Breaking the Link: PCOS and Autism

BREAKING THE LINK: PCOS AND AUTISM

A Swedish study released this month gained media attention for linking polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The authors concluded that children of women with PCOS have a 59% higher risk of developing ASD compared to children of women without PCOS (0.7% vs. 0.4%) because of increased exposure to androgens (male hormones) before birth. This risk was further increased in obese women with PCOS. What does this mean for women who have PCOS? Let's go behind the numbers to provide reassurance. 

Reasons Why I decided to Get a MBA

There are many decisions that a physician has to make in 2015. What treatment plan is best, how to best manage time, and how to run a practice to name a few. Getting a MBA has been something I have been thinking about since I started fellowship and 3 years out, now is as good a time as any.

I thought I'd share my reasoning and what pushed me to do it. since many of my peers have had the same thought.

5 Questions...I get about IVF

Certain questions often come up when I discuss IVF with patients. Not surprisingly a simple google search of "myths and misunderstandings of IVF" provides easy access to many listicles some from Fertility clinics and others from special interest groups/patient support group blogs.

I am still waiting for Buzzfeed to make its list. Oh wait, they sort of did.

Some of the more common questions I get are listed below after the break. The most important piece of advice is to encourage patients to ask questions and make sure they are getting satisfactory answers from their providers.

Endometrial Exfoliation (i.e "Scratch Test") in patients prior to IVF: Answering a Medical Conundrum

Implantation, the act of the embryo adhering to the lining of the uterus or endometrium, is an essential part of a normal pregnancy. Implantation failure remains a major factor limiting the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. As implantation depends on the cross talk between the embryo and the endometrium considerable research has been dedicated to understanding and optimizing this exchange. 

GENETICS of MALE INFERTILITY INITIATIVE (GEMINI)

Male infertility can be devastating for men and their partners. Despite that, an underlying cause of infertility cannot be identified in about half of infertile men. WUSM Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center doctors and researchers are part of a large team working to uncover these likely genetic causes and work to find potential treatments.

Fertility Coverage or Bust for our Patients

The average cost of a cycle of IVF, including medications hovers around $15-16,000 (all costs). Cost is obviously a barrier to IVF which is unfortunate as it provides the highest chance of live birth. Approximately 50% of the patients I see have infertility treatment coverage. This is due to our close proximity to Illinois which has one of the more comprehensive fertility mandates in the US.

Many times insurance companies that cover IVF will not cover it unless there is a "medical necessity." Oftentimes we write letters and talk on the phone with insurance company MDs fighting for our patients to have coverage for IVF. This usually involves multiple levels of written letters, peer to peer phone conversations and in-person testimonies.

Sometimes we are successful and sometimes we come up short. Man, it feels good when we get a claim approved! I wanted to share a recent success story emphasizing that persistence pays off.

IVF is Firstline treatment for Women 38-42 struggling to conceive

If you have unexplained infertility (normal tubes, sperm and ovulatory cycles), and are between 38-42, IVF may be the first-line option for treatment. The Press release below is from an email that will become publically available on the ASRM website under Bulletins. I wanted to share it with the readership.

Credit: American Society of Reproductive Medicine