What Treatments are Available for Couples Struggling to Conceive?

One of the most upsetting and traumatic experiences a relationship can endure is the inability to conceive.  Such infertility can occur for a number of reasons. Some factors relate solely to the female or male within the relationship.  These account for 35% – 40% of fertility problems. Other factors relate to both parties in the relationship, or are unknown.  These account for 25% - 30% of fertility problems. 

The most common fertility problems include

• Endometriosis

• Ovulation Problems

• Poor Egg Quality

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

• Female/Male Tube Blockages

• Sperm Problems

• Sperm Allergies

• Unknown Infertility (when Doctors can find no medical reason for couple inability to conceive)

• Combination Infertility (when both people within the couple have fertility problems or one half of the couple has more than one fertility problem)

Once the reason for infertility is ascertained, treatment can begin. There are a range of different infertility treatments, from drugs and artificial insemination to homeopathic remedies and acupuncture. They have varying degrees of success, as well as advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when deciding which treatments are suitable for which couple.

The most common forms of infertility treatment are as follows:

Laparoscopic surgery.

This is used to unblock tubes (male and female) or remove scar tissue from sufferers of conditions such as endometriosis.  The disadvantage of this type of surgery is that keyhole surgery is not always advisable when the patient has an excess of scar tissue, something that many infertile women may have on their fallopian tubes or reproductive area.  Also, there is a slight risk of perforating the bowel when this surgery is performed.

Ovulation-stimulating drugs such as Clomiphene.

Unfortunately, it is widely believed that Clomiphene, an ovulation-inducing medication, can cause excessive mood swings and anxiety in patients. Some people even believe that, with prolonged use, it can cause cysts on the ovaries, multiple births, and even cancer. More evidence needs to be collected to verify such claims. Until then, Clomiphene remains a popular recourse for women with irregular cycles.

HCG injections.

HCG is the hormone produced when pregnant and this can be used as a fertility drug.  HCG injections can induce ovulation as another therapy option for childless couples.

Certain fertility drugs can also be used to increase sperm quality and quantity.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). 

Generally used in combination with fertility drugs, IVF is another treatment option.  This is a procedure whereby eggs are fertilised by sperm outside of the womb.  Ovulation is hormonally controlled, so eggs can be collected and fertilized in a lab.

Egg Donation or surrogacy is another option for infertile couples when the female is unable to carry a pregnancy full-term, or when the eggs released are of poor quality.  Disadvantages of this method can be that the mother does not feel quite the same bond with the child if they are not carrying it through pregnancy.

There are a number of other therapies that childless couples use to conceive. These include special diets, cutting out certain food and drink, trying certain sexual positions and post-coital rituals, and alternative treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy and natural medicine.