Finding Answers The Advanced Fertility Center of Texas offers the most comprehensive and state of the art Fertility and PCOS care.
Advanced Fertility Center of Texas treats both male and female infertility with the latest technological advances today and is one of the largest referral centers for PCOS in Texas.
The Advanced Fertility Center of Texas offers the most comprehensive and state of the art fertility services available today for both male and female patients in four Texas locations. Our doctors specialize in a wide range of endocrine and gynecologic disorders affecting infertility including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. The Advanced Fertility Center of Texas offers a full spectrum of infertility treatments including intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), donor egg, egg freezing, preimplantation genetic diagnosis for family balancing and screening abnormal chromosomes, and laser assisted hatching. The Lisanne Wellness Center, located at the Memorial City/Katy Freeway office, provides complementary medicine services as well as a wide variety of lifestyle modification programs enabling patients to gain the maximum benefits from all the healthcare advances available today. Lisanne services and products are specifically formulated for fertility enhancement by exploring body and mind connection through acupuncture and aromatherapy as well as using the latest scientific discoveries in the area of fertility nutrition and supplements.
Infertility Services • Ovulation Induction (OI) • Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) • Advanced Techniques of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) • Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) • Assisted Embryo Hatching using the latest and most advanced FDA Approved Laser • Donor Egg Program • Fertility Preservation Center including egg and sperm freezing • Andrology Services including Semen Analysis and Sperm Testing • Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis to eliminate genetic disorders • “Same-day” PGD for chromosomal detection of X, Y and 21 for Family Balancing and Down Syndrome
www.infertilityanswers.com • 713.467.4488 or 877.DRALLON • Dial ext. 40 for a new patient appointment
Infertility
is a condition which affects 15%, or 1 in 7, of reproductive age women. The causes of infertility are numerous and are often a reflection of other underlying health concerns.
Couples
Women
Couples
Women
Male Problems 35%
Tubal & Pelvic Pathology 35%
Un
us
Ovulary Dysfunction 15%
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Unexplained Infertility 10%
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rob
lem 5% s
Tubal & Pelvic Pathology 40%
Unusual Problems 10%
Ovulary Dysfunction 40%
Unexplained Infertility 10%
Infertility ?
What are some common causes of infertility?
• Increasing age of female partner, especially over the age of 35. • Hormonal problems leading to irregular or absent ovulation & menstrual cycles. • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. • Endometriosis. • Previous sexually transmitted infections that may block the fallopian tubes. • Scar tissue from previous pelvic or abdominal surgery that may block the fallopian tubes.
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WHO SHOULD SEE AN INFERTILITY SPECIALIST?
• Women younger than 35 years without disease who have been trying for 12 months. • Women older than 35 years who have
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been trying for 6 months. • Any woman with a history of one of the above mentioned causes of infertility.
What should I expect at an infertility office visit?
• 1st visit- Discuss medical history and infertility evaluation. • 2nd visit- Hormonal evaluation on day 3 of menstrual cycle. • 3rd visit- sonohysterogram (ultrasound)
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• Uterine fibroids, polyps, scarring or congenital abnormalities. • Excessive weight (BMI > 30), cigarette smoking or drug use. • Problems with fertilization (sperm-egg interactions). • Abnormal sperm quantity, quality or motility (movement). • Chronic health conditions. • Male factor can account for 35% of causes of infertility.
and gynecologic exam between day 5 and 10 of menstrual cycle. • 4th visit- Decide on a plan that is optimal for achieving pregnancy.
Why choose the Advanced Fertility Center of Texas?
• We provide personalized and compassionate infertility care with regular follow-ups to help women through all stages of their reproductive years. • We treat both men and women. • We have high pregnancy rates with in vitro fertilization and ovulation induction with intrauterine insemination. • We offer the most up-to-date infertility technology including egg freezing for patients who will undergo chemotherapy or want to delay childbearing and on-site
Same Day PGD to screen for genetic aberrations. • We are a large referral center for women with PCOS due to our comprehensive programs. • We believe that patients should have comprehensive care for endocrine and other disorders related to infertility. • We have an on-site wellness expert to provide nutritional as well as lifestyle modifications allowing for consistent, high-level medical care.
www.infertilityanswers.com • 713.467.4488 or 877.DRALLON • Dial ext. 40 for a new patient appointment
PCOS
or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is the most common endocrine abnormality in women, affecting 10% of the population.
PCOS ?
WHAT IS POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN Syndrome?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects 10% of the population. It is the most common endocrine disorder and a major unrecognized cardiovascular risk factor in women. A fundamental element surrounding PCOS is insulin resistance (IR), which is prevalent in 80% of patients. The diagnosis of PCOS is confirmed in patients by the demonstration of 2 out of the following 3 signs or symptoms: 1) Infrequent or absent menstrual cycles (< 8 cycles a year). 2) Evidence of hyperandrogenism on exam (facial or bodily hair, hair loss on scalp) or in blood tests. 3) Evidence of multiple (greater than 12) small ovarian cysts on both ovaries seen by ultrasound.
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Helpful blood test: 1) Free testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin, DHEAS are helpful but testosterone level can vary at different times of the menstrual cycle and preference is to check androgens around menstrual cycle day 3. Normal LH: FSH ratio does not exclude the diagnosis. 2) The 2 hour glucose tolerance test with glucose and insulin levels. A. The 2 hour glucose results: normal is < 140 mg/dl, 140-190 is impaired and > 200 is consistent with type 2 Diabetes. B. The 2 hour insulin response: insulin resistance very likely at levels of 100150 µU/ml and definite insulin resistance at 151-200 µU/ml.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PCOS?
• Amenorrhea (no menstrual cycles). • Oligomenorrhea (infrequent menstrual cycles). • Heavy and prolonged menstrual cycles when cycles do occur. • Hirsutism (facial or body hair) and/or acne- seen in up to 70% of cases. • Hyperandrogenism- elevated androgens (male hormones). • Infertility- seen in 55-75%. • Polycystic ovaries (enlarged ovaries with multiple small follicles). • Chronic pelvic pain. • Obesity or weight gain- seen in 70%. Central fat is more insulin resistant than peripheral fat.
• Insulin resistance- seen in 80% and increases with obesity. IR is responsible for diabetes and hypertension. • Elevation of LDL-C and triglycerides and low HDL-C- seen in 70%. About 46% of women with PCOS have metabolic syndrome. • PCOS patients have > 4 times prevalence of elevated C-reactive protein. • Acanthosis nigricans- (darkening of skin around the neck or axilla is due to insulin resistance). • Endometrial hyperplasia- (thickening of the lining of the uterus). This condition can increase risk of endometrial cancer by 25%. • Sleep apnea.
www.infertilityanswers.com • 713.467.4488 or 877.DRALLON • Dial ext. 40 for a new patient appointment
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What is involved in testing for pcos?
• Discussion of medical and gynecologic history. • Cycle day 3 hormonal and lipid evaluation. • Physical Exam. • Ultrasound Exam.
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WHAT ARE THE Treatment options IF I’M trying to get pregnant?
• Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) tablets increases the frequency of ovulation. • Metformin (Glucophage or Glumetza) sensitizes the body to its own insulin and lowers androgens. • Letrozole tablets work like Clomid by increasing the frequency of ovulation. • Injectable medication (Follicle stimulating hormone and/or Leutinizing hormone) for
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WHAT ARE THE treatment options for health management alone or contraception?
• Oral Contraceptives- lowers blood testosterone levels by 50%. • Vaniqa- lessens facial hair growth. • Aldactone- to block androgens.
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patients who require additional medications after failing to ovulate with Clomiphene. • Nutrition consultation programs which include natural supplements to promote weight loss and improve insulin resistance. • Our experience with PCOS led to one of the highest pregnancy rates with In Vitro Fertilization in our center.
• Medication for acne. • Metformin (Glucophage)- to decrease insulin resistance and lowers testosterone.
Why choose the Advanced Fertility Center of Texas for PCOS management?
• We take pride in the fact that we are one of the largest referral centers for PCOS in Texas and see patients from all over the country and world for PCOS. • We provide personalized and compassionate care with regular follow-up to help women through all stages of their reproductive years.
• We address and treat the multiple symptoms of PCOS in order to minimize the long-term health and cosmetic effects. • We provide nutritional, dietary and wellness management all in our center allowing for consistent, high-level medical care.
www.infertilityanswers.com • 713.467.4488 or 877.DRALLON • Dial ext. 40 for a new patient appointment
Our Specialists
Our Specialists
Dr. Michael Allon Michael A. Allon, MD, FACOG, specializes in in-vitro fertilization, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hormonal and congenital abnormalities, and complex laparoscopic surgery. Board-certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, as well as obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Allon founded the Allon Health Center and Advanced Fertility Center of Texas (formerly Center for Women’s Medicine) in 1997. Author of several publications and book chapters, he has been recognized as a top doctor by several state and local publications. He has a special interest in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome and has held monthly support groups and given several national talks related to the syndrome. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, his medical degree from Texas Tech University, and his post-graduate training at Baylor College of Medicine and Wayne State University. His extensive experience in the field of in vitro fertilization and complex laparoscopic surgery provide unique comprehensive treatments to a variety of infertility patients.
Dr. dmitri dozortsev Dmitri Dozortsev, MD, PhD, HCLD, is director of reproductive laboratories for the Advanced Fertility Center of Texas and Omni-Med Laboratories. He has been board-certified as a reproductive laboratory director since 1996 and performed and supervised thousands of assisted-reproduction cycles. He is also one of the most experienced preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) experts in the United States. Dr. Dozortsev received his medical degree from Pavlov’s Medical School in St. Petersburg in Russia, his Ph.D. with highest honors from State University of Gent in Belgium, and his post-doctorate training at the world-renown Reproductive Genetics Institute in Chicago. He served as a faculty with OB-GYN department at Wayne State University for seven years and has more than 40 articles and chapters.
Pei-Chi Tsai Pei-Chi Tsai, MS, laboratory supervisor for the Allon Health Center and Omni-Med Laboratories, is an expert on IVF, ICSI, embryo culture, embryo transfer, semen analysis, overnight culture, and cryopreservation. She graduated from the National Chen-Kong University in Taiwan with a bachelor’s degree in medical technology, interned at Stanford University, and graduated from University of Kentucky with a master’s degree in reproductive laboratory science.
www.infertilityanswers.com • 713.467.4488 or 877.DRALLON • Dial ext. 40 for a new patient appointment
Dr. stephan krotz Stephan P. Krotz, MD, specialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), minimally invasive surgery and fertility preservation for women undergoing cancer treatment earned his undergraduate degree in Genetics at the University of California at Davis, his M.D. at Northwestern University, completed his OB-GYN residency at Baylor College of Medicine and his fellowship training at Brown University. He served on the faculty at Baylor College of Medicine where he developed expertise in Premature Ovarian Failure (early menopause). At Brown University, he pioneered the development of the first Artificial Human Ovary for in vitro maturation of oocytes. He was awarded the 2009 Research Prize from the New England Fertility Society for innovative research, has published over thirty scientific articles, book chapters and abstracts, and is a reviewer for prestigious medical journals.
Mary turner Mary Turner, MS, WHNP, specialist in infertility and gynecology and research nurse in uterine fibroids and endometriosis has been caring for patients at the center for the past eight years. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas at Austin and her master’s degree in nursing as a women’s health nurse practitioner from the University of Texas at Houston. In the early stages of her career, Mary cared for cancer patients as a breast center and research nurse in surgical oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and continues to help cancer patients who desire Fertility Preservation at the Advanced Fertility Center of Texas.
Dr. Jodi Altman Jodi M. Altman, DC, is the director of the wellness body and mind program at Lisanne Wellness Center. Dr. Altman specializes in restoration of the functional and structural deformities of the nervous system which can influence the endocrine system. She obtained her doctorate degree from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas. She has extensive post graduate work in Applied Kinesiology and has done extensive work using a variety of wellness methods including the low level laser to reduce pain and rejuvenate the proper function of body systems.
www.infertilityanswers.com • 713.467.4488 or 877.DRALLON • Dial ext. 40 for a new patient appointment
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LOCATIONS
College Station 1602 Rock Prairie Road, Suite 400 | College Station, TX 77845 The Woodlands 17198 St. Luke’s Way, Suite 410 | The Woodlands, TX 77384 Cy Fair 11302 Fallbrook Drive, Suite 110 | Houston, TX 77065 Memorial City / Katy Fwy 10901 Katy Freeway | Houston, TX 77079 Texas Medical Center 7501 Fannin, Suite 750 | Houston, TX 77054 Katy 18400 Katy Freeway, Suite 570 | Houston, TX 77094
www.infertilityanswers.com • 713.467.4488 or 877.DRALLON • Dial ext. 40 for a new patient appointment