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.

19,771 Comments

  1. Hi, my progesterone level today at CD 35 (5 weeks pregnant) was 20.4. I did an FET. at my first beta test, it was 26, and my second beta test (48 hours later) it was around 24, and today 20.4. is this level ok? my RE doesn’t seem concerned. with my last pregnancy, the same dose of progesterone shots, my level was more like 35 at 5 weeks pregnant. Does it say anything about the viability of the pregnancy or is it too early for the placenta to produce any progesterone? at 5 weeks is it all just the exogenous hormones? thanks.

    • Hi Joy!

      As long as the p4 level is at least 20ng at this stage, I would not be overly concerned.

      Geoff Sher

  2. Hi Dr. Sher,
    My question is in regard to IUI & HGH. But here is my background:
    3 tries @ home w/ donor sperm: 2nd resulted in a chemical
    3 IUIs on Clomid (various strengths): 3rd resulted in MC of twins @ 9 weeks
    3 IUIs on Clomid (various strengths): all negative
    IVF after 6 IUIs w/ 150 follistim, 150 menopur, 5 days ganirelix: 7 retrieved 4 fertilized none made it to past day 3.
    3 IUIs after IVF: 1st one I used 75 follistim, 75 menopur, Trigger, progesterone 3 days after IUI & resulted in a MC @ 9 weeks no abnormalities per testing. 2nd & 3rd I used gonal f 300, trigger, lovenox, prednisone & progesterone 3 days after IUI. 2nd was a possible chemical but I did not test out my trigger & 3rd BFN.

    I have compound heterozygous MTHFR ( take prenatal with folate the last 2 attempts), D level is low @ 32 with 5,000 IU supplement per day. All other labs are “normal”. I had a RPL done as well only showing CH MTHFR & Heterozygous positive for Beta fibrinogen 455G>A mutation (nothing was said about this result). AMH is 1.73 FSH is 10.0 & LH is 5.7 as of 2015. I am 38 & single. After spending over 35k I cannot afford another IVF. I now have unlimited coverage for IUI. I have psoriasis, Mother has SA & father has RA. Oh and I am a clomid baby.

    My question is would HGH help egg quality w/ IUI? My current RE whom is encouraging me to move on w/ Donor eggs, embryos or adoption stated that if I did another IVF he would add HGH. I also take 200mg ubiquinol D3 5000 & 10,000 alternating days, baby aspirin, probiotic & 7 Keto DHEA. Is there anything else I can do to increase my chances of conception & keeping a baby?

    • First, your history is highly suggestive of an implantation dysfunction (anatomical or immunologic). My suggestion is that you undergo nan appropriate evaluation, followed by IVF with PGS testing.

      Whenever a patient fails to achieve a viable pregnancy following ART, 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 ART 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 such 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.Egg/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”. This having been said, 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.(with IVF)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
      •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.
      •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

  3. Hi, I have contacted you before and you have been amazing at encouraging me to get additional tests done that were not suggested to me by my own private fertility doctors. In summary I’m 31 years old, I have a low AMH, an underactive thyroid and ‘abnormally’ high levels of thyroid antibodies. I have had one failed IVF cycle. Recently I got my NK cells tested by an endometrial biopsy. The results were as follows: Lymphocyte group 2.40%, T Lymphocytes 5.80%, Th Lymphocytes were 55.40%, Tc Lymphocytes were 42.30%, Ratio CD4/CD8 1.31%, Uterine NKs 5.30% and Activated uterine NKs 0.80%. These results concluded that my sample was ‘non significant’. My clinic is based in the UK and they will only give me additional drugs on request as they believe there’s no evidence to relate my condition with infertility. I’m due to start my second cycle at the end of this month. Would you recommend that I take steroids and intralipids in my next cycle? As I’ve been trying naturally for close to 2 years plus I’ve had a failed IVF cycle taking no additional drugs, I feel this could be the missing piece of my puzzle. I am extremely interested to hear what your thoughts are.

    • Respectfully, the tests you havd done for NK cell activation (the most important determinant) are in my opinion non-valid. You need your blood tested using the K-562-target cell test. This cannot be done (to the best of my knowledge) in th UK. I suggest you send your blood to Reprosource in Boston, MA (look them up on Google), contact them and make the arrangements to get this done. Thereafter we should connect to discuss.

      Geoff Sher

  4. Hi Dr. Sher, I have had 1 successful IVF and subsequently 2 failed FET’s. My lining is not growing past 6-7mm and with my IVF it got to 9.1. I’ve tried estradiol tablets, estrogen patches, and a natural cycle. My RE has suggested a ERA test although for the cost I don’t know if it’s worth it as I had a successful fresh transfer on day 5. Any other protocol suggestions to thicken and possibly make my lining more receptive.

    • Respectfully Lauren, I do not have any confidence in the ERA. The lining thickness is the issue here in my opinion. This problem might have to do with endometritis which might have occured after the last pregnancy.

      The considerable emotional, physical and financial burden associated with infertility treatment in general and with IVF in specific, demand that factors known to affect outcome be identified and regulated prior to initiating treatment.

      Just as a successful garden needs a ”good” seed properly planted in fertile soil to produce healthy plants, successful embryo implantation requires a good seed (genetically “normal” embryo) and fertile soil (receptive uterine lining) to make a healthy baby. I have long used this “Seed/Soil Relationship” analogy to help clarify the critical nature of the interaction between embryo and endometrium in the successful propagation of pregnancy..

      There have in the last decade been numerous reports suggesting that certain drugs/supplements (e.g. GCSF) and endometrial receptivity testing/preparation might dramatically improve implantation. As yet, none of these have been proven to be effective. This article addresses the influence of the most relevant and important factors that are known to affect .endometrial receptivity and discusses approaches to treatment:

      1. Endometrial thickness
      In 1989, I first demonstrated that in both normal and “hormonally stimulated” cycles, preovulatory endometrial thickness as assessed by ultrasound examination, is partially predictive of embryo implantation (pregnancy) potential following IVF. Ideally the endometrium should measure at least 8.0mm in thickness, (but preferably >9mm).

      A “poor” endometrial lining is most commonly due to: 1) inflammation of the uterine lining (endometritis) that usually occurs as a result of endometritis (inflammation of the uterine lining that can follow a septic delivery, partial retention of the placenta following delivery, abortion or miscarriage, 2) severe adenomyosis (gross invasion of the uterine muscle by endometrial glandular tissue), 3) multiple fibroid tumors of the uterine wall) 4) prenatal exposure to the synthetic hormone, diethylstilbestrol (DES) and, 5) following >3, consecutive, back to back cycles of clomiphene citrate ovulation induction.

      Treatment with vaginal Sildenafil (Viagra): Hitherto, attempts to augment endometrial growth in women with poor endometrial linings by bolstering circulating estrogen blood levels (through the administration of increased doses of fertility drugs, aspirin administration and with supplementary estrogen therapy) have yielded disappointing results.

      In the mid-90’s I first reported on the finding that thee vaginal administration of Viagra for several days prior to the “hCG trigger “ or progesterone administration enhances uterine blood flow and estrogen delivery to the uterine lining and so improves endometrial thickening. Then In October 2002, I reported on the administration of vaginal Viagra to 105 women with repeated IVF failure due to persistently thin endometrial linings. All of the women had experienced at least two (2) prior IVF failures attributed to intractably thin uterine linings. About 70% of these women responded to treatment with Viagra suppositories with a marked improvement in endometrial thickness and 45% of these women achieved live IVF- births following a single cycle of treatment with Viagra. Nine percent (9%) miscarried. None of the women who had failed to achieve an improvement in endometrial thickness following Viagra therapy, subsequently and who underwent embryo transfers achieved viable pregnancies.

      2.Uterine Pathology:
      It has long been suspected that anatomical defects of the uterus might result in infertility.
      While myomas (fibroids) embedded deep in the uterine wall, are unlikely to cause infertility, an association between their presence and infertility has been observed in cases where they distort the uterine cavity, or protrude as submucous polyps through the endometrial lining. It would appear that even small submucous myomas have the potential to prejudice implantation.

      Far too many infertile women found to have a partial or complete septum in the uterus are subjected to surgical excision of the septum with a promise that this will enhance subsequent implantation. This is an erroneous belief. Contrary to popular belief, the presence of a septum that partially or completely partitions the uterine cavity, while being responsible (in some cases) for late miscarriages and premature onset of labor, does NOT cause failed implantation.

      It is likely that most surface lesions in the uterine cavity, whether due to an endometrial, placental or fibroid polyp (no matter how small), or intrauterine adhesions, have the potential to interfere with implantation by producing a local “inflammatory”- type response, not too dissimilar in nature from that which is caused by a foreign body such as a intrauterine contraceptive device. Unfortunately, a dye X-Ray test (hysterosalpingogram/HSG) will often miss many smaller such lesions. The only reliable methods for diagnosing even the smallest of such lesions, is through the performance of a hysterosongram (HSN),a hysteroscopy or an MRI.

      Hysterosonogram (syn. Saline ultrasound): This procedure involves the trans-cervical injection of a physiological saline solution via a catheter, into the uterine cavity. The fluid distended cavity is then examined by vaginal ultrasound for any irregularities that might point to surface lesions such as polyps, fibroid tumors, scarring, or a uterine septum. If performed correctly, the HSN is highly effective in recognizing even the smallest surface lesions that protrude into the uterine cavity. It is less expensive, less traumatic, and diagnostically, equally reliable as hysteroscopy. The only disadvantage lies in the fact that if a lesion is detected, it may require the subsequent performance of hysteroscopic surgical approach to treating the problem..

      Hysteroscopy: Diagnostic hysteroscopy is an office procedure that is performed under intravenous sedation, general or local anesthesia, with minimal discomfort to the patient. The procedure involves the insertion of a thin, lighted, telescope like instrument known as a hysteroscope through the vagina and cervix into the uterus in order to fully examine the uterine cavity. The uterus is first distended with carbon dioxide gas, which is passed through a sleeve adjacent to the hysteroscope. As is the case with FUS, diagnostic hysteroscopy facilitates examination of the inside of the uterus under direct vision for defects that might interfere with implantation.

      We have observed that approximately 8% of candidates for IVF have intrauterine lesions that require attention prior to undergoing IVF in order to optimize the chances of a successful outcome. We strongly recommend that all patients who have such lesions undergo surgery (D&C and/or hysteroscopic resection) to correct the pathology prior to undergoing IVF. Depending on the severity and nature of the pathology, therapeutic hysteroscopy may require general anesthesia. If so, it should be performed in an outpatient surgical facility or in a conventional operating room.

      3. Immunologic factors
      The implantation process begins six or seven days after fertilization of the egg. At this time, specialized embryonic cells (i.e., the trophoblast), which later becomes the placenta; begin growing into the uterine lining. When the trophoblast and the uterine lining meet, they, along with Immune cells in the lining, become involved in a “cross talk” through mutual exchange of hormone-like substances called cytokines. Because of this complex immunologic interplay, the uterus is able to foster the embryo’s successful growth. Thus, from the very earliest stage of implantation the trophoblast establishes a foundation for the future nutritional, hormonal and respiratory interchange between mother and baby. In this manner, the interactive process of implantation is not only central to survival in early pregnancy but also to the quality of life after birth.

      Considering its importance, it is not surprising that failure of proper function of this immunologic interaction during implantation has been implicated as a cause of recurrent miscarriage, late pregnancy fetal loss, IVF failure, and infertility. A partial list of immunologic factors that may be involved in these situations includes anti-phospholipid antibodies (APA), antithyroid antibodies (ATA), and most importantly activation of uterine natural killer cells (NKa). Presently, these immunologic markers in the blood can be only adequately measured by a handful of highly specialized reproductive immunology laboratories in the United States. I personally use Reproductive Immunology Associates in Van Nuys, CA or Reprosource in Boston, MA.

      The Central role of Natural Killer cells: After ovulation and during early pregnancy, NK cells comprise more than 70% of the immune cell population of the uterine lining. NK cells produce a variety of local hormones known cytokines. Uncontrolled, excessive release of certain cytokines (i.e. TH-1 cytokines) is highly toxic to the trophoblast (“root system”) of the embryo” leading to their programmed death (apoptosis) and, subsequently to failed or compromised/dysfunctional implantation. In the following situations NK cells become activated, and start to produce an excess of TH-1 cytokines:

      •Autoimmune Implantation Dysfunction: This is most commonly seen in association with a personal or family history of autoimmune diseases such as ith conditions such as Rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism endometriosis and Lupus Erythematosus, Scleroderma, Dermatomyositis etc. It is also encountered in one third of women who have endometriosis (regardless of its severity), and in cases of “unexplained infertility” as well as with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).
      •Alloimmune implantation dysfunction where the male and female partners share specific genetic (DQ-alpha and/or HLA) similarities This is commonly seen in cases of RPL and in cases of secondary infertility

      Activated NK cells (NKa) can be detected through the K-562 target cell blood test and (more recently) through uterine biopsy for TH-1 cytokine activity. Treatment involves selective use of Intralipid (IL) or immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy combined with oral steroids, initiated more 10-14 days prior to embryo transfer and in most cases of alloimmune implantation dysfunction, the transfer of a single blastocyst at a time.

      Geoff Sher

  5. Hi Doctor Sher,
    My name is Kristen and I am 28 . I was diagnosed with PCOS a year ago . I have been doing iui and ivf treatment for over a year now . I converted to ivf after doing I believe it was 300 iu gonal f injections and letrozole . I triggered with Lupron and retrieved 39 eggs and 16 fertilized . Most all were Day 5 blastocysts with maybe 1 or 2 day 6. My first transfer I transferred 2 and was pregnant . The beta was low about 26 it then dropped to 23 then started appropriately doubling from there . However the pregnancy ended in miscarriage at about 8 weeks . I did 2 more transfers after that where I added neupogen and hcg boosters and ivig (for one of the cycles ) those ended in chemical pregnancy . I recently did a 4th transfer where I got pregnant with a beta of 581 second beta 1900 and had my first ultrasound scheduled for 6/12 however I miscarried before it on 6/10. I’ve used an immune protocol where I take estrace prednisone endometrin prometrium low dose naltrexone prograf lovenox low dose aspirin metformin . I did an RPL blood work panel and there were no issues with that . Could it be the quality of my eggs and because I triggered with Lupron before the retrieval and not hcg ?

    • Let me start by saying that there is no doubt that PCOS exacts a toll on egg quality. This having been said, the egg quality can in large part protected through the judicious implementation of an individualized protocol for ovarian stimulation.
      Women with PCOS are hypersensitive to gonadotropin stimulation and are often at risk of developing serious complications associated with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Concern for this occurring often leads the treating physician to take precautionary measures aimed at slowing down or stopping hyperstimulation. Such measures include:
      1. Cutting the stimulation short to prevent the E2 from rising too high. Unfortunately this often results in the eggs being underdeveloped at the time of the “trigger” and thus, far more likely to end up being “immature”., “dysmature” and “incompetent”.
      2. Administering a lower “trigger dosage” of hCG , supplanting it (partially or completely) with an Agonist trigger (e.g. Lupron/Buserelin/aminopeptidyl/Superfact). While such measures can certainly reduce the risk/severity of OHSS, it often comes at the expense of egg competency (see below).
      In my opinion, another error of commission during ovarian stimulation of women with PCOS is the indiscriminate use of drugs that either elicit an exaggerated ovarian LH-induced testosterone response (e.g. clomiphene or Letrozole), or provide too much LH (e.g. Menopur/Menogon). Too much ovarian testosterone is harmful to egg development and thus prejudicial to embryo quality/competency.
      In my opinion the best way to approach ovarian stimulation for IVF in women with PCOS, is through the use of a low dosage, FSH-dominant Long ovarian down-regulation protocol, done in readiness for “prolonged coasting” (see below) and “triggering” egg maturation with a full 10,00U dosage of hCG or (no less than) 500mcg of recombinant hCG (Ovidrel)….see below is If this is implemented appropriately, with proper timing, egg/embryo quality can be optimized.

      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.
      •Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Measurement to Assess Ovarian Reserve and Design the Optimal Protocol for Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) in IVF.
      •Egg Maturation in IVF: How Egg “Immaturity”, “Post-maturity” and “Dysmaturity” Influence IVF Outcome:
      •Commonly Asked Question in IVF: “Why Did so Few of my Eggs Fertilize and, so Many Fail to Reach Blastocyst?”
      •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?
      •Taking A Fresh Look at Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), its Presentation, Prevention and Management
      •Preventing Severe Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) with “Prolonged Coasting”
      •Understanding Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and the Need to Customize Ovarian Stimulation Protocols.
      •“Triggering” Egg Maturation in IVF: Comparing urine-derived hCG, Recombinant DNA-hCG and GnRH-agonist:
      •The “Lupron Trigger” to Prevent Severe OHSS: What are the Pro’s and Con’s?
      •My Retirement in the Year Ahead: A letter of Thanks From me to You!

      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