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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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Dr. Geoffrey Sher

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Early Pregnancy & hCG Sep 28, 2023

HCG Levels

On 9/22 I had an HCG test done and my numbers were 8,221.0 and then I got my HCG test done again on 9/27 and the numbers were 11,225.0. Are the numbers rising at a good pace? — Madyson R.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

At this stage of pregnancy, the levels do not rise as fast as earlier on. I think this is perfectly acceptable.../However an US done in 1-2 weeks should be definitive! Good luck! Geoff Sher TIMING AND INTERPRETATION OF hCG BLOOD PREGNANCY TESTS Geoffrey Sher MD Going through IVF…
Egg Health & Ovarian Reserve Sep 27, 2023

HGH

Hi Dr. Sher, I’m wondering what your opinion is on using HGH specifically for egg QUALITY (not quantity). I’m turning 44 in a week and although my reserve seems to be fine, it’s the quality that I’m attempting to help.… — Bree M.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

IVF and the use of Supplementary Human Growth Hormone (HGH) : Is it Worth Trying and who needs it? Geoffrey Sher MD Older women and those who have diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) have greater difficulty in conceiving naturally or through assisted reproductive technology (ART). This is largely due…
Embryos & Genetic Testing Sep 27, 2023

Accuracy of Quad Screening

We are 20 weeks and have our anatomy scan next week. Very anxious! Day 5 4AA euploid embryo. Quad screen levels all looked perfect at 16 weeks. Is it safe to relax now? Does a tested high-quality embryo with a… — Mary P.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

I would all-but stop worrying at this stage`. Geoff Sher PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH OTHERS AND HELP SPREAD THE WORD!! Herewith are online links to 2 E-books recently co-authored with my partner at SFS-NY (Drew Tortoriello MD)....... for your reading pleasure: From In Vitro Fertilization to Family: A…
Ovarian Stimulation & OHSS Sep 27, 2023

BCP initiated IVF

Hi Dr. Sher, At what stage of the menstrual cycle do you recommend starting the birth control pill, prior to initiating ivf stimulation protocol? Thank you for your help. Regards, RACHEL — Rachel L.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

Within the 1st week of the period starting. One often hears the expressed opinion that the BCP suppresses response to ovarian stimulation. This is not the case, provided that the BCP is overlapped with administration of an agonist (e.g. Lupron, Buserelin, Superfact) for several days leading up to…
Early Pregnancy & hCG Sep 26, 2023

LMWH injection

Dear dr. Sher! I have a question about Clexane. I'm 17 weeks pregnant, I've been injecting 0.4 clexane since the beginning, I started at about 67 kg and gained about 3 kg so far. I am on immune therapy due… — Timi G.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

In my opinion, in the absence oft certain thrombophilias, or a history of thromboembolism, heparin therapy for suspected immunologic implantation dysfunction (IID) s rarely required beyond the 10th week. In the world of assisted reproduction, when IVF fails repeatedly or without explanation, it's often assumed that poor embryo…
Early Pregnancy & hCG Sep 26, 2023

Cómo puedo conseguir quedar embarazada

Cómo puedo lograr quedarme embarazada — Eleuteria E.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

Please re-post in English! Geoff Sher PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH OTHERS AND HELP SPREAD THE WORD!! Herewith are online links to 2 E-books recently co-authored with my partner at SFS-NY (Drew Tortoriello MD)....... for your reading pleasure: From In Vitro Fertilization to Family: A Journey with Sher Fertility…
Ovarian Stimulation & OHSS Sep 25, 2023

Why is Lupron decreased

Hi there, I was wondering why you decrease the dosage of Lupron once the Estrogen begins? I struggle with a thin endometrium lining and was reading your protocol for FET. I was wondering if the reason why my lining may… — Tracy W.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

Frankly , little to no Lupron is needed once the estrogen therapy begins. A thin uterine lining can have numerous causes. Back in 1989, I conducted a study that examined how the thickness of a woman's uterine lining, known as the endometrium, affected the successful implantation of embryos…
Third-Party Reproduction Sep 25, 2023

Hello

Dear Dr. T, When is one directed towards the surrogacy option? Thank you. — Y M.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

IVF surrogacy involves the transfer of one or more embryos into the uterus of a surrogate, who provides a host womb and carries the baby to term, but does not contribute genetically to the baby. Typically, the intended mother provides the eggs and her partner (the intended father)…
Immunology & Implantation Sep 25, 2023

Reproductive Immunology/RPL

Hi there, I just turned 42 w an AMH of 1.33-1.71 and have been undergoing IVF treatments for over three years with some success - I was pregnant twice, both unviable and resulting in two D&Cs. This is in addition… — Shian T.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

In the world of assisted reproduction, when IVF fails repeatedly or without explanation, it's often assumed that poor embryo quality is the main culprit. However, this view oversimplifies the situation. The process of embryo implantation, which begins about six or seven days after fertilization, involves a complex interaction…
Embryos & Genetic Testing Sep 25, 2023

IVF protocol

My name is Polona, I'm 50 and I've done four IVF cycles, all in North Cyprus, two of them when I was 48 and two of them at 50, for the last one I changed clinics. I’m planning to do… — Polona B.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

Dear Polona, I cannot in good faith support a decision to do IVF with own eggs at 50y of age. The chance of success is virtually zero, regardless of ovarian reserve. You should exclusively be focused on egg donation. Understanding the impact of age and ovarian reserve on…
Embryos & Genetic Testing Sep 25, 2023

What is left to try?

Hello, I’m at 38 year old, female with low ovarian reserve and type 1 diabetes. My partner has male infertility, requiring tese. We had a successful IVF pregnancy with a day 3 embryo in 2018. For the last two years… — Alexa A.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

We need to talk. Whenever a patient fails to achieve a viable pregnancy following embryo transfer (ET), the first question asked is why! Was it simply due to, bad luck?, How likely is the failure to recur in future attempts and what can be done differently, to avoid…
Uterine & Endometrial Health Sep 25, 2023

Lining 1 week prior to transfer

Hello I’m concerned because my ultrasound yesterday 9-22 had my lining at 6.2. My doctor gave me the green light to continue but I’m worried my lining isn’t good enough to go through the transfer and I can’t afford to… — Rachel R.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

Respectfully, I would not do an ET with a lining
Early Pregnancy & hCG Sep 23, 2023

Pregnancy

Recently I have found out that I'm pregnant. My hcg level was 702 5 days ago. And It is 872 today. Is it normal or is baby developing too slowly. — Maria T.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

This is a very attenuated rise. Sadly , it looks as if this pregnancy will likely not be viable. So sorry, TIMING AND INTERPRETATION OF hCG BLOOD PREGNANCY TESTS Geoffrey Sher MD Going through IVF is a major investment, emotionally, physically, and financially, for every patient or couple.…
Hormones & Ovulation Sep 23, 2023

BMI for egg retrieval

Hi there, I am wondering what your opinion is on why so many reproductive endocrinologists tell women with high BMIs that they cannot do IVF (or sometimes even IUI?) I have a BMI of about 55 but have had a… — Cailey S.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

I am not tat concerned about the ER. I am more concerned about technical problems in performing ET and the effect of a high BMI on pregnancy! Geoff Sher Herewith are online links to 2 E-books recently co-authored with my partner at SFS-NY (Drew Tortoriello MD)....... for your…
Clinic & Practice Sep 22, 2023

Referral please

I am 42yrs old.Have 1 daughter 19yrs.Finished round 1 of ivf treatment,got 2follicles measuring 20mm 1 in each ovary.During retrieval was informed that the follicles were empty.I live in Kenya,Can you please refer me to a Doctor in Kenya you… — Susan I.

Dr. Geoffrey Sher answered

Sorry, I do not have any names to give you of doctors in Kenya. See the article below about "Empty Follicle Syndrome". Implications of “Empty Follicle Syndrome and “Premature Luteinization” Geoffrey Sher Frequently, when following vigorous and often repeated flushing of follicles at egg retrieval they fail to…

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.

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