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If you’re considering IVF or freezing your eggs and unsure of what to expect, this article will break down the basics and offer suggestions for how to prepare. 

IVF and Egg Freezing: What to Expect and How to Prepare

These days, egg freezing and IVF, or in vitro fertilization, are fairly common routes on the journey to parenthood. Yet, that doesn’t mean these fertility treatments are always an easy road. While both treatments helped millions of women conceive, they can require a significant investment of emotion, resources, and time. 

In vitro fertilization is a type of fertility treatment where:

The retrieved eggs are combined with sperm outside of the body in a laboratory 

The embryos (fertilized eggs) are then placed into the uterus with the potential outcome of a pregnancy. 

The main difference between egg freezing and IVF is the timing. Rather than attempting to get pregnant right away, egg freezing gives you the option to store your unfertilized eggs for a later time. When and if you decide you are ready to have a baby, your eggs will be thawed in the lab and the rest of the IVF process will be completed. Freezing healthy eggs at a younger age allows women more flexibility in their family-planning timelines.  

The initial screening and prescribed medications are very similar for IVF and egg freezing. After completing an initial ultrasound and bloodwork, your doctor will prescribe fertility medications to stimulate follicle growth. Follicles are fluid-filled sacs in your ovaries that potentially contain an egg. Your prescription will involve self-injecting hormones on a precisely timed schedule and regular check-ins for additional ultrasounds and bloodwork. For a more detailed understanding of the timeline and medications used during an IVF cycle, see our article,  IVF Medications: Schedule and Side Effects Explained. 

Once your follicles have reached maturity, your doctor will gently guide a thin needle through your vaginal wall and use suction to draw the eggs from the follicles. The 15-45 minute procedure is minimally invasive, and you’ll be sedated to ensure there’s no pain. The retrieved eggs are either frozen and stored for later use or placed in a petri dish with sperm cells so fertilization can take place. The fertilized eggs, or embryos, are then transferred to your uterus through a quick, non-surgical procedure using an ultrasound-guided catheter.  

IVF may include a variety of other parties at each stage. In some cases, an egg donor undergoes the egg retrieval process. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the intended parent’s uterus. Sometimes a gestational carrier carries and delivers a child for another couple or person. The embryo is created via IVF using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors and then transferred into the gestational carrier’s uterus. In all of these cases, the sperm used to fertilize the eggs may come from either a male partner or donor. Your unique fertility journey may or may not include one or more of these variations.

From a biological standpoint, the American Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology recommends being at a healthy weight and avoiding smoking or alcohol use. It’s also important to mentally prepare, as this journey may take more than one cycle and be physically demanding on your body. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to your emotional well-being: 

Don’t let staying “stress-free” stress you out 

During any type of fertility treatment, it’s natural to feel anxious or apprehensive. You are emotionally invested in the outcome, after all. So the standard advice to avoid stress during IVF may only serve to catch you in a cycle of worrying about your worries. It’s true that stress isn’t good for your health and it negatively impacts your quality of life; however, recent studies have offered reassurance that your stress level is unlikely to affect your chances of IVF success. 

We recommend that you include stress-relieving techniques in your fertility self-care plan, but it’s important to know that some stress is expected and perfectly okay. Rather than trying to avoid anxious thoughts altogether, try to acknowledge whatever hopes and fears arise, then work to let them go through practices that help you feel calm. The key here is to be gentle with yourself. Try light, low-impact movement practices like yoga, walking, or tai chi, or lay in bed and listen to a guided audio meditation. There are meditation programs that focus specifically on supporting the fertility journey, like Expectful and Circle + Bloom, as well as free fertility meditations on Insight Timer. 

If possible, we suggest surrounding yourself with caring individuals who can provide emotional support or assist with injections when needed. Talk about your feelings with your loved ones. And If you know someone else who has gone through egg freezing or IVF, perhaps you can schedule a weekly phone chat or walk through your neighborhood. 

Finding this type of support isn’t always easy, however. If you’re feeling isolated or struggling to find someone to confide in, know that you are part of a community of women who share similar challenges. Your fertility clinic may offer counseling or support groups, or you can find one through Resolve, the National Fertility Association. No matter your circumstances, you don’t have to navigate fertility and family planning alone. 

Many people also find support through blogs and online communities centered around fertility and IVF, like IVF Babble and Pregnantish. While these can be excellent resources, be mindful that not everything you read online will be completely factual or apply to your unique circumstances. Your doctor or pharmacist should be your source for any medical advice. The stories others share will range from joyful to heartbreaking, so check in with where you’re at emotionally before you start browsing. Remember: whether good or bad, these are the experiences of others. Your journey will unfold in its own way. 

Because treatment can change from one day to the next, it’s helpful to have a pharmacy partner that can be just as flexible and deliver medications as needed. For that reason, we recommend selecting a pharmacy that offers free, same-day delivery and expert guidance on fertility medications. 

Alto’s fertility pharmacists are accessible by phone or messaging in our mobile app. We understand that protocols can change with little notice, which is why you will always receive a confirmation and updates from us after we receive your prescription. You can also view your delivery status in our mobile app until our courier team hand-delivers your medications. You can even designate a safe place for us to place your medications for contactless delivery (we can facilitate contact-free signatures as well). 

For more tips on how to select your pharmacy, read “What to Consider When Selecting a Fertility Pharmacy.” 

The IVF journey can be challenging, but we’ll be with you every step of the way. Alto’s dedicated fertility specialists are here to answer your questions, guide you through your first injections, and work with your physician to ensure your egg freezing or IVF treatment plan is followed correctly. Visit us at alto.com/fertility or reach out via phone or the app to learn more. 

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer parents-to-be have many options to become parents today. In this blog post we'll share an overview of the options as well as how Alto can help you in the path to parenting.

A Guide to LGBTQ+ Family Building

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has expanded the paths to parenthood for all types of family structures. Whether exploring fertility as a single person, within a couple, or as a family unit, parenthood is now possible for more people than ever before.

A 2018 study found that 48% of LGBTQ+ millennials (aged 18-35) were actively planning to grow their families, compared to 55% of non-LGBTQ+ millennials. Researchers noted that this gap had narrowed significantly compared to older generations—the result of advances in technology and the movement for equality. 

Still, LGBTQ+ families confront unique challenges in an industry that often fails to center their needs. However, as more and more LGBTQ+ people seek to become parents through ART, the face of fertility is shifting. 

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer parents-to-be have many options to become parents today, including using a donor or surrogate for one or more components of biological conception (eggs, sperm, and uterus).

That being said, many options come with formidable costs so determining how to pay for treatment is an important part of planning. Family Equality Council shares this list of family-building grants that can help make ART more affordable. Your clinic may also offer financial assistance programs and payment plans. If prescription fertility medications are part of your treatment, we’ll comb through the available discount and rebate programs to ensure you get the lowest possible price. 

To clarify which of the many paths-to-parenthood might be right for you, it can help to seek out an organization such as Family Equality Council that can provide specialized advice for LGBTQ+ families. It’s also essential to choose a clinic and doctor who can understand your needs and put you at ease. 

For LGBTQ+ couples exploring using a donor, it’s also essential to research the laws in your state regarding legal parentage procedures after your baby is born. For a starting point, you can learn about the laws in your area through Movement Advancement Project’s interactive ART law map; however, you should also speak with an experienced LGBTQ+ family lawyer in your state. 

Every budding family follows a unique path. It may include natural conception, adoption, foster care, or ART. For those considering the latter, here are some of the places your ART journey might take you. 

For those whose bodies cannot produce sperm or are experiencing infertility, a donor can be used. There are two ways to obtain donor sperm: from someone you know or from a sperm bank.

If you use a known donor—often a friend, family member, or other acquaintance—it’s crucial that you fully discuss the relational complexities involved and consult with a lawyer who specializes in working with LGBTQ+ families in your state. When choosing an unknown donor through a sperm bank, the donation’s legalities are less complex because the donor has already surrendered their parental rights. 

If you or your partner plan to carry the pregnancy, donor insemination is the process of placing the donated sperm inside the vagina or uterus to facilitate fertilization. There are two methods of insemination that may be used: 

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a simple medical procedure performed by a medical doctor where the sperm is placed directly into the uterus by using a very small tube passed up through the cervix.

With intravaginal insemination (IVI), the sperm is placed directly into the vagina. You can often perform IVI at home; however, many people choose to have a medical professional complete the insemination to increase the chances of success. 

Parents-to-be who were not born with ovaries or are experiencing infertility can use an egg donor. Like with sperm donors, an egg donor can be a known donor or be found through an agency. Again, when using a known donor, be sure to thoroughly discuss the arrangement’s details and consult with a lawyer who specializes in working with LGBTQ+ families in your state.

With both known and unknown egg donors, the egg must be fertilized in a lab and placed in a uterus through a medical procedure known as in vitro fertilization (IVF). 

Intended parents who cannot or will not be carrying the pregnancy for any reason can use a gestational carrier. The gestational carrier will have the embryos (eggs fertilized by sperm) transferred into their uterus, then carry and deliver the baby.

Choosing a gestational carrier is a critical decision that can take time. After all, your relationship will last the better part of a year. An agency can help you meet and screen candidates until you find the right match. 

IVF  is one of the most common fertility treatments. It involves combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish then transferring the resulting embryo into a uterus. IVF can be performed with donor sperm, donor eggs, or donor embryos. 

Reciprocal IVF, also known as co-maternity, is a specific instance of IVF where one partner provides the egg and the other carries the pregnancy. In this way, one partner is genetically related to the child while the other becomes biologically bonded through pregnancy. 

Egg or sperm freezing, also known as cryopreservation, is available to preserve future fertility for those looking to delay pregnancy or undergo gender affirmation treatment. Because gender affirmation treatment may affect fertility, it’s important to discuss the possibility of freezing your sperm or eggs with your doctor before undergoing treatment if you may want children who share your DNA in the future. For those currently undergoing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), there may still be options available to preserve your fertility. Talk with your doctor about which choices may be right for you. 

There are many routes available to expand your family. Ultimately, every journey has the same destination in mind: the beautifully chaotic, utterly unique, yet completely universal journey of parenthood.

As you assemble a team you trust to guide your path forward, we’ll be here to support you if prescription medications become part of your plan. Our team of specialists has experience working with the LGBTQ+ community and receives training on how the nuances of the fertility experience may vary for each individual. We’d be happy to manage your medication needs so you can focus on your family during this life-changing time. Visit us at alto.com/fertility to learn more. 

Our team is available to answer your questions from 9 am – 12 midnight ET Monday – Friday, and 10 am – 9 pm ET on weekends; reach out by in-app secure messaging or phone.

Beginning your fertility journey can feel like arriving in a strange new world. Your conversations are suddenly full of unfamiliar terms and mysteriously strung together letters. The good news: these terms represent the wide range of procedures available to help hopeful parents conceive.

Fertility Acronyms, Explained

Beginning your fertility journey can feel like arriving in a strange new world. Your conversations are suddenly full of unfamiliar terms and mysteriously strung together letters. The good news: these terms represent the wide range of procedures available to help hopeful parents conceive. Some of them can be a mouthful, so a convenient shorthand has evolved. 

No need to worry about achieving full fluency—the hope is that your stop in the world of fertility will be brief. But if you don’t yet know your TTC from your ART, this fertility acronym decoder can be your guide. 

A Quick Guide to Common Fertility Acronyms

An individual or couple is said to be “trying to conceive” (TTC)  during the period of time in which they are intentionally trying to become pregnant.  

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is an umbrella term used for infertility treatments that handle the egg or embryo in a laboratory. An example of non-ART fertility treatment would be using fertility medications to stimulate ovulation without having the eggs retrieved from the ovaries.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment that involves combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish, and then transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. 

“In vitro” is Latin for “within the glass,” meaning fertilization, or the process of combining an egg with a sperm, occurs outside of the body. In vitro fertilization is the most frequently used ART technique. 

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a medical procedure in which sperm that has been washed and concentrated is placed directly into the uterus to facilitate fertilization. This non-ART fertility treatment is done around the time of ovulation to maximize the chances for conception.

A Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) occurs when a cryopreserved embryo that was created during an IVF cycle is thawed and transferred to a uterus. 

Male Factor Infertility (MF) is the term used when the cause of infertility stems from a male partner.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a commonly diagnosed condition caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones. This hormonal imbalance can cause a woman to have irregular menstrual periods, excess male hormone levels, or small fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries, all of which can lead to abnormal ovulation. PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility. 

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) occurs when the ovaries are stimulated by fertility medication to produce multiple eggs. 

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is produced within the pituitary gland and stimulates follicular growth and ovulation. In the female body, a sudden spike in LH production induces ovulation. 

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced during pregnancy. When used as an injectable, hCG facilitates the final maturation phase of the eggs and triggers ovulation of the mature eggs from the ovaries approximately thirty-six hours after it has been injected. This is commonly referred to as the "trigger shot."

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the growth of eggs in the ovaries. FSH levels are tested to evaluate a woman’s ovarian function and egg quality. Also, FSH injections may be used during fertility treatment to promote the growth of multiple follicles in the ovaries. 

Remember—you don’t need to be an expert to be successful on your TTC journey. Your doctor will walk you through the treatment options that are right for you, one step at a time. With each stop along your path, you’ll naturally find that your fertility fluency improves. Before you know it, you’ll be discussing FSH levels and IVF cycles with ease.

The world of fertility medications can seem complicated, but Alto’s dedicated fertility pharmacists are here to answer your questions. Our team of specialists will ensure that you receive the right medications at the right time—delivered by hand to your door. To learn more visit us at alto.com/fertility. 

Our pharmacists are available to answer your questions from 9 am – 12 midnight ET Monday – Friday, and 10 am – 9 pm ET on weekends; reach out by in-app secure messaging or phone.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

In honor of National Diabetes Month, here are seven ways we can take action together to spread the word about diabetes prevention.

Take Action in Honor of National Diabetes Month

November is National Diabetes Month — a time to raise awareness about the increasingly widespread diabetes epidemic in the U.S. It’s also a chance to come together and take action, not just for the one in ten Americans who have diabetes, but for the more than 88 million adults — 1 in 3 — who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes due to high blood sugar levels (a condition known as prediabetes).

More than 84% of all those living with prediabetes don’t know that they have it, partially because there often aren’t any noticeable symptoms. And while people ages 45 and older are most at risk of developing prediabetes, the condition has become more prevalent in young people in recent years, as childhood obesity — a condition linked to diabetes — remains an urgent health issue in the U.S.

The good news is that simple lifestyle changes can prevent prediabetes from progressing into type 2 diabetes, and possibly even reverse prediabetes. So this November, join us in honoring National Diabetes Month by taking small steps to prioritize your health and raise awareness of diabetes prevention. You can start with the seven actions below.

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes — the two main types of diabetes —  involve complications with the body’s relationship to insulin, a hormone that transforms a simple sugar called glucose into energy. However, there are some important distinctions between the two conditions.

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly destroys the pancreas’s insulin-producing cells. It often begins during childhood or adolescence, though a diagnosis may occur at any age.

In contrast, type 2 diabetes — the type of diabetes that people with prediabetes are at risk of developing — progresses gradually over time due to a mixture of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

National Diabetes Month is an opportunity to educate yourself and others about the different types of diabetes. As a starting point, read our blog post, ‘What’s the Difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?’

(There is also a third type of diabetes — gestational diabetes — diagnosed during pregnancy, which you can learn more about here.)

Don’t be afraid to learn about your risk for prediabetes — knowing where you stand will allow you to take control of your health. The CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program offers a free risk test and other helpful resources at doihaveprediabetes.org. If you determine that you’re at risk, talk to your doctor so you can assess your risk level and develop a prevention strategy together. 

Consider sharing this tool with your loved ones or even via your social media channels, too — raising awareness is the best way to turn the tide on diabetes. 

Broader healthcare inequities drive racial and economic disparities in prediabetes and diabetes, which disproportionately impact individuals from underserved communities. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), Black Americans are 60% more likely to receive a diabetes diagnosis.

If you feel inspired to make waves for change, contact your government representatives to advocate for affordable and accessible healthcare for everyone. The ADA has created this online resource to help you reach out to lawmakers in your area and ask them to support legislation designed to end health disparities, from expanding health insurance coverage to making insulin more affordable. You can also sign up as an ADA Advocate to stay informed about issues affecting people with diabetes. 

If you or someone you know has type 1 diabetes, you might also consider signing up to become an advocate for JDRF,a nonprofit that funds research and advocates for policies to help people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). According to JDRF, “Advocates use the most powerful tools they have — their own personal stories — to communicate the financial, medical, and emotional costs of T1D to our nation's leaders.” 

From enlightening talks to a live cooking class, the ADA is hosting some amazing virtual events throughout National Diabetes Month. Ask questions, listen to inspiring stories, and learn tips that can help you live a healthier life. 

You’ll also find a slew of virtual events hosted by JDRF on their monthly calendar, including a holiday auction, various meet and greets, and a Q&A session with an endocrinologist. 

Anyone can benefit from healthy choices, regardless of their risk for diabetes. This is a great opportunity to work on a new habit throughout the month. Whether you decide to take a daily walk or experiment with healthy kitchen swaps like chickpea pasta or nut-based milk, pick an activity that you actually enjoy and try your best to keep it going. 

The jury is still out on how long it takes to solidify a new habit, but one recent study found that it took an average of 66 days before participants felt that new habits like eating fruit at lunch or running for 15 minutes became automatic. Of course, the actual time will vary by person and the perceived effort of the new activity, but the study found that daily repetition during the first few weeks was the key to making the new habits stick. 

If you’re currently living with diabetes, use this month as an annual reminder to recommit to your treatment plan. Taking medications as prescribed and keeping up a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition and exercise, is an essential part of reducing the impact of diabetes on your long-term health and well-being.

You may want to consider working with a certified diabetes educator. These healthcare professionals have extensive knowledge of diabetes and have been certified to coach individuals living with the condition. Their expertise spans nearly all aspects of diabetes management, from navigating insurance, connecting with support programs, and managing daily life with diabetes.

Read our previous post, ‘What Does a Diabetes Educator Do and How Can They Help You?’ to learn how a diabetes educator can support your diabetes management plan. 

"When I refer patients to Alto, it's one thing they don't have to worry about."

And if you’re among the 1.5 million people who were newly diagnosed with diabetes this year, we share some helpful tips for settling into your routine in “Managing Your New Diabetes Diagnosis.” 

7. Find the best pharmacy for your diabetes care

Managing your monthly medications should never be a struggle. Our pharmacists are on call to field medication queries and walk you through doses or injections. We can deliver whatever you need — including insulin, glucose monitors, test strips, and more — directly to your door for free. For more on how we can help, read “The Best Pharmacy for Diabetes Care.” 

Want to learn more about Alto? Reach out any time through in-app secure messaging or by phone at 1-800-874-5881..

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and completeness.

In this article we’ll share what a typical IVF schedule might look like, beginning with medications used to grow follicles, the egg retrieval process, and finally, transfer options.

IVF Medications: Schedule and Side Effects Explained | Alto Pharmacy

IVF, or in vitro fertilization, is one form of treatment that may help those experiencing infertility to conceive. In fact, at least 8 million babies born today are a result of this procedure. That’s remarkable when you consider the first successful IVF procedure was only conducted in 1978.  

In this article we’ll share what a typical IVF schedule might look like, beginning with medications used to grow follicles, the egg retrieval process, and finally, transfer options. Let’s take a closer look at how one might arrive at each step. 

What Medications Should I Expect with IVF? 

The IVF process itself requires considerable IVF medication use on a precisely timed schedule. For these reasons, it’s important to understand what you might be prescribed as well as any potential IVF medication side effects. 

On the first day of a patient’s menstrual cycle they will typically call to schedule a “baseline” visit for Day 3 of their cycle. This appointment includes an ultrasound and bloodwork. After this visit, if approved, patients will start hormone injections (commonly referred to as “stimulation meds” or “stims”). 

These injections stimulate egg production so a woman’s body produces many follicles in a cycle, not just one (follicles house eggs that contain all the hormones and fluids needed to make an egg mature). Patients with one or more follicles already grown may need to wait until their next period cycle or use a different protocol. 

Stims are typically injected between 6-9PM daily at a consistent time. 

Supportive/adjunctive medications include: 

Omnitrope® -  A growth hormone whose main purpose is to help improve the quality of eggs. Not every patient will see this on their protocol. Typical use cases include poor responders to stimulation medications and women who have a decreased ovarian reserve.

As a result of injections it is normal for patients to experience soreness or mild bruising at the site of injection. Bloating, cramping, headaches, breast tenderness and in some cases, temporary allergic reactions are also common side effects. 

During this period patients will continue stims and may start what is known as “antagonists” to prevent premature ovulation (i.e. once eggs are released into the pelvic cavity they cannot be retrieved). These types of medications block the hormone (gonadotropin-releasing hormone-GnRH) that causes eggs to be released from the ovaries. 

Regular monitoring visits will likely include additional ultrasounds and bloodwork and occur around days four and six and every other day after. Visit results will then determine if nightly doses need to be changed or if an antagonist is necessary. In these cases, patients will often have leftover medications or need refills. 

Side effects are similar to those experienced during days one to four. Some patients also experience what is known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHS). In this instance there is an overproduction of follicles that can cause extreme swelling or pain in the ovaries. Depending upon the severity, treatment may be cancelled until a future cycle. 

Patients will receive a final ultrasound and bloodwork to confirm if the follicle pack has reached maturity. If so, a “trigger shot” is assigned approximately 35-36 hours before retrieval to stimulate final growth spurt and ovulation. 

Trigger shots are hormones that support the normal development of an egg in a woman's ovary, essentially triggering the egg to go through a final growth spurt, and stimulate the release of the egg during ovulation from the follicles within 36 hours. 

In most cases, patients will discontinue all other medications and are given a deep sedation for the 15-45 minute retrieval process. Following the procedure it’s normal to feel mild cramping or experience some vaginal spotting. 

Keep in mind that follicles may be empty at the time of retrieval or contain an immature egg. This means the number of eggs retrieved after egg retrieval may be lower than the number of follicles seen on the ultrasound or based on bloodwork.

Sperm is collected according to clinic protocol or donor sperm is thawed at the time of egg retrieval.

The retrieved eggs and sperm are combined and monitored for signs of fertilization as the embryo(s) divides into a small cluster of cells.

The quality of embryos are given a grade, often using a common A-D rubric with A = excellent quality, D = poor quality to determine the likelihood of a successful implantation.

“Fresh” transfer: For patients who are seeking to transfer their eggs immediately after retrieval, the embryo can be transferred in 2 different stages of its lifecycle:

1) They can be transferred on approximately day 2 or 3 after fertilization when it is in its cleavage stage.

2) They can be transferred between days 5-7 after fertilization when it is in its blastocyst stage.

The best appearing embryos are then deposited into the uterine cavity using a catheter. Patients may experience cramping, bloating and spotting following this procedure. 

“Frozen” transfer:  In some scenarios for egg freezing, i.e. planning for the future, the embryos are not transferred immediately. In this instance, because the technology does not currently exist to keep an embryo viable outside of the womb for an extended amount of time, embryos are frozen through a process called vitrification. 

After transfer (0-1 days post retrieval), progesterone supplements provide hormonal support for successful attachment of the embryo to the uterine lining using vaginal, oral, or injectable progesterone and in some cases, a combination of methods. Common medications include: 

Progesterone capsules, suppositories, lozenges

And finally - within 12 days to two weeks a blood sample is taken to determine if the transfer resulted in a successful pregnancy. This test measures the hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) levels, often referred to as the “pregnancy hormone,” which indicates cells are forming in the placenta to nourish the fertilized egg.

Despite how involved IVF medications might be, know that you are not alone in this journey. Alto’s dedicated fertility pharmacists are here to help answer your questions and work with your physician to ensure your IVF treatment plan is followed properly. To learn more visit us at alto.com/fertility or reach out any time through in-app secure messaging or by phone at 1-800-874-5881. We’re here for you from your first cycle to your last and everything in between. 

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
All third party trademarks (including logos and icons) referenced by Alto Pharmacy remain the property of their respective owners. Unless specifically identified as such, Alto’s use of third party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship or endorsement between Alto and the owners of these trademarks.

IVF Medications: Schedule and Side Effects Explained

How My Experience as an IVF Coordinator Showed Me the Importance of Alto’s Care Model

The View from Both Sides of the Fertility Pharmacy Experience

I knew from a very young age that I wanted to work with moms and babies. My mother ran a daycare from our home throughout my childhood, and for my sixth grade report on “what I want to be when I grow up,” I interviewed a well baby RN at a local hospital. After completing my Bachelor’s degree, I started working as front desk staff at a fertility clinic and I knew immediately that I had found my spot. I could work with soon-to-be moms and new moms every day.

I quickly shifted from the front desk to being a Medical Assistant for a physician where I was able to participate in ultrasounds, retrievals and transfers. The first time I was in a pregnancy ultrasound and heard a baby’s heartbeat, I was in tears and overcome with emotion. Eventually I transitioned into the role of IVF Coordinator where I was a key part of a patient’s — and their partner’s — journey to building a family.

I really got to know my patients — in fertility, you become a trusted confidant. Their loss is your loss, and their win is your win. While you might not bring your work home physically, emotionally the job never really leaves you — IVF coordinator was the most emotionally taxing job I’ll ever have. But each time we received a positive pregnancy test, it made up for all the ups and downs.

Alto’s model shouldn’t be so revolutionary, but it is. Clinics and patients don’t have to be okay with today’s standard pharmacy experience — Alto offers a fundamentally better model.

Fertility pharmacy plays a key role in a patient’s fertility journey. Medications need to arrive on time, in the correct assortment, with all necessary ancillary supplies. Often, the decision to change a dose or initiate a trigger shot means that medications are needed that same day or on the weekend. As an IVF coordinator, helping my patients make a decision about pharmacy was tricky — each pharmacy option offered some of the service qualities I was looking for, but no pharmacy offered all of the things I wanted for my patients. Remembering which pharmacy checked which boxes was really challenging.

It was so important to me that my patients were taken care of and receiving the highest quality of care. When they had questions, I was always available and responsive, even in the evenings and on weekends. What was most frustrating about working with fertility pharmacies was that when I’d send a prescription out, I’d have no control over the quality of the patient’s experience with the pharmacy.

For my patients, I wanted a pharmacy option that was accessible, responsive, cost conscious, and accountable for making sure nothing was getting lost or off track. For my clinic team, I wanted a pharmacy partner that didn’t require me to micromanage everything about a patient’s medications. I hated being the middle person between the patient and the pharmacy. The first time a pharmacy [Alto] came in and told me I could send any patient with any insurance to them and they would triage it, I thought, “We’ll send everything to them.”

Alto Pharmacy’s patient care model checked all those boxes. When I first heard about their same day delivery, evening and weekend hours and benefits coordination, it sounded too good to be true. Having access to a local fertility pharmacy with same day delivery was simply unheard of.

But if this was all true, it was clearly something that I wanted to be a part of. I knew from my experience as an IVF coordinator that this model served a crucial need for both patients and their care teams. I wanted to bring my knowledge and experience to help make the Alto care model even better than it already was.

What I quickly learned after joining Alto Pharmacy to help build partnerships with fertility clinics was that while same day delivery is extremely practical and necessary in fertility, it’s our patient care team that is the most standout quality. Our patient care staff have the same drive and commitment to helping build families that initially drew me to work in fertility. They genuinely care about the success of the treatment and making sure that the patients are being taken care of. This focus on the patient is unmatched in the pharmacy space — fertility pharmacy is not a truly personalized experience anywhere else but Alto.

The patient care team consistently goes above and beyond to make sure that patients have what they need, when they need it, so that cycles aren’t interrupted. Those same-day medication changes and trigger shot decisions mean that our team is processing late notice prescriptions and frequently staying late to get deliveries out the door. Many members of our patient care team have even driven medications direct to patient’s homes so that cycles stay on track. They know how much going the extra mile is going to relieve the patient’s stress.

What I like to tell people is that we haven’t found some magical secret sauce at Alto — we didn’t create mobile apps — but pharmacy has been behind the times for so long compared to many other industries and especially within healthcare. Alto’s model shouldn’t be so revolutionary, but it is. Clinics and patients don’t have to be okay with today’s standard pharmacy experience — Alto offers a fundamentally better model.

Alto is the West Coast’s leading fertility pharmacy with more than 50,000 patients served. We’re open evenings and weekends, offer free delivery seven days a week, and will always work to help you find the best price. Interested in using Alto’s services for your fertility medications? Ask your care team to send your prescriptions to Alto or give us a call at 1 (800) 874–5881.

Tina Simon is a Fertility Partnerships Manager for Alto Pharmacy in the San Francisco Bay area.