Dr. Vermesh on Autoimmune Infertility & Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL)
In this interview, Dr. Michael Vermesh from the Center for Fertility and Gynecology, located in Tarzana, Bakersfield, Thousand Oaks, and Torrance, CA, talks with Danica Thornberry, a fertility acupuncturist about his holistic and interactive approach to fertility treatment, particularly for patients experiencing autoimmune infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss.
Cohesive Approach to Fertility Treatment
Dr. Vermesh was originally skeptical about the cohesive approach to fertility treatments. However, he soon learned that physicological, nutritional, and holistic approaches were often successful. Patients first work with Danica, who provides treatment, including acupuncture, diet changes, and other support, before seeing Dr. Vermesh. This has had a beneficial effect on patients as they are more confident and relaxed.
Dr. Vermesh and Danica are not afraid to take on difficult cases or patients that come to them after being told egg donation and surrogacy are their only hope. Dr. Vermesh believes in natural IVF and has found success in these cycles, helping a mother with low follicle count conceive boy/girl twins. They see that high-dose medicated cycles are not always effective and can actually stress the nervous system and cost patients more money during a cycle. Having patients come to him relaxed helps, and by foregoing or reducing hormonal medications, Dr. Vermesh finds he can help his patients achieve a successful pregnancy.
Positive Benefits of Acupuncture
Studies are currently being done on the benefits and outcomes of acupuncture before embryo transfer.
From their experience, Dr. Vermesh and Danica are finding that acupuncture has positive effects on fertility, especially when done before assisted reproductive treatments like IUI and IVF. He explains that patients who come to him for embryo transfer after acupuncture are more relaxed, and the uterus doesn’t contract during transfer.
Psychology and Assisted Reproduction
Dr. Vermesh and Danica also explain that simple things like talking to the patients and helping them ease any anxiety can have positive effects on the outcome of an IVF cycle. Dr. Vermesh finds that many patients come to him tense and anxious. He strives to help them relax from the first consultation.
The Immune System and Pregnancy
The immune system can have a big impact on fertility and the outcome of reproductive treatments. The immune system is designed to attack foreign bodies. A baby is 50% foreign, and in healthy pregnancies, the woman’s immune system does not attack or reject the pregnancy. However, some patient’s immune systems do not cooperate and can reject the pregnancy, which can be the cause of recurrent pregnancy loss or unexplained fertility.
To diagnose autoimmune infertility, Dr. Vermesh first does a full workup, investigating factors such as the shape of the uterus, hormone levels, sperm quantity, and quality, if there are any active infections and more. By process of elimination, he can determine that the natural killer cell is the most likely culprit, leading to a diagnosis of autoimmune infertility.
In the past, IVIG intravenous immunoglobulins was the go-to method of treatment. Because most cases of autoimmune infertility are not certain, Dr. Vermesh was hesitant to use it due to it being expensive and having potentially negative side effects. He began researching other methods of treatment and discovered the benefits of intralipid therapy, which is a fatty acid. He found success with this treatment, which is more natural and affordable.
Struggling to Conceive?
In many cases, it takes a combined approach to helping patients achieve a successful pregnancy. However, Dr. Vermesh is dedicated to looking at the many factors that can cause infertility, and he is finding that looking outside the box. He does not immediately jump to heavily medicated IVF cycles or surrogacy when a difficult patient comes his way. He has treated thousands of women and couples, helping them achieve their dreams of parenthood. Request a consultation today and see why patients in Tarzana, Bakersfield, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, CA, and beyond choose the Center for Fertility and Gynecology for their fertility needs.