Defining Surrogacy
By Dr. Joe Massey - Surrogacy is the arrangement by which a woman conceives, carries and delivers a child for another couple or individual. This woman is known as a surrogate mother or a gestational carrier.
[ Read More ] Posted on March 20, 2013New Genetic Causes Of Male Infertility Discovered
By Dr. Joe Massey - Dr. Pastuszac at Baylor College of Medicine has discovered two new genetic causes of infertility. There was one previous gene deletion noted on the Y chromosome.
[ Read More ] Posted on March 4, 2013How Much Rest Is Needed After Embryo Transfer?
By Dr. Joe Massey - It has been debated for years how much rest is needed after embryo transfer. Science has not proven that rest is necessary.
[ Read More ] Posted on March 4, 2013Servy Massey Offers Oocyte Vitrification
By Claire Perez - In February, Dr. Servy and Dr. Massey expanded their services by offering oocyte (unfertilized eggs) vitrification thereby affording women more control over their fertility.
[ Read More ] Posted on February 27, 2013When IVF Does Not Work, Should We Be More Aggressive?
By Dr. Joe Massey - Is it sound practice to replace more embryos in hopes of improving the odds?
[ Read More ] Posted on February 22, 2013Embryo Genetic Testing Isn’t For Everyone, Necessary For Some
By Dr. Joe Massey - While the benefits of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis are well-documented, new research shows that embryos biopsied and tested for chromosomal abnormalities had higher pregnancy rates.
[ Read More ] Posted on February 14, 2013Birds, Bees and Bunnies: The Biology of IVF – Part 3 (Sperm & Embryos)
By Dr. Joe Massey - As the third and final installment of a three-part series, this article discusses the basic biology behind the process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and may be helpful to couples who plan to undergo IVF.
[ Read More ] Posted on February 6, 2013Birds, Bees and Bunnies: The Biology of IVF – Part 2 (Eggs)
By Dr. Joe Massey - As the second installment of a three-part series, this article discusses the basic biology behind the process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and may be helpful to couples who plan to undergo IVF.
[ Read More ] Posted on January 31, 2013Birds, Bees and Bunnies: The Biology of IVF – Part 1
By Dr. Joe Massey - As the first installment of a three-part series, this article discusses the basic biology behind the process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and may be helpful to couples who plan to undergo IVF.
[ Read More ] Posted on January 28, 2013Management of Low or Diminished Ovarian Reserve
By Dr. Joe Massey - Age or low ovarian reserve becomes an adverse factor in the results of any treatment for infertility. This can be most easily observed in IVF, because the results are so well documented.
[ Read More ] Posted on December 26, 2012New Tests of Ovarian Reserve
By Dr. Joe Massey - Inhibin B is an assay of a hormone arising from ovarian follicles. Once promising, this test has fallen by the wayside in favor of the new AMH assay. AMH is another hormone secreted by the group of small [...]
[ Read More ] Posted on December 12, 2012Follicle Stimulating Hormone
By Dr. Joe Massey - The follicle stimulating hormone or FSH is the main pituitary hormone responsible for development of the egg.
[ Read More ] Posted on December 5, 2012Traditional Measures of Ovarian Reserve
By Dr. Joe Massey - About 10% of women have highly accelerated ovarian aging and have menopause 10 years earlier than the norm.
[ Read More ] Posted on November 28, 2012Causes of Low Ovarian Reserve
By Dr. Joe Massey - Genetics are a component of ovarian aging. This is easily illustrated by the common parallels between the age of menopause of a woman and her daughter.
[ Read More ] Posted on November 21, 2012Aging and Fertility
By Dr. Joe Massey - Currently women often delay childbearing until the mid to late thirties. From the point of view of ideal fertility, childbearing is best in the 20’s. To what extent is this common delay an issue for fertility?
[ Read More ] Posted on November 21, 2012Having a Baby at 50+ Using Donor Eggs
Using donor eggs to get pregnant after the age of 50 has been studied with concern for the risks after conception for both mother and baby. The study was from Columbia University, by Mark Sauer and colleagues, who are long [...]
[ Read More ] Posted on October 30, 2012Advanced Paternal Age Risks
The topic of advanced age of the male partner has been reviewed. Although many people see to believe that men seem to continue fertility without regard to their age, there are some worrisome issues related to the mental [...]
[ Read More ] Posted on October 30, 2012Choosing Egg Donors
By Dr. Joe Massey - If you have decided the path of egg donation, the next decision is to choose an egg donor. The most wonderful opportunities arise when a potential recipient has a compassionate donor.
[ Read More ] Posted on September 26, 2012Criteria for Gestational Carriers
By Dr. Joe Massey - When selecting a woman to be a gestational carrier, there are many considerations. These are exceptional women who are willing to make this commitment, and they must pass a number of screening criteria.
[ Read More ] Posted on September 24, 2012Should I Use My Eggs or Donor Eggs?
By Dr. Joe Massey - About ten percent of all the happy babies you see after IVF are from egg donation. This is usually not public information, as it is a private matter. The parents rarely tell friends and often not relatives.
[ Read More ] Posted on September 24, 2012Fertility Preservation Options After a Cancer Diagnosis
By Sarah Quinn - Being diagnosed with cancer can be frightening and will bring up a variety of what if’s. One of those questions is “Will I be able to have children in the future?”
[ Read More ] Posted on August 29, 2012How Scientific Fertility Treatment Can Help You Beat Mother Nature
When the natural processes involved in producing a child fails at some point along the way, we can use medical science to increase your chances of having a baby.
[ Read More ] Posted on August 22, 2012Universal Genetic Testing
The significant risk of cystic fibrosis in the general population has led to a recommendation that all women considering pregnancy should have cystic fibrosis screening.
[ Read More ] Posted on April 11, 2012What is Cryopreservation?
Cryopreservation is the process by which sperm, oocytes(eggs), blastocysts, embryos, or whole tissues are frozen to be used at a later time after thawing.
[ Read More ] Posted on March 5, 2012IVF and Progesterone Treatment
Taking progesterone is a necessary part of fertility treatment. Progesterone is important because it helps to prepare the uterus for the implantation and growth of the embryo.
[ Read More ] Posted on February 22, 2012While You Think Babies, I Think First About Egg Numbers
While you are most interested in obtaining a baby by in vitro fertilization (IVF), as your doctor, I’m concerned with the number of eggs I can gain from you with each cycle of treatment. I know that if I get more eggs, [...]
[ Read More ] Posted on February 20, 2012The Costs of IVF: Consider the “Cost Per Baby”
This blog is provided for patients who are trying to conceive and have concerns regarding the cost IVF.
[ Read More ] Posted on February 7, 2012Weight & Infertility
How much weight should you lose? Is lap band surgery something to consider?
[ Read More ] Posted on December 29, 2011Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Blame it on Your Daddy
Diminished ovarian reserve, or DOR, is increasingly an issue in the aging population of women trying to conceive.
[ Read More ] Posted on December 22, 2011What is a Good AMH Level?
Now that we are ordering AMH tests on nearly all infertility patients, we need to know what the normal values are.
[ Read More ] Posted on December 7, 2011Egg Numbers & IVF results
Patients are always asking us, “How many eggs will I get, doc?” Some may have a goal in mind based on a friend’s success story. Others simply want to know what the most desirable number is.
[ Read More ] Posted on December 7, 2011Clomid (clomiphene) Alone Doesn’t Work
There has never really been any evidence that Clomid helps couples conceive, compared to having intercourse. Adding IUI does help. But first one needs a thorough work up, and often this is missing.
[ Read More ] Posted on December 7, 2011High Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI May Adversely Influence the Chances of Having a Baby by In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
[ Read More ] Posted on November 29, 2011Is DHEA a miracle for diminished ovarian reserve?
DHEA is a naturally-occurring hormone that is produced by the adrenal gland. Its primary function is to produce estrogen and testosterone. Recently, DHEA supplements have been used in the treatment of premature ovarian aging.
[ Read More ] Posted on November 29, 2011Elevated FSH and Infertility
“My FSH is 18. Is it the end? Am I about to go into menopause? My doctor says I have advanced ovarian aging for my actual age. Will my elevated FSH cause hot flashes next week? Can I ever have a baby?”
[ Read More ] Posted on September 26, 2011The Cost of IVF
About 10% of couples who wish to have children in the US face infertility. If conventional treatment fails, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the method of choice.
[ Read More ] Posted on September 26, 2011The Equipment Used in IVF Treatment
Even though we’ve reduced our costs at Servy Massey Fertility Institute, and we offer some of most affordable IVF in the country, there is still a significant cost involved. So why does IVF cost so much?
[ Read More ] Posted on September 26, 2011So Why Does IVF Cost So Much? – Part I
Reviewing the expertise needed in IVF.
[ Read More ] Posted on September 26, 2011Why Does IVF Cost So Much? – Part II
IVF as generally practiced in the US is quite costly. Unfortunately, those costs are difficult for many couples who have no insurance coverage for IVF treatment.
[ Read More ] Posted on September 26, 2011Sperm Donor Law
Dr. Massey discusses the impacts of regulating sperm donation and infertility treatment options.
[ Read More ] Posted on September 15, 2011
