Can I still get pregnant if I have endometriosis?

, , , ,

The good news is that if you’re suffering from endometriosis, it is still possible to conceive without intervention. It is estimated that 60 to 70% of women with mild to moderate endometriosis can get pregnant spontaneously. However, there is a link between endometriosis and infertility although it is not clear exactly why women with this condition may have a harder time becoming pregnant.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a very common, chronic gynaecological condition. The endometrium is the lining of the inner uterine wall and sometimes it can grow outside of the uterus. The most common places affected are the ovaries and fallopian tubes, but it can also affect the pelvis, bladder and intestines.

Even outside of the uterus, these abnormal tissue growths respond to the hormonal changes that occur during your menstrual cycle. This means that in women of a reproductive age, the growths thicken and then break down. As the tissue cannot leave the body in the normal way, pain and scarring occurs.

Reasons why you may have difficulty conceiving

Although the exact cause has not been identified, there are several reasons why approximately 40% of women with infertility have endometriosis:

  • Scarring can make it harder for the ovary to release an egg or block the egg from reaching the fallopian tube to be fertilised
  • Ovarian endometriosis can affect ovulation and the number of mature eggs that are released
  • Inflammation creates an inhospitable environment that affects both the egg and sperm, making fertilisation and subsequent implantation more challenging

Endometriosis and infertility: your next steps

Endometriosis can affect women of any age and can present from very early on. If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, seeing a fertility specialist is recommended even if you’re not considering getting pregnant at that point.

A fertility specialist can assess the quantity and quality of your viable eggs, known as your ovarian reserve, as well as check the condition of your fallopian tubes or tubal patency. They will also assess your uterine cavity. This combined with the severity of your symptoms and your age, will be critical in determining the best treatment option.

These include laparoscopic endometriosis surgery, but this can reduce your ovarian reserve. When ready to start trying to conceive, IVF is often recommended although the success rates of IVF for those with endometriosis is about half that for those with other fertility issues.

Egg freezing is also an important treatment option to consider if you want to start a family in the future as endometriosis often gets progressively worse coupled with a natural decrease in fertility as you age.

If you’re worried about endometriosis and infertility, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 to arrange a consultation with one of fertility experts. Consultant gynaecologist, Dr Amanda Tozer leads the Aria Women’s health clinic and provides bespoke gynae services. She has spent more than 20 years assisting couples experiencing infertility and trouble conceiving.

/by

Veganuary: can a plant-based diet affect your fertility?

, ,

First launched a decade ago, the Veganuary campaign had convinced half a million people to adopt plant-based eating by January 2021, almost double the number that had pledged to go vegan for January in 2019.

According to the Sainsbury’s Future of Food report, vegetarians and vegans will make up a quarter of the population by 2025. Individuals adopt a vegan diet for various reasons, including concerns about the environment, animal welfare, and personal health. While reducing animal product intake has proven health benefits, complete elimination may pose risks of nutrient deficiencies, potentially affecting fertility.

What are the pros of a vegan diet for fertility?

  • Eating plant-based foods means an increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and beans that can positively impact fertility, providing essential nutrients such as antioxidants, fibre, and B vitamins.
  • Increased vegetable protein intake by opting for plant-based proteins like beans, legumes, tofu, tempeh, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, instead of animal protein. This may reduce ovulatory infertility
  • Better gut health: A well-planned vegan diet rich in fibre supports healthy digestion and contributes to a balanced microbiome. This, in turn, may regulate hormones associated with fertility-related conditions.

What are the cons of a vegan diet for fertility?

  • Consumption of vegan ‘junk food’ – although these products may be marketed as healthy alternatives, many vegan options are highly processed, containing excess salt, preservatives, and fewer vitamins and fibre. Quality, rather than mere balance, is crucial for fertility.
  • A poorly planned vegan diet can result in nutrient deficiencies, and this is potentially the most significant impact on fertility. Common nutrient deficiencies in a vegan diet include vitamin B12 and iron. Iron from plant sources is poorly absorbable, and a deficiency can affect both male and female fertility. Vitamin B12, found exclusively in animal products, plays a crucial role in DNA production. Deficiencies in these nutrients can negatively impact fertility.

Current research doesn’t conclusively support the idea that eliminating animal products positively influences fertility. Some studies even suggest potential benefits of certain animal products, like dairy, in female fertility. Therefore, adopting a well-balanced diet containing both plant and animal products may be a prudent approach.

Other steps to take include supplementation of essential nutrients, embracing fortified products and enhancing iron absorption by pairing iron-rich vegetables with vitamin C-rich foods or supplements which can aid absorption.

Please visit our Support Hub for information on Fertility Nutritionists that can give you advice on a vegan-friendly fertility diet plan. If you have more questions about preparing for your fertility treatment, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 or email us admin@ariafertility.co.uk on to book a consultation.

/by

Answering your egg freezing questions

, , ,

Egg freezing provides a unique opportunity to protect your fertility potential and it is becoming an increasingly popular and effective treatment option to preserve your eggs until you are ready to start a family in the future.

If you are contemplating egg freezing, it’s essential you are fully informed about the steps involved and the potential benefits as well as possible drawbacks. Here are just some of the questions we commonly get asked about egg freezing.

What is egg freezing?

Egg freezing is a process in which eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and cryopreserved for possible use later. As fertility declines as you age, your chances of achieving a successful pregnancy will be similar to the age you froze your eggs.

Why should you consider egg freezing?

Today, more and more women are delaying starting a family until later in life due to personal, social or career circumstances. As techniques and technology continue to evolve, egg freezing has become an increasingly popular method of preserving fertility, as freezing your eggs at a younger age may offer a better chance of a successful pregnancy.

How are eggs frozen?

Once the eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, they are assessed, and mature eggs are frozen soon after retrieval in a technique known as vitrification. This flash-freezing method means water molecules do not have time to form ice crystals, resulting in less damage when the eggs are thawed.

What can I expect during the egg-freezing process?

The egg-freezing journey typically takes approximately 14 days. As we want to collect as many mature eggs as possible per cycle, the ovaries are stimulated with hormone injections. We will perform scans and blood tests to monitor the progress so we can time the trigger injection. Egg collection is then timed for approximately 36 hours after this time.

What can I expect from the egg retrieval process?

Egg collection is done transvaginally in much the same way as a transvaginal scan. The procedure typically takes 30 minutes under mild sedation. Your eggs will be collected using a needle that goes into each ovarian follicle and uses gentle suction to pull out the fluid which contains the egg.

Once rested, you should be able to return home after a couple of hours. You may experience tiredness, bloating, mild abdominal pain and light vaginal bleeding for a few days after your procedure. Most patients can resume their regular routine the next day.

Is egg freezing painful?

Some elements of the egg-freezing process can be uncomfortable, depending on your sensitivity. However, the experience is not painful for most women.

The hormone injections can sting a bit, but your nurse will advise on how best to administer these injections. During this time, you can feel very bloated and crampy, varying from patient to patient.

Your egg retrieval will be performed under sedation so you will not feel anything, but afterwards, you may experience some mild abdominal pain and a little soreness.

What are the risks of egg freezing?

Egg freezing is considered a relatively safe, low-risk procedure. One potential risk is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Stimulation of the ovaries is a deliberate aspect of egg freezing, as we try to obtain as many mature eggs as possible. When the ovaries are stimulated, there is a possibility of OHSS developing, which is an excessive response to the drugs used to encourage multiple follicles to form.

Most cases of OHSS are mild to moderate, occurring in up to 5% of all patients undergoing IVF treatment. This can give symptoms such as mild abdominal discomfort and nausea and usually settles with painkillers and maintaining a good fluid intake.

Very occasionally, OHSS can be more severe, causing marked swelling of the abdomen, dehydration, nausea and vomiting and difficulty in breathing. This is uncommon and may happen in up to 1% of women undergoing ovarian stimulation.

The team will manage the risk of OHSS, which might include altering the dose of stimulation medications or using a different trigger injection.

How many eggs should I freeze?

The success of techniques like IVF is dependent on two main factors: the age at which treatment takes place and the number of eggs the ovaries can produce.

With egg freezing, an additional factor to consider is the chances of eggs thawing successfully.

Current thinking is that women under 35 should try to freeze 20 eggs and women over 35 20-30 eggs. However, a woman’s ovaries may respond very differently to stimulation, which means multiple egg freeze cycles may be required to achieve this number.

How long can I store my eggs?

Once vitrified, eggs may be stored for any period up to a maximum of 55 years from the date they are first placed in storage. However, you must renew your consent every ten years; therefore, you must keep your contact details updated with us.

What happens when I’m ready to use my frozen eggs?

Your eggs will be transported from the cryostorage facility to the clinic and thawed. They will then be fertilised with partner or donor sperm using a fertility process called ICSI.

What happens next?

If you decide to proceed with egg freezing, the first step is a consultation with one of our fertility experts and a fertility assessment. Once any relevant investigations are completed, your consultant will discuss the results with you and any implications. They will inform you of what to expect from egg freezing and provide a detailed, fully costed treatment plan.

You will then attend a nurse planning appointment. During this appointment, we will map out the timeline of your egg-freezing treatment. They will also go through the consent process, which will be explained in detail, and your nurse will answer any further questions you may have.

When you are ready to start, you call to tell us when your period has started, and from there, the egg freezing cycle takes approximately 14 days.

If we haven’t answered your egg-freezing question, contact us to find out more.

/by

How does reflexology help fertility?

,

The practice of reflexology dates to Ancient Egypt, India and China but was first introduced into the West in 1913 as ‘zone therapy’. The concept behind reflexology is that specific points or reflex areas on the feet and hands are linked to other areas and organs of the body.

Reflexology aims to restore or maintain the body’s natural equilibrium by applying gentle pressure to these reflex points, and it has been shown to be effective in treating various conditions, including arthritis, digestive disorders, migraines and insomnia. It is also gaining popularity for those experiencing infertility issues.

“Scientifically, we can’t explain exactly how reflexology works, but we can demonstrate it has a positive effect on treating not only symptoms but also the causes of symptoms,” Reproductive Reflexologist Barbara Scott explains.

Barbara’s interest in this area was sparked by her first reflexology client, who was struggling to fall pregnant. As Chair of the Association of Reproductive Reflexologists and author of Reflexology for Fertility, Barbara is committed to furthering research in this field. She is currently a doctoral student at the University of Wales Trinity St David.

The Association has developed structured protocols to support couples struggling to conceive and those undergoing IVF or other fertility treatments, allowing them to measure outcomes beyond the anecdotal evidence from patients.

Reflexology and fertility

arbara Scott Reproductive Reflexologist“We take a patient-centred integrative approach. It is important for us to see both parties, as men often get overlooked in fertility treatment,” Barbara details.

“During the initial consultation, which can last up to two hours, we focus on where they are in their fertility journey and how they have got there. It doesn’t matter if they have just started trying or have already had a complex journey. We often advise further testing as there may be something they haven’t considered exploring.

“Then we devise a treatment programme. For women, we ensure their menstrual cycle is functioning as effectively as possible, even if they are about to embark on IVF.

“For both parties, three months is the optimum timeframe. Men produce millions of sperm cells every day, but from when sperm is first produced in the seminiferous tubules until they are ready to ejaculate, this takes about 12 weeks. Sperm are delicate single-cell organisms susceptible to damage, so you can improve both quantity and quality.

“Women are born with every egg they are going to have, so you can’t change the number, but you can change the environment. So we don’t just focus on ovulation but also the luteal phase from ovulation to bleed. This can be a question of whether you are producing the right kind of cervical mucus at the right time or are your levels of progesterone fluctuating.”

Your reproductive reflexology plan

“We devise a programme of weekly sessions based on specific protocols that are designed to support each stage of your cycle – or each key stage of your IVF treatment. This can be supported by patients working on reflexology points on their hands between each session. We also ask women to take their temperature each morning or use the OvuSense fertility tracker, and we use this data to monitor the effectiveness of our sessions.

“We work on specific reflex points on the feet. The first session can feel very strange for patients, but most usually find it incredibly relaxing. Often, they can experience sensations in the body depending on what we are treating. If they are in the stimulating phase of IVF, it is possible to feel the dominant ovary  or the thickening of the uterine lining.

“Once your IVF treatment begins, we like to know what you’ll be taking and when so we can design protocols to mimic and support each key stage of the IVF programme, whether that’s stimulation or sedation.

“Men can often feel sidelined during the fertility treatment pathway, but the sperm quality must be as good as possible whether you are undergoing IVF or ICSI. I often advise the TestHim website, which has a helpful health questionnaire. Men are often the biggest converts as they feel they are making a positive contribution.

“The Association of Reproductive Reflexologists expect our practitioners to stay up to date with current reproductive health developments. We also suggest that anyone who trains with us undergo maternity reflexology training so they can support patients beyond week 12 of their pregnancy.”

For more advice on Reproductive Reflexology, visit Barbara’s website Seren Natural Fertility. Or visit the Association of Reproductive Reflexologists to find a practitioner.

Call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 or email us at admin@ariafertility.co.uk for advice on preparing for IVF. For more information on the individual practitioners and organisations offering support, advice, and information to those undergoing fertility treatment, please visit our Support Hub.

/by

Can you improve egg health for IVF?

, , , ,

In vitro fertilisation is a challenging time as it’s both emotionally and physically demanding, and one way to prepare for IVF is to focus on the potential benefits of improving egg quality or ovarian function through lifestyle changes, such as nutrition.

Leading fertility nutritionist Melanie Brown believes nutrition can help improve fertility.

“Women are constantly being told nothing can improve the quality of their eggs. And while we are all born with the eggs we shall ever have in our lifetimes, the environment in which those eggs mature is fundamental to their quality, so this assertion is not strictly true.

“There are many reasons why someone’s egg quality or ovarian function might not be optimal and can be positively influenced.

“We know that smoking damages egg quality, so conversely, I believe that nutrition and other lifestyle changes could also help to improve egg quality. If you can do something that adversely affects egg health, it shows they are not immune to their environment.”

IVF vs a normal menstrual cycle

During a normal menstrual cycle, many follicles containing immature egg cells or oocytes will develop and grow when your body releases a follicle-stimulating hormone called FSH.

Typically, one standout follicle grows faster than all the others, known as the dominant follicle. It sends a signal to decrease the amount of FSH being produced, which causes the other follicles to cease developing, leaving only the one dominant follicle to continue growing and the egg inside to mature.

In an IVF cycle, however, the goal is to grow multiple follicles simultaneously, a process that does not occur in a natural cycle.

“I often say to my patients, if you look at the progress of an IVF cycle as a flow chart, you can see how important it is to ensure you are as well prepared as possible,” Melanie explains. “You might have 18 follicles, which release 14 eggs, 10 of which are mature eggs, from which eight go on to be fertilised, six then go through to day three, and maybe two become day 5 blastocysts.”

Preparing for IVF with nutrition

“I can also advise patients on all the fertility-improving strategies out there on the internet – milk or no milk, soya or no soya, is DHEA right for you, how do I use melatonin?

Fertility Nutritionist“There’s an ever-running argument about milk consumption during IVF. Many nutritionists think milk is the devil’s work as it’s very inflammatory and can be a factor in everything from acne to polycystic ovaries. And I certainly think that’s true for those that suffer from certain conditions.

“But, if you don’t suffer from those conditions, I think there’s quite an argument for consuming milk in an IVF cycle. Milk is meant to grow baby animals and full-fat milk is full of growth factors and growth-promoting nutrients.

“Iron takes oxygen to our cells, so if you are even slightly anaemic, then it means you’re not getting enough oxygen to your ovaries. Yet, many people might be entering an IVF cycle with mild anaemia – if you have undiagnosed endometriosis, very heavy periods or have a vegetarian or vegan diet.

“A protein-rich diet is essential to support multiple follicle growth during an IVF cycle. Protein makes up the building blocks for every cell in our bodies, including our sperm and eggs. So ensuring you have the right amount of protein is essential.

“I see maximising ovarian function and potentially improving egg quality before IVF, as a ‘project’ – usually three months will do it.”

For more advice on anything fertility and nutrition-related, see Mel’s website: melaniebrownnutrition.com. Call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 or email us at admin@ariafertility.co.uk for advice on preparing for IVF.

For more information on the individual practitioners and organisations offering support, advice, and information to those undergoing fertility treatment, please visit our Support Hub.

/by

Can stress impact your fertility?

, ,

April is Stress Awareness Month and although most of us can manage small amounts of stress – which can even help you focus on achieving short-term goals – chronic stress can eventually affect how you cope with daily life. And, the longer stress lasts, it can even become a threat to your health and wellbeing.

Long-term stimulation of the stress response system means we’re overexposed to cortisol and other stress hormones, and this can lead to mental health problems, insomnia, digestive issues, muscle tension, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and cognitive impairment.

It is not fully understood how stress affects fertility. Some studies have shown adverse effects, while others don’t, and most are only small-scale studies at this stage. We certainly know that the reverse is true and struggling to conceive can be very stressful. One study published in the Fertility and Sterility Journal surveyed 352 women seeking treatment for infertility and found that more than half of them showed signs of depression and three in four showed signs of anxiety.

So, whether your stress is related to your struggles conceiving or other factors, how does it affect your fertility and pregnancy outcomes?

Stress and your fertility

Stress triggers the body’s fight or flight response. In short, this means releasing stress hormones like cortisol which have an immediate physical impact such as increased heart rate, shallow breathing, high blood pressure and stress headaches.

When you are experiencing a prolonged period of extreme stress, the body will shut down any systems that it does not deem necessary for survival. This is why you can experience hair thinning a few months after a very stressful situation – telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that results from an interruption in the normal hair growth cycle. In terms of your fertility, this can cause delayed or absent ovulation and irregular or missed periods.

In one small-scale study from 2015, women in the high stress group based on perceived stress assessments were found to have lower levels of oestrogen, progesterone and luteinising hormone. They also had higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone during a particular stage of their cycles which meant an increased chance of anovulation which is when an egg is released from the ovary during your menstrual cycle. Chronic anovulation is a common cause of infertility.

[ext link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4315337/]

Another key stress hormone, CRH or corticotrophin-releasing hormone, is present in diseases that cause inflammation. Abnormal levels of CRH can affect the uterine lining and placenta and therefore could adversely affect implantation.

However, not every study has found a link and 2019 investigation found no difference in conception rates in women based on their daily reported perceived stress levels and a 2017 study of women undergoing IVF concluded that perceived stress and high cortisol levels “were not associated with IVF cycle outcomes”.

Managing stress during IVF

At Aria Fertility, we know how important it is to find ways to manage your stress throughout your fertility journey. Our doctors, nurses and embryology team provide comprehensive patient care combined with a wealth of medical experience and expertise, so you know you are in the best possible hands.

In our Support Hub, we have brought together organisations and individuals that offer fertility support, advice and information. Methods for managing stress encompass counselling, acupuncture, reflexology, and nutritional support.

For more advice on managing stress during your fertility journey, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 to arrange a consultation.

/by

What is the difference between egg freezing and embryo freezing?

, , ,

Since Jennifer Aniston opened up about her own experiences with IVF and expressed her regret that she had not undergone egg freezing earlier, even more women have begun exploring their fertility preservation options.

Women now have the option of freezing their eggs or embryos, but there are critical differences between the treatments that can determine the best choice for them.

The collection stage

Both procedures start with the same basic premise of egg collection. You will self-administer hormone injections, stimulating the ovaries to produce mature eggs over 8 to 12 days. We will monitor your progress during this stage, and your eggs will be collected at the optimal time. This is a minor surgical procedure performed under sedation in the clinic. The collected eggs are then transferred to our laboratory.

To fertilise or not fertilise

This is the crucial difference between the two treatments. Before they are frozen, the eggs can be fertilised in our laboratory using either your partner’s sperm or donor sperm.

This takes place on the same day as the egg collection. Our embryologist will try to fertilise all mature eggs using intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI. If successful, the fertilised eggs will develop into an embryo. Over the next five to six days, the embryos will be carefully monitored as they hopefully progress to the blastocyst stage. The embryos that successfully develop to this stage are then frozen.

The freezing and storage process

Both eggs and embryos are frozen and stored using a method known as cryopreservation. Water in the cell is replaced with a freezing solution called a cryoprotectant which prevents this water from crystallising in the freezing process. The freezing process is called vitrification and entails flash freezing, instantaneous cooling from 37oC to -196oC. The eggs or embryos are then stored in liquid nitrogen.

Using your embryos or eggs

When you’re ready to use your embryos or eggs, our embryologist will thaw them. An embryo that has successfully thawed can be transferred directly back into the body. Frozen eggs that survive the thawing process will then be injected with a partner or donor’s sperm to fertilise them. The fertilised eggs will then develop into embryos and after five to six days can then be transferred to the womb.

The pros and cons of egg freezing vs freezing embryos

Previously, slow-freezing technology was used to freeze eggs or embryos. The cells were cooled very slowly over a couple of hours to avoid ice crystallisation until they reached the optimal storage temperature. Embryos were thought to survive the freezing and thawing process better than eggs as the latter are large size cells with a high-water content, so they are more susceptible to ice crystals forming and causing cellular damage.

The introduction of vitrification or flash freezing has largely eliminated this difference, and the survival rates when freezing eggs versus embryos are now very similar.

Choosing to freeze embryos means you have more information on how many eggs were healthy enough to fertilise and begin development. However, the most important difference is that freezing eggs rather than embryos grants women reproductive autonomy, giving them more options in the future.

Aria Fertility Counselling

Discussing your treatment choice with one of our counsellors can be a very rewarding and empowering session. At Aria, we wish for everyone undergoing fertility preservation treatment to have a full understanding of choices they are making and implications these may have for the future. Our wonderful counsellors will always be able to spare time to have a chat with you and help you come to a decision if you feel you require their expert support.

If you have more questions about our fertility preservation options, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 or email admin@ariafertility.co.uk to arrange a consultation with one of our fertility specialists.

/by

What should you ask in your first fertility consultation?

, ,

Embarking on fertility treatment can be overwhelming and stressful, so it helps to be prepared in terms of what to expect during your first fertility consultation and to know what questions you should ask.

Many patients we see at Aria Fertility have undergone treatment on the NHS or at other fertility clinics and so may have already undergone various tests and received a diagnosis. Some are at the start of their fertility journey or wish to learn more about fertility preservation options such as egg freezing. Whatever stage you are at, one of the most important considerations at your first consultation is whether you feel comfortable with your fertility specialist.

Your initial consultation will usually last 30 minutes, and you will be asked about your fertility journey up to this point, as well as in-depth questions on your medical and family history, either as an individual or for both you and your partner if you are attending as a couple.

This first visit will be the opportunity to get to know your fertility doctor and the clinic and for them to get to know you and it is essential you feel comfortable enough to ask questions.

3 questions to ask in your first fertility consultation

  1. What diagnosis might explain why we haven’t been able to conceive?

Your doctor may not be able to tell you the exact cause of infertility at the first visit as we may need to arrange additional testing to help us determine the cause.

However, be aware that potentially one in five cases of fertility cannot be explained. Unexplained infertility is thought to affect 15% to 30% of couples and individuals and is when they have undergone all the appropriate tests and no cause is found. It is most likely to involve issues with egg or sperm quality or problems with the uterus or fallopian tubes that aren’t identifiable during normal fertility testing. Unexplained fertility can still be successfully treated with fertility drugs, IUI and IVF.

  1. What treatments do you recommend for us and what are their potential success rates?

At Aria Fertility we offer several different treatment options. This could be fertility drugs as a standalone treatment or in combination with IUI or IVF. Your fertility doctor will be able to give you information on the success rates of the clinic and advice on how successful a particular treatment option is likely to be, taking into account your age and medical history.

  1. How much does IVF treatment cost?

It can often be embarrassing to ask questions about cost, but fertility treatment is a significant investment. Once a treatment pathway is recommended by our doctors, our Patient Coordinator Team will provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of costs, including any add-ons or medication that have been discussed.

At Aria Fertility, we believe in 360 support. Once you’ve made the informed choice to proceed, our dedicated team, which is composed of your fertility specialist, fertility nurse and patient coordinator, will help you chart the course of your fertility treatment. You will also have the support of a fertility coach who can advise you on nutrition, lifestyle changes, and complementary medicine as a supplement to your medical care.

To arrange a consultation with Aria Fertility, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025.

/by

What are mosaic embryos?

,

New research has found that mosaic embryos, currently ruled out for IVF selection, could self-correct and lead to healthy pregnancies.

During embryo selection, a test known as preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is used to screen aneuploid embryos which have an incorrect number of chromosomes. This is performed to reduce the risk of miscarriage.

Embryos with the correct number of chromosomes are called euploid and have a higher chance of leading to a successful pregnancy than those with the incorrect number of chromosomes or aneuploid embryos.

What are mosaic embryos?

Previously, embryos were categorised as normal or abnormal, but in the mid-2010s, embryologists discovered that blastocysts aren’t necessarily 100% euploid or 100% aneuploid: sometimes they’re a mixture.

The term mosaic embryos were coined to describe embryos that have a mix of normal and abnormal cells. Data suggests that mosaic embryos account for up to 20% of all PGT-A-tested embryos.

Mosaic embryos can have different proportions of normal and abnormal cells and there is a criterion ranging from low-level mosaic where 20 to 40% of the cells are abnormal to high-level mosaic.

What did the study into aneuploid embryos find?

Scientists at the laboratory of synthetic embryology at Rockefeller University, New York found that some aneuploid embryos can self-correct. They transferred embryos that had failed the PGT-A screen into women who’d given their consent. Genetic tests performed a few months later found there were no longer any signs of aneuploidy.

The next stage of the study was to understand how the ‘faulty’ embryos developed. Using human embryonic stem cells, they generated artificial human embryos and studied their development. They found that the proportion of the aneuploid cells decreased and the aneuploid cells that remained were in the outer layer which eventually becomes part of the placenta.

As this research shows, the science behind embryo selection continues to evolve and PGT-A is one tool to help us choose which embryos to transfer. Throughout the process, we provide you with all the information you need to make these important decisions.

For more advice on IVF and embryo selection, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 to arrange a consultation at Aria Fertility.

/by

Why do I need to freeze so many eggs?

The more eggs you freeze, the higher your chance of success is regarding fertilisation. This is because at each stage of the process there is a decrease in the number of eggs that survive to the next one. Dr Anna Carby outlines each stage and how the number of eggs decreases between them.

“The thaw survival rate for eggs is between 80 and 90%. Of that surviving thaw, the fertilisation rate is approximately 60 to 70%. Of the fertilised eggs remaining approximately 40% may be usable in terms of either transfer or freezing as embryos. It can be seen therefore that starting with 20 eggs may result in three or four embryos being produced.

“You must also be aware that occasionally these percentages are lower when it comes to thawing and that it is possible, though far less likely, that no embryos are produced as a result of thawing.”

What should you look for in a fertility clinic?

Dr Carby clarifies how “the skill of your team will contribute to the potential success of treatment if you use your eggs in the future. Speak to as many clinics as you can before deciding which clinic to go to. This usually gives you a good indication as to the level of service and the feel of the clinic and team.

“Find out if your clinic offers investigations before or during your consultation which can cut down on the visits required to the clinic.”

Contact us with any inquiries that you have regarding the egg freezing treatment by calling us on 0203 263 6025 or emailing us at admin@ariafertility.co.uk.

/by

GET IN TOUCH.

This contact form is deactivated because you refused to accept Google reCaptcha service which is necessary to validate any messages sent by the form.

OPENING HOURS.

Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm

CLINIC LOCATION.

8 Welbeck Way  London  W1G 9YL

CONTACT US.

+44 (0) 203 263 6025

admin@ariafertility.co.uk

Fertility Clinic London Location

Authorised by the Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority

LEGAL ARIA PATIENT PORTAL

Built with love by The Clinic Marketing Co