Frequently Asked Fertility Questions

At FST, we offer a full range of fertility services, including:

• Fertility evaluations and diagnostics
• In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
• Egg freezing and embryo cryopreservation
• Donor egg and donor sperm programs
• Genetic counseling and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)
• Comprehensive support for single patients and LGBTQ+ family-building

Treatments

If you’ve been trying to conceive for 12 months without success (or 6 months if you’re over 35), it’s time to schedule an evaluation. Our thorough assessment—covering both partners’ (or individuals’) medical history, hormone levels, and diagnostic imaging—helps identify any underlying issues and guides us in recommending the best treatment plan for you.

Fertility Testing

Fertility challenges can arise from various factors, such as:

• Hormonal imbalances or anovulation (PCOS or endometriosis)
• Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
• Uterine abnormalities (e.g., polyps, fibroids)
• Male factors, including low sperm count or motility issues
• Age-related decline in egg quality

We take an individualized approach by performing detailed evaluations to identify your specific challenges and provide the right solutions.

After a comprehensive evaluation—including blood tests (like Anti-Müllerian Hormone and FSH), ultrasounds, and semen analysis—our fertility specialists develop a personalized treatment plan with you. We discuss your options—from IUI to IVF—and help you understand which path will give you the best chance for a successful pregnancy.

IVF (in vitro fertilization) is a multi-step process where:

• Ovarian Stimulation: You will self-administer hormone injections over 10–14 days to stimulate the ovaries. There are resources provided to teach you how to self-administer these injections.
• Egg Retrieval: Mature eggs are collected using a minimally invasive procedure.
• Fertilization: Eggs are fertilized with specially prepared sperm in our state-of-the-art laboratory (using conventional IVF or ICSI when indicated).
• Embryo Culture & Transfer: Embryos are cultured for 2–6 days, and then one or more are transferred into your uterus.
• Follow-Up: Your progress is monitored, and a pregnancy test is performed at a FST office about two weeks after transfer.

IVF Process

Conventional IVF involves combining a large number of sperm with an egg in a lab, in a petri dish, and allowing fertilization to occur. In contrast, ICSI is also performed in a lab and involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg. ICSI is particularly useful in cases of severe male factor infertility. We offer both treatments methods and will determine which is best based on your diagnostic results.

PGT is offered to screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities. While PGT does not increase your overall chance of pregnancy, it can help us select the healthiest embryo for transfer, potentially reducing miscarriage risk and allowing for elective single embryo transfer. We will discuss the benefits and limitations of PGT with you during your consultation.

Learn More

Success rates vary based on factors such as age, ovarian reserve, and specific fertility issues. Women under 35 may experience higher success rates, whereas rates decline with age. Many patients require more than one cycle, and our goal is to help you achieve a healthy live birth in as few cycles as possible through a personalized approach.

IVF Success Rates

Egg freezing, or cryopreservation, is a method of preserving your eggs for future use. It is ideal for those who wish to delay childbearing for personal, professional, or medical reasons. Research suggests that freezing at least 20 mature eggs before age 37 can optimize your future chances. At FST, we offer comprehensive counseling on the process, ensuring you understand the timeline, costs, and potential outcomes.

Egg Freezing

If you have diminished ovarian reserve (very few antral follicles or low AMH results), severe male factor infertility, or if you’re over a certain age (typically 45 for women), we may recommend donor eggs or sperm as your best course of action to successfully build your family. Our team provides transparent guidance on success rates and helps connect you with our network of reputable donors.

Third-Party Reproduction

Fertility treatments vary in cost depending on the procedure and your individual needs. We provide clear pricing information, and many patients benefit from our financing options. Additionally, we work with several insurance providers to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Our financial counselors can review your insurance coverage and discuss payment plans.

Financing

After your initial evaluation, we develop a personalized timeline that typically spans one menstrual cycle for diagnostics and 3–4 weeks for an IVF cycle. We make this as easy as possible; you can schedule your consultation through our website or by calling our patient services line.

FST is dedicated to supporting you through every stage of your fertility journey. We provide:

• Counseling and psychological support
• Patient education resources
• Nutritional and lifestyle guidance
• Access to integrative therapies such as acupuncture

These services are designed to help you manage the emotional and physical challenges of fertility treatment.

Understanding that fertility treatment often has stressful moments, our multidisciplinary team offers ongoing emotional support. We can refer you to counseling sessions and support groups to help you navigate the ups and downs of your journey, ensuring you feel empowered and cared for throughout the process.

Yes, you can view our financing options by visiting our Fertility Loans page for more information.

We use a combination of blood tests (AMH, FSH, Estradiol) and transvaginal ultrasounds to determine your antral follicle count. This assessment helps predict how your ovaries will respond to stimulation and is crucial in tailoring your treatment plan.

For uterine evaluation, we perform procedures like Sonohysterograms or hysteroscopies to ensure the uterine lining is receptive. Male fertility is evaluated through a comprehensive semen analysis that checks sperm count, motility, and morphology.

Male Infertility

At FST, many tests are performed onsite to expedite results. Typically, you can complete your fertility evaluation within one menstrual cycle, allowing us to quickly move forward with a tailored treatment plan. Even if your menstrual cycles aren’t regular, a fertility doctor can typically complete your evaluation within five weeks—helping guide your next steps.

You can book your consultation directly through our website or by calling our dedicated patient line. During your initial visit, we will review your history, perform necessary diagnostic tests, and discuss your personalized treatment options.

Gather any relevant medical records, details about your menstrual cycle history, and information on any previous fertility treatments. This will help us create a detailed and individualized treatment plan. (Your family’s fertility history, particularly your mother’s, can be helpful for your fertility doctor to better guide your care.)

Your First Visit

You are an active member of your team throughout your fertility treatments. In fact, you are the most important member of your team! Your care team at FST includes reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists, nurses, and coordinators who work together to provide comprehensive and compassionate care. We ensure clear communication so you know who to contact with any questions.

Our Doctors

Yes. FST proudly offers fertility treatments for individuals and couples regardless of marital status or sexual orientation. We provide tailored diagnostic and treatment plans that meet the unique needs of single patients and LGBTQ+ families.

LGBTQ+

Sadly, not every cycle results in a pregnancy. If your initial treatment is unsuccessful, we review the outcomes together and adjust your treatment plan for subsequent cycles to optimize your chances for a successful pregnancy.

Navigating IVF can bring many questions, and we are here to provide clarity. From understanding costs and success rates to knowing what to expect at each stage, the expert team at FST offers transparent, evidence-based information. We believe that knowledge empowers patients, allowing them to make confident decisions about their fertility journey.

IVF FAQs