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Women are born with a limited ovarian supply, meaning a set number of eggs. Ovarian reserve refers to the number of eggs we have in our ovaries at a given point in our lives, impacting the likelihood of achieving pregnancy, whether naturally or through assisted reproductive techniques.

Our ability to conceive a child naturally decreases as we age because fewer eggs are available, and their quality also diminishes. This, combined with the increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities (genetic material) in the eggs, can increase the chance of miscarriage. Together, these factors contribute to lower pregnancy rates and higher rates of spontaneous miscarriage in women who decide to become mothers at a later age.

Although the likelihood of pregnancy decreases over time due to a reduction in ovarian reserve, the exact age this happens varies from woman to woman. Some studies suggest that the decline in oocyte reserve (eggs) accelerates progressively after age 37. However, for some women, this decline occurs earlier than typically expected. In fact, it’s estimated that around one-third of couples will face difficulties conceiving if the woman is 35 or older, as this age marks a significant drop in ovarian reserve and egg quality.

As we can see, our ovarian supply is genetically determined. Oocytes form during fetal development, and the ones we have are produced before birth. By the fifth month of pregnancy, a female fetus’s ovaries contain an average of seven million oocytes, but at birth, a large portion is lost, leaving between one and two million. This number continues to decline as we age. In today’s modern world, women increasingly postpone motherhood, often choosing to become pregnant after the ages of 35-37, once we’ve achieved our goals in other areas like education and career. However, at this age, ovarian reserve sharply declines. Despite living a healthy lifestyle, the biological clock keeps ticking, and we cannot halt or fight the effects it has.

Age significantly affects our ovarian reserve and the quality of oocytes, which impacts our chances of pregnancy. Surgeries on the ovaries and conditions like endometriosis, which causes ovarian cysts, also reduce ovarian reserve. Another condition, Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), also known as premature ovarian failure, has a genetic origin and causes the depletion of eggs before age 40.

So, if you plan to become pregnant, it’s important to know your ovarian reserve, whether it’s normal or low, and consider both your chronological age and the biological age of your ovaries so you can make timely decisions. There are tests that can easily and accurately determine your ovarian reserve, such as a transvaginal pelvic ultrasound to count antral follicles, along with hormone level measurements.

How can we determine if we have a normal ovarian reserve? By visiting a specialist in assisted reproduction who can perform an ultrasound assessment and the AFC (antral follicle count), along with measuring Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), a specific hormone for evaluating ovarian reserve, measured through a blood test.

If you have a low ovarian reserve, it will be more challenging to achieve pregnancy. Fortunately, fertility preservation treatments exist, or multiple ovarian stimulations can be done to collect enough eggs to increase the chances of success in in vitro fertilization. Ovarian stimulation involves administering hormonal medications (ovulation medications) that hyperstimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This is sometimes referred to as enhanced follicle recruitment or controlled ovarian stimulation.

Resolve all your questions with Profamilia Fertility. Remember to consult as soon as possible so we can provide you with the most suitable treatment.

#MakeItHappen, together we can make the dream of having a child come true!

Although tubal ligation is a definitive method, based on the woman’s decision, it is possible that at some point your plans change and being a mother comes back on the way.

Either because your situation has changed, you found a partner with whom you would like to have children, or simply something inside you has awakened your desire to be a mother. Whatever the reason, it is completely normal and with a simple procedure you can fulfill your dream. Do you want to make it come true? Request an appointment with our specialists here.

Microsurgery to reverse tubal ligation is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately two and a half hours, however, you must stay at the Profamilia clinic for 24 hours under the care of our experts.

Find out where our fertility units are located at: http://fertilidad.profamilia.org.co/

Therefore, we would like to tell you some pre and post surgery recommendations:

Before surgery:
● Complete fasting for a minimum of 8 hours.
● Do not consume anticoagulants (aspirin).
● Avoid anti-influenza medications in the 10 days prior to the procedure.

After surgery:
● Disability for 8 days.
● Attend post-surgical check-ups.
● Care for the wound and wash it well.
● Wear light clothing that does not squeeze the abdomen.
● Eating very well.
● Walking for short periods of time.

Do not panic if you feel discomfort, dizziness or nausea after the procedure, they will diminish in a short time, but if they do not, you should go to the hospital.

The most important thing is that you have the peace of mind that you can have the family of your dreams and that the decisions of the past do not prevent you from building the future you long for. If this is your case and you want to start your process, consult now with our fertility specialists at fertilidad.profamilia.org.co/nuestros-especialistas

Receiving a diagnosis of infertility is never easy. It is normal for the couple to need some time to process the news before trying other options, such as assisted reproduction; and decisions for single people are also often a long road to travel.

Learn about the different fertility treatments to fulfill your dream here.

The most important thing is not to let anxiety and fear get in the way, as a couple strengthen the relationship to stay closer than ever and find unconditional support in each other.

When making the decision as an individual as a couple you need to create time and space for conversation and counseling.

Some experts affirm that the woman carries most of the emotional burden during the process, since she must assume hormonal stimulations that affect her emotional state. However, psychological support is available, when the process is done as a couple, for both parties.

It is advisable to go to an expert from the moment of diagnosis to learn how to cope with the news and continue throughout the process until it is concluded, even at the end of it, because the task of being a parent also involves emotional efforts in which a specialist can support

At Profamilia Fertility we want to tell you one thing: We are with you! You may have to travel a longer road, but we will do the impossible to achieve your dream of holding your baby in your arms.

How do we start? Request an appointment on our website, and if you are in any of these cities, don’t hesitate to call us.
Bogotá: (601) 518 8666 / 315 607 6480
Cali: (602) 486 2929 / 318 795 0669

Our fertility experts will be waiting for your call so we can start this journey together and make it happen.

Every human being is made up trillions of cells that grow and reproduce. Once these cells present some anomaly or age, they must perish, this process will promote the correct functioning of our body.

Cancer is a term that groups a wide number of diseases that are characterized by the development of abnormal cells that have not aged or died, these cells reproduce, divide and grow in different parts of the body, generating, in many occasions, that the number of abnormal cells is more than the healthy cells, causing the body not to function as it shouldthat have not aged or died, these cells reproduce, divide and grow in different parts of the body, generating, in many occasions, that the number of abnormal cells is more than the healthy cells, causing the body not to function as it should.

Taking into account that the body is not in the best conditions, sexuality as a couple -not always- can suffer consequences that are related to the treatment that is being carried out to treat the disease or to the disease itself.

At Profamilia Fertilidad we want you to know that there are treatments and alternatives to help preserve fertility in patients suffering from cancer, that is, to develop treatments or medical or surgical procedures in the patient that protect the fertility of those who can or are reaching the end of their reproductive life through no fault of their own.

At first, an assessment must be made of the degree of gonadal damage that the patient will have as a result of the treatment he/she is receiving, because the gonads are the organs responsible for generating sex cells and there are gonadotoxic treatments that can affect them and the treatments would not have the same results.

After the evaluation, the treatment options that the patient can receive can be reviewed. Among the existing possibilities, from Profamilia we highlight 2:

a. Embryo cryopreservation: This is a technique that consists of freezing the remaining embryos from the in vitro fertilization cycles. The possibility of implantation with this procedure is 25 to 30% and must have an ovarian stimulation treatment prior to implementing the technique.

b. Oocyte cryopreservation: This technique consists of freezing the oocytes which, in summary, are the eggs in their early stage; it also requires prior ovarian stimulation treatment and has a 45% chance of implantation.

There are numerous treatments that are in the experimental stage that can favor the preservation of fertility in oncological patients, however, those mentioned are the ones that have been scientifically proven and have had the best results.

At Profamilia Fertility we are here to accompany you in each process, so consult each process with our specialists at https://fertilidad.profamilia.org.co/nuestros-especialistas

Infertility is a public health disease that compromises the reproductive system and affects more than 186 million men and women around the world. This condition is reflected in the impossibility of achieving pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular sexual intercourse without the use of contraceptive methods, and can affect one or both members of a couple.

Its classification according to WHO can be divided into two categories: primary infertility and secondary infertility. Primary infertility is the inability to achieve a pregnancy for the first time, while secondary infertility refers to the impossibility of achieving a pregnancy after a previous conception.

In Profamilia Fertility we want to emphasize that there are two terms that are used for the same purpose, however, their meaning is different: Infertility and Sterility. In infertility, as already mentioned, a pregnancy is not achieved or a miscarriage occurs after the egg has been fertilized, since there is no implantation; on the other hand, in sterility, it is not possible for the egg to be fertilized.

Infertility can be due to different factors that affect the reproductive system of both men and women, or it can be idiopathic, that is, it has no known cause. En todo caso, las causas más comunes para esta condición se relacionan con el estilo de vida, smoking, high alcohol consumption, obesity and exposure to environmental pollutants, have been associated with a higher rate of infertility.

Fortunately there are several treatments qthat can provide you and your partner with a great chance of reaching pregnancy, among them:

a. Intrauterine insemination: This treatment is a type of artificial insemination that consists of placing the sperm directly into the uterus taking into account the date on which the ovaries release one or more eggs for fertilization. In this way, the sperm is expected to reach the fallopian tubes and fertilize an egg.

b. Medications to induce ovulation: Approximately 25% of women who suffer from infertility have ovulation problems, so medications that help in this process are usually one of the treatments used to treat infertility.

c. Assisted reproductive technology: The most common treatment in this category is in vitro fertilization, which consists of extracting the eggs and sperm and mixing them to form an embryo that is then implanted in the woman.

At Profamilia Fertility we understand that it is very important for your life project to be able to get pregnant, and there are many treatments and possibilities to fulfill your dream of becoming parents. Get advice here: fertilidad.profamilia.org.co/nuestros-especialistas  and #MakeitReal.

Today, thanks to scientific advances, people with fertility problems who want to become pregnant have greater possibilities of achieving this dream. One way to achieve this is through in vitro fertilization (IVF), an assisted reproduction technique that is widely accepted for its effectiveness.

This advanced reproductive technology first became successful in England in 1978 and was initially used only to treat infertility caused by blocked fallopian tubes. IVF has evolved to become an effective treatment for all causes of infertility when simpler treatments have not been successful or are not an option for couples who yearn to become parents or single mothers by choice.

In vitro fertilization is the most effective form of assisted reproductive technology. In vitro fertilization is the most effective form of assisted reproductive technology.

What is in vitro fertilization?

This is a highly complex assisted reproductive technique with several phases:

Ovarian stimulation: consists of controlled hyperstimulation so that, with the use of medications called ovulation inducers, many eggs grow. In this part of the treatment, ultrasound controls and hormone measurements are required.  It has an average duration of 10 to 12 days.

Follicular aspiration: procedure performed under sedation; the eggs that grew during ovarian stimulation are extracted vaginally.

IVF-ICSI: in the in vitro laboratory, eggs are joined with sperm, either through IVF, i.e. leaving an egg with a capacitated amount of sperm to fertilize it, or through ICSI, which is the direct injection of a sperm into each mature egg.

Embryo development: the embryos are evaluated in the incubator with the appropriate culture medium to select the best one and transfer or freeze.

Embryo transfer: it is a simple procedure in which, through a catheter introduced through the vagina, an embryo is left in the uterus, endometrial cavity, so that it implants, adheres to its walls and thus pregnancy occurs.

Freezing of embryos: if there are embryos left over and they are of good quality, they are frozen to be stored in the cryobank and to be used for a new pregnancy, for example, or to try again if the first attempt was unsuccessful.

An in vitro fertilization cycle can last approximately 18 days. On some occasions the transfer must be deferred due to a medical condition of the patient and will be postponed until conditions permit. In this case an endometrial preparation is performed to thaw and transfer the embryo.

Among the indications for in vitro fertilization are:

Tubal factor: Pomeroy, tubal obstruction.

Male factor

Ovulatory factor: low ovarian reserve, poor quality eggs.

Age factor: women 40 years of age or older.

Please note that before starting an IVF cycle with your own eggs and your partner’s sperm you will need several diagnostic tests including:

Ovarian reserve test: to determine the quantity and quality of your eggs your doctor may test the concentration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (estrogen) during the first days of your menstrual cycle or antimüllerian hormone in your blood. The results of the tests, which are often used in conjunction with an ultrasound of the ovaries to count antral follicles, are tools to predict how your ovaries will respond to ovulation-inducing medications.

Semen analysis: The spermogram is a primary part of infertility studies. There are other tests that will be ordered based on this result.

Infectious disease screening: you and your partner will be screened for infectious diseases, including HIV.

Embryo transfer (simulated): your physician may perform a simulated embryo transfer to determine the depth of your uterine cavity and the technique most likely to be successful in placing the embryos in the uterus.

Uterine examination: the evaluation of the uterine cavity and the endometrium, the tissue that lines it internally, is very important because this is where the embryo will be left and the pregnancy will be carried. This evaluation is performed by transvaginal ultrasound and according to the findings, the study or treatment can be extended by performing a hysterosonography, in which liquid is injected through the cervix into the uterus to then perform an ultrasound and better visualize the endometrial cavity, or by hysteroscopy, a surgical procedure in which the endometrial cavity is directly visualized and polyps or fibroids can be resected..

The success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) depends on the age of the woman receiving the treatment, as well as the ovarian reserve.

Solve all your doubts with Profamilia Fertility, remember to consult as soon as possible to provide you with the most appropriate treatment.

#Let’s make it happen, together we will make the dream of having a child possible!!

On the road to fulfilling the dream of becoming a mother, one of the most common hormonal imbalances is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This condition affects the functioning of our ovaries and is due to a hormone problem that occurs during the reproductive years. With this condition, you may not have periods very often or, on the contrary, they may last for many days. You may also have high levels of androgens, a male sex hormone that promotes the development of male sexual characteristics and is usually at lower levels in women.

On the road to fulfilling the dream of becoming a mother, one of the most common hormonal imbalances is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This condition affects the functioning of our ovaries and is due to a hormone problem that occurs during the reproductive years. With this condition, you may not have periods very often or, on the contrary, they may last for many days. You may also have high levels of androgens, a male sex hormone that promotes the development of male sexual characteristics and is usually at lower levels in women.

Signs and symptoms of PCOS are usually evident during the late teens or early 20s and, in addition to irregular periods or no periods at all, may include difficulty becoming pregnant as a result of irregular ovulation or lack of ovulation, excessive hair growth (hirsutism), usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks, weight gain, thinning and hair loss, oily skin or acne. This condition is also associated with an increased risk of developing health problems.

Although its exact cause is unknown, factors that could play a decisive role are:

Insulin resistance. This hormone is produced by the pancreas and allows cells to use sugar, your body’s main energy supply. If cells become resistant to the action of insulin, blood sugar levels may rise, which could cause the body to produce more insulin to try to lower blood sugar. Dark, velvety patches of skin on the lower neck, armpits, groin or under the breasts are a sign of insulin resistance. An increased appetite and weight gain may be other signs.

Too much insulin could cause the body to produce too much of the male hormone androgen. You could have problems with ovulation, the process in which eggs are released from the ovary.

Low-grade inflammation. White blood cells make substances in response to infection or injury. This response is called low-grade inflammation. Research shows that people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a type of long-term, low-grade inflammation that causes the polycystic ovaries to produce androgens. This can lead to heart and blood vessel problems.

Heredity. Research suggests that certain genes may be linked to polycystic ovary syndrome. Having a family history of PCOS may play a role in the development of the condition.

Excess androgens. With this hormonal disorder, the ovaries may produce high levels of androgens. Having too much androgen interferes with ovulation, meaning that eggs do not develop regularly and are not released from the follicles where they develop. Excess androgens can also cause hirsutism and acne.

How can you know if you have polycystic ovaries? As we have seen, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects the functioning of a woman’s ovaries and therefore requires medical diagnosis. Polycystic ovaries contain a large number of follicles up to 8 mm (approximately 0.3 inches) in size. These follicles are sacs in which eggs develop. If you have the syndrome, these sacs often do not grow or mature to release an egg, which means that ovulation does not occur.

To treat this condition, lifestyle changes are recommended initially.

If you are overweight, a low-calorie, sugar-free diet combined with moderate exercise activities is suggested. A modest reduction of this, for example, losing 10% of your body weight, could help in the improvement of this condition. In addition, it may increase the effectiveness of medications.

There are also medications to regulate your period, your health care provider may suggest: metformin, to reduce insulin resistance, combined birth control pills, progestin therapy. He or she may also recommend clomiphene, letrozole or gonadotropins to help you ovulate if you want to get pregnant. That is why it is important that you consult your doctor to find out if you have this condition and what treatment you need, because polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common causes of female infertility. In fact, many women discover that they have it because of the difficulty in getting pregnant.

Remember that during each menstrual cycle the ovaries release an egg. This process is known as ovulation and generally occurs once a month, but those who have polycystic ovary syndrome do not ovulate or do so infrequently, which means that their periods are irregular or absent and that is why it is difficult for them to conceive a baby.

Solve all your doubts with Profamilia Fertility, remember to consult as soon as possible to provide you with the most appropriate treatment.

#Let’s make it happen, together we will make the dream of having a child possible!