The best fertility treatments you should know about

While most people think pregnancy is easy, it is not. There can be a lot of complications that prevent couples from conceiving. If you are one of them and have been trying to conceive for more than a year without success, it is time to get medical intervention.

It is very likely that you cannot get pregnant due to a complication that needs to be fixed. Fortunately, with the advancement of technology, there are many fertility treatments that you can try if you fail to conceive through sexual intercourse due to ovulation disorders, low sperm count, or any other reason that may be causing infertility.

Today, in this blog post, we will explore some of the popular fertility treatments and assisted reproductive technologies that you can undergo.

in vitro fertilisation

We’re sure you knew it was coming. After all, it is one of the most common fertility treatments couples undergo.

The procedure involves collecting mature eggs taken from the ovaries, after which they are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory.

During IVF, mature eggs are collected (retrieved) from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. Then the fertilized egg is transferred to the uterus.

This procedure is one of the most effective forms of assisted reproductive technology. The procedure either uses the eggs and sperm of the couple or uses an anonymous/known donor. Sometimes, a gestational carrier may also be used. The carrier can be a female who has an embryo implanted in the uterus.

While IVF is an effective medical procedure, the chances of delivering a healthy baby depend on various factors, including the cause of infertility and age.

The process can be long and cumbersome, not to mention costly. It also carries risks of multiple pregnancies (twins and triplets). Multiple pregnancies occur when multiple embryos are transferred into the uterus.

IVF treatments should be the last resort when all other alternatives are not working for you. In addition, patients with fallopian tube damage, moderate/severe endometriosis, pelvic adhesions and severe male factor infertility should opt for treatment. Women who have a short time to conceive or a low ovarian reserve should go for treatment.

Ovarian stimulation medications

One of the main causes of infertility is hormonal imbalance. When hormonal processes occur due to PCOS and PID, certain parts of the reproductive organs can perform differently than they should. Being a low-risk problem, hormonal imbalances can be corrected.

It can be fixed with ovarian stimulation drugs. These medications can help achieve regular, predictable menstrual cycles and improve the odds of pregnancy.

Intrauterine insemination

As it is a less invasive procedure, couples can try it before going for IVF treatments. The most common is the treatment of infertility with a male factor.

The procedure involves direct injection of sperm into the uterus to increase the chances of pregnancy. The treatment is ideal for couples consisting of a female with a healthy reproductive system and a male with a low sperm count.

Intrauterine insemination uses a thin flexible tube called an insemination catheter to inject a sperm sample into the uterus. The partner is usually required to undergo two treatments after taking hormonal medications.

Although it is a mild procedure, success rates are high during the first attempts. However, age and the number of attempts are important in the success of the procedure.

laparoscopy

Sometimes, certain growths or adhesions can prevent pregnancy in females. In this case, laparoscopy may be used to increase the chances of pregnancy. It is an outpatient procedure that uses a narrow visual scope to detect the presence of any cysts, adhesions, fibroids, or damage to the reproductive organs. Accordingly, treatments are recommended that fix the problem and increase a woman’s ability to have children.

Concluding thoughts

The choice of fertility treatment should be made by each patient after consultation with a fertility specialist. Fortunately, the field of fertility treatments and assisted reproductive technologies has revolutionized the possibilities for infertile individuals and couples. The field continues to advance at a rapid pace, providing new hope for those who wish to start or expand their family. While these therapies may present challenges and ethical considerations, they undoubtedly offer a path to parenthood for many individuals.

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