Premature Ovarian Failure with Evelina Weidman Sterling and Keiko Zoll on The Surrogacy Lawyer Radio Show

SAN DIEGO, CA, April 14, 2011

Misconceptions abound about the range and limits of female fertility. Despite concerted infertility education efforts, both the public and young women almost always are shocked to learn that female fertility starts to decline at age 27. But one to four percent of women under 40 will be faced with the even more shocking diagnosis of premature ovarian failure (POF). POF is a loss of ovarian function occurring at too young an age to be considered natural, although premature, menopause. Not only will these young women potentially lose their reproductive capabilities, but they also are at greater risk for heart disease and osteoporosis. A variety of medical conditions can cause POF, but doctors can not always identify one.

On the April 14 episode of The Surrogacy Lawyer: Your Guide to IVF and Third Party Family Building, Theresa Erickson, Esq., will be discussing this rare, but devastating condition with Evelina Weidman Sterling, a highly respected health educator and author, and Keiko Zoll, an infertility blogger who was motivated to become an infertility advocate after her own diagnosis of POF several years ago. The show will air on Thursday, April 14 at 11AM PST/2PM EST on Voice America.

Evelina W. Sterling, PhD, MPH, CHES is a public health researcher and educator focusing on women's health and reproductive health. She has over 15 years experience working in various aspects of public health education, and is the author of several consumer health books, including Living with PCOS, Having Your Baby through Egg Donation, and Budgeting for Infertility: How To Bring Home a Baby without Breaking the Bank. Evelina also is currently the president of Rachel's Well, a multi-disciplinary non-profit organization aimed at increasing awareness, education, and research regarding the importance of the menstrual cycle. Keiko Zoll is a popular infertility blogger and women's health advocate. She writes at her blog, www.HannahWeptSarahLaughed.com, and for Examiner.com as Boston's Infertility and Miscarriage Examiner. She serves as the advocacy committee chair for RESOLVE of New England and volunteers for RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association. She is the creator of the groundbreaking short film, "What IF: A Portrait of Infertility," winner of the 2010 RESOLVE Hope Award for Best Viral Video.

"Premature ovarian failure must seem like a cruel trick of nature to those affected by it, and is a devastating loss of their hopes and dreams of a family" says Erickson. "More research and outreach efforts need to be conducted to find effective treatments, as well as educate more clinicians and patients about early identification of this heart-breaking medical condition."

About Theresa Erickson, Esq.

Ms. Erickson is the managing partner of Erickson Law and the founder and chair of Conceptual Options, The Surrogacy and Egg Donation Center. In addition, Ms. Erickson is the author of the newly released Surrogacy and Embryo, Sperm, & Egg Donation: What Were You Thinking? Erickson was motivated to write her second book so she could educate potential intended parents, as well as the women who become surrogates and egg donors, about what all parties need to know if they are going to become involved in third party reproduction.

Attorney Erickson is a globally recognized expert in this specialized area of law and is a board member of the American Fertility Association and the legal director of Parents Via Egg Donation. For more information, please visit www.ericksonlaw.net and www.conceptualoptions.com.