Infertility treatments are varied, they can range from something as simple as fertility drugs to IVF procedures and more. The question is which is the best infertility treatment option for you? In order to make the right decision you should do your homework, and then choose the path that is right for you and your lifestyle.
Determine the Problem
Along with understanding the many different options, you also need to know what the problem is. Are you having trouble ovulating? Is this an age issue? Perhaps the problem is a low sperm count or other male fertility problem. In order to choose the best treatment you should first know exactly what you are attempting to overcome. There are a few cases where no known cause can be found, in this instance you will have to rely solely on what works for your situation.
Drug Therapy
Fertility drugs can be prescribed for either or both partners, and interestingly enough they are often the same medications. Fertility pills (Clomid) and fertility shots (FSH and LH ) are the two most commonly prescribed fertility medications for women; they stimulate egg production and release in women and can up sperm count and motility in men. Generally, these drugs are prescribed for men who have low sperm count though mobility and quality may also be addressed.
There are downsides to these treatments for men and women. Women on the drugs are more prone to multiple births, particularly twins and ovarian cysts are a concern due to over stimulation of the ovaries. Men may suffer blurred vision or breast tenderness when taking these infertility treatments.
Surgical Repair
Many women fail to get pregnant due to blockages in their fallopian tubes. When the blockages are not severe, your doctor may prefer to surgically repair the damage so that you may get pregnant naturally. Of course, this all depends on your age and the severity of the block. Many fertility specialists suggest going straight to in vitro fertilization, especially for women who are over 34, the clock is ticking so to speak so why waste time with a procedure that may not work?
IVF
In vitro fertilization is what most people associate with fertility treatments. This is a process in which healthy eggs and sperm are extracted from the would be parents, combined in the laboratory and placed back inside the female patient in hopes that pregnancy is the outcome. Of course, this is a very basic explanation of the process and there are several steps that must be undertaken to up your chances of success.
IVF treatments are used for a variety of fertility issues including blockages, age related issues, poor sperm count, endometriosis and much more. The first IVF baby was born in 1978, so you can imagine the process has been perfected over the years. Since this is a lengthy process, and expensive, physicians like to implant more than one viable embryo so multiple births are possible.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the things you can do to address fertility issues. Each treatment has its pros and cons, so research them thoroughly before you begin. In some cases, women have used natural infertility options successfully; things like perfectly timing your ovulation and remaining prone after intercourse have helped many women conceive.
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