Q&A Sessions:

	-	Most Recent
	-	Age and Fertility
	-	Egg/Embryo Donation
	-	Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH)
	-	In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
	-	Male Infertility
	-	Other Fertility Issues
	-	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
	-	Tubal/Vasectomy Reversal
	-	Unidentified Infertility

Knanette asks:
Have there been any reported cases of a fetus or newborn being harmed in any way by using an egg donor with a history of herpes? This donor had donated once before.

Kurt Barnhart, MD, MSCE responds:
All women who donate eggs are screened to ensure they do not have a viral illness that may be transmitted with the donation of an egg. Herpes is not thought to be able to be transmitted in that way. The risk to a fetus or newborn would be transmission of the virus during the pregnancy or at delivery, not at the donation of the egg. Thus there is no danger in using this donor. Good luck in achieving your pregnancy!

For more information or to talk to a Penn Fertility Care specialist please call 1-800-789-PENN (7366) or request an appointment online.

RNR1976 asks:
I am almost 33 and have been trying to conceive inactively for two and a half years and actively for 12 cycles. I've done four Clomid cycles — two with intrauterine insemination (IUI) and have never had a positive pregnancy test. I have one more IUI planned before becoming more aggressive.

I don't have endometriosis symptoms (aside from lower back pain which I am unsure is related), but I do have a family history of endometriosis. I wonder if you would recommend a laparoscopy before moving on to procedures such as IVF and what the risks and benefits are to doing a laparoscopy before IVF?

Steven Sondheimer, MD responds:
I hope you are seeing an infertility specialist, one who has completed special training and has been certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. I assume you have had a radiology test called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) which shows your fallopian tubes are open. This test can be quite uncomfortable but will provide important information about treatment. Blood tests showing normal hormone levels on cycle day three and otherwise showing you are in good endocrine health is helpful.

If you plan to proceed with in vitro fertilization as your next step in infertility treatment (which I think is a good idea) I do not think you need a laparoscopic surgical procedure. Diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis prior to IVF will not improve your chances of becoming pregnant with IVF. Therefore I see no need for the additional surgery.

For more information or to talk to a Penn Fertility Care specialist please call 1-800-789-PENN (7366) or request an appointment online.

Sally asks:
I am interested in possibly becoming an egg donor. How much time is involved in the entire process? I am 28 and have a child of my own. Do you discourage people who already have a child from doing so?

Maureen Kelly, MD responds:
We have many egg donors who have children. The time involved can be broken down into three parts:

1. Initially, there is paperwork to be filled out, which can be done at home at your convenience.
2. Then, we ask that you come in to meet with members of the donor team, including the physician, nurse, psychologist and geneticist. We try to coordinate this around your schedule.
3. The actual cycle which leads to egg retrieval is the final part. There may be 1-2 visits in the first weeks. Thereafter, there is a two week period where we may need to see you very regularly, usually in the early AM for ultrasound and blood work. Egg retrieval is performed under sedation, so you would need to have someone take you home the day of the procedure.

For more information about becoming an egg donor or to talk to a Penn Fertility Care specialist please call 1-800-789-PENN (7366) or request an appointment online.

Kristina asks:
I was selected to become an egg donor. I went through all of the testing (blood work, genetic history interview, etc). We were all set to go. I had my blood work done for the second time on the day of my first injections. I received a call that my FSH levels were high and the couple decided to cancel.

I was told I could not be a donor ever again — is that true? And how could I be a perfect match, and then all of a sudden my levels change drastically?

Maureen Kelly, MD responds:
FSH levels are used to gain insight into egg quality. FSH levels fluctuate and one can see changes month to month. The highest level detected is meaningful, even if the FSH level is lower in subsequent months. Egg donor programs will individually establish guidelines for FSH values for egg donors. I recommend that you follow-up with program for whom you were an egg donor.

For more information or to talk to a Penn Fertility Care specialist please call 1-800-789-PENN (7366) or request an appointment online.