What can I do about pain during procedures? 

Posted & filed under IVF, Tests, The Basics, The Journey, Uterus.

“I am scheduled for an Echovist HyCoSy test as part of my fertility diagnostic process. I have serious concerns about the pain I will experience during the procedure given the scar tissue on my cervix from a laser cone. (A regular pap test is painful; a colposcopy is almost unbearable.) I am wondering whether it… Read more »

How does an AMH test help me?

Posted & filed under Tests.

AMH is the best test that we have for understanding your ovarian reserve. There are other tests available (FSH levels, and ultrasound) but they are not as accurate. AMH is the hormone that is made by the cells surrounding each of your resting eggs. This means that the more eggs that you have, the higher… Read more »

I’m supposed to have a full bladder for my ultrasound/procedure. But how full is too full? And what if I’m retroverted?

Posted & filed under Tests, The Basics.

First, let’s quickly review why we ask for a full bladder. When you’re lying on your back, your uterus either tilts up towards your belly button (anteverted), or back towards your spine (retroverted). Most women are anteverted. Between your uterus and your abdomen is the bladder. So, when you have a full bladder, it tends… Read more »

The emotional side of male subfertility/infertility

Posted & filed under Sex, Sperm, The Journey.

As a reproductive endocrinologist, I often see subfertility affecting men too. It’s often in ways that they may not be able to voice to anyone, even their partners. Perhaps even to themselves. In the context of fertility, erectile concerns can often be interpreted as ambivalence about having children. Some men may refuse to have intercourse,… Read more »

What does embryo grading really mean for my chances of having a baby?

Posted & filed under Tests.

First, let me make it clear that embryo grading doesn’t look at genetics.  If you want to know more about pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS), visit www.chromosome-screening.org. Embryo grading means we look at embryos under a microscope and estimate whether they have the potential to continue to grow into a healthy, ongoing pregnancy. Grading is done… Read more »

What impact does aging have on male fertility?

Posted & filed under Aging, Sperm, The Basics.

Getting older has its advantages. But many men over 45 worry about the impact their age will have on the quality of their sperm, and the health of children they may be responsible for. Sometimes, these are valid concerns. But there are things you can do about it. 1. Get a sperm test with DNA… Read more »