When: May 1, 2010

Where:  The Stamford Plaza Hotel, 2701 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06905. (formerly the Sheraton). Free  indoor parking. 

When:  Saturday 12:00 to 12:45

A woman’s body is ever evolving; affecting every stage of her life in ways most women do not realize or fully understand. Dr. Mark Leondires of Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT) will discuss the changes of a woman’s body – the burgeoning of her reproductive years, her fertility, her post‐pregnancy
body and the culmination of menopause. The discussion will touch upon the functionality of each stage, as well as how it affects her overall physical health and leads into the next stage of life’s cycle.   For more info: http://www.ctexpos.com/fcwe/

Secondary Infertility is when a couple has difficulty conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term after successfully having one or more children without medical assistance.  It’s more common than people realize, and it’s emotional – patients feel frustrated, isolated and confused.

LISTEN to Dr. Leondires discuss Secondary Infertility ON-AIR with Conceive Magazine's Voice America

·      Primary infertility is when a couple faces challenges with their first pregnancy; secondary infertility occurs with couples who are trying to have another child after their first. 

·      Over 3 million Americans encounter secondary infertility, which is more common than primary infertility and yet people are less likely to seek treatment.

·      There are solutions that work.  We believe in individualized, comprehensive patient care. We work with each patient individually to create a custom fertility treatment plan that may additionally include a variety of RMACT’s other patient services such as support groups, couples counseling, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) financing, yoga classes, advice from a nutritionist and acupuncture.

·      Couples assume that if they were able to get pregnant once, they should be able to conceive again. However, everyone’s bodies changes with time, which is a key cause of secondary fertility.

·      Like primary infertility, secondary infertility is a result of a variety of causes. 

o   Natural age related decline in fertility

o   Decline in sperm counts in men

o   Development of irregular menstrual cycles

o   Surgery (even C-section) that has led to tubal damage

If you would like more information or to schedule a consultation call (800) 865- 5431.

 Path to Fertility Gives RMACT Staff Members Opportunity to Share Perspective, Knowledge

Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT) has launched a blog as an extension of the fertility practice’s website (www.PathtoFertility.com).  The RMACT Blog, called the Path to Fertility, fulfills the intellectual and emotional needs of patients by educating readers about their fertility and fertility treatments and addressing the emotional rollercoaster of infertility.

Unlike many other fertility resources, the Path to Fertility will be written by a rotation of staff members, each with their own professional perspective and personal experiences.  The blog, which will have fresh content five days a week, will have input from the practice’s team, which includes reproductive endocrinologists, nurses, acupuncturists, embryologists and yoga instructors.  The lead writer will be Lisa Rosenthal, practice support liaison of RMACT, who has over twenty-five years of experience in the fertility field, including her work with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and The American Fertility Association.

“Working with RMACT gives me an opportunity to educate patients and other readers about infertility and the impact of responsible fertility treatment,” says Rosenthal.  “Our hope is that through providing relevant information and frank opinions, we can act as a community – that type of support is crucial for men and women facing fertility challenges.”

Path to Fertility’s first blog is an honest look at Thanksgiving – its cherished pleasures and why some people find it difficult to feel thankful during the holiday season.  Subsequent entries will focus on fertility education by clarifying fertility misconceptions, and the RMACT staff will give their opinions on current fertility topics seen in the media.  Additionally, readers will be invited to post their opinions and experiences.

“Patients, especially new patients, are often consumed by a need to learn about infertility and try to get a handle on their unique medical situation and treatment plan,” said Dr. Mark Leondires, medical director of RMACT.  “We strive to help provide education in our offices, and through the blog we are extending this fertility education to give our patients all of the support they need.  Like our approach to treatment, the blog provides comprehensive information from our multidisciplinary staff.”

Fertility challenges commonly remain hidden until a couple struggles to get pregnant.  This revelation takes many couples by surprise, leaving them feeling isolated, frustrated and misinformed or under-informed about their fertility.  Complicating this situation is the common reluctance to speak with friends and family about their situation; this leaves patients longing for support.  Path to Fertility gives these patients a place to hear from others in similar situations, as well as to find much-needed information.

“We want people to know that they are not alone, that they do not need to go through the journey alone, and that we are here. Our blog is a way to offer them company, support and understanding,” Rosenthal adds.

Listen On-Air as Dr. Leondires discusses Secondary Infertility:

It would seem like an obvious scenario: Couple gets pregnant, has a child, and then decides a few years later hay are ready to expand their family with another baby. No problem, right?  Unfortunately, over 3 million Americans will struggle to conceive again - a problem called secondary infertility.  Join Beth Weinhouse, Conceive's editorial director, for a discussion with Dr. Mark Leondires of Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut, about the causes of secondary infertility and just how common this problem actually is.

Voice America.

Infertility Study Confirms Laser Acupuncture Improves IVF Pregnancy Rates

RMACT the only fertility clinic in Connecticut to offer laser acupuncture treatments for IVF fertility treatments.

Norwalk, CT  May 28, 2009 -- Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT) announced today the results of a recently conducted survey that showed the use of laser acupuncture performed both before and after embryo transfer during an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, improves a women's chances of implantation by up to 15%. Acupuncture is the traditional Chinese method of using pin-point thin needles placed at strategic "energy points" around the body to improve functioning and promote natural healing. Growing medical evidence indicates that acupuncture may improve a woman's chance of conceiving when performed in conjunction with IVF fertility treatments. Today, acupuncture is frequently used by women with infertility issues to help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce stress and improve blood flow to the pelvic area and uterine lining. The study, one of the largest clinical trials ever conducted on acupuncture, had 1,000 participants who were randomly assigned to one of five study groups. The first group received traditional acupuncture, the second group received laser acupuncture, while the third or "placebo group" thought (along with the acupuncturist and physician) that they also received laser acupuncture. The fourth, relaxation group lay in a dimly light room with soft music, and the last group received no treatment at all. All treatments were administered for 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer.

"The results of this large prospective study are exciting in that they provide additional support in showing that acupuncture has a direct effect on improving fertility," said Amy Matton, a licensed acupuncturist at RMACT. "Like traditional acupuncture, laser acupuncture uses low level light to regulate qi and help balance the body. Laser acupuncture is a viable alternative form of fertility treatment for people who may have a fear of needles."     

"This exciting, first-of-its-kind study offers another tool to help couples achieve pregnancy, with only two painless treatments" said Dr. Mark Leondires, Medical Director at RMACT. "Our customized patient programs, personal attention, and leading research and technology, enable RMACT to provide each of our patients with the latest and most effective fertility treatment possible."

RMACT IVF Fertility Treatment Laser 

Currently, RMACT is the only fertility center in Connecticut to offer laser acupuncture. All of RMACT's licensed acupuncturists have been trained in the use of laser acupuncture. To make an appointment or to learn more, call (800) 865-5431, or contact us via our Fertility Clinic Contact Form

RMACT Fertility Clinic and Egg Donation offices specialize in the treatment of infertility. With fertility clinics in Norwalk, Danbury and Greenwich, CT, and an affiliate office in Rye, NY, our team of Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologists offer a wide range of infertility treatments from basic fertility services including ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI) to the most advanced assisted reproductive technologies including In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Egg Donation and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). The RMACT physician team includes, Dr. Mark P. Leondires, Dr. Spencer S. Richlin, Dr. Joshua M. Hurwitz, and Dr. Cynthia M. Murdock. All physicians are members of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the Fairfield County and Connecticut Medical Societies. RMACT's IVF laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and CLIA; other accreditations include the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and the American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). RMACT offers individualized treatment plans in a patient-focused and supportive environment. Fertility treatment support services, such as psychological counseling, acupuncture and yoga are also available. 

To view Abstract published in the November 2008 issue of Fertility and Sterility, The Official Journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine: , click here: IVF Fertility Treatment Laser Acupuncture Abstract