Endoscopic Surgery for Female Infertility: A Review
In anticipation of National Infertility Awareness Week later this month, today we feature a review on the surgical management of infertility summarized by Holly Flores, a former participant on the FACTS elective. The article by Hunter and Hart published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology compares interventions for tubal infertility, pelvic adhesions, uterine and vaginal pathologies and discusses the use of ovarian drilling in PCOS and endometriosis. The authors highlight surgical correction as a method to restore pelvic anatomy when needed to address subfertility or infertility.
How the FACTS Elective Changed This Medical Student’s Career Trajectory
This month, we are featuring Kelly Carlson, a fourth-year medical student planning to pursue family medicine with a focus on women’s health. Carlson, who recently became an ambassador last fall, shares how the FACTS elective has shaped her career trajectory.
The Standard Days Method in High Contraceptive Use Areas in Perú: A Review
This study by Arévalo et al explores the introduction of the Standard Days Method (SDM) to users in Perú. Daniel Dominguez, a recent participant in the FACTS elective, summarized the research, noting patient interest in SDM in areas where other methods of contraception are widely available. Although the design was retrospective, which complicates the accurate assessment of unintended pregnancy rates, high effectiveness rates were observed among study participants. The research findings highlight the advantages of making the SDM known and available to women as an alternate option for family planning.
The Symphony of Hormones and Female Health
Angel Marquez, DO, a former FACTS elective participant, highlighted how fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) can empower women and men with knowledge about their fertile window, as well as explore the dietary and lifestyle factors that can contribute to infertility. He also illustrates why it is so important for physicians and medical professionals to learn more about these methods in order to help their patients address infertility with empathy and professionalism.
Modeling the Cumulative Effectiveness of Fertility Treatments: A Review
Despite a high prevalence of subfertility in the general population, the cause is often multifaceted, and the diversity of treatment options leaves many couples confused and overwhelmed. Through her summary of a research article titled, “Cumulative pregnancy probabilities among couples with subfertility: effects of varying treatments,” fourth-year medical student Katelyn Rennyson lends insight into the diagnosis of subfertility and discusses the data on a couple’s ability to conceive over a 3-year period depending on the treatment plan. She also highlights how fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) offer couples hope when combined with restorative reproductive treatment options.
A Physician’s Personal Journey using FABMs
This compelling interview with a family physician in Ontario, Canada explores ways to integrate fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) into clinical practice and medical education.