When you start to research your options in fertility treatment, one of the first questions you’re likely to ask is “What is IVF fertility treatment?” IVF or in vitro fertilization is a form of assisted reproductive technology that involves combining eggs with sperm outside the body in a lab and returning the fertilized egg to the uterus. There are several steps involved in this form of treatment, and these steps work together to give you a better chance to have a healthy and successful pregnancy.

The experienced staff at the Center for Reproductive Health understand how overwhelming it can be to have difficulty conceiving. They provide expert guidance on fertility treatment options and can answer any questions you may have.

Who May Benefit from IVF Fertility Treatment? 

Before undergoing IVF, you and your partner are both evaluated to determine the cause of infertility. Difficulty getting pregnant may happen because of issues with either partner or both together. IVF may benefit people with many different challenges such as:

• Uterine fibroids
• Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
• Ovulation disorders
• Endometriosis
• Decreased sperm count or poor sperm mobility

Women over the age of 40 who have had difficulty conceiving may benefit from IVF. It’s not always easy to pinpoint the reason for being unable to conceive, and IVF may benefit those who have unexplained infertility. 

The Steps of IVF Fertility Treatment

The process involved in IVF takes several weeks and the total amount of time needed can vary from one patient to the next. Injectable hormones are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This is done over the course of several days. Eggs that are produced are triggered to mature so that they can be harvested during a minor surgical procedure.

After eggs have been harvested, they are mixed with sperm from the patient’s partner or from a sperm donor. Fertilized eggs are cultured in the lab for a few days so they can develop into embryos. One or more embryos are then implanted into the uterus by your doctor. 

After approximately ten to twelve days, a pregnancy test is done. If the test is negative, you’ll probably get your period within a week, and you’ll discuss the next steps with your doctor or fertility counselor.

Other Considerations

Before treatment with IVF, you’ll need to consider how many embryos will be transferred since there’s a risk of multiple births if more than one embryo is transferred. You’ll also need to decide what to do with extra embryos. Some may be frozen for future use, although they may not all survive this process.

A full cycle of IVF takes several weeks and more than one cycle may be needed for a successful pregnancy.  You have a better chance of good results if you’re under the age of 35. Fertility specialists work with you to discuss how you can improve your chances of getting pregnant using IVF fertility treatment.

To learn more about IVF, contact the team at the Center for Reproductive Health. We provide the most advanced fertility treatment options available and are committed to improving your chances of having a baby.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often struggle with fertility for several reasons. Eggs may not be released naturally which leads to irregular periods. There may be high levels of the hormone androgen, a male sex hormone that’s present in females in small amounts. Or, small fluid-filled sacs may form in the ovaries known as cysts, which can affect the way the ovaries work.
The experts at the Center for Reproductive Health help women manage disorders of the reproductive system including PCOS so that they can work toward attaining optimal reproductive health. So, what fertility treatment is best for PCOS?

Lifestyle Changes

Some, but not all, women with PCOS also struggle with obesity. One of the first forms of treatment for PCOS is to work on making lifestyle changes that can benefit overall health such as choosing healthy foods, watching portion sizes, and including regular physical activity in the daily routine.
If you have PCOS, your doctor may ask you to try losing weight before putting you on any type of medication. Losing as little as 5 percent of your body weight over the course of six months can lower glucose levels and sometimes helps to stimulate ovulation.

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe medications that can help ovaries to release eggs naturally. Examples of these medications include:
Clomiphene. This is the most frequently prescribed medication to treat infertility in women with PCOS. However, taking this medication increases the risk of getting pregnant with multiples.
Metformin. This medication is used to treat insulin resistance and diabetes, and it may help to stimulate ovulation when used by itself or together with Clomiphene.
Letrozole. This medication stimulates the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is a hormone the body needs for ovulation. It targets the underlying hormone imbalance in PCOS.
Another option your doctor may suggest for stimulating ovulation is treatment with gonadotrophins, which are hormones such as FSH given by injection. This form of treatment has to be closely monitored and can be costly. If other medications aren’t working, your doctor may recommend a shot of gonadotropins combined with oral medication such as Clomiphene.

In Vitro Fertilization

If other methods of treating fertility in women with PCOS are unsuccessful, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is another option. Injectable fertility drugs are used to stimulate the ovaries into producing mature eggs. Eggs are retrieved and combined with sperm in Petri dishes. After three to five days, one or two fertilized eggs are implanted into the uterus. After two weeks, a pregnancy test is done to see if the treatment was successful.
Another option is called mini IVF which has a low cost and minimal risk. In this treatment method, ovaries are minimally stimulated and immature eggs are retrieved in a minor surgical procedure and allowed to mature in a lab environment. The goal is to create only a few high-quality embryos for transfer to the uterus.

At the Center for Reproductive Health, our caring and compassionate team works with you to find the best fertility treatment for each individual, including those with PCOS. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

When you make the decision to undergo fertility treatment, you’re hopeful that the end result will be a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby. Many advancements have been made in fertility treatments that may make pregnancy possible, but there are no guarantees of success. If month after month goes by without the outcome you’ve been hoping for, it may feel like you’re riding an emotional rollercoaster. How do you know when to stop fertility treatment?
Ultimately it’s a very personal decision, and each couple has to decide what’s best for them. The experts at the Center for Reproductive Health recognize how overwhelming this decision can be and are available to answer questions and offer support.

Reasons to Consider Taking a Break

In some cases, there are medical reasons to stop fertility treatment. Patients who are attempting to get pregnant at an advanced childbearing age know that the more time that passes, the less likely it is that they’ll succeed in attaining a healthy pregnancy.
Some couples are afraid to decide to discontinue fertility treatments because they may think they might be successful if they continue treatment just a little bit longer, maybe just one more month. If there’s no medical reason to stop trying, couples may want to consider simply taking a break to give turbulent emotions some time to calm down before deciding whether to resume treatments. Some reasons to consider taking a break include the pleasure has gone out of your sex life because all you think about and talk about is making a baby, or there’s frequent tension between you and your partner because you feel like you’re disappointing each other.

Is it Time to Stop Altogether?

Undergoing fertility treatments can be emotionally draining and it’s also expensive. Couples who are taking out loans that can’t be paid back within a few months may be creating additional tension for themselves. Instead of continuing to make things worse, they may come to the conclusion it’s time to stop instead of continuing to worsen their financial burden.
Having adverse reactions to fertility drugs such as mood swings or physical pain is another good reason to consider discontinuing treatment. Couples who start spending less and less time together because they find they’re no longer able to connect with each other may also decide to stop altogether.
Some couples set a financial limit or a deadline ahead of time regarding the number of months they’re willing to go through fertility treatment. When the decision is made ahead of time, it can help couples feel more level-headed about deciding to stop and some even feel relieved that they can stop thinking about trying to get pregnant. When the decided number of months has passed, couples feel free to focus their attention on other goals.
Some people reach a point where the emotional upheaval is too much for them. While the decision on whether to continue to pursue fertility treatment is up to each couple, couples have to take stock of both their emotional and financial investment to see if it makes sense to continue or finish fertility treatments altogether.

Get in touch with the compassionate team at the Center for Reproductive Health to discuss your options.

Good overall health, which includes maintaining a healthy weight, is an important factor in reproductive health. When you’re overweight or obese, it can affect reproductive health including your ability to conceive or to carry a pregnancy to term. Obesity refers to having a body mass index (BMI) of over 30. It’s a common problem during the reproductive years in both men and women, and there are several reasons why obesity leads to reproductive health issues.
The experts at the Center for Reproductive Health strive to help people understand the positive impact that making good lifestyle choices can have. Our team provides expert guidance to help people make small changes that can lead to better reproductive health.

Obesity in Women

Fertility problems are common in women who struggle with obesity. Reproductive function may be impaired because of excess body fat, which can lead to reduced pregnancy rates and an increased risk of miscarriage. Obesity can cause insulin resistance or polycystic ovary system, both of which can cause failure to produce an egg from an ovary each month, which is known as anovulation. Women who have anovulation often struggle with infertility.
In obese women who produce eggs, the quality of eggs produced may be reduced. In those who use IVF in an effort to conceive, chances of a live birth are lower than in women who are at a normal BMI. The rates of miscarriage are higher in women who are obese, possibly because of altered hormone levels that help to sustain pregnancy. Obesity can also lead to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.

Obesity in Men

Women aren’t the only ones whose reproductive health can be affected by being overweight or obese. Men who are obese may have erectile dysfunction or hormone imbalances. They may experience low testosterone levels and reduced sperm count, and some men’s semen may have no sperm at all. Sperm that’s produced may have poor motility, which means there’s a problem with the sperm’s ability to swim.
Testosterone is needed for the production of healthy, mature sperm. Low testosterone levels can affect sex drive and sperm production. In couples in which one or both partners are obese, assisted reproductive options such as IVF are often less successful than in couples who are at a healthy weight.
Improving Your Reproductive Health
The good news is that making lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce overall body fat. Losing 5-10% of your body weight can help lead to better menstrual cycle regularity and an improved chance of getting pregnant. Another thing to work on is controlling stress levels, since stress can lead to binging on junk food.

There are many factors that can contribute to infertility, and not all of them are within your control. Reaching a healthy weight can improve your overall health and can often be a good first step toward improved reproductive health. Reach out to the experts at the Center for Reproductive Health for more tips on improving your reproductive health.

When men think about their overall health, they may give very little thought to how to maintain male reproductive health. If fertility problems happen at some point in family life, it’s not uncommon for people to think of it as a problem with female reproductive health. However, like women, men should be proactive about their reproductive health.
There are things men can do to increase their chances of producing healthy sperm. The experts at the California Center for Reproductive Health help both women and men work on being more forward-thinking about their reproductive health. So, what do men need to do to achieve and maintain optimal reproductive health?

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Lifestyle choices can impact every system in the body, including the male reproductive system. Small daily choices that seem to have minimal effect on overall health may impact reproductive health in the long run.
Men should work on getting to a healthy body weight, and once there, work on maintaining it. Some research indicates that having a high body mass index (BMI) can affect the production of sperm. Physical activity can have a positive impact on sperm production, so men should make an effort to make regular physical activity a habit.
In a rushed society, many men grab fast food on the run more often than they should. For good reproductive health, men need to be sure their diet includes nutritious choices such as protein from lean meats, vegetables, and fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. Processed food and caffeine should be limited.
Stress is harmful to overall health, and when not managed properly, it can affect hormones and sexual functioning. Men need to be proactive about learning stress management techniques, which include getting on a regular sleep schedule.
Chemicals can be harmful to male reproductive health. Men who smoke may have lower sperm count and poorer sperm quality not to mention the impact smoking can have on their overall health. For these reasons, men who smoke need to commit to quitting. Consumption of alcohol and other substances should also be limited.
Men who don’t consume enough water may be dehydrated, and that can lead to a lower volume of semen and lower sperm quality. It’s important to drink plenty of water to help flush toxins from the body.

Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Men who contract an STI such as gonorrhea or chlamydia are at a higher risk of infertility. To help prevent contracting STIs, it’s a good idea for men to commit to a monogamous relationship with a partner who isn’t infected. Men who aren’t in a committed relationship should limit the number of partners they have, and always wear a condom.
Having a physical at least annually allows a man’s doctor to screen for abnormalities and take action right away if there are any concerns or anything that needs to be remedied. Men who have made poor choices in the past about sexual activity or lifestyle choices can work on getting healthier so that they can make better choices going forward.
There are some factors that can’t be controlled, but men should do what they can to help their reproductive system be as healthy as possible. Get in touch with the experts at the Center for Reproductive Health today to learn more about maintaining good male reproductive health.

Whether or not you’re currently trying to get pregnant, it’s important to remember that the choices you’re making today are affecting your reproductive health now and in the future. While there are some things that are out of your control when it comes to fertility, there are also things you can do to take care of your body. Healthy lifestyle choices can help you to look better and feel better and can also improve the health of your reproductive system. What are the ways you can maintain good reproductive health?

Healthy Food Choices

When your diet consists of junk food, fast food, and empty calories, it probably lacks important nutrients. The problem with poor eating habits is that the harm you may be causing your body may not show up right away, which makes it easy to think you’re not doing anything wrong. For good reproductive and overall health, be sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins from lean meats or plant sources.
Nutrients are an important factor in your eating habits, but you should also think about whether you’re maintaining a healthy body weight. Your ability to conceive can be harmed by being either underweight or overweight. Work on attaining and maintaining a healthy weight.

Physical Activity

A sedentary lifestyle can take a toll on your body. Regular exercise is beneficial for your heart, lungs, and reproductive system and it can help to maintain good body weight. If you haven’t been exercising at all, start with a short low-intensity workout of walking, swimming, dancing, or biking. Include strength training and flexibility exercises.
At the other extreme, it’s possible to exercise too much or too intensely. Overexercising can have a negative impact on your hormones. Exercising over 60 minutes a day may increase the risk of infertility.

Routine Screenings

Routine gynecological screening may seem unpleasant or a nuisance, but there’s a reason to make time for them. Screenings can detect illnesses you may not know you have, and cancers and other illnesses that affect the reproductive system may not be discovered for years without regular exams.
Another important reason to follow through with routine screenings is if there’s any chance you have been exposed to sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs), you may not have any symptoms. Untreated STIs can cause damage to your reproductive organs, so if you have contracted one of these illnesses, treatment should be started right away. Commit to always practicing safe sex to help avoid contracting STIs.

Make Good Health a Priority

Small daily habits can have a big impact on your health and your hormones. If you’re a smoker, talk to your doctor about the best ways to quit. Drink plenty of water and limit caffeine and alcohol consumption. Consider the impact stress may be having on your health and the way you feel. Being under stress for weeks or months at a time eventually takes its toll on your body including your reproductive health. Make time for things that help manage your stress such as yoga and meditation and aim for eight hours of sleep a night.
Taking care of your overall health is a great way to be proactive about your reproductive health. For more tips on maintaining good reproductive health, reach out to California Center for Reproductive Health.

Sexuality and reproductive health affect people throughout their lives. In adolescence and young adulthood, being proactive about lifestyle choices that affect reproductive health can have some impact on a couple’s ability to conceive. As people age, they go through life changes that give them a chance to redefine what role their sexuality plays in their lives. Once the childbearing years have passed, why should older people be concerned about their reproductive health?
A large number of older people continue to be sexually active well into their golden years and many feel it’s a way to create or maintain intimacy with a partner. The team at the Center for Reproductive Health aims to provide guidance on reproductive health care for people from adolescence through old age.

Hormonal Changes

Both men and women go through hormonal changes as they get older, and these changes can affect libido and the desire for intimacy. During and after menopause, women experience a wide variety of symptoms including hot flashes, irritability, and decreased vaginal lubrication. In some women, these changes can interfere with the amount of sexual pleasure they experience.
As men age, they experience reduced testosterone levels which may cause them to need more stimulation to attain an erection. Erectile dysfunction is common in older men and may be related to health problems, medications, or emotional health problems such as depression or anxiety, but there are treatment options that may help.

Protection From STIs

People frequently assume that older people no longer have sexual desires, and the topic of sexuality in old age is often considered taboo. It’s important for older people who are sexually active to understand that just because the chance of pregnancy has passed, the chance of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) still exists. Another thing to consider is that immune system function can decline with age and make people more susceptible to contracting infections including STIs.
Using condoms is just as important for older people as it is for young people. They should be used correctly and consistently as a tool for preventing the spread of chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis C, and other STIs. Older people should be familiar with symptoms that may indicate they have contracted an STI. Examples of these symptoms include discharge, lower abdominal pain, or painful urination.

Other Age-Related Changes

The body has several complex systems that work together for overall health. Poor lifestyle choices can affect the body in many different ways from energy level to libido. Many older people have health problems that affect their overall quality of life, such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. When illness or chronic pain develops, it can affect sexual desire and the ability to have sex. Some people find that age-related changes make them feel less desirable.
Older adults need to have a safe place to discuss their sexuality and reproductive health. If you’re looking for a safe and supportive environment to discuss health concerns related to sex in your later years, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Center for Reproductive Health.

For anyone who’s thinking about getting pregnant, either in the near future or somewhere down the road, it’s never too early to start thinking about your reproductive health. Some factors are out of your control, but there are some things you can do to give yourself the best possible chance of starting a family. If you’ve never given any thought to how to improve reproductive health naturally, it’s a good time to get started.
The experts at the California Center for Reproductive Health understand that making good lifestyle choices isn’t always easy. Our team provides expert guidance to help people understand how to do what they can for their reproductive health.

Get Moving

Regular moderate exercise has a positive impact on your overall health, and it can also help improve the health of your reproductive system. This is true for both men and women. The key to making regular exercise a habit is to find an activity that you find enjoyable. If you hate jogging, that doesn’t mean you can’t lead an active lifestyle. Try swimming, dancing, or bicycling instead. If you’ve been leading a sedentary lifestyle, talk to your doctor about how to gradually increase your activity level.
While it’s important to include some exercise in your daily routine, over exercising can have the opposite effect. Very strenuous exercise can interfere with ovulation, so work on being physically active, but don’t overdo it.

Work Toward a Healthy Body Weight

Being either overweight or underweight can have an impact on hormones and fertility in both men and women. In women, when you’re not at a healthy weight, it can be hard to conceive, and if you do get pregnant, you’re at a higher risk of having complications or a miscarriage. Men who aren’t at a healthy body weight are more likely to have lower sperm count and lower semen volume.
If your body mass index is too high or too low it can also impact the effectiveness of some types of fertility treatment such as medication that induces ovulation. Women who lose as little as 5 to 10 percent of their body weight can improve their chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy. Work on choosing nutritious foods and aim to get closer to a healthy body weight.

Kick Bad Habits

Most people know that some habits such as smoking or drinking excessively aren’t healthy but may not stop to think about the impact these habits may have on fertility. Smoking has a negative impact on hormone production. It can weaken sperm production in men and in women, and it can damage ovaries and eggs.
If you’re a smoker, kicking the habit is one of the best things you can do to improve reproductive health naturally. Another thing to consider is the impact alcohol can have on your reproductive health. Drinking excessively can make it more difficult to conceive and can be harmful to your overall health. Work on kicking bad habits like smoking and drinking to help improve reproductive health naturally.
For more tips on how to improve your reproductive health, get in touch with the experts at the Center for Reproductive Health.

Couples who spend months trying to conceive and are repeatedly disappointed often feel frustrated and overwhelmed. A combination of factors can make it difficult to get pregnant, but fortunately, there are treatment options that may improve your chances of getting pregnant. The team at the Center for Reproductive Health understands that the decision to pursue fertility treatment can be nerve-wracking and we offer compassionate support throughout the process. One of the most common questions we are asked is “How long does fertility treatment take?”

Initial Consultation

When you decide to pursue fertility treatment, the first thing that will happen is an initial consultation. At the consultation, the medical history of both partners is reviewed and tests or procedures may be scheduled to help identify factors that could be affecting your ability to conceive. Tests that may be scheduled include blood work, an ultrasound, semen analysis, or a uterine evaluation.
Options for fertility treatment are discussed. The total time needed for fertility treatment can vary depending on what’s causing fertility issues. Medication may be used to stimulate ovulation. If your uterus has any abnormalities such as endometriosis, fibroids, or ovarian cysts, surgery may be recommended to correct the abnormality before moving forward with fertility treatment.

In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common form of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). There is a series of steps involved in IVF that takes about six to eight weeks from the time you have your consultation to the time the eggs are implanted. The total time needed can vary from one patient to the next.
Once lab tests have been completed and have provided a clearer picture, you may begin fertility medication. The ovaries may be stimulated with injectable hormones. This is typically done over a seven to nine-day period. After this time has passed, eggs within follicles are triggered to mature and are harvested during a minor surgical procedure. Eggs are then mixed with sperm and cultured for three to five days as they develop into embryos, and one or more embryos are implanted into the uterus.
The number of embryos implanted depends on your age and your preference. If there are problems with your own eggs, donor eggs, sperm or embryos can be implanted. Your doctor may recommend progesterone supplements to make the lining of your uterus better prepared for implantation.
Approximately twelve days after the egg is implanted, a pregnancy test is done. If it’s positive, it’s repeated a week later. If the second test is also positive, an ultrasound is scheduled. More than one cycle of IVF may be needed to achieve pregnancy.

Does Fertility Treatment Always Work?

Not every one that receives fertility treatment ends up with a viable pregnancy. The chances of being successful with IVF treatment depend on several factors including the age of the mother, her reproductive history, and lifestyle factors.
To find out more, contact the caring team at the Center for Reproductive Health. While there can’t be any guarantee that fertility treatment will be successful, we are committed to providing the most advanced treatment options available to help maximize your chances of having a baby.