Infertility of women is defined as a situation where the woman is unable to conceive after having unprotected sexual intercourse for at least one year.
The major causes of female infertility are increased age, obesity (especially during early pregnancy), hormone disorders, endometriosis, and autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis). There are many treatment options available for different causes of infertility.
Whether you are trying to get pregnant or have been unsuccessful after trying for some time, it is important to understand what may be causing infertility. Accordingly, the doctor will outline a treatment plan.
Management of infertility starts with a complete medical history, followed by a physical exam and tests. You may need to make lifestyle changes or take medications to improve your chances of getting pregnant. In some cases, surgery is necessary.
Medications. Several medications are available that stimulate the ovary to produce eggs.
Most women who take these medications require monitoring with blood tests or ultrasound exams to follow follicle growth. After the follicles are mature, an hCG injection is given to trigger egg release. The timing for this injection is critical because it must be given at a precise time before ovulation occurs. Once the egg is released, intercourse must happen within a few days in order for fertilization to occur.
Note: There are also certain risks of the medications. So, make sure to consult your doctor regularly when on medication and follow a strict regimen.
Counseling plays an important part in the management of infertility. It involves educating the couple about their problem, treatment options, and more.
Counseling is also done to give psychological support to help them cope with the stress and anxiety that arises due to infertility.
The counseling also helps women in choosing the appropriate treatment option based on their diagnosis and prognosis. Patients are explained about the cost of each procedure along with success rates achieved at our center. Patients are advised to plan their finances well in advance before starting any kind of fertility treatment as it is a time-consuming process and requires many visits to the doctor.
Reproductive assistance is the most common type of infertility treatment, which is used to help people achieve pregnancy.
Common methods of reproductive assistance include:
Intrauterine insemination (IUI): IUI is a procedure that treats infertility by placing sperm directly into a woman’s uterus close to the time of ovulation.
In vitro fertilization (IVF): IVF treats infertility by extracting eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a lab.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) – A form of IVF where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. This procedure is used if there are problems with sperm numbers or quality, or if previous attempts at IVF have failed.
Consult an expert and seek proper guidance in infertility management. Even when you’re infertile, there are now many options out there that can help you manage the problem and fulfill your dream of becoming a mother.
Reach out to the best gynecologist in Kolkata who specializes in infertility treatment.