In a nutshell This study compared two types of frozen embryo transfer (FET) for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It found that stimulating ovulation with letrozole (Femara) led to fewer pregnancy complications than using an artificial cycle. Some background FET is an infertility treatment in which a frozen embryo is transferred into...
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Antioxidants for male infertility: a review of the evidence
In a nutshell This review looked at antioxidants for men with infertility. They found that antioxidants can improve semen quality, including for men with varicoceles (VCs). Some background Male infertility, such as low sperm count, contributes to half of all cases of infertility. Sperm require specific conditions to develop normally. Sperm are...
Read MoreDoes weight influence miscarriage for women with PCOS?
In a nutshell This analysis looked at which factors influence the risk of miscarriage for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) who were undergoing infertility treatment. It found that being overweight and insulin resistance can increase miscarriage risk in these patients. Some background Metabolism, hormones, and fertility are closely...
Read MoreHow to improve IVF implantation rates?
In a nutshell This review looked at treatments for women who have had multiple cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF) without a pregnancy. It found that there are multiple options that may improve implantation rates, including white blood cell infusions or factors which grow the lining of the uterus. Some background IVF is a widely used...
Read MoreEvaluating the safety of letrozole for fertility treatments
In a nutshell This review looked at the safety of using letrozole (Femara) to promote ovulation. It found that letrozole does not increase birth defects or miscarriage. It also found that letrozole led to higher birth rates than clomiphene citrate (Clomid). Some background Infertility is a growing issue. Not ovulating regularly, or releasing an egg,...
Read MoreGuidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility – part 2
In a nutshell These guidelines reviewed current best practices in treating male infertility. Some background Male infertility affects half of all couples with infertility. Low sperm count or quality are the most common signs of male infertility. Medical organizations offer guidelines on how to treat male infertility. Methods &...
Read MoreGuidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility – part 1
In a nutshell These guidelines reviewed appropriate testing for men in couples with infertility. Some background Male infertility contributes to half of all cases of infertility. Identifying the cause of infertility is the first step towards managing it. There is ongoing research on the best methods of diagnosing infertility in men. Professional...
Read MoreIs ICSI or IVF better for couples with non-male cause infertility?
In a nutshell This study looked at the effect of using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) for couples where the woman was over 35 and the man had normal sperm quality. It found that standard IVF led to more births than ICSI. Some background IVF is an infertility treatment in which medications stimulate the...
Read MoreFertility medications for intrauterine insemination in women with decreased ovarian reserve
In a nutshell This study compared fertility medications for intrauterine insemination (IUI) for women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). It found that letrozole (Femara) and clomiphene citrate (Clomid) tablets gave similar results to injected gonadotropins (Gonal-F). Some background DOR is a condition in which few ovarian follicles (which...
Read MoreContinuing endometriosis treatment during IVF
In a nutshell This study looked at priming for in vitro fertilization (IVF) using dienogest (Visanne), which can reduce symptoms of endometriosis. It found that patients with endometriosis can use dienogest during IVF treatment. Some background Endometriosis is a condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus grow in other places, such as on...
Read MoreALA supplements following varicocele repair surgery improve sperm parameters
In a nutshell This trial looked at whether alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) can improve varicocele repair outcomes. It found that this antioxidant may lead to more improvement in sperm quality. Some background Semen quality is an important part of male fertility. Sperm development requires a cooler environment. The scrotum provides the correct temperature away...
Read MoreCan probiotics improve fertility?
In a nutshell This review looked at whether probiotics can improve fertility. It found that probiotics improve sperm quality, and it is not clear whether probiotics improve pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization (IVF). Some background For every human cell in a person’s body, there are 10 microbial cells living on the skin, in the gut,...
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