Editor,
While it is important to publicize new fertility resources in nearby Colorado, it is equally important to inform our community that they can receive similar reproductive treatments such as in vitro fertilization here in Albuquerque. The Google search for "New Mexico IVF" reveals that the Center for Reproductive Medicine of New Mexico is an IVF group in Albuquerque.
Founded almost 20 years ago, CRMNM was listed as a top 10 fertility center by Child Magazine in 2005. The Daily Lobo article "One doctor's fertile idea" inaccurately represents our community by stating that the "closest IVF lab is in Colorado Springs." It is imperative that infertile couples have more than one option to consider since IVF groups can have very differing success rates, treatment options and medical philosophies. IVF is a physically, emotionally and financially challenging journey, and every couple should be able to find the IVF provider that best resonates with them.
A couple seeking IVF should take the time to empower themselves with as much education as possible. First, they should learn about IVF and identify at least two local/regional IVF groups by visiting sites such as the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology, Sart.org/artpatients.html. Second, they should look at their IVF success rates that are published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at
Apps.nccd.cdc.gov/art2005/clinics05.asp.
Third, couples should listen to what they have to say at one of their free seminars. Get a feel for who they are, and ask critical questions. How many embryos do they transfer? What are their pregnancy rates using donor eggs in women less than 35 years old? Look beyond the deals and decide if they are a good fit for your journey toward building a healthy family.
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Most importantly, the article brings to the forefront the growing need for fertility services in New Mexico. About 10 percent to 15 percent of couples face issues of infertility. Men as well as women need to have a comprehensive fertility evaluation since male factor infertility is identified as a contributory cause in 50 percent of the couples. New research and clinical studies are exponentially expanding our ability to treat male and female infertility. For women, new technologies and medications are providing improved success rates with treatments such as intrauterine inseminations and tubal reanastomosis. For men, vasectomy reversals can be successful even if it has been more than 10 years since their vasectomies. Additionally, novel exploratory surgeries (testicular microdissection) may find sperm in a man's testicles even when none can be found in the ejaculate.
Infertility is a growing issue in our community, especially as more couples choose to start a family at a later age. Both men and women should have an evaluation by a fertility specialist, since couples are benefiting from a rapidly expanding arsenal of medical and surgical treatment options. For couples seeking IVF, they now have the choice of working with the Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Center in Colorado Springs that has a satellite office at UNM or with the Center for Reproductive Medicine of New Mexico, which is located in Albuquerque.
Dr. Wayne Kuang
Director of male fertility at UNM
Dr. Anthony Smith
Chairman of the UNM division of urology
