Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a simple “bridge” procedure between natural attempts to conceive at home, and the more technical process of IVF. Intrauterine insemination is kind of like having sexual intercourse timed to when you ovulate. The difference is that it helps bypass any obstacles sperm may encounter at the cervix. Some examples of when… Read more »
Which embryo or embryos will give a woman the best chance at successful implantation and pregnancy?
Dr. Richard T. Scott Jr., of Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey is helping to answer that question with chromosomal testing. Chromosomes are the structures in your cells that contain your genetic information like eye or hair colour. Your chromosomes direct how your body grows. We’re each born with 23 pairs of chromosomes – one… Read more »
Ontarians donating unused embryos from IVF
Our friend Erica Berman, PhD, sent us something interesting: a unique embryo donation program run by Beginnings. Essentially, embryos are donated by families who have gone through fertility treatments and no longer have a need for them. It works a lot like open adoption—biological parents choose intended parents as recipients of the embryos. The process… Read more »
IVF or Frozen Embryo Transfer?
In my experience, frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles are not as successful as fresh. However, rates can vary from clinic to clinic; it’s possible that some teams may have frozen rates comparable to fresh rates. There are some theoretical advantages to frozen cycles: for example, hormone levels with FET can be much more normal (and… Read more »
“Is it true we can now use stem cells to grow better-quality eggs?”
For the last twenty years, it was understood that women are born with all the eggs they will ever have. Unlike men, whose stem cells contribute to new sperm formation every 72 days, women use up all their eggs at some pre-determined point and enter menopause. Learn more about eggs and egg quality Learn more about treating advanced… Read more »
Breaking: Ontario proposes covering some IVF treatment
Starting in 2015, Ontario’s expert panel has proposed covering 1 cycle of IVF treatment per patient, as well as several other measures to improve access to fertility services. This is very good news for fertility patients, as IVF can often provide pregnancy rates 20x or higher than IUI or other treatments can. No, IVF is… Read more »
“What’s my ovarian reserve and what do all those tests mean – FSH, AFC, AMH?”
Your number of eggs is your ovarian reserve. That’s a measure of quantity, not quality, and of course quality matters too. But when you have a good ovarian reserve, you most likely will have some good quality eggs in there. The basics You were born with millions of immature eggs. Most of the immature eggs are snuggled… Read more »
“How do you measure egg quality?”
We look for five factors: Your age. Nearly all women under 35 will have good eggs. The vast majority will have good eggs until they’re 38. Over age 38, everyone is different. The average age beyond which women will not have a healthy ongoing pregnancy is 42. Your ovarian reserve. We measure that by AMH, antral follicle count,… Read more »
“Does premenstrual spotting mean my eggs are low quality?”
“Premenstrual spotting”, also known as luteal phase spotting, may be as a result of lower-than-normal progesterone levels. And yes, egg quality and progesterone can be related. However, egg quality isn’t the only explanation for spotting. There are many other possible reasons for spotting in the luteal phase, including: intrauterine polyps, fibroids, a thin uterine lining,… Read more »