What are my chances of getting pregnant?
There are many factors, which influence the success of fertility treatments, and this question is best answered when your personal circumstances are evaluated by an expert. Our specialists have many years of experience treating infertility. They will review your history and discuss the best plan of treatment for you and what your chances of pregnancy may be.
Can I have some monitoring done locally?
Yes, in many cases. We have many patients from out-of-town and can arrange to have some of the monitoring done closer to the patient’s home. We work with several labs outside of Rochester, which meet our quality control standards and provide results comparable to ours. We typically work with couples from Rochester, the FingerLakes region, northern and central New York including Watertown and Syracuse, western New York, New York’s Southern Tier and northern Pennsylvania.
How quickly can I get started?
The first step in an IVF cycle is an initial group information session, which is held once a month and is followed by a consultation with one of our doctors. Depending on your availability this can usually be arranged within six to eight weeks of calling our office. We will review step-by-step what is involved in an IVF cycle. A financial representative will discuss insurance and billing issues with you. The male partner will be scheduled to provide a semen sample during that visit. Certain lab tests are also required and the results must be available before an IVF cycle can be started. Scheduling an initial consultation with one of our specialists can take two to three months. During this visit you and the doctor will review your past medical history and discuss your future treatment. A plan for treatment will be developed and one of our fertility nurse specialists will sit with you to review all the necessary forms, consents, prescriptions, etc. that you will need to complete your cycle. You will be given a treatment binder to refer to during your treatment.
How important is the woman’s age?
A woman’s age is a very important factor. The closer a woman is to 40, the less the chances are of getting pregnant. For women over 40, the chances are very low. Our program does not accept women over 42 for IVF without involving an egg donor because we have not had a pregnancy occur in a woman over that age using her own oocytes.
How is your program different from others?
We strive to provide personal attention to our patients. Our program was established in 1984 and our staff is all very experienced and has worked in this field for many years. We are always striving to be on the leading edge of infertility knowledge and treatment and believe this benefits our patients. In addition, our affiliation with University of Rochester Medical Center and Strong Memorial Hospital keep us on the leading edge of infertility treatments and technology.
What are the risks of multiple births with infertility drugs?
Media and public fascination with multiples has unfortunately reinforced a misperception that multiple births of a high magnitude are a regular result of infertility treatment. However, less than 6 percent of births related to ART have involved the birth of three or more babies, according to a study published by the centers of Disease Control and prevention’s Division of Reproductive medicine.
Can anything be done to minimize the risk of multiple births?
Yes. Careful monitoring of ovulation induction (to address excessive egg production) and transfer of appropriate numbers of fertilized eggs in ART procedures can minimize the risk of multiple births. Patients should be advised to seek care from qualified fertility specialists. Of course, patient education and understanding of treatment options and risks are also critical components of an effective multiple-birth minimization strategy.
Which partner is more likely to be infertile?
Approximately 40 percent of infertility cases are attributable to male factors, and 40 percent to factors that affect women. In about 10 percent of cases, infertility is caused by combination of factors in both partners. Approximately 10 percent of couples are diagnosed with “unexplained infertility” because no specific cause can be identified. The most common cause of female infertility is anovulation, which is brought about by irregularities in the hormones needed to produce and release healthy eggs. Another common cause of female infertility is blocked fallopian tubes, a condition that can result from pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. Studies have shown infertility rates increase in women older than 35.
Male infertility may be caused by a number of factors, including problems with sperm production, sperm delivery system, injury to the testicles, problems related to hormone production, anatomical problems or the presence of varicose vein in the testicle (varicocele) — all of which may affect sperm quality and quantity. Past illnesses, infections, various diseases and medications can also cause infertility.