Fertility treatments are medical interventions designed to assist individuals and couples who experience difficulties in conceiving naturally. These treatments can address various causes of infertility, including issues with the reproductive system, hormonal imbalances, and unexplained infertility.
Fertility treatments can be suitable for individuals or couples having difficulty conceiving a child.
There are various reasons why someone might have trouble getting pregnant, including
Some people may have been diagnosed with conditions such as
Others may have unexplained infertility. Usually, couples or individuals trying to conceive for at least a year without success may be considered for fertility treatments. However, earlier care may be warranted if you are a female 35 years or older or have any other possible fertility concern.
Fertility treatments are not guaranteed to work. Success rates can vary depending on factors such as the underlying cause of infertility, the age of the individual or individuals, and the specific treatment being used.
Fertility treatments can offer several benefits to individuals and couples with difficulty conceiving. Some of the potential benefits include the following:
Several types of fertility treatments can be used to help couples conceive a child. The three main types are:
Depending on the test results, different treatments can be suggested. Eighty-five to 90 per cent of infertility cases are treated with medications and/or surgery.
Various fertility drugs may be used for women with ovulation problems. Talking with Alyousif about the drug to be used is essential. You should understand the drug’s benefits and side effects. Depending on the type of fertility drug and the drug dosage used, multiple births (such as twins) can occur in some women.
Surgery can be performed for conditions such as uterine polyps, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis if needed. Sometimes, a man has an infertility problem that can be corrected by surgery.
A complex collection of factors can cause infertility; thus, one treatment does not suit all.
Significant advances have been achieved in assisted reproductive technology, and while IVF may be the best treatment for many patients, other fertility treatments may be more appropriate for some patients.
For the particular population of women and men who will require cancer-related therapies that may threaten their long-term fertility, various treatments may decrease the chances of infertility post-treatment or offer them an opportunity to have genetic children of their own in the future if their fertility is permanently impaired.
We also provide counselling for fertility options for single women and same-sex couples.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) uses unique methods to help infertile couples. ART involves handling both the woman’s eggs and the man’s sperm. Success rates vary and depend on many factors. ART can be expensive and time-consuming. But ART has allowed many couples to have children that otherwise could not have been conceived.
This involves taking medication such as tablets or injections to induce ovulation. Then, you will be advised of the optimal time to have intercourse. This is an appropriate treatment for women who do not regularly ovulate. It is of minimal benefit to women who already naturally ovulate each month.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment involving placing sperm into the woman's uterus using a thin, flexible tube (catheter) during ovulation. The goal is to increase the chances of pregnancy by getting the sperm closer to the egg so that fertilisation is more likely to occur.
IUI can treat various infertility issues, such as mild male factor infertility (low sperm count or poor sperm motility), cervical mucus problems, sexual function problems and when donor sperm is required.IUI is a relatively simple and non-invasive procedure performed in the clinic. The process typically takes only a few minutes and is generally painless.
It involves stimulating the ovaries to release more than one egg for the treatment month with fertility medication. Then right before ovulation, the eggs are collected under general anaesthesia via a minor procedure called egg collection or oocyte pick-up (OPU), involving a fine needle through the vagina. The eggs are then fertilised with the sperm by either immersing them in the sperm or by selecting the sperm and injecting it into the egg (ICSI). The fertilised egg (embryo) is then cultured in the laboratory for 2-5 days and inserted back into the uterus to await implantation (attachment to the uterus).
This is a day procedure under general anaesthesia where pelvic pathology that may compromise fertility (such as endometriosis, polyps, or fibroids) is treated. An overnight hospital stay may be required following laparoscopy.
Fertility preservation involves methods to save or protect eggs, sperm, or reproductive tissue so that a person can use them to have biological children in the future. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who are undergoing medical treatments that can affect fertility, such as chemotherapy, or those who wish to delay childbearing for personal reasons.
Surgical sperm retrieval is used to collect sperm directly from the testicles or epididymis in men who have obstructive or non-obstructive azoospermia (absence of sperm in the ejaculate). This method is often used in conjunction with assisted reproductive technologies like IVF or ICSI.
The prognosis for fertility treatments can vary depending on various factors, including the underlying cause of infertility, the age of the individual or individuals, and the specific treatment being used.
In general, fertility treatments such as ovulation induction, artificial insemination, and intrauterine insemination (IUI) have lower success rates compared to more advanced treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Fertility treatments have a higher success rate for couples with a specific identifiable cause of infertility. For example, a blocked fallopian tube can be treated with IVF with a high success rate. However, the success rate is slightly lower for couples with unexplained infertility.
Success rates can also vary depending on the woman's age. The younger a woman is, the higher the chances of success with fertility treatments.
It's important to note that fertility treatments are not guaranteed to work, and many factors can influence the treatment outcome. Dr Alyousif will evaluate the couple and suggest the appropriate treatment accordingly. She will also provide an estimate of the success rate of the chosen treatment, taking into account the couple's circumstances.
Fertility treatments can have certain risks that should be considered before any procedure. Some of the potential risks associated with fertility treatments include
Delaying fertility treatments can impact the chances of success and the overall outcome of the treatment.
The chances of success with fertility treatments decrease as a woman ages. The quality and quantity of a woman's eggs decline as she ages, and the risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo increases. This is why fertility treatments are often more successful in younger women.
Therefore, if the treatment is delayed, the eggs will be older and less likely to be fertilised and develop into embryos.
Delaying fertility treatments can also prolong the emotional stress and disappointment of infertility for couples. The longer a couple waits for treatment, the longer they have to deal with the emotional and psychological stress of infertility.
It's important to note that infertility can have multiple causes, some of which may be reversible. Therefore, it is essential to consult a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) when the couple starts having difficulty conceiving.
Melbourne IVF
268 Manningham Rd, Templestowe Lower VIC 3107
New Patient - (03) 9006 5570
Existing Patient - 03 9473 4444
Practice Hours:
Mon - Fri 7:00 am to 4:30 pm
Sat - by prior arrangement
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