Options for Couples Who Are Infertile

Infertility affects many couples across the world. If you struggle with having your own child, visiting infertility clinics can be the best solution. An infertility specialist not only informs you of the medical options available for your condition but also guides you on steps to take throughout the whole process.

A professional infertility doctor also informs you about the available infertility options suitable for you. There are various infertility options that can help you.

Fertility Drugs

When a couple has trouble conceiving naturally, seeking fertility medication could be among the best options. A reproductive endocrinologist examines both partners to know the cause of infertility before prescribing medicines that can improve the chances of conception.

The fertility drugs help stimulate ovulation and thickening of the uterine lining for implantation in women. In men, fertility prescriptions can help increase sperm production and quality. You should talk to a doctor to learn about the best medications for your infertility options.

Medical Procedures

A couple struggling with infertility can consider trying assisted reproductive technology (ART) medical procedures.  An infertility specialist can recommend the following medical methods based on your situation.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

IVF involves collecting sperm and egg cells from each partner and combining them in a laboratory for conception. Once the embryo starts to develop, it is implanted in the woman’s uterus for the remainder of the pregnancy.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI is a medical procedure used in IVF that involves the injection of a single sperm cell into a retrieved egg. The injection of sperm cell into a female cell increases the rate of fertilization.

Assisted Hatching

Assisted hatching helps increase the chances of successful implantation of an IVF embryo. The procedure enables the embryo to hatch out certain protein layers before attaching to the uterine wall.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

A physician harvests sperm cells from a male partner, removes the seminal fluid, and inserts the sperm directly into the uterine wall. IUI helps shorten the path to the fallopian tube, increasing the chances of conceiving.

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)

GIFT entails the removal of sperm and egg cells from the intended parents. Rather than fertilizing the embryo in a laboratory dish, this method mixes the gametes and then implants them into the fallopian tube for fertilization.

Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)

The ZIFT medical process is almost similar to GIFT, but the egg is usually fertilized before being transferred to the fallopian tube. 

Sperm, Egg, or Embryo Donation

Gamete donation can be an option for infertility among couples who don’t have a healthy egg or sperm. If you choose the gamete donation option, at least one parent should have a genetic connection with the child.

Before choosing to use sperm, egg, or gamete donation, talk to a reproductive specialist who can tell you whether it is the best option for your situation. 

Adoption

Some couples struggling with infertility choose to adopt a child they are not genetically related to into their family. The hopeful parents have nothing to do with the conception of the child. Before welcoming a child into your family, here are different forms of adoption that you should know about:

• Private domestic adoption
• Foster care adoption
• International adoption

Adoption is not a remedy for infertility but an option for raising a child for couples interested in being parents. The parents should choose the adoption preferences that work best for them and keep the child’s best interest in mind.

Surrogacy

For a couple that cannot conceive or carry a pregnancy due to medical reasons, surrogacy can be a solution. An embryo is donated or created by an intended parent before being transferred to the uterus of a surrogate.

The two significant kinds of surrogacy are gestational and traditional surrogacy. Gestational surrogacy is commonly used since the surrogate is not typically related to the child she carries. To be the child’s biological parents, gestational surrogacy often uses the intended parents` gametes.

Visiting Infertility Clinics

One of the factors to consider before visiting infertility clinics is your financial situation. Different clinics have flexible pricing options, depending on the services offered. Whatever option you choose, modern medicine and technology can help you and your partner achieve the dream of becoming parents.