Dr. John Stangel Recognized for Infertility Treatment Excellence 

In its annual "Top Doctors" issue, Westchester magazine included Dr. John Stangel as a top infertility doctor in the area for reproductive endocrinology. Dr. Stangel is the Westchester County Medical Director of Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT) and has his infertility clinic in Rye, NY. Along with his RMACT colleagues, Dr. Stangel helps patients overcome their infertility challenges in order to successfully become pregnant.

"It's an honor to be included in Westchester magazine's 'Top Doctors 2009' - especially because this is based on input from my peers," said Dr. Stangel. "During my thirty years of practice, I've enjoyed making an impact on this great community and am touched by this accolade."

Along with his work at RMACT, Dr. Stangel is also president of the Westchester County Medical Society. He is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and has been in private practice since 1976. Among Dr. Stangel's former positions are: Medical Director of IVF America Program Westchester in Port Chester, NY; Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at New York Medical College at Metropolitan Hospital in NY and at Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla, NY.

Dr. Stangel has published numerous scientific papers and articles and has contributed to many textbooks. His most recent book, co-authored with Joan Liebman-Smith, Ph.D., and Jacqueline Nardi Egan, is 'The Unofficial Guide to Overcoming Infertility', published by Macmillan. He is also the editor and contributing author of the textbook, 'Infertility Surgery'. Dr. Stangel has also authored a laymen guide to infertility entitled, 'The New Fertility and Conception'.
Westchester magazine's assessment is based on a rigorous, peer-reviewed process by the renowned healthcare research firm Castle Connelly Medical Ltd. The annual article includes 166 local doctors and was featured in the November issue.

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.

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States.  2/3 of adult Americans are overweight and excess weight is a direct contributor to diseases like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, liver disease, certain types of cancer and even infertility.

Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut has partnered with Take Shape for Life to offer a weight loss program to our patients.  Take Shape for Life is a comprehensive program designed by Dr. Wayne S. Andersen, a Board-Certified critical care physician and a leader in nutritional intervention. 

To learn more about this special program, we are offering a free information session to all RMACT patients:

Date:          January 12, 2010

Time:          6:30 PM

Location:   10 Glover Avenue, Norwalk

Please RSVP to Cori Cooper at 203-750-7492 or ccooper@rmact.com

 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.