Consider IVF

You have “tried” too long

There is no distinction between having unprotected intercourse and “trying” to conceive; they both represent “exposure” to conception. With each passing cycle without a pregnancy, the probability of conception rapidly decreases.

A young couple who has just stopped using contraception has a 20% to 25% likelihood of conception during the first cycle (month) of “exposure.” After a year, specifically during the 13th month, the probability decreases to approximately 1.5%. After two years, it becomes approximately 0.1% (1 out of 1,000 couples) during the next cycle.

Based on the length of infertility alone, most patients should consider IVF treatment after a year and a half to two years of infertility.

Advancing age of the female partner

For most women, their fertility peaks in their mid-twenties. Starting around the age of 32, the quality of the remaining eggs within the ovaries begins to decline. By the age of 39, for most women, the quality of their remaining eggs makes it difficult or even impossible to conceive naturally or with “low-tech” fertility treatments such as oral medications or IUIs.

Based on female age alone, most patients should consider IVF treatment once they reach the age of 37. Women who are older than 43 will typically require Donor Egg IVF to conceive successfully.

Male infertility

It is estimated that approximately 10% to 15% of all men are born with some degree of male infertility, and nearly one-third of the time, a couple’s infertility can be solely attributed to male factor infertility.

For most men, there is no completely reliable test to assess male fertility. Diagnosing male infertility often involves excluding all possible female infertility factors.

Most couples diagnosed with male infertility will either conceive naturally or require in vitro fertilization (IVF). Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is typically no more effective than intercourse for male factor infertility.

Pelvic adhesions

In the past, pelvic adhesions (scars) and blockages of the Fallopian tubes used to be treated surgically (laparoscopy, laparotomy). However, many such surgeries were unsuccessful, and there is an increased risk of an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy afterward.

Nowadays, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is considered to be the most appropriate treatment for pelvic adhesions and tubal blockages.

Endometriosis

There is a lack of consistent scientific evidence that surgical or medical removal of endometriosis increases the probability of pregnancy. This has led some clinicians to believe that endometriosis is merely a sign of another underlying cause of infertility.

The most appropriate treatment for endometriosis depends on the underlying cause and the length of infertility. If the female partner is 39 or younger and has been sexually active without contraception for 18 months or more, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be necessary to conceive. Women aged 39 and older should consider IVF treatment after only three months of no contraception.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovaries are by far the most common cause of irregular menstrual periods and lack of ovulation (anovulation).

The term “polycystic” refers to the increased number of ovarian follicles (not cysts) present within the ovaries of most women with PCOS.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the recommended treatment for women with moderate and moderately severe degrees of PCOS. It allows for precise modulation of ovarian stimulation and minimizes the risk of multiple pregnancies by limiting the number of transferred embryos.

Multiple miscarriages

In vitro fertilization, possibly with the addition of preimplantation embryo genetic testing (PGT), may be considered for patients with a history of recurrent miscarriages (three or more).

Unsuccessful ovarian stimulation and IUIs

If this treatment is recommended, there should be no more than 3 to 6 ovarian stimulation cycles with oral medications with or without intrauterine inseminations. In vitro fertilization should be considered a better alternative if this treatment is unsuccessful.

Unexplained infertility

Up to 25% of all infertile patients will be diagnosed with unexplained (idiopathic) infertility. This diagnosis means that, despite exhaustive fertility evaluation, there is no apparent cause of infertility.

Most of these patients have infertility factors involving the eggs, sperm, and Fallopian tubes, but their testing has not uncovered this information. Infertility related to the egg quality factor represents the most “unexplained” infertility, as it is the most difficult to diagnose.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common treatment for patients with unexplained infertility.

Meet Your Doctor

Dr. Polansky received his medical diploma from Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic, in 1978.
After completing his OB/GYN residency at Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, MO, he graduated from the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) fellowship at Stanford University in 1985.
In the same year, he co-founded the Stanford IVF Clinic.
Dr. Polansky obtained board certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1986 and became REI subspecialty board certified in 1988.
In 1987, he left Stanford University and established Nova IVF.
In 2011, he founded Bay IVF, where he provides advanced fertility treatments with a holistic approach, utilizing state-of-the-art techniques.
Dr. Polansky personally performs ultrasound examinations, egg retrievals, embryo transfers, and ovarian and endometrial stimulations for his patients.
He is deeply committed to his patients and freely shares his cell phone number, ensuring accessibility and availability 24/7.

Frank Polansky, M.D.

Initial Appointment Questions

When you call to schedule your consultation, one of our Front Office Coordinators will ask you a short series of questions regarding your reproductive history.

Your name
Your date of birth
Your height
Your weight
Do you know which treatment you plan to have?
How many times have you been pregnant?
For each of your pregnancies, what was the conception date? (month and year)
What was the outcome?
Were the pregnancies with your current partner?
If known, what is the cause of your infertility?
What is your average cycle length? (number of days between onsets of your periods)
Are you currently taking any medications? If yes, which ones?
Are you allergic to any medications? If yes, which ones?
Your partner’s name (if applicable)
Your partner’s date of birth (if applicable)
What is the length of your relationship with your current partner? (years and months)
When was the last time either of you used any contraception?
Is the male partner currently taking any medications? If yes, which ones?
Is the male partner allergic to any medications? If yes, which ones?
What is the total number of pregnancies the male partner has ever caused?
Has the male partner ever caused a pregnancy without the ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) procedure?
Has the male partner had a vasectomy or vasectomy reversal?
If available, for each Semen Analysis, please give the date (day, month, and year), volume, concentration (sperm count), percentage of motile sperm, and percentage of morphologically normal sperm.
Have you ever had any treatment for, or problems with, your lungs, heart, blood and blood vessels, breasts, digestive system, genito-urinary system, thyroid disease, diabetes, or neurological disorder? (female partner only)
For each X-ray of your uterus and Fallopian tubes (hysterosalpingogram), laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, or laparotomy, please give the procedure date (day, month, and year) and the findings.
If available, for each FSH, LH, estradiol (estrogen, E2), and AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) test you have had, please give the date of the test (day, month, and year) and the result.
Have you done any intrauterine inseminations (IUI)? If yes, how many?
Have you had ovarian stimulation with injectable medications?
For each IVF treatment you have had, please provide the following information if available: Date (month and year), the dose of medications to stimulate your ovaries, your highest estrogen level, number of ovarian follicles that developed, number of eggs retrieved, whether ICSI was done, number of embryos available, number of embryos transferred, number of embryos frozen, and the treatment outcome.
Have you ever smoked cigarettes? If yes, how many cigarettes a day during the last three months? (Please remember that you must not smoke during your treatment.)

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This is Erica

She will be providing you with exceptional support throughout your treatment journey at Bay IVF.

Listen to a typical conversation between Erica and a new patient.

Your name
Your date of birth
Your height
Your weight
Do you know which treatment you plan to have?
How many times have you been pregnant?
For each of your pregnancies, what was the conception date? (month and year)
What was the outcome?
Were the pregnancies with your current partner?
If known, what is the cause of your infertility?
What is your average cycle length? (number of days between onsets of your periods)
Are you currently taking any medications? If yes, which ones?
Are you allergic to any medications? If yes, which ones?
Your partner’s name (if applicable)
Your partner’s date of birth (if applicable)
What is the length of your relationship with your current partner? (years and months)
When was the last time either of you used any contraception?
Is the male partner currently taking any medications? If yes, which ones?
Is the male partner allergic to any medications? If yes, which ones?
What is the total number of pregnancies the male partner has ever caused?
Has the male partner ever caused a pregnancy without the ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) procedure?
Has the male partner had a vasectomy or vasectomy reversal?
If available, for each Semen Analysis, please give the date (day, month, and year), volume, concentration (sperm count), percentage of motile sperm, and percentage of morphologically normal sperm.
Have you ever had any treatment for, or problems with, your lungs, heart, blood and blood vessels, breasts, digestive system, genito-urinary system, thyroid disease, diabetes, or neurological disorder? (female partner only)
For each X-ray of your uterus and Fallopian tubes (hysterosalpingogram), laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, or laparotomy, please give the procedure date (day, month, and year) and the findings.
If available, for each FSH, LH, estradiol (estrogen, E2), and AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) test you have had, please give the date of the test (day, month, and year) and the result.
Have you done any intrauterine inseminations (IUI)? If yes, how many?
Have you had ovarian stimulation with injectable medications?
For each IVF treatment you have had, please provide the following information if available: Date (month and year), the dose of medications to stimulate your ovaries, your highest estrogen level, number of ovarian follicles that developed, number of eggs retrieved, whether ICSI was done, number of embryos available, number of embryos transferred, number of embryos frozen, and the treatment outcome.
Have you ever smoked cigarettes? If yes, how many cigarettes a day during the last three months? (Please remember that you must not smoke during your treatment.)

See All

Or Download a PDF

This is Nisha

Your invaluable resource for effortlessly managing your appointments at Bay IVF.

Listen to a typical conversation between Nisha and a new patient.

Your Initial Visit at Bay IVF

Attending a new patient appointment at a fertility clinic can be stressful. Our primary objective is to ensure that your initial visit is friendly and relaxing. We encourage you to ask questions at every step of the process.

1 — When You Arrive

You will be welcomed by one of the clinic receptionists. One of our nurses will measure your height and weight and take your blood pressure

2 — Meet Your Doctor

Dr. Polansky will ask you a series of clarifying questions and then provide you with a summary of the factors contributing to your infertility

4 — Exam Room

One of the nurses will escort you to an examination room. Your examination will begin with listening to your lungs and heart

3 — Ask Your Questions

You will then have a discussion with him about the most suitable reproductive treatment(s) for you. During this time, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have

5 — Ultrasound of the Ovaries

The next step is a pelvic ultrasound to examine the uterus and ovaries. This ultrasound will help determine the number of antral follicles present within the ovaries

6 — Financial Part

Following that, you will have a discussion with one of the financial advisors regarding the financial aspects of your treatment, including potential treatment financing options

8 — Support 24/7

If you have any questions after leaving the clinic, please feel free to reach out to us via phone call, text, or email. Open and discreet communication is an integral part of the care we provide at Bay IVF