NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine announced that the first baby conceived through IVF using Sildenafil (Viagra(R)) on a woman to aid in embryo implantation will turn 10 next month. A technique developed and pioneered by Geoffrey Sher, MD, Sildenafil suppositories are administered during In Vitro Fertilization, prior to transferring embryos to the mother’s uterus. The drug acts by increasing blood flow to the uterus, helping to thicken the uterine lining so the embryos are able to “implant” their root system and develop into a healthy pregnancy.
Rene Danford had been trying to conceive for several years and had been through several unsuccessful IVF treatments at a fertility clinic that advised her that she would never be able to carry her own baby because her uterine lining was too thin to support implantation of an embryo. She came to Dr. Geoffrey Sher in 1998, and he suggested the treatment based on its mechanism of action.
“I had seen the news reports on Viagra and its ability to increase blood flow to the male organ, so it followed logically that it could do the same for women,” noted Dr. Sher. “Because blood flow is key to the development and growth of the uterine lining, I thought that this had a good chance of helping some of my patients. Rene’s timing was perfect because she fit the ideal profile for Viagra treatment.”
In her first IVF cycle with Dr. Sher using Viagra suppositories, she successfully conceived, and gave birth to a son, Michael, in November of 1999. Two years later she returned for another IVF cycle, this time conceiving a daughter.
“I would never have been a mom without Dr. Sher’s ingenious use of Viagra for infertility,” Rene said. “My husband and I are so very grateful to have not one but two Viagra children!”
In the years since that first Viagra treatment, many other IVF clinics have adopted the treatment for their patients who fit the appropriate profile, resulting in thousands of births aided by the technique.
About the Sher Institutes for Reproductive Medicine(R) (SIRM(R))
The Sher Institutes for Reproductive Medicine comprise one of the nation’s largest networks of Infertility centers with 9 locations across the United States. SIRM physicians have been influential in the development of numerous breakthroughs in the field of reproductive care over the past 23 years. Further information about the Sher Institutes for Reproductive Medicine can be found on the SIRM website at www.haveababy.com.
Geoffrey Sher, MD
Dr. Geoffrey Sher is co-founder and Executive Medical Director of the Sher Institutes for Reproductive Medicine as well as co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of ReproCure, LLC. He long has been considered a pioneer in the science and business of reproductive medicine. Dr. Sher established the first private IVF program in the U.S. in 1982 and has been influential in the births of more than 16,000 IVF babies. Over a period of more than 25 years in the IVF arena, he has been a contributor to a number of major breakthroughs in the field. He is an author of In Vitro Fertilization: The A.R.T. of Making Babies, one of the most widely read books in the world on IVF treatment. He authors a blog on IVF and infertility treatment at www.ivfauthority.com.
