A Positive Approach to Cope with Fertility Problems

Whether you have been diagnosed with a fertility problem or undergoing tests and treatments for infertility, it can be a stressful experience for you. How do you cope with such a situation? How do you handle the physical and emotional burden? Appropriate and adequate information, help and support can work as the saviour in such circumstances.

What could help couples in such situations? Here are a few tips that will be useful if you were trying to get pregnant for a considerable period with no results or if you are undergoing fertility treatments.

Prepare yourself: Diagnosis, tests and treatment for infertility may lead to anxiety and stress. Couples often have the question – 'why us'; there is often no answer for this. However, it is better to be aware of the details of the problem and the solution. Ask your fertility specialist about the steps in the test and treatment plan.

When you know about the fertility medications and treatments that the doctor plans to use in your case, you may feel less anxious. Moreover, it also helps you make informed decisions about how far you want to continue with the treatment.

Get help and support: Talking to a close family member or friend may be helpful in coping with the situation. Men and women often feel that they have failed because they cannot have a baby. Talking to a near one about your feelings helps you in releasing the thoughts that cause pain and sorrow.

At times, couples find it easier to discuss about their infertility problems with others in similar situations. The similarity in circumstances enhances effective communication between the couples.

You may talk to your general practitioner or avail of the counselling services at the fertility clinic you visit. This will be necessary before, during and after the fertility treatment. A specialist counsellor will have a clear idea about the pressures you have to endure in such a situation. He/she will also help you find ways to let go of the negative feelings.

Seek alternatives: Assisted Reproductive Technology can be an option if medications and other treatments have failed in your case. Your fertility specialist will be able to provide details about the suitable procedures.

You may also consider surrogacy, when a surrogate mother carries and gives birth to your baby. If it is a direct procedure, the egg from the surrogate mother will be fertilised by the sperm from the male partner and placed inside her uterus. If it is a host procedure, the gamete or embryo will be placed inside the uterus of the surrogate mother.

Another option you may also consider is adoption. This will fulfil your wish of becoming a parent and also help in providing a home and family to a child who does not have these. Whether you opt for adoption or surrogacy, seek advice before you make any decision.

Daniel Smith is a professional writer. In this article he has given idea on Women's Health, in particular surrogacy. The author is solely responsible for the views and images provided in the article. Google+ Twitter

Types Of Drug And Alcohol Treatment

There are several levels of drug and alcohol treatment. Before we look for a drug rehab or alcohol treatmentalcohol treatment program, we have to look at the level of care needed for the severity of the problem. Just as there are various levels of use of mood altering drugs, there are various levels of treatment. Here are some levels of care and examples of what may be appropriate for a situation.

Brief Therapy/Intervention - This is usually a very short duration program, but can be very effective. Perhaps a person who really is not involved with alcohol over does it one time on a birthday or New Years and is caught on their first DUI. They may be mandated to attend alcohol classes where education is provided for a few weeks.

Detoxification - The idea that this is treatment is a common misconception. The purpose of a 'Detox' is to safely monitor and de-escalate an incident of intoxification. Generally, as soon as you are medically stable (which is not recovery treatment) you are dismissed from the hospital or facility. Supervised detox is recommended for long term alcohol or benzodiazepine (Xanax, Ambien etc) users as the risk of seizures exists. This may be a required first step before entering treatment.

Outpatient Program - This is non-residential treatment usually consisting of attending a therapy group and/or individual counseling once or twice/week. This may be appropriate for a person' whose use is starting to cause problems, but is not yet dependent

Intensive Outpatient Program - This is non residential but generally consists of 16-20 hours of group and individual therapy per week. Insurance is more likely to cover this form of treatment rather than inpatient treatment. This is less costly than residential, but is appropriate for a person with full dependency. Outpatient programs may be used as a 'step down' after completing residential treatment

Inpatient Treatment - This is your classic drug rehab. It is residential and the programs generally consist of a full day of activities and may last from 4 weeks to a year. It is the most intense form of treatment and these facilities are usually equipped to handle additional global problems associated with addiction such as mental health, physical, emotional and spiritual areas.

I am definitely biased. That being said, I would recommend inpatient treatment for anyone with addiction and chemical dependency. One disadvantage is that it can be costly and insurance generally does not cover it. The reality is that insurance companies will pay out as little as possible for addiction treatment.

The important thing is to get a proper assessment so you can be matched with an appropriate type of drug and alcohol treatment.

By BILL URELL

Virginity: Peer Pressure Problems and Movie Madness

Nobody wants to feel left out of things - it's natural to want to be liked and feel as if you're part of a group of friends. Unfortunately, some teens feel that they have to lose their virginity to keep up with their friends or to be accepted.

It doesn't sound like it's all that complicated; maybe most of your friends have already had sex with their boyfriends or girlfriends and act like it isn't a big deal. But sex isn't something that's only physical; it's emotional, too. And because everyone's emotions are different, it's hard to rely on your friends' opinions to decide if it's the right time for you to have sex.

What matters to you is the most important thing, and your values may not match those of your friends. That's OK - it's what makes people unique. Having sex to impress someone or to make your friends happy or feel like you have something in common with them won't make you feel very good about yourself in the long run. True friends don't really care whether a person is a virgin - they will respect your decisions, no matter what.

Even if your friends are cool with your decision, it's easy to be misled by TV shows and movies into thinking that every teen in America is having sex. Writers and producers may make a show or movie plot exciting by showing teens being sexually active, but these teens are actors, not real people with real concerns. They don't have to worry about being ready for sex, how they will feel later on, or what might happen as a result. In other words, these TV and movie plots are stories, not real life. In real life, every teen can, and should, make his or her own decision.

By: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD