doctor alex polotsky shady grove fertility colorado

Alex Polotsky, M.D.

Board Certified Board Certified

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Languages Languages

  • English and Russian
Denver - Greenwood Village Location Denver - Greenwood Village, CO
Schedule Appointment or 1-888-761-1967
Patient Testimonial
Dr. Polotsky is extremely caring and thoughtful physician who along with his skills and professionalism and good sense of humor, he is simply awesome!

Biography

Alex Polotsky, M.D., M.Sc., FACOG, earned his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York. At first, he had a strong interest in becoming a general internal medicine doctor. But it was during his clinical rotations that he was exposed to reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and knew he wanted to dedicate his expertise to a narrow specialty where he is expected to be an expert in all aspects of fertility care rather than a broader field.

Upon completing his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical Center, Dr. Polotsky returned to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine for his fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. While there, he subsequently earned his Master of Science degree in Clinical Research where his thesis extensively explored the links between adolescent obesity and reduced lifetime fertility. Dr. Polotsky has an extensive teaching record at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the University of Colorado where he became a full Professor of OB/GYN, Fellowship Director for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and sat on many Doctoral/Master’s Thesis Committees.

Dr. Polotsky is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). He is a board examiner for REI with the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ABOG). His passion for REI stems from the field’s unique combination of medical management and surgical procedures along with the importance of psychological care for patients.

Beyond treating patients for infertility, Dr. Polotsky is actively involved in research. Key research focuses include the reproductive epidemiology and predictors of IVF success and connections between obesity and infertility as well as male infertility.

An avid contributor to peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Polotsky has published more than 80 articles featuring topics like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), assisted reproductive technology, connections between ethnicity and reproductive ability, effects of body mass on fertility (men and women), and more. He co-authored with Dr. Nanette Santoro a chapter entitled “Nutrition and Reproduction” for the Yen and Jaffe’s Reproductive Endocrinology, the most recommended book in the field. Additionally, his nearly 100 presentations on scientific abstracts have jet-set Dr. Polotsky to Italy, Canada, Switzerland, Austria, Israel as well as across the United States.

Dr. Polotsky sees patients in SGF Colorado’s Denver location. In his free time, Dr. Polotsky enjoys skiing, biking, and hiking with his wife and five children.

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Education

  • Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Presbyterian – Weill Cornell Medical Center
  • Fellowship: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  • Denver’s Top Doctors, 5280 Magazine (2024)
  • ASRM Star Award (recognizes members who have presented during at least nine of the ASRM Annual Meetings)
  • DewPoint Scholar (Division of Equity in Women’s & Perinatal Medicine)
  • Sponsor of 2015 SRI/Pfizer President’s Presenter Award Winner, Dr. Zain Al-Safi
  • Invited member of the ASRM Strategic Research Task Force, Birmingham, AL (by invitation of ASRM President and Executive Director)
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Research Committee member and Past Chair for the Nutrition Special Interest Group
  • Endocrine Society
  • SART (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology) Research Committee member
  • Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI)
  • Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI)
  • American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ABOG), REI Board Examiner
  • Friedman JC, Sheeder J, Polotsky AJ, Lazorwitz A. Herbal Supplement Use Among Adolescent and Young Adult Women in a Family Planning Clinic. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2023 Dec 6:S1083-3188(23)00453-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2023.11.012. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38061680.
  • Johnson J, Polotsky AJ. An “iron-clad” link between obesity and accelerated depletion of the ovarian reserve. Fertil Steril. 2023 Oct;120(4):819-820. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.08.003. Epub 2023 Aug 5. PMID: 37544472.
  • Luu TH, Kuhn K, Bradford AP, Wempe MF, Wittenburg L, Johnson RL, Carlson NE, Kumar TR, Polotsky AJ. Effects of pulsatile intravenous follicle-stimulating hormone treatment on ovarian function in women with obesity. Fertil Steril. 2023 Oct;120(4):890-898. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.05.170. Epub 2023 Jun 3. PMID: 37276947; PMCID: PMC10526695.
  • Friedman J, Sheeder J, Lazorwitz A, Polotsky AJ. Herbal supplement use among reproductive-aged women in an academic infertility practice. F S Rep. 2022 Dec 17;4(1):104-111. doi: 10.1016/j.xfre.2022.12.001. PMID: 36959959; PMCID: PMC10028423.
  • Hurley EG, Sun F, Zhang H, Polotsky AJ, Rios JS. Minimal Stimulation Using Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist is Associated with Higher Live Birth Rates: A National Study of 13,050 Cycles. Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle). 2022 Nov 21;3(1):957-963. doi: 10.1089/whr.2022.0080. PMID: 36479370; PMCID: PMC9712044.
  • Johnson J, Kim SY, Sam PK, Asokan R, Cari EL, Bales ES, Luu TH, Perez L, Kallen AN, Nel-Themaat L, Polotsky AJ, Post MD, Orlicky DJ, Jordan KR, Bitler BG. Expression and T cell regulatory action of the PD-1 immune checkpoint in the ovary and fallopian tube. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2023 Mar;89(3):e13649. doi: 10.1111/aji.13649. Epub 2022 Dec 26. PMID: 36394352; PMCID: PMC10559227.
  • Siegel DR, Grau L, Sammel M, Nel-Themaaat L, Santoro N, Polotsky AJ. Anti-Müllerian Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Are Poor Independent Predictors of Live Birth After Assisted Reproductive Technology. Reprod Sci. 2023 Apr;30(4):1316-1323. doi: 10.1007/s43032-022-01099-3. Epub 2022 Oct 4. PMID: 36194358.
  • Vitek W, Oh J, Mbowe O, Thurston SW, Christianson MS, Styer AK, Polotsky AJ, Diamond MP, Cedars MI; NIH/NICHD Reproductive Medicine Network. Preconception ovarian reserve and placenta-mediated pregnancy complications among infertile women. Pregnancy Hypertens. 2022 Mar;27:193-196. doi: 10.1016/j.preghy.2022.01.010. Epub 2022 Feb 2. PMID: 35131729; PMCID: PMC8922433.
  • Siegel DR, Sheeder J, Polotsky AJ. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Fertility Awareness Among Reproductive-Aged Women. Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle). 2021 Aug 19;2(1):347-354. doi: 10.1089/whr.2021.0034. PMID: 34476417; PMCID: PMC8409232.
  • Llerena Cari E, Hagen-Lillevik S, Giornazi A, Post M, Komar AA, Appiah L, Bitler B, Polotsky AJ, Santoro N, Kieft J, Lai K, Johnson J. Integrated stress response control of granulosa cell translation and proliferation during normal ovarian follicle development. Mol Hum Reprod. 2021 Aug 7;27(8):gaab050. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gaab050. PMID: 34314477; PMCID: PMC8660582.

For more Dr. Polotsky publications, visit the National Library of Medicine.

Q&A

During my second year in medical school, I got to attend a class in reproductive health, particularly reproductive hormones. The course leader ended up becoming my mentor. I became passionate about the specialty of reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) for its unique combination of being a highly specialized medical field where I get to establish close and personal relationships with my patients.

When I first made up my mind that I wanted to go to medical school, I had a strong interest in becoming a general internal medicine doctor. But it was during my clinical rotations that I realized my first plan wasn’t the best plan for me. I knew then that I wanted to dedicate my expertise to a narrow specialty like REI when I am expected to an expert in all aspects of fertility care, rather than a broader specialty. What drew me to REI specifically is its unique combination of medical management and surgical procedures, as well as the psychological concerns of patients that you must prioritize.

I had the honor of working with a couple who now has three healthy and beautiful children. Unfortunately, after they welcomed their first child, the couple experienced secondary infertility and the heartache of unsuccessful pregnancy attempts. I was incredibly honored that this couple has even volunteered to be highlighted in a publicly available online story about our innovative system for secure storage of frozen embryos. One of the cornerstones of my philosophy is that patients should be in the driver’s seat as much as possible, so we worked together so that her first child could have a sibling.

Every patient’s comfort level is different, so I respect that when determining a treatment path forward. I like to give my patients options.

Paula Burger, a Holocaust survivor and artist who used a brilliant life motto in her memoirs: “Regret is a useless emotion.”

SGF is the perfect mix of clinical excellence and patient-centered care.

Living in Colorado, I like to get outside and explore the wilderness with my wife and five kids as much I we can, whether we’re skiing, biking, or hiking. I am also the self-appointed president of a 14er climbing club in my synagogue.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and making it to the summit is toward the top of my list! It wouldn’t be the first time I faced its terrain. I attempted to climb it back in 2017 but had to skip the summit because of altitude sickness. Next time, I’ll return better prepared.

I’m a pretty upbeat guy. The glass is always half-full!

I had a severe problem with stuttering as a kid.

2024 Shady Grove Fertility

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