Fertility is a very unique area of medicine, and with this concept comes a lot of questions. We’ve written an article that answers some FAQ’s about North Houston IVF, which you can read here. This time, we are answering a few more FAQ’s that may come to mind if you are interested in learning more about North Houston IVF from our Kingwood and The Woodlands fertility clinics.
Do IVF Injections Hurt a Lot?
We understand that the idea of giving yourself an IVF hormone injection every single day may be rather daunting, but they are a necessary component of North Houston IVF treatment. That said, the injections we utilize are designed to minimize discomfort and maximize ease of use. If we recommend HART IVF to you, our team of fertility specialists will provide you with instructions that are easy to follow as you begin the injection process, and we’ll also provide support that lifts you up and encourages you the entire time.
Don’t Fertility Hormones Cause Cancer and Other Illnesses?
A long time ago, it was suspected that there was a link between fertility hormone medication and ovarian cancer, which has lead to many of our Kingwood IVF and The Woodlands IVF patients to be a bit wary about fertility treatments. However, after much research has been done, it has been found that there is no link between fertility hormone medication and ovarian cancer.
Is There Any Pain or Discomfort During Egg Retrieval?
There is no pain during egg retrieval since we use an anesthetic. This is a very minor procedure in which we use an ultrasound probe with a needle attached to it. The needle goes through to the ovaries and punctures each egg follicle, allowing us to remove the eggs. Because of the anesthesia, you feel absolutely nothing. However, once the procedure is over, you may feel a little cramping, but that can be treated with medication.
Visit Our North Houston IVF Specialists in The Woodlands and Kingwood
When determining which fertility treatment is best, your doctor will start by getting some tests done. If IVF is then recommended to you, please request an appointment with our North Houston fertility specialists so we can further discuss any concerns and questions you may have about IVF treatment. We look forward to supporting and joining you in your fertility journey.
The quality of an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) laboratory is crucial for a successful outcome when you are undergoing fertility treatment. One of the indicators for quality is the embryo quality determined by genetic testing. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT, formerly known as PGS) which identifies which embryos have a total of 46 normal chromosomes, known as embryo euploidy, has become one of the standard techniques. PGT helps us determine which embryo has the best potential to achieve implantation and pregnancy.
Most of HART’s IVF patients choose to have this genetic testing for their embryos, which we do in conjunction with one of the largest genetic testing (PGT) laboratories in the world. The HART Fertility Clinic is proud to announce that our genetically normal embryo rates, for all age groups, exceeded the national average for all US IVF centers who utilize the same PGT laboratory in the first quarter of 2020.
Clinical investigations show that IVF laboratory conditions may affect the genetic makeup of the embryos. Therefore, better IVF culture conditions lead to better outcomes. Better culture conditions are essential for all patients to be able to get the most out of their eggs but are crucial for women with low ovarian reserve.
HART’s high genetically normal embryo (Euploidy) rates further enhance our patients’ chances to achieve their dreams of having a baby. Please contact us to learn more.
*Egg Donor
**National average for all IVF centers that utilize the same PGT laboratory in the US
Today, using a sperm donor to conceive and give birth to a healthy baby is a very popular option for same-sex couples, single women, and couples who are having a hard time getting pregnant because they are facing male infertility. Although there is some hesitation around using donated sperm as part of your Houston fertility treatment, here is how you can ensure the sperm donor you pick is right for you and your partner.
Use an FDA-Approved Sperm Bank
Our fertility and IVF specialists in Kingwood and The Woodlands will point you to an FDA-approved sperm bank. There are many sperm banks out there, but not all of them are FDA-approved, which is crucial because this ensures all the necessary legalities are in place and that the sperm is also properly stored and retrieved.
Use a Matching Tool
A lot of FDA-approved sperm banks offer a matching tool that allows couples to learn about each donor’s age, race/ethnicity, health, and even career, as well as other details. This tool helps couples choose a donor that has features similar to those of the intended father.
Your Donor’s Personality Also Matters
Most FDA-certified sperm banks will take the time to get to know each donor so that you can also factor in their personality. This may include information on temperament, sense of humor, likes and dislikes, and life experiences that made them the way they are today. By factoring in the donor’s personality, you can ensure you pick someone that meets your needs and what you wish your child to be like as a person. Often times, you may find traits the intended father also has. If you already know what traits you wish for your future child to have, this will make your search a bit more specific, which will aid in the entire process of finding a fantastic sperm donor.
Our North Houston Fertility Doctors in Kingwood and The Woodlands Will Guide and Support You in Your Fertility Journey
Your fertility journey is deeply personal, but that doesn’t mean you should go it alone or just with your partner. At HART Fertility Clinic, we not only want to educate you, but we also want to support you the entire time and help make this a positive experience for you. If you are considering using a sperm donor prior to Houston IVF or IUI, please request an appointment so we can learn more about you and your needs.
In our previous blog post about the causes of infertility, we explained that it is estimated that 30-50% of couples are struggling to get pregnant due to male infertility. In other cases, though, both the man and the woman are struggling with infertility. In both scenarios, using a sperm donor is a viable option to get pregnant and deliver a healthy baby. Here is how sperm donation works and whether it might be right for you.
The Process of Using Donor Sperm to Overcome Infertility
Fertility Testing
Before undergoing any treatment at our North Houston fertility clinic in The Woodlands and Kingwood, couples should undergo fertility testing. This will tell you, your physician, and our team what is causing your infertility, and if infertility is, in fact, the reason why you and your partner are struggling to conceive. Whether you should consider sperm donation or other fertility treatments will depend on what the results show.
Look Into a Sperm Bank
If sperm donation does turn out to be a good option for you and your partner, our fertility doctors will help you locate FDA-approved sperm banks. Through this sperm bank, you will pick an anonymous donor from a book, which will give you information on appearance and other details.
Egg Fertilization
Once you’ve taken the time to select a sperm donor, we will proceed with fertilizing the woman’s egg, but don’t worry–the sperm is thoroughly washed so as to prevent infection.
How we go about fertilizing will vary. For example, if you choose IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), our fertility specialists will inject the semen directly into the uterus. If, on the other hand, you choose North Houston IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), then we will fertilize the egg outside of the body with the semen. This may be done in the even that sperm has a hard time reaching the egg because of female infertility. Once it becomes an embryo and reaches the day 5 (blastocyst) embryo stage, we will implant it in the woman’s body.
HART Fertility Clinic in The Woodlands and Kingwood Will Offer Support, Guidance, and Education
Our North Houston fertility specialists take pride in helping couples conceive and deliver healthy babies. If you are considering using a sperm donor for IVF or IUI, then please request an appointment so we can get started with fertility testing and deciding on a viable treatment plan. We look forward to supporting you and guiding you the entire way.
Infertility, though most commonly associated with women, can also occur in men. In fact, it is estimated that 30-50% of couples experiencing infertility are doing so because of male infertility. However, this does not mean that either partner is to blame. In fact, when experiencing infertility, being united as a couple is crucial and the best way to surpass it. Here are some possible causes of infertility in couples.
Causes of Infertility in Men
Men may experience a low sperm count, which is considered less than 15 million. Poor sperm mobility is another cause of infertility, which means the sperm have a hard time getting to the egg. A third cause is abnormal sperm shape, as incorrectly shaped sperm also struggles to reach the egg. Abnormal semen, which is the fluid that helps transport the sperm to the egg, would also result in his sperm ineffectively reaching the egg.
Now, what causes abnormal sperm and semen? There are many possibilities, such as a medical condition, hormonal imbalance, disorders, and even genetic factors. For example, men should have an X chromosome and a Y chromosome, but in the case of Klinefelter’s Syndrome, which occurs in men with two X chromosomes and a Y chromosome, he will have low testosterone count and sperm count. In some cases, they may produce no sperm. Radiation therapy, anemia, diabetes, excessive consumption of alcohol, mental stress, and Cushing’s Syndrome may also cause male infertility.
Causes of Infertility in Women
Infertility in women is often caused by issues with ovulation, fallopian tubes, the uterus, or the cervix. If the uterus or fallopian tubes are facing some type of damage, then the egg will have a hard time traveling from the ovary to the uterus.
What can cause these problems, though? Much like with male infertility, there are plenty of possibilities. Some causes include premature ovarian failure and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which may cause ovulation to not occur at all. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, anemia, thyroid problems, eating disorders, and mental stress may also cause female infertility. Yet another common cause of infertility is endometriosis, a condition in which cells that are supposed to be in the lining of the uterus grow somewhere else.
Treatments for Infertility at our North Houston Fertility Clinic
The many different causes of infertility may seem worrisome, but the good news is that there are plenty of treatments and alternatives for both men and women. At HART Fertility in The Woodlands and Kingwood, we offer IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization), but our fertility specialists also offer IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), and more to help couples conceive and give birth to a healthy baby. If you would like to learn more about fertility treatments, then please request an appointment with our fertility doctors at our Kingwood fertility clinic or our fertility clinic in The Woodlands. First, we will have you undergo fertility testing so that our doctors get a better understanding of what’s causing your infertility. This also helps us determine if you would best benefit from IVF or other treatments.
