The IVF Cycle
Although a woman may need just one or two therapies to restore fertility, it’s possible that several different types of treatment may be needed before she is able to conceive. Other techniques are sometimes used in an IVF cycle, such as:
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In ICSI, a single healthy sperm is injected directly into a mature egg. ICSI is often used when semen quality is a problem there are few sperm, or if fertilisation attempts during prior IVF cycles failed.
- Assisted hatching. This technique attempts to assist the implantation of the embryo into the lining of the uterus by opening the outer covering of the embryo (hatching).
- Donor eggs or sperm. Most ART is done using the woman’s own eggs and her partner’s sperm. However, if there are severe problems with either the eggs or sperm, you may choose to use eggs, sperm or embryos from a known or anonymous donor.
- Gestational carrier. Women who do not have a functional uterus or for whom pregnancy poses a serious health risk might choose IVF using a gestational carrier. In this case, the couple’s embryo is placed in the uterus of the carrier for pregnancy.
Complete Care System
Complications of female infertility treatment
Complications of female infertility treatment may include: Multiple pregnancy – Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) – Bleeding or infection – Premature delivery or low birth weight – Birth defects.
Infertility for women due to ovulation disorders are supported greatly by the Naturopathic Portfolio for female fertility. We use the functional approach at Susannah Makram Clinics.
This is because fertility drugs – that regulate or induce ovulation – are the main treatment for women who are infertile due to ovulation disorders.
Hormone Imbalance
In general, they work like the natural hormones — follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) — to trigger ovulation.
They are also used in women who ovulate to try to stimulate a better egg or an extra egg or eggs. Eg. fertility drugs may include: Metformin. Metformin (Glucophage, others) is used when insulin resistance is a known or suspected cause of infertility, usually in women with a diagnosis of PCOS. Metformin helps improve insulin resistance, which can make ovulation more likely to occur.
REDUCING RISK FACTORS AND WEIGHT LOSS FOR FERTILITY
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition with reproductive and metabolic consequences, including anovulation, infertility and an increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Obesity, central obesity and insulin resistance are strongly implicated in its aetiology. Reduction of these risk factors should be a central treatment focus. Short-term weight loss has been consistently successful in reducing insulin resistance and restoring ovulation and fertility.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FERTILITY TREATMENT ROUTES AND HOW SUPPORTING LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN HELP COUPLES TODAY.
