I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS. What can I do about it?
If you have PCOS, you’re more likely to also have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other risk factors for heart disease. 50% – 70% of women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome will have...
View ArticleWhat role does stress really play in fertility?
In social situations, when people find out I’m a fertility doctor, they often ask me how much I think stress impacts fertility. They often tell me of their friend who went on holiday, or of their...
View ArticleWhen is it time to use donor eggs?
If you’re over the age of 37, and your AMH is less than 2 pmol/L, your ovarian reserve will likely not support a reasonable attempt at IVF. IVF demands a relatively high number of eggs to be made...
View ArticleWhat does Canada’s Assisted Human Reproduction Act say about buying donor...
In 2004, the Canadian government passed The Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHRA). The legislation also established Assisted Human Reproduction Canada (AHRC), a Federal agency, which was to be...
View ArticleWhat are some resources for emotional care if you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS?
Soulcysters – I know, we’ve mentioned them previously. They’re that good! Soulcysters has a message board, there are videos, blogs from other women, you can browse books on PCOS, read the latest...
View ArticleWhat are the recent developments in implantation? (Part One: Embryo quality)
This post is part one of a series where we will discuss how embryos, the uterus and overall health impact implantation. For many years in fertility care, we were only able to guess why some people...
View ArticleAre my fertility issues my fault?
Throughout human history, we human beings have had a tendency to blame sick people for their condition. From heart attacks to irritable bowel disease, HIV to Ebola, these conditions share this in...
View ArticleAre there any activities I should do the day of my IUI?
The short answer is – there aren’t. Many corners of the internet encourage people to continue lying on their back, perhaps with a pillow under their bum after intercourse. The speculation is that this...
View ArticleI have morning sickness. How do I know what’s normal and when it’s serious?
Everyone gets morning sickness. It’s just part of pregnancy. It’s normal, right? Well, not necessarily. The majority of pregnant women will experience some nausea or vomiting at some point in their...
View ArticleWhat are the recent developments in implantation? (Part Two: Embryo grading)
This post is part one of a series where we will discuss how embryos, the uterus and overall health impact implantation. We judge embryo quality in three ways: the number of embryos present, embryo...
View ArticleThe emotional side of male subfertility/infertility
As a reproductive endocrinologist, I often see subfertility affecting men too. It’s often in ways that they may not be able to voice to anyone, even their partners. Perhaps even to themselves. In the...
View ArticleMy husband has thyroid problems and a varicocele. We’ve tried IUI 6 times....
Unfortunately, IUI cycles tend to have a lower rate of success than we want, usually in the range of 10-20% per cycle, though it’s standard-of-care to suggest 3-6 IUIs before moving on. IVF with...
View ArticleI’m supposed to have a full bladder for my ultrasound/procedure. But how full...
First, let’s quickly review why we ask for a full bladder. When you’re lying on your back, your uterus either tilts up towards your belly button (anteverted), or back towards your spine (retroverted)....
View ArticleWhat are the recent developments in implantation? (Part Three: PGS)
This post is part three of a series where we will discuss how embryos, the uterus and overall health impact implantation. We judge embryo quality in three ways: the number of embryos present, embryo...
View ArticleWho’s at risk for Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome and what do you do?
OHSS happens when ovaries become inflamed, sometimes because they’re stimulated with medications. To some degree, ovaries are always inflamed a little bit. But in some people, the inflammatory fluid...
View ArticleI am 28 and I have just been diagnosed with the lowest AMH possible. I’m...
AMH predicts quantity, not quality. The best predictor for egg quality is being under 35 years of age. Yes! Age is on your side. Anti Mullerian Hormone is released by cells involved with the growth of...
View ArticleAll my fertility tests are normal and my husband has no problems. Will...
When women of reproductive age are hyperthyroid, it can be difficult to become and stay pregnant. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can cause irregular cycles or no ovulation. Once you are...
View ArticleMy tests showed my prolactin levels were over 100 twice now. Why do I need an...
A high prolactin (PRL) is a common finding in a fertility practice. Prolactin is also called luteotropic hormone. If you google this topic, you will find that high PRL is associated with galactorrhea...
View ArticleMy partner and I are just beginning our fertility journey. How do we create...
A Care Plan is probably the most important thing you can have in your fertility journey. Of course, we all hope that we won’t have a “journey”. We hope that we’ll achieve pregnancy quickly, on our...
View ArticleSo what is happening with IVF funding in Ontario?
We are still in the phase of rumour and hearsay. “Funded IVF” requires a number of institutional structures to work properly. Is this going to be a tax credit, or through OHIP? Will there be age or...
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