Guest blog by Arizona Associates for Reproductive Health (AZARH).
There’s nothing better than becoming a parent. The ability to give life to another human being is a gift that no person should ever be deprived of.
Unfortunately, there are many who still struggle to conceive. Infertility is a problem that affects both men and women. It is estimated that 1 in 6 couples trying to start a family face fertility challenges.
But the advanced developments in the world of medicine have made it possible for couples to look into more fertility treatment options.
If you’re struggling to start a family, then this list may help you choose which fertilization method is best for you.
Ovulation Induction
Ovulation Induction is a term that is used to refer to the process of stimulating a woman’s ovulation through the help of medication.
Medications like Clomiphene Citrate and Letrozole are taken orally to induce ovulation. These fertility drugs work by tricking the body into thinking that it does not have enough estrogen.
Gonadotropin, on the other hand, is another fertilization drug that is injected in women to stimulate the corpus luteum. The drug then secretes progesterone to prepare the uterine lining for implantation.
Because it’s a non-invasive treatment, ovulation induction is usually the first line of treatment for infertility. Women who are struggling with ovulation problems will significantly benefit from this.
Also, ovulation induction is the first step for women who wish to get pregnant via IVF or IUI.
Oocyte Cryopreservation
Oocyte Cryopreservation or egg freezing is an excellent fertility treatment option for those who are not ready to start a family yet, but are planning to do so in the future.
Because egg freezing works by storing your healthy eggs in a laboratory, post-menopausal women can opt for this fertilization method.
Healthy eggs that are donated can also undergo oocyte cryopreservation.
IUI
IUI is also called Artificial Insemination because the process involves inseminating a woman’s uterus by injecting a washed sperm into the uterine cavity. This makes it an excellent fertility treatment option for women who choose to get pregnant via a sperm donor.
Though the estimated success rate of IUI is 20% per cycle, many factors should also be considered, and age is one of them.
The average cost of IUI is about $200-$1000 per cycle, which makes it a cheaper option compared to IVF.
Women who have had no success with ovulation induction also seek for IUI. Furthermore, men who struggle with fertility challenges like impotence, erectile dysfunction, and low sperm count can also benefit from it.
IVF
IVF, or In Vitro Fertilization is the process of fertilizing the egg and sperm outside of the body. Once fertilized, the egg then undergoes another process called embryo culture; where it is carefully supervised to ensure that it’s healthy enough to be implanted in the uterus.
Women who are suffering from tubal damage, scarring, and blockage, as well as those with ovulation problems like endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), can look into this option.
Additionally, couples who plan on starting a family thru surrogacy are good candidates for this procedure. Couples who wish to have control over the genetics of their children can also opt for IVF.
Acupuncture
Stress can play a huge part in a woman’s ovulation cycle. And often, the need for any other procedure is not necessary.
Though it’s still regarded as a form of alternative medicine, undergoing an acupuncture regimen has been proven to effectively lower your stress rate and increase your chance of getting pregnant.
Starting a family is a very exciting process. But while some of your plans may not go the way you want it to, the ability to get pregnant shouldn’t be one of them. If you’re experiencing fertility problems, talk to a specialist for guidance. Experts can recommend the best fertility treatment for you and your spouse.
Arizona Associates for Reproductive Health (AZARH) is dedicated to providing personalized fertility care with advanced, tailored treatment plans designed to fit the needs of each patient. We offer a Fertility Awareness Screening which is a complete diagnostic evaluation and also a full scope of treatment options to include IUI, IVF, genetic testing, egg freezing, donor egg, sperm, and more. AZARH provides the highest level of experience and skill helping all types of families grow.
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