Which infertility treatment is for you?

In today’s scenario, almost every next couple is having infertility issues. Infertility meaning stands clear to couples who are unable to conceive a pregnancy in spite of regular unprotected intercourse. These days numerous infertility clinics are there helping people to conceive by providing infertility treatment for both male and female.

If you have been trying to conceive for a year without unprotected intercourse but unable to conceive, then it is advised to consult a doctor to know the issue. To know whether you are infertile your doctor will ask regarding your health history, sex habits, medications, and how frequently you have intercourse.

Symptoms of Infertility

Usually, the main infertility symptom is when couples are unable to conceive even after trying unprotected intercourse for a year. Few more symptoms are like:

• Irregular periods: Most of the women cycle is of 28 days but women whose cycle vary so much that it is difficult to estimate when their period may arrive next and experiencing irregular periods. This issue could be due to hormonal issues or polycystic ovarian syndrome. These issues contribute to infertility.
• Heavy or painful periods: Usually women experience cramps during periods but when pain is unbearable and interferes with your daily life then it can be a symptom of endometriosis.
• No periods: It is often seen that women miss their periods sometimes. Due to stress or heavy workout, you may miss your period. But if you have missed your periods for months then it’s time to get your fertility check. 
• Pain during sex: Several women face pain during sex and they feel it is normal but it is not. This could be due to hormone issues or endometriosis or some other underlying problem and this can also contribute to infertility.  

Types of infertility

There are two common types of infertility:

Primary infertility: Couples who have not conceived even after having unprotected for a year are known to have primary infertility.

Secondary infertility: Couples who have conceived at least one but not able to conceive now.

Infertility treatment for male and female

If couples have been trying for a year to conceive through the natural process but not able to, then they may need to seek doctors’ help. The recommended type of treatment depends on a variety of factors, such as:

• The cause of infertility
• Since how long the couple have been trying to conceive
• The age of couples
• The couples overall health
• The personal preference of the couple regarding the treatment options

Infertility treatment for male

Depending on the cause of male infertility there are various treatments available. The treatment options available for men are surgery, medication, and assisted reproductive technology (ART). 

Through surgery, obstruction can be fixed that restricts sperm from being present in ejaculation. It can also be a solution to conditions like varicocele. 

Hormonal imbalances can be treated with medications. They are also used to treat other conditions affecting male fertility like ED or other infections affecting sperm count.

ART is a treatment wherein eggs and sperms are handled in the lab. It includes treatments like IVF (In vitro fertilization),  intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IUI), ICSI, etc. For ART treatment sperms are retrieved from ejaculation, donor, or extraction from the testicles. 

Infertility treatment for female

The treatment for female infertility involves medication, surgery, and reproductive assistance like ART. There are times wherein several types of treatments are required to treat female infertility. 

Sometimes surgery is used to treat female infertility, although it has become rarer due to advancement in science. Surgery can enhance fertility by: 

• Making an abnormally shaped uterus correct
• Unblocking of the fallopian tube
• Removing fibroids

Reproductive assistance usually involves methods like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and ART. There are several ARTs that treats female infertility:

IUI (intrauterine insemination): In this procedure, sperm is collected and placed inside a woman’s uterus at the time of ovulation.

IVF (in vitro fertilization): In a lab sperm and eggs are collected and fertilized and these eggs grow for 3-5 days. Later the embryo is placed in the uterus.

GIFT (Gamete intrafallopian transfer) and ZIFT (Zygote intrafallopian transfer): In this procedure. Eggs and sperm are collected and placed in a fallopian. In the case of GIFT, both egg and sperm are placed in the fallopian tube. Wherein in ZIFT, sperm, and egg are fertilized in the lab and later placed in a fallopian tube at 24 hours. 

How does fertility treatment works

Infertility treatments are when nature fails to do the job science steps in. All infertility treatment includes male sperm and female egg. The procedure is performed in the lab or in the womb and it includes various levels of complexities techniques and cares. Depending on the cause of infertility the treatment is decided by your doctor. Then infertility treatment steps are followed to make the couple pregnant. 

Infertility options other than IVF

Infertility treatments depend on the cause of infertility. Your doctor will ask you to undergo different tests to know why you are not able to conceive and decide what treatment is good for you. Other than IVF there are several other infertility treatment options available such as 

Fertility Drugs: Taken in the form of pills or injected, it helps in releasing hormones that induce ovulation thus by boosting egg production and making the uterus more receptive. It is best for women having ovulation issues.  

Artificial Insemination: It is also known as Intrauterine insemination (IUI). In this procedure, sperm is washed and directly inserted into the uterus. While you choose this method your doctor may ask you to take even fertility drugs to enhance the chances of fertilization. 

Donor Sperm: In this procedure, sperm are retrieved from a man other than the intended father for IUI or IVF  

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): Semen is retrieved from a male and then the embryologist selects a healthy single sperm that is directly injected into the egg with a microscopic needle. Later when the embryo is developed it is transferred into the uterus through IVF.   

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT): Eggs are collected from the woman and mixed with the sperms of a man in a petri dish, later placed directly inside the fallopian tubes.

Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT): It is similar to IVF but in this process, the embryo is inserted in the fallopian tube and not in the uterus.

So now couples who are not able to conceive naturally can opt for any recommended fertility treatment options and embrace their bundle of joy in their arms. 

FAQs

Which treatment is best for infertility?

With the advance in reproductive medicine, IVF treatment has become highly successful for infertility. IVF treatment is more invasive compared to other treatments thus it can be costly for people who don’t have fertility insurance coverage.

What is the first treatment for infertility?

Clomid is a well-known fertility drug that is firstly used to treat infertility. Mostly it is used to treat female infertility, but it is also used to treat male infertility. 

What are the different types of fertility treatments?

There are 3 types of fertility treatments, Medicines, Surgical procedures, Assisted conception including intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

What are the three most common infertility techniques?

Here are the most common infertility techniques used these days, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), Assisted hatching, Donor eggs or sperm, and Gestational carrier.

Reference

https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/ss/slideshow-which-treatment-is-for-you

https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide

https://www.parents.com