Understanding Infertility

Defined as a couple not conceiving after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse
Female –related infertility problems accounts for30% of all infertility issues
Male-related infertility problems accounts for about 30% of all couple’s infertility issues.
Combined male and female factors accounts for 30% of all infertility issues.
Unexplained infertility accounts for 10% of all infertility issues.

A problem with any of these factors will reduce fertility and may cause infertility

Provide a full thorough past and present medical and treatment history to the doctor
Several tests can be performed to assess fertility
- i) Semen analysis for the man
- ii) Blood hormone tests, ultrasound and Radiology exams for woman
A personalized treatment plan will be formulated after the completion of the assessment

Ovulation Induction – Medications (oral or by injection) for regular ovulation
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) – Prepared sperm is inserted into women’s uterus at the most fertile time
Surgery – Treatment for endometriosis, removal of fibroids, and correction of uterine abnormalities
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – After ovarian stimulation, eggs collected from ovaries. The eggs are placed in a dish with sperm to fertilize naturally. Eggs will fertilize to make embryos and one or two embryos are then transferred back into the uterus
Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD – Tests embryos for specific genetic / chromosomal abnormalities. Few cells from embryo are removed and are tested for abnormalities
Embryo / Sperm Freezing – Freezing of surplus embryos. Sperm freezing for patients with cancer before starting treatment, for patients with very small numbers of sperm and for patients who have difficulty in producing a semen sample.