Buy it now on Amazon.com... and support HowToMakeaFamily.com! That's right, if you visit Amazon.com via this ad, a portion of every purchase you make during that visit will go to HTMAF.

Advertise on HTMAF!

Mark Perloe on Fertility Issues, Page 4

Dr. Mark Perloe is an innovator in the use of Internet communication for educating patients via his groundbreaking site, IVF.com. Perloe is director of reproductive endocrinology, infertility and in vitro fertilization at Atlanta Medical Center and Medical Director at Georgia Reproductive Specialists, and is noted for the individualized and in-depth attention he gives to his patients in their efforts to conceive.

{Please refrain from sending detailed lab results, as specific translation of such results without additional examination is of minimal benefit.}

• Choosing Baby's Gender

I am happily involved with my partner, and we are looking into having a baby girl. We live in Honolulu. I looked into places here, but I found no one yet. I was just wondering how to go about it all. I have no problems getting pregnant, but I just want (I guess you call it) a sperm donor. I have a two year old son. I always wanted a girl...

There is only one reliable way to separate sperm by X and Y chromosomes. This method is called Microsort and is offered by Genetics and IVF from Fairfax, Virginia. Even separating sperm using this technique is not 100% accurate. The cost of the procedure is high. To learn more visit their website at www.givf.com

• Possibilities for Premature ovarian Failure

If it is determined that I do indeed have POF (I am 34):
A. Can I still conceive even if I have no eggs - meaning is IVF an option?
B. What would "normally" be the first action an RE would take and
C. What is egg donor compatibility - basics only... like would the donor need to be the same blood type etc. and
D. Do you (the clinic) participate in or offer investigative procedures?

If you have premature ovarian failure, your ovaries will not produce eggs suitable for IVF.
Re: B. We would measure the FSH level and also an antiovarian antibody blood test. If this test is abnormal, perhaps you may reverse the condition with steroid therapy.
Re: C. There is really no required compatibility testing required. Specific genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis or sickle screening are performed. There is no evidence that matching blood types is required.
Re: D. None that would reduce the cost of doing oocyte donation.

• Does Pain Indicate Endometriosis?

I have in the last ten months experienced severe abdominal pain during ovulation. Recently it has become worse -- I was admitted into hospital, where they found lots of ovarian cysts (small ones).

I occasionally have rectal pain and pain when passing water without infection. I also have painful periods. The pain is very bad two weeks before my period. I have two kids and have been trying to become pregnant for 15 months, with no luck, when it was so easy before. I had PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) at the age of 18 -- I am now 28. I am having a laparoscopy done in the next few weeks, but I wondered if I might have endometriosis.

The symptoms you describe would seem to be indicative of endometriosis. If you are attempting conception, laparoscopy with excision of all endometriosis would seem appropriate. With bowel symptoms, you may consider a sigmoidoscopy prior to surgery to rule out bowel involvement. A bowel prep with preoperative liquids, purgatives and antibiotics can reduce risk of bowel injury and would allow removal of bowel endometriosis if found. Please check to see that your surgeon is comfortable excising lesions rather than just burning it with a laser. Unfortunately, too many surgeons claim to be endometriosis experts but are not adequately skilled or comfortable removing all evident disease.

If you are not attempting pregnancy, then a trial of birth control pills or Lupron with addback therapy may help you avoid surgery.

• Searching for Answers to Male Factor

I hope you can help. I have been searching high and low to no avail. DH and I have male factor infertility. Have had two IVFs w/ICSI and one FET. No luck.

Started looking into reason for male factor. DH had large Varicocele repaired via an angio with the coils procedure. Follow up showed excellent results. Endocrinology tests show high FSH levels.

Just to back up a little... his father and mother only had one child (my DH.) They tried for seven years, then his doctor put him on birth control pills. He was on them for a year or so with no luck... stopped taking them... shortly thereafter conceived my DH.

So... I was trying to relate birth control pills and high FSH... and it made sense to me. can you help? Any suggestions?

Consider testing for sperm DNA fragmentation. See www.scsadiagnostics.com. If the testing is abnormal, then that may explain the problem. You did not state your age or provide any other information so I can not be certain that one could say that even after two cycles, you can be assured that IVF will not work.

• Timing of hCG Injection with IUI

How long after an injection of Profasi 10000u (hCG) should intrauterine insemination to be done?

The sperm should be present prior to the release of the egg. As such, I advise the insemination about 36 hours after the injection. If two inseminations are planned, then one is done at 18 hours and the next at 42 hours after hCG injection.

{Disclaimer: Every effort is made to present accurate and reliable information, but this column is intended to provide general information, not direct psychological or medical advice to the person posing the question. Use of such information is voluntary and should only be undertaken after independent review of its accuracy, completeness, efficacy and appropriateness to your specific situation. If medical or psychological advice is needed, seek the services of a competent, licensed professional.}

Reproduction of material from any How to Make a Family pages without written permission is strictly prohibited
Copyright 2002 How to Make a Family
How to Make a Family, P.O. Box 35289, Houston, TX 77235-5289
Telephone 413.702.9620 | Fax 413.702.9620
E-mail admin@howtomakeafamily.com | How to Make a Family Privacy Policy