After completing fertility testing, you may be wondering what's next. Generation Fertility's reporductive health specialist Dr. Ingrid Lai walks through the different treatment pathways and solutions available to you on your unique journey to conceiving.
Once you've completed all your required fertility tests, your fertility specialist will have valuable insights about your fertility health. From there, they will discuss with you the treatment plan that gives you the best chance for a successful pregnancy. There are various fertility treatment options depending on your unique journey.
Ovarian Stimulation and Ovulation Induction
Ovarian stimulation involves using oral or injectable fertility medications (called gonadotropins) to stimulate the ovaries to produce mature eggs. Ovulation induction involves using injectable medications that ensure ovulation (the release of the egg(s)) occurs. The purpose of ovarian stimulation and ovulation is to develop and ovulate one or more eggs, particularly in someone who does not normally ovulate. These medications may be recommended for those with:
- Ovulation problems that have not responded to other medications
- Decreased ovarian reserve (low quantity of eggs)
- Unexplained infertility and want to increase the number of eggs in each cycle (which increases the chances of conception)
Ovarian stimulation medications and ovulation induction medications can be used with all types of fertility treatment options including timed intercourse, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Timed Intercourse
Timed intercourse involves scheduling intercourse around the ovulation window. There are a few factors to consider in order to be a candidate for timed intercourse as a treatment plan option - you must have a normal uterine cavity, and at least one normal fallopian tube, and the sperm provider must have a normal count.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
IUI, or artificial insemination, is also a common treatment used for a range of fertility issues. It is considered a less invasive approach than IVF as the spermare deposited into the uterus around the time of ovulation, then fertilization and implantation are allowed to occur naturally.
The IUI process consists of inserting a very thin, flexible catheter through the cervix into the uterus to deposit a sperm sample. The insertion is relatively painless and patients can generally resume their daily activities the same day. The inserted sperm will have been washed in a laboratory to be concentrated prior to insertion and can come from a chosen partner or from a donor.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF is considered the most advanced assisted reproductive technology treatment plan. Dr. Lai says, "IVF is recommended by fertility specialists at Generation Fertility when less invasive treatment options such as timed intercourse or IUI have not been success or are not an option." In many patients, IVF can maximize the chances of a healthy pregnancy.
IVF is an advanced technique that fertilizes eggs with sperm outside the body, allowing them to grow and divide for several days in a laboratory, and then transferring the fertilized egg (now an embryo) into the uterus for a fresh transfer or stored in a freezer for a future embryo transfer.
The IVF process is very commonly used for a range of fertility issues, including sperm-related infertility.
Click here to read about how IVF compares to IUI.
Other Treatment Plan Options and Solutions
There are also a number of other, less invasive, and/or less costly treatment plan pathways that may be right for you, including:
- Antibiotics - to treat infections which may be impacting your fertility
- Hormones or other medications - to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or putuitary hormone irregularities
- Surgical intervention - if there is a physical issue to be treated
- Third-party reproductive solutions - use of donor sperm, donor eggs, donor embryos, or a gestational carrier
At Generation Fertility, we understand that navigating your fertility treatment options can seem overwhelming. Our team of experienced fertility specialists are here to walk you through, guide you, and support you through every step of any pathway, and to work with you to develop the right treatment plan for you.
