Fertility Treatment Begins With The First Step
There is a rising number of couples or individual women with difficulty conceiving. Starting or growing a family is a priority for some, but fertility troubles can get in the way. Infertility occurs when a couple trying to get pregnant naturally cannot do so despite multiple attempts over at least 12 months. This diagnosis is often the start of a long fertility journey filled with challenges and hope. Couples must first accept that there is a problem and seek treatment, which can be an overwhelming first step. The chosen medical team can provide options to increase the success rate of pregnancy. Expect a multi-step approach when trying to conceive.
You will need some tests and checks
Infertility is a medical diagnosis confirmed by a reproductive health professional. Doctors recommend both men and women get fertility checks as statistics show infertility occurs at equal rates. As there are multiple causes of infertility, a series of checks and tests can help uncover the root cause of the disease. Physical tests, such as pelvic exams or ultrasounds, can reveal potential issues causing infertility. Blood tests can uncover hormonal imbalances, while a semen analysis can find underlying issues in men. Most cases will confirm at least 1 reason for infertility, but unexplained infertility is a possible conclusion. This can be an emotionally stressful part of the fertility journey but can also provide relief and a concrete plan to achieve pregnancy.
Your first step to success
Each circumstance is unique. The strategies will consider age, health, genetics, and the reasons for infertility. Doctors will develop a custom plan based on these factors. Almost all patients can benefit from lifestyle changes. Making changes to diet, exercise, reducing stress, and limiting exposure to toxins are common recommendations. Some patients may benefit from surgery. For instance, a blockage like varicocele can impact sperm count, which can be treated with surgery. Women with fibroids, endometriosis, or a fallopian tube blockage can improve fertility with surgery. Should these fail, the following steps involve fertility medication and assisted reproductive technology (ART), the pinnacle of treatment.
Fertility medications and intrauterine insemination
Infertility caused by hormone imbalances is common. Medication is a critical part of the fertility journey. Doctors prescribe hormone medications to increase or supplement the hormones responsible for egg or sperm production. Studies show that this injectable or oral hormone medication can boost pregnancy rates. The patient will receive medication for a set period that coincides with the ovulation cycle. Hormone medicines combined with intrauterine insemination (IUI) increase success rates. With IUI, a prepared sperm sample is medically inserted into the uterus to boost the chances of pregnancy. IUI can require several attempts but can be successful.
Moving to IVF
If IUI fails, ART strategies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) are the next recommended stage. This technique creates multiple embryos outside the body in a fertility laboratory. IVF is a multi-step process that starts with hormone medication to increase the production of follicles in the ovaries. At the appropriate time, the fertility team surgically removes multiple eggs before release into the fallopian tubes. These eggs are combined with a frozen or fresh sperm sample to create embryos. Through testing, the best embryos are selected. The team will then transfer at least 1 embryo to the woman's uterus, which is prepared with additional progesterone. During IVF, the fertility team may use different strategies, like genetic testing, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or surrogacy, to increase success rates.
Taking each challenging step
There is more to trying to conceive than making lifestyle changes, fertility drugs, or IVF. Each step can be emotionally, physically, financially, and even legally taxing. Interpersonal relationships can change. The timeline can take several months, which must be completed around the challenges of everyday life. Finding a supportive group is vital during this time. The fertility journey is not without side effects or complications. A common concern is becoming pregnant with multiples, which can be risky for mothers and children. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) caused by hormone medication can create unpleasant side effects for women. The fertility clinic and medical professionals will work with patients to minimize any risks.
A successful fertility journey
Learning about infertility can be devastating for those with the dream to one day have a biological child. Yet, this is an opportunity to take action and increase the chances of pregnancy. The journey begins with understanding the root cause and using the best fertility medication and treatment available. The goal for hopeful parents is to stay healthy, adopt lifestyle habits, and follow the medication and treatment plan outlined by the medical team. Start the fertility journey by speaking with a fertility specialist who can create a custom solution that can lead to success.
