Author: David Lussky

Fertility is a complex and often misunderstood subject. With advancements in medical science and ongoing research, there are many surprising facts about fertility that many people are not aware of.

Here are seven intriguing and lesser-known facts about fertility that might surprise you.

1. Men Have a Biological Clock Too
While much attention is paid to women’s biological clocks, men are not exempt from age-related fertility declines. Research shows that sperm quality decreases with age, potentially affecting fertility and increasing the risks of genetic abnormalities in offspring. Men over 40 are less likely to conceive within a year compared to younger men.

2. Dental Health is Linked to Fertility
Surprisingly, dental health can impact fertility. Gum disease has been linked to longer times to conceive. Poor oral health can lead to higher levels of bacteria and inflammation, which might impact conception and overall reproductive health.

3. The Impact of Artificial Light on Fertility
In our modern world, exposure to artificial light, especially at night, can have a surprising impact on fertility. Research indicates that light pollution and the use of electronic devices emitting blue light can disrupt circadian rhythms. This disruption can affect the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles and has been linked to the reproductive cycle. Women who are exposed to high levels of artificial light at night may experience changes in their menstrual cycle and ovulation, potentially impacting fertility. Similarly, exposure to artificial light can affect sperm quality in men. Reducing exposure to artificial light, especially at night, might be beneficial for couples trying to conceive.

4. Fertility Can Be Affected by Weight
Both underweight and overweight can impact fertility. Being significantly underweight can affect ovulation, while being overweight can lead to hormonal imbalances and ovulation issues. Maintaining a healthy weight is often advised for those trying to conceive.

5. Fertility and the Thyroid Connection
Often overlooked, the thyroid gland plays a crucial role in fertility. Both hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can lead to fertility problems. An overactive or underactive thyroid can disrupt menstrual cycles, affect ovulation, and even lead to increased risk of miscarriage. Thyroid hormones are essential for regulating many bodily functions, including metabolism and reproductive health. Ensuring that the thyroid gland is functioning properly through regular check-ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be crucial for those trying to conceive. It’s an important reminder of how interconnected our bodily systems are when it comes to fertility. 

6. Psychological Stress and Fertility
Psychological stress can have a significant impact on fertility. Stress can affect the functioning of the hypothalamus – the gland in the brain that regulates the hormones required to release eggs. This can lead to irregular periods, making conception more challenging. Practice stress relieving activities such as meditation, walking, yoga, connecting with others, listening to music or other hobbies you enjoy to reduce stress.

7. Certain Foods Can Boost Fertility
Diet plays a crucial role in fertility. Foods rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and certain vitamins can enhance fertility. For example, dark leafy greens, fatty fish, and whole grains are often recommended for those trying to conceive.

Understanding these surprising aspects of fertility can provide couples with a broader perspective on conception and reproductive health. It’s always advisable to consult with healthcare providers for personalized advice and guidance on fertility-related issues. 

For more informtion, make an appointment online, or call today.

Although the egg retrieval process is quick, freezing your eggs takes time, consideration, and preparation. Preparing with your provider and on your own is essential to having a positive experience with this process. 

Egg freezing is an innovative option that has given many people more autonomy over their fertility journey. It’s a choice that gives you more control over when you get pregnant.   

At Gen 5 Fertility, we know having children is a major decision that benefits from planning. Egg freezing allows you to control several variables, but it requires a bit of preparation.  

Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba — our highly skilled and knowledgeable providers — are here to take you through each step, including making arrangements, going through the process, and aftercare.  

Why you should prepare for egg freezing

Egg freezing is becoming a more and more popular method of family planning. Between 2010 and 2015, the United States saw an increase in egg freezing by 880%. But the procedure’s popularity sometimes belies the attention, preparation, and consideration it takes.  

You have to take several steps before your eggs are ready for retrieval. Knowing what each step will be in advance ensures you’ll complete the procedure without any issues and have a positive experience.  

Preparing for egg freezing 

What you can do

One of the first things you can do is to cultivate a healthy routine for your day-to-day activities. This means getting regular exercise, eating right, and getting the proper amount of rest. Having a normal routine isn’t just good for your egg production but also for you. 

In addition, go into the process with a positive mindset. Having realistic expectations and focusing on the positives will help you feel prepared and excited for the procedure. In fact, studies have shown that a favorable mindset about egg freezing is part of what supports patients through the process.  

Preparation 

You’ll also need to complete several steps to prepare for your procedure. First is the egg-freezing assessment. This determines if the procedure is right for you. The assessment starts with an ultrasound and blood tests to assess the health of your ovarian reserve.  

The next part of the process involves creating a personalized plan. We discuss your ovarian health, fertility goals, and other relevant factors. Then, we provide you with a treatment calendar based on your specific needs.  

The third step is the stimulation process. This involves using medications to stimulate egg production so we can retrieve as many healthy, mature eggs as possible. You visit us regularly during this time for ultrasounds and hormone tests to determine if the medications are doing their job to increase egg production.  

Once your body has reacted favorably to the preparation, you receive one final medication that helps the eggs mature. Shortly after that, you come in for your egg retrieval procedure.   

Preparation for post-procedure 

Most people don’t experience many issues after the procedure, although some soreness is normal. You should be ready to return to your daily activities the following day, but schedule some time for rest post-procedure. 

Are you ready to begin your journey toward parenthood?

Freezing your eggs is a process, but the more prepared you are, the easier it will be.  

To start your journey now, visit us at our San Diego, California, office. Simply call or make an appointment online.

Did you know only some people are eligible to become an egg donor? And even those who are may want to ask themselves if they’re the right person for this extremely important job. Let us give you more information on egg donation today.

People decide to donate their eggs for many reasons. For some, it’s a financial decision. For others, it’s a part of the process of freezing their eggs for future fertility options. Whatever your situation, it helps to understand the characteristics of an egg donor. 

Here at Gen 5 Fertility, we want to help with our patients’ fertility needs. Our providers — Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba — focus on patient satisfaction and offering individualized care that specifically suits you on your fertility journey. 

The characteristics of an ideal egg donor 

Being an egg donor is akin to giving an incredible gift. You’re helping someone who can’t have children achieve their dream of becoming a parent. And for those who receive this gift, there is often an invisible bond of appreciation between the donor and the receiver, even though they never meet.  

The current regulations about who can and can’t be an egg donor are relaxed in the United States compared to other countries. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t specific characteristics we and other clinics look for when choosing an egg donor.  

1. Physical health 

Egg donors must be in good physical health. Different clinics require different health standards, but for the most part, a handful of traits are considered. BMI is one of these. Egg donors usually need to be within 20 pounds of their ideal body weight, according to their BMI.  

Egg donors must be nonsmokers, non-drug-users, and without any significant physical health issues. Many clinics also require that egg donors have a relatively clean family history that doesn’t include medical issues or substance abuse.  

2. Mental health 

As we now understand mental illness to be a condition that easily passes through the genetic line, egg donors should also be free of mental illness and have stable mental health. This is explored through the donor’s family history by most clinics. What’s more, the process of signing up for egg donation sometimes requires the donor to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.  

3. Maturity 

Egg donors in the United States can be as young as 19, but maturity is also a key component of being an ideal egg donor. The process is complicated and requires a lot of work from the donor to be successful. It requires organization, thoughtfulness, and planning, not to mention making your appointments on time and keeping up with your injection schedule.  

4. Commitment

Being committed to the process is essential to being an ideal egg donor. This is often discussed with the donor early on so they understand the importance. If you choose to freeze your eggs to be used later, you have an excellent reason to commit to the process, and we encourage you to consider donating as well. 

Are you ready to learn more about egg donation? 

Whether you want to donate your eggs or inquire about donor eggs for IVF treatments, there’s never been a better time. 

To make an appointment at our San Diego, California, office, reach out through a phone call or make an appointment online now.

We recognize the crucial role lifestyle plays in fertility. This blog is designed to guide both men and women through actionable lifestyle modifications aimed at enhancing fertility and boosting your journey towards parenthood.

For Women: 

1. Balanced Diet: A nutritious diet rich in key nutrients such as folic acid, iron, and calcium is vital. Studies, including those from Harvard, highlight the reduced risk of infertility linked to dietary changes. The Fertility Diet, developed at Harvard, focuses on ovulation improvement and overall fertility.

2. Healthy Weight: Both underweight and overweight conditions can disrupt fertility. A balanced BMI is essential for optimal reproductive health.

3. Physical Activity: Regular, moderate exercise aids in maintaining hormonal balance and ovulatory function. However, excessive exercise can be counterproductive.

4. Stress Management: Stress can disturb hormonal equilibrium and menstrual cycles. Techniques like mindfulness, yoga, or counseling are beneficial for stress reduction.

5. Limiting Harmful Substances: Minimize intake of alcohol, caffeine, and avoid smoking and recreational drugs.

For Men: 

1. Nutritious Diet: A diet high in antioxidants, zinc, and selenium is crucial for sperm health. Adding walnuts, for instance, can enhance fertility.

2. Weight Management: A healthy weight is linked to better sperm quality, as obesity can negatively affect sperm.

3. Regular Exercise: Exercise boosts testosterone levels and sperm quality. However, activities raising scrotal temperature should be avoided.

4. Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol: These habits can significantly reduce sperm count and motility.

5. Stress Reduction: High stress levels can impact sperm production. Adopt effective stress management practices.

General Tips for Couples: 

• Dietary Choices: Incorporate full-fat dairy and vegetable-based proteins while reducing trans fats and refined carbs. Opt for high-fat dairy over low-fat versions to enhance fertility.

• Lifestyle Modifications: Prioritize quality sleep, manage stress, maintain a healthy weight, and opt for fertility-friendly lubricants.

• Tracking and Timing: Understanding and tracking the menstrual cycle can be crucial in timing intercourse for conception.

• Smoking and Alcohol: Quit smoking and moderate alcohol consumption, as these can affect both egg and sperm quality and increase the risk of early miscarriage.

Fertility is a journey that benefits from a collective approach to lifestyle changes. Adopting healthier habits can significantly improve your chances of conception. Remember, these are general guidelines, and it’s crucial to seek personalized advice from healthcare professionals for your unique situation. Your choices today can pave the way for a healthier tomorrow in your quest for parenthood.

Building a family is an exciting yet challenging journey. Couples often ask if their diet and supplements can boost fertility. It’s becoming ever more clear that what we eat and the supplements we take can make a difference.

The journey of building a family is both an exciting and many times challenging experience. Many couples who walk through our fertility center’s doors often wonder if there are immediate steps they can take to enhance their fertility. It’s becoming ever more clear that what we eat and the supplements we take can make a difference.

Understanding the Basics

Fertility isn’t just about the reproductive organs; it’s intricately connected with our overall health. The vitality of an egg, its surrounding cells, and the embryo can be influenced by factors like blood flow and antioxidants. Oxidative stress can cause damage, but antioxidants help combat this. Hence, offering these cells a nutrient-rich environment can frequently improve fertility.

Enriching Your Diet for Fertility

It’s beneficial to optimize your health as you prepare to become pregnant, and nutrition plays a key role. Multiple studies suggest that the “Mediterranean Diet” which includes lots of healthy foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, seafood, beans, and nuts, improves fertility.

Healthy Eating Guidelines

Aim to make about half of your plate at every meal consist of fruits and veggies. Reduce red meat, avoid trans fats present in foods like donuts, and fried items. Olive oil, with its rich monounsaturated fat content, is a wonderful choice for cooking, especially for those doing fertility treatments.

Antioxidant-rich foods, which ntroduce more antioxidants into your meals can be both beneficial and delicious. Here’s a handy list of foods brimming with antioxidants:

• Berries: Blackberries, Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries.
• Fruits: Pomegranates, Cranberries, Prunes, Apples
• Vegetables: Artichokes (when cooked), Russet potatoes, Greens, Cruciferous vegetables.
• Others: Dark chocolate, Beans.
• Spices: Ginger, Oregano, Turmeric, Cumin, Rosemary

Supplements to Consider

While the market is flooded with prenatal vitamins and supplements, it’s essential to pick ones that align with your unique needs. Here are some antioxidant-rich supplements to consider in addition to a prenatal multivitamin:

1. Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Essential for blood flow and linked to improved embryo implantation, fetal brain development, and reduced premature labor.

• Dosage: 500 to 1000 mg of EPA/DHA daily.
• Natural Sources: Wild-caught salmon, flaxseed oil, chia seeds.

2. Folic Acid: Crucial for preventing neural tube defects.

• Dosage: at least 400 micrograms daily.
• Natural Sources: Leafy greens like spinach and broccoli.

3. Vitamin C: Enhances blood flow but is best taken during the day to prevent heartburn.

• Dosage: 500 mg daily.

4. L-arginine: Increases blood flow. Especially valuable for vegetarians with low protein intake.

• Dosage: 1000 to 2000 mg daily.

5. Pycnogenol: Beneficial for women 39 or above and those with low ovarian reserve at any age.

• Dosage: 50 to 120mg daily.

6. Green Tea: A timeless antioxidant source, but it’s best to go decaffeinated and/or limit to one caffeinated cup daily.

7. Coenzyme Q-10: Particularly recommended for women over 37.

• Dosage: 600 mg daily. Cease intake once pregnancy is confirmed.

8. Reservatrol: is a polyphenol, a type of micronutrient found in plants that offers antioxidant properties. That means it can support fertility by protecting eggs and sperm from oxidative stress.

While no specific food or supplement ensures pregnancy, understanding their influence on fertility helps couples to make informed decisions. Always remember to discuss your dietary choices and supplement intake with your healthcare team, particularly if you’re undergoing treatments like IVF. Your journey to parenthood is unique, and tailored advice can significantly enhance your path to parenthood.

Did you know many treatments are available to help couples struggling with infertility? It’s true; all you need to do is figure out the problem and discuss your options with our experts to begin your journey to parenthood.

Infertility is a common problem in the United States. According to the CDC, one in four women of childbearing age who have not given birth previously struggle with getting pregnant or fully carrying a pregnancy to term. Fortunately, there are several infertility treatments.  

One or both partners in a relationship may be the source of the infertility, meaning diagnostic testing almost always comes before treatment. Once we have a strong picture of the reasons for your fertility issues, we can start to help.  

Gen 5 Fertility offers multiple fertility treatments. Our providers — Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba — want to help you achieve your dream of becoming parents in the safest, most effective way for you. 

3 fertility treatments that can help you conceive 

There are many treatments available for conception assistance. For example, we offer egg freezing for those who aren’t ready to have children but want the option down the line. We also provide LGBTQIA+ family-building options, semen analysis, treatment for blocked tubes, and more.  

But the process of treating infertility is very personal. And we want to provide you with the best choices for your needs. Once you get the results from your diagnostic test, we discuss one or more of these three fertility treatments with you and your partner.  

1. IVF 

In vitro fertilization — or IVF for short — is the process of taking eggs and sperm from the parents-to-be and artificially initiating the fertilization process in a lab. Then, we place the fertilized embryos inside the uterus.   

We can also perform IVF with donor sperm, donor eggs, or both if you and/or your partner have found through diagnostic testing that your own sperm and/or eggs are not viable. Your provider will also be there every step of the way to discuss the process with you and provide you with the results.  

This treatment isn’t for everyone, but many couples succeed with it. The CDC has created an IVF Success Estimator to help you determine whether you’re a good candidate. 

2. IUI

IUI (intrauterine insemination) is less invasive than IVF and often feels more natural. It involves placing the sperm from your partner or a sperm donor directly into your uterus. It’s often a great option for couples with strong, healthy sperm and fewer blocks to fertility.  

IUI is less costly than IVF and doesn’t require quite as much preparation. However, it doesn’t have the success rates of IVF, so we encourage many couples to try it first and move on to IVF if necessary.  

3. Ovulation stimulation

Also known as ovulation induction, we combine this treatment with IVF to stimulate egg production and ensure multiple mature eggs are released every ovulation cycle. The process involves the female partner taking fertility medications that regulate and intensify ovulation.  

Ovulation stimulation alone can be an effective treatment for some couples. For example, many people with PCOS successfully use this as an infertility treatment and never require IVF. You might choose ovulation stimulation as part or all of your fertility treatment plan, depending on your situation.  

Help for infertility exists

Whether you or your partner has issues with conception, there are ways to manage the problem through a number of available fertility treatments.  

To learn more or make an appointment at our San Diego, California, office, call or visit us online today.

For couples who’ve faced the emotional and physical rollercoaster of multiple failed IVF cycles, you might be considering using an egg donor as a next step, which can be the fairytale ending that you have been looking for.

For couples who’ve experienced the emotional and physical rollercoaster of multiple failed IVF cycles, the journey can be daunting, heartbreaking, and even isolating. For those who might be considering using an egg donor as a next step, can be the fairytale ending that they have been looking for.

1. The Emotional Impact

The journey of undergoing multiple IVF cycles, especially without success, is more than just a physical toll. It’s a whirlwind of emotions, hopes, and dreams that couples undergo. We know a couple who went through 11 failed cycles which has difficult as that can be, does exemplify the perseverance and heartache many couples face.

2. Re-evaluation is Key

It’s crucial to take a step back, re-evaluate, and have deep, meaningful conversations with your partner after a failed IVF. You might find yourself in a different place emotionally and mentally, and what was once off the table (like egg donation) might now be the best option. Setting up periodic markers to re-evaluate your progress and next steps is important to reaching your goals.  

3. Success Rates with Egg Donors

One of the most persuasive arguments for considering egg donation after several failed IVFs is the notably high success rate. With success rates hovering between 85 to 90%, it’s an avenue that offers hope to many.  To learn more about using an egg donor you can visit our preferred agency.

4. The Power of Choice

Utilizing egg donors gives couples an opportunity to choose genetic characteristics on the donor side. It can be an empowering step for couples, offering a renewed sense of control in a process that often feels uncontrollable.  If couples are not ready for this option, Dr. Wood recommends starting by just looking through the donor profiles to see if you find someone who can connect with or just to see what the process is like.  

5. Beautiful Success Stories

The couple we mentioned earlier, who found success after transitioning to egg donation, are not an anomaly. Many couples have found their path to parenthood after considering and opting to use donor eggs.

Conclusion

The path to parenthood is unique for everyone, and while challenges like multiple failed IVF cycles can be disheartening, there are always other avenues to explore. If you or someone you know is navigating this journey, we hope our insights provide some comfort and guidance. Your team at Gen 5 Fertility, is here to support and guide you through every step of the way. 

More and more people are turning to egg freezing to start their families. But when should you seek this option? And is there a best age to freeze your eggs?

Choosing to freeze your eggs is a big decision. Whether you’re planning to donate them or save them for a later date, egg freezing takes considerable thought and planning, not to mention time, effort, and money. That’s why it’s important to consider the best age to complete the procedure.  

At Gen 5 Fertility Center, we offer several fertility services, including diagnostic testing, IVF, and more. Freezing your eggs is a great way to ensure you can seek more fertility options in the future — or that you’ll be helping someone else do so.  

Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba want to help you freeze your eggs at the best possible time for optimal outcomes. When you’re ready to start this journey, reach out to us about your best options.   

The process of freezing your eggs — and getting it right 

Choosing to freeze your eggs can be a difficult decision. While it may seem like a natural choice so you can plan your family accordingly down the road, it’s also a difficult procedure, and price can also be a factor. You’ll want to know all these elements before starting the process. 

First, you’ll start with an assessment where we discuss your needs, choices, and whether egg freezing is right for you. You’ll also undergo a few diagnostic tests, including an ultrasound and a fertility assessment. Once you’ve decided to have your eggs frozen, you’ll start the stimulation process.  

The stimulation process involves taking medications that boost the quality and quantity of your egg production. When further testing reveals positive results, you’ll take a final medication to prepare for ovulation, and we remove your eggs. This process is short but slightly invasive, and though you might be a bit sore afterward, you’ll be able to return to normal activities quickly.  

As you can see, the egg-freezing process takes time, and you’ll want to ensure it has a strong chance for success. That’s why we do everything we can to get it right, up to and including planning for the optimal age for egg freezing.  

The best age for egg freezing 

Freezing your eggs while you’re young gives them the best chance of viability, but not every person thinks about freezing their eggs at 22. And especially since the procedure is expensive, many young women can’t freeze their eggs due to financial instability.  

So, now, you’re asking yourself: Is it too late to freeze my eggs? The answer is no; it’s not necessarily too late for you to make this decision simply because you’re getting older.  

While the best age for egg freezing is now (whatever your current age), a 2020 study found eggs harvested before age 35 have the highest likelihood of success. Another study states that 37-year-old women have the best success rates and the most cost-effective outcomes.  

Is egg freezing right for you?

The choice of when to start your family has never been more controllable. If you’re ready to freeze your eggs, please call our San Diego, California, office today or visit us online to make an appointment. 

IVF takes a toll on the mind and the body, so the more you can do to prepare for the process, the better your experience will be. Let us help you get ready for your treatment so you’ll know what to expect.

Once you’ve decided to seek IVF treatment for infertility, there are many steps to take before you can conceive a child. We go through all these steps with you, but there are also preparations you can handle by yourself.  

Ensuring your mind and body are ready for IVF is essential to a healthy, safe process. At Gen 5 Fertility Center, we recommend being as prepared as possible for your IVF journey.  

Our providers — Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba — are here to teach and assist you in any way we can to make your hope of becoming a parent a reality.  

Our role in IVF prep

Being prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally for your IVF treatment is critical, but “prepared” means different things to different people. Here are a few steps everyone must take to ensure the best chances for pregnancy through IVF. 

1. You begin by taking fertility medications to increase your egg production. 
2. Next, we retrieve the eggs from your body with minor surgery. 
3. We perform insemination in a lab and check the embryo to ensure proper growth.
4. Finally, we transfer the embryo into your uterus via a simple procedure. 

This is the list of steps if you and your partner are using your own eggs and sperm. If you use donor sperm or eggs, the process will be a bit different.  

4 ways you can prepare for IVF treatment 

1. Eat a healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet is one of the best things you can do for your body during this time. We recommend following a Mediterranean diet and avoiding overly salty foods, red meats, and processed foods. In addition, we stress not going on a weight loss diet now, as you’ll need to ensure your body is getting all the nutrients it requires.  

2. Exercise — but cut out running

Running puts a lot of stress on your body. Instead, go with a lighter, less intensive form of exercise, but don’t stop exercising altogether. And if you haven’t been working out, now is a good time to start with something low-impact, like walking, jogging, or swimming.  

3. Avoid certain chemicals and medicines

Products that have endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs can possibly interfere with conception. We recommend avoiding these during this time. Also, let us know about all your medications, as some could act against your fertility meds.  

4. Get mentally prepared for the process

Preparing your body for IVF also means preparing your mind. The experience can be extremely stressful, and preparing for how it will affect you and your partner can reduce that stress. If you haven’t considered therapy in the past, now might be a good time to start talking to someone.  

Prepare yourself for IVF treatment 

IVF isn’t an easy experience, but many of our patients have found happiness through it with a growing family. We’re here to help you every step of the way at our San Diego, California, office. Simply call or make an appointment online today.

Is PRP therapy a real option for people whose ovaries create insufficient healthy eggs? Yes. This procedure is safe, effective, and revolutionary — and it could help you naturally conceive a child.

It can be hard, even incredibly painful, to learn that you are having trouble conceiving a child. Especially if you have dreamed of doing so your whole life, realizing that your body has specific challenges when it comes to conceiving can be devastating.  

While many options are available, the newest, most innovative therapy to date — PRP ovarian rejuvenation — is offered exclusively at our office in San Diego.  

Gen 5 Fertility is the only practice in the United States to offer ovarian rejuvenation with PRP therapy. Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba believe in this revolutionary technique and use it to help more people achieve their dream of becoming parents. 

PRP therapy 101 

PRP therapy is a reasonably new procedure; its first review was published in 2006. However, the treatment and its uses have grown exponentially since then, partly because PRP therapy is one of the safest treatments available. It uses your own blood, so there is very little chance of infection and no risk of cell rejection.  

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, a substance that comes from your blood after being drawn and spun inside a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the PRP from the rest of your blood so that we can extract it. We then use the PRP to rejuvenate cell growth and jumpstart your body’s natural healing process.  

This technique has myriad medical applications, from skin rejuvenation to healing injuries to treating chronic pain. We’re just beginning to scratch the surface regarding the benefits of PRP, and Gen 5 Fertility Center is at the forefront of this innovative treatment, using PRP to treat infertility.   

Using PRP to rejuvenate your ovaries 

Hearing your body might be facing challenges when it comes to conceiving a child is often devastating. Perhaps you have been told you’re experiencing early or premature menopause or that your ovaries aren’t functioning normally enough for you to conceive. Though this news is difficult to hear, PRP therapy could help.  

The process of treating your ovaries with PRP therapy is very similar to other types of PRP-based procedures. We take a sample of your blood, process it in a centrifuge, and extract the PRP. Then, Dr. Woods uses a vaginal ultrasound to guide an injection that delivers the PRP straight into your ovaries. The procedure is painless and very rarely requires anesthesia.  

The goal of the procedure is to jumpstart the development of more healthy and viable oocytes, which improves your follicles and hormonal balances. In a 2020 study involving 38 women treated with PRP, six babies were born, 10 pregnancies occurred, and hormone levels improved significantly throughout the study participants. 

A good candidate for ovarian rejuvenation with PRP

If you think you might be a good candidate, contact us. We’ll be happy to discuss the procedure and determine through several tests if the treatment is right for you. In general, those who are dealing with premature menopausal symptoms or who do not have enough healthy eggs to conceive naturally are often great candidates.  

Ovarian rejuvenation with PRP could help

This procedure has changed the lives of many people who desired to have children and were able to achieve that reality. If you want to learn more about how PRP could help rejuvenate your ovaries, call our San Diego, California, office today or book an appointment online.

Did you know there are several ways to treat mildly and severely blocked fallopian tubes, one of the leading causes of infertility? Consider your options, and determine which will be best for your need today.

Blocked fallopian tubes are a common issue, creating between 30% and 40% of infertility in female patients. If you have been diagnosed with fallopian tube blockage, several options may still allow you to conceive a child.  

Here at Gen 5 Fertility, we do everything we can to help our patients achieve the dream of becoming parents. Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba — the providers at our office in San Diego, California — all have extensive knowledge about the issues associated with blocked fallopian tubes and the procedures available for their treatment. 

What it means to have blocked fallopian tubes 

If your fallopian tubes are blocked, it means you could have a tough time conceiving. For one, the fallopian tubes are the part of your body that carries mature eggs to your uterus during ovulation. They’re also where the sperm fertilizes the egg, so blockages can make it hard for both actions to occur.   

Blocked fallopian tubes can have many causes. An infection or a condition like endometriosis could create scarring, making it hard for the fallopian tubes to work properly. Because the issue often has no symptoms, most people who have fallopian tube blockages don’t realize it until they’re trying to get pregnant 

How mild blockages are treated 

When you seek help for a blockage, one of our providers will need to determine the severity of the issue. It’s possible only one tube may be blocked or that the issue is not severe. If this is the case, ovarian stimulation through fertility drugs could be very helpful.  

If your fallopian tubes have minor scar tissue, a procedure like laparoscopic surgery can allow us to separate the blockages from the tubes, possibly making it easier for you to conceive naturally. But there are some cases where the blockage is too severe to be removed this way.  

How severe blockages are treated 

If your fallopian tubes are significantly blocked, you have options, including a few surgical options — like fimbrioplasty and salpingostomy — that vary in their effectiveness, depending on your specific case.  

Surgery for severely blocked tubes can come with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, a serious condition. It’s important to keep us informed of your periods and if you possibly become pregnant after this surgery. The best results occur in younger patients who are using healthy sperm. 

Finally, if none of these options work for you, you may want to consider IVF. IVF involves fertilizing healthy eggs with healthy sperm in an artificial environment, then transporting them to your uterus, bypassing the fallopian tubes.  

Get help for your blocked fallopian tubes

Blocked fallopian tubes can’t always be unblocked, but many treatment options may allow for a successful pregnancy. To discuss your options, make an appointment online, or call us at our San Diego, California, office.