What’s the role of endometrial thickness in getting pregnant?
The endometrium, the uterus’ inner lining, varies in thickness throughout the different phases of the menstrual cycle. Endometrial thickness directly impacts embryo implantation. After an egg is fertilized, the developing embryo travels down the Fallopian tube to the uterus where it needs to implant. An optimal thickness of the uterine lining is preferable for successful […]
The Impact of Sexual Transmitted Infections on Fertility
A growing concern is the rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the US within the last year. Preliminary data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reveal 2.5 million reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in 2021 “with no signs of slowing”. Experts state that the spike in STIs over the last couple […]
Endometriosis vs. PCOS
Endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are a couple of conditions that can impact female fertility and make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant. Affecting over 10% of reproductive-age females in America, endometriosis occurs when tissue that is normally found in the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. Similarly, about 10% of […]
Why choose a double board-certified female fertility specialist?
Obtaining a subspecialty board certification in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) is the gold standard for a female fertility specialist. Why is the gold standard important for patients seeking female fertility care? A board-certified REI means that patients are working with a doctor who is not only board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) but also […]
Q&A: Gold Standard in Female Infertility Evaluation
Female fertility specialist, Dr. Dan Lebovic answers the question, “Is there a gold standard in female infertility evaluation?” The gold standard evaluation for female infertility may need to be tailored depending on the patient’s potential cause of infertility but if there is no known issue readily apparent then specific tests are most certainly warranted. The […]
AFRM’s medical and laboratory team co-author the original research article, “The effects of hysteroscopic morcellation of endometrial polyps on frozen embryo transfer outcomes”, in collaboration with the Institute for Social Research at University of Michigan, in the journal European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.
“Our article specifically looked at whether or not hysteroscopic removal of endometrial polyps by means of a technique known as morcellation affected subsequent first frozen embryo transfer outcomes when compared with those who did not have endometrial polyps and had first frozen embryo transfers. There were no differences in implantation rates, clinical pregnancy rates, miscarriage […]
AFRM and UofSC collaboratively present two research projects at the ASRM meeting
The medical and embryology teams at Austin Fertility & Reproductive Medicine/Westlake IVF, in a collaborative study with the Department of Biomedical Sciences at The University of South Carolina Greenville, presented two research projects at the 76th annual American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) meeting in Baltimore on October 19th, 2021. Blastocyst fluid-conditioned media (BFCM) is […]
Pregnancy After the Pill
Women looking to get pregnant after taking birth control pills often wonder how long it will take. Although most women get pregnant within six months after stopping the pill, the answer depends on several factors including age, weight, overall health, and length of time on the pill. Pregnancy rates tend to decline in women after […]
Causes and Treatments for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Recurrent pregnancy loss, or RPL, is defined by 2 or more miscarriages before the pregnancy progresses past the 20th week. The losses can be biochemical or clinical losses to be considered as recurrent pregnancy losses. Different Types of Pregnancy Loss A clinical pregnancy loss is one where the pregnancy has been diagnosed […]
September is PCOS Awareness Month
September is PCOS Awareness Month. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder leading to enlarged ovaries with numerous small cysts. This disorder can cause serious health issues in women and girls such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, endometrial cancer, and female infertility. Austin female fertility specialist and a leading PCOS expert, Dr. […]