The Fertile Future by Dr. Eric Levens

Lifestyle Advice for Couples with Infertility

Aug 19 2010
a blog by Eric Levens, M.D., Shady Grove Fertility Center

Modifiable lifestyle practices have an important impact on a couple's chances of having a healthy child. Diet, weight and other lifestyle habits, including alcohol consumption and caffeine intake, have been shown to directly impact pregnancy chances.
Awareness of the potential implications of these factors, particularly during early fetal development (weeks three to eight of pregnancy), provides an opportunity to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes... Read more.

Nutrional Supplements and Your Fertility

Jul 16 2010
a blog by Eric Levens, M.D., Shady Grove Fertility Center

Claims abound that nutritional supplements will improve our health, gaining headlines in the media and in the popular press. While nutritional supplements may provide some health benefits including pregnancy-related outcomes, nutritional supplements may not be as safe as they would seem, especially when considering early fetal development... Read more.  

PCOS and Miscarriage

Jun 25 2010
a blog by Eric Levens, M.D., Shady Grove Fertility Center

Over the course of the last several weeks, I've been blogging about PCOS. It’s one of the most common conditions I treat. One question that comes up all of the time in my clinical practice is whether the risk of miscarriage is greater among women with PCOS.

Numerous studies have addressed this question, each with its own strengths and weaknesses... Read more.  

You've Been Told You Have PCOS. Now What?

Jun 7 2010
a blog by Eric Levens, M.D., Shady Grove Fertility Center

Almost daily in my clinical practice (and on my Facebook page) I get questions about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and what the diagnosis means for fertility and overall health. PCOS remains the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. It affects approximately 5 -10 percent of the population and consists of a group of symptoms.

In order to be diagnosed with PCOS, a woman must have two out of three findings... Read more.  

Your Menstrual Cycle: A Fertility Vital Sign

May 21 2010
a blog by Eric Levens, M.D., Shady Grove Fertility Center

Ready for a fertility fact? Forty percent of women who present with fertility problems aren't regularly producing an egg that can be fertilized (anovulation).

The vast majority of problems with ovulation are accounted for by a condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Other fertility problems resulting in irregular menstrual cycles include ovarian failure or inadequate signals from the brain that control the menstrual cycle (hypothalamic dysfunction).

To get a better sense of potential underlying fertility problems, at my initial fertility evaluations I often ask ... Read more. 

What Happens in Your First Visit to a Fertility Doctor?

Apr 28 2010
a blog by Eric Levens, M.D., Shady Grove Fertility Center

Welcome to my blog, The Fertile Future! I'm Eric Levens and I’m a board-certified infertility physician practicing at Shady Grove Fertility in the Washington, D.C. area. This blog will address many of the common questions and concerns that couples and individuals have when they consider whether to pursue fertility evaluation and treatment.

So let’s get started at the beginning! Many people are surprised to learn that infertility is a medical disease, defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse (after 6 months for women ≥35 years of age)... Read more.