Fertility Blog

At a glance → A coalition of 56 patient and professional organizations announced on May 12, 2026 that polycystic ovary syndrome will now be called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, abbreviated PMOS → The decision followed a 14-year consensus process led by researchers at Monash University, with input from more than 22,000 patients and health professionals across six continents → Adoption will be gradual, with both names appearing in medical records, lab reports, and patient materials until PMOS becomes the standard term → Diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols are not affected by the renaming; fertility care for PMOS uses the same clinical approach as PCOS care In this article, you will find a plain-language breakdown of the PCOS name change, why your diagnosis and care will stay the same, and what the shift could mean for fertility treatment and research, from a reproductive endocrinologist who specializes in the condition.

At a glance → Around 40% of women experiencing infertility meet criteria for depression or anxiety, and many partners do too, even when they do not show it → The hardest emotional terrain often lives in places no one talks about, like the two-week wait, unnamed grief, and the slow erosion of who you used to be → Stress and anxiety can affect treatment adherence and quality of life, which is why mental health support is part of fertility care, not a separate concern → Illume Fertility’s Integrated Fertility & Wellness program connects patients with vetted therapists who specialize in fertility treatment, grief, and uncertainty In this guide, you will find validation, clarity, and practical strategies for navigating the psychological impact of a fertility journey, from a therapist who frequently works with individuals and couples who are trying to conceive.

At a glance → Illume Fertility’s physician team includes nine reproductive endocrinologists, each double board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Obstetrics and Gynecology → Our doctors hold Castle Connolly Top Doctor honors and bring expertise in PCOS, LGBTQ+ family building, fertility preservation, recurrent pregnancy loss, and reproductive surgery → Patients can be seen across five locations in Connecticut and Westchester County, NY, including Norwalk, Stamford, Danbury, Trumbull, and Harrison → Each physician profile below includes a video introduction, education and honors, professional affiliations, and a link to their full bio page with patient testimonials Finding the right fertility doctor often comes down to fit. Clinical excellence is important, of course, but so is the way your doctor listens, responds to questions, and helps you weigh your options. The profiles below are designed to help you get to know the people behind the white coats at Illume Fertility.

At a glance → Research links higher stress to lower IVF success rates. Reducing psychological burden, through acupuncture, therapy, or both, may positively influence outcomes → Acupuncture has strong evidence for reducing anxiety and stress during IVF, with measurable improvements in physiological markers like cortisol → Newer 2024–2025 meta-analyses show that acupuncture may improve pregnancy and live birth rates, particularly when timing and treatment frequency are considered → Research suggests acupuncture may be more beneficial when performed as a series of treatments rather than as a single session Millions of people going through IVF turn to acupuncture, but the question of whether it works is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. In this article, we'll break down what we know, what is still being investigated, and how acupuncture can support your fertility care plan.

At a glance → Stress is a normal part of fertility treatment, but chronic stress can affect your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing → Stress may not directly determine fertility treatment success, but it can impact your mental health and ability to keep going → Breath work, support groups, therapy, movement, acupuncture, journaling, and boundaries can all help activate the relaxation response → You do not need to manage infertility stress alone; your care team, therapist, and trusted support network can all be part of your toolbox Infertility can make everyday stress feel heavier, especially when treatment adds appointments, decisions, uncertainty, and emotional highs and lows. In this guide, a fertility counselor shares practical ways to care for your mental health throughout the process.

At a glance → Fertility nurses coordinate every phase of an IVF cycle, from setting up treatment protocols and ordering medications to relaying test results and answering patient questions throughout the day → At Illume Fertility, nurses collaborate with doctors during daily review sessions to evaluate each patient's progress and adjust care plans in real time → IVF nurses typically complete 3 to 4 months of one-on-one mentorship with an experienced nurse on top of their registered nursing credentials before managing patients independently → Beyond their clinical responsibilities, fertility nurses serve as emotional anchors for patients, celebrating milestones and providing steady support through setbacks Behind every IVF cycle is a team working diligently to keep treatment moving forward. For many patients, their fertility nurse becomes one of the most familiar voices in the process: the person who helps translate next steps, ease uncertainty, and make an intensely personal experience feel a little more manageable.

Behind every positive pregnancy test are months (sometimes years) of hard decisions and small acts of courage that rarely get talked about. For National Infertility Awareness Week, eight Illume Fertility couples opened up about what their road to parenthood actually looked like, detours included.

A year and a half. One failed cycle. And a care team that refused to let them feel alone through any of it. This is how Azavier and Lauren navigated IVF to become a family of three.