FAQ

The treatment is mainly given in three stages.

The first stage is where simple studies are done that are aimed at evaluating three main points:

1. Establish the indication for an In Vitro Fertilization treatment.
2. Establish the ovarian reserve to predict what the response of these protocols of superovulation will be. The couple’s semen will also be evaluated to decide what type of intervention will be needed for this in the laboratory.
3. A Careful evaluation of the condition of the uterus (endometrial cavity) is needed, which is the final destination of the embryos in the last stage of the treatment, thus must be in optimal conditions. For this evaluation, a test called ambulatory hysteroscopy or a contrasted ultrasound with sonohysterography is used. In this first stage its usually completed very quickly in a period of no more than 8 to 10 days.

The second stage involves the stimulation of the ovaries with different protocols until maturity of the oocytes and the extraction of these to be fertilized in the laboratory and the embryos thus obtained, to be transferred to the uterus, this process can take between 15 to 20 days Depending on the protocol used and the individual response of each patient.

The third stage is when the embryos have already been transferred, after a period of 13 days a pregnancy test can be done to confirm that the process worked properly. At this stage the woman should be receiving progesterone to provide an optimal environment in the uterus for the implantation of the embryos.

The odds of success are influenced by diverse factors that can negatively impact the results. These include:

• The patient’s experience with the fertility center and the competence of the scientific team.
• The age of the woman which directly affects the results.
• The cause of infertility. Some causes such as severe male factor and women’s diseases such as endometriosis and uterine abnormalities can impact outcomes. Some lifestyle and environmental circumstances such as smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use as well as exposure to some environmental pollutants can also impact the outcome.

There are different variables that influence this decision such as: age of the woman, technique used for tubal ligation, since some of these techniques completely destroy the function of the tube and to a lesser extent the number of children desired. In young women under 30 years of age with a suitable residual condition of their tubes, it is reasonable to think of a surgery to reanastomize their tubes, which is now done by laparoscopy.

On the other hand, in older women or those with an inadequate state of their fallopian tubes after ligation regardless of age, much better results are obtained with In Vitro Fertilization.

It is very important to take into account the quality of the fertility center, the resumé and the experience of the professionals who work there. You should always ask about the results of that center in cases similar to yours. It is vital that you have a very good communication with the professionals in charge of your case and that all your questions are resolved. You should also ask about the odds of success with the different options so you can choose together with your doctor which is the best alternative.

No. Assisted reproduction does not prevent or predispose or cure hereditary diseases. There are, however, techniques for diagnosing some of the genetic and hereditary diseases in the embryos before they are transferred into the uterus. This is known as the preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). In this way we can know in the laboratory before the transfer in the uterus, which embryos are carriers or suffer from any of the genetic abnormalities that can be detected with this technique.

The major concern of donor and sperm recipient pairs is the process of donor selection, verification of their adequate physical and emotional health status, genetic background, physical appearance (phenotype), their occupation, among others. At our center we follow very strict selection protocols for our donors following the recommendations of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine that guarantee our patients the proper origin and rigorous selection of these donors.

When the technique that is initially selected is correct for the partner’s individual problem, success is usually achieved in the first two or three attempts. The important thing is the proper selection of the technique of reproduction from the beginning, always taking into account the odds of success that each center offers in the different techniques.

The medicines used in assisted reproduction are safe as long as they are used by professionals familiar with the type, the dose, the opportune moment to initiate them and to interrupt them. These hormonal medications are intended to stimulate the ovary to produce ovulation, or to obtain an adequate number of eggs to provide reasonably good results in reproduction techniques. It has not been proven that in the long run they affect the metabolism or cause weight gain. Nor are they associated with a predisposition to develop malignant tumors of the genital tract.