of about 100 million a day in healthy young men.
While in the tubules sperm are nourished by the Sertoli cells. Between the
tubules are the Leydig cells, which produce testosterone. Leading from each
testis is a long highly coiled tube called the epididymis. As sperm pass through
this they mature, becoming able to swim and penetrate the egg cell. They are
then transported through the tail of the epididymis via the vas deferens to the
urethra and out of the penis as ejaculate.
The structure of the spermatozoon comprises a head containing the genetic
material to be used during fertilisation and a tail that is used for propulsion.
While passing along the fallopian tube in the woman the sperm undergoes
capacitation. This process involves the removal of a coating of protein that
covers the head of the sperm, enabling the sperm to penetrate the egg. Sperm
require motility to move through cervical mucus and to pass through the outer
coverings of the egg, and a normal shaped head to bind to the surface of the
egg. In addition, the release of enzymes from the acrosome on the head of the
sperm and vigorous motility are needed to penetrate into the egg to deposit
genetic material.
www.mivf.com.au
Monday - Friday
First Floor, Room 8
Sunshine Specialist Centre
147 Furlong Road, St Albans 3021
(directly opposite Sunshine Hospital)
Ph: (03) 9356 9133 Fax: (03) 9356 9144
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Infertility is commonly defined as an inability to conceive after 1-2 years of
trying. In approximately 60% of cases the difficulty is with the woman and 40%,
the man. Infertility also refers to repeated miscarriages.
In order for a woman to conceive, she must ovulate. The egg must travel through
the fallopian tube towards the uterus and a man's sperm must fertilise the egg
along the
way. Finally the fertilised egg must implant into the wall of the uterus. Some
of the main causes of infertility in women are; endometriosis (where parts of
the uterine wall are deposited in the abdomen outside the uterus itself),
polycystic ovary syndrome, and fallopian tube blockages. In men problems may be
caused by low sperm count or sperm abnormalities. However, in many cases the
infertility is unexplained, with no underlying problems that can be identified.
Chinese medicine treatment is tailored to you as an individual. The practitioner
will take note of your medical history, the characteristics of your menstrual
cycle and your general health. This information will be used to assess the
nature of the underlying imbalance, and to choose a herbal formula (a
combination of herbs), which will then be modified during the course of
treatment.
The aim of treatment will be, where appropriate, to regulate the cycle and
support ovulation or implantation. The medicine may be prescribed as a tea or in
pill form. In
addition your practitioner may recommend lifestyle and dietary changes. A
minimum of three months' treatment can be expected in the case of unexplained
infertility.
Although with underlying problems such as endometriosis treatment tends to be
longer, improvement may be seen in other changes, such as a reduction in the
severity of peiod pain.
www.tcmacupunctureclinic.co.uk
The Bassett Clinic
Aberfoyle House
Stapley Road
St. Albans
Herts. AL3 5EP
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