Thanks to continued advances in reproductive medicine, in vitro fertilization(IVF) has become a highly successful treatment for infertility. IVF treatments are more invasive than other treatments and can be a costly option, particularly for patients lackingfertility insurance coverage. Many patients believe that IVF provides their only chance of having a baby; however, this may not be the case.There are a few absolute indications for needing IVF, such as absent or damaged fallopian tubes, desire forpreimplantation genetic testing, severemale factor, or unsuccessful attempts with less invasive treatments.
What testing should I consider before seeking treatment?
Before starting fertility treatment, a thorough assessment of general health, ovarian function, and hormonal balance is needed. Detection and treatment ofthyroid diseaseandhigh prolactin levelscan restore normal reproductive function for some women. Screening for and correcting metabolic abnormalities likeinsulin resistancecan also improve reproductive and overall health. Men should complete a sem*n analysis early on to evaluate any problems with sperm production or function.
The initial female fertility evaluation includes an assessment of the uterus and fallopian tubes.Uterine fibroidsare the most common non-cancerous gynecologic tumor in women and are often diagnosed in women having difficulty conceiving. Uterine polyps are soft tissue growths that are also commonly detected in women seeking fertility care. Fibroids or polyps inside the uterine cavity can interfere with implantation and removing them can restore fertility. Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes can also cause infertility. An x-ray test called a hysterosalpingogram is often used to determine if the fallopian tubes are normal.
Are there other low cost fertility treatment options I should consider before considering advanced treatment options?
Ovulation problems affect up to 20% of women who are having trouble getting pregnant. Women who are overweight or underweight may ovulate less frequently and this can contribute to trouble conceiving. For overweight women, losing 5-10% of their body weight can restore normal ovulation, without further fertility treatment. Women who are underweight can also see a return of regular menstrual cycles with weight gain.Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)is the most common hormonal disorder in reproductive aged women and many women with PCOS also experience problems with ovulation.
A common treatment for women with irregular ovulation is ovulation induction (OI). With OI treatment, a woman takes an oral medication, likeclomid or letrozole, and then may have an ultrasound to determine how the ovaries responded to the medication. OI can be combined with intercourse timed around expected ovulation or coordinated with anintrauterine insemination (IUI)procedure. The same medications used for OI can be used for superovulation in women who ovulate regularly, but are having difficulty conceiving.
Clomid or letrozole treatment in ovulatory women will usually stimulate two to four eggs to develop. The superovulation treatment is then combined with either timed intercourse or an IUI procedure. A good candidate for OI or superovulation has at least one normal fallopian tube and normal sperm from a partner or donor. The natural fertility rate for fertile couples is 20-25% per cycle, and rates for couples treated with medication and IUI can reach 15-20% per cycle.
Fertility treatment should be individualized to a patient’s unique situation
While some patients have an absolute indication forIVF, many will not. There are low cost fertility treatment options for patients. Oftentimes, medical treatment of a hormonal imbalance or correction of a metabolic disturbance can improve reproductive function. Surgical removal of fibroids and polyps from inside the uterine cavity can also increase the chance of pregnancy. Ovulation induction or superovulation treatments cost a fraction of IVF treatments and can achieve pregnancy rates close to those of fertile couples.
Contributed by:Desireé McCarthy-Keith, MD, is a reproductive endocrinologist in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sponsored by:
