The truth about PGS and PGD myths

Many people who need IVF are curious about whether they could benefit from preimplantation genetic screening, or PGS, and preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD. Some people with known heritable diseases in their family history decide to do IVF so they can get access to these advanced genetic tests and prevent passing the disease to their children. To help you make an informed decision, our Nevada IVF experts are here to debunk common PGS and PGD myths.

A few common PGS and PGD myths

PGS and PGD are genetic tests done on embryos created through IVF, and both are available through our Nevada IVF center. These tests look for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, helping to identify which embryos are most likely to produce a healthy pregnancy and baby. Embryos that are chromosomally or genetically abnormal can be set aside so that only “normal” embryos are transferred to the woman’s uterus.

• Myth: PGS and PGD are the same thing. Truth: PGS looks for a normal number of chromosomes, while PGD goes deeper, searching for a specific genetic abnormality linked to a specific disease.
• Myth: Low-grade embryos are chromosomally abnormal. Truth: Plenty of embryos that aren’t perfect under a microscope are proven genetically normal through PGS or PGD, and many result in successful pregnancies.
• Myth: PGS is just for older women. Truth: While the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in embryos does increase the closer a woman gets to menopause, such abnormalities can happen to women of all ages.
• Myth: PGS is only done to look for Down syndrome. Truth: PGS can identify lots of other chromosomal abnormalities too, and can help diagnose the cause of repeated IVF failures and reduce the risk of miscarriage.
• Myth: PGS and PGD can guarantee a healthy baby. Truth: While genetic testing increases the chances of transferring a healthy embryo and having a healthy baby, there are no guarantees that any embryo will implant or develop normally.
• Myth: PGS and PGD create “designer babies.” Truth: These genetic tests simply look for chromosomal or genetic abnormalities, not genetic traits such as eye color, height or intelligence – although many hopeful parents do choose to find out if a specific embryo will be a boy or a girl.
• Myth: PGD isn’t worth it. Truth: If a genetic disease runs in your or your partner’s family, it is more cost-effective and compassionate to detect it at the embryonic stage, rather than bring a child into the world who will be affected by a serious, lifelong medical condition.

Learn more about PGS and PGD

While genetic testing of embryos is available to everyone, for some people, it’s more of a necessity than a choice. Learn as much as you can about the common PGS and PGD myths, and explore all of your options with your physician. Be sure to tell your reproductive endocrinologist about any heritable diseases that run in your or your partner’s families.

To learn more about PGS and PGD myths and facts, contact us to schedule a consultation with a Nevada IVF expert.