Helping Couples Conceive
Difficulty conceiving can be very stressful
and perplexing to a couple wishing to
achieve a successful pregnancy. Dedication
and commitment by the couple and the
Fertility Team is very important to
reach this goal.
More than ever before there are more
treatments and advanced technologies
available to help a couple build their
family.
Kettering Reproductive Medicine is the
Dayton area's only full-service fertility center.
Kettering Reproductive Medicine
offers services for a comprehensive
evaluation to assist with the most appropriate
plan of care. All services are available
within our Center.
To inquire about our services or to
arrange an appointment, please call
937-395-8444.
About KRM
Kettering Reproductive Medicine has helped over 1,000 couples achieve their dream of having a baby. The Center is Dayton's only full service reproductive center with all services at one convenient location. KRM is committed to providing the best possible plan and care to help couples achieve a successful pregnancy.
Our Center offers:
- a state of the art laboratory
and surgical facility specially
designed for assisted reproductive
technology procedures.
- a cooperative approach between
referring physicians, patients and
the staff at KRM.
- a patient-centered approach to
care. Education and accessibility
are of the utmost importance to
us. Twenty-four hour physician accessibility
makes your experience user friendly.
- comprehensive services at one
convenient location. We are the
region's only program to offer the
combination of board-certified,
fellow trained reproductive endocrinologists,
Ph.D. trained reproductive biologist
and state-of-the-art laboratory/outpatient
surgical/treatment facilities at
one convenient site.
- An experienced nursing and office staff.
- a reputation for success built
on an exceptionally solid foundation
of experience in reproductive medicine.
Laboratory
Kettering Reproductive Laboratory adjoins the center and offers full service male testing and reproductive services. Convenient early morning, late afternoon and Saturday morning appointments are available. The laboratory staff has many years of experience in reproductive testing and technology.
Under the directorship of Erica Behnke, PhD, HCLD (AAB), the laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists and The Joint Commission of Health Care Organizations.
Test results are provided to the referring physician within 72 hours. 24 hour results are available upon request. For more information on services, costs, insurance coverage or to schedule an appointment call (937) 395-8455.
Referral Information
We realize couples going through infertility
face significant non-medical concerns
such as costs of treatment. It is important
to note most insurance companies require
a referral from the primary care physician
for fertility care before any coverage
can be considered.
We are providers with several insurance
companies. We recommend patients contact
their health benefits provider to determine
their policies and coverage.
Medical Record Information
New patients are sent an information packet prior to their first appointment.
The packet includes an extensive male and female history form and a request for previous test results related to infertility. Having this information before your visit will allow for the visit to be more productive, prevent unnecessary testing, and expedite the treatment process.
The following information is especially pertinent and should be included if available.
- hysterosalpingogram (HSG) report and films
- lab results: LH, FSH, TSH, prolactin, progesterone, semen analysis
information on fertility medication the patient has taken
KRM offers the entire spectrum
of patient services in reproductive
technology:
- Male and female fertility testing
- Husband or donor insemination
- In vitro fertilization-embryo
transfer (IVF-ET)
- Gamete intra-fallopian transfer
(GIFT)
- Zygote intra-fallopian transfer
(ZIFT)
- Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection
(ICSI)
- Micro manipulation of oocytes
and sperm
- Cryopreservation
- Donor sperm and oocyte services
- Reproductive and laser surgery
- Gynecologic endocrinology consultation
Our Staff
Physicians:
Meet Thomas Burwinkel, MD
Jeremy Groll, MD
Meet Erica J. Behnke, Ph.D., HCLD(ABB)
Laboratory Director:
Erica Behnke, PhD, HCLD (AAB)
Center Director:
Julie Hillman, BS, RN
Contacting Us:
Simply call 937-395-8444 to arrange
a visit or to inquire about our services.
Address:
Kettering Reproductive Medicine
Physican Office Building
3533 Southern Blvd
Kettering, OH 45429-1298
Telephone numbers:
937-395-8444
937-395- 8450 Fax
937-395-8455 Laboratory
877-643-8444 (Toll free)
We're located in the Physician Office
Building next to Kettering Medical Center.
Directions:
We're located in the Physician Office
Building next to Kettering Medical Center.
Directions to Kettering Medical Center
(map is not to scale)
Click
for map
From Dayton Airport
-Take I-70 east to I-75 south
-Go south on I-75 to the Kettering/
S 741/ Springboro Rd. exit
-Turn left on Springboro Rd. (Rt. 741)
-Turn left on Dorothy Lane
-Turn right on Southern Blvd. (3rd light,
across from golf course)
From the northeast
-Take I-675 south to Kettering/Dorothy
Lane exit
-Stay on Dorothy Lane past Far Hills
Ave.
-Turn left on Southern Blvd. (bottom
of hill, across from golf course)
From the south
-Take I-75 north to the South Dixie
Dr. exit
-Continue north on S. Dixie to Stroop
Rd.
-Turn right on Stroop
-Third light on Stroop is Southern Blvd.
-Turn left on Southern Blvd.
SUCCESS RATES
To view the most current reported statistical information for preganacy success
rates for our Center and National success rates visit:
www.sart.org.
CAUSES OF INFERTILITY
Infertility is defined as the
inability to conceive after one year
of attempting to achieve pregnancy.
Among fertile couples, the chance of
becoming pregnant each month is 20 -
25%. Considering the complexity of both
the female and male reproductive system,
conception can be viewed as nothing
less than a miracle. Any change in the
complicated sequence of events can disrupt
ovulation, conception, or pregnancy.
In about 18% of couples male factor
is the exclusive cause and partly or
mainly male in 30 - 40% of couples;
partly or mainly female in another 40%.
In 15% of cases, a definite cause cannot
be identified, although effective treatment
is available. Some of the most common
conditions that can contribute to infertility
are described below.
Abnormal Ovulation
Abnormal ovulation results in irregular
or absent menstrual periods. Most of
the time, this is caused by a hormonal
imbalance due to improper coordination
and communication between the part of
the brain called the hypothalamus and
the pituitary gland. Together these
two organs cause the release of hormones
in the blood stream. In many cases,
abnormal ovulation can be successfully
treated with hormonal therapy.
Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes may
interfere with the egg and sperm uniting.
Blockages may also negatively affect
embryo development and implantation
in the uterus. They can be caused by
previous infection in the pelvis or
by abdominal surgery. Treatment of tubal
problems or pelvic scarring may require
specialized surgery, depending on each
woman’s situation.
Endometriosis
Every month the lining of the uterus,
the endometrium, thickens in preparation
for the implantation of an embryo. Sometimes
the endometrial cells will migrate from
their normal location and attach to
the ovaries and other pelvic organs.
This is called endometriosis and can
cause infertility. The symptoms of endometriosis
include heavy painful and long menstrual
periods. However there is no correlation
between the severity of the symptoms
and the extent of the disease. Several
forms of treatment are available including
medication and surgery.
Cervical Problems
When the ovaries are not ovulating,
cervical mucus helps prevent infection
by killing bacteria. However, at the
time of ovulation cervical mucus should
change to encourage sperm survival.
Cervical problems may also be related
to the consistency of the cervical mucus
or to the cervical anatomy, which will
not allow the sperm to enter the uterus.
Age
Fertility levels decrease with age,
especially in women. Maximum fertility
for women occurs between the ages of
15 and 24. Many couples delay starting
a family until they are in their 30s
or 40s. About one-third of women who
defer pregnancy until their mid-30s
will have a problem becoming pregnant,
and at least half of all women over
40 will have difficulties. For this
reason, women over the age of 35 should
wait for no more than 6 months of unprotected
sexual intercourse before consulting
their doctor.
Male Factor
Problems may be related to inadequate
sperm count or abnormalities related
to size, shape, and movement of the
sperm. Male infertility is sometimes
related to the presence of a varicocele,
which are varicose veins of the scrotum
that affect sperm quality and quantity.
Testicular injury, undescended testicles,
and hormonal imbalances may also be
the cause of male factor infertility.
Occasionally, the presence of other
diseases such as diabetes, central nervous
system problems, and pituitary tumors
can affect fertility.
ENDOMETRIOSIS
Every month the lining of the uterus,
the endometrium, thickens in preparation
for the implantation of an embryo. Sometimes
the endometrial cells will migrate from
their normal location and attach to
the ovaries and other pelvic organs.
This is called endometriosis and may
make it difficult for a woman to become
pregnant.
The symptoms of endometriosis include
heavy, painful, and long menstrual cycles.
However, there is no correlation between
the severity of the symptoms and the
extent of the disease. In fact, sometimes
there are no symptoms at all.
The treatment for endometriosis can
be either surgical or medical. Surgical
methods involve laparoscopy using laser
to remove the endometriosis. Medical
treatment is aimed at reducing or halting
endometriosis growth. Medications are
hormones and include birth control pills,
depo-provera, danazol and Lupron. When
using Lupron hormone "add-back" may
also be used.
TESTS AND EVALUATIONS
A thorough evaluation including a couple's
health history and previous tests is
helpful in establishing the most appropriate
plan of care. Options range from very
simple treatment to more complex and
advanced technologies. Our Board Certified
Reproductive Endocrinologist will work
with you to choose the best choice for
your success. Our experienced staff
is available to help guide you throughout
the course of your treatment.
Key points for a thorough evaluation
include:
1. Ruling out reproductive system abnormalities
in both the male and female
2. Patent fallopian tubes
3. Ovulation
4. Sperm Quality
5. Ability of the egg and sperm to unite
6. Ability of achieving and maintaining
implementation in the uterus
Anonymous Egg Donations
To obtain more information or to determine your eligibility, please
contact our Egg Donor Coordinator at (937) 395-8444 or at the
following e-mail address:
An egg donor questionnaire is available below for your convenience.
Click
HERE for the egg donor
questionnaire.
Click
HERE for more egg
donor information.
Don't have Acrobat Reader? Click the icon below to download.
Office Forms
Release of Information
Consent to Therapeutic Donor
Insemination
Ovulation Induction Information
Packet With Informed Consent
Patient Information
Smoking and Infertility
Weblinks
Information on Infertility
Drugs
American Society of Reproductive Medicine
The National Infertility
Association
The American
Infertility Association
Infertility Information and
Support
Articles
Infertility Options
Endocrinology and Contraception
Endocrinology and Female Infertility
Endocrinology and Male Infertility
Evaluating Infertility
Hysteroscopy
Laparoscopy
Later Childbearing
Treating Infertility
