Couples find it hard to get pregnant because of factors that affect either or both parties. Still, it’s vital to know when you need to go for infertility treatments. According to the ACOG, you may have infertility problems when you do not get pregnant after a year of regular sex without any protection. If you fit into this category, you and your partner might need to go for infertility treatments. While they do not always solve the problem, the good news is that they work for up to 95% of couples.

Overview of fertility treatments

Your doctor will start your infertility evaluation by taking a detailed history. He or she will ask you vital questions. For example, they would need to know how often you have sex, menstrual pattern, history of infections, present medical conditions, and many more. Afterward, your doctor will examine you before starting the tests to find out the cause of your problems. 

Fertility tests

The test involves a semen test to find out the volume, pH, sperm count, shape, and movement for men. The tests for women are tubal patency and ovulation tests. Other tests include hormonal assay, ultrasound, and other baseline tests.

Treatment options

You should try talking with your doctor or going to a fertility clinic if you are worried about conception. It is great to carry out the tests and start infertility treatments as early as possible if you are a woman over 35 years of age. The best treatment for you depends on the cause of your fertility problem. So, we will look at the most common options for couples:

• Ovulation induction agents: A woman’s egg needs to be released from the ovaries into her tubes for pregnancy to occur. So, agents that induce ovulation aim to prime the ovaries to release more eggs and treat any other problem.

Clomiphene citrate is a great option. Taking it orally for five days (between day 2 to 6 of your menstrual cycle) improves your ovarian response. Your doctor might also give you drugs that improve your gonad function along with the drug. Other medical treatment options include aromatase blockers such as letrozole.

• IVF: This is one of the most effective types of infertility treatments worldwide. It is commonly used by couples with fertility problems, same-sex couples, and single parents alike. The health expert fertilizes the egg and sperm in a lab and transfers the embryo to the mother’s uterus, where it implants. The process addresses many challenges with fertility and increases the chances of conception significantly.

You should think of IVF if you have low sperm count, damaged tubes, PCOS, and ligated tubes. Other reasons to choose IVF include recurrent abortions, advanced age in mothers, ovarian problems. The process is almost painless.

• Artificial or intrauterine insemination (IUI): This process occurs when you need a sperm donor or if you have fertility issues. Since sperm and egg must meet for an embryo to form, IUI makes the process easy and through the most effective means.

Your cervix or tubes could be limiting the number of sperm that make it to the egg. Thus, it might be best to inject prepared and highly motile sperm directly into the uterus during ovulation. This reduces the distance that the sperm need to travel and improves the outcome of the process. Some of the best people for IUI are those with sperm count or motility issues, cervix problems, unexplained fertility issues. Same-sex female couples also need a sperm donor if they desire a pregnancy.

• Egg or sperm donation: This occurs when you use someone else’s egg or sperm to achieve a pregnancy for yourself. Thus, this is for couples that cannot provide both the eggs and sperm on their own, as seen in gay couples who want kids. The treatment allows one of the proposed parents to be related to the child by genetics.

Also, it allows the intended female parent to carry a pregnancy if she needs a male donor. Donation materials usually come from known or unknown donors from programs or agencies. A key topic in egg or sperm donation is the medical and legal preparation involved.

• Surrogacy: A surrogate is a woman who agrees to bear a child for a person or couple. Surrogacy is needed if you have an issue that makes pregnancy or birth fatal for you. Other instances requiring surrogacy include those born with an abnormal or even absent uterus, recurrent abortions, failed IVF treatment, chronic health problems, and cancer. It is also an option for same-sex couples.

The process involves a cycle of IVF from intended donors and placing them into the surrogate’s uterus. The entire procedure might take months or years to complete based on the success rate. The process depends on body response to IVF, quality of embryos, and the selection of donors. Surrogates must have a healthy lifestyle and a history of successful pregnancies.

Other infertility treatment options

Sometimes, you might not be able to get pregnant because of less common causes. Therefore, it means that the treatment needed would also be different. For example, women with submucous fibroids and endometriosis require surgery to be able to achieve a pregnancy.

Likewise, men with obstructive defects in their tracts may need surgery to increase the chances of conception. GnRH and dopamine agonists are other medical treatment options in rarer cases.

Bottom line

After carrying out tests, it may show that one or both of you have problems that the fertility clinic can treat. Afterward, your doctor will discuss the best plan for you. Though it is only normal to be worried or sad if conception is hard for you, you should not let those negative feelings stop you from becoming a parent.

You should try carrying out all the necessary tests and do not miss any fertility clinic visits as you look for the best treatment options for you and your partner. You might also find a number of things helpful, like talking with a counselor, joining a support group, and living a healthy lifestyle.

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