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Mandated coverage for fertility preservation featured in NEJM

A new law in Rhode Island requires coverage for fertility preservation prior to gonadotoxic medical therapy. The authors of the perspective published in NEJM recommend revising existing non-infertility-related mandates or establishing a separate definition for fertility preservation, which could encourage other states to follow suit.

SourceCare New England·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 1, 2017

Two years and multiple doctors often needed to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome

A study revealed that it takes two years or more for one-third of women with PCOS to receive a diagnosis, highlighting the need for improved education and support. The authors call for international guidelines and resources to improve diagnosis experience and health outcomes for women with PCOS.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJan 9, 2017

Men have a lot to learn about their own fertility

A recent survey found that men generally lack awareness of risk factors contributing to male infertility, with only about 50% identifying potential dangers. This lack of knowledge can lead to devastating psychological impact and stress on relationships, emphasizing the need for public education to promote reproductive health among men.

SourceMcGill University·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateNov 22, 2016

Opioids regulate spermatozoon formation

A recent study published in PLoS One has revealed that opioid receptors participate in spermatogenesis, a process crucial for male fertility. The researchers identified the activation of these receptors as regulating the formation of machinery responsible for correctly segregating genetic information during spermatozoa production.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalPublication Library and Information Science·DateJun 8, 2016

'Marijuana receptor' might hold the key to new fertility treatments for men

Researchers found that a cannabinoid receptor called CB2 helps regulate the creation of sperm, providing evidence for marijuana's impact on male fertility and suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for treating male infertility. The study suggests that a balance of CB2 activation is required for proper spermatogenesis.

Sparse coverage hinders infertility treatment access

A new review suggests that Americans are not using infertility treatments and technologies as much as they could due to limited insurance coverage. The number of women aged 25-44 who have used infertility services decreased by 16% between 1995 and 2010, with usage rates being only 40% of the likely need in the US population.

SourceBrown University·JournalFertility and Sterility·DateFeb 1, 2016

Frontline treatments show best results for unexplained infertility

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that letrozole did not improve pregnancy rates and live birth rates for women with unexplained infertility, but clomiphene remained the best option. Clomiphene enabled production of more eggs and hormones, while gonadotropin had the highest rate of pregnancy and live births.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 23, 2015

Standard treatment better than proposed alternative for unexplained infertility

A new study published by the NIH finds that clomiphene is more effective than letrozole for treating unexplained infertility, resulting in more live births. The study compared over 900 couples undergoing fertility treatment and found that clomiphene resulted in higher pregnancy rates and fewer multiple pregnancies.

Improved sperm diagnostic test may pinpoint best fertility treatment for couples

Researchers developed a diagnostic test for sperm RNA based on next-generation sequencing, which may help determine the best infertility treatment for couples having difficulty conceiving. The test can identify those who benefit from assisted reproductive technologies and those who may be successful with minimal intervention.

New mechanism for male infertility discovered

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new link between male infertility and autoimmune prostatic inflammation. The study found that the immune system reacts to a protein called transglutaminase 4 in men with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1, leading to reduced fertility.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 17, 2015

Black women often cope with infertility alone

A recent study by the University of Michigan found that African-American women are equally likely to experience infertility as their white counterparts, yet they often cope with it alone due to social stigma. The study reveals that these women face discrimination in medical settings and feel a negative impact on their self-esteem.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateJun 4, 2015

X-linked gene mutations cause some cases of male infertility, Pitt study says

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that X-linked gene mutations can contribute to azoospermia and male infertility. Researchers identified a deletion in the TEX11 gene on the X chromosome as a potential cause, which can lead to meiotic arrest and prevent the development of viable sperm.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 13, 2015