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How Alcohol & Smoking Affect Male Fertility?

How Alcohol & Smoking Affect Male Fertility?

When it comes to alcohol & male fertility and smoking & male fertility, a multitude of factors complexly knit to determine one’s reproductive health. While enjoying a drink might be a part of a men’s social life, understanding its impact on male fertility is essential for those considering parenthood.
(Converging & connecting a range of adverse effects)

Hormonal Imbalance: Prolonged alcohol consumption disrupts the delicate balance of hormones crucial for reproduction function.

Sperm Production: Excessive alcohol intake can diminish sperm production in testes. This decline in sperm quantity reduces the chances of fertilization.

Sperm Morphology: Alcohol induced oxidative stress can damage sperm DNA, altering their morphology & increasing the likelihood of genetic abnormalities in off springs.

Sperm Motility: Sperm requires optimal motility to navigate the female reproductive tract and reach the egg. Alcohol and smoking impair this ability reducing the chances of sperm successfully fertilizing the egg.

Erectile Dysfunction: The impact of alcohol and smoking on the nervous system can lead to erectile dysfunction.

Fertility Duration: Regular alcohol consumption can prolong the time it takes for a couple to conceive, increasing the duration of attempting pregnancy.

Seminal fluid composition : Alcohol and Smoking can alter the composition of seminal fluid , which provides essential nutrients to sperm . Changes in this composition can impact sperm function and viability.

The Correlation Between Alcohol & Male Fertility
Social alcohol consumption is widespread, yet its impact on sperm & male fertility varies based on the quantity & frequency of consumption. While moderate drinking may not significantly affect fertility, heavy & consistent alcohol can be determined.
Such drinking patterns can lead to the following:

It is crucial to recognize that individual factors, including genetics & overall health can influence male fertility. Alcohol and male fertility are interlinked in many ways for those who are trying to conceive should be cautious about excessive drinking or binge drinking patterns.

Consulting our IVF expert can provide personalized guidance based on individual circumstances.

For more information & guidance contact at REVIVA Fertility Clinic.

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Things to do to improve your chances of IUI success rate

Things to do to improve your chances of IUI success rate

Every couple dream of planning for their children & starting a new chapter of their life. Couples who are unable to conceive a child through natural process opt for various methods from medical sciences, one of them is IUI (Intrauterine Insemination).

Intrauterine Insemination is a fertility treatment in which the semen has been washed from male partner & transferred directly into the female partner uterus with the help of IUI catheter. This method is used during the time of ovulation.

Who can have an IUI procedure?

Women with cervical & men with ejaculation dysfunction can go for this treatment. Some more indications can be:
Although the success rate of IUI is 15-20% and there are some things you can do to improve the chances of achieving a high success rate for IUI treatment. Here is what you can do:

Eat healthy:-

It is highly advisable to maintain a healthy & balanced diet after IUI treatment. Adding food like whole grains seeds, nuts & eggs to your diet can lead to successful fertilization.

Get in touch with your fertility expert:-

It is best to stay in constant touch with your fertility expert after the treatment. Our experts suggest to you the right way to achieve conception. You can get assistance from the beginning to the final stage of the treatments here.

Start Exercising:-

Our experts advise that a little exercise is always suitable after the treatment of IUI. It also enhances the blood flow to the uterus and other reproductive organs.

Build & Maintain Positivity:

It will be better for your health & body if you feel happy and positive in these times. Maintaining a positive attitude is a must during & after the process.

Maintain Healthy Sleep Pattern: -

After the procedure, our IVF experts recommend you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep. It will not only help you to keep fresh but also improves mental health & releases your stress.
NOTE : when you opt for such important artificial procedure , it is highly advisable to look after the do’s & don’ts of the things you can do afterwards because this period is very crucial to get successful results.
REVIVA fertility & IVF clinic takes care of everything for couples who can’t conceive & provides full assistance in the best IVF & IUI treatment in CHD.

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Low Sperm Count – Causes And Treatment

Low Sperm Count – Causes And Treatment

Low sperm count is a common issue that affects a lot of men. It is a condition where the no. of sperms produced by the testicles is low and can result in infertility.

Men with low sperms count may struggle to conceive a child & start a family.
Low sperm count is treatable & there are several options available for men to improve their chances of having a child.
In this blog, we take a closer look at low sperm count & various treatment options that are available to help men overcome this condition.

CAUSES OF LOW SPERM COUNT

There are various factors which can contribute to low sperm count and some of common causes include:-

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR LOW SPERM COUNT:-

There are several treatments available for low sperm count, including:-

Medications:- There are various medications available that can help to improve sperm quality and increase sperm count.

Lifestyle changes:- Making simple changes to your lifestyle such as reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, reducing stress and eating a healthy diet can help to improve sperm count and motility.

If despite the above measures, sperm counts remain low, such men can still have a family by using the following assisted reproduction techniques (ART).

INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATON (IUI):-

This is a procedure where sperm is processed and then directly inserted into a women uterus to increase the chances of conception.

IN -VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF):-

It is more advanced fertility treatment that involves fertilizing an egg with a sperm inside the laboratory and then transfer the resulting embryo in the women uterus.

INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI):-

It is a variation of IVF where a single sperm is injected into an egg. ICSI is often used for men with low sperm count and poor sperm motility.

CONCLUSION:-

In conclusion, low sperm count is a common issue that affect many men. However, there are several treatments available that can help to improve sperm count quality and increase the chances of having a child. It is important to speak to a doctor about the best treatment option for you and to make any necessary lifestyle changes to improve your overall health & fertility.

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Embryo Freezing (Vitrification)

Embryo Freezing (Vitrification)

Embryo Freezing

Embryo freezing (Vitrification) freezes and stores fertilized eggs for later use. It is often used with fertility treatments that create embryos, such as In vitro fertilization. It can help people preserve fertility and get pregnant in future.

What is embryo freezing?

A process to freeze and store embryos for later use. An embryo is an egg that has been fertilized by a sperm. The process is a way to help people with fertility and reproduction.

Why would you freeze an embryo?

Embryo freezing often occurs after people have treatments to try to get conceive. IVF & ICSI are those procedures which fertilizes the eggs with sperm and they sometimes create an extra embryos.

You may choose to freeze extra embryos and use them later if you want to:

  • Postpone or cancel embryo transfer after an egg is already fertilized.
  • Want to delay pregnancy.
  • Want an option in case early attempts at fertility treatment fails.
  • Embryo freezing is also used for fertility preservation in case of cancer patients before starting chemotherapy or radiation therapy as that treatment could affect their ability to get pregnant.

Does freezing damage embryos?

Freezing can damage embryos. Thawing them later can also damage them , If multiple embryos are frozen , some may or may not survive the process.

Your doctor will guide you weather your embryos are suitable for freezing, thawing and implantation.

Your doctor will also guide you during which embryonic  stage its best to freeze one or more embryos. The stages where freezing is  possible include:

  1. Cleavage stage (day3) :- when single cell has multiplied to between 4-8 cells after about 72 hours.
  2. Blastocyst stage (day 5):-When the single cell has multiplied to between 200-300 cells after 5-6 days.

Is frozen embryos transfer successful?

  • Frozen embryos transfer occurs when an embryo is thawed and implanted into a women’s uterus, the process is often successful
  • But success rates vary widely based on many factors including both partners overall health & female age at the time of egg retrieval.
  • Presence of fertility issues such as endometriosis, fibroids and uterine polyps.
  • Previous success or failure of fertility treatment and pregnancies.

How are the embryos used to begin a pregnancy?

The process is called frozen embryo transfer or FET. To prepare for the embryo transfer , the prospective mother may receive estrogen pills or injections to build up the lining of the uterus , and then progesterone treatment to make the uterus receptive to the embryo.

Alternatively , In natural FET cycle a patient is monitored until ovulation occurs and the embryo is transferred into the uterus approximately 5 days after ovulation.

For more Queries , you can contact our fertility expert.

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How To Select Your IVF Clinic in Chandigarh

How To Select Your IVF Clinic in Chandigarh

IVF is an extensive procedure that may involve frequent visits to the clinic, regular talks with your doctor, and the need for constant support. This is why it is important to choose an IVF centre in Chandigarh that gives you the required attention and treats you well.

But how do you find a good IVF clinic? What are the factors that you must consider? Our article today is all about it.

We will help you distinguish clinics based on multiple parameters including emotional support, care, and compassion, which are paramount in sensitive procedures like IVF.

Reach out to friends and family for referrals

We are strong advocates of referrals because personal experience is the most reliable form of feedback. If anyone you know has sought IVF treatment, reach out to them and ask them about the doctor/clinic. You can also ask the clinics you are interested in for referrals. Reputed clinics are usually happy to share the details.

While speaking to them, ask about the entire journey and their overall experience. This will help you learn if a clinic needs to be avoided completely.

Speak to the doctor directly

A hearty conversation with the doctor will tell you a lot about what you can expect. It is crucial to create a healthy relationship with the doctor who will treat you because he/she will be your support system for a long while.

Be open about your concern and see how the doctor responds. If he/she only seems interested in speaking about the treatment, it is a red flag. Genuine, compassionate doctors are willing to help you, answer your questions, and walk the path with you. These are the doctors you should seek.

Another very important factor here is the doctor’s time. Since IVF is not a one-session procedure, you have to be sure that the doctor has time for you, regardless of how many other patients he treats. This will be clear once you get in touch a couple of times and see how long you have to wait. After the first visit, even if you like the doctor thus, do not take hasty decisions or make the advance payment.

Will the treatment be customized?

In case the first cycle does not work, the doctor should ideally tweak the treatment for the next. Reputed doctors follow this approach because everyone’s condition is unique and the same template treatment may not work for everyone.

If your case is unique, do they have the required expertise?

Almost all clinics are well-equipped to deal with regular IVF procedures. But, if you have a difficult condition, this particular factor will be important for you. Even if the clinic/doctor has been in business for years, the experience will not count if they haven’t dealt with cases similar to yours. So, make sure you get that information from them as well.

How good is the clinic?

Since, along with the doctor, you will also be dealing with staff members, you should assess how good the clinic is. Here are a few things to ask yourself:

  • Is the staff courteous and kind?
  • Are all hygiene practices being followed?
  • Is the clinic a super-specialty clinic or multi-specialty clinic? Especially in these uncertain times, it is best to choose a super-specialty clinic. The doctors and staff members will be dedicated to IVF and not be distracted by other emergencies.
  • Do they have the latest equipment to cater to your condition? A little background research and a talk with your OB/GYN will help you understand this.

Are they being honest?

Pushy clinics are bad news. They will be too eager to push their services instead of honestly assessing your condition and helping you accordingly.

In case you need donor eggs, they may also push you to choose what they offer instead of letting you use your own eggs.

Such situations can be tricky but you can understand whether a clinic is trustworthy by the way they approach you, speak to you, and suggest a way forward. Good clinics will not be pushy or complacent. The doctor will not just advise but also give you reasons behind the recommendation.

IVF is an emotionally tiring process. Having an understanding doctor who supports you through the difficult journey will make it considerably easy. So, choose wisely.

Reviva IVF – Your friendly IVF clinic in Chandigarh

At Reviva IVF, we value our transparency over everything else. We strive to provide a customized treatment that is best suited to you and your health conditions. Our team of dedicated doctors will work closely with you right from day one to help your dream of being a parent come true. Get in touch with us and choose the best IVF centre in Chandigarh!

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Fertility Tests For Women

Fertility Tests For Women

It’s a scary thought – being unable to conceive.

If you have been trying for months and if each passing day is making you worry that there’s a problem, it may be time for a fertility test.

Getting tested to pinpoint the problem is always a wise choice because it removes suspicion and helps you prepare for the future in an informed manner. Otherwise, you may continuously worry, imagining the worst. This kind of stress is not good for conception either.

We have listed out a few common fertility tests for women that you can consider.

Blood tests

A blood test will determine if you suffer from an infection or STI (sexually transmitted infection). This is important because if you have had an STI before or if you have any inflammation, conception could be difficult.

Scans

The doctor may suggest a TVS ultrasound or a pelvic ultrasound to check your ovarian reserve as well as the follicles. If there are multiple follicles, it is good news!

The ultrasound will also help find out if there are cysts or fibroids. Polycystic ovaries are common and among the leading reasons for infertility today.

Hormone tests

Certain hormones are very crucial in reproduction. Low levels of these hormones can ring the alarm bells. Thus, a hormone test will be able to clear the air. Since there are multiple reproductive hormones, you might undergo multiple tests. Below are the hormones you must get tested.

Follicle stimulating hormone

Commonly called FSH, this hormone stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovaries. Increase in FSH causes follicles to be stimulated. They then produce estrogen and grow. One of them grows the most and this is when the ovulation process begins. If you lack FSH, you will not be able to ovulate.

Estradiol

Estradiol regulates menstruation. High or low amounts of this hormone spell trouble because:

  • High estradiol indicates lower ovarian reserve
  • Low estradiol is a sign of PCOS

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

Also known as TSH, doctors will check for its levels as well because thyroid problems are known to cause many fertility problems. Both, hypo and hyperthyroidism are bad for fertility.

Progesterone

Under normal circumstances, progesterone levels are high after ovulation (around a week after). As you near the time of your next period, the levels will drop. It is very important to time the test right to get accurate results. If your periods are irregular, you may not get the right results.

Note: Due to the sensitivity of timing, this test is not very dependable

Prolactin

Prolactin works to inhibit FSH, forcing it to stop follicular stimulation. High levels of this hormone could indicate PCOS. Extremely high levels could be a sign of a tumor.

If you have no issues with your periods and your progesterone levels are normal, this test can be skipped unless there are other clinical indicators.

Luteinizing Hormone

This hormone works just like FSH. Its levels go up right around the time of ovulation. This is the only time this hormone’s levels should be up (24-48 hours). At any other time during the menstrual cycle, if the hormone surges, it could be due to polycystic ovaries. Lower than normal levels immediately before ovulation indicate that your menstrual cycle is not normal.

Anti-Mullerian Hormone

This is a basic test that reveals the number of follicles that are growing. However, it won’t indicate the quality of the eggs.

Cervical mucus test

The consistency of the cervical mucus changes through the menstrual cycle. Examining it and testing its components will help determine if your periods are normal and if there are any sperm-killing antibodies in it.

Advanced fertility tests for women

Let’s walk through a few advanced fertility tests that the doctor may recommend after the basic tests.

Laparoscopy

The surgeon will inject a camera through holes created near the public hairline to get a check if all reproductive organs are okay. This test will also help find scars or endometrial growths.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Commonly called MRI, this test helps assess the uterine wall. It is recommended in case there’s endometrial growth on the uterus, painful periods, IVF failures, etc.

Note: This is an expensive procedure.

Hysteroscopy

This test helps determine the presence of polyp growth and scarring through a small camera. It is inserted through the vagina.

Endometrial biopsy

This test is conducted between the 18th and 28th days of the menstrual cycle. The doctor will take a tiny piece of the uterine lining to check its development when progesterone is released.

Saline hysterogram

The doctor will inject a saline solution in the uterus to check abnormal growth, polyps, etc.

Hysterosalpingogram

This is an X-ray that checks the condition of the tubes and uterus. The doctor injects a radio-opaque dye to facilitate this.

Tests help determine the current situation and pave the way forward. You will be able to work with your doctor to get the right treatment and conceive as quickly as possible.

Reviva IVF – A fertility treatment centre close to your home!

Reviva IVF is a leading fertility and IVF centre in Chandigarh. We have a team of dedicated medical experts who will work closely with you and recommend the right fertility tests based on your situation. We will walk with you from day 1 and ensure that this is not a cumbersome process for you. To book an appointment, get in touch with us now!

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Culture Media

Culture Media

Assisted Reproductive Technology results have been improved due to the improvement in culture media conditions. There are number of commercially available culture media in the market with components like protein, antioxidants, carbohydrates etc. In this blog, we are going to discuss the key components of media & how they support to embryo growth.

What is Culture Media?

Culture media is the artificial environment given to the embryos for growth & development. Culture media is based on two philosophies:

  • Back to nature Principle
  • Let embryo decide the principle

In nature principle, the media components try to imitate the components of a female reproductive system .Which means the media is formulated sequentially according to the embryo developmental need i.e. from zygote to a blastocyst. Whereas, Embryo chooses principle is single step or monoculture formulation in which the media is supplemented with all the macromolecules and then embryo utilize the macromolecules according to its requirements.

 

Key Components of Embryo Culture Media

Water
Most of the culture media are made up of 99% of water. As, the goodness of media depends upon the quality of water. So, the water sources should be good.

Ions

The role of ions in the media is to maintain the osmolarity. The ions present in culture media is Na, Cl, P, Ca, Mg, S, K, etc. Osmolarity of medium affects cell volume & embryo development. Elevated osmolarity can result into developmental arrest. Osmolalities of culture media should be in the range of 260 to 298 milliosmoles.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the key source of energy for embryo growth. The media consist of pyruvate, lactate and glucose. In the initial stage of development pre compacted embryo utilizes the pyruvate as primary source of energy .However, in post compaction stage the embryos use glucose for expansion.

Amino Acid

These are important regulators serve as energy sources. Essential & non essential amino acid stimulates the production of ICM of blastocyst. Whereas trophoectoderm formation & hatching in blastocyst is initiated by non-essential amino acids (Glutamine).

Antioxidants

Invitro embryos when exposed to culture conditions they may experience oxidative stress due to production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Which have a negative impact on the development of embryo. Media should be supplemented with antioxidants such as Lipoate to avoid stress on embryo produced by ROS.

Antibiotics

To avoid bacterial contamination in culture media antibiotics like gentamycin, streptomycin are added to media.

Proteins

 Protein is the common macromolecule in human embryo culture media such as Human Serum Albumin (HSA). It aids in embryo development. They also maintain membrane permeability & osmoregulation while manipulation of gamete in vitro.

Buffer System

The suggested pH range for culture media is 7.2 -7.4. Most of the culture media have bicarbonate buffer system to sustain the pH in the tolerable range. For handling gametes outside the incubator HEPES & MOPS are preferred.

Growth Factors & Hormones

Embryos are exposed to a blend of maternal hormones & the role of hormones in embryo development is uncertain. Growth factors have considerably role in growth & differentiation of Day4 Morula to a Day 5 Blastocyst. Even due to the addition of growth factors to the media have drastically improved the implantation rates.

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Can Adenomyosis affect my fertility

Can Adenomyosis affect my fertility

Adenomyosis is a condition in which the cells of endometrium (the uterine lining) are present inside the muscular wall of uterus. There is also associated hypertrophy uterine muscles.

Adenomyosis can affect fertility in two ways. Firstly it effects the uterine contractions which helps sperms to reach the tubes. Secondly it also increases the number of toxic cells in the uterine lining which may effect the implantation of embryos.

Adenomyosis may also be associated with endometriosis, a condition in which the uterine lining cells are present in the ovaries or other sites in pelvic. This may further effect the oocyte quality and number, further contributing to difficulty in conception.

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Fertility Preservation for Women Diagnosed with Cancer

Fertility Preservation for Women Diagnosed with Cancer

The most common question asked in IVF counsellings is “Doctor, as we have heard, we need to do complete bed rest after embryo transfer or I can move around. Do you think 15 days leave is sufficient.”

So it’s time to give away this myth forever now. The implantation of embryos placed inside your uterus after embryo transfer depends upon three most important factors   –

  • Quality of eggs
  • Quality of sperms
  • Receptivity of endometrium.

Moreover uterus is a collapsed cavity with opposins walls and a closed cervix. If the embryos are placed inside the uterus at their proper position then few minutes after embryo transfer they remain at their same stable position and in no ways they will fall down even if you stand after the embryo transfer.

Going by literature, various studies have been conducted in which pregnancy rates were compared between the groups who were made to get up 20 minutes after the embryo transfer and those made to rest for varying periods from 3 minutes to even 24 hours in some centers. But no difference was found in the pregnancy rate and the live birth rate. In certain systemic reviews and meta analysis it has been shown that complete bed rest might negatively affect the outcome of IVF/ICSI cycle and the cause may be stress and anxiety mechanism.

So a lot of evidence is against the bed rest factor. Even at Reviva we have seen pregnancy rate comparable between the bed rest and no bed rest groups. I can recall many positive results even in those patients who jump out of bed even half an hour after transfer and those joining their offices the very next day. But inspite of clinical evidence we daily come across patients who had undergone failed cycles at other centers or one of their relatives had undergone treatment elsewhere and were advised complete bed rest after transfer and to the extent that they were kept hospitalized for 24 hours. All this increases the anxiety factor in the patient. Very obvious that lying on bed the whole day is not easy and the thought process is totally focused on one thing and more of stress and negative feelings. How do you think it’s going to help the success rate. And if unluckily the results negative than the female takes the whole burden on her. She thinks it didn’t work because she didn’t have sufficient rest.

So our advice to all our patients, don’t go on house arrest of 2 weeks. Take it easy and carry out with your normal activities. Rest is not going to influence your outcome. So relax, be normal and wait for nature to do its best.

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ENDOMETRIOSIS WHAT’S THE URGENCY ?

ENDOMETRIOSIS WHAT’S THE URGENCY ?

This is a clinical entity where the uterine lining cells are present outside the uterus, usually, ovaries. The incidence is in reproductive age group.

This condition effects your chances of conceiving by decreasing number and quality of eggs, causing pelvic adhesions and hence tubal blockage toxic microenvironment and also effects endometrium receptivity. (2-10 % in women in general population and 20-30% in infertile group)

Women with endometriosis are 5% less likely to continue naturally even in cases of mild endometriosis. In severe endometriosis the fertility decrease is much higher.

Now since endometriosis is an on-going process, so when diagnosed we tell the patient to plan early. Even after surgical removal of endometriotic cyst, the non visible endometriotic spots continue to release toxins which can effect your fertility. And if patient doesn’t take any treatment after surgery and doesn’t conceive within six months, the pre-surgical state may come again. So postsurgery aggressive treatment is required in cases of grade 3-4 and those with grade 1 and 2 are advised to plan early either naturally or IUI.

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