Order Your Blood Tests Online And Save!

Even though I'm going to be getting health insurance soon, I understand that it won't cover everything. There will be additional costs along the way out of my pocket. Much of that comes from need fertility treatments that won't be covered. Here is a great company that allows individuals to get the blood tests done at a significant savings. I've already found a few that I know are cheaper than what it would cost at my local hospital. 

PersonalLabs provides customers the ability to conveniently & confidentially order low-cost laboratory blood tests online (The same tests they would order from any doctors, but at a lower cost and with less hassle) and offer over 1,700 testing locations nationwide for them to have their blood drawn, or submit their specimen.

Personalabs is for health & wellness-conscious individuals, people with no medical insurance, people who need 100% privacy on their tests, or people who want to take control of their healthcare. Visit PersonalLabs to see all the tests that they offer which range from diabetes, to STD’s, to heart disease and more

They also have www.justgettested.com for the younger, and sexually active individuals. The site provides STD symptom information, an extensive selection of STD tests & 1700 testing locations. Click Here to get 10% off all STD Testing. Just use promo code JGTSTD10

Just click here during the month of October and get 10% off all female health tests at PersonaLabs during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They offer a wide range Women's Health Blood Testing. These include cancer screenings, hormonal tests, FSH and LH, and many more. 

PCOS Awareness Month

September is PCOS Awareness month in the United States. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects almost 7 million women in this country. Less than half of them know that they have it.  With almost 10% of women having PCOS, the chances are that you do know someone that is affected by this medical condition. 

PCOS is an endocrine disorder that can often to lead to infertility in women. The good news is that with the proper treatment many women with PCOS do get to have children. The bad news is that the longer it goes untreated the more difficult it is to correct. Just like everything else, early diagnosis is key. 

Women with PCOS typically have very small, benign cysts on their ovaries. These can be found in an ultrasound. However, not all polycystic ovaries lead to PCOS. A woman also needs to be tested for the amount of androgen hormones that they have. Androgen hormones are primarily male hormones and having higher levels of them in women can lead to other symptoms. 

Here are some of the more common symptoms of PCOS: 

• Infertility
• Irregular or absent ovulation
• Irregular or absent periods
• Abnormal hair growth (upper lip, chin, nipples)
• Acne
• Really oily skin and/or hair
• Obesity
• Insulin resistance
• Hyperandrogenism (high levels of androgens
• Elevated levels of LH hormone

PCOS can be treated. A common form of treatment is with birth control pills. Anyone that wants to get pregnant might not appreciate this option, but it is a good way to get a woman's cycle regulated. 

They also help to reduce the amount of acne and unwanted hair growth. 

For women trying to get pregnant that aren't ovulating the first medication tried is usually Clomid. This drug helps to stimulate ovulation. Many doctors will also prescribe Metformin (Glucophage) to their patients. This is typically used to treat insulin resistance, but may be given to women that don't have this condition. Studies have also shown that for some women simply losing 10% of their current weight, eating a healthier diet and adding some regular exercise can fix their ovulation problems naturally. 

If these treatments don't work for women trying to get pregnant then it's time to begin exploring other options in their personal fertility journey. This could include further treatments such as IUI's or IVF, or maybe adoption.

Check out this little quiz to see if you're one of the 10% of women that have PCOS. 

PCOS Symptoms Quiz

Check out these resources to learn more about PCOS. 

PCOSupport, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Assoc. Inc.

Womenshealth.gov PCOS Fact Sheet

Resolve.org PCOS Diagnosis & Management

Fertility Treatments Cost How Much???

Many people facing infertility often run into a big brick wall. Money. These treatments don't come cheap. In the US IVF can cost up to $20,000 a cycle. It's really not hard to spend close to $10,000 before you even to that point.  If you don't have health insurance to help with these costs, they will add up. And they will add up quickly!! This can lead to a lot of additional stress that, frankly none of us dealing with it needs. However, it is what is. Here are a few tips that might be of use to anyone trying to save up the funds they to have to get the baby they dream of. 

Currently there are 15 states that mandate by law insurance companies to provide coverage for fertility treatments. This coverage does vary. So the very first thing that you want to do is to contact your health insurance provider. Find out exactly what they cover, how much coverage you have, and if they cover procedures such as IUI or IVF. Also, make sure to ask them how many cycles they will cover. It might be one, maybe two, or if you have excellent coverage as many tries as you need. Don't be afraid to keep pushing until you get the answers you need. 

Now that you know what your insurance will cover and won't cover it's time to call the hospital or fertility clinic that you will be seeking treatment through. Ask what their rates are, if they offer discounts for upfront payment in full, payment plan rates, or if they have any other discount options available. Don't be surprised when you realize the differences between options offered by a hospital and a fertility clinic. 

For example, since I don't have any health insurance at all the best my local hospital could offer me was a 1% discount for upfront payment in full, and a payment plan of 50% upfront with the remainder paid in two payments in the next two months. The bill for the first had to paid in full before I could charge another one. My doctor wanted me to have an hsg and two ultrasounds within about three weeks of each other. That meant I had to come up with approx. $4,000, being able to finance about $500 over the next two months. They were very clear that if I had even horrid health insurance I could get a much better and more reasonable payment plan. 

On the other hand you can go to a fertility clinic. Most fertility clinics have a completely different system up for dealing with patient bills. Usually you can speak with a financial planner that will work with you to get the treatment you need, and the payment plan you can work with. They will also be able to give you personalized, unbiased advice about your situation. 

Fertility clinics also offer other discounts and payment options that you won't typically find anywhere else. If are in the position to visit one of the clinics operated by Attain Fertility you can apply for their Attain IVF program.  While everyone hopes that they become pregnant with their first try at IVF, it doesn't always happen. They have different programs to choose from, but you can save between 30-40% off the price of paying for each cycle individually. 

Now you've got a good grasp on how much you fertility treatments will cost out of your pocket.  There's a good chance that you're gonna cry. Don't feel bad or embarrassed. Grab a bottle of wine, drink feel sorry for yourself, and cry your eyes out. Nothing about this part is easy. Sorry :( I wish I could lie and say differently, but I'm just not that kinda girl. I can't stress the point enough that this journey will make you cry and you'll have many pity parties! 

NEVER FEEL BAD ABOUT IT!!! 

After you've have your moment and gotten yourself together, it's time to think of options. The first thing you want to look for is grants. Just do a simple Google search and look through the options. There are many different programs out there to check into. Look over their requirements carefully and apply for the ones that you think you qualify for. You also want to look for any hospital sponsored studies that you might qualify for. Participants can usually get their treatments for free in exchange for their participation. 

Once you've exhausted all of your free options it's time to take a serious look at your finances. If you've never taken the time to really look at your credit then you need to now! Once you start talking about needing thousands of dollars you will want to know what your credit score is. 

Go over it with a fine tooth comb. We actually had to call and make them take all our in-law information off our report. I remember the woman asked me why I wanted to take it all away since our in-laws have awesome credit!! It's amazing how good their credit is. 

There's a part of me that was more than happy to leave it there! lol Since the had such awesome credit we would never be able to get anymore. According to the machines we already had access to more than enough money to finance anything we want. So while our credit rating took a big hit getting all of their info off our report, there was no way we'd ever be able to any loans, credit cards, or any other type of credit with it. 

So now you need to start coming up with the money for your treatments. Always pay for your treatments with cash if possible. Try to keep any new debt to a minimum. When you can't pay with cash, then it's time to start looking into other options. 

One option that is growing in popularity is fundraising for fertility treatments. Thanks to the rise of crowdfunding sites more and more people are hosting their own events to pay  for the treatments. Please see this post I wrote, Fundraising for Babies, with ideas on how to hold a success fundraiser. 

Another option is a personal loan. The status of your credit will determine if you qualify for one, your interest rate, and how much you can borrow. You can apply for one through your local bank, or online. If you've never applied for a loan before it might be best to visit one in person. The loan officer will be able to go through everything with you, answer any questions, and help you get the right loan for your needs. 

If you own your home then you might want to consider taking out a loan against it. You'll definitely have to talk to your bank about this. Things they will consider is your credit, how much you currently owe against the house, and the amount of equity you've build up among other things. 

Almost everyone has a credit card these days. While they can be a great way to help finance your fertility treatments, you need to be careful about how you use them. If the facility that you are attending accepts credit cards then just pay the bills with the card. Don't get a cash advance unless you have absolutely no other choice! Many credit cards charge over 20% in interest rates for cash advances. This will dramatically eat up your available credit and cost you a lot more money. 

Many people also have yard sales  to raise money. Personally, I hate yard sales myself, but they are a great way to clean out your house. If you don't want, can't fit it in anymore, or simply hate it, then it goes up for sale. While a yard sale probably won't raise you the thousands that you might need it can be a excellent way to get started. 

If it's an option for you then a second job will definitely help you to raise some money quickly. Working two jobs can be stressful for you and your partner. Give this some careful thought and consideration before you decide to go this route. You can also find ways to make income by working online. There are ways to make blogging, writing, doing customer service, data entry, surveys and more. Many of these positions can be done easily from the comfort of your home around your own schedule. 

These are just a few suggestions on how to raise money for your treatments. Be creative and I'm sure you'll think up even more. My final word of advice is to cut your spending. Every time you see a gorgeous pair of shoes that you "just have to have" ask yourself if that $50 is better spent on a pair of shoes that you really don't need, or if it would be better in your fertility savings account. Always keep your eyes on the real prize!

Fundraising for Babies

Infertility affects millions of couples in the United States. While recent studies suggest that the numbers of people may be dropping, that doesn't really help those of us struggling to have a family of our own. Fertility treatments are extremely expensive and it's not always covered by health insurance. People with health insurance can usually get some of the more basic and routine tests performed under their plan, they end up having to pay out of pocket for additional treatments such as IUI's and IVF. These treatments cost thousands of dollars per try. 

Unfortunately, that is just waaaay out of reach for lots of couples trying to conceive. 

  Adoption is also an option for childless couples. However, just like fertility treatments, adoption can be very expensive. Couples can often find themselves quickly getting buried in debt trying to finance this dream. As a result more and more couples are deciding to hold fundraising events to raise the money they need. 

Deciding to hold a fertility treatment, or adoption fundraiser isn't easy. Infertility is a difficult thing to discuss for most couples. When they decide to host a fundraiser to finance their fertility treatments they have to come out and admit to everyone that they are living with condition. Family, friends, co-workers and strangers will now learn all about your struggle. This can add extra stress to your life so you want to make sure that this is the right decision. Once you send out the info about the fundraiser there is no turning back.  You also have to be prepared to discuss your infertility struggles openly and frankly. 

So now that you've decided to hold a fundraiser it's time to start planning! Just like any other fundraiser, the key to holding a successful event is good planning at the start. 

• Get all your facts in order first. Research costs, statistics, and anything else you think is relevant. Providing this kind of information will help convince people to donate to your cause. 
• Determine your fundraising goal. Make it clear exactly what you will do with the money. Keeping things clear and transparent will make people feel more confident in supporting your endeavors. 
• Get organized! Whether it's a file on your computer, your email calendar, or a basic notebook, being organized will help you stay on top of everything at all times. 

Thanks to the Internet there are more ways than ever before to raise funds for your infertility treatments or adoption costs. One of the quickest and easiest ways to being raising money is through a crowdfunding site. Using a crowdfunding site is extremely quick and easy. You just sign up, fill out your info, create your fundraising page and start sharing the link. Anyone can then visit and make a donation. Easy-peasy! 

Some sites to consider include:

• Fundly.com
• GoFundMe.com
• Crowdrise.com

You can take a look at a fundraiser one of my friends set up to see what she has done on her page to help finance her dreams: Wishing for Our Rainbow Baby. You can learn more about Maria by visiting her blog The Mamma Homemaker

If you want to host a fundraiser online, but want to provide a product that your donors will like too then you can check out the site MyFundraising.com This site allows people to buy items such as magazine subscriptions and gives you a commission on each sale. I created one there just to check it out. You can find my fundraising page at: A Family Of My Own. 

Take a moment to also visit this page at funraising123.org. They have several free guides and eBooks that you can download to help make your online fundraiser a success. Just click here to get these valuable resources now. 

Since fertility treatments are so expensive, you're probably going to need to raise a lot of money. While online fundraising is a great way to get help, a more traditional "real world" event could be an excellent way to raise even more funds. If you decide to hold an event like this try to avoid spending a lot of money on it, especially if this is your first fundraiser. Remember, the goal is to make money!  Also, keep the event small so that you can manage it easily. 

Some ideas to consider include: 

• Raffles
• Auctions
• Garage sales or flea markets
• Create a recipe book to sell
• Dances or dinners

You can also look for sponsors for your event. For example, if you want to have an auction then you need stuff to sell. Contact your local businesses and ask then if they have any items that they can donate for your cause. This could be a physical product, a gift card, or other type of service. Many times companies love to work with fundraisers since it's a great way to get advertisement for their business while also improving their social standing in the community. 

Another excellent option is working with a direct sales company. These programs usually come with everything that you need to have a successful fundraiser. They can range from simply hosting a single party, or having a huge event where several people assist you in the selling. Each direct sales company is different in the amount of money they offer for each sale. Some programs allow people to buy anything available in their product catalog, while some have specific catalogs with items just for fundraising. Go over all the details about the fundraising program with your representative thoroughly. Make sure that you understand what they offer, how much help and assistance they provide, and what will be expected of you. Taking a little time at the beginning to do this will save you and the representative a lot of headaches and misunderstandings later.

Contact these direct sales representatives to learn more about their fundraising options:

• Gold Canyon Candles. Representative: Jennifer Snyder-Allen. Her facebook page: Wix-N-Stix Candles Her Gold Canyon business page: https://scentsationalwicks.mygc.com/Home
• Thirty-One Gifts Representative Britney O'Keefe. Her business page: Mythirtyone.com/bokeefe Email Britney at Britney.okeefe@gmail.com

Now that you've decided what type of fundraiser you're going to have it's time to start promoting it! A good promotion campaign is essential to the success of your event. You want everyone to know what is happening and how they can help. 

• Share your online with all of your social network. Facebook, twitter, pinterest and Instagram can all be great ways to get the word out. 
• Put up flyers and posters advertising your event. Include all relevant information, including contact information. 
• Ask family and friends to help spread the word. 
• Many local newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations have "what's going" segments. Contact them about listing your event. Ask about discounts for advertising fundraisers, or offer them a "sponsor listing" in exchange for the promotion. 

Personally, my preferred method of raising funds for my treatments is through this blog. Supporting my efforts is as simple as click on the ads, signing up for promotions I share or join the reward sites that I participate in. Hosting a fundraiser may be the perfect solution for some couples, but it's just not for me. Here are a few programs that you can join to help me. 

• Swagbucks
• iRazoo
• GiftHulk

Have you tried fundraising to pay for your fertility treatments or adoption? Would you consider supporting a fundraiser for someone that is? Let me know in the comments!

Keeping Sex Fun When You're Trying To Conceive

Infertility can have a massive impact on a couple’s sex life. What was once a fun, spontaneous event is now timed and full of stress. This makes the act seem mechanical and forced. The anxiety that a couple feels about the outcome can easily take all the love and desire out of their life. All of this can make a person stop wanting to have sex all together.  

Personally, I went through a very long time where I couldn't give a damn if we ever had sex. Many times I would end up in tears afterwards thinking that it was just a waste of my time and efforts. Thanks to my husbands huge amount of patience, love and understanding I got my groove back. It took a long time, but was definitely worth it.

The first thing you need to do is talk with your partner! Communication is key to any relationship and is vital to keeping your sex life a happy one. Share your thoughts, concerns, fears and whatever you might be feeling. You might be surprised to learn that your partner shares many of these thoughts. By keeping the lines of communication open not only will your sex life improve, but your relationship overall will get stronger.

For most couples sex is a private act that no one else really cares to hear about. When you’re trying to conceive it can seem like everyone in your life is your bedroom. Family, friends, and doctors seem to always have some sort of presence in your sex life. This creates even more pressure for any couple trying to have sex. Trying to forget all about these people can help you relax and focus on the pleasure that sex can give you without focusing on the desired outcome of having a child.

Timing can be everything for those trying to conceive. By making sure that you have sex during the woman’s ovulation is necessary to conceive a child. That doesn’t mean that’s the only time you should be having sex. Bring the spontaneity back into your relationship will help you to shake anxiety that your feeling. Also, having satisfying sex can help you to look forward to the “timed” sex that you know is coming.

This can also be a great time for couples to widen their sexual horizons. Start checking out different types of sex toys, erotica, lubes, fantasies, and new positions. All of these can take your sex life from boring to fun and exciting again.  Exploring new things together can also help to strengthen your relationship. You’ll learn more about your partner and what they like. Helping both of you have a happy, healthy sex life.

Perhaps one of the best things to remember is that sex is suppose to be fun. Stop looking at it like a chore that needs to be done like the dishes. When people are trying to conceive they can start taking sex very seriously. Don’t be afraid to keep your sense of humor about everything. Laugh at the ridiculous advice people give, stare slack jawed at those enormous toys, wonder at how a person can ever get into some of those karma sutra poses. Happiness can be infectious. If you can keep your spirits up, chances are that your partner will too.

Books To Help You Overcome Your Infertility

As many of my readers now, I am one of millions of women in the world affected by infertility. Earlier tonight while searching Amazon for free books I decided to look for free eBooks relating to infertility. I've only found one. However, I also found several books that look promising that aren't very expensive at all. Please click on the links below to check them out. They may hold the answers to your fertility questions. If you are a member of Amazon Prime then you can borrow many of these titles for free.

The Sperm Meets Egg Plan is a step-by-step guide to achieving pregnancy without taking invasive tests, charting temperatures, or making mistakes in predicting your ovulation that result in mistimed attempts at fertilization. Designed by Deanna Roy after months of trying made her believe she had a fertility problem, the plan will help you time intercourse whether you have a typical or atypical cycle. It includes adjustments for common fertility problems, what to do if you are over forty, and considerations for trying again after a pregnancy loss. This booklet includes 40 pages of instruction plus a 10-page sneak peek of Deanna's book Baby Dust. It should be a free download.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder that affects women and between 5-10% of all women have this condition. The cause of why PCOS develops is basically unclear, however medical professionals believe it to be partially influenced by a condition called insulin resistance, hormone imbalance and even genetics. A well balanced diet plan designed to manage insulin resistance and PCOS needs to consist of all the essential nutrients you would expect in any good basic plan. This is sometimes a hard task to plan meals trying to cover all the bases but diets don't need to be difficult to maintain. Even harder is following a different diet than your family and preparing separate meals than everyone else is eating. This complicated domestic situation can be expensive, inconvenient and often is the reason people quit trying a particular eating plan. Take heart though, even a very general knowledge of the body and what impact certain foods have on it can clearly illustrate how even small changes can reduce your PCOS symptoms.

Worried about your ability to have children in the next five years? Have you been trying to get pregnant for a while now and it’s just not happening? Does it seem like every woman you know is having a hard time getting pregnant and you don’t want that to be you when you’re ready? If you answered yes to any one of these questions, Aimee’s second book, Yes, You Can Get Pregnant: The Diet That Will Improve Your Fertility Now & Into Your 40’s, was written for you. Whether you’re in your 20’s, 30’s or 40’s, this book will give you all the nutritional information you need to keep your baby-making machinery in tip-top shape.

BEARING THE UNBEARABLE wrestles with two of life's most painful realities, the loss or diminishment of hope and the inability of human beings to fulfill their vocation, potential, and dreams. We will focus on perhaps the most poignant cause of this, infertility, but our discussion will include other major obstacles to fulfillment. There is an innate link between the futility of procreative and potential fulfillment efforts. We will integrate western civilization's most famous infertility stories, those from the Bible, and particularly the Old Testament, with contemporary stories and your own.

This book provides resources and options for any couple struggling with infertility. Dr. Khatamee, a world-renowned infertility specialist, presents numerous case studies, discusses the most current tests available, what each entails and when testing should commence. The prevention of infertility and preservation of fertility are addressed. Adoption may be the right choice for you and information and resources are provided should you choose this option. Every couple deserves the best in fertility care. That’s the premise of the book DOCTOR, ARE YOU LISTENING? (A Couple’s Struggle to Find the Right Infertility Doctor). The book is co-authored by Linda Perelman Pohl and Dr. Masood Khatamee. It follows Linda and her husband, Stuart, in their quest to become parents. For many years, they saw doctor after doctor who "claimed" to be infertility experts, but, sadly, were not.

Yoga and Fertility: A Journey to Health and Healing: is for those who have never done yoga before, as well as those with yoga experience, or who are currently taking a yoga class. Personal stories are woven into the text, so that women can relate to the author and others who have struggled with fertility challenges. The book includes suggestions for friends and family members to help them better understand the issues.

6 Top Causes of “Unexplained Infertility”

Every year woman across the United States are told that they have “unexplained infertility.” This is basically your doctor’s way of saying “sorry, we have no idea why you can’t get pregnant.” In truth there is always a cause behind your problems trying to conceive. It just might take you a bit longer to discover why. While many cause of infertility can be discovered by your doctor, there are are some factors they can’t always account for that can be found in your environment, diet, or related to other health factors.

• Bisphenol A (BPA): BPA is a chemical that is commonly found in plastic products such as water bottles, water cooler bottles, and other plastic products. It’s been proven that BPA can decrease a man’s sperm count and disrupt a woman’s hormone levels. Canada recently banned this chemical from being used in baby bottles, but it is still found in many other products.
• Aspartame: Aspartame is also known as AminoSweet and can be found in most artificial sugars on the market today. In the US they are considering allowing this chemical to be added to milk, without any labeling on the packaging. While these sweeteners have been marketed for years as safe and “fat free”, in reality they are carcinogens and need to be avoided at all costs. These aren’t good for your body at all and will cause a wide range of health problems after long-term consumption.
• White Sugar: Unfortunately, white sugar isn’t good for your body either. This type of sugar is very acidic and toxic to the human body. It can also lead to Candida, another cause of infertility. Avoid sugary sodas, sweet, candy, and anything else that is high in white sugar.
• Candidiasis (Candida): Candida is caused by the overgrowth of the fungus Candida Albicans in the body. This is most commonly known for causing vaginal yeast infections in women. It can also lead to serious fertility issues if left untreated. If you suspect that you have this type of infection see a doctor immediately. If you have a history of these problems make sure to mention it to your doctor.
• Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance): Gluten is a very common product in the food we eat today. It’s found in many different types of grains including wheat, barley, couscous, rey, semolina, and many others. The gluten will stick to the lining of the intestines and make it difficult for your body to absorb the nutrients that you know. Celiac disease has been linked to causing fertility problems for both men and women. There is a test for Celiac disease. However, if you have a slight gluten intolerance it won't show up in the test results. The only way to treat this condition is by eliminating it from your diet.
• Alcohol: Not only will binge drinking leave you feeling terrible, it can have a tremendous effect on both a man and woman’s fertility. Alcohol products a toxic by product when absorbed by the body. The best solution is to stop drinking.

By working with your doctor and making some simple changes to your diet it is possible to succeed in conceiving the baby you’ve always wanted.

What Causes Infertility in Women?

Infertility is one of the most heartbreaking experiences that a couple can go through. Typically, if a couple has been trying to conceive for a year or longer without success is dealing with infertility. For women the age of 35 and older that time reduces to six months. It’s at this point that you should start seeing a doctor. They can help to find the cause of the infertility and treat it. It’s estimated that 1 in 8 couples in America are living with infertility in the United States.

There are many different causes for infertility in both women and men. A caouple might have one of these problems or several of them can prevent a pregnancy from happening.  A woman can only get pregnant when the complex process that starts with ovulation and ends with fertilization works the way it was suppose. Any type of disruption can impair the process. By consulting a fertility doctor or reproductive endocrinologist a couple can find the problems and choose the correct treatments for them to pursue. This greatly increases the chance of a woman becoming pregnant, and having a healthy baby.

While there are numerous issues that can affect a couple’s fertility, these five are the most common.

• Endometriosis: When a woman has endmetriosis, her uterine tissue grows on the outside of her uterus. This can affect the other organs nearby, including the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This condition may cause problems for the ovaries, sperm, egg and uterus.
• Uterine fibroids: These are small, benign tumors that develop within the uterine wall. This typically occurs in women between the ages of 30-40 years old. Implantation of a fertilized egg is usually impacted by these fibroids. It is rare for them to be blocking the fallopian tube.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS):  PCOS is a very common problem for women having difficulty becoming pregnant. When a woman has PCOS her body will produce too much androgen hormone. The overproduction of androgen can disrupt the ovulation process. Many times its found in women that are overweight or have a resistance to insulin. PCOS is often treated with a prescription medication.
• Damaged Fallopian Tubes: Fallopian tubes can be damaged when a woman contracts a sexually transmitted disease. Chlamydia is known to frequently cause these tubes to become damaged. Uterine fibroids can also cause damage to the fallopian tubes.
• Early menopause: Some women begin experiencing menopause before the reach the age of 40. This is condition is known as “early menopause”. There is no known cause for this to happen, but there are certain risk factors that may have an impact on it. These include smoking, chemotherapy treatments, and other immune system problems.

These are just a few of the conditions that may play a part in a couples infertility. Some types of medications, besides birth control pills, will reduce the chance of a woman becoming pregnant. Medical treatments such as chemotherapy, lifestyle choices, such as smoking or drinking, and her partners health can all contribute to infertility. If you have been trying to conceive for at least a year, then you need to seek medical treatment. You can get pregnant with the right help.

Your Biological Clock: Facts on Fertility

Do you understand your fertility? Infertility affects 1 in 7 couples in the United States today. Check out this great infographic to learn more about your biological clock.

Your Biological Clock: Facts on Fertility [INFOGRAPHIC] infographic

10 Popular Sayings That Hurt People With Infertility

Do people love to give you advice on how to conceive a child? They may have good intentions, but these comments are often painful for those of us that haven't been able to have a child. If you're struggling with infertility then you've probably heard most of the comments in this infographic before.

 
Via: FertilityNation.com

What Is Unexplained Infertility?

Do you know what unexplained infertility is? It's the only diagnosis I've ever been given, and honestly it sucks. Check out this infographic to learn more about unexplained infertility.

Infertility Facts And Solutions

Infertility is a very misunderstood condition that affects as many as 1 in 6 couples in the United States today. Understanding the causes of infertility and the possible treatments is a great place to start when seeking treatment. This fantastic infographic has a lot of information that will help you prepare for taking the step to see your doctor. 

Courtesy of: Victory A.R.T. Laboratory Phils, Inc.

Fertility By The Numbers

Check out this great infographic for more information about infertility and who it affects. This is a heartbreaking ordeal that millions of couples in the United States are dealing with.

Thank God Christmas Is Over!

Another Christmas has passed and I'm still alive. More importantly, I didn't lose my cool enough to land my dumb ass in jail :) 

All day Saturday I had people keep telling me though out the day just how lucky I was that I didn't have children. 

Ranted a bit about that on a faceboook page I follow and have had deal with a child (well, actually young adult, but in my eyes a child!), tell me that her aunt had problems and just went straight from "oh you can't have a baby" to IVF. Including just how cheap the treatment really is. grrr.....

Still managed to keep my head together enough to politely refuse the dinner offer from our in-laws cause they wanted the pic of all "the kids" including the newest little ones. 

We don't really celebrate, but my hubby is a fantastic cook and this year made us a super yummy baked salmon for dinner. I didn't freak out an get sent to jail for assualt, yeah.. I have to say that all together it wasn't that bad of a Christmas. 

Course, if Santa would just grant my wish then it would've been better :) I mean all I want is a baby!! It shouldn't be that hard of a wish to grant! I've been trying for 16 years to have one. 

I don't know anyone that have ever waited this long to get pregnant. They say it's one in eight couples that deal with, but in my life it's just me. 

If you are lucky enough to have a child then I really hope that you are smart enough to appreciate. We have hope, but due to my age, our hope is running thin. All Christmas is for me is a painful reminder of I'll probably never have. 

ProXeed Plus For Sperm Health Review

 Over 1 in 8 couples in the United States is dealing with fertility issues. In up to 30% of these couples the problem lies with the quality of their spouses sperm. ProXeed Plus is a dietary supplement that men can take to help enhance the overall quality, count and motility of their sperm. 

ProXeed Plus is a lemon-flavored powder supplement that you simply dissolve into your favorite cold beverage twice a day. For maximum benefits this supplement should be taken twice a day for six months. Affects in the quality of a man's sperm can be seen in as little as three months. 

We have been trying to conceive for 16 years. After taking this supplement for 15 days, we were still not pregnant. However, that doesn't say anything for or against this product. I believe we have bigger issues than his sperm count. Hopefully, soon we'll have health insurance so we can start getting more in-depth testing done. 

If you have been trying to conceive for a year or more then you definitely need to see a doctor. While I believe this product to be completely safe, always check with your doctor before starting any new supplement. 

If you believe that sperm quality may be a problem for you then just click here to order a 15-day supply of ProXeed Plus today. 

Conceive Easy! Everything You Need To Start Your Journey Towards Becoming A Mom

My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for years! While we're waiting for our health insurance coverage to show up, I'll try anything! Magic, spells, potions, creams, herbs, supplements, voodoo, hoodoo, just about anything lol Thankfully though there are real products that can help. 

Here is a photo of the TTC kit I received from ConceiveEasy. Each kit contains:

• Getting Started TTC Kit Guide
• ConceiveEasy 2 month starter pack
• Digital Basal Thermometer
• 20 pregnancy test or ovulation strips

I chose the ovulation strips, but they were kind enough to send me 40 ovulation strips and 10 pregnancy strips as well. The supplements are a two month supply. Which is nice since most other supplement programs have several different pills to take each month. With ConceiveEasy there's only one pill each month! I have to add that the test strips included in this kit are a definite value! They have saved me a lot of money over the last couple of months. While I haven't had to use one of the pregnancy tests, I use the ovulation strips each and every month. This kit retails for $39.95. However, you can try it for 30 days absolutely free. Check out their website for more information. 

According to their website: 

ConceiveEasy is a natural aid that boosts the body’s fertility level by stimulating ovulation and effectively overcoming the seven most common causes of infertility. The formula has been clinically tested and those using ConceiveEasy showed an increased pregnancy rate of 33 percent. The kit assists women in increasing their fertility rate in just 28 days with no unpleasant side effects or dangerous fertility drugs.

Unfortunately, this product didn't work for us. That's not saying it won't work for you though. They did help me to feel better and my cramps having been as bad lately. That's always good :) 

Want to learn more about ConceiveEasy and their great TTC system? Then just visit their website today for more information and tips to help you get pregnant fast!

I received this product free in exchange for my honest review. No money was exchanged.