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Top 7 Infertility Treatments and Procedures

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

Are you struggling with infertility and need help getting pregnant? No worries, there are several fertility treatments that can help increase your chances of having a baby.

Contents

1. Artificial Insemination (AI) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
2. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
3. Natural Cycle IVF
4. Donor Eggs
5. Egg freezing
6. Surrogacy
7. Fertility drugs

Thanks to technology, there are numerous ways to tackle all kinds of infertility issues. The best options for you depend on your personal situation and the cause behind your infertility. Sometimes, only the woman may need treatment, and at other times, both partners will require a combination of treatments together.

Overview of the most common fertility treatments

Once you and your partner have an idea of what might be right for you, you can discuss it with your specialist.

1. Artificial Insemination (AI) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Artificial insemination is a relatively simple procedure with few side effects.

In artificial insemination, a doctor inserts sperm directly into a woman's cervix, fallopian tubes, or uterus. The commonest method is called "intrauterine insemination (IUI)," wherein a doctor places the sperm in the uterus.

This method is effective because it makes the trip shorter for the sperm and gets around any obstructions. Usually, a doctor will advise trying this first as a treatment for infertility.

2. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

This method consists of combining eggs and sperm outside the body in a laboratory. Once the embryo or embryos form, they are placed within the uterus.

IVF is usually not the first step in infertility treatment except in cases of total tubal blockage. It’s usually an option in cases where alternate approaches such as fertility drugs, surgery, and artificial insemination have been unsuccessful.

3. Natural Cycle IVF

Natural Cycle IVF is a method of IVF treatment, which is gentler on the body in comparison to the conventional IVF.

In Natural IVF, egg collection is done in close alignment with a woman's natural menstrual cycle. There are few or no fertility drugs or injections administered. The process aims to collect the one egg that has been naturally selected and matured by the body. The fertilised egg or embryo is then placed back into the lining of the womb.

Natural IVF is a good option as it is the closest that IVF treatment can get to natural fertilization. The primary focus is on the quality of eggs, as opposed to the quantity.

4. Donor Eggs

If a couple is unsuccessful in conceiving via alternative procedures like IVF, they can consider using donor eggs. Donor eggs allow an infertile woman to carry a baby to term and give birth.

The use of donor eggs is becoming more common in current times, especially with women over 40 years of age. This process has one of the highest success rates among all fertility procedures.

5. Egg freezing

Egg freezing is also known as mature oocyte cryopreservation. This is a method used to preserve a woman's ability to get pregnant in the future.

Eggs harvested from your ovaries are frozen unfertilized and stored in an appropriate environment for later use. A frozen egg can be thawed, combined with sperm in a laboratory, and implanted in your uterus through the process of in vitro fertilization.

Egg freezing is a viable option if you are unsure about getting pregnant now, but want to ensure you can get pregnant sometime in the future.

6. Surrogacy

A surrogate is defined as a woman who carries a baby for another woman or a same sex couple. In this process, the parents need to undergo IVF and the embryo is then implanted in the surrogate’s uterus. Thus, both parents have a genetic connection to the baby, but the surrogate doesn’t.

Surrogacy is a good alternative for couples that want a biological child but are unable to have a pregnancy. This could include same sex couples or women who cannot sustain a pregnancy, have medical problems with their uterus, or have a medical condition that can make pregnancy risky or impossible.

7. Fertility drugs

If you are facing significant infertility issues, your doctor may prescribe certain medications or fertility drugs to help you get pregnant. These work by triggering your body to release hormones that cause or regulate ovulation.

Even if you are already using another method to enhance your chances of conception, such as IVF, fertility drugs are still a significant part of your treatment.

Oral drugs can be used to stimulate the ovaries and rectify irregular ovulation. These medicines work by suppressing oestrogen production, and this in turn boosts the production of ovulation-stimulating hormones. If oral medications are not successful, your doctor may prescribe hormone injections that directly stimulate ovulation.

All these options may seem overwhelming. However, it is good to keep in mind that one of these options may be exactly what you need for a successful conception. So, do your research, consult your doctor, and take the right step for you and your partner!

Explore More Articles on Treatment

Top 7 Infertility Treatments and Procedures

Does Paternal Age affect the Success of IVF?

Understanding the 6 Types of Assisted Reproductive Treatment

Top Tips to Maximize Your Chances of Fertility

Things You Should Know Before Going for IVF

Fertility Preservation: What are its Types?

Can Birth Control Measures Make You Infertile?

How to Increase Your Access to Infertility Treatment?

Common Medical Problems and Infertility

Getting Pregnant By IUI: Everything You Need to Know about IUI

Common Myths about Fertility Treatments

How to Know Which is the Right Infertility Treatment for You?

When Should You See a Fertility Specialist?

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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