Infertility Treatments & Options to Consider

Waiting it out is not going to put an end to your or your partner’s infertility. Just like any other medical condition, there are multiple treatments available for those struggling to have a child because of infertility. According to a worldwide survey, more than 75% of the couples undergoing infertility treatments find the desired fertility solution & will conceive successfully with the use of advanced treatments such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). Over 3 million babies have been born worldwide through such infertility treatments.

Symptoms of Infertility

The most common symptom of infertility is the failure to conceive after a year of trying. At this point, one should consult a fertility physician to explore other infertility treatments.  For women over 35 years of age, if she is unable to conceive after six months of trying, solution through fertility treatment should be considered as well. The same goes for women who have irregular menstrual cycles. It’s important that both partners evaluate themselves as male infertility is just as common as female infertility.

Male infertility constitutes 40% of infertile couples. Male infertility factors include low sperm count, blocked sperm ducts or low motility of sperm.

Additionally, infertility in 40% of couples is traceable to a female partner. Factors may include little or no ovulation, blockages of the fallopian tubes, or  abnormalities in their reproductive organs.

The remaining cases are those where no specific reasons can be found.

Track Ovulation

Bad timing can be a major contributor towards the failure to conceive. Ovulation tests can indicate the exact time of ovulation and determine the best time to attempt to conceive thus saving from surgical infertility treatments. These tests are useful to measure the level of hormones that trigger ovulation and can become an easy fertility solution. Typically, these levels will increase 12 to 36 hours before ovulation occurs. If the test results are unclear or show negative consistently, then you should consult your doctor. About 33% of all female related infertility cases are related to irregular ovulation. 

Fertility Drugs

Many medications are available to help women ovulate regularly. Clomiphene citrate is the most common of these medications. These medications are usually effective and relatively inexpensive.  About half of the women who use such medications have a chance to conceive. This will typically happen within three cycles. Clomiphene citrate causes the release of more than one egg at a time, which increases the risk of multiple pregnancies. 

Injectable Hormones

If trying ovulation medications for more than 6 months does not result in a successful pregnancy, then hormone injections might be recommended to stimulate ovulation. Several different fertility protocols are available as solution. Compared to clomiphene citrate, injectable hormones have a higher chance of multiple pregnancies.

Surgery for Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Blockage of the fallopian tubes prevents pregnancy in many women. This may be due to overgrowth of the uterine lining tissue outside the uterus (endometriosis) or previous surgeries. Pelvic infections may result in damaging the fallopian tubes as well. Laparoscopic surgery can remove scar tissues in women, thus increasing their chances of conceiving.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine Insemination is a common infertility treatment. During this procedure, sperm is placed directly into the uterus near the egg. This reduces the distance the sperm must travel to reach the egg. Ovulation is tracked closely since timing is critical. In certain situations, doctors may use fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation. Pregnancy rates are lower compared to IVF, but this procedure is less expensive and less invasive, so it is often attempted first. 

You can also perform IUI with a donor’s sperm if the male partner has a low sperm count. Counseling is advisable before proceeding with this choice as the child will be biologically unrelated to the father. IUI with donor sperm can be highly successful as well.  

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Physicians may recommend IVF as a fertility solution for a variety of reasons. When using IVF, the egg fertilization occurs in a laboratory. The created embryos are placed inside the uterus. A surgical procedure retrieves the eggs from the female partner before creating the embryos. Hormone injections are used to stimulate ovulation and ensure the uterine is prepared to accept the embryos. Pregnancy rates per cycle do vary based on a variety of factors. In certain cases, more than one cycle is necessary to conceive.   

IVF with ICSI

When male infertility is a factor when trying to conceive, intracytoplasmic sperm injection along with IVF may be recommended. During this procedure, a single sperm cell is directly injected into the egg. This reduces the dependence on the strength and motility of the sperm. Fertility specialists will transfer the created embryos into the uterus in the same way as IVF embryos. Most IVF cycles are now combined with ICSI for better results.  

IVF with donor eggs

Women with poor egg quality, who are older, or who have not had success with previous IVF cycles, may choose to use IVF with donor eggs and her partner’s sperm. The child born with this treatment option will be related to the father and not the mother, even though the mother carries the pregnancy. The live birth rate when using donor eggs is similar when using fresh embryos.  

IVF with Blastocyst Transfer

Traditionally, in IVF, embryo transfer took place when they were at the stage of having 2 to 8 cells. In a blastocyst transfer, the embryo can grow or incubate for 5 days until they reach a later stage of development known as the blastocyst stage. After that on day 6, your fertility specialist will transfer the blastocyst into the uterus. This method further increases the success rate of IVF.

Donor embryos

In rare cases, A couple or individual who has completed their IVF process successfully and have embryos to spare for others in need, may donate embryos. Transferring donor embryos is less costly than standard IVF or IVF with donor eggs. Since the embryo creation did not occus using the mother’s eggs and/or the father’s sperm, the baby will not have biological relation to either parent. 

Surrogate Pregnancy

Surrogacy can be a good option for women who have trouble or cannot medically carry a pregnancy to term. Two types of surrogacy are available. The less popular option, traditional surrogacy is where the surrogate’s own eggs are used, and pregnancy is achieved through insemination from the intended father’s sperm.  Gestational surrogacy is the other option where an embryo creation takes place with the mother’s egg and father’s sperm in a laboratory. The embryo is then transferred into the surrogate. Gestational surrogacy allows the baby to be related to one or both parents. 

Choosing the Right Fertility Clinic

There are many records regarding success rates for IVF clinics around the nation. However, this should not be the only factor when choosing the right clinic. When doing your research, keep in mind their procedures and costs. Call the clinic and make sure you get answers to all your questions. The clinic you choose will be helping your build the family of your dreams, so you should be comfortable with your choice. 

Boost fertility with natural methods

A few lifestyle changes can increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy before sorting to infertility treatments. Both partners, if they’re smokers, should quit smoking right away. Smoking can reduce fertility and pregnancy rates. A study showed a dramatic increase in sperm count in men who stopped smoking. Changes in eating habits will also help you become more fertile, as well as taking dietary supplements if recommended by your doctor.

If you would like to learn more about your  fertility treatment options, you can visit our reproductive fertility center irvine or call us at 949-726-0600.