Infertility refers to the inability of a couple to conceive a child despite regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for an extended period (typically one year for couples under 35 years old and six months for couples over 35). It can affect either one or both partners and may be caused by various factors, including issues with ovulation, sperm production or quality, fallopian tube blockages, uterine abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, or underlying medical conditions such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Infertility can be a challenging and emotionally distressing condition for individuals and couples, but advancements in reproductive medicine have provided various treatment options, including fertility medications, intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and assisted reproductive technologies (ART), to help couples achieve pregnancy. Additionally, lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and counseling may also play a role in managing infertility and improving the chances of conception.
Fertility medications, such as clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins, may be prescribed to stimulate ovulation in women who have irregular or absent menstrual cycles.
Also known as artificial insemination, this procedure involves placing sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation to increase the chances of fertilization.
IVF is a highly effective assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure that involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory dish, and transferring the resulting embryos into the uterus.
This procedure is often used in conjunction with IVF and involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg to facilitate fertilization in cases of male factor infertility or severe sperm abnormalities.
In some cases, embryos may be assisted in hatching out of their outer shell (zona pellucida) before being transferred into the uterus during IVF to enhance the chances of implantation.
PGT involves testing embryos created through IVF for genetic abnormalities or chromosomal disorders before transfer, allowing for the selection of genetically normal embryos and reducing the risk of passing on genetic conditions to offspring.
In cases of severe female or male infertility, using donor eggs or sperm may be an option to achieve pregnancy.
In cases where a woman is unable to carry a pregnancy, a gestational carrier (surrogate) may be used to carry the pregnancy on behalf of the intended parents.
Surgical procedures, such as laparoscopy, may be performed to correct anatomical abnormalities, remove scar tissue, or treat conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids that are contributing to infertility.
Some individuals may undergo testing and treatment for immune system disorders or autoimmune conditions that may affect fertility.