When you need more fertility help it can be confusing. The medical jargon and technical terms are beyond the layperson’s understanding. Infertility is already stressful so let’s unveil the puzzle in simpler terms.
We’ve covered a lot of ground on a subject that should not be this burdensome. As I mentioned in the beginning, humans grow up believing that it is a right of passage to produce offspring, not a difficult feat with blood, sweat, and tears. If you’re reading this and have seen your tale told here, I’m sending you a hug and positive energy. While that may not be enough, getting the people you associate with on board with your dilemma could change your passageway. Surround yourself with a supportive, loving, and understanding community while you navigate this very personal journey. Talk to those closest to you and share your deepest feelings. Sometimes what’s holding up a viable pregnancy comes from the heart.
Treatments to facilitate conception when you need more fertility help
Medication– keep in mind that fertility medications can increase the chances of multiple pregnancies, and you may have a high-risk pregnancy as well as a premature delivery. Most commonly used:
- Clomid or Femara (an alternate to Clomid)- both suitable for treating ovulatory dysfunction, unexplained infertility and may be used in men. This oral tablet is used alongside other medications/treatments or alone. Side effects and risks are mild compared to injectable fertility drugs.
- Gonadotropins-These are the most potent ovulation stimulating drugs. Taken by injection and can be used alongside other medications or during IUI or IVF treatment. Men can also use this medication for the improvement of testosterone levels and semen health. Side effects are more extreme, and the chances of having multiples are significantly higher.
- Ovulation Suppression Medications- help, especially during IVF treatment or to coordinate cycles with a potential egg donor or surrogate. These medications can help doctors manage the release of the egg making retrieval more successful. Birth control pills & GnRH antagonists (they work against the LH & FSH) are most popular. They can be pills, injections, nasal sprays, or implants. As with other fertility meds, there are risks and side effects.
- Aspirin or heparin- used to treat women with recurrent miscarriages or bleeding disorders.
- Progesterone- The most frequently used medication during IVF, luteal phase defect, or recurrent miscarriages and placed as a vaginal suppository or injection.
- Estrogen-used to improve cervical mucus, thicken the endometrial lining, or if there is pain during intercourse due to vaginal dryness, which can all be a side effect of Clomid as well. Most commonly used as a vaginal suppository or patch.
- Glucophage or Metformin- used to treat insulin resistance but can also restart or regulate ovulation in women with PCOS.
- Antibiotics- if there is an infection in the reproductive tract. When left untreated, scarring can form and block the passageway for egg and sperm to meet.
- Parlodel or Dostinex are sometimes used to lower high prolactin levels. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for breast development and lactation. This malfunction can cause ovulation problems in women and low sperm count in men.
- Thyroid regulating medications are for an under or overacting thyroid. A misfiring control center (your thyroid) can create fertility problems in men and women.
Surgical– clear any blockages in the reproductive organs of male or female. Types of surgeries;
- Hysteroscopy- a doctor will use a hysteroscope to look at the lining of the uterus, check shape and size and check for blockages.
- Laparoscopy- this tool is minimally invasive, uses a telescopic camera system, and can help medical professionals get a clear picture inside the abdominal cavity and reproductive organs. Most suspicious abnormalities can be taken care of during the procedure.
- Tubal ligation reversal- this can help reopen the Fallopian tubes to help restore a woman’s fertility.
- DaVinci robotic surgery is a great tool to use if you have an appropriately trained physician. It is for exploratory, reversal, or restoration of the reproductive system.
Artificial treatments
Artificial insemination- the medical procedure of injecting semen into the vagina or uterus to achieve pregnancy without sexual intercourse. Helping couples deal with:
- Male factor infertility
- Unexplained infertility
- Single and needing donor sperm
The two types of artificial insemination;
- IUI- intrauterine insemination-is the most common insemination procedure used today. The sperm go through a process of “washing” to increase the concentration and decrease chances of an allergic reaction and or toxic chemicals.
- ICI- intracervical insemination- sperm is placed into the vagina and deposited into the cervix with a soft catheter. Less effective.
If donor sperm is used, it will then be analyzed for a variety of health conditions and viruses, including HIV and other infections. Current guidelines recommend donor sperm be quarantined for at least six months to ensure its safety.
Assisted reproductive technology “ART”- this includes all fertility treatments in which both eggs and embryos are handled. ART involves surgically removing eggs from the ovaries, combining them with sperm in the lab, and returning them to the woman’s body or donating to another woman. Learn more about ART below:
- IVF-In Vitro fertilization-involves the joining of egg and sperm in a dish and transferring the resulting embryos into the womb. Most commonly used
- ICSI- intracytoplasmic sperm injection- is a variant in IVF in which a single sperm is injected into each egg. Used when there are semen abnormalities or for couples who’ve failed fertilization.
- Donor egg IVF- used when the female partner has poor quality eggs and requires healthier, younger eggs from a donor.
- Gestational carrier IVF-the procedure is the same, except the resulting embryos, are transferred into a gestational carrier. This woman will grow the child, give birth, and hand baby over to the couple whose embryo was implanted.
- GIFT- Gamete intrafallopian Transfer- the eggs are harvested just like IVF. Still, the eggs & sperm are put into the Fallopian tube where fertilization happens, instead of fertilizing in the lab.
- ZIFT- Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer- similar to IVF but involves transfer of the fertilized egg (the zygote) into the Fallopian tube at the time of laparoscopy.
- TET- Tubal embryo transfer-same as ZIFT, but the transfer is done at a later date.
*GIFT, ZIFT & TET are becoming obsolete with the advent of improved embryo techniques.
Alternative treatments when more fertility help is needed
Alternative fertility treatments can work in conjunction with conventional treatment options. Sometimes the emotional stress of dealing with infertility can make it near impossible to get pregnant. Consider some of these options:
- Counseling
- Naturopathic doctor
- Massage
- Yoga
- Acupuncture
- Weight loss plans
- Hypnosis
- Chiropractic
- Support groups
- Detox
- Colon hydrotherapy or irrigation
- Reiki
With all the options to ponder when faced with infertility, cost and stress should not be at the bottom of that pile. Having a baby may feel like ANY expense is worth it, but it’s not. There may be many months or years of fertility-related anxiety before the baby, only to realize after that you’re in debt for hundreds of thousands of dollars or that you and your partner are not in a harmonious relationship, defeating the purpose. It’s crucial, to be honest with yourself and each other before taking the next step on infertility merry go round. When you need more fertility help, having an experienced counselor guide you through this journey (weekly-monthly) may save your money and marriage. Good luck!
Be sure to read all my fertility blogs to gain the best knowledge for success!
The content I’ve provided here is not to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.
Happy Parenting-to-be.
