Prolactin (PRL) is a protein hormone (closely related to human growth
hormone
[/blog/human-growth-hormone-administration-in-ivf-does-it-enhance-eggembryo-quality-and-outcome/])
that is secreted by specialized cells in the anterior part of the
pituitary gland. In addition, the hormone is also produced and
secreted by a broad range of other cells in the body, most prominently
variou…
About 1/3 of infertility is caused by a male factor
[/blog/male-infertility/], one third by a female factor and another
third is due to a combination of both male and female factors. Thus,
in more than 50% of cases, a male factor causes or contributes to the
problem. Today, with very few exceptions, in the case of moderate or
severe male infertility (unless it can be reversed medically or
surgically) in vitro fertilization (IVF) with
Diagnosing and Treating Male Factor Infertility Read More »
The objective with In Vitro Fertilization is to consistently transfer
competent embryos into a receptive uterine environment. This requires
a very individualized and meticulous approach to evaluating and
addressing those factors that can influence IVF outcome
[/blog/fundamental-requirements-achieving-optimal-ivf-success/]: All
patients/couples should learn what they can reasonably expect before
committ…
The IVF Journey: The importance of “Planning the Trip” Before “Taking the Ride” Read More »
Hi Dr Sher, I’m 42 years of age. Until very recently, I knew nothing
about IVF, and I now find myself in a scramble to optimize my chances
with it. Despite a lifelong dream of having a healthy baby and happy
family, it has taken me this long to find a great man/dad I can
believe in for my unborn kids, so prior, I always used protection and
never tried to get pregnant. Since my mom got pregnant naturally at
40, I grew up thinking that was normal-or at least normal for my
family. And, I …
Vaginal bleeding occurs in about 25% of all pregnancies. When it
happens, it almost invariably raises the concern of pregnancy loss
(miscarriage) [/blog/recurrent-pregnancy-loss-rpl/]. Bleeding can also
be a sign of a tubal ( [/blog/ectopic-tubal-pregnancy-ivf/]ectopic)
pregnancy…
First Trimester Bleeding: How serious is it? Read More »
Until less than a decade ago, most women undergoing IVF would have
their embryos transferred to the uterus in the same cycle that the egg
retrieval was performed (“Fresh” Embryo Transfer). This was
because embryo cryopreservation (freezing)
[/path-to-parenthood/egg-freezing/]was a hazardous undertaking. In
fact it resulted in about 30% not surviving the freezing process and
those that did, having about one half the pot…
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) versus “Fresh” ET: How to Make the Decision Read More »
The Sampson Theory for the pathogenesis of endometriosis
[/blog/endometriosis-and-ivf/] is the oldest, but remains the most
widely popular and accepted hypothesis. It is based on observations
made as early as in 1938, that that endometriotic implants in the
pelvis arise from retrograde (reversed) menstruation of endometrial
tissue through the fallopian tubes. The finding that women with
endometriosis have larger volumes of retrograde material…
The Sampson Theory Read More »
Antisperm antibodies (ASA) are immunoglobulins that attach to sperm.
They are most commonly encountered in semen, blood, cervical mucous
and follicular fluid. Not all ASA bind to sperm; however, those that
do so can inhibit fertilization. The current methods of detecting
the presence of SAs in blood, in the seminal plasma of the ejaculate
or in the cervical mucus only measure those immunoglobulins that bind
to sperm components. ASAs are related to the …
Fibroids or leiomyomas are non-malignant muscle tumors that grow in
the uterine wall. They can be found in about one out of every five
(1:5) women >30Y of age. Fibroids are far more prevalent in African
Americans and women and less frequent in other ethnic groups (i.e.
Caucasians and Asians). Fibroids, enlarge and/or distort uterine
configuration. They can produce symptoms such as heavy, painful and
prolonged menstrua…
Uterine Fibroids and Fertility Read More »
The majority of IVF patients intuitively recognize that the more
embryos transferred the greater will be the chance of their getting
pregnant. However in their preoccupation with conceiving as quickly as
possible they often tend to ignore the serious and sometimes
life-endangering risks to both mothers and children associated with of
multiple pregnancies (particularly with triplet pregnancies of
greater) that are far more likely to occur when multiple embr…
IVF: How do you decide how many embryos to transfer? Read More »
