In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment that can help couples conceive a child. IVF involves combining sperm and eggs in a laboratory to create an embryo, which is then implanted in the woman's uterus.

Some people have concerns that IVF may increase the risk of cancer. This is because IVF involves using hormones to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. These hormones can increase the levels of estrogen in the body, and estrogen is a known risk factor for some types of cancer, such as breast cancer.

However, studies have shown that there is no increased risk of cancer for women who have had IVF. This is true for breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) agrees with these findings.

Studies on IVF and Cancer Risk

• A 2018 study published in the journal Human Reproduction found that there was no increased risk of breast cancer for women who had had IVF. The study followed over 100,000 women for up to 20 years.
• A 2019 study published in the journal JAMA Oncology found that there was no increased risk of ovarian cancer for women who had had IVF. The study followed over 160,000 women for up to 40 years.
• A 2020 study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility found that there was no increased risk of uterine cancer for women who had had IVF. The study followed over 1 million women for up to 20 years.

ASRM's Findings

The ASRM agrees with the findings of these studies. The ASRM states that there is "no convincing evidence" that IVF increases the risk of cancer.

Why IVF Does Not Increase Cancer Risk

There are a few reasons why IVF does not increase the risk of cancer.

• The amount of estrogen exposure during IVF is relatively low.
• The type of estrogen used in IVF is different from the type of estrogen that is associated with an increased risk of cancer.
• Women who have IVF are typically older than women who conceive naturally. Older women are at an increased risk of cancer, but this is not due to IVF.

IVF is a safe and effective treatment for infertility. There is no increased risk of cancer for women who have had IVF. If you are considering IVF, you should talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treatment.

You may also take control of your fertility health with Natalist's at-home fertility test bundle. This bundle includes everything you need to track your ovulation and identify potential fertility issues, all from the comfort of your own home.

The Natalist fertility test bundle includes:

• Ovulation tests: These tests detect the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) that occurs before ovulation, so you can know exactly when to try for a baby.
• Progesterone tests: These tests measure the level of progesterone in your body, which can help you confirm ovulation and assess your overall progesterone levels.
• Natalist app: The Natalist app tracks your test results, symptoms, and menstrual cycle, so you can see patterns and trends in your fertility health.

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Every woman has probably wondered this at some point. And yet, there’s really no way to know for sure.

Having a baby is one of those rare things that you only know is possible once you’ve already done it. Like climbing Mount Everest. Or walking out of Target having only purchased that one thing you walked in intending to purchase 🙂

Though having absolute certainty about your fertility is unrealistic, there are clues that you can look out for—some of which may put your mind at ease. And we’ve listed them out. Our list is not exhaustive, and its existence does not mean that you should panicking if you can’t give an automatic “yes” to every bullet point!  That said, the more boxes you check, the more at ease you should be about your own fertility:

• You have a regular cycle.  A regular cycle is defined as having your period arrive once every 24 to 35 days, and then bleeding for 3 to 7 days, not too light, not too heavy. Deviation from these norms could indicate a problem like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or Endometriosis, and those conditions can make becoming pregnant more difficult.
• You have a lot of eggs. The more eggs you have, the higher your chances of fertility. A simple blood test that measures Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels can determine your ovarian reserve--a measure of the quantity of eggs in your body (but not your egg quality!). You can do the test even if you are on birth control, but keep in mind that it is not always covered by insurance.
• You have not had any unchecked STDs.Diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which spreads quickly to the reproductive organs and harms fertility. This happens because the PID infection causes scar tissue to build up in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and other organs, preventing ovulation and eliminating the ability to conceive.
• You do not smoke or binge drink. Smoking can seriously harm your chances of conceiving and increase the likelihood of miscarriage. Heavy drinking and recreational drug use can also result in fertility problems.
• You are neither significantly overweight nor underweight. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has said that having a BMI of over 35 or less than 19 can affect how long it takes for you to get pregnant.
• You have a fertile partner. Be it a donor’s or your lover’s, you need viable sperm to fertilize your eggs. Almost 40% of all fertility-related issues arise from the male partner. So you could still need fertility treatment even if you yourself are completely fertile.

The more you know about your reproductive health, the better equipped you will be to make choices with both awareness and confidence. 

The post Can I have a baby? first appeared on Glow.

The Real Cost of Egg Freezing

Egg freezing can be a significant financial commitment. The estimated total cost for a cycle of egg freezing is around $10,000, plus an additional $2,000 to $5,000 for medication. The process of thawing the egg, fertilization, and embryo transfer costs an extra $5,000, payable at the time of egg thaw, if and when that occurs. Furthermore, the cost of cold storage ranges between $500 to $1,000 per year.

In summary, the total out-of-pocket cost can amount to approximately $20,000. This is a substantial sum, equivalent to a luxurious vacation or several weeks of European travel. However, if you're certain about wanting children in the future, egg freezing might be a more cost-effective option than multiple rounds of IVF later in life using older, less healthy eggs. This perspective, coupled with the peace of mind it offers, is why an increasing number of women are opting to freeze their eggs.

Is It Worth It?

Researchers have conducted studies to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of egg freezing. They concluded that it's more cost-effective for a woman to freeze her eggs at 35 and use them at 40, rather than attempting to conceive with IVF alone at the age of 40. The researchers also found that egg freezing is a cost-effective strategy up to the age of 38.

So, if you're in your 20s or 30s and know that you won't be ready to have a baby until your 40s, egg freezing could be the most cost-effective way to ensure future pregnancy.

Remember, understanding your menstrual cycle, tracking ovulation, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can play a significant role in your fertility journey. Tools like fertility apps can be a great aid in this process.

The post The $$ of Egg Freezing first appeared on Glow.

This is quite a journey for a tiny egg! The freezing method is crucial. Just as a tub of Ben & Jerry's can suffer freezer burn if left in the freezer too long, the preservation of your eggs, a key part of your reproductive future, needs to be handled with care.

The Initial Freeze

Post-collection through a process involving hormonal medications and IVF, the eggs are prepared for freezing. Given the high water content of eggs, the water is first removed to prevent damage during freezing. This water is replaced with a non-freezable substance, and then the eggs are frozen for future use.

Thawing and Implantation

While egg freezing has many success stories, there can also be failures. The egg needs to be carefully thawed for survival (vitrification, the currently favored thawing method, boasts a success rate of 90-95%). If successful, the egg then undergoes ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), as the freezing process hardens the egg's shell, necessitating direct sperm injection into the egg.

From there, the egg follows the same process as IVF. The success rate of IVF is influenced by various factors, including age and health, with the national average success rate being 50% according to the CDC.

Success Rates

For women aged 38 to 40 years, the success rate of birth from a frozen egg is higher than using fresh eggs. That's a win for Team Frozen Eggs!

Is egg freezing worth the potential side effects? This depends on several factors: a woman's age, financial capacity to preserve her eggs, and personal views on the matter. If you're certain about wanting children, egg freezing can enhance your chances. While we can't predict the future, the option of egg freezing provides a reassuring backup plan for your reproductive journey.

Remember, understanding your menstrual cycle, tracking ovulation, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can play a significant role in your fertility journey. Tools like fertility apps can be a great aid in this process.

The post How Effective is Egg Freezing first appeared on Glow.

PCOS causes a hormonal imbalance that disrupts the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries. Your healthcare provider can recommend a suitable treatment plan to address this, which may include weight loss strategies, medication, or even IVF. Meanwhile, here are some tips you can implement today:

1. Healthy Diet: Embrace a balanced diet rich in good fats, grains, vegetables, and proteins. Try to limit sugar and processed carbs like white bread and soda. A healthy fertility diet can be a game-changer.
2. Exercise: Physical activity is key. You don't necessarily need to hit the gym - dancing, swimming, and long walks all count towards your exercise quota.
3. Vitamin D Supplement: Consider supplementing your diet with vitamin D. Many women are deficient in this nutrient, and studies have linked adequate vitamin D levels to improved fertility health.
4. Cinnamon: This delightful spice has been associated with numerous benefits, including reducing insulin resistance in women with PCOS.
5. Medication: Discuss with your doctor about possibly replacing Clomid with letrozole. Some studies suggest that letrozole may lead to higher live birth rates for women with PCOS.
6. Metformin: Consult your doctor about metformin. Research indicates that PCOS treatment with metformin can be effective.

Remember, understanding your menstrual cycle and tracking ovulation can also be beneficial in managing PCOS and improving fertility. Tools like fertility apps can be a great aid in this process.

The post How to deal with PCOS first appeared on Glow.

1. Would you recommend starting with Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
2. If we opt for IUI, what are the chances of success?
3. How many IUI cycles would you suggest before considering a transition to IVF?
4. What are my personal success rates with IVF?
5. Would you advise Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) on the embryos? Could you explain why?
6. How frequently will I need to visit the clinic during my IUI or IVF cycle?
7. Are there any lifestyle changes my partner and I can make to enhance our fertility?
8. Are there specific supplements we should consider? (CoQ10, DHEA, Vitamin D, Vitamin B-12)
9. Are there any measures he can take to improve sperm quality or quantity?
10. Should we abstain from sexual intercourse during treatment?
11. Should we avoid activities like using saunas or hot tubs?
12. Are there any physical activities we should refrain from during this period?
13. What sets your clinic apart from others?

And lastly...

14. Are there any pertinent questions I may have overlooked?

Remember, understanding your menstrual cycle, tracking ovulation, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can play a significant role in your fertility journey. Tools like fertility apps can be a great aid in this process.

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Pros of Egg Freezing

1. Preserve Your Healthiest Eggs: As a woman ages, the health of her eggs decreases. Freezing your eggs allows you to preserve your fertility and potentially conceive later in life. After 40, the chances of getting pregnant naturally decrease significantly, and the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in eggs increases.
2. Fewer Rounds of IVF Later: Using healthier, younger eggs might reduce the need for multiple rounds of IVF in the future, potentially saving you money and emotional stress.
3. Peace of Mind: Egg freezing provides the freedom to create the best possible situation for starting a family without the pressure of a ticking biological clock.
4. No Regrets: As technology advances, the process of egg freezing will likely become more efficient and accessible. Freezing your eggs when you're at the optimal age for it could prevent future regrets.
5. Promotes Gender Equality: In both the workplace and personal relationships, egg freezing can help level the playing field by reducing the pressure to have children by a certain age.

Cons of Egg Freezing

1. High Cost: A cycle of egg freezing can cost around $10,000, and with additional fees for medication and storage, the total costs may reach around $15,000.
2. False Sense of Security: Despite the advancements in technology, there's still no 100% guarantee that frozen eggs will lead to a successful pregnancy.
3. One Cycle, One Child: Typically, one cycle of egg freezing results in one child at best. Multiple children would require multiple cycles of egg freezing, with no guarantees.
4. Risks of Drug Treatment and Medical Procedures: Both the egg retrieval and future implantation processes involve hormone medications and invasive procedures, which carry some health risks.

There's a wealth of information available online, from fertility centers detailing the medical process to personal experiences shared by women in the Glow Community who have already made this decision. Remember, understanding your menstrual cycle, tracking ovulation, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can play a significant role in your fertility journey. Tools like fertility apps can be a great aid in this process.

The post Pros and Cons of Egg Freezing first appeared on Glow.

Age and Quality

The younger a woman is when she freezes her eggs, the healthier those eggs are likely to be, leading to a higher probability of a successful pregnancy later on. While fertility and egg freezing may not be top of mind for women in their 20s, by the age of 30, many start considering their fertility health. They realize that delaying pregnancy or egg freezing could potentially make it more challenging to conceive in the future.

Research suggests that women who freeze their eggs before the age of 34 have the best chances of a successful pregnancy from a cycle of frozen eggs. After 38, the quality of eggs declines more rapidly, making it less beneficial to preserve these eggs compared to opting for multiple rounds of IVF using fresh eggs.

Age and Cost

For women in their 20s, unless there are medical reasons, the costs associated with egg freezing and storage may not be justifiable, as they might conceive naturally within the next 10 to 15 years. However, by the age of 30, women start to weigh the costs of preserving their fertility against the potential costs of egg freezing, especially if they don't plan to have children in the near future. In fact, egg freezing might be a more cost-effective option than multiple rounds of IVF later in life using older, less healthy eggs.

Research indicates that 62% of 35-year-old women who freeze their eggs and attempt to conceive at 40 are successful, with a cost of $40,000. In contrast, only 42% of women who solely rely on IVF at the age of 40 achieve a successful pregnancy, with a cost exceeding $55,000.

The Bottom Line

Considering both age and egg quality, the ideal age range for egg freezing, without risking unnecessary expenditure, is between 30 to 37. It requires foresight to consider egg freezing at this age, but if having children is part of your future plans, it's just another aspect of "family planning."

Remember, understanding your menstrual cycle, tracking ovulation, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can play a significant role in your fertility journey. Tools like fertility apps can be a great aid in this process.

The post What is the right age to freeze your eggs? first appeared on Glow.