Shady Grove Fertility believes in cultivating a sustainable community through resources like Glow, a free app and fertility forum that is helping patients manage the clinical aspects of their treatment inside and outside their doctor’s office.
In 2014 we partnered with Glow to provide our patients with a comprehensive resource that not only helps them track their fertility testing and treatment, but fosters engagement with one another through Q&As.
Shady Grove Fertility’s Dr. Shruti Malik Sparks Conversation on Glow Fertility Forum
Last week, during Glow’s “The Doctor is in” fertility forum, Dr. Shruti Malik of the Fair Oaks, VA, office hosted a live Q&A session on IVF and IUI treatment. The reproductive endocrinologist, who specializes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), male factor infertility, and ovarian aging, interacted with 20+ Glow users and over 500 viewers who were considering IVF and IUI treatment.
Many had questions about how their health could impact the effectiveness of fertility treatment, the advantages of taking ovulation medicine before undergoing IUI and IVF treatments, and the rates of secondary infertility among women who have children.
You can read the most popular questions and answers below:
- Q: “For a woman who has PCOS and ovulates every month, what would be the causes of her not getting pregnant? She has a period each month and no visual cyst. Would it just be the hormonal imbalance that PCOS causes?”-Kai
- A: In women with regular ovulation or no history of infertility, chances of conception are 15 to 20 percent per month. Most couples would conceive within 6 months. If a woman hasn’t conceived and has a regular cycle within 12 months (or 6 months for women over 35), it’s best to seek testing to see if anything else is contributing a couple’s infertility.-Dr. Malik
- Q: “How many rounds of clomid (with ovulation) should be done before an IUI should be considered? Do you recommend using Preed or other fertility friendly lubricants to make up for the reduced cervical mucus if using clomid? Thank you so much for your help!”-Alie
- A: Clomid is reasonable without IUI for anovulatory infertility. For unexplained infertility, IUI is often recommended since clomid alone doesn’t significantly increase the chance of pregnancy. Of course, every woman’s response is different and it’s best to talk to your doctor after two to three cycles. Preseed is a great lubricant if a woman has discomfort but doesn’t affect cervical mucus. Clomid can thicken the mucus and make sperm transit more difficult so IUI can bypass that.-Dr. Malik
- Q: “What is the success rate for IUI with clomid for someone with PCOS?” -Kayleigh
- A: In most women with anovulatory infertility alone, clomid is an excellent starting option. In women who respond (ovulate) with clomid, 50 percent will conceive within the first few cycles. Some women with PCOS who do not ovulate with clomid may also respond well to letrozole. In young patients, it’s reasonable to consider another couple cycles with clomid but best to talk to your doctor about what he/she recommends.-Dr. Malik
- Q: “If I’ve already had one great amazing healthy baby, why am I having such a hard time getting pregnant again? Is this normal?”-Jessica
- A: Secondary Infertility is very common and understandably very frustrating. Several factors can cause it including the effect of age on ovarian function, tubal patency, and uterine changes or male factor infertility. If you’ve been having unprotected intercourse for over 12 months (6 months if over 35), I would make an appointment with a specialist to see if it’s reasonable to consider treatment.-Dr. Malik
Community Building and its Importance on Fertility Awareness
Dr. Malik also suggested that patients should make sure they are at a healthy body weight for optimal success and pregnancy outcomes, and reiterated how long partners should try to conceive before seeking a specialist.
At Shady Grove Fertility, we know that accessibility to medical advice by leaders in the fertility community, including our physicians, can help more families achieve their dreams of parenthood. Make sure to check the Glow app’s fertility forum, featuring Dr. Malik’s weekly Q&A sessions, as well as a variety of forums, discussions, and other helpful resources.
Click to read the entire Want to boost (or reduce) your chance of getting pregnant? There’s an app for that article. You can download the Glow app here, or on iTunes.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a fertility specialist, please speak with one of our New Patient Liaisons at 877-971-7755.
