Aurora magazine

For those suffering from endometriosis, natural conception can be very difficult. On the other hand, in vitro fertilization can be a valid help and increase the chances of becoming a mother. But we must take into account some important factors, so as not to aggravate the conditions of the aspiring mother.

According to Dr. Mark Surrey, introducing hormones into the body can affect the course of the disease. Hormone therapies for IVF, in fact, tend to increase estrogen levels. If carried out for a long time, the therapies can make endometriosis worse and damage health and fertility.

It must be the doctor's care to make sure that any change in the body is not worse. So, before beginning ovarian stimulation, it is necessary to act on endometriosis. This increases the chances of conceiving and safeguarding the health of women.

Several studies have proven the usefulness of performing a laparoscopy before in vitro fertilization. The operation involves removing the excess endometrium, eliminating the cysts that hinder conception. Once the necessary recovery time has elapsed, the organism is ready for in vitro fertilization cycles.

In case it is not possible to perform laparoscopy, we need to act on the modalities of ovarian stimulation. Ganirelix or Cetrotide prevents premature ovulation and leaves the follicles time to develop. Dr. Tomer Singer also recommends constant monitoring of endometrial conditions. In case of need, it acts on estrogen levels in order to reduce pain and preserve the quality of the oocytes.

Source: endofound.org

Psychiatrist Michael Silverman led a study on gestational diabetes and depression. This was the largest study ever conducted in this regard, with over 700,000 pregnancies analyzed. According to the data, gestational diabetes alone would increase the risk of postpartum depression by 70%. In women who have already suffered from depression, the chances are 20 times higher than normal.

From 1997 to 2008, Silverman analyzed over 700,000 first pregnancies. Among these emerged about 4,400 cases of postpartum depression, then within one year of giving birth. The new mothers who had already suffered from the disease proved to be more at risk. The same for women over 35 who have had 25% more cases of depression. However, one of the major risk factors has been shown to be gestational diabetes.

Among women with gestational diabetes, Silverman identified 70% of the cases in more than postpartum depression. Regardless of the presence or not of other risk factors, therefore, gestational diabetes weighs heavily on the psychophysical health of the new mother. However, the link between the two diseases has still unknown causes.

According to the researcher, the common cause could be inflammation. Indeed, some studies have proven the link between inflammatory cytokines and depression. These same cytokines are also linked to diabetes. Gestational diabetes, therefore, would not be the cause of depression. Rather, the two diseases would be related to the same phenomenon.

Source: corriere.it

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have rejuvenated the ovaries of two women with early menopause. For this purpose, they used stem cells injected directly into the ovaries. Within six months, women began to menstruate and could return fertile. Given the success of this first test, the next step will be to extend treatment to 33 other women.

The researchers used autologous mesenchymal stem cells, obtained from the patient's bone marrow. They injected them into a single ovary, so that they could take note of the differences with each other. After transplantation, they performed blood tests, ultrasounds and safety studies on the two women. Everything you need to keep under control the symptoms of menopause and the state of health of the patients.

Study coordinator Ayman Al-Hendy reported increased estrogen levels three months after transplantation. Furthermore, the treated ovaries have grown in size compared to those of control. Neither of the women showed complications or side effects. According to the researchers, it is possible that women return fertile and are able to conceive.

Al-Hendy's study is not the first to treat early menopause using stem cells. However, it was the first time that the researchers injected the stem cells directly into the ovaries. In fact, in a test by the Ivi Clinic in Valencia, the researchers had injected them through the ovarian artery.
If the study were successful, it would give new hope to many women affected by early menopause. It could also help those who incur in this condition due to a tumor.

Source: huffingtonpost.it

Playing sports during pregnancy helps you stay fit and is good for both mother and child. According to a study by the Technical University of Madrid, physical activity also helps to shorten labor.

The team of Professor Ruben Barakat has carried out a study on 508 pregnant and healthy women. 253 of them did the control group, while 255 did sport during pregnancy. Women in the second group followed an aerobic program three times a week throughout the gestation period.

At the time of delivery, the researchers took note of a number of factors, including:

• duration of labor;
• weight gained by the mother;
• use of the epidural;
• weight of the child.

Women who had participated in aerobics classes had a shorter average labor. In particular, physical exercise seems to have reduced the duration of the first phase of labor and the total duration. Furthermore, the women of the second group made less use of the epidural than those of the first group. Even the weight of newborns was more normal among the new mothers who had done sports during pregnancy.

The study is yet another test of how much exercise in pregnancy is useful for both the mother and the child. It is necessary for the woman to adhere to a program of exercises that is moderate and in line with the needs of pregnancy. Nevertheless, a minimum of attention is enough to enjoy great benefits in the long term.

Source: independent.co.uk