The research showed that there was no statistical difference between the rates of embryo implantation between women who had the Covid-19 antibodies and those that did not. This is incredibly reassuring for individuals worldwide who are looking at starting a family or planning to undergo fertility treatment.

There has been much hesitation amongst women of reproductive age who are considering starting a family in the midst of this ongoing pandemic and due to much misinformation spread across social media platforms, many have been concerned that the vaccine will cause sterility.

This study has revealed that this is not the case. Not only is this incredibly reassuring for women worldwide who are wanting to start a family, but that vaccines are safe with no short or long term effects on fertility.

The post Research shows the Covid-19 vaccine does not impact female fertility appeared first on Fertility First.

According to ASRM, ACOG and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, the COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to pregnant and lactating women and does not recommend withholding the vaccine from patients who are planning to conceive. Each organisation has emphasised that “patients undergoing fertility treatment and pregnant patients should be encouraged to receive vaccination based on eligibility criteria”.

For men, the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology (SMRU) and the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction (SSMR) recommend that:

1. The COVID-19 vaccine should not be withheld from men desiring fertility who meet criteria for vaccination, and
2. COVID-19 vaccines should be offered to men desiring fertility, similar to men not desiring fertility, when they meet criteria for vaccination.

It should be noted that about 16% of men in the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial experienced fever after the second dose. Fevers can cause temporary declines in sperm production. Thus, if a man experiences fever as the result of the COVID-19 vaccine, he may experience a temporary decline in sperm production, but that would be similar to or less than if the individual experienced fever from developing COVID-19 or for other reasons.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our clinic or visit the WHO or the Australian government’s Department of Health for additional information. Alternatively, please read the Australian government’s COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.

If you would like an additional sources regarding the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the following websites:

• Harvard
• CDC
• Forbes

The post Important information regarding the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine appeared first on Fertility First.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed restrictions will be lifted on certain elective surgery including IVF after the Anzac Day weekend.

We would like to thank the Australian Government and Federal Health Minister for all their efforts and compassion this week during National Infertility Week.

As of April 27, 2020, Fertility First will be operating as business as usual. For more information please contact our clinic on (02) 9586 3311

The post IVF to continue after Anzac Day weekend 2020 appeared first on Fertility First.

In some instances, the disease is so severe, women have needed complete hysterectomies.

There are four known stages of endometriosis, stage one being “minimal” and stage four being “severe”. Each stage can affect women in different ways, and it is important to be aware of the signs, how they affect you, and to know what you can do to help treat the condition if you are the one in ten women who suffer from the disease.

Stage one of endometriosis

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), stage one consists of small implants, lesions with minimal scarring and/or adhesions. Stage one is usually described as “minimal”, however it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s painless and the symptoms aren’t noticeable.

During stage one, women may experience inflammation in or around the pelvic cavity and symptoms can vary depending on the location, the number, size and depth of the endometrial implants and adhesions.

Stage two of endometriosis

Stage two is considered “mild” and involves light lesions and shallow implants along the pelvic lining and around the ovaries. The implants in stage two usually measure around less than 5cm and compared the stage one, the implants may be deeper.

Stage three of endometriosis

Stage three endometriosis is usually considered “moderate”, where the implants are much deeper and may consist of more lesions.

Doctors have sometimes encountered endometrial cysts on at least one ovary, commonly referred to as “chocolate cysts” since they are filled with endometrial fluid and blood, giving it a brown colour. The cysts are caused by endometrial tissue which attaches the ovary and results in shedding blood and tissue.

Women who suffer from stage three endometriosis sometimes have filmy adhesions that can bind organs together when they shouldn’t be connected.

Stage four of endometriosis

The most severe stage of endometriosis is known as stage four, where deep implants within the pelvic lining and ovaries form, sometimes developing alongside large ovarian cysts.

In most cases of stage four endometriosis, the pelvis can appear so severely scarred that organs in the abdominal cavity are no longer mobile and can lead to excruciating pain along with significant fertility problems.

A way forward for patients with endometriosis

Having endometriosis doesn’t necessarily mean you will not be able to fall pregnant.

Although it’s a complex and sometimes debilitating disease, it is possible to achieve a healthy pregnancy. For more information on how we can help, contact our clinic on (02) 9586 3311 or email the Fertility First team.

Alternatively, you may want to check out some of the links and information below

What are the first signs of endometriosis?
Does diet help with the signs of endometriosis?
Endometriosis Awareness Month

The post The four stages of endometriosis appeared first on Fertility First.

Having trouble conceiving after you have already had a healthy pregnancy is known as secondary fertility. The causes for secondary infertility are basically the same as primary infertility. The causes may range from:

• Male fertility problems such as sperm production, function or delivery
  
• Tubal damage and ovulation disorders
  
• Endometriosis
  
• Various complications related to prior pregnancy or surgery
  

The most common cause of secondary infertility, however, is usually age. Studies have shown that women are waiting longer to start a family, and as they begin to contemplate trying for another baby, they are obviously older than when they first started trying. Fertility in women starts to decline at the age of 35 and will continue to decline as women enter their 40s.

Fertility First recognises the importance of providing compassion and support to patients suffering from secondary infertility and we do not have an age limit on fertility treatment for patients. Providing patients with quality services including access to affordable donor eggs to maximise their success is something we feel is incredibly important.

Secondary infertility is something that isn’t spoken about as much and it’s just as common as primary infertility, possibly more so, data from the CDC in 2018 revealing that 11% of couples will experience secondary infertility.

Why is secondary infertility so emotionally difficult?

It’s hard for couples to come to terms with the fact they can’t conceive, especially after conceiving a healthy child previously. Some couples will feel greater pressure the second time around since they know it’s possible to have a healthy pregnancy.

In addition to this, friends and family may also say or ask questions that they don’t realise are insensitive such as “when are you going to have another baby?” or “you’re lucky you at least have a child”. Not only will this just add to the stress and anxiety the couple are now facing, but it may bring about feelings of guilt for the couple even before they begin treatment.

How to cope with secondary infertility?

Whether you’re a single lady suffering from secondary infertility or a couple trying for your second child, the IVF path can feel overwhelming, especially if you have a young child at home.

Couples without children will opt to avoid situations where pregnancies or babies are involved, however with secondary infertility, it’s a lot harder. There will be birthday parties, family get-togethers, mothers’ groups, friends with children and it makes avoiding situations like this tricky. As with anyone suffering from infertility, the need for empathy, validation and support from friends and family is needed.

Going through the stress of fertility treatments in addition to dealing with the demands of family life can be challenging, and often puts a strain on relationships, so it’s important to keep communication open and create a healthy support system.

Having access to resources and services to help you cope with this new IVF journey you’re now facing is important. Fertility First recognises the importance of providing compassion and support to patients suffering from secondary infertility.

For help and support, contact our clinic on (02) 9586 3311 to arrange an appointment with our counsellor.

The post Secondary infertility appeared first on Fertility First.

The condition currently costs billions in healthcare, absenteeism and lost social costs, and is more common than breast cancer, diabetes and prostate cancer.

This week, Australia’s Health Minister has launched a draft national action plan towards research into the disease, supporting the funding of $2.5 million for research into the condition. The funding will be used to educate doctors, teachers and employers on the condition, and to help raise awareness of the disease.

Part of the action is to provide workplaces with specific material to help educate employers on the prevalence and severity of Endometriosis, and to help healthcare professionals provide clinical management and care.

Congratulations to the consumer organisation Endoactive and the Endometriosis Society of Australia for all their hard work in bringing this to the attention of our politicians.

If you are have or suspect you’re suffering from Endometriosis, please visit Endometriosis Australia or Endoactive for more information or contact our clinic to see how we can help you.

The post How to Government granting an Endometriosis action plan impacts Australian women appeared first on Fertility First.