Your guide to fertility treatment: Exploring options and hope

Fertility treatment shines a bright light of hope for couples eager to kickstart or grow their families. It's an adventure filled with ups and downs, offering a route to tackle the hurdles that sometimes crop up on the road to having a baby.

In this article, we'll dive deep into the world of fertility treatment. By the end of this read, you'll have a clearer understanding of what options are available for you, and when it might be time to seek help.

Common causes of infertility

Before we delve into fertility treatments, it's crucial to understand what causes infertility. Infertility can be attributed to various factors, including:

• Ovulation disorders: Irregular or absent ovulation is a common cause of infertility in women. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can disrupt regular ovulation.
• Age: As a woman's age advances, her fertility naturally declines. The quality and quantity of eggs decrease, making it harder to conceive.
• Male factors: Issues with sperm count, quality, or motility can affect a man's fertility. These issues can be related to lifestyle, genetic factors, or underlying medical conditions.

Male infertility is more common than one might think. Issues related to sperm quality, quantity, and motility can significantly impact fertility. Diagnosing male infertility often involves a semen analysis, which assesses sperm count, motility, and morphology.

If issues are identified, various treatments are available, including lifestyle changes, medication, and assisted reproductive techniques.

• Tubal factors: Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes can obstruct the egg's journey to the uterus, preventing fertilisation.
• Endometriosis: This condition occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it, potentially affecting fertility.
• Uterine problems: Abnormalities in the uterus, such as fibroids or polyps, can impact fertility by interfering with implantation.
• Unexplained infertility: In some cases, despite thorough testing, the exact cause of infertility remains unknown.

Testing female fertility

Evaluating a woman's fertility involves various diagnostic tests, such as:

1. Ovulation tests: These help determine whether a woman is ovulating regularly, using tools like urine test strips or blood tests.
2. Hysterosalpingography (HSG): An X-ray procedure that checks the fallopian tubes and the uterus for blockages or abnormalities.
3. Ovarian reserve testing: Evaluates the quantity and quality of a woman's eggs, typically through blood tests for hormone levels and ultrasounds.
4. Laparoscopy: A minimally invasive surgical procedure to examine and treat issues like endometriosis, scar tissue, or blocked tubes.

What is fertility treatment?

Fertility treatment is a range of medical procedures and interventions designed to help couples conceive when they are facing difficulties in getting pregnant naturally. These treatments are tailored to address the specific causes of infertility and are often seen as a ray of hope for those longing for a child.

Fertility treatment encompasses a spectrum of approaches, primarily categorised into three main types: medicines, surgical procedures and assisted conception.

Medicines

Medications play a fundamental role in addressing infertility issues. These pharmaceutical interventions are often the initial line of treatment for a variety of fertility challenges.

Several medications are commonly used in fertility treatment to regulate ovulation and enhance the chances of conception:

1. Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid): Often the first-line treatment for ovulation disorders, it stimulates the release of eggs.
2. Letrozole (Femara): Similar to Clomid, it encourages regular ovulation.
3. Gonadotropins: Injected medications that stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
4. Progesterone: Used to support the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, helping with implantation.
5. Hormone therapy: Can be used to regulate hormonal imbalances in conditions like PCOS.

Surgical procedures

Surgical interventions may be necessary to address structural issues that hinder fertility:

1. Laparoscopy: As mentioned earlier, this minimally invasive surgery can treat conditions like endometriosis, adhesions, or blocked tubes.
2. Hysteroscopy: A procedure that involves the insertion of a thin, lighted tube into the uterus to treat issues like fibroids or polyps.
3. Tubal surgery: For women with tubal blockages, surgical repair may be an option to restore fertility.

Assisted conception

Assisted conception methods are advanced techniques aimed at enhancing the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. This category includes:

• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): This procedure involves the carefully timed introduction of prepared sperm directly into the uterus, increasing the probability of sperm meeting the egg. IUI is often chosen for couples where the male partner's sperm might have difficulty reaching the egg in the cervix or if the woman's cervical mucus presents a barrier.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): IVF is perhaps one of the most widely recognised and successful assisted reproductive techniques. It encompasses several stages, beginning with the stimulation of the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are then retrieved and fertilised outside the body in a laboratory setting. After fertilisation, the resulting embryos are transferred into the woman's uterus, where implantation can occur. IVF is an ideal choice for those experiencing issues such as severe male infertility, tubal blockages, or unexplained infertility. It is also an option for individuals or couples seeking to preserve or enhance their fertility by freezing embryos or eggs for future use. In addition to IUI and IVF, other assisted conception methods include Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), which screens embryos for genetic abnormalities before implantation, and cryopreservation, which involves the freezing and storage of eggs, embryos, or sperm for future use. These advanced techniques have opened up new avenues for individuals and couples facing unique fertility challenges, providing them with opportunities to build their families and experience the joys of parenthood.

It's important to note that the choice of fertility treatment method often depends on the specific underlying causes of infertility, the couple's medical history, age, and individual preferences.

Seeking consultation with a reproductive specialist is typically the first step in determining the most suitable treatment plan, tailored to the unique circumstances of each couple.

When to seek fertility treatment as a couple

Knowing when to seek fertility treatment is a critical decision. While it can be an emotional journey, it's essential to consider treatment when:

1. You've been trying to conceive for over a year without success, or six months if the woman is over 35 years old.
2. You've been diagnosed with a condition that may affect fertility, such as PCOS, endometriosis, or low sperm count.
3. You've experienced multiple miscarriages.
4. You have a known issue that can be addressed with fertility treatment.
5. You and your partner are both committed to the process and ready to navigate the emotional and physical challenges that come with it.

Fertility treatment is a journey that requires commitment from both partners. Open communication, support, and understanding between you and your partner are the cornerstones of a successful fertility treatment journey.

The path to parenthood isn't always straightforward, but there is hope. Fertility treatment has provided countless couples with the opportunity to achieve their dreams of having a family.

The decision to seek fertility treatment should be based on your unique circumstances, needs, and the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.

Remember that there are various options available for you. The key is to take the first step and consult with a specialist who can guide you towards the most suitable and effective approach for your situation.

You're not alone on this journey, and with the right support, there's every reason to be optimistic about your future as a family.

ALSO READ: Understanding IVF and its cost in Singapore

This article was first published in theAsianparent.