Fact Sheets

  • Age and Fertility
    The number of couples in their late 30s and 40s attempting pregnancy is increasing. Currently 20% of patients at Monash IVF are aged 40 or over.
  • amniocentesis
    Your family or personal medical history may suggest to your doctor that you have a slightly greater chance of giving birth to an infant with a birth defect.
  • Antiphospholipid antibodies and reproduction
    Antiphospholipid antibodies circulate in the bloodstream, can bind to cell membranes, and may cause small clots to form. They have various names such as lupus, cardiolipin and antinuclear antibodies. They are found in 2-15% of the population, even in men.
  • artificial insemination - using male partners sperm
    Artificial insemination involves the insertion of the male partner's semen into the female partner's cervix in order to improve the chances of pregnancy.
  • assisted hatchng - using male partners sperm
    Assisted Hatching is available to Monash IVF patients where the wife is at least 37 years old, the technique appears to be less effective in younger women.
  • Australian Legislation Banning the Use of Commercial Sperm, Eggs or Embryos.
    In Australia the banning of compensation for the supply of biological tissue is fundamental to our cultural identity.
  • chorionic villus sampling
    Chorionic Villus sampling is a test which involves obtaining a small sample of tissue, the chorionic villi from the developing placenta. The placenta, which has the same chromosome makeup as the baby, may then be examined for genetic, DNA or biochemical abnormalities eg Down Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis etc.
  • clinical research studies
    Why would I want to participate in a research study? And other commonly asked questions.
  • confirmatory Prenatal Diagnosis following Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
    Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a technique that enables couples at genetic risk to have their embryos screened before a pregnancy is established. PGD can be used to screen for known single gene disorders, translocations, and some of the more common chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome.
  • counselling and support
    Monash IVF counsellors are registered psychologists or social workers and members of the Australian and New Zealand Infertility Counselling Association (ANZICA). Monash IVF has a large and experienced team of counsellors nationally. This team works closely with the nursing staff, scientists and clinicians to provide you with a supportive and caring service that is tailored to your individual needs.
  • creutzfeldt-jacob disease
    This information was taken directly from the Australian Government website: http://www.australia.gov.au/
  • donor egg program
    This information sheet is designed to answer some of the questions you may have regarding the Donor Egg Program. If you require more detailed information, please contact the program coordinator or a member of the nursing staff here at Monash IVF.
  • ectopic pregnancy
    An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo attaches to a site outside the uterine cavity. Greater than 90% of ectopic pregnancies are located in one of the fallopian tubes. Other sites are rare and include the cervix, ovary and the abdominal cavity.
  • egg donors and age
    The world's first baby conceived through egg donation by Monash IVF was born in 1983. Since then, hundreds of donor egg programs have been established throughout the world.
  • Egg Freezing for Social Reasons
    Women are increasingly delaying motherhood for a variety of reasons. Most women are aware that their fertility declines with age; particularly from their mid to late thirties. This loss of reproductive capacity is largely due to an inevitable decline in the egg quality. Consequently there has been a great deal of interest in the egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) as a means of preserving
  • embryo freezing / thawing
    During a fresh stimulated IVF cycle 1 or 2 embryos are transferred to the patient and the remaining embryos are assessed to determine whether they will be frozen for later use. Embryos may be frozen between 1 and 7 days after egg collection.
  • endometriosis
    Endometriosis is a benign and common disease. It is often characterised by a history of pelvic pain, sub-fertility and impaired quality of life and tends to occur in women who are in the reproductive years. The definition of endometriosis is the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the of the uterus.
  • extended culture / embryo transfer
    embryo transfer for routine IVF
  • generic testing for cystic fibrosis information for Gamete donors
    Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects mainly the lungs and digestive system causing the glands to produce abnormally thick mucus. In the lungs, this mucus causes obstruction in the air passage, leading to frequent and severe infections. In the digestive system, normal digestive enzymes are obstructed leading to poor absorption of food and pancreatic damage leading to diabetes.
  • genetic causes of male infertility
    Sperm production problems are the commonest cause of male infertility. Little is known about why the sperm produced in tubules in the testes fail to develop and function normally. Scientists believe that genetic variations are responsible in at least 40% of cases, particularly those involving the Y (or male) chromosome.
  • indications for ivf
    The following information outlines the various medical conditions that may indicate the need for the use of assisted reproductive technologies.
  • intracytoplasmic sperm injection
    Male infertility is very common and male factor problems contribute to approximately one-third of infertile couples. Male infertility makes up an increasing proportion of ART cycles and currently accounts for 40% of our program at Monash IVF.
  • key milestones at monash ivf
    A brief history of Monash IVF
  • long-term frozen storage of ovarian tissue for oncology patients
    Background Information
  • male infertility
    Male infertility is very common. About one in twenty men is sub-fertile and a male infertility factor may be significant in half of all infertile couples. About one third of all IVF procedures are performed for male factor infertility. For most men the discovery that they are infertile comes as a total surprise.
  • miscarriage - a guide for patients
    What is a Miscarriage?
  • multiple births and ivf in australia
    Management of IVF in Australia is characterised by a very careful approach to embryo transfer, in order to reduce the likelihood of multiple births. Unlike some countries, where transfer of more than six embryos is routine, in Australia generally only one or two embryos are transferred in each attempt.
  • ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
    All women who undergo ovarian stimulation during an IVF treatment, experience enlargement of their ovaries and a complex change in their hormone balance.
  • polcystic ovarian syndrome
    Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition in which there is a hormonal imbalance within the ovaries.
  • preimplantation genetic diagnosis for chromosome screening
    Irregularities in early development of the sperm, egg or embryo can lead to an imbalance of chromosome number in the developing embryo (i.e. missing or extra chromosomes). This chromosome imbalance can lead to implantation failure, miscarriage, or the birth of an affected child.
  • preimplantation genetic diagnosis for single gene disorders
    Preimplatation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a reproductive option for couples at risk of passing a genetic disease on to their children.
  • preimplantation genetic diagnosis for translocations
    An individual's genetic information is packaged into strings of genes called chromosomes. Normal human cells contain 46 chromosomes, or 23 pairs. These include chromosomes 1 to 22 (the autosomes) and chromosomes X and Y (the sex chromosomes).
  • preimplantation genetic diagnosis with sex selection for x-linked genetic disorders
    An individual's genetic information is packaged into strings of genes called chromosomes. Normal human cells contain 46 chromosomes, or 23 pairs. These include chromosomes 1 to 22 (the autosomes) and chromosomes X and Y (the sex chromosomes). Females carry two X chromosomes, while males carry an X and a Y chromosome.
  • referral information
    From November 1st 1996 amendments to the Health Insurance Act have resulted in changes to referral requirements.
  • smoking and fertility
    Having IVF treatment can be one of the most stressful experiences in a person's life. Having to deal with day-to-day and infertility is enough with out considering quitting cigarette smoking.
  • sperm storage for cancer treatment
    You are wishing to store sperm at Monash IVF because you are receiving treatment for a serious medical condition that may permanently damage your testes and their ability to produce sperm. It is possible to freeze and store sperm for many years. In some cases semen parameters, such as count and motility, may be impaired at the time of freezing due to the effects of general ill health (e.g. fevers) associated with your disease.
  • storage of sperm from dead or critically ill men
    Briefly outlined below are the relevant issues that need to be considered before sperm retrieved from dead or critically ill men is stored.
  • testicular biopsy
    Sperm can be obtained directly from the testes using testicular biopsy, or by needle aspiration from the tubes, at the back of the testes, that carry the sperm.
  • the interpretation of semen analysis
    The analysis of freshly ejaculated semen is the most important diagnostic tool in the initial investigation of male fertility. Semen is a mixture of secretions from several components of the genital tract.
  • vasectomy & sperm storage
    Vasectomy is a safe and effective long-term contraceptive option. By the age of 40 years, about 25% of Australians have undergone a vasectomy and there are about 30,000 procedures performed.
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