Ask Our Doctors – Archive
Our Medical Directors are outstanding physicians that you will find to be very personable and compassionate, who take care to ensure that you have the most cutting-edge fertility treatments at your disposal. This is your outlet to ask your questions to the doctors.
Dr. Sher–I have messaged you before!
Refresher:
We have a healthy 3.5 year old boy, conceived naturally on first try. 18 months of secondary infertility.
Husband (33) with DFI 48%, borderline morphology (5), borderline motility, low %progressive .
After seeing the urologist: NO varicocele, and free testosterone was just very slightly low.
After 8 weeks on theralogix ConceptionXR with motility support…Along with only 2 beers a week, and 1 cup of coffee a day (he also is healthy, normal BMI, no chronic health conditions, nontecent fevers)..the DFI only decreased to 40, Morphology was worse (3), motility normal (low normal), and still low % progressive.
All my numbers are normal and my AMH was “Good” for my age 32. I had a lap done mid October which showed Stage 3 Endometriosis but tubes are both perfect and patent
Are these semen analysis numbers dismal in combo with my endometriosis and an automatic IVF with ICSI case? or is IUI still feasible to try? I feel like these numbers are just trying to tell us if we do IVF with ICSI we are playing against nature and asking for a birth defect since the defective sperm are high and the morphology is low. I get conflicting research on this–whether there is an increase in birth defects or childhood cancer and ICSI. I’m just beginning to think our first child is just purely a miracle (and I was 29).
My endometriosis is a ticking time bomb and I just don’t know what to do…
IUI is not advised because of MF infertility and Endometriosis:
Intrauterine insemination (IUI), the injection of sperm into the uterus by means of a catheter directed through the cervix, has been practiced for many years. The premise of this procedure is that sperm can reach and fertilize the egg more easily if placed directly into the uterine cavity. IUI is a procedure that bypasses the cervix and places specially prepared sperm into a woman’s uterus around the time of natural or induced ovulation. The suggested advantage of IUI is that it shortens the path that sperm would normally take to a woman’s fallopian tubes.
In the early ‘60s, physicians were injecting small quantities of raw, untreated semen, (sperm plus the seminal plasma) directly into the uterus at the time of expected ovulation. However, when more than 0.2 ml of semen was injected in to the uterus, serious and sometimes life endangering shock-like reactions often occurred. It was subsequently identified that the reason for such reactions related to the presence of prostaglandins within the seminal plasma. This led to the practice of injecting small amounts (less than 0.2 ml) of raw semen. However, the pregnancy rates were dismal and side effects, such as severe cramping and infection were rampant.
Soon after establishing the Northern Nevada Fertility Center in Reno in 1982 (the Nation’s first private in vitro fertilization (IVF program), we began to recognize the potential advantage of washing and centrifuging raw semen, so as to separate sperm from the seminal fluid, and thereby remove prostaglandins that cause most of the problems. We subsequently introduced and, thereupon, became the first to publish on intrauterine insemination (IUI) in the Journal, Fertility and Sterility (April 1984).
Indications for Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
•Artificial insemination using frozen (donor) sperm: The recognition of HIV infection as a sexually transmitted disease, coupled with the fact that the virus is present in semen months before it can be detected in the blood, mandates that all donors have their semen cryopreserved (frozen) and stored for at least six months, whereupon, they be re-tested for HIV infection. Only upon confirmation of a negative test should the cryopreserved semen specimen be thawed and used for insemination. Since cryopreservation inevitably reduces sperm motility and function, it is not adequate to simply thaw the frozen specimen and then inseminate the raw semen into the vagina. Rather, the semen specimen should be processed for IUI. Provided that the recipient is ovulating normally, there is no need to administer fertility drugs, such as Clomiphene, Pergonal, etc.
•Artificial insemination with partner’s sperm: In cases of sexual dysfunction (impotence, retrograde ejaculation, etc.) or timing issues, partner’s sperm may need to be collected and processed in preparation of IUI.
•Cervical mucus hostility: Sometimes the cervical mucus acts as a barrier to the activation and passage of sperm as it passes through the cervical canal. Such hostility may be due to poor physical qualities of the mucus, cervical infection, or the presence of antisperm antibodies. In all but the latter situations, IUI can readily be performed during natural cycles, unless the woman has ovulation dysfunction. However, when infertility results from the presence of antibodies in the cervical mucus, IUI will likely be ineffectual and should be replaced by in vitro fertilization (IV).
•Absent or dysfunctional ovulation: In some cases where the woman requires the use of fertility drugs to induce normal ovulation, the concomitant performance of IUI might improve pregnancy rates.
Selecting the Fertility Drugs for Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Clomiphene citrate (Serophene, Clomid): Clomiphene citrate is taken orally for 5 days starting on day 2 to 5 of the menstrual cycle. Ovulation will usually occur 10 days later. In some cases, hCG is used to trigger the ovulation but this is often unnecessary. Clomiphene is a relatively inexpensive and safe method for inducing ovulation and this is why it is so commonly prescribed to women undergoing IUI. However, women receiving clomiphene have about a one third lower pregnancy rate per cycle than is the case using injectible fertility drugs. but it there are draw-backs. Here are a few reasons why this is so:
1)Clomiphene citrate is an anti-estrogen. .Ordinarily normally ovulating women (without exposure to clomiphene) produce a single dominant follicle which produces enough estrogen to promote optimal cervical mucous production and an adequate endometrial lining (>9mm) However, with clomiphene is used to induce ovulation, its anti-estrogenic effect blunts this response. In fact on clomiphene,it requires much more estrogen to override this effect such that unless at least 3 large follicles develop so as to allow the blood estradiol levels to rise above 400pg/ml, cervical mucus production and endometrial development will usually be insufficient to allow a healthy pregnancy to occur. Younger women with normal ovarian reserve (Day-3 FSH of <9miu/ml) will usually produce >3 follicles where as women over 40 years of age and those (regardless of age) with diminished ovarian reserve will rarely do so and thus are very unlikely to achieve viable pregnancies on clomiphene
2)Clomiphene induction of ovulation is associated with a 15-20% chance of a condition called luteinized unruptured follicle (LUF) syndrome where the hormonal changes that precede and accompany and follow ovulation (including a rise in blood progesterone level) occur but this happens without ovulation occurring .LUF syndrome thus leads to the erroneous conclusion that an egg has been released when, in fact, it remains “trapped” in the ovarian follicle.
3)More than 3 consecutive (back to back) of clomiphene will result in a very significant increase in the anti-estrogen effects (referred to in 1&2 above), such that unless a break of at least 1 full menstrual cycle is taken, the likelihood of a viable pregnancy declines to less than 10%, regardless of the woman’s age or her ovarian reserve.
4)Increased production of Luteinizing Hormone: Clomiphene causes the pituitary gland to produce increased amounts of FSH and LH. FSH promotes follicle growth development while excess LH causes the ovary to produce male hormones such as testosterone. While a little testosterone is indispensable to follicle and egg development, too much testosterone can have the reverse effect and harm egg development. This effect is even more deleterious in women with diminished ovarian reserve (elevated FSH levels) and those over 40 whose ovaries tend to produce more testosterone-like hormones.
The following additional factors must be considered when it comes to the use of Clomiphene:
1)It is best not being prescribed for more than three consecutive months in a row to anyone and certainly not without taking a full cycle break before restarting a fourth cycle of treatment. The reason is that after the 3-4 consecutive months of clomiphene therapy, the anti-estrogenic properties are compounded to the effect of virtually converting it to an anti-fertility drug. This explains why >80% of successful clomiphene pregnancies occur within the first 3 months of treatment, and why the vast majority of clomiphene pregnancies that occur after >3 consecutive (back-to-back) cycles of treatment are lost (usually due to early miscarriages).
2)Clomiphene should not be used in women that have diminished ovarian reserve (e.g. women with elevated FSH levels) or in women over 40 years of age.
The good news is that upon discontinuation of Clomiphene for 4-6 weeks, adverse effects disappear, leaving the slate clean.
The real benefit of clomiphene lies in its oral route of administration, low incidence of side effects, and its low cost. The birth rate per clomiphene IUI is about 7-10% per cycle of treatment (about 1/3 lower than when injectible fertility drugs are used.
Letrozole(Femara): Letrozole, like clomiphene is an oral agent induces ovulation that causes the pituitary gland to release large amounts of FSH as well as LH. The advantage that Letrozole has over clomiphene is that unlike the latter, it is NOT anti-estrogenic and thus does not compromise development of the uterine lining or adversely affect the production of cervical mucus. However as is the case with clomiphene, Letrozole causes increased LH release that can lead to overproduction of male hormones (e.g. testosterone) by the ovaries with potentially adverse effect on egg/embryo quality.
Thus while Letrozole does have potential advantages over clomiphene, the exaggerated LH-induced testosterone effect, especially in women over 40 years of age and/or those with evidence of diminished ovarian reserve limits its value.
Gonadotropins (Menopur, Gonal-f, Folistim and Puregon:) Women with absent or abnormal ovulation who require fertility drugs in preparation for IUI should receive gonadotropins. Granted, these agents are more expensive than clomiphene, but they have no anti-estrogenic properties.
The birth rate with gonadotropin IUI in women under 35 years of age (in the absence of male infertility, where it is much lower) is about 10-15%. However, success is affected by, and contingent upon, the procedure being performed (1) for the correct indications, (2) avoiding the performance of IUI when contraindications exist (see below) and, (3) where the woman is ovulating normally on her own. Success rates decrease as a woman’s age advances. In women 35-40 years of age the birth rate is 5-10% per cycle and for over 40 years, the birth rate per cycle is under 2%, declining to less than 1% after age 43.
Relative Contraindications to Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Advancing age: A woman’s natural ability to conceive declines with age starting after age 30. It falls more rapidly after age 35 and then, precipitously so after 40. The main reason for this is that the percentage of eggs that become chromosomally abnormal (aneuploid) through “wear and tear” increases as she gets older, such that by age 40 an ovulated egg is probably 3 times less likely to be able to propagate a viable pregnancy than at age 30. This explains the fact that under 35, the normally ovulating woman who receives injectible fertility drugs to induce ovulation has about a 10-12% chance of having a baby. In comparison, after age 40, the same woman would have about a 2% chance. For this reason alone, IUI is best suited to women under 35 and, in my opinion, should NOT be undertaken after age 40. Ages between 35 and 40 represent a “gray area.”
Significant Male Infertility: Contrary to popular belief, the performance of IUI in cases of male infertility does not improve success rates over regular and well-timed intercourse alone. In vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) is the only method to optimize pregnancy rates in association with male refractory infertility.
Tubal damage
1.Post-Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): It is very important to understand that Fallopian tubes are not mere “pipes” through which sperm, egg and embryo must pass to achieve an intrauterine pregnancy. They are vital and sophisticated organs that serve intricate functions in the reproductive process. They transport sperm in the direction of the ovary, while at the same time, the fimbriae (petal-like extrusions at the end of the tube) apply themselves to the area of the ovary from which the egg is ovulating in order to pick up the extruding egg, and carry it back down the tube towards the uterus. About one third of the way back, the egg encounters the sperm and fertilization occurs. Thereupon, the resulting embryo is transported to the uterine cavity where it hopefully will implant.
PID, the commonest cause of damaged Fallopian tubes will, unless it is diagnosed and effectively treated very early on, inevitably and permanently disrupt the sophisticated function and continuity of the inner lining of both Fallopian tubes. In more severe cases, the intricate muscular arrangement of the tubal wall is also damaged, compromising the time-sensitive and programmed migration of sperm, egg and embryo. In advanced cases of PID, the fimbria fuse, thus compromising egg pick-up, and ultimately blocking the tube(s) completely.
PID almost always affects both Fallopian tubes. Indeed, one tube might be more damaged than the other, but both will be affected to a greater or lesser degree. That is why, even if one tube remains or is surgically rendered patent, the problem of markedly reduced fertility and the increased risk of a subsequent tubal pregnancy remains an ever present risk and reality. Thus, the use of fertility drugs to induce ovulation, or the use of microsurgery to open Fallopian tubes and free surrounding adhesions are often not curative of infertility. Furthermore, in cases where a pregnancy follows, the result is often a tubal (ectopic) gestation. This also serves to explain the fact that the intrauterine pregnancy rate following ovulation induction (with or without concomitant IUI) is likely to be to be at least 10 times lower in women with PID, and why, when a pregnancy does ensue, it is 10 times more likely to be a tubal (ectopic).
Thus, in women who have had PID, IVF is the only way to safely bypass the “damaged plumbing” and initiate a viable intrauterine pregnancy.
2.Post-Tubal Ligation. In large part, the same holds true following successful reconnection of previously ligated (tied) Fallopian tubes. The reason is that even with successful surgical reestablishment of tubal patency, there is always a degree of shortening of the tube(s) or a degree of damage due to surgical scarring of the inner lining of the tube(s). Even when tubes are normal, the birth rate per IUI cycle is about 10%, and following any form of tubal damage (PID or surgically-induced) the success is 5-10 times lower per IUI cycle (i.e. 1%-2%). Hence, IUI can hardly be justified in such cases, and IVF becomes the only effective and viable option.
Endometriosis:
While the exact cause of endometriosis remains an enigma, it is now apparent that immunologic dysfunction is a significant feature of this disease, and that a toxic environment exists in the pelvis (surrounding the tubes and ovaries) in patients with this condition. As a consequence, ovulation – whether spontaneous or induced by fertility drugs – commits the egg to pass through a toxic pelvic environment in order to reach the sperm waiting in the fallopian tube. This significantly reduces the egg’s fertilization potential. Furthermore, once the fertilized egg reaches the uterus, immunologic factors associated with endometriosis increase the risk of the embryo being rejected before pregnancy can be diagnosed. Such women may experience repeated “mini-miscarriages.”
In spite of these anti-fertility influences, many women with mild endometriosis do in fact conceive on their own, or following ovarian stimulation with fertility drugs. However, for reasons already referred to, the chances of conception are significantly reduced. And if they are ovulating normally on their own, the addition of fertility drugs will afford no additional benefit. Simply put, women in their late 20’s to early 30’s who have the time can anticipate about a 40% chance of conceiving on their own within two or three years (contingent upon their ovulating normally and having a fertile male partner). The occurrence of pregnancy in the latter cases occurs in spite of, rather than due to, such treatment. Such women may consider deferring any invasive treatments in favor of a “wait-and-see” approach. Conversely, women over the age of 35 whose egg quality is inevitably on the decline, IVF offers the only rational approach.
Fertility Drugs and Multiple Births
Normally ovulating women usually develop a number of follicles (fluid filled spaces within the ovary (ies) that contain eggs and produce estrogen) during the first week of the menstrual cycle. All but one (and sometimes two) of the follicles fail to develop to the point of being eligible for ovulation. The process is known as Selection. It is important to recognize that in all normally ovulating women, the one or two follicles selected to ovulate will inevitably be larger than the remaining follicles, regardless of whether the woman is receiving fertility agents such as Clomiphene or Pergonal, etc. Simply put, one or two follicles will always show enhanced development over the others, and as soon as these selected follicles ovulate, all the remaining follicles are rendered incapable of following suit. As a result, normally ovulating women no not have a greater incidence of high order multiple pregnancies. In contrast, women who do not ovulate at all, and those who ovulate irregularly or dysfunctional do not have the ability to select one or two dominant follicles for ovulation. As such, following the administration of fertility drugs for ovarian stimulation, numerous follicles may develop at the same rate, and several eggs can be ovulated simultaneously. This translates into a greater chance of pregnancy, but also a greater chance of multiple pregnancies. It is interesting that almost all reported cases of high order multiple pregnancies (greater than twins) following the use of fertility drugs have occurred in women who do not ovulate normally on their own.
It follows that only those women with absent or abnormal ovulation are at-risk for high order multiple pregnancies. They, therefore, need to be counseled regarding the consequences of premature birth and the availability of selective pregnancy reduction towards the end of the third month of pregnancy. Another alternative is to avoid the issue completely by choosing in vitro fertilization (IVF), where the number of potential babies can be limited by the number of embryos transferred to the uterus.
It is indeed unfortunate that fertility treatment has become so regimented that most patients find themselves being ushered through a scripted treatment process. As an example, clomiphene, though favored for its convenience and low cost, does NOT yield the same success as IUI with gonadotropin stimulation. In fact the per-cycle success rate of IUI using clomiphene is about 30% less. Also, women with endometriosis (regardless of severity) have much lower success with IUI (see above). Women over age 40 have such a low success with IUI that they cannot afford the time wasted in the process. Such women need IVF.
For the majority of couples who require an individualized strategic plan of action at an early stage, such an approach is emotionally, physically, and financially draining, leaving them both suspicious and critical of the intent of the medical profession.
The introduction of inexpensive Micro-IVF changes the landscape. In fact, the success rate is three times higher than with IUI. This plus the low the relatively low cost of Micro-IVF (as compared with conventional IVF) is a major advantage of the approach.
I strongly recommend that you visit http://www.DrGeoffreySherIVF.com. Then go to my Blog and access the “search bar”. Type in the titles of any/all of the articles listed below, one by one. “Click” and you will immediately be taken to those you select. Please also take the time to post any questions or comments with the full expectation that I will (as always) respond promptly.
•Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) for IVF: Selecting the ideal protocol
•IVF: Factors Affecting Egg/Embryo “competency” during Controlled Ovarian Stimulation(COS)
•The Fundamental Requirements For Achieving Optimal IVF Success
•Ovarian Stimulation for IVF using GnRH Antagonists: Comparing the Agonist/Antagonist Conversion Protocol.(A/ACP) With the “Conventional” Antagonist Approach
•Ovarian Stimulation in Women Who have Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR): Introducing the Agonist/Antagonist Conversion protocol
•Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Measurement to Assess Ovarian Reserve and Design the Optimal Protocol for Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) in IVF.
•The “Biological Clock” and how it should Influence the Selection and Design of Ovarian Stimulation Protocols for IVF.
• A Rational Basis for selecting Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) protocols in women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR)
•Diagnosing and Treating Infertility due to Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR)
•Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) in Older women and Women who have Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR): A Rational Basis for Selecting a Stimulation Protocol
•Optimizing Response to Ovarian Stimulation in Women who Have Compromised Ovarian Response to Ovarian Stimulation in Women who Have Compromised Ovarian Reserve: A Personal Approach.
•The Role of Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID) & Infertility (IID):PART 1-Background
•Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID) & Infertility (IID):PART 2- Making a Diagnosis
•Immunologic Dysfunction (IID) & Infertility (IID):PART 3-Treatment
•Thyroid autoantibodies and Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID)
•Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction: Importance of Meticulous Evaluation and Strategic Management:(Case Report
•Intralipid and IVIG therapy: Understanding the Basis for its use in the Treatment of Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID)
•Intralipid (IL) Administration in IVF: It’s Composition; How it Works; Administration; Side-effects; Reactions and Precautions
•Natural Killer Cell Activation (NKa) and Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction in IVF: The Controversy!
•Treating Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Patients at Sher-IVF in Las Vegas:
•A personalized, stepwise approach to IVF
•Male Factor Infertility
•Routine Fertilization by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): An Argument in Favor
•Endometriosis and Infertily
•Endometriosis and Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID) and IVF
•Endometriosis and Infertility: Why IVF Rather than IUI or Surgery Should be the Treatment of Choice.
•Endometriosis and Infertility: The Influence of Age and Severity on Treatment Options
•Treating Ovarian Endometriomas with Sclerotherapy.
Please call or email Julie Dahan, my patient concierge. She will guide you on how to set up an in-person or Skype consultation with me. You can reach Julie at on her cell phone or via email at any time:
Julie Dahan
•Email: Julied@sherivf.com
•Phone: 702-533-2691
?800-780-7437
Geoff Sher
I also suggest that you access the 4th edition of my book ,”In Vitro Fertilization, the ART of Making Babies”. It is available as a down-load through http://www.Amazon.com or from most bookstores and public libraries.
Dear Dr Sher.
I did Fet and on day 6 I had cramp and brown spotting day 7. I checked my progesterone level came 30.5 nmol/L. On day of my transfer I requested pgd and the chromosome result came as all embryos were abnormal therefore I stopped the meds. My question is what was that brown spotting on day 7? Was it implantation bleeding?
One of the embryos came with duplicated chromosome 7, does this mean severe abnormality?
My husband’s semen test indicate %87 abnormal. Does this indicate chromosome issue?Is Karyotype test suitable test for his situation? If not can you pls advice which type of test we should do to make sure his sperm high abnormality does not affect embryo’s chromosome issue?
Many thanks in advance
Best regards,
Nezhat
Impossible to say with confidence. It could be a large number of things.
Sorry I cannot be specific!
Geoff Sher
Hi Dr. Sher,
First, I would like to thank you for starting this blog. I hope you can give me your expert advice regarding my situation. I’m at a crossroad right now. My heart is telling me to try again and not to give up but my doctor is saying that my only option is donor egg and that IVF won’t work in my situation.
I am 37 years old, and about to turn 38 next week. I’ve experienced by second miscarriage in August. With the first pregnancy, I miscarried naturally: started spotting around 5 weeks and officially lost the baby at 6 weeks. My second pregnancy was a little different. I started bleeding at 6 weeks, the doctor recommended that we do an ultrasound. They didn’t hear a heartbeat. I went back two weeks later with the same result. I was devastated! In the 9th week, I finally lost the baby naturally. I collected the samples needed to do the testing of the embryo, but unfortunately, the doctors didn’t put it in the correct solution for testing.
My husband and I decided to go to a fertility specialist last month to do some initial testing to try to figure out why and what we can do for a successful pregnancy. First, I would like to say that I’m in great health, active, not a smoker and don’t do drugs.
The test results were: FSH is 23, AMH is 0.15, and the rest of the results were normal. The saline sonogram…my uterus looks good. There is no history in my family of miscarriages but my mom did go through menopause at 47 years old. The specialist said that our only option is donor egg and that there is nothing that can be done in my situation, not even IVF. Is this true?
I’ve read that changing my diet and eating superfoods may help (yams, greens, berries), taking Royal Jelly supplements. I’ve started doing this about a week or two ago. Also, I started taking the NeoQ10 supplement for the past week. Will this work?
Should I get tested again? My period hasn’t been normal after my second miscarriage (my last two periods I got at day 36 which is not normal for me). Did that effect the results of my FSH and AMH levels?
What are my chances of conceiving naturally? What are the risks of the baby being abnormal? Is IVF off the table? I want to use my own eggs and try again. Am I being unrealistic? Are there any studies out there that will give me hope?
I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you!
I cannot disagree with your RE. However, the one thing you have going for you is that you are relatively young so that if the optimal protocol is used, although a long shot, you might still be able to propagate normal eggs. It is possible that your losses might have been due to an implantation problem rather than an egg/embryo issued. This needs to be evaluated in advance of doing IVF, with own eggs or donor eggs, because if that is the case, you would lose the pregnancy again, regardless.
So there are two issues. If you decide to try again with own eggs, you will need a completely different approach to ovarian stimulation.
Women who (regardless of age) have DOR have a reduced potential for IVF success. Much of this is due to the fact that such women tend to have increased production of LH biological activity which can result in excessive LH-induced ovarian male hormone (predominantly testosterone) production which in turn can have a deleterious effect on egg/embryo “competency”.
While it is presently not possible by any means, to reverse the effect of DOR, certain ovarian stimulation regimes, by promoting excessive LH production (e.g. short agonist/Lupron- “flare” protocols, clomiphene and Letrozole), can in my opinion, make matters worse. Similarly, the amount/dosage of certain fertility drugs that contain LH/hCG (e.g. Menopur) can have a negative effect on the development of the eggs of older women and those who have DOR and should be limited.
I try to avoid using such protocols/regimes (especially) in women with DOR, favoring instead the use of the agonist/antagonist conversion protocol (A/ACP), a modified, long pituitary down-regulation regime, augmented by adding supplementary human growth hormone (HGH). I further recommend that such women be offered access to embryo banking of PGS (next generation gene sequencing/NGS)-selected normal blastocysts, the subsequent selective transfer of which by allowing them to capitalize on whatever residual ovarian reserve and egg quality might still exist and thereby “make hay while the sun still shines” could significantly enhance the opportunity to achieve a viable pregnancy
Please visit my new Blog on this very site, http://www.DrGeoffreySherIVF.com, find the “search bar” and type in the titles of any/all of the articles listed below, one by one. “Click” and you will immediately be taken to those you select. Please also take the time to post any questions or comments with the full expectation that I will (as always) respond promptly
•Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) for IVF: Selecting the ideal protocol
•IVF: Factors Affecting Egg/Embryo “competency” during Controlled Ovarian Stimulation(COS)
•The Fundamental Requirements For Achieving Optimal IVF Success
•Ovarian Stimulation for IVF using GnRH Antagonists: Comparing the Agonist/Antagonist Conversion Protocol.(A/ACP) With the “Conventional” Antagonist Approach
•Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Measurement to Assess Ovarian Reserve and Design the Optimal Protocol for Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) in IVF.
•The “Biological Clock” and how it should Influence the Selection and Design of Ovarian Stimulation Protocols for IVF.
• A Rational Basis for selecting Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) protocols in women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR)
•Diagnosing and Treating Infertility due to Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR)
•Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) in Older women and Women who have Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR): A Rational Basis for Selecting a Stimulation Protocol
•Human Growth Hormone Administration in IVF: Does it Enhances Egg/Embryo Quality and Outcome?
•The BCP: Does Launching a Cycle of Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS). Coming off the BCP Compromise Response?
•Blastocyst Embryo Transfers Should be the Standard of Care in IVF
•Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) versus “Fresh” ET: How to Make the Decision
•Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): A Rational Approach to Hormonal Preparation and How new Methodology is Impacting IVF.
•Staggered IVF: An Excellent Option When. Advancing Age and Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) Reduces IVF Success Rate
•Embryo Banking/Stockpiling: Slows the “Biological Clock” and offers a Selective Alternative to IVF-Egg Donation.
•Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGS) in IVF: It Should be Used Selectively and NOT be Routine.
•Preimplantation Genetic Sampling (PGS) Using: Next Generation Gene Sequencing (NGS): Method of Choice.
•PGS in IVF: Are Some Chromosomally Abnormal Embryos Capable of Resulting in Normal Babies and Being Wrongly Discarded?
•PGS and Assessment of Egg/Embryo “competency”: How Method, Timing and Methodology Could Affect Reliability
•Treating Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Patients at Sher-IVF in Las Vegas:
•Traveling for IVF from Out of State/Country–
•A personalized, stepwise approach to IVF
•How Many Embryos should be transferred: A Critical Decision in IVF.
•The Role of Nutritional Supplements in Preparing for IVF
•Premature Luteinization (“the premature LH surge): Why it happens and how it can be prevented.
•IVF Egg Donation: A Comprehensive Overview
•IVF Failure and Implantation Dysfunction:
•The Role of Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID) & Infertility (IID):PART 1-Background
•Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID) & Infertility (IID):PART 2- Making a Diagnosis
•Immunologic Dysfunction (IID) & Infertility (IID):PART 3-Treatment
•Thyroid autoantibodies and Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID)
•Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction: Importance of Meticulous Evaluation and Strategic Management:(Case Report
•Intralipid and IVIG therapy: Understanding the Basis for its use in the Treatment of Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID)
•Intralipid (IL) Administration in IVF: It’s Composition; How it Works; Administration; Side-effects; Reactions and Precautions
•Natural Killer Cell Activation (NKa) and Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction in IVF: The Controversy!
•Endometrial Thickness, Uterine Pathology and Immunologic Factors
•Vaginally Administered Viagra is Often a Highly Effective Treatment to Help Thicken a Thin Uterine Lining
I invite you to arrange to have a Skype or an in-person consultation with me to discuss your case in detail. If you are interested, please contact Julie Dahan, at:
Email: Julied@sherivf.com
OR
Phone: 702-533-2691
800-780-7437
I also suggest that you access the 4th edition of my book ,”In Vitro Fertilization, the ART of Making Babies”. It is available as a down-load through http://www.Amazon.com or from most bookstores and public libraries.
I have some type of pcos non typical ive had 8pregnancies 2 children 8 mth old and 4 yr old o was wondering if the uterine lining thinning could affect recurring miscarriage or if pcoa can cause this thus provoking.
Thank-you
Egg quality is adversely impacted on by PCOS…so yes! that is possible.
Geoff Sher
I transferred two embryos day 3. 1 embryo was grade 2, 8 cell slightly fragmented. And 2nd was 10 cell grade 1, no fragmentation. Make factor infertility so we used ICSI. 14 mature retrieved. 10 fertilized and 5 survived til day 3. None were left to freeze by day 5, only 2 transferred day 3. What is the general percentage of such cess with one vs. two embryo transfer for pregnancy and live birth potential success? I am 29 years old. No health concerns, expect higher BMI. What are typical averages of odds and how do they change with 2 vs. 1 embryo transferred. Thanks,
Hi Amanda,
I would need much more information regarding your medical background, ovarian reserve, the nature/severity of the MF and the precise stimulation used to comment authoritatively.
In meanwhile, what I can say is that in my opinion, the protocol used for ovarian stimulation and its implementation is often at the root of the problem. The male factor is also significant and it is important to assess the cause and to consider therapeutic male-driven options before trying again.
I do not believe IUI is a good approach for MF infertility.
I strongly recommend that you visit http://www.DrGeoffreySherIVF.com. Then go to my Blog and access the “search bar”. Type in the titles of any/all of the articles listed below, one by one. “Click” and you will immediately be taken to those you select. Please also take the time to post any questions or comments with the full expectation that I will (as always) respond promptly.
•Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) for IVF: Selecting the ideal protocol
•IVF: Factors Affecting Egg/Embryo “competency” during Controlled Ovarian Stimulation(COS)
•The Fundamental Requirements For Achieving Optimal IVF Success
•Ovarian Stimulation for IVF using GnRH Antagonists: Comparing the Agonist/Antagonist Conversion Protocol.(A/ACP) With the “Conventional” Antagonist Approach
•Ovarian Stimulation in Women Who have Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR): Introducing the Agonist/Antagonist Conversion protocol
•Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Measurement to Assess Ovarian Reserve and Design the Optimal Protocol for Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) in IVF.
•Induction of Ovulation With Clomiphene Citrate: Mode of Action, Indications, Benefits, Limitations and Contraindications for its ue
•Human Growth Hormone Administration in IVF: Does it Enhances Egg/Embryo Quality and Outcome?
•The BCP: Does Launching a Cycle of Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS). Coming off the BCP Compromise Response?
•Blastocyst Embryo Transfers Should be the Standard of Care in IVF
•Why did my IVF Fail
•Blastocyst Embryo Transfers Done 5-6 Days Following Fertilization are Fast Replacing Earlier day 2-3 Transfers of Cleaved Embryos.
•Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) versus “Fresh” ET: How to Make the Decision
•Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): A Rational Approach to Hormonal Preparation and How new Methodology is Impacting IVF.
•Treating Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Patients at Sher-IVF in Las Vegas:
•A personalized, stepwise approach to IVF .
•Male Factor Infertility
•Routine Fertilization by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): An Argument in FavorHormonal Treatment of Male Infertility
•Hormonal Treatment of Male Infertility
•Antisperm Antibodies, Infertility and the Role of IVF with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
•Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) and Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA): Surgical Approaches for Accessing Sperm from men who have no sperm in their ejaculates (Azoospermia)
•Varicocele and Male Infertility: When and how should it be treated.
•The Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA): A Measure of the Potential of Sperm to Help Propagate a Viable Pregnancy
Please call or email Julie Dahan, my patient concierge. She will guide you on how to set up an in-person or Skype consultation with me. You can reach Julie at on her cell phone or via email at any time:
Julie Dahan
•Email: Julied@sherivf.com
•Phone: 702-533-2691
?800-780-7437
Geoff Sher
I also suggest that you access the 4th edition of my book ,”In Vitro Fertilization, the ART of Making Babies”. It is available as a down-load through http://www.Amazon.com or from most bookstores and public libraries.