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For the millions of couples who face the challenges of infertility, many factors come into play from both partners. Men’s issues account for approximately 50 percent of all infertility cases, but there are indicators that tell doctors if a woman requires further testing. Two general signs are:

• A woman under 35 has not become pregnant after one year of trying (with regular, unprotected intercourse
• A woman over 35 has not become pregnant after 6 months of trying

If your doctor recommends fertility testing, it’s important to know what to expect.

A complete guide to fertility testing for women

Many women who struggle to get pregnant have multiple problems contributing to their infertility, which is why there are many kinds of fertility tests available. What fertility test(s) a woman undergoes depends entirely on her unique situation. Still, there is a basic order of testing that doctors follow to pinpoint the source of infertility:

• Initial fertility appointment – When you first meet with your fertility doctor, he or she will review your birth controluse, menstrual and pregnancy history, current and past sexual practices, medications used and other health issues. Your doctor will also ask about your lifestyle and work/living environments.
• Physical exam – In addition to a Pap smear and pelvic exam, the doctor will examine areas such as your thyroid, breasts and hair growth.
• Blood tests – Initial tests may be conducted to evaluate thyroid hormone levels, prolactin levels (the hormone that makes you produce milk after giving birth), testosterone levels, and to screen for diseases like HIV or hepatitis.
• Ovulation testing – To confirm ovulation, the doctor may use a range of techniques, including reviewing your temperature charts, ovulation predictor kitsand 3D ultrasound.
• Hormone testing – During the ovulation portion of your workup, levels for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, progesterone, inhibin B and other hormones may be examined.
• Cervical mucus tests – These involve post coital tests (PCT) to help determine if the sperm can penetrate and survive in the cervical mucus. It also includes a bacterial screening.

If the above testing is inconclusive, more procedures may be recommended, including reproductive organ tests and genetic testing.

Excellence in fertility testing and complete reproductive care is close to home

If your purpose in life is to become a parent, yet that purpose remains unfulfilled, hope is just around the corner. With locations in Akron, Columbus, Canton and Youngstown, all the expertise, advanced technology, compassion and dedication it takes to help you have the baby you’ve always wanted is within reach.

Our team of reproductive endocrinology and infertility nurses, embryologists and onsite laboratory technicians surround you with support and expertise. They’re led by our board-certified physicians, who bring decades of combined experience, a wealth of innovative diagnostics and treatments, and a genuine passion for helping you realize the dream of parenthood.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, click here to see the phone numbers for each office, or to use our online form.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process of fertilization by extracting eggs, retrieving a sperm sample and manually combining the two in a laboratory. Once the eggs are fertilized, they are transferred back into the woman’s uterus in hopes of having a successful pregnancy.

IVF hormone injections and the retrieval process

Daily hormone injections are required to control the menstrual cycle and encourage multiple eggs to grow simultaneously. A fertility specialist will perform an ultrasound to determine when the eggs are mature and ready for retrieval. When the eggs are ready, the woman is placed under twilight sleep or IV sedation for the retrieval procedure.

IVF fertilization process

Once the eggs are collected, sperm from a male partner or sperm donor is collected, analyzed and washed from the semen. Next, the best quality sperms are injected into the best quality eggs. The fertilized eggs, or embryos, will grow in a laboratory for three to five days and be closely monitored by a skilled specialist.

IVF implantation process

Once the embryos are growing well, one or two are implanted inside the female’s uterus. A period of rest is usually recommended following the implantation procedure to increase the chance of the embryo implanting itself to the uterine wall.

IVF injections

Depending on your specific situation, IVF can be a four- to six-week commitment that requires daily injections and regular visits to Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility for blood work. The blood work, which comes after the transfer procedure, measures HCG levels. HCG is a hormone made when a women becomes pregnant that can be detected even before a missed period. If an IVF implantation is successful, HCG levels will double every two to three days. Progesterone injections may be required for many weeks after implantation, up to the first trimester. The egg retrieval process during IVF removes the cells that would naturally create progesterone after ovulation. Progesterone injections are needed to help thicken the uterine lining and prepare the woman’s body to support the embryo.

If you are under the age of 35 and have been trying to conceive for 12 consecutive months or are over the age of 35 and have been trying to conceive for 6 consecutive months, it’s important to know your options. To learn more about getting started with IVF, contact the reproductive specialists at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility today at 866-537-2461. We are here to help you build your long-awaited family.

When you finally decide it’s time to start a family, it can be disheartening if it takes longer than expected. Timing is everything and having intercourse as close to ovulation as possible is the best way to conceive. However, there are simple lifestyle changes that can help boost your fertility naturally.

5 tips to help boost your fertility

Take a look at a few his and hers tips to boost fertility, so your body is as ready to get pregnant as you are:

• For her: Maintain a healthy weight
  If you’ve been looking for the perfect reason to reach your goal weight, look no further. Women who are under or overweight typically have a more difficult time getting pregnant. Maintaining a healthy weight can help with conception, so talk to your doctor about how you can get to your ideal weight.
• For him: Protect your sperm
  There are plenty of natural ways to boost your fertility and increase your chances of getting pregnant. Try these tips for increasing your testosterone: Eat pomegranate seeds, load up on herbs like American ginseng, rosemary, green tea, turmeric, saw palmetto, and tribulus … and don’t forget to exercise regularly.
• For her: Reach for non-alcoholic and caffeine-free beverages more often
  Too much caffeine and alcohol can impair a woman’s fertility, so try to limit yourself to one or two cups of coffee per day and a glass of alcohol on occasion.
• For him: Get enough folate
  Folate isn’t just for women’s fertility health; men can increase sperm count and improve motility by taking a folate supplement while trying to conceive.
• For both: Stop smoking
  Not only is smoking generally bad for your health, doing so while trying to conceive can affect both male and female fertility. It affects how receptive the uterus is to an egg, reduces sperm production and damages its DNA. Smoking is also linked to higher miscarriage risk.

If you have been trying to conceive for at least 12 consecutive months (6 months for women over the age of 35), contact the fertility specialists at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility to find out more about in vitro fertilization in Ohio. Our compassionate doctors are proud to report success rates that are consistently and significantly above state and national averages.

Contact us today at 330-375-7722. We are here to help make your dreams come true.

To Request an Appointment Call 866-537-2461 Or Use Our Easy Online Contact Form

Just how common is infertility? About 10 percent of American women (6.1 million) between the ages of 15 and 44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consider the delicate processes that must go right for pregnancy to occur:

• The woman’s body must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation).
• The egg must travel through a fallopian tube toward the uterus (womb).
• Male sperm must join with (fertilize) the egg along the way.
• The fertilized egg must attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation).

A problem during any of these steps can result in infertility.

The most common causes of infertility in women

For women, infertility is largely rooted in ovulation problems. Without normal ovulation (due to irregular or absent menstrual periods), there are no eggs to be fertilized.

Ovulation problems are often caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This hormone imbalance, which can interfere with normal ovulation, is the most common cause of female infertility. Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is another disruptor of regular ovulation. POI occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop working normally before she is 40, but POI is not the same as early menopause.

Other, less common causes of female fertility problems include:

• Fallopian tube blockages from pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy.
• Physical problems with the uterus.
• Uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous clumps of tissue and muscle on the walls of the uterus.

Common causes of infertility in men                                                            

Men can be born with problems that affect sperm. In other cases, problems begin later in life due to illness or injury. For example, cystic fibrosis can trigger infertility in men. However, male infertility is more commonly linked to:

• A condition called varicocele, in which the veins on the testicle(s) are too large. This raises the temperature in the testicles, which affects the number or shape of the sperm.
• Producing too few sperm or none at all.

Leading edge, experienced fertility care is close to home                      

For more than 25 years, Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility has been at the forefront of fertility services in Ohio. While we know that millions of couples struggle to start a family, to us, you’re the only parents-to-be in the world. Our fellowship-trained, board-certified physicians tune in to your journey, creating individualized, advanced treatment plans designed to make your dreams of a baby come true. And with locations in Columbus, Akron, Canton and Youngstown, we strive to make your care as accessible as possible.

To schedule an appointment, call us today at 866-537-2461 or use our convenient online form to request an appointment.

While millions of couples start families naturally, millions more face fertility issues. And although today’s infertility treatments can bring successful outcomes, it can be helpful to know how to boost your fertility. According to the literature, diet and lifestyle changes can help boost fertility by over 50%.

How can you boost your fertility?

Some ways to boost fertility include:

• Eat foods rich in antioxidants – Data shows that these powerful nutrients can deactivate the free radicals in the body, which can damage both sperm and egg cells. Antioxidants like folate and zinc may improve fertility for both men and women.
• Consume more calories at breakfast – Another study found that eating a larger breakfast may improve the hormonal effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a major cause of infertility. For women with a healthy body weight who suffer from PCOS, eating most of their calories at breakfast reduced insulin levels by 8% and decreased testosterone levels by 50%. High levels of either can contribute to infertility. Study findings also revealed the same women ovulated 30% more than those who ate less at breakfast and more during dinner, suggesting improved fertility.
• Eat healthy fats – Avoid trans fats (scan each food label carefully for partially hydrogenated oil, then put it back on the shelf. A large observational study found that a diet higher in trans fats and lower in unsaturated fats was linked to infertility. Go for healthy fats such as avocados, cheese, whole eggs, nuts, seeds, and yes, dark chocolate. Healthy fats can also be found in fish like salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines and herring.
• Change up your protein – Yet another study showed that replacing some animal proteins (such as meat, fish and eggs) with vegetable protein sources (like beans, nuts and seeds) is linked to a reduced risk of infertility. In other research, higher protein intake from meat was linked to a 32% higher chance of developing ovulatory infertility

The leaders in fertility care are in your neighborhood

If you’ve tried making nutritional and lifestyle changes, and your dream of becoming pregnant has yet to come true, know that trusted fertility care is just around the corner. At Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility, our board-certified physicians provide the highest level of full-service fertility care in Ohio. With locations in Akron, Canton, Columbus and Canfield, we strive to make your care as close to home as possible.

To learn more and to schedule an appointment, call 866-537-2461, or click here to use our online contact form.

Approximately five million people, or 1 in 10 couples, have problems with fertility. Though it is commonly believed that infertility is a woman’s problem, it is actually a commonly shared issue between both men and women. In fact, about one third of infertility cases treated in the United States are associated with male infertility.

4 effective ways to maintain a man’s fertility

Though many men may not realize it, the food they eat, the beverages they drink, and other lifestyle choices significantly affect the quality of their sperm. Here are easy, effective ways to maintain a man’s fertility:

• Eat a healthy diet
  Men who eat a regular diet of whole grains, fruits and green leafy vegetables tend to have more numerous and more motile sperm. Antioxidants can help protect sperm DNA from damage and boost a man’s fertility.
• Get in shape
  Being overweight reduces sperm quality. Obesity may be equally to blame in reducing a man’s fertility and the overall health of the embryo, which may affect the success of assisted reproductive technology like in vitro fertilization.
• Get enough rest
  Sleep affects a man’s fertility by impacting his testosterone levels. Optimal sleep for fertility is between 7 and 8 hours a night.
• Quit smoking
  Men who smoke may have less sperm motility than non-smokers.

If you have made these important lifestyle changes and are still unable to conceive, you may want to talk to your doctor about the fertility treatments available to you and your partner.

Artificial reproductive therapy can help you conceive

For cases of male infertility, Reproductive Gynecology & Fertility offers intrauterine or “artificial” insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Once the eggs are retrieved from the female as part of the IVF treatment, one of our highly skilled embryologists will select a single healthy sperm and inject it directly into the egg. This process, known as ICSI, effectively fertilizes the egg. After a brief incubation period, the embryo is then transferred to the woman’s uterus. The female’s hormone levels and embryo are then monitored very closely through the first trimester to ensure success.

If you and your partner are struggling with infertility, the reproductive specialists at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility offer complete fertility services in Columbus, Canton, Youngstown and Akron. If you’d like to know if IVF with ICSI is right for you, call 866-537-2461.

Women donate their eggs for several of reasons. What will that reason be for you? You may want to help an infertile couple start the family of their dreams, or you may be interested in receiving compensation.

Yes, you will be paid for donating your eggs. However, the process is time consuming and requires a substantial amount of effort. The cash for egg donation is given for your time, any travel expenses and the medical procedures you will undergo.

Benefits of being an egg donor

As an egg donor, you can:

• Learn valuable insights about your own fertility – This can help you decide when to start your own family, or learn about egg freezing if you plan to delay childbearing for many years.
• Receive free testing for vital disorders and diseases – You’ll get tested for several common genetic disorders and infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C.
• Be a part of something amazing – Helping a couple who cannot conceive with their own eggs brings many women unprecedented feelings of joy.

Things to consider before becoming an egg donor

Like any medical procedure, egg donation has its share of risks and challenges. Here are some key factors to keep in mind before making your final decision:

• Egg retrieval – This minor surgical procedure takes about 10-15 minutes and requires sedation and monitoring. You may feel disoriented and have impaired reflexes right after the procedure. And while rare, there have been reported cases of women developing blood clots, bleeding or infection after egg retrieval.
• Conception with multiples – This is possible during the donation cycle if every one of your eggs is not retrieved. Take precautions during the preparation time to avoid conceiving with your partner. Also, most experts advise abstaining from sex for up to a week after the retrieval.
• Exposure to hormones – The fertility drugs you take for egg donation are the same drugs women undergoing IVF treatments take. It’s essential to choose a credentialed, reputable infertility clinic or agency that will take care to mitigate any possible risks to your health.

Advanced, dedicated fertility care you can trust                                        

If you’re researching egg donation or IVF in Columbus, Canton, Youngstown and Akron, talk to the caring experts at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility first. Our fertility specialists possess the credentials, clinical research experience and dedication—along with the very latest technology and a 100% IVF guarantee program—to help you start a family. And to make your care as accessible and convenient as possible, you can find us in Columbus, Akron, Canton and Youngstown.

Parenthood is waiting. To schedule an appointment, call us today at 866-537-2461 or use our convenient online form to request an appointment.