The Fertility Doctor's Guide to Overcoming Infertility: Discovering Your Reproductive Potential and Maximizing Your Odds of Having a Baby

by Mark P. Trolice M.D. M.D.

Overview

Give yourself the best-possible odds for getting pregnant and having a baby with this concise, expert, and encouraging companion as your guide.

In the only general guide to infertility written by a medical doctor who specializes in the subject, Mark Trolice, MD—who is board-certified in both OB/GYN and REI (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility)—shares the practical knowledge he has gained from working in infertility medicine for years, with many hundreds of patients, along with the warmth and wisdom he has acquired from getting to know prospective parents from all kind of backgrounds.

The journey from infertility to fertility, from childlessness to a brand-new baby, can be long and arduous. It involves complicated medical diagnoses, a wide range of treatment options, a host of potential lifestyle changes, lots of emotional ups and downs, and—even with the best medical insurance—challenging financial decisions. Your doctors cannot decide everything for you, and that is why an authoritative and comprehensive book, written in clear and understandable language for the layperson, is essential. This is that book.

The book opens with an exploration of all the possible causes of infertility, covering both couples who have never been pregnant and ones who have had recurrent losses of pregnancies. Unique among infertility guides, this volume gives roughly equal weight to male and female causes, which is important because about 40% of infertility cases are due to men's issues—and some couples need to address issues in both the prospective mother and prospective father. It covers endometriosis, fibroids, POS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), tubal factor, male factor, and other possible causes.

Next it looks at your treatment options. Importantly, these are not just medical interventions, but they also include lifestyle changes you alone can make, involving sleep, diet, exercise, and other forms of self-care. Among medical options, IUI (Intrauterine Insemination),  IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), and various surgical procedures are covered in detail.

Some couples are lucky to have a short journey to fertility. For others, the process takes years. With a gentle and sure hand, and non-judgmentally, Dr. Trolice guides you through the many decisions you need to make along the way, such as whether or not to continue treatments, whether to change practitioners or treatments, and whether it is a good idea to continue to spend money on procedures not covered by your insurance. He understands that these are emotionally weighty decisions that involve the future of your family, and he provides ample grounds for optimism and hope, empowering you as you take this journey.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781558329584
Publisher:	Harvard Common Press
Publication date:	01/07/2020
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Mark Trolice, MD, is a leading medical expert on fertility and a physician who has counseled many hundreds of couples as they cope with and solve their infertility challenges. He is board-certified in both OB/GYN and REI (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility). The clinic he directs, Fertility CARE: The IVF Center is in Winter Park, Florida, and he is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He lectures frequently to experts in his field, but also speaks often to lay audiences of prospective parents. He is one of the few infertility specialists in the world to host an infertility podcast. On his podcast, Fertility Health, he reviews and discusses the most recent infertility topics, trends, and technology. He has appeared more than one hundred times in newspapers, on websites, and on television stations as a friendly and authoritative voice who can speak directly to parents about their concerns. He lives in Orlando, Florida.

Table of Contents

Foreword Brenda Strong 8

Preface 11

1 The Music of Medicine 13

2 First, Protect Your Fertility 18

3 Optimizing Women's Prenatal Health 27

4 Understanding Ovulation 36

5 The Reality of Ovarian Age Testing 39

6 Optimizing Men's Prenatal Health 44

7 Confronting infertility 49

8 Confronting Secondary Infertility 57

9 An Overview of Infertility Causes and a Guide to the First Steps in a Fertility Evaluation 64

10 Treatments You Should Avoid 78

11 Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) 90

12 Endometriosis: Pain or Infertility? 100

13 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) 105

14 The Male Factor 113

15 Self-Help Fertility Methods 121

16 Fertility Medications 128

17 Reproductive Procedures 136

18 Embryo Testing and Genetics 142

19 Financing Infertility Treatments 150

20 Early Pregnancy Complications 159

21 Preserving Fertility from Cancer 169

22 LGBTQ Fertility Options 177

23 Three Case Histories on Donation and Adoption 185

24 The Top Ten Questions and The Hard Facts about Each 191

Definitions of Acronyms and Initialisms 199

Resources 203

About the Author 204

Index 206

Editorial Reviews

"Any woman or couple dealing with fertility issues knows that it is much more than a medical or physical process. It is emotional, psychological and social as well. Dr. Trolice addresses the topic of infertility in a caring, straightforward, and medically sound manner. I recommend this book for any woman or couple considering making an appointment with a fertility specialist."—Jennifer Ashton, MD, OB/GYN, Chief Medical Correspondent for ABC News and "Good Morning America"

"This book is a must read for anyone embarking on the path to starting a family or struggling with infertility. It is informative and easy-to-read and has up-to-date information on family building in the modern world. Highly recommended!"—Eve C. Feinberg, MD, OB/GYN, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, and President of the Kevin J. Lederer Life Foundation

"Dr. Trolice has accomplished something very special with this book. He combines cutting-edge science, compassionate information, and the author’s own painful journey to parenthood in a unique way that helps the reader move effectively toward building a family."—Alice Domar, PhD, author of "Conquering Infertility" and Executive Director of the Alice Domar Center for Mind/Body Health

"I am so grateful Dr. Trolice is using his expertise—and his own personal struggle—to help others to be positive and proactive when it comes to their infertility. Dr. Trolice will lift you up and over infertility’s emotional roller-coaster, so you can thrive with more understanding and hope."—Kyra Phillips, ABC News correspondent and author of "The Whole Life Fertility Plan"

"Dr. Mark Trolice, an eminent reproductive endocrinologist, has done women and couples an amazing service in authoring this guide to infertility treatment. Information is power, and thus far, there is no other book that so clearly explains the treatments available to women and couples in one resource. This book makes what can be a harrowing experiencing much more manageable."—Amanda Itzkoff, MD, New York City

"This is a delightful book. Dr. Trolice traces the journey from infertility to parenthood in a personal, heartfelt manner. Medical facts are presented in an easy-to-understand way, and the personal voice is always heard. This is a book you will appreciate and one you won't forget."—Richard J. Paulson, MD, OB/GYN, Alia Tutor Chair in Reproductive Medicine and Chief, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

"As a woman who has had an infertility story and now writes books on the emotional realities of infertility and loss, I cannot recommend Dr. Trolice's book enough. He has the unique ability to combine seamlessly the scientific side, and empathy for the emotional journey of infertility patients, making it the perfect book for the trying to conceive community and healthcare professionals. A must have companion."—Sheila Lamb, Author of the ‘This is’ fertility book series and ‘My Fertility Book'

From the Publisher