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The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF Blog View all posts
Family Balancing: When to Consider Choosing Your Baby’s Sex

Family Balancing: When to Consider Choosing Your Baby’s Sex
Reproductive technology advances now allow parents to consider family balancing, or gender selection, as part of fertility care. Learn when family balancing could be a good option and how this process can support your family planning goals here.
Jan 14th, 2025
What Are the Treatment Paths for Age-Related Infertility? 

What Are the Treatment Paths for Age-Related Infertility? 
Many women today choose to start building their families later in life. While it’s an empowering decision, age-related infertility is a common problem when you’re 35 or older. There’s good news, though: We have treatments that can help.
Nov 1st, 2024
What Causes Male Infertility? 

What Causes Male Infertility? 
Male infertility is more common than you may think. It can be highly distressing and frustrating, but it's important to know that there are solutions. Finding the right treatment starts with finding the causes. 
Oct 16th, 2024
Why Does Menopause Cause Weight Gain?

Why Does Menopause Cause Weight Gain?
Weight gain is one of the biggest frustrations for many women during menopause. You might wonder if menopause is the direct cause of your weight gain — and if so, what you can do about it. Read on to find out. 
Sep 20th, 2024

Can Acupuncture Help Me Get Pregnant?
There’s no doubt that infertility is challenging. But, with a multifaceted treatment approach, you can often find a path to pregnancy. Acupuncture is one of the lesser known ways to support fertility, and it combines well with IVF.
Aug 19th, 2024
The IVF Process: Step-by-Step

The IVF Process: Step-by-Step
After a struggle with infertility, in vitro fertilization (IVF) provides new hope. As you start this journey, it’s an exciting time, but of course, you wonder just what to expect. Today, we cover the step-by-step IVF process.
Jul 22nd, 2024
I’m 40; What Are My Chances of Getting Pregnant?

I’m 40; What Are My Chances of Getting Pregnant?
Want to have a baby but worried about your age? It is possible to get pregnant at 40. But, it’s not as easy as it is for women in their 20s. Learning about age-related fertility factors can help you have the best odds of a successful pregnancy.
May 17th, 2024
Understanding Male Factor Infertility

Understanding Male Factor Infertility
Although infertility has many causes, male factor infertility doesn’t always get much attention. Learn more about how male factors contribute to infertility.
Oct 1st, 2023
What to Expect After Automated Semen Analysis

What to Expect After Automated Semen Analysis
A basic fertility evaluation involves many complex parts. We have to look at several different factors to help determine the best course of treatment to help you achieve your goal of building your family.
Jun 1st, 2023
5 Reasons to Choose a Gestational Carrier

5 Reasons to Choose a Gestational Carrier
There are many paths to parenthood, especially if you are facing infertility. Learn more about the reasons why you may want to choose a gestational carrier.
Sep 15th, 2022
Can Your Diet Impact Fertility?

Can Your Diet Impact Fertility?
When you’re trying to get pregnant, what you eat can make a difference. Learn about how your diet can impact your fertility.
Jun 1st, 2022
Is Infertility Genetic?

Is Infertility Genetic?
Infertility can have many causes, but you may wonder if genetics is one of them. Learn more about the causes of infertility.
May 1st, 2022
Treatment Options for Male Infertility

Treatment Options for Male Infertility
It may seem like infertility is a woman’s problem, but over 35% of cases come down to men’s problems. Learn more about how we treat male infertility.
Jan 1st, 2022
The Importance of Wellness Exams

The Importance of Wellness Exams
Protecting your health is protecting your fertility. Choosing to get regular check-ups can protect you from issues later down the line, or prepare you for any possible issues. Read on to learn more about the importance of wellness exams.
Oct 6th, 2021
The Difference Between Perimenopause and Menopause

The Difference Between Perimenopause and Menopause
Are your hot flashes connected to menopause 一 or perimenopause? Is there even a difference? In this blog, we explain the difference between perimenopause and menopause and how you can get relief from your less-than-pleasant symptoms.
Sep 19th, 2021
How Age Affects a Woman’s Fertility

How Age Affects a Woman’s Fertility
One thing to know about starting a family is that you have a limited amount of time when you’ll be most fertile. Learn more about how your fertility changes with age.
Aug 16th, 2021

Understanding the IVF Process
In-vitro fertilization is a confusing or sensitive topic for some people. Understanding how the process works removes the mystery surrounding it and clarifies how IVF can help you.
Jul 7th, 2021

Four Lifestyle Changes to Promote Fertility
When you’re trying to get pregnant, lifestyle changes can make a big difference in your likelihood of conceiving. Learn more about what you can do to promote fertility.
Jun 8th, 2021

Is It Possible to Get Pregnant When You Have Endometriosis?
If you have endometriosis, this diagnosis doesn’t mean that you can never get pregnant. Although it can contribute to infertility, there are advanced infertility treatments that can help. Read more about this condition and its infertility impact.
May 17th, 2021

What a Semen Analysis Can Tell Us
A semen analysis holds all the information you need to understand if your sperm are viable and healthy. It’ll also give you peace of mind in knowing if your vasectomy or vasectomy reversal was successful. Here’s what you can expect.
Apr 6th, 2021

Cryopreservation: When You Want to Preserve Your Fertility
For those facing a cancer diagnosis, the future possibility of pregnancy can be frightening. That’s why we offer experienced and compassionate alternatives to those who come to us wishing to preserve their reproductive ability using cryopreservation.
Mar 3rd, 2021

Myths and Facts About Birth Control
Family planning is crucial to living the life you want. Having reliable birth control can make deciding when you want children possible. Sadly, there’s a great deal of incorrect information regarding birth control. Let’s set the record straight.
Feb 16th, 2021

Tips for Living With Menopause
During the time before you’re permanently finished menstruating, you may have to deal with a range of uncomfortable and potentially life-disrupting symptoms. Here are a few tips to help you manage these symptoms.
Jan 17th, 2021

What You Should Know Before Considering IVF
Have you tried everything to get pregnant? If you’ve had a thorough evaluation, tried other approaches, and still been unable to conceive, you may want to try in vitro fertilization. In fact, sometimes, IVF is the only viable path to conception.
Dec 6th, 2020

Is There a Way to Prevent Infertility?

Infertility is a more common problem than you may realize, but it’s often treatable. Both men and women can experience issues that lead to infertility, so if you’re trying to become pregnant and struggling, you should see a professional.
Nov 15th, 2020

My Pap Smear Was Abnormal - Now What?
A Pap smear, or Pap test, is a screening test recommended for women ages 21-65 to detect early signs of cervical cancer. Abnormal results can be scary, but there are a few things you need to know.
Oct 7th, 2020

5 Common Myths About Infertility
Infertility can send you on a search for answers. Unfortunately, there are a lot of wrong answers out there. This post sets the record straight regarding five common myths about infertility.
Sep 21st, 2020

Is Preimplantation Genetic Testing?
Couples who have chosen in vitro fertilization are taking a big step toward becoming parents. Preimplantation genetic testing is an important part of the process and can ensure your embryo is healthy before being transferred to the uterus.
Aug 6th, 2020

5 Symptoms of Endometriosis

Are you experiencing uncomfortable symptoms related to your menstrual cycle? Between 2% and 10% of American women have endometriosis, which can cause numerous symptoms.
Jul 24th, 2020

COVID-19 Update and Measures Taken
Dear patients, Update: As of April 6, 2020 our clinic will be operating on minimum staff. Dr. Ramirez has been deployed with his U.S. Army medical reserve unit to the East Coast to assist in supporting a field hospital.
Mar 19th, 2020

State Of The Art Semen Analysis
Severe male factor infertility, once a barrier to parenthood, has virtually ceased to exist due to breakthroughs in the field of fertility medicine. One of those is ICSI, a procedure done during the in vitro process by our embryologist.
Feb 24th, 2017

Pregnancy at 48–Natural or Donor Eggs?
Question: This question is actually about my mother and not me. My mom is 48 years old. She has 2 grown up children but she wants to have another child.
Jan 11th, 2017

A Holiday Note Of Hope
We know that the holidays can be stressful, surrounded with so many expectations. There is pressure from family, friends and yourself to celebrate and to enjoy when unfortunately, for the person experiencing infertility, it can be very difficult to do so.
Dec 21st, 2016

Ovulation Induction and Exercise
Question: Hi Dr. Ramirez, My husband and I are currently having Ovulation Induction (OI) because I have secondary amenorrhea and don’t ovulate by myself.
Aug 2nd, 2016

Can I get pregnant again at 46?
Hi Doctor, I recently visited a reproductive endocrinologist because I was having issues with my period (heavy clotty periods). They did an sonohysterogram and found a 2 cm uterine polyp. I am due to have that removed in May.
May 2nd, 2016

Is There Any Way To Improve Egg Quality?
Hello Dr Ramirez. I am writing to you from Nebraska. I have had 2 fresh IVF cycles and 2 FET cycles. Only one pregnancy – from the first IVF 5 years ago.
Nov 3rd, 2015

“How In Vitro Fertilization Works”
Infertility affects 1 in 8 couples worldwide. But in the last 40 years, more than 5 million babies have been born using in vitro fertilization (IVF). How does it work? Nassim Assefi and Brian A. Levine detail the science behind making a baby in a lab.
Jul 14th, 2015

"How In Vitro Fertilization Works" Video from TED-Ed
Dear Readers, I recently found this nicely animated video on In Vitro Fertilization created on the new TED-Ed platform. You might find this a good way to not only inform yourself but also friends and family who might have trouble understanding...
Jul 13th, 2015

NIAW-National Infertility Awareness Week
Every year Resolve, the national infertility association, sponsors a week of advocacy called NIAW across the nation. There are many ways that one can participate, from the “Walk for Hope” to actually lobbying in Washington D.C.
Apr 23rd, 2015

Submucous Fibroids: Do I Need A Hysterectomy?
Question: Hello Dr. Ramirez, I’m writing from Mexico. I’m 33 years old, never been pregnant and have just been diagnosed with fibroids. This year I’ve had heavy abnormal bleeding with large clots.
Dec 12th, 2014

Recurrent Miscarriages: Is It A Hormonal Issue?
Question: Dear Dr. Ramirez, I am writing from Pennsylvania. In 2006, I had two or three miscarriages. After that, I went to a fertility clinic and had TSH, prolactin, DRVV, and anti-cardiolipin antibodies tested.
Aug 21st, 2014

REQUEST FOR HELP FROM MY READERS
Dear Readers, It has been a while since I last posted to this blog, and to my readers I apologize. Things have been quite busy, hectic and stressful this year.
Jun 1st, 2014

Post-Lupron & Trying To Conceive
Hello, I am 24 years old and my husband and I are trying to conceive. I was diagnosed with endometriosis after a lap on Dec 15, 2007. I have been on two separate treatment cycles of Lupron Depo.
Jan 27th, 2014

Protect Your Fertility!
Dear Readers, The American Society of Reproductive Medicine has launched a campaign with the aim of educating women on how to protect their fertility by avoiding certain risk factors. The Society has made available a number of fact sheets, graphics ...
Sep 28th, 2013

Similar IVF Protocol But Different Results: Why?
Question: Hi Dr. Ramirez, I'm back again with a question about my recent IVF (second one). This IVF (in vitro fertilization) cycle we did the same protocol as last time (antagonist) ...
Aug 31st, 2013

Is A Tubal Reversal A Good Option For Me?
QUESTION: I am a 33 year old mother of two. My children are 11 and nearly 10 years old. After the birth of my second child in 2003 I had surgery to prevent further pregnancies.
Aug 22nd, 2013