Breaking: Ontario proposes covering some IVF treatment
Starting in 2015, Ontario’s expert panel has proposed covering 1 cycle of IVF treatment per patient, as well as several other measures to improve access to fertility services. This is very good news...
View ArticleUpdate on Ontario’s coverage of IVF
In our last post, we discussed the exciting new developments towards partial coverage for IVF treatment in Ontario. We have a small update: we’ve heard that IVF coverage will be tabled with the May...
View ArticleNDP reject Liberal budget, Ontario’s IVF funding now uncertain
In a recent post, we covered the possibility of partial IVF coverage in Ontario. That possibility hung on the provincial budget, and whether Ontario’s government agreed to pass it. Today the Ontario...
View Article“Is it true we can now use stem cells to grow better-quality eggs?”
For the last twenty years, it was understood that women are born with all the eggs they will ever have. Unlike men, whose stem cells contribute to new sperm formation every 72 days, women use up all...
View ArticleWhen should you do IVF?
Nobody wants to do IVF. Whenever a couple or individual comes to a fertility clinic, the goal is to work as naturally as possible to maximize the chances for pregnancy. So IVF can feel like a scary...
View ArticleIVF or Frozen Embryo Transfer?
In my experience, frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles are not as successful as fresh. However, rates can vary from clinic to clinic; it’s possible that some teams may have frozen rates comparable to...
View ArticleIs Metformin a good medication for women with PCOS?
In recent years, we’ve encouraged many patients to take metformin when they have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Many women with PCOS can have difficulties with insulin and...
View ArticleOntarians donating unused embryos from IVF
Our friend Erica Berman, PhD, sent us something interesting: a unique embryo donation program run by Beginnings. Essentially, embryos are donated by families who have gone through fertility treatments...
View ArticleI have mycoplasma/ureaplasma. Should I be worried?
Unfortunately, many fertility doctors disagree about the impact of mycoplasma on fertility. Mycoplasma and ureaplasma are often found in fertile couples — not just those struggling with infertility....
View ArticleWhich embryo or embryos will give a woman the best chance at successful...
Dr. Richard T. Scott Jr., of Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey is helping to answer that question with chromosomal testing. Chromosomes are the structures in your cells that contain your...
View ArticleIt looks like Ontario will be covering IVF.
It hasn’t passed yet, but with a majority government and no changes to the proposed budget, Ontario plans to cover IVF. The devil is always in the details, of course. From the budget: “The government...
View ArticleCalgary’s controversy about mixed-race donor selection
I’m sure you’ve read in the news this week about a Calgary fertility clinic that refused a patient the ability to select donor sperm from a different ethnic background than hers. Dr. Calvin Greene,...
View ArticleI’m having faint spotting after my frozen embyro transfer (FET). Am I OK?
If you call your clinic, they might say a little spotting could be an “implantation bleed”. In all honesty, we have no idea why some women spot a little bit; but if it only lasts a day or two, and is...
View ArticleWhat are my chances of success with IVF?
The easiest and most obvious answer is to ask your fertility doctor. If you live in a major city in Canada, you’ll have access to a quality fertility clinic to provide you with an answer....
View ArticleWhen is IUI the right choice?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a simple “bridge” procedure between natural attempts to conceive at home, and the more technical process of IVF. Intrauterine insemination is kind of like having...
View ArticleI’m having IUI, how do I interpret the sperm numbers?
You’ve talked to your fertility provider and decided intrauterine insemination (IUI) is the right choice for you. Great! By this point, we generally have a sperm count. This can be divided into two...
View ArticleSeptember is PCOS Awareness Month
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a widespread condition. Worldwide, 6% – 10% of women are affected by PCOS. It’s one of the most common causes of infertility and often underdiagnosed. Many women don’t...
View ArticleHow long can embryos remain frozen?
There’s some microdegradation of DNA after only a few days. Microdegradation means DNA, or the proteins that support its structure, start to break down during the freezing process. How significant...
View ArticleWhat impact does aging have on male fertility?
Getting older has its advantages. But many men over 45 worry about the impact their age will have on the quality of their sperm, and the health of children they may be responsible for. Sometimes,...
View ArticleWhat does embryo grading really mean for my chances of having a baby?
First, let me make it clear that embryo grading doesn’t look at genetics. If you want to know more about pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS), visit www.chromosome-screening.org. Embryo grading...
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