Ask Our Doctors

Supporting Your Journey

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.

  • Dear Patients,

    I created this forum to welcome any questions you have on the topic of infertility, IVF, conception, testing, evaluation, or any related topics. I do my best to answer all questions in less than 24 hours. I know your question is important and, in many cases, I will answer within just a few hours. Thank you for taking the time to trust me with your concern.

    – Geoffrey Sher, MD

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IVF pregnancy age limit?

Name: Beth R

Dear Dr. Sher,
I’d like to know if you have an age limit for assisting a post-menopausal woman to get pregnant with IVF? 50, 55, 60, 65 .. ?
Thank you,
~Beth

Author

Answer:

Our cut off using own eggs is 47y. In my opinion doing IVF with own eggs over 43y is not wise. However, there is no definitive cut-off when donor eggs are used. I believe this very much depends on the health of the individual patient.

Geoff Sher

____________________________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

I am attaching online links to two E-books which I recently  co-authored with  my partner at SFS-NY  (Drew Tortoriello MD)……. for your reading pleasure:

1.From In Vitro Fertilization to Family: A Journey with Sher Fertility Solutions (SFS) “

https://sherfertilitysolutions.com/sher-fertility-solutions-ebook.pdf

  1. “Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Unexplained IVF Failure: The Immunologic Link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iYKz-EkAjMqwMa1ZcufIloRdxnAfDH8L/view

………………………………………………………………..

 

 

Plan for a Receptiva

Name: Gemma W

Hi I’m currently under the care of a Boston clinic (reside in Bermuda). I am considering transferring clinics and location but have one remaining embryo to transfer. Before doing so I would like a receptiva test carrying out for endometriosis.

Is it possible to have this done at the clinic albeit I am not yet a patient. If the transfer is unsuccessful, also to discuss the options with this clinic with respect to a further egg retrieval.

Please let me know next steps and soonest availability for a receptiva as appropriate

Many thanks
Gemma

1 441 704 2214

Author

Answer:

It should not present a problem, in my opinion.

Geoff Sher

______________________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

I am attaching online links to two E-books which I recently  co-authored with  my partner at SFS-NY  (Drew Tortoriello MD)……. for your reading pleasure:

1.From In Vitro Fertilization to Family: A Journey with Sher Fertility Solutions (SFS) “

https://sherfertilitysolutions.com/sher-fertility-solutions-ebook.pdf

  1. “Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Unexplained IVF Failure: The Immunologic Link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iYKz-EkAjMqwMa1ZcufIloRdxnAfDH8L/view

………………………………………………………………..

 

Pregnitude reviews

Name: Julie A

Hello, is the dietary supplement Pregnitude a good supplement to take to help conceive? It contains Folic acid 200mg and mayo-inositol 2000mg. Thank you.

Author

Answer:

Yes! It is a good supplement in my opinion.

GS

The Role of Nutritional Supplements in Preparing for IVF

Geoffrey Sher MD

It is important to nurture and take care of yourself mentally and physically when preparing and going through your IVF journey. This starts with trying to have a positive attitude about what you are about to go through, creating a stress support system for yourself by using tools such as visualization, acupuncture and meditation, eating the right foods taking a few supplements (see below) and balancing exercise with sufficient rest. Not only will it help your experience but it may also help to increase your chances for IVF success

This article will focus on the role of nutritional supplements in preparing for IVF. You’ve probably wondered whether commercially available fertility supplements could help you achieve your goal. The answer is complex.

Here is my take: Nutrition is indeed a vital prerequisite for optimal reproductive function. However, a well-balanced diet that meets food preferences, coupled with modest vitamin, mineral and antioxidant supplementation (as can be found in many prenatal vitamin preparations) should suffice.

This having been said, conceiving is a delicate process, and eating the right foods is essential to optimize reproductive potential. Indeed, a balanced diet (i.e. a lot of organic and brightly colored foods) will provide most of the nutrients you need. But the truth is that most people do not have a balanced diet and are unwittingly often deficient in important nutrients.

A balanced diet is one that is rich in good quality protein, low in sugar, salt, caffeine and industrially created trans-fats (trans-fatty acids or partially hydrogenated oils) and soy, uncontaminated by heavy metals, free of nicotine, alcohol and recreational drugs. This is why routine supplementation with the following nutrients could enhance preconception readiness:

  • Folic acid (400 micrograms daily)
  • Vitamins D-3 1,000U daily; Vitamin A (2565 IU daily); B3/Niacin (250mg daily); B6 (6mg -10 mg daily); B12 (12-20 mcg per day); C- (2,000 mg a day for both men and women); E (both sexes should get 150-200U daily); Vitamin D3 (2000U daily)
  • Co-enzyme Q10 (400-600mg daily )
  • Amino acids such as L-Carnitine (3 grams daily) and L-arginine (1 gram per day )
  • Omega 3 fatty acids (2,000mg per day)
  • Minerals, mainly zinc (15mg per day); selenium (70-100mcg per day); iron (up to 20mg per day ); magnesium (400mg per day )

There are likely to be significant reproductive health benefits (including enhanced fertility and intrauterine development) associated with the use of nutritional supplements. However, there are also certain potential pitfalls associated with their use. Some supplements are not as safe as they would seem. For example, excessive intake of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) can even be dangerous to your health and may be associated with fetal malformations.

Additionally, numerous supplements have been found to contain contaminants such as toxic plant materials, heavy metals and even prescription medications that can compromise fetal development. Prior to the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, supplements (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and botanicals) were required to demonstrate safety. However, since passage of “the Act”, they are now presumed to be safe until shown otherwise, thus establishing a rather hazardous situation where a typical prenatal vitamin that will provide sufficient vitamins and minerals for a healthy early pregnancy and potentially dangerous supplements can and are being sold in the same store without product liability.

What about the use of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)? DHEA is a male hormone supplement that is metabolized to androstenedione and testosterone in the ovaries. While a small amount of ovarian testosterone is needed for optimal follicle and egg development, too much testosterone could be decidedly harmful. DHEA supplements probably won’t do harm if taken by healthy young women who have normal ovarian reserve, but they probably would not derive any benefit either. However, in my opinion, DHEA supplementation could be potentially harmful when taken by women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and older women in their 40’s as such women often already tend to have increased LH-activity, leading to increased ovarian testosterone. Additional ovarian testosterone in such women, could thus potentially compromise follicle development and egg quality/competency.

In summary, maximizing reproductive performance and optimizing outcome following fertility treatment requires a combined strategy involving a balanced diet (rich in protein, low in sugars, soy and trans-fats), modest nutritional supplementation, limiting/avoiding foods and contaminants that can compromise reproductive potential, and adopting disciplined lifestyle modification such as not smoking, reducing stress, minimizing alcohol intake, avoiding nicotine and recreational drug consumption, and getting down to a healthy weight through diet and exercise.

_____________________________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

I am attaching online links to two E-books, which I recently co-authored with my partner at SFS-NY (Drew Tortoriello MD) for your reading pleasure:

1. “From In Vitro Fertilization to Family: A Journey with Sher Fertility Solutions (SFS)“

https://sherfertilitysolutions.com/sher-fertility-solutions-ebook.pdf

2. “Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Unexplained IVF Failure: The Immunologic Link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iYKz-EkAjMqwMa1ZcufIloRdxnAfDH8L/view

 

 

Low AFC in IVF cycle after BCP vs IUI

Name: Sophie J

Hi Dr Sher, I’ve done 5 IUIs before and my AFC has varied between 13 and 18.
I’m now doing IVF. After 13 days of taking BCP, my ultrasound only showed 9 follicles and I was asked to start stims.
Is this change in AFC normal?
After the 5th IUI, I took a month’s break from treatment but my cycle lasted 45 days and I only got a period after taking Provera.
I’m worried. Should I cancel this IVF cycle?

Author

Answer:

I would not take this AFC count as an accurate indication of how many follicles you might end up with. I suspect that with stimulation there will likely be more.

Good luck!

Geoff Sher

______________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

I am attaching online links to two E-books which I recently  co-authored with  my partner at SFS-NY  (Drew Tortoriello MD)……. for your reading pleasure:

1.From In Vitro Fertilization to Family: A Journey with Sher Fertility Solutions (SFS) “

https://sherfertilitysolutions.com/sher-fertility-solutions-ebook.pdf

  1. “Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Unexplained IVF Failure: The Immunologic Link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iYKz-EkAjMqwMa1ZcufIloRdxnAfDH8L/view

………………………………………………………………..

 

Beta HCG

Name: Rene S

Hi

I did FET on December 30 2022 after 12 days post transfer Beta is 150. Is my pregnancy viable?

Author

Answer:

You need to repeat the hCG in 2 days. If it doubles or better, it is likely a viable implantation.

Good luck!

 

Geoff Sher

Beta hcg

Name: Maria S

My beta hcg is 5000 and it’s around 6th week
I got my scan on 27th of dec in the scan it was showing 4 weeks
Its 11 jan today and my beta hcg levels are 5311.13
The beta hcg levels on 24th dec were 1942
Is my pregnancy viable?
Regards
Thankyou

Author

Answer:

My hunch is that all will turn out fine!. Wait  10 days and repeat the US.

Good luck!

Geoff Sher

 

 

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