Fertility Optimization

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Miami, FL

Fertility Optimization TribecaMed Dr. Jason Shapiro

Fertility optimization is a medical approach that aims to maximize the chances of successful conception and a healthy pregnancy. Approximately 8.5 million women in the United States between the ages of 15 and 44 struggle with infertility. (1) At TribecaMed, Dr. Jason Shapiro has helped his patients achieve their family planning goals by identifying and treating the root cause of metabolic health issues known to negatively affect fertility. Common medical treatment plans recommended by Dr. Shapiro to enhance fertility include hormone optimization, weight loss, and personalized nutrition and supplement programs.

Contact our office or call (305) 763-8832 to learn more about how we can help you get started with family planning.

About Fertility Optimization

Fertility optimization is a customizable group of treatments designed to help you and your partner conceive. Female infertility is defined as the inability of a woman to get pregnant and have a successful pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected sex. It is a common issue that increases with age. Between the ages of 35 and 39, women have a 25% chance of infertility which increases to 50% between the ages of 40 and 44. (2) Male infertility is defined as the inability of a man to begin a pregnancy after trying to conceive for 12 months without their female partner’s use of birth control. Fertility optimization helps women rebalance their bodies and men increase their sperm count and quality through hormone optimization, weight loss, and healthy lifestyle changes.

“Our medical practice focuses on preventing or reversing metabolic risk factors known to affect female fertility.”- Dr. Shapiro

Metabolic Factors Known to Affect Fertility

  • Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance occurs when cells in the body become less responsive to insulin, leading to higher levels of insulin in the blood. High insulin levels can disrupt ovarian function and lead to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common cause of infertility.
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS– a hormonal disorder characterized by insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism (high levels of male hormones), and polycystic ovaries– is one of the leading causes of infertility due to anovulation and irregular menstrual cycles.
  • Metabolic Syndrome: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions including insulin resistance, obesity, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol levels). It is associated with an increased risk of PCOS, menstrual irregularities, and reduced fertility.
  • Obesity: Excess body fat can lead to hormonal imbalances and metabolic disturbances. Obesity is associated with irregular menstrual cycles, anovulation (lack of ovulation), and lower success rates in assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.
  • Thyroid Dysfunction: Both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can affect your metabolism. Thyroid disorders can lead to menstrual irregularities, anovulation, and increased risk of miscarriage.
  • Gut Inflammation and Dysbiosis: Gut dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiota, can significantly affect female fertility through various mechanisms such as hormonal regulation of gut dysbiosis, leaky gut causing systemic inflammation, and nutrient absorption essential to reproductive health.
  • Hyperprolactinemia: Elevated levels of prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland can inhibit ovulation and cause irregular menstrual cycles.
  • Leptin Imbalance: Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells that regulates appetite and energy balance. Both low and high leptin levels can disrupt reproductive function. Low leptin levels (common in underweight individuals) can lead to anovulation, while high levels (common in obesity) can also impair fertility.
  • Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies: Inadequate levels of essential vitamins and minerals can affect overall health and metabolic function. Deficiencies in vitamins (such as vitamins D and B) and minerals (such as iron and zinc) can impair reproductive health and fertility.
  • Chronic Inflammation: Ongoing, low-grade inflammation in the body can affect metabolic processes. Chronic inflammation is associated with conditions such as obesity and insulin resistance, which can impair fertility. Inflammation can also affect the quality of the uterine environment, making sperm implantation more difficult.

Hormone Optimization

Hormones play a crucial role in fertility. Our hormone-balancing therapies include comprehensive hormone testing, personalized medical treatment plans, and ongoing monitoring to restore and maintain hormonal optimization.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Imbalances can disrupt ovulation, menstrual cycles, and overall reproductive health. When women have a hormonal imbalance, it often affects fertility, causes mood changes, and decreases their libido. Our medical practice offers two types of BHRT treatments:

  • BHRT for women is a plant-based treatment that replenishes your hormone supply to support your endocrine system and treat hormone-related conditions like Low Testosterone. Restoring your body’s testosterone level supports fertility optimization.
  • Natural Testosterone Optimization therapy for men is a treatment that helps men restore their testosterone and semen levels for enhanced fertility. It can also help improve mood, muscle mass, and sleep patterns. We offer different types of hormone optimization treatments based on your needs.

Sermorelin Peptide Therapy

Peptide therapy is an amino acid-based treatment that transmits cellular data about your health throughout your body. More than 80 peptides are currently FDA-approved. (3) Sermorelin is an FDA-approved peptide treatment that may support ovarian reserve. This peptide works by stimulating your pituitary gland’s production of Growth Hormone (GH). GH production then stimulates the liver to secrete a powerful peptide called Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1). Both GH and IGF-1 are known to potentially improve ovarian reserve. For women with low IGF-1 levels, Sermorelin can help your body rebalance itself for optimal fertility. (11) Based on your blood work, Dr. Shapiro will develop a treatment plan designed to optimize your chances for fertility.

Medical Weight loss Programs

Maintaining a healthy weight is vital for reproductive health. Being underweight or overweight can affect hormone levels and fertility. Our personalized weight management programs offer prescribed medication, nutritional counseling, exercise guidance, and behavioral support to help you achieve a healthy weight and improve reproductive health. Examples of weight loss medications prescribed by Dr. Shapiro include Semaglutide and Tirzepatide. These are FDA-approved weight-loss injections that create feelings of satiety and reduced appetite.

In addition to Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, same class medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound boost insulin sensitivity in your body because they mimic the GLP-1 hormone to stimulate both insulin and glucagon secretion. (6) It is classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RAs) and leverages the natural process of your body to help you lose weight. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) is also a GLP-1 agonist, however, it is a dual agonist (7) that the body also registers as a GIP hormone and responds by producing insulin and glucagon. (8)

Weight Loss and Lifestyle

For optimal weight loss results, Dr. Shapiro encourages you to incorporate lifestyle changes in combination with these weight loss injections. “Weight-bearing exercise and a protein-dense diet will be key to losing weight and building healthy muscle mass which drives your metabolism.”-Dr. Shapiro

During your consultation with Dr. Shapiro, he will discuss these aspects and their supportive role in optimizing your fertility.

Personalized Nutrition and Supplement Programs

Personalized supplements provide the specific nutrients your body needs to support your fertility. Our approach includes nutrient deficiency testing, gut microbiome stool testing, and personalized supplement plans to ensure efficacy and safety. These supplements are tailored to address your unique needs and enhance your reproductive health. During your consultation, Dr. Shapiro can discuss the best supplements, diet, and exercise regimen to help you feel your best.

Fertility Optimization vs. Fertility Clinic

Dr. Shapiro’s medical practice specializes in enhancing women’s health with a targeted approach aimed at increasing their likelihood of a successful pregnancy.

To be clear, TribecaMed is NOT a fertility clinic.

A fertility clinic, by definition, is a medical facility often operated by reproductive gynecologists or endocrinologists, offering assisted reproductive services to couples who struggle with natural conception.

Fertility Optimization Candidates & Consultation

There is a wide range of female patients in their late 30s and early 40s who are struggling with fertility. Most commonly, these women struggle with the the following metabolic conditions:

  • Hormone Issues that Prevent Ovulation
  • Irregular Menstrual Cycle
  • Obesity
  • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
  • Uncontrolled Diabetes Type 2
  • Nutrient Deficiencies or Malnutrition
  • Thyroid Gland Disorders
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Chronic Use of Birth Control Therapy
  • Excessive Consumption of Alcohol, Smoking, Narcotics

During your consultation, Dr. Shapiro will discuss your current health, lifestyle, and any conditions affecting your fertility prior to creating a personalized fertility treatment plan.

Although TribecaMed is not a fertility clinic, our focus is to identify and reverse the metabolic conditions that negatively impact fertility.

Ready for healthy family planning with fertility optimization?

Take the first step towards unlocking your fertility potential with Dr. Shapiro’s comprehensive, systems-oriented approach. Schedule a consultation today and let us help you on your journey to parenthood.

The Cost of Female Fertility Optimization in Miami Beach

Fertility Optimization TribecaMed Dr. Jason Shapiro

The cost of fertility optimization will depend on your treatment plan. Contact our office or call (305) 763-8832 to schedule a consultation and get started with your treatment.

FAQ

Is weight loss necessary for fertility optimization?

In some cases, yes. Weight loss in obese or overweight patients can significantly improve their fertility because excess weight can disrupt your hormone levels. During your consultation, we can discuss how we can improve your insulin sensitivity and help you achieve a healthy BMI.

How long will a fertility optimization treatment take?

The length of your treatment will depend on your symptoms. If weight loss is included in your treatment plan, it can take several weeks to start to see results.

Do I need to come in for weight loss injections?

No, you can safely administer these once weekly injections at home. Our patient coordinators will instruct you on how to perform these very quick injections.

What is the success rate of fertility optimization treatments?

The success rates of fertility optimization treatments vary depending on many factors, including the specific treatments completed, an individual’s reproductive health, and many other considerations. Dr. Shapiro is focused on identifying and reversing the most common metabolic reasons for infertility.

Female Fertility Optimization
Female Fertility Optimization

Male Fertility Optimization
Male Fertility Optimization

References

  1. Nugent C, Chandra A. Infertility and Impaired Fecundity in Women and Men in the United States, 2015-2019. National Health Statistics Reports Number. 2024;202. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr202.pdf
  2. Walker MH, Tobler KJ. Female Infertility. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556033/
  3. Rossino G, Marchese E, Galli G, et al. Peptides as Therapeutic Agents: Challenges and Opportunities in the Green Transition Era. Molecules. 2023;28(20):7165. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28207165
  4. Chittawar P. Kisspeptin: Role in reproduction and implications for infertility management. Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences. 2012;5(2):226. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-1208.101029
  5. Bosler JS, Davies KP, Neal-Perry GS. Peptides in Seminal Fluid and Their Role in Infertility: A Potential Role for Opiorphin Inhibition of Neutral Endopeptidase Activity as a Clinically Relevant Modulator of Sperm Motility. Reproductive Sciences. 2014;21(11):1334-1340. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719114536473
  6. Research C for DE and. Medications Containing Semaglutide Marketed for Type 2 Diabetes or Weight Loss. FDA. Published online May 31, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/medications-containing-semaglutide-marketed-type-2-diabetes-or-weight-loss#:~:text=Semaglutide%20belongs%20to%20a%20class
  7. Lin F, Yu B, Ling B, et al. Weight loss efficiency and safety of tirzepatide: A Systematic review. PloS One. 2023;18(5):e0285197. doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0285197
  8. Gasbjerg LS, Gabe MBN, Hartmann B, et al. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor antagonists as anti-diabetic agents. Peptides. 2018;100:173-181. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2017.11.021
  9. Noventa M, Vitagliano A, Andrisani A, et al. Testosterone therapy for women with poor ovarian response undergoing IVF: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2019;36(4):673-683. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1383-2
  10. Zhao Y, Jiao X, Xu J, et al. Dynamic serum testosterone concentration may predict in vitro fertilization yield during ovarian stimulation by a gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone agonist long protocol in women with normal ovarian reserve. Medicine advances. 2023;1(4):383-393. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/med4.41
  11. Prakash Chand Jindal, Monica Jindal Singh. HOW TESTOSTERONE THERAPY IS ADVANTAGEOUS IN IMPROVING THE ART OUTCOME IN POOR OVARIAN RESPONDERS UNDERGOING IVF-ICSI CYCLES. Fertility and Sterility. 2021;116(3):e367-e368. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.07.987
  12. Gleicher N, Darmon SK, Molinari E, Patrizio P, Barad DavidH. Importance of IGF-I levels in IVF: potential relevance for growth hormone (GH) supplementation. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2022;39(2):409-416. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-021-02379-8