Fertility Solutions often poses a question to our followers on social media. These questions range from relating to various aspects of fertility and reproductive health. In October, Dr. Huang of Fertility Solutions provided the research questions and answers that were posed to our followers on Facebook, Twitter, and GooglePlus.
During the week we post the answers to these questions and encourage those on social media to pose their answers. We encourage you to read the research questions we offered for the month of October and see if you are able to guess the correct answer, and to Like/Follow Fertility Solutions on social media for November’s research questions!
Which of the following statements is true about recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL)?
A. Testing should only be offered after 3 or more losses.
B. Are primarily due to autoimmune causes.
C. Are only related to medical reasons in the female partner.
D. After several prior losses a woman still has a 60-70% chance of achieving live birth.
Answer: D. Evaluation of RPL should be offered to anyone with two or more losses. Although autoimmune, medical, genetic and anatomic problems can all cause RPL, 50-60% of women have unexplained reasons. However, even a woman with several prior losses has a 60-70% chance of achieving live birth with a subsequent pregnancy.
The most common acquired uterine factor for recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL) is uterine fibroids. True or False?
Answer: True. Uterine fibroids are the most common cause for RPL, but only when at least part of the fibroid projects into the uterine cavity. Imaging with either saline ultrasound, 3D ultrasound, or hysteroscopy will determine the size and location of the fibroid, and determine if it is a factor in causing pregnancy loss.
You are more likely to be vitamin D deficient during pregnancy if you:
A. Live in the upper Northeast or Upper Midwest.
B. Have a dark skin tone.
C. Work the night shift.
D. Are vegetarian.
Answer: All of the above. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can cause abnormal fetal skeletal development, but ACOG recommends screening only for women at high-risk for deficiency. However, there is no consensus on the optimal level of Vitamin D during pregnancy, or the upper limit of safe doses.
Which food sources (and vitamins) may improve erectile dysfunction (ED) in men?
A. Oranges
B. Shellfish
C. Beets and spinach
D. All of the above
Answer: D. Oranges contain vitamin C, which is important for sperm function. Clams contain vitamin B12; chronic B12 deficiency may cause ED. Beets and spinach contain inorganic nitrates, which lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health.