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There are few things as challenging – and high stakes – as deciding to do IVF.

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We have been through our own IVF journeys, some successfully and some not. We understand better than anyone the importance of having access to unbiased and scientifically sound research and information that can help inform these life-changing decisions.

Our Research

We also know it can be hard to determine what information to trust. That is why we assembled a team of fertility experts to thoroughly research and write on a range of fertility topics. We are offering those fact-based and medically-reviewed articles here, so that you can be sure– no matter where you are in your exploration of fertility options – that you are relying on the most current scientific research in the field.

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Fresh vs. Frozen Embryo Transfer

An embryo transfer is usually the final step in the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF), where the embryo is transferred to the patient’s uterus. The embryos used in this procedure may either be fresh or thawed (after being frozen).

During IVF, mature eggs are fertilized, either by conventional IVF (insemination) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), after which the resulting embryos are grown in an incubator in the embryology laboratory. An embryo transfer is the procedure whereby one or more of the embryos that has been grown in the lab setting is then transferred from culture media into the patient’s uterus, in the hopes of initiating a pregnancy.  

Fresh embryo transfers are those in which the embryo was fertilized after the ovarian hyperstimulation and egg retrieval process, then transferred in the same cycle. As such, the embryo has never been frozen.i

Alternatively, embryos can be frozen and preserved by a process called cryopreservation, and then stored to be transferred in a subsequent cycle. This is known as a frozen embryo transfer (FET) and requires the cryopreserved embryo to be thawed before transferring into the uterus.ii

There has been a significant increase in the number of frozen embryo transfer cycles being performed in the last decade due to better cryopreservation techniques, improvement in embryo culture media, providers choosing the “freeze-all” strategy to avoid ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, more patients undergoing embryo banking for fertility preservation or family planning, and advancements in preimplantation genetic testing.iii

Vasectomy Reversal: What to Know

Though a vasectomy was formerly considered a permanent sterilization procedure, modern developments have made reversal possible. This article will outline the various procedures for reversing a vasectomy and the likelihood of success in restoring fertility, including a comparison to alternative fertility options.

Menopause, Pregnancy, and Fertility 

Menopause is a natural process all women will eventually go through as they reach middle age. During menopause, the ovaries stop releasing eggs, menstrual periods become less frequent and eventually cease, and hormones such as estrogen and progesterone decrease. While menopause marks the end of fertility, there is still a chance to become pregnant during menopause - either naturally or through fertility treatments.

How Many Embryos to Transfer for IVF? 

After an egg retrieval for a fresh cycle, or when contemplating a frozen embryo transfer, women often wonder how many embryos should be placed into the uterus. Usually, single embryo transfer (SET) is promoted, especially if an embryo is genetically tested (undergoes pre-implantation genetic testing, PGT). However, there are cases where a patient may want to transfer two or more embryos. Examining the pros and cons of multiple embryo transfer can help women make an informed decision.

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