Menu
HOME PAGE
GREEK HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICAL DOCTOR
CONTACT WITH THE GREEK DIASPORA-HELLENIC COMMUNITIES
CASES
BONE AND JOINT DISEASES
INTEGRATIVE CARE
INFERTILITY
HEALTH CONDITIONS
HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE
NEWS
HOME PAGE
GREEK HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICAL DOCTOR
CONTACT WITH THE GREEK DIASPORA-HELLENIC COMMUNITIES
CASES
BONE AND JOINT DISEASES
INTEGRATIVE CARE
INFERTILITY
HEALTH CONDITIONS
HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE
NEWS
Female Infertility
HOME PAGE
  |  
Infertility
  |  Female Infertility
Homeopathic remedies will correct a woman’s hormonal cycle, stimulate ovulation, correct menstrual cycle inefficiencies and balance mental and physical state very quickly so that natural conception is possible.
Receiving homeopathic care will beautifully and naturally balance your body and energy. Homeopathy prepares a woman for conception and a more comfortable, healthy pregnancy, delivery and a healthier baby.If you are planning a pregnancy, have had difficulty with conception, have suffered one or more miscarriages, have blocked fallopian tubes, PDOC (Polycystic Ovarian Disease), failed IVF’s or have related pregnancy or fertility issues,you may essentially extend the chances for conception through Homeopathy
Causes of Failure to Ovulate
Ovulatory disorders are one of the most common reasons why women are unable to conceive, and account for 30% of women’s infertility. Fortunately, approximately 70% of these cases can be successfully treated by the use of drugs such as Clomiphene and Menogan/Repronex. The causes of failed ovulation can be categorized as follows:
(1) Hormonal Problems
These are the most common causes of anovulation. The process of ovulation depends upon a complex balance of
hormones and their interactions to be successful, and any disruption in this process can hinder ovulation. There are three
main sources causing this problem:
Failure to produce mature eggs
In approximately 50% of the cases of anovulation, the ovaries do not produce normal follicles inwhich the eggs can mature. Ovulation is rare if the eggs are immature and the chance of fertilization becomes almost nonexistent. Polycystic ovary syndrome, the most common disorder responsible for this problem, includes symptoms such as amenorrhoea, hirsutism, anovulation and infertility. This syndrome is characterized by a reduced production of FSH, and normal or increased levels of LH, oestrogen and testosterone. The current hypothesis is that the suppression of FSH associated with this condition causes only partial development of ovarian follicles, and follicular cysts can be detected in an ultrasound scan. The affected ovary often becomes surrounded with a smooth white capsule and is double its normal size. The increased level of oestrogen raises the risk of breast cancer.
Malfunction of the hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is the portion of the brain responsible for sending signals to the pituitary gland, which, in turn, sends hormonal stimuli to the ovaries in the form of FSH and LH to initiate egg maturation. If the hypothalamus fails to trigger and control this process, immature eggs will result. This is the cause of ovarian failure in 20% of cases.
Malfunction of the pituitary gland
The pituitary’s responsibility lies in producing and secreting FSH and LH. The ovaries will be unable to ovulate properly if either too much or too little of these substances is produced. This can occur due to physical injury, a tumor or if there is a chemical imbalance in the pituitary.
(2) Scarred Ovaries
Physical damage to the ovaries may result in failed ovulation. For example, extensive, invasive, or multiple surgeries, for
repeated ovarian cysts may cause the capsule of the ovary to become damaged or scarred, such that follicles cannot mature
properly and ovulation does not occur. Infection may also have this impact.
(3) Premature Menopause
This presents a rare and as of yet unexplainable cause of anovulation. Some women cease menstruation and begin
menopause before normal age. It is hypothesized that their natural supply of eggs has been depleted or that the majority
of cases occur in extremely athletic women with a long history of low body weight and extensive exercise.
(4) Follicle Problems
Although currently unexplained, “unruptured follicle syndrome” occurs in women who produce a normal follicle, with an egg
inside of it, every month yet the follicle fails to rupture. The egg, therefore, remains inside the ovary and proper ovulation does not occur.
Causes of Poorly Functioning Fallopian Tubes
Tubal disease affects approximately 25% of infertile couples and varies widely, ranging from mild adhesions to complete tubal blockage. Treatment for tubal disease is most commonly surgery and, owing to the advances in microsurgery and lasers, success rates (defined as the number of women who become pregnant within one year of surgery) are as high as 30% overall.
Endometriosis
Approximately 10% of infertile couples are affected by endometriosis. Endometriosis affects five million US women, 6-7% of all females. In fact, 30-40% of patients with endometriosis are infertile. This is two to three times the rate of infertility in the general population. For women with endometriosis, the monthly fecundity (chance of getting pregnant) diminishes by 12 to 36%. This condition is characterized by excessive growth of the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. Growth occurs not only in the uterus but also elsewhere in the abdomen, such as in the fallopian tubes, ovaries and the pelvic peritoneum. A positive diagnosis can only be made by diagnostic laparoscopy, a test that allows the physician to view the uterus, fallopian tubes, and pelvic cavity directly. The symptoms often associated with endometriosis include heavy, painful and long menstrual periods, urinary urgency, rectal bleeding and premenstrual spotting. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms at all, owing to the fact that there is no correlation between the extent of the disease and the severity of the symptoms. The long term cumulative pregnancy rates are normal in patients with minimal endometriosis and normal anatomy. Current studies demonstrate that pregnancy rates are not improved by treating minimal endometriosis.
Diagnosis of infertility begins with a medical history and physical exam. The healthcare provider may order tests, including the following:
Lab tests
hormone testing, to measure levels of female hormones at certain times during a menstrual cycle
day 2 or 3 measure of FSH and estrogen, to assess ovarian reserve
measurements of thyroid function (a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level of between 1 and 2 is considered optimal for conception)
measurement of progesterone in the second half of the cycle to help confirm ovulation
Anti-Müllerian hormone to estimate ovarian reserve.
Examination and imaging
an endometrial biopsy, to verify ovulation and inspect the lining of the uterus
laparoscopy, which allows the provider to inspect the pelvic organs
fertiloscopy, a relatively new surgical technique used for early diagnosis (and immediate treatment)
Pap smear, to check for signs of infection
pelvic exam, to look for abnormalities or infection
a postcoital test, which is done soon after intercourse to check for problems with sperm surviving in cervical mucous (not commonly used now because of test unreliability)
Hysterosalpingography or sonosalpingography, to check for tube patency
Sonohysterography to check for uterine abnormalities.
There are genetic testing techniques under development to detect any mutation in genes associated with female infertility.
Initial diagnosis and treatment of infertility is usually made by obstetrician/gynecologists or women’s health nurse practitioners. If initial treatments are unsuccessful, referral is usually made to physicians who are fellowship trained as reproductive endocrinologists. Reproductive endocrinologists are usually obstetrician/gynecologists with advanced training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (in North America). These physicians treat reproductive disorders affecting not only women but also men, children, and teens.
Usually reproductive endocrinology & infertility medical practices do not see women for general maternity care. The practice is primarily focused on helping their women to conceive and to correct any issues related to recurring pregnancy loss.
Anti-Müllerian Hormone Test
What is an anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) test?
An anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) test measures the amount of AMH in a blood sample. In males, AMH is made by the testicles (or testes), which are glands that make sperm and male hormones. In females, the ovaries make AMH. The ovaries are glands where eggs form and female hormones are made.
AMH plays different roles in males and females and normal levels of AMH vary with your sex and your age. Measuring AMH levels can provide information about a variety of reproductive health conditions.
In unborn babies, AMH helps form the male and female reproductive organs. The sex of unborn babies is set by the chromosomes they inherit from their parents. Male babies have XY chromosomes and female babies have XX chromosomes. But the development of their reproductive organs and genitals is affected by hormones, including AMH.
In the early weeks of pregnancy, both male and female babies have a set of ducts (tubes) called Müllerian ducts. Normally, male babies make high levels of AMH in their testicular tissue. The AMH makes the Müllerian ducts shrink and helps male organs to grow. AMH levels stay high in male children until puberty when they begin to decrease.
Unborn female babies have very low levels of AMH. This allows the Müllerian ducts to develop into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and the upper part of the vagina. AMH stays low in female children. At puberty, follicles inside the ovaries begin to make more AMH. Follicles are small sacs in the ovaries that hold immature eggs.
In healthy females of childbearing age, higher levels of AMH mean that the ovaries have a larger supply of eggs. As females age, the number of eggs decreases, which causes AMH levels to decrease. At menopause, no eggs are left, and AMH levels drop to zero.
Other names: AMH hormone test, müllerian-inhibiting hormone, MIH, müllerian inhibiting factor, MIF, müllerian-inhibiting substance, MIS
What is it used for?
AMH tests are mainly used with other tests to make decisions about treating female infertility (not being able to get pregnant). If you're having infertility treatment, AMH testing can:
Check how many eggs you have left in your ovaries. This is called your "ovarian reserve." It's normal for your ovarian reserve to decrease with age. An AMH test can tell you the size of your ovarian reserve, but it can't tell you about the health of your eggs or predict whether you'll be able to get pregnant.
Predict how well you may respond to fertility medicine. Normally, your ovaries prepare one egg for fertilization each month. If you're using in vitro fertilization (IVF) to have a baby, your health care provider will prescribe fertility medicine to make your ovaries prepare many eggs at the same time. The eggs are removed and mixed with sperm to make embryos outside of your body. Then the embryos are either frozen or put into the uterus to start a pregnancy.
Testing your AMH level helps your provider know what dose of fertility medicine you may need to get the best response.
In females, AMH testing may also be used to:
Find out if you're getting close to menopause or have already begun menopause. As you approach menopause your egg supply shrinks and AMH levels drop. AMH levels can be used to check for premature menopause (before age 40) and early menopause (before age 45). But an AMH test can't predict when you'll actually reach menopause. The average age of menopause is 52.
Help diagnose and monitor problems with the ovaries that cause high AMH levels.
These include:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that can cause infertility
Certain types of ovarian cancer
For babies and children, an AMH test may be used:
To check for healthy testicles in a male baby or child that may have undescended testicles. This is a condition where the testicles fail to move from the belly, where they develop before birth, into their proper place in the scrotum. Healthy testicles in a male baby produce AMH. So, normal AMH levels mean that the baby has healthy, working testicles, but they just haven't dropped into the scrotum. Little to no AMH is a sign of other conditions that need more testing.
To learn more about a baby born with genitals that aren't clearly male or female. This condition is called "atypical genitalia." In the past, it has been called "ambiguous genitalia" or "intersex." There are many types of atypical genitalia that have different causes. For example, problems with AMH and other hormones in a male baby can lead to the development of internal female reproductive organs and external genitals that don't look typical.
An AMH test can show whether the baby has any working testicular tissue. This information can help diagnose the cause of the problem. The test is usually done with other tests, including chromosome testing, other hormone tests, and ultrasound scans to check for sex organs and glands inside the body.
Why do I need an AMH test?
If you're female, you may need an AMH test if you:
Are having fertility problems. You may need an AMH test to:
Find out if your egg supply is normal for your age.
Plan in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Higher levels of AMH mean that you're likely to respond to fertility medicine and you may only need a small dose. Low levels of AMH may mean need higher doses to respond.
Have symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), including:
Irregular menstrual periods, or no periods at all (amenorrhea)
Acne
Too much hair on the face, chest, stomach, or thighs
Hair loss on the head (male pattern baldness)
Weight gain
Dark patches of skin
Are being treated for certain types of ovarian cancer. AMH testing can show if your treatment is working. After treatment the test can show whether cancer has returned.
A male baby or child who doesn't have testicles in the scrotum may need an AMH test to help find out if there are healthy testicles inside the body.
A baby with genitals that aren't clearly male or female may need an AMH test along with other tests to help diagnose the cause of the disorder and confirm the sex.
What happens during an AMH test?
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
You don't need any special preparations for an AMH test.
Are there any risks to the test?
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
What do the results mean?
What the AMH test results mean depends on the reason the test was done:
If you're healthy and trying to get pregnant, ask your provider to explain what your AMH test results mean for your fertility based on your age and other test results. In general, a high level of AMH means you have more eggs available, and a low level means your egg supply is shrinking and your time to get pregnant may be shorter.
If you were tested for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a high level of AMH is a sign that you may have the disease. An AMH test alone cannot diagnose PCOS. There is no cure for PCOS, but symptoms can be managed with medications and/or lifestyle changes.
If you were tested for menopause, low AMH may mean you're getting close to menopause. But AMH test results can't predict how long you have until menopause. If your test result showed no AMH in your blood, it means you are in menopause. If you're younger than age 40 and have symptoms of menopause, an AMH level that's lower than average for your age may be a sign of primary ovarian insufficiency.
If you are being treated for ovarian cancer, a decrease in AMH usually mean that your treatment is working. If AMH increases, it may mean your treatment isn't working or cancer has returned.
If a male baby or child is tested for undescended testicles:
Normal AMH levels mean the baby has working testicles, but they are not in the right location. This condition can be treated with surgery and/or hormone therapy.
Little or no AMH may mean the testicles are not working or missing completely. This may be caused by a change (mutation) in the AMH gene. The baby may have atypical internal female reproductive organs with normal male genitals.