Fertility treatments, such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization, provide hope for individuals and couples diagnosed with infertility. With the right medical interventions, people diagnosed with fertility issues can become parents. Women’s health clinics and fertility centers offer testing to determine which procedures offer the highest chance of conception for those who are having difficulty getting pregnant. Here are some solutions fertility specialists may recommend to help individuals start their families:
IVF
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment that involves collecting eggs, fertilizing them with sperm outside the womb, and then implanting the resulting embryo into the woman’s uterus. This treatment bypasses issues like low sperm count or fallopian tube blockages that can interfere with natural conception. IVF can provide higher pregnancy success rates than other fertility treatments. The delicacy of the IVF process requires that it be performed by professionals in specialized facilities to create viable embryos.
Genetic Testing
Pre-implantation genetic testing screens embryo DNA for specific characteristics prior to IVF transfer. Some embryos may be more likely to grow into healthy pregnancies, while others may have missing or duplicated chromosomes. Genetic testing helps embryologists select the most viable embryos free from genetic issues. This increases the likelihood of a successful implantation and full-term pregnancy. Clinics may recommend genetic testing for patients with a history of miscarriages.
Artificial Insemination
Intrauterine insemination (IUI), or artificial insemination, involves preparing sperm in a lab and inserting it directly into the uterus during ovulation to enable fertilization. This bypasses cervical mucus issues that can prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Hormone medications are often used to stimulate the ovaries to release multiple eggs at once during IUI treatment. This increases the chances that at least one egg will fertilize and implant. IUI may be effective for younger patients with mild fertility issues.
Egg Donation
A woman’s egg quality and quantity can be compromised by age or medical conditions. Egg donation offers women the chance to carry a pregnancy using viable donor eggs, which are fertilized and implanted through IVF. Egg recipients can use their partner’s sperm, so the embryo is genetically linked to the father.
Embryo Adoption
Some couples who have undergone successful IVF cycles donate their unused remaining frozen embryos to other infertile couples. After embryo adoption, fertility specialists implant the embryos via IVF into the adoptive mother’s uterus. This provides some couples with the chance to experience pregnancy together after struggles with fertility issues.
Fertility Preservation
For patients diagnosed with medical conditions that could progress to infertility, fertility preservation techniques may offer future conception options. Freezing eggs or embryos before undergoing chemotherapy can allow women to pursue IVF after their treatments are complete. Sperm banking provides men with the opportunity to father a child via artificial insemination or IVF. These options allow couples to have biological children one day, even after they’ve become infertile.
Pursue Infertility Treatments
Targeted treatments can address the causes of infertility and restore hope for carrying a pregnancy. Fertility clinics help match patients with procedures that are suited to their unique medical cases and reproductive goals. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about fertility services and your treatment options.
