Ongoing Research Studies

Fertility Physicians Research Study for Patients Undergoing IVF
Progesterone-IBSA vs. Endometrin®

Progesterone supplementation during the second half of IVF treatment improves pregnancy rates. Currently, IVF treatment employs progesterone given by deep injection or placed in the vagina.

An experimental progesterone supplement, Progesterone-IBSA, is given by subcutaneous injection. Progesterone-IBSA has been used in Europe but not yet in the United States.

We are pleased to offer our patients the opportunity to participate in a nationwide trial comparing this experimental progesterone to another progesterone supplement that is placed within the vagina (Endometrin®).

For patients participating in the study, the experimental progesterone medication will be supplied, free of charge, amounting to a savings of $1036. In addition, $1500 will be given to compensate for their time and commitment.

For further details on this study, please download this pdf document. Click here to read FPNC’s press release about this study.

If you are interested in participating in this research study or would like more information, please contact:

Angie Toyama, MA, MPH, CHES
Clinical Research Coordinator
atoyama@fpnc.com
408.356.5000
866.531.6192

Acupuncture with IVF

Some say acupuncture helps people get pregnant.  Others say it doesn’t.  We would like to know the answer.

We are conducting a research study to determine if acupuncture increases the pregnancy rates of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).  In this research study, women who are undergoing IVF as part of their infertility treatment will be recruited.  Patients who agree to participate will either have 30 minutes of bedrest before and after their embryo transfer or they will have 30 minutes of acupuncture before and after their embryo transfer.

Who is eligible to participate?

• women undergoing IVF who are 21 years old or older
• women who are not using donor oocytes
• women who are willing to be assigned to either 30 minutes of bedrest or 30 minutes of acupuncture surrounding their IVF procedure

More detailed information on this research study is available here. If you would like more information, please call our research coordinator or request more information here.

Angie Toyama, MA, MPH, CHES
Clinical Research Coordinator
atoyama@fpnc.com
408.356.5000
866.531.6192

back to top

Acupuncture with Clomid and Intrauterine Inseminations

We are conducting a research study to determine if acupuncture increases the pregnancy rates of women undergoing treatment with clomid and intrauterine insemination (IUI). Patients who agree to participate will either have four sessions of acupuncture during the first half of a clomid treatment cycle or they will undergo a clomid treatment cycle without acupuncture intervention.

Who is eligible to participate?

• women undergoing clomid and IUI treatment who are 18 years old or older
• women who are being treated with clomid and IUI for unexplained infertility
• women who are willing to undergo acupuncture treatment

For further details on this study, please download this pdf document. Click here to read FPNC's press release about this study.

If you would like more information, please call our research coordinator, or request more information here.

Angie Toyama, MA, MPH, CHES
Clinical Research Coordinator
atoyama@fpnc.com
408.356.5000
866.531.6192

back to top

Previous Research

Anastrozole vs. Clomiphene Citrate
The purpose of this multi-center clinical trial was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of anastrozole by comparing it to clomiphene citrate, often known as Clomid® or Serophene®, in women age 18-40 with irregular menstrual cycles undergoing an ovulation induction cycle. The data will be reported to the FDA to seek approval for Anastrozole's use in ovulation induction. At this time Anastrozole is indicated as a treatment for breast cancer and is prescribed "off-label" as a fertility drug.

Gonal-F vs. Fostimon: This multi-center study evaluated the clinical efficacy and tolerability of two highly purified FSH preparations (Fostimon and Gonal-F) in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization. The data will be used to seek approval from the FDA for the use of Fostimon in the United States.

Multicenter study to determine the efficacy of Oxiplex™ Barrier Film, which is indicated for use to prevent adhesion formation after laparoscopic gynecological surgery.
FzioMed, San Luis Obispo, CA - Alexis Kim, MD; David Adamson, MD.

Multicenter study to determine efficacy and safety of AF0157 for the reduction of post-surgical adhesions after operative laparoscopy.
Alliance Pharmaceutical, San Diego, CA - Alexis Kim, MD; David Adamson, MD.

Evidence based guidelines for the use of in vitro fertilization in treating endometriosis.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine - David Adamson, MD.

Development of children conceived through IVF/ET and ICSI.
University of Oregon - David Adamson, MD.

back to top

Articles by our MDs

FPNC Statement on High-Order Multiples, Octuplets
FPNC, February 2009
(For further information, see below for The Octuplets Tragedy and Multiple Births from ART: A Challenge That Must Be Met)

The Octuplets Tragedy - Editorial
Obstetrics & Gynecology, Vol. 113, No. 5, May 2009
David Adamson, MD, Elizabeth Ginsburg, MD

Single Embryo Transfer, Cambridge University Press (2008)
David Adamson, MD, Editor; Janetti Marotta, PhD, Chapter Contributor
Multiple pregnancies are the most frequent and serious complication of assisted reproduction. Limiting the number of embryos to transfer is the only method available to decrease the incidence of multiple pregnancies. Single Embryo Transfer reviews the advantages and limitations of this approach to assisted reproduction. The crucial issue of selecting the best embryo will be reviewed in detail.

Geographic distribution of reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) fellowships in the United States
Fertility & Sterility, Vol. 91, No. 5, May 2009
Mary E. Abusief, MD et. al.

Infertility Overview
Encyclopedia of Endocrine Diseases, Vol. 3, 2004
David Adamson, MD, Valerie L. Baker, MD

How to Talk to Your Doctor about Your Treatment
American Fertility Association, August 2004
David Adamson, MD

Ethical Considerations with Third-Party Reproduction
San Mateo County Medical Association, April 2004
David Adamson, MD, Valerie L. Baker, MD

Elective Transfer of Two Embryos on Day 3 in Good Prognosis Patients Reduces Triplet Rate Without Detectable Compromise of Pregnancy Rate
Fertility and Sterility (see section P-8), April 2004
Marina Gvakharia, MD, David Adamson, MD, Valerie L. Baker, MD

Multiple Births from ART: A Challenge That Must Be Met
Fertility and Sterility, March 2004
David Adamson, MD, Valerie L. Baker, MD

Subfertilty: Causes, Treatment And Outcome
Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology, 17(2):169-85, 2003
David Adamson, MD, Valerie L. Baker, MD

Affording Infertility Treatment
Infocus Fall 2003
David Adamson, MD

Regulation of ART in the U.S.
Fertility and Sterility, November 2002
David Adamson, MD

Endometriosis: Traditional Perspectives, Current Evidence and Future Possibilities
International Journal of Fertility, 46(3), p.151-168, 2001
David Adamson, MD

Assisted reproductive technology in the United States: 1997 results generated from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine/Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Registry
Fertility and Sterility, Vol. 74, No. 4, 2000
David Adamson, MD, Valerie L. Baker, MD

The Role of Assisted Hatching in IVF
ASRM, August 2000
Committee Opinion

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
ASRM, October 1998
Committee Opinion

Sonohysterographic Screening Before IVF
Fertility and Sterility, May 1998
Alexis H. Kim, MD, David Adamson, MD, H. Preston Nelson, MD

Does Therapy for Minimal/Mild Endometriosis Enhance Conception?
Infertility and Reproductive Medical Clinics of North America, Vol. 8, No. 4, October 1997
Alexis H. Kim, MD, David Adamson, MD

Surgical Treatment of Endometriosis
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, Vol. 24, No. 2, June 1997
David Adamson, MD, H. Preston Nelson, MD

Sonohysterography for Screening in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Fertility and Sterility, April 1997
Alexis H. Kim, MD

Reproductive Outcome after Tubal Reversal in Women 40 Years of Age or Older
Fertility and Sterility, April 1996
Alexis H. Kim, MD

ICSI: The New Frontier in Male Infertility Treatment
Contemporary Urology, Vol. & No. 9, September 1995
Marina Gvakharia, MD

Cytokine Induction of Heat Shock Protein
Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 2, No. 8
Alexis H. Kim, MD

back to top

Fertility Physicians in the Media

Best of the Bay TV, January 2007

Live Interviews on the Morning News - A Special Focus on Fertility
KRON TV, throughout 2005

Secrets of Your Cycle
Glamour Magazine, March 2005
Jeannie Ralston

Fertility Frontrunner
San Jose Magazine, January 2005
Mike De Give

Booming Fertility Business Prompts Two to Expand Site
San Jose Business Journal, July 9, 2004
Troy May

The New Fertility Gods - The Art and Science of Making Babies
Plum, December 2004
Katherine Stewart

Infertility Treatment Then and Now
Family Building, Spring 2004
David Adamson, MD

Money-back IVF Guarantees: Weighing the Pros and Cons
Contemporary OB/GYN, May 2004
David Adamson, MD

How to Choose a Fertility Specialist
DrDonnica.com, November 2000
David Adamson, MD