The Laurence A. Jacobs M.D. Blog

European health officials have recently issued a warning about fake tanning products, the lotions and sprays that have dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient. DHA is a colorless sugar that interacts with the dead cells located in the upper layer of the epidermis, causing a color change.

You may view these products as a “safe” alternative for tanning, considering the dangers of sun exposure in increasing the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. However, these products are filled with chemicals and when they are sprayed on  the skin, they are often inhaled and may also be absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in possible DNA damage.

 

Read more

A recent Dr. Oz show opened up a can of worms when it asked the question “When Are You Too Old to Have a Baby?”  Many women felt the show portrayed older mothers negatively and made sweeping generalizations about the use of fertility treatments and egg donors. Some even said that waiting to have children was selfish.

The fact is women wait to have children for many reasons — often for reasons that are far beyond their control. (Read Why Women Wait to Have Babies.) The important thing is to understand your fertility and not underestimate the impact of age.

Read more

Even though the Mayan Calendar says otherwise, I really don't believe the world is going to end in 2012. If I'm right, that means it's time to get busy and take control of your life and your fertility in 2012.

 

As your fertility doctor, I will do all I can to help you have a successful pregnancy and birth, but you need to do your part. Empower yourself - take control. 

  

Here are some helpful suggestions and comments.  We can discuss your specific details face-to-face in the office, since I have many ideas, resources and programs that can help you.  

Read more

January is the time when the desire for making positive life-changes is in the air, and yet it often doesn't last long. It seems like men and women have good intentions, but they usually lose steam as they roll through the year. Research indicates that couples who make resolutions together are much more likely to adhere to them if one partner does. So keep helping each other!

 

Many of my patients feel absolutely miserable because of their infertility situation. So how can we change that? This article may seem a bit harsh to some, but I am being honest ... with tough love. I'm trying to help. To quote Dr. Phil: "You need to hear what you need to hear."

Read more

Fertility Centers of Illinois Is still offering the  Fertility Awareness Check-Up!

This is an INEXPENSIVE opportunity for individuals or couples to obtain an overview of their fertility potential.
 
The Fertility Awareness Check-Up provides basic fertility testing for individuals or couples for just $90. This will help individuals or couples in their quest to plan a family by providing an inexpensive initial overview of reproductive potential. The Fertility Awareness Check-Up will help alleviate stress and save valuable time and financial resources in your journey to become a parent.
 
 Here are six frequently asked questions about the Fertility Awareness Check-Up …

Read more

Every day I see patients who are experiencing infertility that is caused or exacerbated by excess body fat. And I am often asked why being overweight matters and why a patient should try to lose weight before trying to get pregnant or undergo a fertility treatment such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Here’s why: There are several adverse effects associated with excess body fat that inhibit conception and a healthy pregnancy.

• Overweight women often have hormonal imbalances and abnormal endocrine function, which results in a disruption of regular ovulation. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one specific type of endocrine condition that is generally associated with obesity.
• Insulin resistance (a condition that can develop into type 2 diabetes) is a common problem for overweight or PCOS patients and further interferes with ovulation.

Read more

Recently, I did a series of videos for FertilityAuthority. Here is the one on "Does Losing Weight Increase Fertility?" in which I describe what I tell patients about losing weight before they get pregnant. You can check the video out on YouTube or on FertilityAuthority or below.         Read more

Recently, I filmed two videos on unexplained fertility for FertilityAuthority: What Is Unexplained Infertility and How Is Unexplained Infertility Treated? Because unexplained infertility is a very frustrating diagnosis for couples — the fertility doctor is basically saying that he or she can find no defined reason why you’re not achieving a pregnancy — it merits further discussion here.

 

 

Read more

One of the most frequently asked questions among couples who are trying to conceive is: How do I know when it’s time to see a fertility doctor? (And what is a fertility doctor anyway?)

To answer the second question first, fertility doctors are reproductive endocrinologists. Reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) is a surgical subspeciality of obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) that addresses hormonal functioning as it pertains to reproduction and infertility in both women and men. Reproductive endocrinologists have Ob/Gyn specialty training before they undergo subspeciality training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. In the United States, a reproductive endocrinologist has four years of Ob/Gyn training and a three-year fellowship.

So, when should you see a reproductive endocrinologist? Here are 12 indications:

Read more

Are you trying to get pregnant and wondering why you haven’t conceived yet? Or maybe you are in the planning stages and want to make sure everything is in working order.

At Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI), we are offering the new Fertility Awareness Check-Up for a limited time. Because 40 percent of infertility involves men, 40 percent involves women, and the other 20 percent is a combination, this program provides an inexpensive opportunity for individuals or couples to gain an understanding of their fertility potential with basic fertility testing.

The Fertility Awareness Check Up  provides an inexpensive initial overview of reproductive potential. This information will help alleviate stress and save valuable time and financial resources in your journey tobecome a parent.

Read more