M. Max Ezzati, MD, FACOG

03/15/2025

This is one of the most meaningful gifts I have ever received. A talented artist—and now a mom after a successful IVF journey with us at PAMF—drew this portrait and gifted it to me. Over the years, I have been blessed to walk alongside so many patients on their path to parenthood, and while I rarely share these moments, this one truly touched my heart. Thank you for trusting me to be part of your story. ❤️

02/03/2025

Fresh vs. Frozen: How Egg & Embryo State Affects IVF Success

A recent study from Emory University analyzed IVF cycles using donor eggs and found that the success of an embryo transfer depends on whether the eggs and embryos were fresh or frozen.

Here’s what the data shows for live birth rates per embryo transfer:

• Fresh Egg + Fresh Embryo Transfer: 55.9%
• Frozen Egg + Fresh Embryo Transfer: 46.2%
• Fresh Egg + Frozen Embryo Transfer: 45.8%
• Frozen Egg + Frozen Embryo Transfer: 41.3%

The study found that while fresh eggs generally had higher success rates, frozen eggs remain a valuable option, offering greater flexibility and accessibility. Interestingly, regardless of whether eggs were fresh or frozen, babies born from these transfers had similar rates of being full-term and healthy birth weight.

01/26/2025

Did you know PAMF Fertility is one of only two centers in California equipped with an electroejaculation device? This specialized procedure, performed under anesthesia, is reserved for rare cases of ejaculatory dysfunction, such as after spinal cord injury.

Male Factor Infertility Overview
Male factor infertility contributes to up to 50% of infertility cases and can result from:

🔍 S***m abnormalities (low count, poor motility, abnormal shape)
🛑 Blockages in s***m pathways
🩺 Hormonal imbalances
💉 Genetic factors
🚑 Medical conditions like varicocele

Treatment Options
✅ Medications or hormonal therapy
✅ Surgical s***m retrieval (e.g., TESE, MESA)
✅ Assisted reproductive technologies (IUI, IVF with ICSI)
✅ Donor s***m when appropriate

We’re proud to have Dr. Albert Ha, a Harvard-trained, Stanford graduate, as a full-time male fertility specialist at PAMF Fertility. His expertise ensures seamless coordination for advanced procedures like electroejaculation and surgical s***m retrievals.

At PAMF Fertility, if there’s a way in the world to help you conceive using your own biological s***m, we’ll find it. We leave no stone unturned in helping families grow, no matter how complex the journey.

***m

01/26/2025

Fueling fertility, one delicious bite at a time! 🍓🫐 This organic açaí bowl, packed with seasonal fruits, toasted coconut, chia seeds, and house granola, was my breakfast during a recent ski trip to beautiful Park City, Utah. 🎿

Fruits with vibrant colors—like these organic berries—are loaded with antioxidants, which can support fertility health for both men and women. Instead of relying on a handful of supplements, why not enjoy the benefits of nature’s most colorful and tasty creations? 🌈✨

Eating a nutrient-rich, antioxidant-packed diet is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and fertility. Cheers to healthy, wholesome choices! 🥄💛

01/24/2025

🎳 Holiday vibes in January? Why not! 🎉 We extended the Holiday Season a bit longer this year and celebrated the season a little later with our amazing fertility clinic team at a bowling alley—and it was an absolute blast! 🎄✨

From our front desk staff to our incredible IUI and IVF coordinators, ASC nursing team, embryologists, medical assistants, physicians, and so many others who make this place run—we’re so grateful for this dedicated and compassionate crew. 💛

Moments like these remind us how much we value teamwork, laughter, and connection, both in and out of the clinic. Here’s to another year of helping dreams come true together! 💕🎳

12/25/2024

IVF Success Rates at PAMF - Sutter Health

The following are the cumulative live birth rates per initiated cycle at Palo Alto Medical Foundation, based on the latest available finalized data for 2021, compared to the national average in the U.S:

Dr. M. Max Ezzati, M.D., FACOG practices in San Jose, CA, East Palo Alto, CA, and Fremont, CA

10/31/2024

Understanding IVF Success Rates: Climbing the Mountain to Parenthood

When we talk about IVF success rates, it’s important to know that success isn’t defined by just one moment. Instead, it’s a journey, much like climbing a mountain. Imagine the IVF process as a climb toward the summit. Along the way, there are different stages, just like there are points on the mountain before reaching the peak.

• At the base of the mountain, we start with ovarian stimulation, helping your body produce eggs.
• Next, we reach the middle stage with egg retrieval, where we collect the eggs.
• Some continue on to the embryo transfer stage, higher up the mountain.
• Finally, reaching the summit, we achieve the ultimate goal—a live birth.

Each stage has its own unique challenges, just like climbing the mountain, and each step is important when we talk about IVF success rates.

Understanding the Numerator and Denominator

Success rates are always measured as a fraction with a numerator (the end result, like a live birth) and a denominator (the starting point, like the initiation of ovarian stimulation). The most accurate way to measure IVF success rates is to focus on live birth rates (numerator) because a positive pregnancy test doesn’t always lead to a live birth.

But the denominator (starting point) can vary and be more complicated. Sometimes success rates are reported based only on patients who have reached the embryo transfer stage (live birth rates per embryo transfer, or per PGT-A tested embryo), but not everyone who begins an IVF cycle will make it to this stage. So, while success rates per embryo transfer may sound impressive, they don’t always reflect the full journey.

Cumulative Live Birth Rate: The Most Accurate Measure

To get the clearest picture of success, it’s important to look at the cumulative live birth rate per initiated cycle. This metric counts everyone who begins an IVF cycle, not just those who make it to embryo transfer. It shows the percentage of patients who reach the summit (live birth) starting from the base of the mountain (initiating ovarian stimulation). This gives a fuller, more realistic view of the success you can expect when you begin IVF treatment.

10/05/2024

👩‍⚕️ Thinking About Fertility Care? Consider PAMF - Sutter Health. 👩‍⚕️

At Palo Alto Medical Foundation - Sutter Health, we offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to fertility care. As one of the REI specialists here, I’m thrilled to work with a team that provides more than just fertility treatments. We integrate genetics, nutrition, mental health, and other supportive services to optimize your health and well-being.

👉 Whether you’re exploring fertility options, preparing for pregnancy, or need ongoing support, we can help guide you through the entire process—all within one trusted organization. It’s about more than getting pregnant—it’s about staying healthy and thriving.

08/30/2023

Exciting news! 🚀 Our brand new satellite fertility office in Fremont is now open and ready to serve you. 🌟 Check out these stunning pictures and get a sneak peek inside.

04/21/2023

https://twitter.com/MaxEzzatiMD/status/1649248369251061762?s=20

Next week it is going to be National Infertility Awareness Week





I will do my best to host Twitter Spaces sessions every day from 5 pm to 6 pm, PST to answer questions about

“Next week it is going to be National Infertility Awareness Week I will do my best to host Twitter Spaces sessions every day from 5 pm to 6 pm, PST to answer questions about https://t.co/nNYrQuIouz”