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The new frontier of reproductive age

Article Abstract:

A combination of oocyte, or egg, donation and in vitro fertilization may enable more women over 40 years old to conceive and carry a child to term. Most women become less fertile as they age, even before going through menopause. An older woman's eggs may be less fertile than those from a younger woman. Using oocyte donation to conceive, eggs donated by a younger women are fertilized in vitro using the male partner's sperm and implanted into the infertile woman's uterus. A research study found that women over forty who used oocyte donation were more likely to conceive than those who used standard in vitro fertilization using their own eggs. The use of eggs donated by another woman to conceive raises a new set of concerns. One is that it may be difficult to find qualified women who would be willing to donate eggs to another woman. Another is the impact of pregnancy upon an older woman's health.

Editorial, Innovations, Human reproductive technology, Oocytes, Oocyte donation

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A couple with infertility

Article Abstract:

The case of a couple with unexplained fertility is presented. A 32-year-old wife and 32-year-old husband who had been trying to conceive for several years were referred for fertility evaluation and treatment. Physical examinations, semen analysis, and postcoital testing were all normal. The wife was diagnosed with a possible cervical stenosis. She received intrauterine insemination, follicle-stimulating hormone injections, gonadotropin injections, and progesterone suppositories. Pregnancy tests continued to be negative. The couple describes the stress and emotional upsets they have experienced resulting from their inability to conceive. Physicians explain that assisted reproduction techniques are available, such as in vitro fertilization, but they are expensive and may have adverse effects. Fertilization is such a complex process that it is often difficult to find a cause for infertility.

Infertility, Fertilization in vitro

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Diagnosis and management of female infertility

Article Abstract:

The diagnosis and management of female infertility is reviewed. Topics include diagnostic assessment, prognosis, ovulation disorders, tubal infertility, endometriosis, unexplained infertility, and in vitro fertilization. The National Fertility Association has 50 local chapters and a web site that provides much useful information.

Diagnosis

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