Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Pregnancy
When abnormal hormone levels prevent ovaries from releasing mature eggs, achieving pregnancy may be difficult for women diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Hormones affected by PCOS include progesterone, estrogen and androgen. Often there is an imbalance in stimulation hormones to the ovary, inhibiting release of mature eggs. Women with PCOS often experience irregular periods, heavy or light flow periods, acne and/or excess body hair. PCOS treatment methods include dietary changes, exercising regularly and medications for stabilizing menstrual irregularities and limiting hair growth.
Women with PCOS may utilize simple treatments to help overcome the hormone imbalance and allow them to ovulate. These include letrozole, clomiphene citrate, and sometimes metformin to help regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. Northeastern Reproductive Medicine is one of the leading fertility clinics in Vermont providing a comprehensive list of procedures conducive to achieving pregnancy. Call today to learn more about how we can help you with your fertility problems by calling (802) 655-8888.
IVF for Women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR)
Women over 40 who have trouble conceiving are often diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), a common cause of female infertility in older women due to low egg counts or poor quality of eggs. In addition to age, other factors influencing DOR include genetics, history of chemotherapy or autoimmune disease, smoking, or having previous ovarian surgery. Tests to determine whether fertility issues are caused by DOR involve measuring FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and E2 (estradiol) levels, checking an AMH (antral follicle hormone) level, and/or performing antral follicle counts on ultrasound. Done around the third or fourth cycle day, FSH and E2 level tests measure how well signals transmitted between the ovaries and the brain are working to encourage ovaries to produce eggs.
IVF (In vitro fertilization)
With conventional IVF, egg quality is the most important factor driving embryo quality. For women with diminished ovarian reserve, IVF procedures are designed to initiate development of multiple eggs and therefore multiple embryos so doctors can select the healthiest embryos for transference to the uterus. A major factor determining egg quality involves the status of chromosomes comprising the eggs. Around age 30, most women’s eggs present a 30 percent rate of chromosomal abnormalities. By age 40, eggs are comprised of 60 percent chromosomal abnormalities.
Before transferring embryos to the uterus following an IVF procedure, a fertility clinic may recommend a preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) for testing embryos possibly impaired by chromosomal problems. Embryos with normal results following a PGS have high potential for a successful implantation and pregnancy.
Women diagnosed with decreased ovarian reserve, elevated FSH and/or low AMH who fail to conceive after trying stimulated IVFs may find egg donor IVF helps them achieve their family goals. With a healthy uterus, the chances of success with egg donor IVF are the same for females of all ages.
Northeastern Reproductive Medicine is one of the most highly respected and recognized fertility clinics in Vermont offering a variety of fertility procedures for women having trouble getting pregnant. For more information about testing and IVF procedures, please call us today at (802) 655-8888.
