Services and Treatments
Controlled Ovarian Stimulation with IUI
The ovary is stimulated using hormonal formulations for the production of multiple eggs and ovulation timing. Blood work as well as uterine and ovarian ultrasound are used to monitor the cycle. IUI involves selection of the best sperm and inseminating it into the top of the uterine cavity so it can progress and meet the released egg in the fallopian tubes.
Cryo IUI
A unique treatment, practiced only in a few centers, including the Diamond Institute, helps couples with male factor infertility achieve a pregnancy without the need for IVF ICSI. Sperm samples are accumulated and frozen to be used during insemination.
Egg Freezing
The Diamond Institute offers egg freezing as a part of our Assisted Reproductive Program. The use of cryopreserved unfertilized eggs for future reproduction has existed since 1987 and has been successfully applied at the Diamond Institute since 2003.
The most common indication for egg freezing is the risk of losing ovarian reserve due to undergoing chemotherapy or surgery, as well as other medical conditions that may progressively damage the ovary. As more women are waiting longer to have children, and facing the real challenge of having successful, healthy pregnancies later in life, egg freezing is becoming more relevant and in demand. Our fertility is still limited by basic biology – the “biological clock”. Our opportunities are endless, but egg supply and egg quality are not. This is where egg freezing is playing a major role preserving a woman’s fertility potential. This allows the patient to keep her options open for future conception with her own eggs.
Egg Donation
A woman who is unable to use her own eggs to conceive a baby may opt for egg donation. This is a very rewarding option due to high success rates as well as reduction of risk for miscarriage and/or genetic malformation. Most of the time, donors remain anonymous; however, donors known to recipients can participate. Diamond Institute prepares each donor and recipient for all clinical processes involved and complies with all current FDA Egg Donation guidelines and regulations.
Fertility Preservation
We offer multiple options for both men and women who are interested in preserving options for fertility. The Diamond Institute has established pregnancies and deliveries of healthy babies from egg freezing treatment. Several controlled studies performed at The Diamond Institute as well as by other centers have shown that success rates using frozen eggs come close to that with fresh eggs in patients under 35 years of age.
Patients who face life threatening conditions such as cancer or the need to undergo surgery and/or chemotherapy are normally focusing on life preservation. The need to preserve their fertility may look to some as “the least of their worries”. On the other hand, many of these patients are young adults and maintaining their fertility potential is important. This procedure can help a patient to stay hopeful that one day they will have a family of their own.
Timing is critical. Timing is also important for fertility preservation when preservation is done for a non medical reason. We employ a multidisciplinary approach to facilitate the best outcome for our patients.
Gestational Carrier
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
In Vitro Fertilization
Male Infertility
Modern Family
Today’s American families come in all shapes and sizes. There is no “one size fits all” approach to helping our patients achieve their dreams of parenthood. Our goal is to help individuals or families who have love to share with a child be able to have the family of their dreams.
We offer compassionate and individualized care for single parents and same sex couples seeking help to achieve their dreams of having a baby. Our repertoire of treatments for our patients include donor egg, donor sperm and gestational surrogacy. We have taken care of numerous American and internationally-based families with any or all of the aforementioned needs.
There are many solutions available to fit our patients’ needs. Donor egg, donor sperm, as well as gestational carrier are integrated parts of our program.
Diamond Institute is a proud member of GLMA, in supporting gay and lesbian medical needs.
Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) / Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA)
The Diamond Institute is among the first centers in the world to successfully offer TESA as a part of male infertility services. TESA is a novel method applied to retrieve sperm from the testicles for IVF by ICSI. It allows us to isolate a single sperm out of testicular tissue removed by biopsy. This is of utmost importance for patients with extremely low sperm production and absence of sperm in the ejaculate (azoospermia). The technique is also helpful for men with surgical or congenital blockage of the vas deferens.
Recurrent Miscarriage
Approximately 20 percent of patients come to Diamond Institute because they have encountered several consecutive pregnancy losses. Most experts begin evaluation and treatment following two first-trimester miscarriages or one second-trimester loss. Diamond’s comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment has yielded promising results for the majority of our patients. Together with couples that remain dedicated to achieving their dreams of full-term pregnancies, we have seen many healthy babies born.
Our patients are going through a process to determine the potential causes of their pregnancy loss. Following that a treatment plan is tailored to their needs for future successful pregnancy.
Losing a pregnancy carries the same disappointment and grief as losing a child at any age. Thanks to twenty first century technology and a strong foundation of clinical experience, we can guide couples to the happy results of term pregnancies with healthy babies. For some the solution is relatively easy while others encounter extended treatment. We urge our patients to maintain hope and encourage them to seek individual counseling or to join support groups— whatever provides a comfort level, and to work with Diamond to help them reach their family goals.
SHG Sonohysterogram
HSG Hysterosalpingigram
Imaging Service
HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM (HSG) AND SONOHYSTEROGRAM (SHG)
Both of these imaging studies are done in our supportive office environment with a team of caring nurses and doctors who make the testing less overwhelming. When you call to schedule your test, our schedulers make sure to give you very clear instructions for the test. On the day of your test, our physicians and physician assistant are available to answer any questions prior to the test. Once the test is complete, we will update you briefly on the findings and send the results to your referring physician so you can follow up with them.
The HSG is an essential part of the infertility evaluation. It is one of the imaging services we offer at our center. Your doctor may request the test as an assessment of your uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. We perform HSGs weekdays in our in-house radiology suite. In conjunction with our experienced X-ray technician, one of our physicians or the physician’s assistant, will perform the test and the results will be sent to your referring physician. The HSG test is performed by delivering radiopaque fluid transvaginally (through the cervix) with the use of a special cannula or a balloon catheter. Once the dye is in the pelvis, it will pass through the fallopian tubes with a characteristic appearance on X-ray that shows if the tubes are patent. In addition to the fallopian tubes, the HSG can also detect uterine pathology such as polyps, fibroids, or congenital uterine anomalies, all of which can cause difficulty getting or staying pregnant.
The SHG is also known as a saline infusion ultrasound or a saline sonogram. For this test, sterile saline is delivered into the uterus transvaginally with the aid of a catheter. While the fluid is being delivered into the uterus, a concurrent transvaginal ultrasound is performed. This test may be requested by a referring physician as a more detailed study of the uterine cavity if a patient has experienced irregular menstrual bleeding or as part of a workup for multiple miscarriages. This test is more sensitive at detecting subtle pathology in the uterus such as adhesions, or small polyps and fibroids. In patients who may have a contraindication HSG such as an allergy to the dye used for that study, the saline ultrasound can be coupled with a catheter device that creates bubbles which can be seen as they pass through the fallopian tubes. In this way, the SHG can also be used to evaluate the fallopian tubes.
Our Imaging Center is able to assist you with either of the above tests. Call us to make an appointment today!
Menopause
One of the most significant – and sometimes problematic – phases in a woman’s life is undoubtedly menopause or cessation of menstrual bleeding and the years that follow (post-menopause).
The terms climacteric period or change of life are often used synonymously to denote menopause and actually encompass the entire period of time when hormonal functioning undergoes change. This process usually begins in the mid-forties, before the actual cessation of monthly bleeding (menses) occurs and may last a number of years. At Diamond Institute we tailor evaluation and treatment approaches to individual concerns.