Category Archives: Fertility
How Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Managed During IVF?
In continuing to post about some of my unique and interesting cases, this article will address my standard practice of care in the treatment of patients who are suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) after undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Read more: How Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Managed During IVF?
Ovaries: The Source to Maintaining Your Youth
The uterus is the cradle of life where the fetus is conceived and grows. So where does the fetus come from? The fetus is created by a man (his sperm) and a woman (her eggs). Where are eggs produced? Eggs are created in the ovaries. Ovaries are small walnut-like organs that are one of the main organs of a woman’s reproductive system.
Under what circumstances do I need IVF treatment?
At New Hope Fertility Center in New York, I have encountered a few couples who, after a few years of trying to conceive and no infertility tests done, come and tell me that they wanted to do and are ready for an IVF treatment. When this situation happens, we explain to patients that not all infertile couples need to do IVF. First, we will need to check the semen quality. If it is poor quality, the woman does not need to have a tubal patency test undergoing IVF treatment. If the semen quality is poor, the sperm does not have the ability to naturally fertilize the egg. On the other hand, if the semen quality is good, the woman will need to have a tubal patency test. If the tubes are normal, they may consider artificial insemination; if the tubes are abnormal (or blocked), they may need IVF treatment.
Read more: Under what circumstances do I need IVF treatment?
Dr. Zhang’s Pick of the Month: Who can benefit from PGS?
According to research, the miscarriage rate increases as a woman gets older. Women who are undergoing IVF treatment can benefit from Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS). PGS evaluates an embryo to determine if it has the correct number of chromosomes. Having too many or too few chromosomes is evidence of a genetic defect. This test does not look for specific diseases, rather it aims to identify embryos that have an abnormal number of chromosomes. As a woman ages, the chance of her having embryos with an abnormal number of chromosomes rises.
Read more: Dr. Zhang’s Pick of the Month: Who can benefit from PGS?
Mini IVF for PCOS vs Conventional IVF: an actual case study
Among the areas of focus that we have at New Hope Fertility Center is Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS. Often colleagues and patients alike want to know: how does NHFC manage individuals with PCOS during their IVF process? Let’s look at a case to see how New Hope Managed to successfully treat a difficult and common situation.
Read more: Mini IVF for PCOS vs Conventional IVF: an actual case study
Is Early Pregnancy Bleeding a Sign of a Potential Miscarriage?
Seeing that you’re bleeding during early pregnancy can be extremely alarming. Often, a woman’s first thought is that there’s a serious problem or that she’s having a miscarriage. Bleeding during the early stages of pregnancy is common and typically not indicative of a major issue. However, because it can be an indication of an issue, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible to verify the health and safety of yourself and your growing baby.
Read more: Is Early Pregnancy Bleeding a Sign of a Potential Miscarriage?
What does it mean to have the best in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment?
With IVF treatment, best treatment does not exist; only the most appropriate treatment is available from a leading medical provider. The IVF treatment program most suitable to your individual needs is considered the best treatment.
Read more: What does it mean to have the best in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment?
Pick Of The Month: Why Natural and Minimal Stimulation Protocols are the Future of Fertility and What They Are/How They are Different
It is common for people to think of fertility medication when they are considering seeking professional help to start a family. While fertility medication may have been necessary in the past for in vitro fertilization, that is no longer the case. Individuals who have a holistic lifestyle or who wish to limit or avoid fertility medications now have options for treatment. Minimal stimulation and natural IVF protocols have success rates similar to that of traditional IVF without the side effects.
Read more: Pick Of The Month: Why Natural and Minimal Stimulation Protocols are the Future of Fertility and What They Are/How They are Different
The Importance of Getting Exercise When It Comes To Your Mental Health
Stress management is extremely important for a person’s overall mental health. It is especially important during fertility treatment, when emotions often run high. Unfortunately, many people use unhealthy ways of coping with stress including overeating, withdrawing from friends, or having a drink. These habits can all negatively impact fertility and should not be utilized while trying to conceive. Instead, consider using exercise as a way to reduce stress and improve your mental health.
Exercise and Mental Health
Exercise releases endorphins, the chemicals in your brain that are responsible for feeling pleasure. These pleasurable feelings can help to address minor issues with depression. For these individuals, exercise can both prevent bouts of depression and can prevent having recurring feelings of depression. Furthermore, stress and tension often manifests physically. Individuals who are experiencing stress may have strained muscles, bad posture, and other physical signs of their stress. Endorphins can also address these physical symptoms by helping muscles to relax.
Positive Effects of Exercise
There are a number of mental and physical benefits of exercise that can directly impact your fertility:
- Improved sleeping habits
- Increased sex drive
- Increased endurance
- Relief of stress
- Improved mental state and mood
- Improved energy
- Increased alertness
- Obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight
- Improved overall health
Viewing Exercise Differently
Despite understanding the health benefits, many people do not like to exercise. It can be thought of as a chore and often people use being busy as an excuse not to exercise. As with all things, people make time for the activities that are important to them. Thankfully, it is not necessary to exercise for hours on end. You can make a substantial difference in your health with as little as 20 minutes a day. Also, staying focused on your end result – a happy baby – can provide just the motivation you need.
While mild to moderate exercise is crucial for mental health, extreme amounts of exercise can negatively impact your health. Be sure to speak with your fertility care team to understand what activities you’re able to partake in while undergoing fertility treatment. While under a doctor’s care, it is important that the fertility team is aware of any actions that can impact fertility.
Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676. Thank you.
What is Ovarian Tissue Freezing?
Fertility preservation is growing in popularity for a number of reasons. Women of today are waiting longer to start a family. Some women aim to achieve their personal goals before starting a family. Other women are looking to become established professionally and then have children. Another group of women may need to preserve their fertility for a medical reason. Advancements in fertility medicine have allowed for a new method of fertility preservation – ovarian tissue freezing.
Ovarian Tissue Freezing Explained
A woman’s eggs are located in the outer layer of her ovaries. During ovarian tissue freezing, the outer layer is removed from the body. This layer contains a large number of eggs that have not yet matured. Once retrieved, the layer is divided into strips and is frozen to be used later. When a woman is ready to have children, the retrieved tissue is placed back into the body and is able to function normally. This allows a woman who otherwise may have difficulty becoming pregnant with her own eggs to start a family.
Benefits of Ovarian Tissue Freezing
With traditional fertility preservation methods, such as egg and embryo freezing, mature eggs are retrieved after a cycle that uses fertility medication. There is a limited number of eggs that can be achieved via this method, with an average of 10 mature eggs being retrieved during a single cycle. When ovarian tissue freezing is done, hundreds of eggs can be retrieved and frozen at one time. There is no need for fertility medication and no need to wait while the cycle progresses.
Further Advancements in Treatment
The field of fertility medicine is continually improving. Great strides are being made in the specialty of in vitro maturation. This process would allow eggs to be matured in a laboratory setting. When this technology becomes widely used and understood, it would avoid the need to transfer the ovarian tissue back. Instead, the IVF process could begin as soon as a woman is ready.
For additional information on ovarian tissue freezing or to learn about your options for fertility preservation, please contact a member of the New Hope Fertility Center team today. Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676. Thank you.
