Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive following 1 year of unprotected intercourse. Infertility can affect both men and women, and occurs in about 17% of couples desiring pregnancy. Infertility can be cause by a male factor, a female factor, or a combination of the two. There are many different types of infertility treatments (as shown below), and some types are more involved than others. But, with the continuing advancements in technology, successful treatment of infertility is on the rise. The best way to combat infertility is to contact a specialized infertility doctor/clinic and ask for a consultation. Some of the latest statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics show that 9.3 million people in the U.S. were getting infertility treatment in 1995 [1] and that number is estimated to be much higher today.
Some Infertility Treatment Options
- IVF – In Vitro Fertilization – involves retrieval of the egg, which is then combined with the sperm in the lab to form embryos. These embryos are then transferred back into the uterus.
- Ovulation Induction – generally involves the use of medication to mature follicles for ovulation.
- Intrauterine Insemination – generally used in combination with ovulation induction, this technique places concentrated sperm directly into the uterus.
- ICSI - Intracytoplasmic sperm injection - generally used in conjunction with IVF. A single sperm is injected into an egg in the lab.
Common Reasons for Infertility
- PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Low Sperm Count
- Ovulatory Disorders
- Endometriosis
- Tubal Damage