IVF Candidacy: Is In Vitro Fertilization Right for Me?
If you are experiencing trouble conceiving, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be a good option for you. The physicians at The Center for Fertility and Gynecology in Tarzana have years of experience and have achieved excellent results using IVF. During a consultation at our practice, you can learn whether you are a good IVF candidate. Contact our Los Angeles practice today to learn more.
Many couples with infertility issues and lesbian couples are potential candidates for IVF, a process of laboratory-assisted embryo cultivation and implantation. Success rates for IVF have risen significantly because of recent technological advancements in the field. Age is one of the most important factors that influence your individual chances of success using IVF. For women under the age of 36, IVF treatment is associated with success greater than 50% of the time. This is compared to approximately 20% success rate with normal intercourse in couples without fertility issues. As we get older, the success rate with IVF decreases, but still stays above that of natural fertility. Once a woman passes 42 years of age, the chance for success with her own eggs is low.
If you are concerned about potential infertility,contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our board certified Reproductive Endocrinologists/Infertility specialists. We offer evaluation, testing services and provide diagnoses along with options for treatment.
Infertility and IVF
If you are under the age of 35 and have not become pregnant after 6 - 12 months of trying, an evaluation for fertility issues is recommended. For women over 35 years of age, this duration is shortened to 4 - 6 months of trying. IVF is a possible solution to a variety of infertility issues, including blocked fallopian tubes, diminished ovarian reserve, endometriosis, sperm abnormalities, and unexplained infertility.
Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis and Screening
You are certainly a potential candidate for IVF if you or your partner is at increased risk of passing on an inheritable genetic disease. Often, couples are aware of a potential genetic problem and seek help before attempting to conceive. The IVF process can include PGT-M (PGD) so abnormalities can be detected prior to placing an embryo in the uterus. For some patients, PGT-M (PGD) is vastly preferable to other prenatal screening tests that are performed farther along in pregnancy.
PGT-M (PGD) is also a good choice for couples who are interested in selecting the gender of their baby. Although gender selection can decrease the risk of passing on a genetic disease, other personal reasons sometimes drive this decision as well.
Some patients may choose to combine IVF and PGT-M (PGD) to screen their embryos before returning them to the mother’s womb. Using PGT-M (PGD), we are able to examine the genetic content of each embryo and determine if an embryo is genetically normal or not. Further, for women with too few eggs remaining in their ovaries, IVF with egg donation presents an excellent option to have a child.
Multiple Miscarriages
Some couples don’t have trouble conceiving, but struggle with multiple miscarriages. This condition can be especially frustrating and emotionally devastating; fortunately, depending on the cause, it can be treated with a variety of modalities including IVF. If you have experienced more than one pregnancy loss, an evaluation can help determine the cause. In some cases, genetic (DNA) abnormalities are the issue, and IVF combined with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis PGT-M (PGD) can help identify the best embryos for transfer into the womb.
Confronting Infertility with Advanced Treatment
IVF’s success rate means it can be an excellent option for you if you have tried other treatments without becoming pregnant. Most women and couples who have been unable to conceive, either naturally or with previous intervention, are possible IVF candidates at our clinic. We have successfully treated even the most challenging and complex cases and offer a full range of services, including egg freezing. To schedule an appointment, contact the specialists at The Center for Fertility and Gynecology today.
