Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months or more of unprotected intercourse. About one in nine couples experience fertility difficulties. There are many reasons for this, some relating to the male partner and some to female partner. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) includes medical procedures used primarily to address infertility. ART refers to treatments used to assist people in achieving pregnancy. ART covers a wide spectrum of treatments. ART can alleviate the burden of infertility on individuals and families. Depending on the cause of infertility, the following types of treatment may be suggested.
Common methods of assisted reproductive technology (ART) include:
- In vitro fertilization (IVF), meaning fertilization outside of the body. IVF is the most effective and the most common form of assisted reproductive technology.
- Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) or tubal embryo transfer. This is similar to IVF. Fertilization occurs in the laboratory. Then the very young embryo is transferred to the fallopian tube instead of the uterus.
- Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) involves transferring eggs and sperm into the woman’s fallopian tube. Fertilization occurs in the woman’s body. Few practices offer GIFT as an option.
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is often used for couples with male factor infertility. Sometimes it is also used for older couples or for those with failed IVF attempts. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected into a mature egg as opposed to “conventional” fertilization where the egg and sperm are placed in a petri dish together and the sperm fertilizes an egg on its own.
- Ovulation Induction(OI) involves taking a hormone medication (tablet or injection), which stimulates the production of follicle-stimulating hormone. This encourages the development of one or more follicles. When the follicles are large enough, another hormone is administered which releases the egg from the follicle.
- Surrogacy is a form of ART in which a woman (the surrogate) carries a child for another person or couple with the intention of giving the child to that person or couple after birth. VARTA has a range of resources to assist you.
- Donor Conception : Assisted reproductive technology procedures sometimes involve the use of donor eggs (eggs from another woman), donor sperm, or previously frozen embryos. Donor eggs are sometimes used for women who cannot produce eggs. Also, donor eggs or donor sperm are sometimes used when the woman or man has a genetic disease that can be passed on to the baby. An infertile woman or couple may also use donor embryos. These are embryos that were either created by couples in infertility treatment or were created from donor sperm and donor eggs. The donated embryo is transferred to the uterus. The child will not be genetically related to either parent.
- Gestational Carrier: Women with ovaries but no uterus may be able to use a gestational carrier. This may also be an option for women who shouldn’t become pregnant because of a serious health problem. In this case, a woman uses her own egg. It is fertilized by her partner’s sperm and the embryo is placed inside the carrier’s uterus.
- Artificial insemination also known as intrauterine insemination (IUI), is used to treat women who have normal and healthy fallopian tubes, but for unknown reasons cannot conceive. The process of AI involves insertion of a male partner’s semen through the female’s cervix and into the uterus at or just before the time of ovulation. AI can be performed during a natural menstrual cycle or in combination with ovulation induction if the woman has irregular menstrual cycles.
Look for a clinic that is open to providing information and has a support infrastructure for you. The quality of fertility counseling should be an important fact to consider before deciding a clinic. Check if the Clinic staff and Doctor are patiently listening to you and providing the feedback to your queries. Considering various parameters like your age, past and present medical condition, duration of infertility, social and economic factors, your doctor will suggest you the best mode of treatment.
Aaradhya fertility Clinic actively supports transparency and provides accurate information regarding all fertility treatments. Contact us at 8886592229 to book an appointment.
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