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.
I am currently on 1 Progesterone suppository vaginally daily in prep for my FET next week. Since I have a curved vagina, it does make me uncomfortable when inserting. I hate to go through this after transfer. I wonder taking Prometrium 200mg (by mouth) post FET will have the same effects as taking it vaginally?
Thanks in advance for your insight, Dr.Sher!
No, it probably would not. The vaginal application is better.I personally much prefer intramuscular progesterone injections.
Geoff Sher
Hi, I’m 46 years of age and in my early 30’s I had three IVF attempts and on the third attempt I became pregnant with twin girls but unfortunately I went into pre term labour at 6 months pregnant and I lost both girls, one live birth I had her for a week but unfortunately I had to let her go.
I have no eggs left due to past treatment and my age and my new husband and I went for Donar egg treatment in Prague.
On the first attempt two Embroys were implanted (Donars age for the eggs was 28 years old) I did not become pregnant – reason Biochemical pregnancy blood test showed hcg levels at 9.
We went on two have our two frozen Embroys implanted again a negative result – blood test showed hcg levels 4.
Please help me to understand why this happened and if I was to do another round of Donar egg treatment what is the best I can do to have a positive result.
I wish I could offer an explanation but with so little required information at hand, that is just not possible.
Whenever a patient fails to achieve a viable pregnancy following embryo transfer (ET), the first question asked is why! Was it simply due to, bad luck?, How likely is the failure to recur in future attempts and what can be done differently, to avoid it happening next time?.
It is an indisputable fact that any IVF procedure is at least as likely to fail as it is to succeed. Thus when it comes to outcome, luck is an undeniable factor. Notwithstanding, it is incumbent upon the treating physician to carefully consider and address the causes of IVF failure before proceeding to another attempt:
1.Age: The chance of a woman under 35Y of age having a baby per embryo transfer is about 35-40%. From there it declines progressively to under 5% by the time she reaches her mid-forties. This is largely due to declining chromosomal integrity of the eggs with advancing age…”a wear and tear effect” on eggs that are in the ovaries from birth.
2.Embryo Quality/”competency (capable of propagating a viable pregnancy)”. As stated, the woman’s age plays a big role in determining egg/embryo quality/”competency”. Obviously the use of a young egg donor should negate this. However for the sake of completeness here let me say that, aside from age the protocol used for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) is the next most important factor. It is especially important when it comes to older women, and women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) where it becomes essential to be aggressive, and to customize and individualize the ovarian stimulation protocol.
We used to believe that the uterine environment is more beneficial to embryo development than is the incubator/petri dish and that accordingly, the earlier on in development that embryos are transferred to the uterus, the better. To achieve this goal, we used to select embryos for transfer based upon their day two or microscopic appearance (“grade”). But we have since learned that the further an embryo has advanced in its development, the more likely it is to be “competent” and that embryos failing to reach the expanded blastocyst stage within 5-6 days of being fertilized are almost invariably “incompetent” and are unworthy of being transferred. Moreover, the introduction into clinical practice about a decade ago, (by Levent Keskintepe PhD and myself) of Preimplantation Genetic Sampling (PGS), which assesses for the presence of all the embryos chromosomes (complete chromosomal karyotyping), provides another tool by which to select the most “competent” embryos for transfer. This methodology has selective benefit when it comes to older women, women with DOR, cases of unexplained repeated IVF failure and women who experience recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).
3.The number of the embryos transferred: Most patients believe that the more embryos transferred the greater the chance of success. To some extent this might be true, but if the problem lies with the use of a suboptimal COS protocol, transferring more embryos at a time won’t improve the chance of success. Nor will the transfer of a greater number of embryos solve an underlying embryo implantation dysfunction (anatomical molecular or immunologic).Moreover, the transfer of multiple embryos, should they implant, can and all too often does result in triplets or greater (high order multiples) which increases the incidence of maternal pregnancy-induced complications and of premature delivery with its serious risks to the newborn. It is for this reason that I rarely recommend the transfer of more than 2 embryos at a time and am moving in the direction of advising single embryo transfers …especially when it comes to transferring embryos derived through the fertilization of eggs from young women.
4.Implantation Dysfunction (ID): Implantation dysfunction is a very common (often overlooked) cause of “unexplained” IVF failure. This is especially the case in young ovulating women who have normal ovarian reserve and have fertile partners. Failure to identify, typify, and address such issues is, in my opinion, an unfortunate and relatively common cause of repeated IVF failure in such women. Common sense dictates that if ultrasound guided embryo transfer is performed competently and yet repeated IVF attempts fail to propagate a viable pregnancy, implantation dysfunction must be seriously considered. Yet ID is probably the most overlooked factor. The most common causes of implantation dysfunction are:
a.A“ thin uterine lining”
b.A uterus with surface lesions in the cavity (polyps, fibroids, scar tissue)
c.Immunologic implantation dysfunction (IID)
d.Endocrine/molecular endometrial receptivity issues
Certain causes of infertility are repetitive and thus cannot readily be reversed. Examples include advanced age of the woman; severe male infertility; immunologic infertility associated with alloimmune implantation dysfunction (especially if it is a “complete DQ alpha genetic match between partners plus uterine natural killer cell activation (NKa).
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.
•The IVF Journey: The importance of “Planning the Trip” Before Taking the Ride”
•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
•Use of GnRH Antagonists (Ganirelix/Cetrotide/Orgalutron) in IVF-Ovarian Stimulation Protocols.
•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.
•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
•IVF: How Many Attempts should be considered before Stopping?
•“Unexplained” Infertility: Often a matter of the Diagnosis Being Overlooked!
•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
•Treating Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Patients at Sher-IVF in Las Vegas:
•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
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1.About my Retirement by mid-2018:
After > 30 years in the field of Assisted Reproduction (AR), the time is approaching for my retirement. If you are interested in my medical services prior to my retirement, I urge you to contact my concierge, Julie Dahan ASAP to set up a Skype or an in-person consultation with me. You can also contact Julie by phone or via email at 702-533-2691/ Julied@sherivf.com. You can also apply online at http://www.SherIVF.com.
If you are interested in my medical services prior to my retirement, I urge you to contact my concierge, Julie Dahan ASAP to set up a Skype or an in-person consultation with me. You can also contact Julie by phone or via email at 702-533-2691/ Julied@sherivf.com. You can also apply online at http://www.SherIVF.com.
2.The 4th edition of my newest book ,
“In Vitro Fertilization, the ART of Making Babies” is now available as a down-load through http://www.Amazon.com or from most bookstores and public libraries.
Geoffrey Sher MD
Thank you so much Dr Sher for taking the time out to reply to me. I did have endometriosis and had it removed in my early 30’s, I do have a fibroid on the wall of my womb but they said it was not near when they were to transfer, would you suggest I have this removed and my womb checked for any further scarring? Would you recommend I get our genetics checked for both myself and my husband? I live reading your blogs I wish I lived in Las Vagus so I could have treatment / checks done by you.
Does OVITRELLE 250MCG INJECTION equals to 10,000 Hcg?
No….it is equivalent to 5,000-6000U of hCGu and in my opinion is half the dose needed.
Geoff Sher
Hi Dr Sher, I am a patient of Nick Lolatgis in Melbourne Australia and am about to start my 4th IVF cycle with him. I am not sure he has got me on the right protocol to ensure the best result for stimulation. He is using an FSH protocol, so testosterone patches for 10 days then 450 of Bemfola on day 2 and am orgalutran injections from day 5. I only seem to get about 5 to 6 follicles max and last EC they couldn’t get to my left lead ovary so only collected 2 eggs. I had a good quality embryo transferred on day 3, as he felt it was best to transfer then due to my older eggs and stress on the embryo. I didn’t not get pregnant. I am very keen to get your opinion on a the best protocol for maximising my follicle numbers and egg collection outcome.
I really do appreciate your advise here and we will even look at travelling to see you if that is what it will take.
Kind Regards,
Verity
Melbourne
Australia
+61424570066
Hi I already responded to this post, yesterday!
Regards,
Geoff Sher
Hi Dr. Sher, I just got a positive pregnancy test today – my first blood test at 9 days post transfer. I had IVIG done 5 days before transfer, so today is 2 weeks since IVIG. my immune doc wants to do another IVIG infusion next week, so that would be just shy of 3 weeks since the first once, and at 4w5d pregnant. Does that sound like the right approach? Do you usually repeat IVIG once pregnancy confirmed?
I would concur with your Dr’s decision Jennifer.
Geoff Sher