Infertility, like in many other parts of the world, is also increasing in Turkey. However, in parallel with the rising infertility rate, the success rate of infertility treatments has reached a promising level.
Simply put, infertility is a condition where a couple fails to achieve pregnancy despite unprotected and regular sexual intercourse for a year. As a woman’s age advances, the chances of pregnancy decrease. The time taken to achieve pregnancy through regular intercourse increases as age advances.
So, is there a possibility of treatment for infertility? Let’s delve into this…
Critical Period 12 Months
While a 25-year-old woman typically gets pregnant within 2-3 months, this period can exceed 6 months for women over the age of 35. As men age, their reproductive health also decreases, and men over 60 may experience a decrease in sperm count and quality. However, unlike women, men remain fertile throughout their entire lives.
Infertility in couples can be attributed to issues in either the man, the woman, or both, with 40% of problems related to men, 40% to women, and 20% affecting both partners. Infertility causes in women can stem from ovulation disorders, tube-related problems, or issues with the uterus. For men, problems may include sperm production disorders or issues with the expulsion of sperm.
The stages of infertility treatment depend on the couple’s infertility problem and its severity. While some causes can be easily treated, others may require more advanced techniques and time. The success rate for Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is around 15-18%, whereas the success rate for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) ranges from 45-55%.
The stages of infertility treatment depend on the couple’s infertility problem and the degree of the problem. While some causes can be easily treated, others may require advanced techniques and time. The success rate for Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is between 15-18%, while the success rate for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is between 45-55%.
Average Conception Time According to Time
The chance of healthy couples conceiving each month is 20%, and over half of couples achieve pregnancy within 6 months. If you have been having regular unprotected sexual intercourse for 12 months without achieving pregnancy, it is essential to see a doctor.
If couples suspect any issues, such as irregular or absent menstrual periods in women, a history of infections, or severe pain during menstruation or intercourse, or in men, undescended testes, previous testicular surgery, or testicular injury, immediate medical attention is necessary.
Since infertility problems can occur in either the woman, the man, or both partners simultaneously, it is recommended for couples to visit the doctor together during their initial visit. Physical and pelvic examinations are essential steps in infertility investigations. This may involve gynecological examinations, ultrasound examinations, cervical sampling for pathological examination, hormone analyses, and uterine imaging for women. In men, a sperm analysis is typically requested initially.
Auxiliary Treatments Increased Success
In ancient times, there was little hope for infertile couples, but today, with the technology and medications available, correct diagnosis and treatment enable around 85% of couples to have children.
In popular terms, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) involves retrieving eggs from the woman, collecting sperm from the man, combining them in a laboratory setting, and then transferring the resulting embryo into the woman’s uterus.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): Approximately 50,000 sperm are added next to each egg, and the expectation is for a sperm to naturally enter the egg for fertilization. The fertilized egg cells divide to develop into an embryo. Embryos are monitored daily and nurtured under laboratory conditions for 3-5 days. IVF is often preferred for patients who cannot get pregnant due to tubal blockages.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): After collecting the eggs, surrounding cells are removed by the embryologist. Using specialized, very fine instruments, an egg is held, and a sperm is injected inside it. Like IVF, the egg’s division is awaited one day later. ICSI is a suitable method for men with low sperm counts or weak motility and for women with reduced egg reserves.
OPU Procedure involves the retrieval of eggs from the body through a needle with the guidance of transvaginal ultrasound and takes approximately 10-20 minutes. OPU (egg retrieval) is a procedure that can be very painful even without the use of any medication. However, nowadays, it is applied with minimal discomfort using sedatives and painkillers administered through the veins. Additionally, patients who prefer to be completely asleep are put under anesthesia by an anesthesiologist.
The average fertilization rate of eggs collected during IVF treatments is around 80%. While some couples experience higher fertilization rates, occasionally, there may be no fertilization at all. The developed embryos may not always show the desired progress; the ones showing desired development are transferred, and the remaining embryos are assessed for suitability for freezing. On the day of embryo transfer, information is given to the couple about the remaining embryos, and the freezing process is carried out.
The freezing process can be performed on any day from the fertilization day until the sixth day if there are suitable embryos. According to the laws in our country, frozen embryos can be stored for 5 years. During this time, and even much longer, we know that storing embryos does not negatively affect the success rate.
After the embryo transfer in IVF treatment, sexual intercourse is not recommended until the pregnancy test result is obtained. You can return to your normal activities the day after the transfer. If your job is highly stressful and exhausting, we recommend discussing this with your doctor.
