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Silent Pain : Endometriosis






What is Endometriosis ?




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Oral pills for Azoospermia

by Dr Agilan Arjunan, Fertility Specialist & gynaecologist, KL Fertility Centre ( Malaysia)

For men with Azoospermia ( no sperm in his ejaculate) , oral tablets can be used to ‘push’ sperm production in his testicles.


However, before starting the tablets, men need to undergo initial fertility assessment to check for suitability of stating these medications.

If sperms seen in the ejaculate, they can be frozen and used for an IVF / ICSI later.

  Source: News Medical Life sciences

I Have Irregular Period


This is a simple basic guide for women with irregular period.

What are absent or irregular periods? 

Absent or irregular periods are periods that do not happen at all or that happen less than 6 to 8 times a year. If a woman does not get her period for a while, it might be because she is pregnant. Or in some cases, it might be that she has a medical condition that affects her reproductive system.

What causes absent or irregular periods? 

 Absent or irregular periods can be caused by:


PCOS (which stands for “polycystic ovary syndrome”). In women with this condition, the ovaries make too much male hormone. This can disrupt a woman’s periods and cause excess facial hair, acne, and problems with weight. PCOS is the most common cause of absent or irregular periods.

Being too thin or not having enough body fat

Exercising too much

Too much prolactin – Prolactin is a hormone made in the “pituitary gland”, which is a small organ at the base of the brain.


Certain types of hormonal birth control – Some forms of birth control can cause absent or irregular periods. This is more common with those that contain only the hormone progestin. Examples include the progestin-only pill (sometimes called the “minipill”), the implant, and hormone-containing intrauterine devices (IUDs).

Should I see a doctor or nurse? 

 See your doctor or nurse if:

You are older than 15 and still have not had your period

You used to get periods, but you have not had a period for more than 3 months

Your periods happen more than 45 days apart

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Fertility Genetics Simplified


The science involved in the treatment of infertility has rapidly advanced in the past few years . This advancement is clearly seen in the field of In-Vitro Fertilisation or IVF.

Current technology enables us to look into the genetics of human reproduction. Genetic testing also provides answers to infertility; and in some cases solutions.

Preimplantation Genetic Screening ( PGS)

IVF involves creating embryos in an IVF laboratory and replacing the embryo/embryos back into the womb.

Traditionally an embryo is graded based on its morphology ( external appearance under a microscope). The embryo/embryos with the best gradings is/are transferred back into the womb.

A morphologically-normal embryo with the best grading does not necessarily indicate that the embryo is genetically normal ( euploid embryo).

A genetically-normal embryo will lead to a successful pregnancy , assuming there are no other factors contributing to a failed embryo implantation or pregnancy.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGS) looks at the genetic normality of the embryo prior to an embryo transfer procedure.

Embryos are typically grown up to 3 to 6 days before the biopsy is performed.

Biopsy of the embryos are done when the embryo is either 3 days old or when they have reached Day 5 or 6 , known as a blastocyst.

Biopsy of the blastocyst is usually preferred because more cells are obtained from the embryo thus increasing the chances of the PGS to be performed successfully.

To be able to perform the biopsy, a small opening is made on the outer layer of the embryo , using either mechanical, chemical or laser technology.

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