3 Types of Infertility Treatments for Couples Struggling to Conceive
Having a baby is said to be one of the greatest accomplishments a man and woman can achieve together. Unfortunately, there are many couples that find it very difficult to do for a variety of different reasons. Fertility naturally starts to decline in women by the age of 30 with the rate increasing significantly around 35. By the time she reaches 40, only about 20% of women who want to have a baby will be able to.
Infertility is not only a female problem though, despite what society may lead you to believe. In fact, estimates from research suggest that the rate is a pretty even split with a third of cases attributed to the man, a third to the woman, and a third some combination of both. Here are three infertility treatments to consider if you happen to fall into this category.
- In Vitro Fertilization: In vitro fertilization, or IVF treatment process, is one of the most common infertility treatments utilized today. It is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in which an already fertilized egg is placed inside a woman’s uterus. The reason it’s so popular is because it has a pretty good track record. According to WebMD, 30% of women who become pregnant after undergoing this infertility treatments will have twins.
- Artificial Insemination: Artificial insemination is the process of injecting a live sperm into the woman’s vagina or uterus without sexual intercourse. A tube of some kind if placed inside the woman so that the sperm is much closer to fertilization than it would be through sex. It does not have to cross as many barriers. One common reason for doing this is due to low sperm count.
- Medication: Sometimes infertility treatments can be as simple as taking a medication for things like polycystic ovary syndrome. There are also drugs that help the ovaries generate more eggs. Finally, hormone injections can be given in some situations and have been found as a somewhat successful infertility treatment.
At the end of the day, couples usually have to go through multiple infertility treatments to find the one that works for them. Everybody is different and it’s impossible to have a one-size-fits all treatment option, especially when it comes to helping to create life.