Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine

WHAT IS OVARIAN STIMULATION?

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WHAT IS OVARIAN STIMULATION?

If you're considering IVF treatment or have been prescribed it by a fertility specialist, you may have come across some complicated medical terms that you don't quite understand. Although the terms can sound quite disturbing, it is important to understand what is happening at each stage of treatment. Here we will look at the first stage, namely the stimulation of the ovaries.

When is ovarian stimulation used?

Ovarian stimulation is generally used: → To induce ovulation in women with ovulatory dysfunction to help them conceive. → For egg retrieval in IVF treatments. → To store eggs for future use.

How does ovarian stimulation work?

In a natural ovulation cycle, natural hormonal changes dictate the maturation and release of the egg. In some women, however, this does not happen naturally, so drugs are administered to stimulate ovarian function. This makes it possible to plan each hormonal change, thus optimizing the quality of the eggs that are released.

Stages of IVF Treatment

  1. Ovarian stimulation
  2. Egg retrieval
  3. ICSI insemination/insemination/
  4. Embryo transfer

  The process of ovarian stimulation generally begins one week before the expected date of the next period in the long protocol. In the antagonist protocol, stimulation begins on the second day of the menstrual cycle. Many hormones are given so that many mature eggs can be retrieved in one egg retrieval procedure. Ovarian stimulation is achieved by injections of gonadotropins containing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These stimulate the development of multiple follicles in the ovaries. FSH injections are given for about 10 days before the candidate is ready for egg retrieval. The candidate is closely monitored with the help of ultrasound during the stage of ovarian stimulation. The number of follicles present is examined and their size is measured. If sufficient follicles greater than 17-18 mm in diameter are found, the oocyte retrieval procedure is planned. A final injection of HCG is given to promote the final maturation of the eggs. To learn more about ovarian stimulation, contact the Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine – Dr. Alexander Trajan for a consultation.

Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine

Effective doctor-patient communication is vital to providing high-quality health care. Any communication regarding your medical profile (getting results, instructions, answering questions, concerns) will be done directly with the doctor. This means no midwife or secretary will interrupt your conversations. Instead, if you call with any concerns, they will be there right away to address your needs. Contact us by calling 694 649 8771 or by completing the relevant Contact Form.

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

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FREQUENT QUESTIONS

The association of IVF drugs with cancer risk is a major concern for women enrolled in these programs. But the plethora of bibliographic reports collected from credible scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

Of course not. In about a third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in a third of cases, it is due to the man (male factor). The remaining one-third is due to both (both men and women) or even to unknown factors.

The quantity and quality of a man's sperm can be affected by his health and lifestyle. Some factors that can reduce the quantity and / or quality of sperm are:

  • the alcohol
  • drugs
  • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead
  • smoking
  • health problems
  • medicines
  • radiotherapy and chemotherapy
  • the age

Success rates vary at each IVF Center. Very important factors are also the age of the woman, the levels of her hormones and of course the sperm of the husband. Rates generally range from 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years old.

Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after one year (or 6 months, if it is a woman over 35) with normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year passes without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their doctor to determine the cause of the pregnancy and then treat it. We must all, however, be aware and not forget that the age factor is the most critical for female fertility and that the individualized approach of each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

The number of treatment cycles a woman can undergo is not specified. It is certain that in our country there are high level obstetricians-gynecologists and organized infertility treatment centers, which offer impeccable medical services at this level. If there are correct indications (eg ovaries that respond to stimulation therapy, good quality endometrium, etc.) the success rate -especially with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological drugs, which show increased bioactivity compared to conventional drugs from urine- totals approximately 65%-70% after 4 cycles of treatment.

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Dr. Traianos we offer egg / sperm cryopreservation services for those who have a personal or medical reason and need this service. We use the most modern vitrification technique in the freezing of sperm and eggs.

The collection of eggs takes 10-15 minutes, it is not painful, it is done under intoxication and after the end of the process you return to your activities.

In general, experts agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child can be considered evidence that there is no infertility problem in the first place. It is like a small test that has been done and proves that they "succeeded" at least once. On the other hand, we need to know that in the meantime things may have changed and a problem may have arisen (eg the man may have had some inflammation that affects the quality of his sperm or has mediated something that affects female fertility: an inflammation, a gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple can not achieve a pregnancy, then he should with the help of his doctor investigate if there has been a problem that causes infertility.