Treatments for Infertility

In cases of infertility, there are three main treatment options available. In many couples presenting with infertility, underlying causes are related to irregular ovulation. However, not only in couples with identified ovulation irregularities, but also in many other cases, medication is used to improve the quality of egg development.

The protocol for egg development varies depending on the planned treatment. Typically, initial treatment involves oral medication. Medications known as “Clomid” or “Femara” are taken orally for five days starting on the third day of the menstrual cycle. The goal of these medications is to obtain a single dominant (mature) egg. After completing the medication course, ultrasound monitoring is performed to determine when the egg has reached an adequate size. At that point, a trigger injection is administered, and the couple is advised on the timing of sexual intercourse.

In cases where oral medications are ineffective or not cost-effective, injections of medications similar to insulin, administered around the belly button without causing pain, are used. These medications stimulate egg development and are typically started on the second day of the menstrual cycle, varying in duration depending on the chosen protocol, usually around 9-10 days. Ultrasound monitoring is performed to track egg development, and when the egg size exceeds 18 mm, a trigger injection is administered, followed by guidance on the timing of sexual intercourse.

IUI involves the process of collecting and preparing semen or sperm cells, followed by the direct introduction of sperm into the uterus. It has a success rate of approximately 15-18%.

Similar to ovulation induction, the initial step in IUI involves stimulating egg development. Once the eggs have reached an adequate size, a trigger injection is administered, and the IUI procedure is performed 32-40 hours after the trigger injection.

IUI is typically recommended in the following cases:

• Men with low sperm count or low sperm motility
• Unexplained infertility
• Cervical mucus problems
• Anatomical issues with the cervix
• Presence of antibodies against sperm (Immunological Infertility)
• Absence or inadequate ovulation in the female partner
• Preferred method in cases of sexual dysfunction

IVF is a treatment option for women who have been unable to conceive through conventional methods. It involves the fertilization of male (sperm) and female (egg) gametes in a laboratory, resulting in embryos that are then transferred to the uterus. Fertilization can occur either through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or through a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected into a single egg.

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