Understanding All The Options When Facing Infertility
Most people aren’t comfortable discussing infertility, often viewing the topic as an embarrassment rather than a medical condition. In particular, women tend to experience the brunt of public perception, with people assuming that an inability to conceive is solely a female problem. However, all genders can struggle with infertility, and research shows that a third of infertility cases in heterosexual couples are due solely to a woman, another third solely with men, and the final third is a combination of the two. Fertility treatments like assisted reproductive therapy (ART) can be a lifeline that creates solutions when medical or biological issues prevent natural conception.
How ART treats male infertility
The most common male factors related to infertility include poor sperm quality and quantity. Specifically, low sperm count, poor motility, or even chromosomal abnormalities greatly reduce conception odds. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) can help by injecting sperm directly into the uterus. However, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can help men struggling with low sperm count by directly injecting sperm into an egg. Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) or zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) also works by premixing the egg and sperm externally before being inserted directly into the fallopian tubes. All of the above options can potentially avoid failure rates from slow-moving sperm.
If egg quality is poor
Of all the fertility treatments, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is possibly the most popular. IVF is a multi-step process that relies on ovulation stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer. Most people assume IVF is only for female infertility, but the process can work for both genders. Donor eggs can be used to combat poor egg quality, while donor sperm can work if a man is facing infertility issues. Of the ART methods available, IVF tends to offer the most potential variations to either boost conception odds or address specific fertility concerns.
Boosting implantation
Regular IVF rounds end with the embryo being transferred to a woman’s uterus and waiting for implantation into the uterine wall. In assisted hatching, technicians rely on tools to create an initial crack in the embryo’s surface shortly after an egg is fertilized and transforms into an embryo. The hope is that the embryo will more easily implant or attach to the uterus. The process takes place very quickly, and shortly after, the embryo is created before embryo transfer occurs.
Opting for donors
Because any member of a couple can struggle with fertility issues, donor eggs and sperm are always an option. In both cases, the donor material is tested and screened for the most common genetic conditions before being used in any treatment plan. Opting for donors is also ideal for same-sex couples and single women trying to conceive.
Overcoming an infertility diagnosis
Infertility can be heartbreaking news for any individual to accept. These days, the options available to infertile people are vast. Fertility treatments can circumvent that diagnosis and make the dream of starting or expanding a family a reality.
