treatment allow for unassisted fertilisation

• SURGERY

  Microsurgery can solve some problems of infertility

  • Blocked uterine tubes and sperm ducts can be opened
  • Fibroids / endometriosis can be removed
• OVULATION TRACKING

  Identify when female is most fertile through series of blood tests

  • Surge in LH prior to ovulation - level of hormone can be monitored through blood tests

  ∴ couple knows when they are most likely to conceive

  
  

  If ovulation is tracked over a number of cycles, it is possible to identify the most effective time to have intercourse
• OVULATION TRACKING

  Sperm remains viable for 2-3 days in uterine tubes

  While egg survives  24 hours

  ∴ highest chance of conception occurs by insemination prior to ovulation 
• OVULATION INDUCTION

  When infertility is due to problems with ovulation resulting from a low level of hormones

  
  

  Solved by medications used to correct the problem

  Two types of drugs, both use FSH to induce development of follicles : 

  • Clomiphene stimulates the body to make more FSH
  • Hormone injections of FSH increase the blood levels of the hormone

  Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) may also be used to trigger ovulation once follicle has matured
• OVULATION INDUCTION

  Affected by hyperprolactinemia 

  need to lower prolactin levels so ovulation can occur

  
  

  Correction of the underlying cause is an important consideration

  
  

  Oral medication 

  → restore normal levels of prolactin and, hence, ovulation
• ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION / INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION

  Process where sperm is released into uterus by catheter inserted through the cervix

  1. Catheter inserted
  2. Sperm sample is then injected through catheter
  3. Sperm are able to move naturally through the uterine tubes where they may fertilise an egg
• ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION / INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION

  Increases chances of pregnancy by increasing number of sperm that reach uterine tubes

  Allows control over sperm being inseminated

  • Sperm from male partner’s / donor is collected, analysed, processed and concentrated

  → ensures only high-quality sperm are used

  Sperm can be collected at an earlier time and frozen for storage then thawed under controlled conditions
• ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION / INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION

  Circumstances that would benefit :

  • Males with a low sperm count or decreased motility
  • Ejaculation dysfunctions
  • Sperm stored and frozen due to a male’s absence or needing to undergo treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • Females with cervical scarring
  • Hostile cervical mucus
  • Same sex couples
  • Single females
• ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION / INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION

  Success rate for suitable females achieving a pregnancy 10-20% per cycle

  Over three to six cycles, on average an 80% chance of getting pregnant

  Success rate for couples with no fertility issues ranges from 96% (if the woman is under 25) to 78% (if the woman is 37)

  ∴ success rate is relatively high