Do caffeine and fertility treatment mix? Coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks are eye-openers that many of us depend upon to get through the day. But couples who are trying to conceive may wish to cut the caffeine, as years of research support the idea that caffeine and fertility treatment aren’t a great mix. The...
ZIKA IN THE U.S. by Kristin Bendikson, MD The Zika virus is frightening to those women who are pregnant living in countries where the disease is rampant. Most pregnant women in the United States are fortunate not to be burdened with these worries and concerns. As of June 8th there have been almost 700 cases...
Traditionally, the decision to deliver a baby by cesarean section (C-section) was made by a woman’s obstetrician. It was based purely on medical reasons such as a baby in the “breech” position (head-up, bottom-down) or a cervix that wouldn’t fully dilate. These days, women realize that there are other potential reasons to favor a C-section...
Up to one half of sexually active couples use some kind of vaginal lubricant during intercourse. It’s a common misconception that lubricants not containing spermicide are okay to use in couples that are trying to conceive. Unfortunately, there is now reason to believe that many of these lubricants have harmful effects on sperm, thus potentially...
Many of our USC Fertility patients ask me if there are ways to decrease their menstrual flow. Here are some tips to help get you started: 1. Ibuprofen Ibuprofen is one of several medications classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). These drugs work by reducing your body’s production of inflammatory elements called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins have...
