Although conditions of infertility can make getting pregnant a bit more difficult, most are conquerable. In fact, more than half of couples diagnosed with infertility are eventually able to conceive, simply through a bit more trying, or with the assistance of infertility treatments.
Treatment options for infertility
Read on to find out more about how doctors can treat infertility.
Fertility Medications
Only your doctor can decide whether a fertility medication might be right for you, but both men and women may definitely make use of them to treat certain cases of infertility.
Women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), or other conditions of infertility that can disrupt ovulation, can make use of fertility-stimulating drugs like Clomid or Bravelle, which help to ensure that you release a healthy, fertilizable egg each ovulation cycle. These drugs include hormones that stimulate the egg and its follicle to grow.
Men with erectile dysfunction may be able to take drugs like Viagra or Cialis to help him have successful intercourse. Problems with sperm count may also be treated by hormone supplementation in some instances.
Fertility Surgeries
Your doctor will probably try other methods of getting you ready to conceive, and will hold off on surgery unless it is a must. However, many problems of infertility can only be corrected with surgical techniques, so it’s important to know all of the options.
Women whose infertility is attributable to a blocked fallopian tube may need laparoscopic procedures to be able to successfully conceive. Ovarian drilling is also a possibility to help ensure that a woman with PCOS ovulates each cycle. Other surgeries may be possible depending on your particular circumstance.
Men may require surgery to fix in an inner mechanical problem as well, like varioceles, which drain the testicles and make getting pregnant difficult. Other problems could include tumors, scar tissue, or other growths that need removal.
More Help
If medication and surgery is still unsuccessful, many couples are able to conceive using assisted reproductive technology, like in-vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF takes your egg and fertilizes it using your partner’s sperm in a laboratory, bypassing the need for ovulation, and fertilization in a fallopian tube. The fertilized embryo will be implanted in your womb a few days afterwards. Lots of couples who cannot conceive naturally are able to get pregnant through the use of IVF technology.
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Sources
- Li TC, Saravelos H, Chow MS, Chisabingo R, Cooke ID. “Factors affecting the outcome of laparoscopic ovarian drilling for polycystic ovarian syndrome in women with anovulatory infertility.” British Journal of Obstetrics. 105:3. pg 338-44. Web. Mar-98.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Infertility: Treatments and drugs.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 7/2/2014. Web.
- Dr. Roger Lobo, ASRM. “Infertility Treatments. Video.” ASRM. American Society for Reproductive Medicine, n.d. Web.
