What are Your Fertility treatment options?
Learn About Your Fertility Treatment Options 1 Fertility Drugs. ... 2 Artificial Insemination (also known as Intrauterine insemination or IUI) How it works: Specially prepared ("washed") sperm is inserted directly into the uterus through a thin, flexible catheter during IUI, the ... 3 Donor Sperm. ... More items...
Do both partners need fertility treatments?
Sometimes only one person needs treatment, other times both partners will use a combination of treatments together. Fertility treatments often include medications that help with hormones and ovulation, sometimes combined with minor surgical procedures.
What is infertility treatment and how does it work?
Infertility treatment takes time, and it can have high costs. It takes a big commitment from both partners. Some treatments are expensive and may not be covered by insurance. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): Treatments or procedures that are done to start a pregnancy. This may include handling eggs and sperm or embryos.
What is in-vitro fertilization?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) where sperm and an egg are fertilized outside of the human body. IVF is a complex process that involves retrieving eggs from ovaries and manually combining them with sperm in a lab for fertilization.
What's the difference between IUI and IVF?
Through intrauterine insemination (IUI), sperm is placed directly into the uterus using a speculum. Through In-vitro fertilization (IVF), eggs are surgically removed using a needle that goes through the back of the vagina, and those eggs are fertilized outside of the body.
Is the name for any infertility treatment in which the egg is fertilized outside of the womb?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the joining of a woman's egg and a man's sperm in a laboratory dish. In vitro means outside the body. Fertilization means the sperm has attached to and entered the egg.
What are the different types of fertility treatments?
The 7 Top Fertility Treatments Used by Couples Who Need Help...Artificial insemination (AI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI)In vitro fertilization (IVF)Natural cycle IVF.Donor eggs.Surrogacy.Egg freezing.Fertility drugs.
Which Fertility treatment is where an egg and sperm are combined in a small dish and then placed in the woman's uterus?
IVF is a method of assisted reproduction in which a man's sperm and a woman's eggs are combined outside of the body in a laboratory dish. One or more fertilized eggs (embryos) may be transferred into the woman's uterus, where they may implant in the uterine lining and develop.
Is ICSI better than IVF?
Results: In IVF group, fertilization and implantation rates were significantly higher than ICSI group (66.22% and 16.67% in IVF group versus 57.46% and 11.17% in ICSI group, respectively). Chemical and clinical pregnancy rates were statistically higher in IVF group as compared with the ICSI group (42.9% vs.
What is difference between IVF and ICSI?
IVF and ICSI are forms of assisted reproductive treatment (ART) in which eggs are fertilised with sperm outside the body. IVF is used for female infertility and unexplained infertility, and ICSI is used when there is a male cause of infertility.
What is ICSI fertility?
ICSI is an effective treatment for men with infertility. It's performed as part of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). It involves the sperm being injected directly into the egg. Some men may need their sperm to be surgically extracted first.
What is IUI fertility treatment?
Overview. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) — a type of artificial insemination — is a procedure for treating infertility. Sperm that have been washed and concentrated are placed directly in your uterus around the time your ovary releases one or more eggs to be fertilized.
Which fertility treatment is most effective?
This involves retrieving mature eggs, fertilizing them with sperm in a dish in a lab, then transferring the embryos into the uterus after fertilization. IVF is the most effective assisted reproductive technology.
When is Zift used?
GIFT and ZIFT can be used to treat many types of infertility, except in cases where there is damage to or abnormalities of the fallopian tubes. These techniques can also be used in cases of mild male infertility, as long as the sperm is capable of fertilizing an egg.
How is in vitro fertilization done?
During in vitro fertilization, eggs are removed from mature follicles within an ovary (A). An egg is fertilized by injecting a single sperm into the egg or mixing the egg with sperm in a petri dish (B). The fertilized egg (embryo) is transferred into the uterus (C).
What are the different types of IVF?
The three main approaches to IVF that involve no or fewer drugs are natural cycle IVF, mild stimulation IVF and in vitro maturation (IVM).
How does a donor's uterus help the embryo?
Your uterus must be able to support an embryo by the time the donor's eggs are retrieved and fertilized. The donor takes a gonadotropin – an ovulation-inducing drug – to help her develop multiple mature eggs, while you take estrogen and progesterone to prepare your uterus for pregnancy. Gathering the eggs.
How long does it take for a donor egg to become an embryo?
The rest of the procedure is just like IVF. Your partner's sperm or a donor's sperm is combined with the donor's eggs in a laboratory. Three to five days later, each fertilized egg becomes an embryo. The chance of donor eggs resulting in a pregnancy with twins or multiples is about 40 percent, so the doctor is likely to transfer only one or two embryos to the uterus. If the treatment works, an embryo implants in the uterus and grows into a baby. (Any extra embryos can be frozen for future use.)
What percentage of frozen embryos result in birth?
Donor embryos: Recent data shows that about 37 percent of frozen donor embryo transfers result in a birth.
How much chance of pregnancy is there with a donor egg?
Using fresh donor eggs, you have about a 50 percent chance of giving birth to a child.
How many babies are born from donor eggs?
More than 70 percent of women older than 45 who try assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) use donor eggs to try to conceive a child. Over 8,000 babies are born in the United States each year to women of all ages as a result of egg donation and ART. And with advances in egg-freezing technology, using donor eggs for fertility treatment is likely to become even easier.
What happens if you take too many gonadotropins?
Women who take gonadotropins sometimes develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which occurs when the body responds too well to fertility drugs and produces too many eggs. The ovaries become swollen and fluid accumulates in the abdomen. Ten to 20 percent of women who take gonadotropins develop a mild form of OHSS and experience some weight gain and a full, bloated feeling. Normally this resolves on its own with careful monitoring by a doctor. Women with more severe OHSS may need to be hospitalized for nausea, vomiting, dehydration, rapid weight gain, blood clots, kidney problems, a twisted ovary, or fluid in the chest. In very rare cases, the condition can be life threatening.
What happens when a donor matches with a clinic?
Once an agency or clinic finds a donor match, you and the donor get professional counseling on the medical, ethical, and emotional impact of the donation. Make it legal. You and the donor may have lawyers draw up a contract that defines parental rights, financial obligations, and future contact.
What doctor can help with infertility?
Depending on your age and personal health history, your doctor may recommend a medical evaluation. A gynecologist, urologist or family doctor can help determine whether there's a problem that requires a specialist or clinic that treats infertility problems.
What is the test for sperm?
A lab analyzes your semen specimen. In some cases, urine may be tested for the presence of sperm. Hormone testing. You may have a blood test to determine your level of testosterone and other male hormones. Genetic testing. Genetic testing may be done to determine whether there's a genetic defect causing infertility.
What is the reproductive tract?
The reproductive tract must allow an egg to pass into the fallopian tubes and join with sperm for fertilization. The fertilized egg must travel to the uterus and implant in the lining. Tests for female infertility try to find out if any of these processes are impaired.
How to reduce anxiety during infertility?
Determine alternatives — donor sperm or egg, gestational carrier or adoption, or even having no children — as early as possible in the infertility evaluation. This may reduce anxiety during treatments and feelings of hopelessness if conception doesn't occur.
What to bring to a fertility clinic?
Include any other medical conditions you or your partner has, as well as information about any previous infertility evaluations or treatments.
What to do before infertility testing?
Before infertility testing, your doctor or clinic works to understand your sexual habits and may make recommendations to improve your chances of getting pregnant. In some infertile couples, no specific cause is found (unexplained infertility). Infertility evaluation can be expensive, and sometimes involves uncomfortable procedures.
What are the complications of infertility?
The most common complication of infertility treatment is a multiple pregnancy — twins, triplets or more. Generally, the greater the number of fetuses, the higher the risk of premature labor and delivery, as well as problems during pregnancy such as gestational diabetes.
What is the procedure called when a man's sperm is placed in a woman's uter?
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): A procedure in which a man’s sperm is placed in a woman’s uterus. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A procedure in which an egg is removed from a woman’s ovary, fertilized in a laboratory with the man’s sperm, and then transferred to the woman’s uterus to achieve a pregnancy.
What is ovulation stimulation?
Ovulation stimulation is the use of drugs to help your ovaries release an egg. This treatment is used when ovulation is not regular or does not happen at all and other causes have been ruled out. Ovulation stimulation may be used with other infertility treatments.
What is assisted reproductive technology?
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) includes all fertility treatments in which both eggs and sperm are handled. ART usually involves in vitro fertilization (IVF). In IVF, sperm is combined with the egg in a laboratory, and the embryo is transferred to the uterus. IVF is done for the following causes of infertility:
How to check if you are ovulating while taking a pill?
While taking these drugs, you will be monitored to see if and when ovulation occurs. This can be done by tracking your menstrual cycle or with an ovulation-predictor kit (an at-home urine test). You may be asked to visit your doctor for a blood test or ultrasound exam.
How much chance of getting pregnant in 20s?
For healthy couples in their 20s or early 30s, the chance that a woman will get pregnant is about 25 to 30 percent in any single menstrual cycle. This percentage starts to decline in a woman’s early 30s. By age 40, a woman’s chance of getting pregnant drops to less than 10 percent per menstrual cycle. A man’s fertility also declines ...
What is the stage of development that starts at fertilization (joining of an egg and sperm) and?
This may include handling eggs and sperm or embryos. Birth Control: Devices or medications used to prevent pregnancy. Embryo: The stage of development that starts at fertilization (joining of an egg and sperm) and lasts up to 8 weeks.
What is the term for the inability to get pregnant after 1 year of having regular sexual intercourse without the use of?
Hormones: Substances made in the body that control the function of cells or organs. Infertility : The inability to get pregnant after 1 year of having regular sexual intercourse without the use of birth control. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): A procedure in which a man’s sperm is placed in a woman’s uterus.
How does in vitro fertilization work?
As the time approaches for the in vitro fertilization attempt, the sperm goes through sperm washing. Sperm washing is a procedure in which dead sperm and sperm with inhibited motility are literally washed out of the sperm sample. The sperm left behind are stronger, faster and more likely to fertilize the egg. Sperm washing can also eliminate other substances that could affect fertility such as white blood cells, mucous and seminal fluid surrounding the sperm.
How long does it take for a woman to prepare for in vitro fertilization?
Once the decision has been made to pursue in vitro fertilization, the preparation process is implemented for the female. Approximately two weeks before the in vitro fertilization procedure is scheduled to take place, hormones are administered, either at home or by a professional, to prepare the eggs. Fertility drugs are given to stimulate egg productions.
What is the term for transferring pre-embryos into the fallopian tubes?
Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), another variation of IVF, involves transferring pre-embryos into the fallopian tubes just 24 hours after in vitro fertilization. At this stage, the fertilized eggs are called zygotes. Similarly, tubal embryo transfer (TET) also involves the laparoscopic transfer of embryos 1 to 3 days after retrieval.
What is ICSI in sperm?
It is also possible to aspirate sperm directly from the epididymus or testicles, thereby making ICSI an option for men who have had vasectomies or men with congenital absence of the vas deferens.
What is cryopreservation for blastocyst transfer?
Success rates for blastocyst transfer are encouraging. Cryopreservation allows surplus embryos to be stored for later use. In addition, if the uterine lining is not suitable for implantation in a stimulated cycle, cryopreservation allows transfer during a different menstrual cycle.
How long do embryos stay in blastocyst medium?
The embryos are then transferred to blastocyst medium for 2 additional days before being transferred to the woman's uterus.
What is a gamete transfer?
Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) is similar to IVF, but with fertilization taking place inside the woman's own body. Following ultrasonically guided retrieval, the eggs are mixed with sperm and transferred immediately into the fallopian tube via laparoscopy. For patients with at least one normal fallopian tube, GIFT may be an option.
What is BT in embryology?
This technique may increase the chance of implantation, especially in reproductively older women. Blastocyst transfer (BT) is a technique introduced here at Stanford in 1998 by our embryologists and physicians.
Why are extra days important for embryos?
During those crucial days, the embryos undergo key developmental changes that help to determine which are most likely to survive. The extra days also allow for further enrichment of the uterine lining, increasing the chances for successful implantation. Physicians transfer fewer embryos, called blastocysts at this stage, thereby reducing the chance for multiple births. Success rates for blastocyst transfer are encouraging.
Diagnosis
- Before infertility testing, your doctor or clinic works to understand your sexual habits and may make recommendations to improve your chances of getting pregnant. In some infertile couples, no specific cause is found (unexplained infertility). Infertility evaluation can be expensive, and sometimes involves uncomfortable procedures. Some medical plans may not cover the cost of f…
Treatment
- Infertility treatment depends on: 1. What's causing the infertility 2. How long you've been infertile 3. Your age and your partner's age 4. Personal preferences Some causes of infertility can't be corrected. In cases where spontaneous pregnancy doesn't happen, couples can often still achieve a pregnancy through use of assisted reproductive technology. Infertility treatment may involve si…
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Coping and Support
- Coping with infertility can be extremely difficult because there are so many unknowns. The journey can take an emotional toll on a couple. Taking these steps can help you cope: 1. Be prepared.The uncertainty of infertility testing and treatments can be difficult and stressful. Ask your doctor to explain the steps, and prepare for each one. 2. Set l...
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Depending on your age and personal health history, your doctor may recommend a medical evaluation. A gynecologist, urologist or family doctor can help determine whether there's a problem that requires a specialist or clinic that treats infertility problems. In some cases, both you and your partner may require a comprehensive infertility evaluation.