Information surrounding fertility treatments can be difficult to understand, given the technical terms used when explaining it. However, we know that many people are interested in learning more about what techniques exist, what they consist of, and what their success rate is.
That’s why we’ve prepared this article where we tell you, in a concrete way, the options available to a couple with difficulties conceiving.
Low-complexity Fertility Treatments
1. Ovulation induction:
Women with difficulties in their biological process can receive treatments to stimulate the release of eggs. This technique is called ovarian induction,
How does it work? Medication that mimics certain female hormones stimulates the ovaries. The doctor in charge monitors the development of the follicles and the hormones involved, through ultrasounds and blood tests.
When they are found to be ready, more medication is administered, this time to mature the eggs. After achieving this, artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization is scheduled.
Probability of success: The positive result is conditioned by the patient’s age, but even so, many women show a satisfactory response in a significant proportion of cases.
2. Artificial insemination with the partner’s semen
The low quantity or sperm motility of a man or cervical problems that make it difficult for sperm to penetrate the uterine cavity makes this treatment viable. With this technique, it is possible to introduce sperm during ovulation.
It is also viable when the cause of infertility is unknown, in the presence of ovulatory disorders, or when pregnancy has not occurred despite having tried it in multiple controlled cycles.
Probability of success: In general, the success rate per insemination cycle is approximately 15%, and most women (around 90%) achieve pregnancy in the first 3-4 cycles, accumulating a success rate of 60%.
However, the probability of pregnancy and the number of cycles required vary depending on factors such as the diagnosis, age, sperm quality, and the number of follicles developed.
3. Artificial insemination with donor semen
This treatment is performed in cases of severe male infertility or due to the existence of a genetic disease in the man that he prefers not to transmit to his children.
The woman receives in her reproductive system the sperm sample from a Semen Bank during ovulation.
Probability of success: The pregnancy rate per treatment cycle ranges between 20% and 25% when there are no other infertility factors involved. However, with repeated cycles, the cumulative pregnancy rate can reach up to 70%.
High-complexity Fertility Treatments
1. Egg donation
The loss of ovarian function can tip the balance towards egg donation, so that they are fertilized with the partner’s sperm. If the resulting embryos are obtained, they are transferred directly to the recipient’s uterus with the aim of implantation and the start of pregnancy development.
Success probabilities: It is a highly successful method, with pregnancy rates ranging between 50% and 60% per cycle.
2. Egg freezing:
Egg vitrification, or freezing, is the technique most chosen by women who postpone motherhood by their own decision or as a result of undergoing medical treatments (such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy).
Thus, women under 37 years of age can freeze a limited number of eggs, determined by their ovarian reserve, so that they can be fertilized later in the laboratory and transferred when the patient decides to become a mother.
3. In Vitro Fertilization
Laboratory techniques facilitate the union of eggs and sperm to obtain embryos that can be transferred to the uterus and promote conception in couples or women with fertility problems.
Probability of success: The probability of achieving pregnancy through an IVF cycle exceeds 45% in women under 35 years of age, although this percentage may vary depending on the woman’s age, the duration, and the cause of infertility. The cumulative pregnancy rate after three treatment cycles can reach 70% to 80%.
4. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
After the extraction of the woman’s eggs and their subsequent transport to the laboratory, a recent technology of advanced microscopes and micromanipulators is used to introduce a single sperm into each egg.
Those that are fertilized are transferred directly to the woman’s uterus so that they implant and, if so, pregnancy begins.
Probability of success: The cumulative pregnancy rate after three treatment cycles can exceed 70%.
5. ICSI with morphologically selected sperm
This is another novel technique that enables the introduction of eggs with sperm that have been chosen according to rigorous morphological criteria.
How to Choose the Right Fertility Treatment?
To choose a fertility treatment, we recommend:
1- Consult with a fertility specialist
The first thing is to rely on the criteria of fertility experts who are highly qualified. At InSer, we have a specialized medical team to evaluate your complete medical history, perform diagnostic tests, and provide you with information on the treatment options available, according to your particular conditions.
2- Evaluate your infertility diagnosis:
When you are clear about why biological conception is not possible, explore the alternatives in accordance with your situation, and you will be able to analyze which is the most appropriate treatment.
3- Consider your age and health factors:
All the methods for conceiving explained are impacted by age, because it influences their response. Other health factors, such as pre-existing medical conditions, also affect the choice of treatment, so don’t forget to consider these variables.
4- Explore the treatment options available:
Find out how the treatments are developed and define your limits, because there are options that contemplate invasive methods. Familiarizing yourself with all the available options is crucial, as well as comparing their success rates, risks, and benefits.
Consider your personal preferences:
Deciding on a treatment implies taking into account personal values, beliefs, and personal preferences. Some couples or individuals may lean towards more natural approaches, while others may be willing to explore more invasive options.
Under these recommendations and working in alliance with a specialized medical team, such as the one you find at InSer, you can make informed decisions and take significant steps towards realizing your desire to have a child. Don’t hesitate to contact us!
