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.