Frequently asked questions about fertility and assisted reproduction (V)

Do you want to resolve your questions about fertility and assisted reproduction? Today we bring you a new collection of frequently asked questions, taken from our monthly collaboration with La Opinión de Málaga. This is the “Ask a Specialist” section, featuring our medical director, Dr. Claudio Álvarez.

This time, we cover topics such as egg donation, hormone control during assisted reproduction treatments, male fertility, obesity-related problems, and more. Let’s get started!

I am 42 years old. Is it possible that IVF success is only 1%, while egg donation success is 60%, exclusively due to my low ovarian quality because of my age?

A woman’s age is the most important prognostic factor in fertility and assisted reproduction. Indeed, at 42-43 years old, the success rate for IVF with own eggs is below 5%.

This situation changes when using donated eggs, where the cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate exceeds 80%.

If I have regular cycles, I shouldn’t have problems getting pregnant, right?

Having regular cycles might only indicate that ovulation occurs, but not with 100% certainty.

Age is the main parameter for assessing fertility prognosis. For example, a healthy 45-year-old woman with regular cycles and normal hormonal tests has less than a 1% chance of pregnancy.

As a man, do I lose fertility over time?

In recent years, a decline in sperm quality has been described, especially after age 45. Higher age is also associated with an increased risk of problems such as miscarriage.

It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce the incidence of these issues.

Is infertility hereditary?

There are genetic problems that cause infertility and can be passed to offspring. However, these genetic causes are rare.

In any case, a specialist in fertility and assisted reproduction should evaluate possible genetic causes and their study and management.

As a man, can I take vitamins that help us have a child?

There are vitamin supplements that could improve sperm quality, but it has not been proven 100% that they increase pregnancy chances.

The recommendation to take them or not will depend on each man’s health situation.

Is obesity a problem for pregnancy?

Yes, overweight and obesity are barriers to fertility. The effect is very similar to smoking. Obesity is associated with ovulation problems, lower egg and sperm quality, reduced chance of pregnancy, increased miscarriage risk, and more complications during pregnancy, delivery, and for the newborn.

Can Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) increase if affected by external factors such as lifestyle or smoking when measured?

AMH inevitably decreases as a woman ages. There can be minor variations between measurements, but the decline cannot be stopped.

Factors like contraceptive use, measurement techniques, and blood sample storage can distort results, possibly not reflecting the true value.

What are the recommended progesterone levels after an embryo transfer? Is it advisable to test them?

With the progesterone support given in the second phase of the menstrual cycle, levels are more than sufficient. In some exceptional cases, measuring these levels and adjusting progesterone dosage is recommended.

I have a frozen embryo of grade C quality in another clinic. Could I start a new treatment at URE Centro Gutenberg?

The law states that a couple cannot start IVF treatment if they still have frozen embryos. The alternative is to transfer the embryos to the new clinic, but they must be transferred before starting a new cycle.

Up to what age can I donate my eggs at URE Centro Gutenberg?

The current Spanish Reproductive Law establishes that egg donors must be women over 18 and under 35 years old.

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