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Ovulation Induction Therapy Proven Safe
More Detail Following ABC Nightline Series From Recognized Expert
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May 29, 2006 (FPRC) -- [May 29, 2006]- Ovulation induction therapy has been shown to be a safe and effective form of infertility treatment in selected patients. To date, there has been no definitive research documenting an increase in future cancer risk of any type. However, there has been some suggestion that patients undergoing multiple treatment cycles may be at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. That's the medical opinion of Dr. Gail Whitman-Elia, founder and medical director of Advanced Fertility & Reproductive Endocrinology in South Carolina.
Clomiphine citrate is often used by primary care providers to help women conceive. Unfortunately, because it is an oral agent and easily prescribed, it is not uncommon for many women to remain on the drug for an extended period of time. Prolonged use of this agent has not been adequately studied. We cannot be sure if prolonged use contributes to ovarian cancer risk.
Therefore, it is prudent to take this medication only for appropriate indications, under close supervision, and for a limited time period. If a woman has not achieved a pregnancy within three or four stimulation cycles it is advised that she consider other fertility treatment options.
Most women who achieve a pregnancy on this drug do so during an early treatment cycle. Those women who have had prolonged exposure to this drug should inform their health care providers so that appropriate discussion and follow-up can be arranged.
“Achieving a pregnancy quickly would be expected to reduce potential drug exposure cancer risks. In vitro fertilization for treatment and embryo cryopreservation may be a more reasonable alternative for fertility treatment in those patients requiring multiple ovulation induction cycles”, states Dr. Gail Whitman-Elia, recognized infertility specialist at Advanced Fertility & Reproductive Endocrinology Institute in West Columbia, SC.
Advanced Fertility offers regular free seminars for the public to have the opportunity to ask questions of Dr. Whitman-Elia. To find out how to contact the practice about the next upcoming seminar, simply log on to the clinic's website at www.ivfwecare.com .
Advanced Fertility & Reproductive Endocrinology Institute, LLC is a “one-stop shop”. All services needed to complete an appropriate patient evaluation and render successful treatment are available. Director and founder, Gail Whitman-Elia, MD, is a board-certified subspecialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, a certification held by fewer than 1% of all physicians in the United States. She is a member of The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology; The Society for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility; The Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics; Fellow, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Fellow, American college of Endocrinology; American Association of Bioanalysts.
www.ivfwecare.com
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Send an email to Mike Burney of Advanced Fertility & Reproductive Endocrinology Institute, LLC
803-238-0300
Keywords:
infertility, ABC Nightline, cancer |
