Statistically the likelihood of a good outcome during the 2^nd or 3^rd attempt is higher. This is due to the fact that so much information, that were previously not known, is now available and can be used to optimize and tweak the next attempt.

- Answers kindly provided by Dr. Stephan Volschenk -

With an AMH of 0.6, a history of stage 3 endometriosis and failed inseminations with good quality donor sperm, IVF is without a doubt the next step sooner rather than later.

- Answers kindly provided by Dr. Stephan Volschenk -

Refer to answer to question 2.

- Week 27 answers kindly provided by Dr. Stephan Volschenk -

If you are fit and train regularly there is no reason to stop either before, during or after an IVF/ICSI attempt. A healthy body will ultimately house a healthy pregnancy. The issue is the amount of trainings – remember, anything in excess is detrimental.

- Week 21 answers kindly provided by Dr. Stephan Volschenk -

I think the jury is out on this issue: Acupuncture is beneficial in IVF/ICSI cycles in so far as having the acupuncture on the day before and the day of  and possibly the day after embryo transfer. For the rest of the time there are no studies to support that it is either beneficial or detrimental to the whole process of ART.

- Week 20 answers kindly provided by Dr. Stephan Volschenk -

There are no risks in not waiting the desired time interval. It is all about physiology and common sense. It takes the ovary about 70-80 days to recruit a new cohort of primary follicles and it takes the body 6 weeks to return to normal.

- Week 19 answers kindly provided by Dr. Stephan Volschenk -

It all depends on how long the follicles took to get to a mean diameter of 17-18mm. If they reached 17-18mm diameter within 11-12 days, the chance that the cycle might work is always there and the percentage success will depend on your age. However, if they drag their heels and do not progress as planned by enlarging by at least 2mm every 24 hours, then the chances of the cycle working is pretty slim regardless of age. One then has to determine why this has happened, rectify the cause and try again, possibly with a different protocol.

- Week 19 answers kindly provided by Dr. Stephan Volschenk -

The ideal time is 60 – 90 days.

- Week 18 answers kindly provided by Dr. Stephan Volschenk -

Total count on full SA being 10 mil/ml is on the low side. One would therefore be inclined to move onto IVF/ICSI sooner rather than later.

- Week 18 answers kindly provided by Dr. Stephan Volschenk -

Unfortunately it is not that simple, even for a PCO. The difference between a PCO ovary and a non PCO ovary is the fact that the PCO ovary has many many more pre antral follicles than a non PCO ovary. When you stimulate the PCO ovary, you recruit most of that follicles, if not all, in some way or another – hence the risk of OHSS. At the end of the attempt the ovary has to go essentially through the same process as the non PCO ovary. Therefore it ends up being the same for both PCO and non PCO.

- Week 17 answers kindly provided by Dr. Stephan Volschenk -