In vitro fertilization, IVF, has emerged as one of the most preferred ways of treating infertility. It is a form of artificial insemination in which the sperm and the egg unite outside the body to produce what is referred to as the zygote. The zygote develops into an embryo that is transplanted into the uterus and allowed to proceed as an ordinary pregnancy. Currently it is said to benefit about 5% of infertile couples.
Several medical conditions that cause infertility in men and women have benefited from the technique. One of these conditions is what is known as endometriosis. This is a condition that affects a number of women and is characterized with deposition of endometrial tissue in ectopic sites such as the abdominal cavity, the cervix and the ovaries. Since this tissue is functional, the affected persons experience cyclical pain as a result of menses. Infertility is also common.
There are many other problems in the female that cause infertility that is treatable by use of in vitro fertilization. Blockage of fallopian tubes is a common cause of infertility. It may either follow a surgical procedure or an infection. When this happens as a result of an infection, it is known as salpingitis. The uterus may also be abnormal physiologically or anatomically abnormal for implantation to take place.
Sperm quality and quantity is a frequent cause of infertility in males. Quality implies either the morphological appearance or the ability to move. Abnormal sperms do not have the capacity to cause fertilization even when they come into contact with the egg. In terms of quantity, a sperm count of less than 2 million per milliliter is considered inadequate. All these problems are potential beneficiaries of this treatment.
In seeking the treatment for infertility, in vitro fertilization should not be the first option. The choice of which method to choose should be governed by the underlying problem. For example, if the problem is an anatomical defect of the uterus, then this can be surgically corrected and pregnancy attempted. If the problem has been identified to be due to low sperm count, then changes in frequency of intercourse may just provide a solution.
In the treatment, a number of fertility drugs have to be taken. These drugs help increase the chances of ovulation and to produce as many eggs as possible. The women have to receive injections of both the follicle stimulating hormone and the luteinizing hormone. The injections are given daily for about three weeks before the desired time of conception. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues or GnRH are administered at the same time.
It is important to closely monitor changes taking place in the female genital tract to know when ovulation takes place. Fertility specialists have to employ the use of radiological imaging and clinical signs to know this time. When the eggs have been formed, they are retrieved and put into a mixing dish. Sperms from the male partner or donor are added into the same dish, washed and cultured in an incubator to provide optimal conditions for fertilization.
Persons that consider undergoing IVF should know that there are possible risks associated with it. For example, women that get this treatment are at a higher risk of having ectopic as well as multiple pregnancies compared to other women. These types of pregnancies are potentially fatal to both the mother and the foetus. The risk of ending up with anatomical abnormalities in the babies born in this manner is also significantly high.
Several medical conditions that cause infertility in men and women have benefited from the technique. One of these conditions is what is known as endometriosis. This is a condition that affects a number of women and is characterized with deposition of endometrial tissue in ectopic sites such as the abdominal cavity, the cervix and the ovaries. Since this tissue is functional, the affected persons experience cyclical pain as a result of menses. Infertility is also common.
There are many other problems in the female that cause infertility that is treatable by use of in vitro fertilization. Blockage of fallopian tubes is a common cause of infertility. It may either follow a surgical procedure or an infection. When this happens as a result of an infection, it is known as salpingitis. The uterus may also be abnormal physiologically or anatomically abnormal for implantation to take place.
Sperm quality and quantity is a frequent cause of infertility in males. Quality implies either the morphological appearance or the ability to move. Abnormal sperms do not have the capacity to cause fertilization even when they come into contact with the egg. In terms of quantity, a sperm count of less than 2 million per milliliter is considered inadequate. All these problems are potential beneficiaries of this treatment.
In seeking the treatment for infertility, in vitro fertilization should not be the first option. The choice of which method to choose should be governed by the underlying problem. For example, if the problem is an anatomical defect of the uterus, then this can be surgically corrected and pregnancy attempted. If the problem has been identified to be due to low sperm count, then changes in frequency of intercourse may just provide a solution.
In the treatment, a number of fertility drugs have to be taken. These drugs help increase the chances of ovulation and to produce as many eggs as possible. The women have to receive injections of both the follicle stimulating hormone and the luteinizing hormone. The injections are given daily for about three weeks before the desired time of conception. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues or GnRH are administered at the same time.
It is important to closely monitor changes taking place in the female genital tract to know when ovulation takes place. Fertility specialists have to employ the use of radiological imaging and clinical signs to know this time. When the eggs have been formed, they are retrieved and put into a mixing dish. Sperms from the male partner or donor are added into the same dish, washed and cultured in an incubator to provide optimal conditions for fertilization.
Persons that consider undergoing IVF should know that there are possible risks associated with it. For example, women that get this treatment are at a higher risk of having ectopic as well as multiple pregnancies compared to other women. These types of pregnancies are potentially fatal to both the mother and the foetus. The risk of ending up with anatomical abnormalities in the babies born in this manner is also significantly high.
About the Author:
If you need information about techniques for IVF, visit the web pages online here today. You can see details on services at http://infertilitytexas.com/tubal-reanastomosis.php now.
No comments:
Post a Comment