Infertility Treatments That Work
Worldwide, more than 3 million babies
have now been born through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Other
therapies are successful, too -- at least half of couples who seek
treatment for infertility will get pregnant.
Symptoms of Infertility
Most couples should consult a doctor
after a year of trying to conceive unsuccessfully. This is the main
sign of infertility. If the woman is over age 35 and hasn't conceived
after trying for six months or has an irregular menstrual cycle, it's
best to see a doctor as soon as possible. Remember that the man
should be evaluated, too.
Male infertility is just as common as
female infertility.
Male Infertility
In about 40% of infertile couples, the
cause is traced to the man. Common problems include:
Low sperm count
Poor sperm motility
Malformed sperm
Blocked sperm ducts
Female Infertility
In another 40% of cases, the woman is
diagnosed with a problem, such as:
Irregular ovulation (release of eggs)
Blocked fallopian tubes
Abnormalities in the cervix or uterus
In about 20% of infertile couples, no
cause can be found.
Tracking Ovulation
In some cases, poor timing is the main
obstacle. To find out when you're ovulating (and determine the best
time for sex), you can use over-the-counter ovulation tests. These
detect a hormonal surge that occurs 12 to 36 hours before the ovary
releases an egg. If the tests never yield a positive result, consult
your doctor. Irregular ovulation accounts for about a third of all
cases of infertility.
Fertility Drugs
If your doctor determines you're not
ovulating normally, fertility drugs can help. The most common choice
is clomiphene citrate, better known by the brand names Clomid and
Serophene. This drug is relatively inexpensive and effective. About
half of women who take clomiphene will get pregnant, usually within
three cycles. By causing the release of more than one egg at a time,
Clomid increases the chances of multiple births.
Injectable Hormones
If you don't get pregnant after taking
clomiphene for six months, your doctor may recommend injections of
fertility hormones. A wide range of hormonal drugs are available, and
they are highly effective in stimulating ovulation. Of those who
ovulate, about half become pregnant. Like clomiphene, injectable
hormones increase the chances of becoming pregnant with multiples.
Surgery for Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Some women have trouble getting
pregnant because scar tissue prevents eggs from traveling down the
fallopian tubes. This scarring can be caused by endometriosis, the
overgrowth of tissue that lines the uterus, a history of pelvic
infections, or previous surgeries. Laparoscopic surgery can remove
scar tissue in the reproductive tract and boost the odds of getting
pregnant for some women.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a
popular option for a wide range of fertility problems. In this
procedure, the sperm is placed directly into the woman's uterus while
she is ovulating. This reduces the distance the sperm must swim to
reach the egg. IUI is often used in combination with drugs that
stimulate ovulation. It is less expensive and less invasive than IVF,
but pregnancy rates are notably lower.
IUI With Donor Sperm
If the man has few healthy sperm, IUI
can be done using sperm from a donor. Most doctors recommend couples
see a counselor before choosing this option, because they must be
comfortable raising a child who is not biologically related to the
father. IUI with donor sperm has a very high success rate in fertile
women. It may take several tries, but cumulative pregnancy rates are
over 80%.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF offers hope when other infertility
treatments are unsuccessful. It eliminates any barriers between egg
and sperm by combining them in a lab. The growing embryos are then
placed inside the uterus. Undergoing IVF can be unpleasant and
expensive, with an average cycle costing $12,400. But success rates
are growing every year. In 2012, IVF resulted in 61,740 births in the
U.S., the most ever reported.
IVF With ICSI
When a man's sperm count is extremely
low or the sperm don't move well, they may not be able to fertilize
an egg without help. A procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm
injection (ICSI) can overcome this problem by inserting a single
sperm directly into an egg. The resulting embryos are then
transferred to the uterus through the normal IVF procedure. The
majority of IVF cycles now use ICSI.
IVF With Donor Eggs
Women who are over 40, have poor egg
quality, or have not had success with previous IVF cycles may
consider IVF with donor eggs. This involves combining the husband's
sperm with another woman's eggs. If the procedure is successful, the
wife becomes pregnant with a baby who is biologically related to her
husband but not herself. In 2009, IVF using fresh embryos from donor
eggs resulted in live births 55% of the time.
IVF and Multiples
To boost the odds of success with IVF,
it's common to transfer two or more embryos at a time. But this means
the woman may become pregnant with twins, triplets, or even
quadruplets. Carrying multiples raises the risk of miscarriage,
anemia, high blood pressure, and other complications during
pregnancy. It also makes premature birth more likely. Couples
undergoing IVF should discuss these issues with their fertility
specialist.
IVF with Blastocyst Transfer
A recent breakthrough in IVF technology
is known as blastocyst transfer. In standard IVF, embryos are
transferred to the womb when they reach the two- to eight-cell stage.
In the newer procedure, the embryos are allowed to grow for five days
until they reach the blastocyst stage. The healthiest one or two
blastocysts are chosen for transfer. This eliminates the possibility
of triplets while maintaining a high success rate.
Using Donor Embryos
Couples who have not had success with
IVF or are looking for a less expensive option may want to consider
using donor embryos. These are embryos donated by other couples who
have finished the IVF process. Transferring donor embryos costs less
than standard IVF or IVF with donor eggs. If successful, the
procedure allows a couple to experience pregnancy and childbirth.
However, the baby will not be biologically related to either parent.
Surrogate Pregnancy
For women who have trouble carrying a
pregnancy to term, surrogacy is an option. In traditional surrogacy,
the surrogate was inseminated with the husband's sperm. But today,
most couples choose gestational surrogacy. IVF is used to create
embryos with the wife's eggs and husband's sperm. The embryos are
transferred to the surrogate. If the procedure succeeds, the baby
will be the biological child of both husband and wife.
Choosing a Fertility Clinic
When choosing a fertility clinic, ask
plenty of questions about the available procedures and costs. Make
sure the clinic offers the latest technologies and keeps patients
involved in treatment decisions. The CDC maintains a database
comparing IVF success rates for clinics around the nation. But don't
base your choice solely on these rates. Infertility treatment is a
long-term process, and you want to feel comfortable with your
clinic.
Natural Ways to Boost Fertility
No matter where you are in your quest
to start a family, you can boost fertility with a few lifestyle
changes. If you smoke, quit. Smoking reduces fertility and has a
documented impact on pregnancy rates. In one study, men who stopped
smoking saw their sperm counts climb 800%. Next, eat nutritious foods
and ask your doctor about supplements. Research suggests certain
vitamins and minerals can improve fertility in men and women.
Acupuncture for Infertility?
Acupuncture has shown promise in
treating many conditions, ranging from asthma to headaches. Now some
couples are trying the popular form of Chinese medicine to address
infertility. Research suggests acupuncture may improve sperm quality,
improve blood flow to the uterus, normalize ovulation, and boost IVF
success rates.
Moving On
If infertility treatments become a
burden -- physically, emotionally, or financially -- it may be time
to consider other alternatives. An infertility counselor can help you
and your partner explore the options. Many couples are able to find
satisfaction living without children. Others choose to build their
family through adoption. Costs range from nearly nothing for foster
care adoption to as much as $40,000 for a private adoption.
Contact Address:
PARAKH HOSPITAL
Khokhani Lane, Opp. Ghatkopar Rly. Stn.,
Ghatkopar (E), Mumbai - 400 077
Phone: 022 - 67827000 / 7004 / 7005
Fax: 022 - 6782 7007
Emergency: 9821125519/9821237708
Email:
info@fertilityfirst.in
