Author: Alex Franklin

Follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH, is one of the hormones your doctor is most likely to check first when you start asking questions about fertility. It’s a simple blood test, but the number it produces can carry a lot of weight in a conversation about your reproductive health — which makes it worth understanding what FSH actually is, not just what your result says.

What Is Follicle-Stimulating Hormone?

FSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain that acts as a control center for much of the body’s hormone activity. FSH belongs to a category of hormones called gonadotropins — hormones that act specifically on the gonads, meaning the ovaries in women and the testes in men.

As part of the endocrine system, FSH doesn’t work alone. Its production is regulated by a feedback loop involving the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the ovaries or testes, all communicating through hormone signals to keep the reproductive cycle running on schedule.

What Does FSH Actually Do?

In women, FSH’s main job is to stimulate the growth of ovarian follicles — the small fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries, each containing an immature egg. Early in the menstrual cycle, rising FSH signals a group of follicles to begin developing. Typically, one follicle becomes dominant and eventually releases a mature egg during ovulation. Without adequate FSH, this process doesn’t get started, and ovulation doesn’t occur.

In men, FSH plays a related but different role: it supports the testes in producing sperm, working alongside luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone to maintain healthy sperm production.

What Counts as a Normal FSH Level?

FSH is measured in mIU/mL, and what’s considered “normal” depends heavily on age, sex, and where you are in your cycle. As general reference points:

• Adult men: roughly 1.5–12.4 mIU/mL
• Women of reproductive age (typically tested on day 2–3 of the cycle): roughly 4.7–21.5 mIU/mL
• Women after menopause: roughly 25.8–134.8 mIU/mL

Reference ranges vary somewhat from lab to lab, so it’s important to interpret your specific result with your doctor rather than comparing it against a chart alone.

What a High or Low FSH Result Can Mean

For women trying to conceive, FSH is most useful as a window into ovarian reserve — a general indicator of egg quantity and, to some degree, quality. Generally speaking, a lower FSH result within the expected range is a good sign for ovarian function. An elevated FSH level, particularly when tested early in the cycle, often points to diminished ovarian reserve: the ovaries are working harder — producing more FSH — to try to recruit and mature a follicle.

A high FSH result isn’t a diagnosis on its own, and it isn’t the end of the conversation about your fertility options. It’s one data point your care team weighs alongside other markers, such as anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count, along with your age and health history, to build a complete picture.

What Comes Next if Your FSH Is Elevated

An elevated FSH level understandably raises questions, but it doesn’t automatically rule out pregnancy — with or without treatment. Depending on your specific levels, age, and overall fertility picture, your options may include:

• In vitro fertilization (IVF), which allows for controlled ovarian stimulation and can still be effective even with a reduced egg supply
• Fertility medications to help stimulate follicle development
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) paired with ovarian stimulation, in certain cases
• Egg donation, when ovarian reserve is significantly diminished

This is also where a treatment approach built specifically around ovarian health can matter. At Gen 5 Fertility, our ovarian rejuvenation program was designed for exactly this situation — for patients who’ve been told their FSH is high, their AMH is low, or their ovarian reserve is diminished, and who want to understand every option before moving to donor eggs.

If your FSH result has left you with more questions than answers, that’s exactly the conversation Dr. Samuel Wood and the team at Gen 5 Fertility are here to have with you. Book an appointment online or call our San Diego office to talk through what your levels mean for your specific path forward.

Sources Used for the Figures Above

For internal fact-checking reference — not necessarily meant to all be linked in the published post.

• FSH definition, function, and reference ranges: Cleveland Clinic; MedicalNewsToday; Medscape clinical reference
• High FSH, ovarian reserve, and IVF outcome data: RMA Network; peer-reviewed IVF outcome studies on diminished ovarian reserve

For many people starting IVF, the idea of having twins sounds like a bonus — one round of treatment, one pregnancy, two babies. If you’re already budgeting tens of thousands of dollars for fertility treatment, “two for the price of one” can feel like the practical choice.

The reality is more complicated. Transferring two embryos instead of one doesn’t meaningfully change what you pay for the IVF cycle itself. Where the cost difference actually shows up is after the transfer — in the pregnancy, the delivery, and the weeks that follow.

What an IVF Cycle Costs, Regardless of How Many Embryos You Transfer

A single base IVF cycle — monitoring, egg retrieval, anesthesia, and lab work — typically runs $12,000 to $17,000 at most U.S. clinics. Once you add medications and other common components, a full medicated cycle averages closer to $20,000 to $30,000. If you’re doing a frozen embryo transfer using previously created embryos, that step alone averages around $6,000.

Here’s the part that surprises a lot of patients: the fee for the transfer procedure itself is the same whether your doctor transfers one embryo or two. You’re not charged “per embryo” at the point of transfer. So from a pure IVF-billing standpoint, twins don’t cost more to conceive than a single pregnancy does.

Where the Real Cost of Twins Shows Up

The expensive part of a twin pregnancy isn’t getting pregnant — it’s staying pregnant and delivering safely.

Research comparing healthcare costs for twin versus singleton pregnancies has found the total cost of a twin delivery runs roughly five times higher than a singleton delivery — a difference driven by real, well-documented risk factors:

• Cesarean delivery is far more common with twins. Around 80% of twin deliveries are C-sections, compared to about 22% of singleton deliveries.
• NICU admission is more likely, and stays are longer. Twins are more frequently admitted to the NICU, with stays roughly twice as long as those for single babies.
• Maternal complications are more common, which can mean longer hospital stays and additional monitoring and care throughout the pregnancy.

Added together, some analyses put total healthcare costs for a twin pregnancy and delivery in the range of six figures, compared to roughly a fifth of that for a singleton — before factoring in the ongoing cost of raising two babies at once rather than one.

Talk to Your Care Team Before You Decide

If cost is a major factor in how you’re thinking about your IVF plan, the more useful conversation isn’t “should I transfer two embryos to save money” — it’s what your actual treatment plan, embryo quality, and health history mean for your chances of a healthy single pregnancy, and what your realistic all-in costs look like from cycle to delivery.

Dr. Samuel Wood and the team at Gen 5 Fertility can walk you through what your specific treatment plan would cost, what your embryo transfer options are, and how to plan financially for the road ahead. Book an appointment online or call our San Diego office to get started.

Sources Used for the Cost Figures Above

For internal fact-checking reference — not necessarily meant to all be linked in the published post.

• IVF cycle cost ranges: 2026 industry cost surveys (CNY Fertility, Ovu.com, Advanced Fertility, CareRoute)
• Twin vs. singleton delivery cost comparison, C-section rates, NICU stay data: healthcare cost studies published via American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Fertility and Sterility, and reporting from CBS News on U.S. birth cost data
• eSET guidance: ASRM practice guidance on embryo transfer number

Search “top IVF doctors” and you’ll mostly find rankings lists with no real criteria behind them. That’s not very useful when you’re the one about to spend tens of thousands of dollars and place real trust in someone’s hands. A more useful question is: what actually separates a strong fertility specialist from an average one — and how do you check for it yourself, rather than taking a list’s word for it?

Start With Real Success Rate Data — Not a Clinic’s Own Marketing

Every fertility clinic in the U.S. is required to report outcomes to the CDC, and most also report to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), which publishes clinic-level data in a more readable format. This is the most objective resource available, and it’s free to search.

A few things worth knowing before you look:

• Ask any clinic you’re considering for their success rates in writing, then check those numbers against their SART or CDC report.
• Look specifically at data for your age group — overall clinic averages can be misleading since age is one of the biggest factors in IVF outcomes.
• Be cautious comparing clinics directly against each other on raw numbers. Clinics vary in which patients they accept and how selective they are, which can inflate or deflate reported rates relative to a clinic that takes on more complex cases.

A clinic that’s transparent about this data — and willing to walk you through what it does and doesn’t mean for your specific situation — is telling you something important about how they practice.

Check Who’s Actually Leading Your Care

Not every fertility clinic is led day-to-day by a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist. In many practices, your treatment plan is built by a physician you may only meet once or twice, then managed largely by coordinators and nurses. That’s not automatically a problem, but it’s worth knowing which model you’re getting.

A genuinely physician-led practice means the person setting your protocol, reviewing your results, and adjusting your plan has spent their career specifically in reproductive medicine — and stays personally involved rather than handing your case off after the first consultation.

Look Closely at the Embryology Lab

The lab where your eggs are fertilized and your embryos are grown matters as much as the physician ordering your protocol. Questions worth asking include how many cycles the lab performs, whether it’s willing to take on complex or previously unsuccessful cases, and whether the clinic’s default approach favors single embryo transfer supported by genetic testing — the approach most reproductive endocrinologists now recommend for the best chance at a healthy, full-term pregnancy with the lowest possible risk.

Is It Worth Traveling for the Right Specialist?

If you’re in a smaller market — plenty of patients search from places like Kentucky, for example — you may not have a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist with an advanced, in-house lab nearby. For many patients, the deciding factor isn’t distance; it’s whether the specialist and lab down the street can actually offer what a more specialized practice can, particularly for complex cases like diminished ovarian reserve or repeated unsuccessful cycles elsewhere.

This is also true internationally. Patients from countries including India increasingly travel to U.S. clinics specifically for access to advanced lab technology, physician-led protocols, and the legal clarity U.S. fertility law provides around treatment and parentage — factors that can matter as much as, or more than, proximity.

None of this means travel is required, or that a great specialist can’t be found close to home. It means that if you’ve already researched local options and want to know what a more specialized, physician-led practice looks like, it’s worth knowing what to compare it against.

At Gen 5 Fertility, Dr. Samuel Wood is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist directly involved in every patient’s care, backed by an in-house embryology lab. If you’re evaluating your options — near San Diego or from further away — we’re glad to talk through your specific case and what treatment could look like for you. Book an appointment online or call our office to get started.

Sources Used for the Figures Above

For internal fact-checking reference — not necessarily meant to all be linked in the published post.

• SART/CDC success rate reporting and how to interpret it: SART Clinic Summary Reports; CDC National ART Surveillance System; RMA of New York and RSC Bay Area guidance on reading SART data
• International/domestic patient travel for advanced fertility care: industry reporting on cross-border fertility care trends

Semen analyses are quick and easy tests that can tell us a lot in terms of what might be causing infertility. But you may be wondering what the procedure itself entails. Here’s the lowdown.

Has your doctor ordered a semen analysis? If you’ve never gotten one before, you might be wondering what this test entails, if it will be uncomfortable, and what it can tell you.  

Gen 5 Fertility Center offers semen analyses as well as several other fertility tests and treatments. Dr. Samuel Wood and Dr. Benito Villanueva will walk you through all the steps and expectations of a semen analysis so you can feel ready before the procedure. 

Why we do semen analyses

If you and your partner have been trying to conceive naturally for more than a year without luck, you should consider a semen analysis. For one reason, it’s one of our least invasive testing options, and it can give you answers fairly quickly. For another, it can test for several different issues all at once. 

Problems with testicular function, ejaculation, hormones, or even a genetic issue could all potentially create infertility in those who produce sperm. This test makes it easy and fast for us to rule out all of these potential problems.  

What a semen analysis will feel like

A semen analysis isn’t a complicated or invasive procedure. You visit our clinic and receive a container. Then, you wash your hands and your penis before masturbating into the container. Try to catch all of the sperm in the container, and please let us know if you don’t.   

During the procedure, you won’t be able to use lube, and you mustn’t try to push sperm that didn’t make it into the container back in, as that could contaminate the sample. Generally, this is a simple procedure that you could do at any time as long as you’ve avoided sexual activity involving ejaculation for two to seven days beforehand. 

The procedure is simple, fast, and discreet. We understand the common feelings of nervousness and embarrassment, but trust us, everyone at our clinic is simply focused on helping you and your partner conceive.  

What happens after your semen analysis 

After you provide a semen sample, you can go home without any need for recovery or post-procedure treatment. The results take a few days, and share them with you as soon as we have them.  

At our clinic, we use semen analysis to check for several qualities, including 

• Volume 
• Color
• Liquification level 
• pH level
• Sperm shape  
• Sperm count 
• Motility

If any of these qualities are off, it could be affecting your fertility. Some issues can be treated easily with lifestyle changes, such as wearing different types of underwear, avoiding alcohol, eating (or abstaining from) certain foods, and more. Other issues might require medication or even surgery.  

There’s nothing to worry about with a semen analysis. We provide quick, effective testing that is always safe and discreet. If you have any other questions, our staff is happy to answer them so that you feel as comfortable as possible.  

To book an appointment, call or visit our online booking portal. We look forward to meeting you at our San Diego, California, office. 

An IVF evaluation is more than just determining if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. It also prepares you for the IVF process and allows us to determine which options will best suit you and your partner.

IVF (or in vitro fertilization) is an excellent option for those who want to conceive and are having trouble doing so naturally. This treatment program involves fertilization outside your body, and subsequent implantation in your uterus. But what does it mean to be evaluated for this procedure, and what does evaluation entail?  

At Gen 5 Fertility Center, we offer the most advanced treatments for fertility issues. Dr. Samuel Wood and Dr. Benito Villanueva will help you determine if IVF is right for you, which involves several evaluations before the procedure ever takes place.  

A good candidate for IVF 

IVF isn’t right for everyone. Often, the best candidates are those with specific conditions, such as endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, or PCOS. Patients of an advanced age who are attempting to get pregnant and those with male partners who have low sperm counts or other sperm-related fertility issues may also benefit.  

However, this isn’t to say everyone in these situations will definitely be candidates for IVF or that those who aren’t won’t. IVF is a procedure that requires time, effort, money, and careful consideration of its risks, rewards, and potential frustrations. That’s why we evaluate before you ever begin preparation for the procedure.   

What your IVF evaluation will entail 

When you visit Gen 5 Fertility Center with questions about IVF, the first step is an honest discussion about your goals and what the procedure involves. We can tell you about how IVF may be able to help, as well as the typical chances that your process will end in a live birth. Of course, we can’t predict this perfectly. 

We want you to understand that IVF increases the likelihood that you will conceive and give birth to a child. It isn’t a guarantee, nor is it a catch-all solution for infertility. To help you understand this, we conduct a preconception evaluation. 

Once this is complete, you go through several tests. One is the evaluation of your ovarian reserve, which tells us if your ovaries are producing enough healthy eggs for us to use. If not, the use of donor eggs may be necessary. Male partners also usually receive a semen analysis.  

Once you have undergone these evaluations, it’s time for you to begin the preparation process for IVF.  

Why evaluation is so important 

Being evaluated before you begin IVF is paramount. First and foremost, it’s necessary to find out what may and may not be wrong before you ever start treatment. There’s a possibility that something less expensive or invasive might suit you better than this option, so you’ll want to make sure you explore all avenues available to you.  

Next, we need to make sure the procedure has the highest chance of success. That means finding out if your and/or your partner’s eggs and sperm will be less successful than a donor’s when undergoing IVF.  

Finally, patients who have unrealistic expectations for the procedure often suffer from frustration, depression, and other issues, as well as seeing their relationships affected by this helpful but complex process. To avoid this, we require our patients to discuss IVF with our team before proceeding with treatment.  

Make sure you’re ready before IVF starts 

These evaluations help us determine your candidacy for the procedure and make sure we do it in a way that suits you. However, it also prepares you for the process. It can be long and even difficult, but with the proper evaluations and preparations, we can help set you up for a healthy journey with IVF.  

Book an appointment with us online or by calling our office in San Diego, California. You’ll be glad you did.

When it comes to fertility care, one size does not fit all. Every patient’s journey is unique, which is why Gen 5 Fertility in San Diego offers highly personalized treatment plans designed to meet each individual’s needs. Under the leadership of Dr. Samuel

What Is Mini IVF? 

Mini IVF, also known as low-stimulation IVF, uses a gentler approach compared to standard IVF cycles. Instead of high doses of medication, Mini IVF relies on lower stimulation protocols to produce fewer, but often higher-quality eggs. For women over 40, this approach is often more effective than traditional IVF because it prioritizes egg quality over quantity. Low-stimulation IVF can also be less physically demanding and more cost-effective, while offering excellent chances of success. 

Integrative Fertility Treatments 

At Gen 5 Fertility, integrative fertility means combining advanced medical protocols with supportive therapies that help optimize overall reproductive health. Dr. Wood takes into account each patient’s unique biology, lifestyle, and goals when creating a treatment plan. He uses comprehensive testing to determine which approach will be most effective, from ovarian rejuvenation to targeted fertility supplements and personalized fertility regimens. 

By avoiding a “standard protocol” and instead focusing on customization, Gen 5 Fertility gives patients the best possible chance of success while minimizing unnecessary interventions. This patient-centered approach ensures that every step of treatment feels purposeful, supportive, and designed with long-term outcomes in mind. 

Why Patients Choose Dr. Samuel Wood 

Dr. Wood is internationally recognized as a pioneer in ovarian rejuvenation and advanced fertility care. He is especially sought after by women over 40, as well as those diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or premature ovarian failure (POF). His depth of expertise, compassionate approach, and innovative use of low-stimulation IVF make him a trusted leader for patients who want truly personalized care and renewed hope in their fertility journey. 

Personalized IVF Treatments That Put You First 

At Gen 5 Fertility, the focus is always on you—your body, your goals, and your path to parenthood. By combining the latest advancements in fertility medicine with a deeply individualized approach, Dr. Wood and his team provide patients with hope, clarity, and expert guidance every step of the way. 

If you are ready to explore Mini IVF, integrative fertility, or personalized treatment options with Dr. Wood, contact Gen 5 Fertility today and take the next step toward building your family

Fertility treatments can feel overwhelming. IUI and IVF are two common options that help with conception in different ways. Understanding when to use each can help you take the next step with confidence.

What is IUI?

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is often one of the first fertility treatments recommended. During IUI, prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. This increases the chances of sperm meeting the egg naturally. 

IUI is generally considered when:

• There are mild male factor issues, such as low sperm count or motility.
• The woman has regular ovulation and open fallopian tubes.
• There are cases of unexplained infertility.
• Donor sperm is being used.

Because it is less invasive and more affordable than IVF, many couples or individuals start with IUI as a first step. However, its success rates are lower compared to IVF, particularly for women over 35 or those with more complex fertility challenges. 

What is IVF?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a more advanced treatment. Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a lab. Embryos are then grown and transferred into the uterus. 

IVF may be recommended when:

• IUI attempts have been unsuccessful.
• A woman has blocked fallopian tubes or severe endometriosis.
• There are more significant male factor infertility issues.
• The patient is older or has diminished ovarian reserve.
• Genetic testing (PGT) of embryos is desired.

IVF also provides more control and options—such as freezing embryos for future use or using donor eggs or sperm—making it a powerful choice for many families. 

Choosing the Right Path for You

Deciding between IUI and IVF depends on several factors, including age, fertility diagnosis, medical history, and personal preferences. At Gen 5 Fertility, our team will walk you through every option, ensuring that your treatment plan is tailored to your unique needs and goals. 

Take the Next Step

If you’re wondering whether IUI or IVF is the right choice for your family-building journey, the experts at Gen 5 Fertility are here to guide you. 

Call us at 858-568-6210 or visit Gen5Fertility.com to schedule a consultation and take your first step toward turning the dream of family into reality.

For many women, the path to parenthood is filled with unexpected challenges. When faced with diminished ovarian reserve or age-related fertility concerns, it’s natural to seek hope, answers, and the very best care available.

That’s why women from across the United States—and around the world—travel to Gen 5 Fertility in San Diego, home to Dr. Samuel Wood, the global leader in ovarian rejuvenation. 

Why Women Choose Gen 5 Fertility 

Dr. Wood has built an international reputation for his groundbreaking work in ovarian rejuvenation. Known not only for his expertise but also for his compassionate approach, he has become a trusted resource for women who want to expand their options. Patients often come to him after being told elsewhere that nothing more could be done—only to discover new possibilities for their fertility journey. 

From the moment you connect with Gen 5 Fertility, the process is designed to be seamless. Consultations can begin virtually, allowing you to speak directly with Dr. Wood and a dedicated Ovarian Rejuvenation Specialist before you ever step foot on a plane. The team then takes care of the details—so traveling to San Diego is straightforward, comfortable, and stress-free. 

A World-Class Experience 

At Gen 5 Fertility, ovarian rejuvenation is not just a procedure—it’s a chance to restore hope. Every treatment plan is personalized, reflecting your unique history and goals. Patients repeatedly share that what sets Dr. Wood apart is not only his advanced medical expertise, but also his ability to listen, guide, and support with genuine care. 

The Added Bonus of San Diego 

Coming to San Diego for treatment means more than just accessing world-class fertility care. With its mild, sunny climate, convenient international airport, and welcoming atmosphere, San Diego is an easy city to travel to. If you have time to explore, you’ll find beautiful beaches, cultural landmarks like Balboa Park, and a relaxed pace of life that makes recovery feel even more restorative. 

Take the Next Step 

Traveling for ovarian rejuvenation is easier than you think—and choosing Dr. Samuel Wood and the Gen 5 Fertility team means placing your hopes in the hands of true experts. 

Call to Action: 

Start your journey today. Schedule your remote consultation with Dr. Wood by visiting Gen5Fertility.com or calling 858-568-6210.

You may know about IVF and other infertility treatments, but do you understand how ovulation induction fits into many types of fertility care — or even how this process alone might be able to help you conceive? 

Here’s a big secret: many people struggle with fertility. And while infertility treatments are used more often each year, there are still many gaps in common knowledge about the practice. For one, you may be wondering what ovulation induction — a key part of many fertility treatment plans — is.  

We at Gen 5 Fertility Center not only offer IVF and IUI, but we help our patients understand how ovulation induction is part of the process and even how it can help your fertility on its own. 

Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba will discuss your specific treatment plan with you and determine if ovulation induction should be a stepping stone toward further treatments or possibly all the help you need to start building your family. 

Ovulation induction 101

First, let’s define the treatment. Ovulation induction stimulates and increases eggs’ maturity, supply, and release during ovulation. The therapy relies on medications like clomiphene citrate and letrozole to create these effects.  

The first is an oral medication that convinces the body its estrogen production is low, which causes increased production of FSH (or follicle-stimulating hormones). The second is also an oral medication used when clomiphene citrate causes unwanted side effects. A third medication is sometimes used to induce ovulation once the others have taken effect. 

The process of ovulation induction 

Before the process begins, you and your provider undergo a series of tests to ensure this is the right treatment for you. Blood tests, an ultrasound, and even your family medical history can help determine your path to success.  

Once you begin, we give you your medication and a strict schedule. You take these oral medications for five days straight, and we monitor your follicle growth to ensure the treatment is working.  

After this, you may want to try having sex naturally to see if the ovulation induction has increased your ability to conceive. But you may also choose to move into IVF or another type of treatment. You and your provider make this decision together based on your specific situation. 

A good candidate for ovulation induction

You may still wonder if you’re a good candidate for this procedure. If you’re a candidate for IVF, you’ll go through this process as part of your overall treatment. But people who might be good candidates for ovulation induction itself are those who 

• Struggle with irregular ovulation patterns 
• Have no clear cause for infertility
• Are younger than 38 
• Have a male partner with no known fertility issues 

Risks associated with ovulation induction 

Clomiphene citrate causes side effects for many patients, including mood swings, pain, and hot flashes. If you’re likely to experience these side effects or if you’d like to try letrozole instead, this medication can be much milder and also has a lower chance of resulting in multiple births.  

Success rates of ovulation induction

Ovulation induction can be uncomfortable and may cause some problematic side effects, but many patients see favorable results with this option before IVF or IUI is even needed. According to Yale Medicine, success rates with ovulation induction are comparable to those of couples with no fertility issues attempting to conceive.   

Choosing ovulation induction

Over the years, your choices for fertility treatment have become more varied and nuanced. This wonderful advancement has allowed many people to expand their families. Ovulation induction is just one of these treatment types, and we’d be happy to discuss how it might be effective for you.  

Make an appointment at our San Diego, California, office today. Just visit us online or call to book and start your journey toward building your family today.

Blocked fallopian tubes can vary in severity and in the extent to which they might affect your chances of conceiving a child. Fortunately, several fertility treatments can manage this condition — and even bypass it entirely!

So, you believe you might be dealing with blocked fallopian tubes. While extremely common, this issue needs to be diagnosed by a medical provider, and afterward, you’ll be able to discuss the options available to you to manage this issue.  

Here at Gen 5 Fertility Center, we pride ourselves on providing our patients with all the options. Dr. Samuel Wood and Dr. Benito Villanueva understand that your needs, just like your situation and your body, are different from everyone else’s. We will help you get the best options for your unique situation so you can build the family you want.  

Blocked tubes: What does it mean, and can you still get pregnant?

Blocked fallopian tubes occur when scar tissue forms on these tubes or the tissues and organs begin to adhere to one another. Many common conditions — such as endometriosis, fibroids, sexually transmitted infections, and ectopic pregnancies — can all lead to blocked fallopian tubes. Blocked tubes often cause no symptoms but could stand in the way of conception.  

When the sperm travels to the egg to fertilize it, it travels up the fallopian tube to reach the egg. Then, the fertilized egg travels down the tube to the uterus. But when the tubes are blocked, this can make it difficult for one or both of these processes to occur.  

According to a 2022 study, “Tubal blockage accounts for 30%-40% of a woman’s fertility.” So, though you may have been diagnosed with this condition, it could still be possible for you to become pregnant naturally. However, this often depends on the severity of the blockage.  

Unblocking fallopian tubes and other options 

At this point, you’re probably wondering if unblocking your fallopian tubes is an option. In some instances, it might be. People who have minimal blockage due to minor scar tissue or other issues can often benefit greatly from either a hysteroscopy or a laparoscopy. Both of these procedures can help us open up the fallopian tubes.  

Hysteroscopies are milder and less invasive. They don’t require incisions and can occur in an outpatient facility. It’s a worthwhile treatment option, mainly because it isn’t very invasive, if it is beneficial for your unique situation. Laparoscopies, on the other hand, are slightly more invasive, and you would need to be under anesthesia.  

However, if your scarring is more severe, you might want to consider other options. While surgical repair used to be a choice for some patients, most people now prefer the option of IVF or in vitro fertilization. With IVF, you can bypass the issue by having one of your eggs fertilized in a lab and implanted in your uterus without relying on the fallopian tubes at all!  

Many people with significant scarring opt for this approach because it allows them to build the family they want without going through major surgery. Still, it’s important to remember that each of these procedures may be appropriate for different situations and to discuss with your provider which of them will work best for you. 

You can get pregnant with blocked fallopian tubes

Many people can achieve this through the remarkable technological advances available at clinics like ours. We take pride in helping make our patients’ dreams come true, and we look forward to discussing all of these options with you. 

Make an appointment now to visit us at our San Diego, California, office. Simply call or book online.

If egg freezing interests you but you don’t know enough about it to decide, keep reading to learn all about the procedure and determine whether it might be right for you.

Are you considering putting off having children until later in life? Do you want to help someone struggling to conceive? Or perhaps you’re just not sure about your future family plans. All of these are good reasons to freeze your eggs.  

Gen 5 Fertility Center offers an egg-freezing process that takes you from the very first stage of consideration to the last when our medical professionals retrieve and store your eggs.   

Our providers — Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba — understand the choice to freeze your eggs, and the process can take considerable time, effort, and thought. That’s why our clinic strives to help patients understand everything possible about the procedure before it begins.   

The process of freezing your eggs

Deciding to freeze your eggs isn’t a simple, one-and-done process. It first involves a bit of soul-searching to determine if this is the best course of action for you. Then, you can discuss it with your provider to find out if you’re a good candidate. If you are, you and your provider will create a plan for the process.  

You’ll need to take medications that stimulate egg production so your provider can retrieve as many as possible during the procedure. This process goes on for about two weeks before the procedure itself. When that time comes, we sedate you so you won’t feel pain. You might have some temporary cramping afterward. 

After this, we evaluate your eggs and freeze the mature ones. We give you a report letting you know how many eggs have been frozen, and we care for these eggs until the next phase of the process — whatever that may look like for you.  

Why people decide to freeze their eggs

Freezing your eggs is a big decision and requires a lot of steps, so most people don’t approach it lightly. But there may be many reasons why you may decide to go through with the process.  

For one, you may know you want to have children but aren’t sure when. Egg freezing allows you to avoid these worries and live your life as you choose. 

Some people want to keep some of their eggs and donate others, while still other candidates choose to donate all their eggs. Donating eggs can be a lucrative process and can also help make someone’s dream come true.  

Finally, you may freeze your eggs for a medical reason, such as a cancer diagnosis or another condition that may require egg freezing to have children down the road.  

A good candidate for egg freezing 

Good candidates for egg freezing are often between 25 and 40, although ages 27 to 34 are considered ideal. Generally, after age 40, egg freezing is less effective, but we may consider some patients on a case-by-case basis.  

We assess your fertility health at the beginning of the process and administer medication to increase your egg production so we can retrieve as many eggs as possible.   

Possible risks with egg freezing

Egg freezing doesn’t have many risks. However, because of the hormonal medications given to increase egg production, you may experience bloating, discomfort, and mood swings, which can be difficult to weather. Other risks are associated with anesthesia and the procedure but are rare.  

Success rates of egg freezing

Many factors affect the success rates of freezing your eggs, but age matters most overall. Freezing your eggs at a younger age increases the likelihood of a healthy birth.  

Choosing egg freezing

Are you ready to freeze your eggs? Visit our San Diego, California, office or book an appointment online.

We want all of our patients to have the same access to reproductive treatment options. We believe everyone has the right to build the family of their dreams. Here’s what we offer LGBTQ couples at our San Diego office.

Love is love, and family is family — no matter how they’re made. There are many people throughout the world who choose to create a family of their own in different ways, and we’re here to help.  

At Gen 5 Fertility Center, we’re proud to offer reproductive treatment options to LGBTQ+ folks who want to start or grow their families. Our providers — Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba — are always focused on offering you the best care, which includes nuanced treatment that takes all your needs into account. 

Let us tell you about some of the options we provide for LGBTQ couples. If you think this might be right for you and your partner, we’d love to have you visit us at our San Diego office so we can discuss further.  

LGBTQ reproductive options

In many cases, there is a combination of similar and unique treatments needed from those of straight couples. For example, you may require treatment for a condition like PCOS before implementing another reproductive treatment. For this, we recommend discussing your specific situation with us.  

With any kind of treatment program, one size doesn’t fit all. That’s why we take the needs of our gay, lesbian, transgender, and queer patients with specific consideration. We want to provide you with options that feel right to you and your partner, so please don’t hesitate to let us know which of these options — or if a combination of them — would work best for you.  

Egg and sperm freezing 

Like other couples, you might not be ready to begin the process of starting or growing your family at this time. If fertility down the line is a concern, we recommend egg or sperm freezing. Both can be extremely helpful to provide you with the best fertility options later in life, so you don’t have to worry now.  

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) 

ART involves several options for egg, embryo, and sperm donation as well as surrogacy. You and your partner can decide which is best for you. We’re extremely thorough in vetting our candidates for donation and surrogacy, and the process can be tailored to your needs, depending on the biological connection you wish to have between all parties and your child.  

Split insemination 

Split insemination is an excellent option for two partners who possess sperm and would prefer not to choose one biological link to their child. Instead, this option allows half the embryos to be fertilized with one partner’s sperm and half with the other’s. The procedure provides several possibilities for our patients, many of whom prefer this approach to surrogacy.  

Co-IVF

Co-IVF is also a fantastic option for couples who both have uteruses and want to participate in the reproductive process. One partner is the egg donor, while the other partner carries the fertilized embryos. It can provide the kind of pregnancy to which all parties are connected.  

Other services 

We also understand that other services may be a part of your reproductive journey. For example, a semen analysis may be necessary if you’re concerned about the viability of your sperm, or laparoscopic surgery may be a requirement before IVF to remove blockages in your fallopian tubes.  

Whatever the case, we will be able to provide you with the options you need to begin a reproductive process that is as safe and successful as anyone else’s. We promise to take all your needs into account and provide you with the best possible options.  

We take pride in helping build families 

Our most important job is to provide our patients with safe, effective care, enabling them to build the families of their dreams. We believe everyone has the right to create their own family, and we’ll stand by you as you create yours.  

Please call our San Diego, CA, office today to make an appointment or visit us online. We look forward to meeting you!