If you and your partner are experiencing problems with trying to conceive a child and you have had a fertility evaluation, you can then consider your treatment options. Fertility treatments vary, depending on your requirements, but they typically involve medication to stimulate the production of egg and/or sperm cells, or procedures that handle the eggs, sperm or embryos.
Every patient is different and the treatment for your infertility might just be some changes to your lifestyle or weight. With that said, your treatment will depend on the cause of your infertility. Before you can determine which treatment option is most effective, you’ll need to understand what each one actually is.
Fertility Drugs
In many cases of infertility, women are not ovulating regularly or at all, despite the fact that they haven’t yet reached menopause. There are several drugs which can stimulate ovulation. Fertility drugs are often the first line of treatment, but are also used alongside other treatments such as IUI and IVF. The most common drugs used to treat infertility are ones such as clomiphene citrate which act on the pituitary gland in the brain, which sends out FSH and LH to the ovaries; and gonadotropins, which act directly on the ovaries.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
IUI is often referred to as artificial insemination and is used when there are issues with the woman’s cervical mucus and in cases of male infertility. It is also a popular option when the cause of infertility is not clear. Essentially, it is the process of inserting specially washed sperm into the uterus in the hope that it will fertilise the egg. Many same-sex female couples use this treatment to become pregnant with a sperm donor.
In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
In very simple terms, IVF is when an egg is fertilised by a sperm outside of the body. It requires closely controlled laboratory conditions and very skilled embryologists. IVF is an ongoing treatment spread over several weeks, involving hormone therapy, ovulation induction, egg and sperm collection, and embryo implantation. This treatment can be emotionally, physically and financially taxing for any couple and must be considered very carefully.
How effective each treatment is, is dependent on the individual patients. Success rates vary and if the underlying cause of infertility is ignored, then the chances of a pregnancy will be far less likely. What’s more, there are risks and side effects associated with all treatments. With that said, your treatment options should be discussed in great detail with a medical professional. You are welcome to arrange a consultation with us by filling out our contact form.
