Infertility Treatment
What is the best treatment for infertility?
The cause of infertility is very important in the treatment of infertility. Instead of explaining the best treatment in infertility, the most appropriate treatment method within the framework of the problem causing infertility is the best treatment method preferred in infertility treatment. All patients may need to have some tests before the cause of infertility can be diagnosed. The doctor can decide on the treatment method to be preferred for the treatment of infertility according to the test results.
Infertility treatment method may be preferred depending on the following conditions;
• What is the cause of infertility?
•How long has the person suffered from infertility?
• What is the age of the person and spouse?
•What are personal preferences.
Infertility test for men
Preferred diagnostic methods for infertility treatment can be expensive and sometimes involve procedures that make the person uncomfortable. It should be known that as a result of all these tests and treatments, it cannot be guaranteed that you will have a definite child.
Male fertility involves the testicles producing enough healthy sperm and the efficient ejaculation of the sperm into the vagina and the sperm going to the egg. Desired tests for the treatment of male infertility are tests to diagnose whether any of these processes are working properly. A general physical examination may be required, including examination of the genitals.
Male infertility tests can be listed as follows;
• Semen analysis; The doctor requests one or more semen samples. Semen is usually obtained by masturbating or interrupting sexual intercourse and emptying your semen into a clean container.
• Hormone testing; A blood test may be ordered to determine the levels of testosterone and other male hormones.
• Genetic testing: Genetic testing may be ordered to determine if there is a genetic defect that causes infertility.
• Testicular biopsy; Testicular biopsy may be requested to obtain sperm.
• Imaging; In some cases, imaging methods such as brain MRI, transrectal or scrotal ultrasound or vas deferens test (vasography) may be preferred.
• Other specialty tests; In some cases, other tests may be ordered to assess sperm quality, such as evaluating a semen sample for DNA abnormalities.
Infertility test for women
For women, fertility can be defined as the ovaries releasing healthy eggs. The reproductive tract must occur correctly for an egg to pass into the fallopian tubes and fuse with the sperm for fertilization. The fertilized egg must travel to the uterus and implant in the lining.
Female infertility tests try to diagnose if any of these processes are disrupted. You may have a general physical exam, including a regular gynecological exam.
Infertility tests in women can be listed as follows;
• Ovulation test: A blood test is the test used to diagnose whether eggs are ovulating. The hormone level is measured.
• Hysterosalpingography: the functioning of the uterus and fallopian tubes is evaluated and used to diagnose obstruction or other problems. X-ray contrast is injected into the uterus and an X-ray is taken to determine if the cavity is normal and to see if fluid is coming out of the fallopian tubes.
• Ovarian reserve test; This test is a test that helps determine the amount of eggs available for ovulation. This approach can usually be determined by hormone testing early in the menstrual cycle.
• Other hormone tests; It is the type of test that detects the levels of ovulation hormones as well as pituitary hormones that control reproductive processes.
• Imaging tests; Pelvic ultrasound is used to diagnose uterine or ovarian disease. Sometimes a sonohysterogram, also called saline infusion sonography, is used to see details inside the uterus that are not visible on normal ultrasound.
• Hysteroscopy; Depending on the person's symptoms, the doctor may order hysteroscopy to look for uterine disease. During the procedure, the doctor inserts a thin, lighted device through the cervix into the uterus to view possible abnormalities and views the inside of the uterus.
• Laparoscopy; This minimally invasive surgery is a procedure where a small incision is made below the navel and a thin imaging device is inserted to analyze the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus. A laparoscopy can diagnose endometriosis, scarring, blockages or irregularities of the fallopian tubes, and problems with the ovaries and uterus.
Male infertility treatment
Treatment of men for general sexual problems or lack of healthy sperm can be listed as follows;
• Changing lifestyle factors; It can increase the chances of pregnancy by improving lifestyle and certain behaviors, cutting out certain medications, reducing or not using harmful substances, improving the frequency and timing of sexual intercourse, exercising regularly, and reducing other factors that may otherwise impair fertility.
• Medicines; Some medications can increase sperm count and the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. These drugs can increase testicular function, including sperm production and quality.
•Operation; In some cases, surgery can treat sperm blockage and improve fertility.
• Sperm retrieval; Sperm supplementation can be done when ejaculation is a problem or there is no sperm in the evacuated fluid.
Infertility treatment in women
Some women may only need one or two treatments to improve fertility.
• Stimulating ovulation with fertility drugs; The main treatment for women who are infertile due to ovulation disorders is fertility drugs. These drugs regulate ovulation. It is necessary to meet the doctor about fertility drug options, including the benefits and risks of each type.
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI); In the process of implanting sperm into the uterus, healthy sperm are inserted directly into the uterus when the ovary releases one or more eggs to be fertilized. Depending on the causes of infertility, the timing of IUI may be regulated with the normal cycle or with fertility drugs.
• Surgery to restore fertility; Uterine problems such as endometrial polyps, uterine septum, intrauterine scar tissue and some fibroids need to be treated with hysteroscopic surgery. Endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, and larger fibroids may require surgery with laparoscopic surgery or a larger abdominal incision.
Assisted reproductive technology
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is any fertility treatment in which eggs and sperm are processed. There are several types of ART. These types can be listed as follows;
In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment is the most common ART technique. IVF is the process of stimulating and removing multiple mature eggs, fertilizing them with sperm in a dish in the laboratory, and placing the embryos in the uterus a few days after fertilization. Other methods are sometimes used in an IVF cycle. These methods can be listed as follows;
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); A single healthy sperm is injected directly into a mature egg. ICSI is generally preferred when sperm quality or quantity is poor, or when fertilization attempts have failed during previous IVF cycles.
• Assisted scanning; This technique helps implant the embryo into the lining of the uterus by opening the outer covering of the embryo (hatching).
• Donor egg or sperm; Most ART methods are administered using a couple's own eggs and sperm. However, if there are serious problems with the eggs or sperm, it may be preferable to use eggs, sperm, or embryos from a known or anonymous donor.
• Pregnancy carrier; Women who do not have a functioning uterus or whose pregnancy poses a serious health risk may prefer IVF treatment using a pregnancy carrier. In this case, the embryo of the couple is placed in the uterus of the carrier for pregnancy.