Frequently Asked Questions

Technically, “infertility” is the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse in women under 35, after six months in women over 35, or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term. In a more modern interpretation, any patient who is not easily able to conceive is welcome to come in for a “fertility evaluation.”

Infertility affects nearly seven million American couples, which is approximately 15% of those of childbearing age.

There are a number of reasons infertility can occur. About one-third of cases can be attributed to male factors, one-third of cases are attributed to female factors, and for the remaining one-third, infertility can be caused by a combination of problems in both partners or, in about 20 percent of cases, it is completely unexplained.

Testing is the only proven method of finding out why you are having challenges conceiving. Basic tests for egg quality (blood tests), Fallopian tube function (HSG), and sperm quality (semen analysis) are usually the first steps in the reproductive evaluation.

14 RMA of New York offices across NYC, in Westchester and Dutchess counties, and on Long Island, offer fertility consultations and fertility testing. From Midtown to Mount Vernon, Yonkers to Poughkeepsie, we are accessible to patients across New York’s Hudson Valley Region. Four full-service IVF laboratories provide additional testing services. These labs are located in Manhattan (East Side), Brooklyn (Albee Square), Long Island (Melville), and Westchester County (Mount Kisco).

OB/GYNs have expertise in both obstetrics and gynecology, but not necessarily in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologists complete a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and then an additional three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, thus have acquired extensive sub-specialty knowledge.

RMANY has 14 clinics serving greater NYC, Long Island, Westchester County, and New York’s Hudson Valley Region. This includes four full-service IVF laboratories, located in Manhattan (East Side), Brooklyn (Albee Square), Long Island (Melville), and Westchester County (Mount Kisco). From Downtown Manhattan to West Islip, to White Plains and Poughkeepsie, we have a fertility clinic to care for you close to your home or workplace. Click here for our full list of locations.

A man's sperm function can be impacted by his overall health and lifestyle. Some things that may reduce the health or number of sperm include:

• Heavy alcohol use
• Drugs
• Cigarettes
• Age
• Environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead
• Health problems such as mumps, serious conditions like kidney disease, or hormone problems
• Medicines
• Radiation treatment and chemotherapy for cancer

Many things can change a woman's ability to have a baby. These include:

• Age
• Smoking
• Excess alcohol use
• Stress
• Poor diet
• Intense athletic training
• Being overweight or underweight
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Health problems that cause hormonal changes, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and primary ovarian insufficiency

You are not alone in asking these questions. In fact, 7 million American couples struggle with infertility, which typically is defined as having problems conceiving after about a year of unprotected sex for women under 35 and after six months of trying to conceive for women over 35. And that figure, which represents 15% of those of childbearing age, does not necessarily include all of the single people or members of the LGBTQIA+ community who want to start a family now, in the near future, or later in life. The causes vary. Age is often the primary reason, but there are many other health and lifestyle factors that can contribute to the challenge, for both women and men. These may include certain conditions, medications, alcohol and drug use, stress, poor diet, being overweight or underweight, cancer treatments and environmental toxins, to name just a few. In around 20% of cases, there is no known cause (this is known as “unexplained infertility”). Whatever reproductive challenges you may be facing, our team is here to help with the latest and most successful treatment options available.

You may have heard of the “biological clock,” which refers to the arc of female fertility, which peaks in the early 20s, then begins to decline steadily until the mid-to-late 30s, when it begins to decline more rapidly. The best way to assess your unique situation is with a consultation and fertility testing with one of our renowned fertility doctors. Fertility testing commonly evaluates egg and sperm quantity and quality, uterine factors, and fallopian tube function. RMANY is committed to applying all of our experience, research, and the latest technologies to maximize your chance of pregnancy success at 35 and 40.

For patients who utilize IVF with PGT (preimplantation genetic testing), healthy embryos are identified and typically a single embryo transfer (also known as elective single embryo transfer or eSET) is performed. This significantly reduces the chances of twin and multiple pregnancy that are seen when more than one embryo is transferred. IVF with PGT and eSET generally lead to healthier pregnancies and birth outcomes.