Fertility challenges can be emotionally taxing and complex, impacting single folk and couples alike. In fact, around 17.5% of the adult population experience infertility in some way.
Fortunately, advancements in medical science mean that you’re in luck – there are a range of avenues available to help you achieve your dreams of conception. In this guide, we’ll dive into just some of the diverse array of treatment options for fertility, empowering those navigating this journey with knowledge and hope.
Ovarian Rejuvenation
You may have heard of ovarian rejuvenation – it’s a treatment that gained popularity across the pond in Europe, and has fast taken hold of the US. Designed to help restore ovarian fertility, and boost your egg reserve, this innovative procedure shows a high rate of 70-80% success in improved egg quality and quantity.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment designed to increase the chances of pregnancy. During IUI, specially prepared sperm is directly inserted into a woman’s uterus around the time of ovulation, facilitating the fertilization process. This method is often recommended for couples experiencing infertility due to issues such as low sperm count or motility, cervical factor infertility, or unexplained infertility.
By placing the sperm closer to the fallopian tubes where fertilization occurs, IUI improves the likelihood of sperm reaching and fertilizing the egg, potentially resulting in a successful pregnancy.
In vitro Fertilization (IVF):
IVF is one of the most well-known assisted reproductive technologies and is suitable for a wide range of fertility challenges. It involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, retrieving them, fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory dish, and transferring the resulting embryos into the uterus. It offers a promising option for those seeking to start or expand their families when other methods have not been successful.
Egg or Sperm Donation:
Third party egg or sperm donation is an option for those who are unable to produce their own viable eggs or sperm. With this option, some form of IVF or gestational carrier will be needed – but the specifics will depend on your fertility condition. Using a donor offers a solution for those with genetic disorders, diminished ovarian reserve, or absent sperm production.
Gestational Surrogacy:
Gestational surrogacy is a fertility arrangement where a woman, known as the gestational surrogate or gestational carrier, carries and delivers a baby for another person or couple. In this process, the gestational surrogate undergoes IVF using either the intended mother’s or a donor’s egg and the intended father’s or donor sperm. This option may be chosen in cases of uterine abnormalities, recurrent pregnancy loss, or medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe.
Navigating fertility challenges can be overwhelming, but it isn’t something that you need to do alone. Whether through assisted reproductive technologies, or third party donors, there are options to explore for your unique needs and circumstances.
