ASRM Today Podcast

Welcome to today's episode, a rebroadcast of our conversation with special guest, Dr. Paula Amato, Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR.

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Amato sheds light on the definition of transgender and the importance of understanding gender dysphoria.

Delving into the topic of creating trans-friendly clinics, Dr. Amato provides practical insights on inclusive practices and highlights the significance of a welcoming environment.

The ethical issues surrounding transgender reproduction and fertility preservation are also explored. Dr. Amato discusses reproductive autonomy, the welfare of children, informed consent, access to care, justice, and counseling transgender patients regarding fertility preservation and reproductive options.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Paula Amato for sharing her expertise and insights on medically assisted reproduction and transgender communities.

To hear a patient's view on this subject, please download the June 12, 2020 episode - Transgender Care: A Patient's View with Trystan Reese

To hear another patient's view on this subject, please download the June 26, 2020 episode - Transgender Care: A Patient's View Part II

The ASRM Today podcast is supported in part by the ASRM Corporate Member Council

"One of the biggest challenges that PGT (preimplantation genetic testing) has presented to the field of IVF is this phenomenon of mosaic results - these results that neither clearly normal nor clearly abnormal but somewhere in between." - Emily Mounts, MS, CGC

Mosaicism is very challenging topic and there are many unknowns that clinicians deal with regularly. ASRM Today speaks with Emily Mounts who is the Director of Genomic Services and a genetic counselor with ORM Fertility in Oregon, about the recent ASRM Practice Committee Opinion on "Clinical management of mosaic results from preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) of blastocysts".

Emily Mounts is a board-certified genetic counselor at ORM Fertility. She has been practicing in prenatal and reproductive genetics for over 20 years and is the Immediate Past Chair of the ASRM Genetic Counseling Professional Group. She is one of the primary authors of the forthcoming ASRM Committee Opinion publication, Clinical management of mosaic results from preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) of blastocysts.

This Practice Committee Opinion will be available on August 5, 2020. To view this and all ASRM's Practice Committee documents, visit ASRM.org

If you'd like to know more about the types of practice documents and the methodology of their creation, visit this page on ASRM.org

The ASRM Today podcast is supported in part by the ASRM Corporate Member Council

In this episode, we have a special guest, Dr. Karl Hansen, professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and expert in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Determining optimal treatments for unexplained infertility can be challenging, as the available literature is often limited or inconsistent. Dr. Hansen sheds light on the difficulties in interpreting the studies, including the lack of untreated control groups, variations in study designs and definitions of unexplained infertility, and inadequate discussion of treatment risks.

We discuss how the ASRM Practice Committee decides on treatments and studies to include in guidelines, taking into account commonly used treatments and defining the scope of unexplained infertility. Dr. Hansen emphasizes the importance of evidence-based medicine and the rigorous assessment of paper quality.

We explore various treatments for unexplained infertility and conclude by exploring areas for future research and improvement in the field, such as increasing access to IVF, identifying preferred agents for ovarian stimulation, investigating adjuvants to enhance outcomes in less aggressive treatments, and developing better models to predict multiple gestation pregnancy rates.

Tune in to this informative episode with Dr. Karl Hansen to gain insights into evidence-based treatments for couples with unexplained infertility.

To View this and all ASRM's guidelines, visit ASRM.org

If you'd like to know more about the types of practice documents and the methodology of their creation, visit this page on ASRM.org

The ASRM Today podcast is supported in part by the ASRM Corporate Member Council

On today's episode, we have a special guest, Dr. Christos Coutifaris, who joins us to discuss the newest update from the ASRM COVID-19 Task Force.

Dr. Coutifaris has been an integral part of the task force since its inception, working alongside other task force members to review and provide regular updates on how the COVID-19 pandemic affects reproductive medicine. The task force's main goal is to offer guidance and information to ensure safe care delivery while preventing further spread of the virus among patients and healthcare workers.

In the recently released update document, Dr. Coutifaris highlights the current landscape, which unfortunately shows a concerning increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Additionally, the impending flu season adds complexity to the situation as the symptoms can overlap with COVID-19, posing challenges for healthcare providers.

Dr. Coutifaris emphasizes the importance of adhering to the recommended safety measures, such as social distancing, hand hygiene, and mask wearing, as they continue to be essential in preventing the spread of the virus. He also notes that the task force has gained significant knowledge about the disease since the spring, enabling them to navigate day-to-day practices with minimal disruptions for the benefit of patients.

Looking ahead, the next update is expected to delve into crucial topics such as different types of tests available, including their limitations, ongoing vaccine development, potential therapeutics, and the impact of the pandemic on mental health. Dr. Coutifaris urges readers to review the laboratory guidance section, as it plays a crucial role in reproductive endocrine practices.

To access the latest ASRM COVID-19 Task Force update, visit www.asrm.org.

Click here to review the latest update to the Patient Management And Clinical Recommendations During The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

To view all of ASRM's COVID-19 Resources, please visit https://www.asrm.org/covid-19/

The ASRM Today podcast is supported in part by the ASRM Corporate Member Council

In this episode Dr. Anne Steiner sits down to talk about putting together the latest journal from Fertility and Sterility, F & S Reviews.

If you would like to subscribe and read F & S Reviews, please visit the website at https://www.fertsterreviews.org

The ASRM Today podcast is supported in part by the ASRM Corporate Member Council

In this episode, Dr. Amy Sparks discusses the upcoming Postgraduate Program at the 2020 ASRM Virtual Scientific Congress & Expo and what's in store for attendees. She is the chair of the Postgraduate Program.

Dr. Amy Sparks is Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Director, In Vitro Fertilization and Reproductive Testing Laboratories, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Reproductive Testing Laboratories, at the University of Iowa Health Care, Carver College of Medicine.

If you'd like to register for the ASRM 2020 Virtual Congress, please visit https://asrmcongress.org

The ASRM Today podcast is supported in part by the ASRM Corporate Member Council

On this episode of ASRM Today we talk with Dr. Steven Spandorfer, the Chair of the Program Planning Committee, about the courses and other information members need to know about the upcoming ASRM 2020 Virtual Congress!

Dr. Steven D. Spandorfer is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine at The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine of Weill Cornell Medical College. A renowned reproductive medicine specialist, he is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

If you'd like to register for the ASRM 2020 Virtual Congress, please visit https://asrmcongress.org

The ASRM Today podcast is supported in part by the ASRM Corporate Member Council.

This episode of ASRM Today is a special preview of Fertility & Sterility On Air, a new podcast from Fertility and Sterility. This in depth and engaging podcast will tackle new issues of F&S with an expert panel of hosts. Please enjoy this preview episode of Fertility & Sterility On Air and look to subscribe to them soon.

Read Fertility and Sterility medical journal at https://www.fertstert.org/

The ASRM Today podcast is supported in part by the ASRM Corporate Member Council.

Today we have a special guest, Dr. Jennifer Kawwass, a member of the ASRM COVID-19 Task Force.

Dr. Kawwass provides insights into the goals of the Task Force, which include evaluating the current landscape, answering fertility-related questions, and providing concrete suggestions for patient care and safety. With a commitment to evidence-based recommendations, the Task Force aims to support fertility providers and patients with reliable information.

Dr. Kawwass shares statistics on cases and deaths in the United States, highlighting the disproportionate impact on certain racial and ethnic communities. While some areas show a decrease in cases, others are experiencing an increase, emphasizing the dynamic nature of the pandemic.

Join us as we delve into the challenges of navigating COVID-19 misinformation. Dr. Kawwass sheds light on the difficulties of distinguishing between science-backed information and anecdotal claims in this ever-evolving situation. She also directs listeners to valuable resources, including the ASRM website and the CDC, for reliable information.

Dr. Kawwass discusses the COVID-19 Task Force's endorsement of measured delivery of fertility care, emphasizing strict adherence to preventive measures. The update also highlights the need for providers to plan for potential resurgence and encourages collaboration among local providers to ensure continued essential services.

Remember to visit www.asrm.org for the latest updates from the ASRM COVID-19 Task Force and access other helpful resources

To read the ASRM Patient Management and Clinical Recommendations During The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic statement as well as the current update, visit https://www.asrm.org/Patient-Mgmt-COVID-19

To view all of ASRM's COVID-19 resources, please visit https://www.asrm.org/covid-19/

The ASRM Today podcast is supported in part by the ASRM Corporate Member Council.

Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done. --Robert A. Heinlein

On today's episode of ASRM Today, we have a lively talk with the Editor-in-Chief of the new journal F&S Science, Dr. William Catherino.

Dr. Catherino is a Professor with Tenure and Chair of the Research Department for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Associate Program Director for the Combined Federal Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health. He is a Board Member of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Visit F&S Science at https://www.fertstertscience.org/

The ASRM Today podcast is supported in part by the ASRM Corporate Member Council.