A p r il 27, 2011
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Page 19
Get to the Bottom of Fertility Problems
M ore than 7 m illion people in the
U .S.— roughly 12 percent o f the re­
p r o d u c tiv e - a g e
p o p u la tio n —
struggle with infertility, the inability
to conceive after six m onths to a
year o f unprotected sex. Infertility
can m ake the jo u rn e y to having a
child a frustrating and confusing
one. F ortunately, m any people w ho
are treated for fertility problem s are
able to conceive after therapy.
Infertility affects m en and w om en
nearly equally. A bout one-third o f
cases can be attributed to the m ale
partner, one-third are related to the
fem ale partner, and the rem ainder
are caused by a com bination o f prob­
lem s w ith both partners or by u n ­
know n factors.
In w om en, increasing age, irregu-
For Your Health
by
D r . R ichard N. W aldman
lar ovulation (release o f eggs from age, but at a slow er rate. Infertility in
the ovaries), abnorm al anatom y, or m en usually involves problem s with
scarring o r blockages in the fallo­ the sperm . Sexually transm itted d is­
pian tubes are the m ain causes o f eases (S T D s) or an injury to the
infertility. G ynecologic conditions, testicles, such as o verheating (from
such as polycystic ovary syndrom e, spending too m uch tim e in a hot tub,
endom etriosis, and fibroids, can also for exam ple) or a reaction to m edica­
m ake it difficult fo r a w om an to co n ­ tion, can lead to short term fertility
ceiv e. L ifesty le facto rs such as issu es.
sm oking, eating a poor diet, o r being
If you are having trouble getting
underw eight, overw eight, o r obese pregnant, see y o u r ob-gyn. Y our
m ay also m ake it h ard er to get p reg ­ d o cto r m ay ord er tests to u n d er­
nant.
stand w hat is causing the problem .
M ale fertility also d eclin es w ith Y ou m ay also be referred to a doctor
L eg A lert S creen in g — C heck for peripheral
arterial disease w ith this safe, sim ple screen­
ing using ankle and arm blood pressure. The
fee is $40. T o schedule an appointm ent, call
to 8:30 p.m . F o r m ore inform ation, call 503-
503-251-6137.
256-4000.
S m oke-F ree Support G roup - M eets M on­
A bdom inal A neurysm Screening — Free 10
days, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For information, call 503-
m inute health screenings to detect a deadly
256-4000.
vascular con d itio n - called abdom inal aortic
H eart T alk Su pport G rou p - M eets on the
aneurysm w ill be offered for Portland-area
second M onday o f each m onth; from 6 p.m.
residents on S aturday, Feb 5 from 8 a.m . to 5
to 8 p.m. F o r m ore inform ation, call 503-251 -
p.m . at the K m art pharm acy in T ualatin.
6260.
A dvance registration is required by calling
F am ily C aregiver S u pport G rou p - This
866-371-3592.
topic-oriented group offers a safe place to
M ind B ody H ealth C lass — Learn and p rac­
discuss the stresses, challenges and rew ards
tice techniques to help you im prove your
o f providing care to an older relative or
m ood, health and w ellbeing, including effec­
friend. M eets the first T hursd ay o f each
tive w ays to m anage difficult em otions and
m onth at 3 p.m . at L egacy G ood Sam aritan
chronic stress o r illness. R egistration is $70
H ospital.
for K aiser P erm anente m em bers and $95 for
C hronic P ain S u pport G rou p - M eets the
nonm em bers. Call 503-286-6816.
first W ednesday at 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the
Red C ross C ertification - The O regon Trail
third W ednesday o f each m onth, from 7 p.m.
C h ap ter R ed C ross now offers credits to
H
e a l t h
Attention Small Business Owners
Do you want the computer skills that can help you:
W
w ho specializes in infertility (rep ro ­
ductive endocrinologist) o r other
counselors and specialists.
Standard fertility testing for women
includes a physical exam and a health
history survey that focuses on m en­
strual function and a w om an’s his­
tory o f pregnancy, STD s, and birth
control use. Blood and urine sam ples
may be analyzed to confirm that nor­
mal ovulation is taking place. X-rays
or ultrasounds may be used to view
and inspect the reproductive organs
for any abnormalities. T otest form ale
fertility, a sem en sam ple will be
checked for the num ber, shape, and
m ovem ent o f the sperm and for signs
o f infection.
Infertility can be treated in a va­
riety o f w ays d ep en d in g on the
a t c h
helps p rofessionals m aintain licensing or
certificatio n . F o r a cu m u lativ e list, visit
pdxinfo.net.
W eigh t L oss H e lp — T ake O ff Pounds S en­
sib ly (T O P S ) m e e tin g s are h e ld ev ery
W ednesday from 8:45 to 10 a.m. at the H ol­
lyw ood S en io r C enter, 1820 N.E. 40th Ave.
A nyone interested is invited to visit and
learn m ore. For details, call 503-287-0731.
C ard iac-R eh ab E xercises — A m edically
supervised exercise program for people d eal­
ing w ith heart conditions. For inform ation,
call 503-251-6260.
Strok e A lert S creenin g - C heck y o u r c a ­
rotid arteries w ith a painless ultrasound to
assess y o u r risk. Fee $40. T o schedule a
screening, call 503-251 -6137.
M an agin g C h ronic H epatitis C - T hird
W ednesday o f each m onth at 5 p.m. The
inform ative session is led by a registered
nurse to help you m anage side effects o f
m edications and dosage preparations and
adm inistration; d o cto r referral required. T o
register, call 503-251-6313.
B etter B reath ers - A n asthm a educational
support gro u p m eets on the 1 st T uesday o f
the m onth from 1:15 p.m . to 2:45 p.m . at
A dventist M edical C enter. For inform ation,
call 503-251-6830.
E m p ow erm en t th rou gh R elaxation - Free
inform al m editation classes that address
breathing techniques, som e gentle ancient
A frican yoga poses and m ental balancing
techniques. People have left these classes
jo y fu l and w ith a peaceful view o f their lives.
Call Dr. M arcelitte F aillaat 503-228-6140.
T en d erfoot C are — T reat y o u r feet w ith a
soak, nail trim , buffing and m assage from a
licensed nurse at one o f six clinics o r at your
hom e. Call 503-251 -6303 for m ore inform a­
tion.
M u ltn o m a h C ounty Health D epartm ent's
C all or em ail us tod ay to get started!
(5 0 3 )6 2 1 -6 3 6 8
info@ L B 3C om putingS olution s.co m
■ . -
Computing Solutions
"Making Sense of
IT A ll"
in
11H P( »rtland Observer
Gall 503-288-0033 ads@portlandob scrver.com
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Dr. Richard N. Waldman is presi­
dent o f the American Congress o f
Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
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LB3
cause. If you are o v erw eig h t or
obese, losing w eight m ay im prove
y o u r chances o f getting pregnant.
M edications that stim ulate the o v a ­
ries or regulate blood insulin levels
(w hich can interfere w ith ovulation)
m ay be prescribed. Y our d o c to re an
also help you decide if surgery or
a ss is te d re p ro d u c tiv e th e ra p ie s,
such as in vitro fertilization, are right
for you.
For m ore inform ation, the A C O G
P a tie n t E d u c a tio n P a m p h le ts
“E valuating Infertility” and “T rea t­
ing Infertility” are available in E n ­
glish and S panish at acog.org/pub-
licatio n s.
Public H ealth
P e p jrtm e n t
Downtown Community Test Site
Call 503.988.3775 fo r an a p p t.
M on I Thurs | Fri
426 SW Stark St., 6th Floor,
P ortland, 97204
Northeast Health Center
I
Just w alk in
Tuesdays | 5:30 - 7:ì 5 pm
5329 NE MLK Jr. Blvd, 2nd Floor,
P ortland, 97211
Se habla español: other interpretation by appointment
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