New Data Shows Nearly 50% of All Treatments at Shady Grove Fertility are Low Tech

Less Expensive, Less Invasive Options Often Successful

ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New data from Shady Grove Fertility Center shows half of all treatment cycles performed at the Center are low tech, non-invasive procedures, including intrauterine insemination, or IUI, and ovulation induction, or OI. Approximately 5,500 babies have been born as a result of IUI treatments at Shady Grove Fertility over the last several years.

The figures contradict a common misconception that the term "fertility treatment" refers primarily to in vitro fertilization, or IVF, a far more complex, expensive and invasive procedure.  While IVF has the highest success rate of all treatment options, the data shows many patients are treated successfully with less intensive therapies. Ultimate outcome depends heavily on age of the patient and her diagnosis.

"Our philosophy at Shady Grove Fertility has always been to tailor our patients' treatment to their specific diagnoses and circumstances," said Dr. Robert Stillman, Shady Grove Fertility's Medical Director. "In each case, it really comes down to balancing the best possible chance of success with the simplest and most cost-effective approach. It means finding the easiest treatment option that is likely to be effective for that individual patient."

IUI involves placing a concentrated amount of sperm directly into the uterus through a catheter to help increase the natural fertilization of the egg by the sperm. It is done in the Shady Grove Fertility office, is not painful, does not require anesthesia, and takes just a few minutes. It can be an effective treatment if a woman has blocked fallopian tubes, decreased egg quality, or less severe degrees of male factor infertility. If a patient hasn't become pregnant after three to four treatments, it may be advisable to move to a more aggressive option such as IVF.

When Shady Grove Fertility was founded in 1991, approximately half of all treatment protocols were less invasive IUI's, rather than IVF or other more costly treatment options. Since then, while the practice has grown, that ratio has remained constant. Today, Shady Grove Fertility performs more than 5,000 IUI procedures annually.

About Shady Grove Fertility Center

Shady Grove Fertility Center is the largest and one of the most progressive fertility and IVF Center in the United States, and has a strong reputation among patient and physician communities for ethical, sound and successful medical care.  Twenty-three reproductive endocrinologists, as well as Ph.D. scientists, geneticist, and 350 highly specialized staff care for patients in 12 full-service offices throughout the Washington and Baltimore metropolitan areas. Shady Grove Fertility conducts clinical research in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health and is part of their subspecialty training Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology.  Shady Grove Fertility has pioneered a number of nationally and internationally recognized programs, such as Shared Risk 100% Refund Program, Shared Donor Egg, International Donor Egg, and Shared Help among others.  Since Shady Grove Fertility's inception in 1992, more than 20,000 babies have born to its patients.  Call 888-761-1967 for more information or to schedule an appointment. www.ShadyGroveFertility.com

SOURCE Shady Grove Fertility Center