TREATMENT METHODS WHEN DEALING WITH INFERTILITY
Having problems with conception when deciding to start a family, can be quite difficult for a couple. Understanding what exactly is wrong, what treatment to consider, and how to go about choosing the right options all are important. Try to be open to fertility evaluations and necessary investigations at a Denver fertility clinic that may shed light on the matter,a nd help your decision making process easier. It is important to know that those seeking fertility evaluation with a fertility specialist are more likely to conceive than those that decide to try on their own a few more years.
Fertility issues need to be thoroughly investigated by an expert physician, typically a Reproductive Endocrinologist and Fertility Specialist, who is fellowship trained in infertility issues. A Reproductive Endocrinologist can provide the best methods to treat the infertility problem, and help a woman/ couple conceive. There are numerous options available for fertility treatments to consider with so much new technology and the many innovations science has made. The treatments offered to men and women differ and are mostly based on correcting the problem.
Treatment for Women
- Hormone injections or oral fertility medications with intercourse or insemination – If the problem is due to ovulation or unexplained infertility.
- Surgery – In case of blockages in the fallopian tubes, fibroids, polyps, endometriosis or pelvic adhesions surgery may be needed to restore or normalize the pelvic organs.
- Endometriosis – In a percentage of women, there may be growth of endometrial tissue in regions other than the uterine wall, and this may need to be corrected through laparoscopic procedures. However, for severe cases of endometriosis need to be treated differently and discussed with your clinician.
- In Vitro Fertilization– In a small percentage of couples the above fertility therapies fail or there may be unrepairable fallopian tubes, severe endometriosis or severe male factor that may suggest IVF is the best option.
Treatment for Men
- Insemination – This may be the first recommendation made for an borderline male factor infertility. With this procedure, the sperm are collected and concentrated and placed as close to the fallopian tubes as possible so that the sperm used will have a greater chances of conception. Inseminations should be coupled with the female partner using fertility medications.
- ART – After initial tests and procedures, doctors may recommend opting for something more advanced, if there is severe male factor with a low sperm count, low progressive motility or abnormally shaped sperm. Two options may be considered by couples at this phase. Both are in the category of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The first path to take may be IVF which is commonly prescribed by doctors, if all other treatments have failed. In vitro fertilization involves placing fertilized eggs in the woman’s uterus by route of the cervix. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection can be used with IVF, where the fertility lab injects one sperm into an egg to help the egg fertilize. After the injection, the embryo that is formed after fertilization is then implanted into the woman.
Couples Options for Infertility
There are also specialized clinics which focus on fertility treatments which offer couples a combination of treatments including relaxation techniques, yoga, and counseling. The skills and experience of the clinician are also important to consider when looking at these clinics and success rates also offer you a better picture of which ones to opt for. Make sure the reproductive endocrinologists are Board Certified with extensive experience in all cutting edge treatments such as ICSI, IVF, tubal reversal, PGD, cryopreservation and more.
Some fertility problems may be due to lifestyle choices like too much smoking or drinking. Stress and body weight of both the male and female are also important considerations. Exercise in moderation, maintaining the right body weight, and eating right are all important things to do when trying to get pregnant. Additionally, if you are diagnosed with cancer, do discuss with your doctor about how you can prevent cancer related infertility if planning a family in the future.