Struggling with infertility does not necessarily mean that the chances of conceiving a baby are completely sabotaged. Overall, 85% – 90% of cases can be treated.
This article is part of our coverage on Fertility Issues.
What is fertility treatment?
Fertility treatments are medical options to increase the chances of conception. Treatments can be for one or both partners.
The treatment for infertility depends on the factors causing infertility, how long you’ve been infertile, the age and preference of the person seeking treatment.
Infertility treatment for women
Women have the option to restore their fertility through surgery, assisted reproduction methods, or fertility drugs.
Surgery
Infertility that results from endometrial polyps, fibroids, or scar tissues can be treated by surgery to remove them. You might be recommended a hysteroscopic or laparoscopic surgery, depending on the size of the growth, by a medical professional.
IUI
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is done by injecting healthy sperm into the uterus around the time of ovulation. Depending on the reason for infertility, this method can be paired with fertility drugs to stimulate the production of healthy eggs.
IVF
In vitro fertilization treatments collect mature eggs from the ovaries, then fertilized in a lab. It is an effective form of assisted reproduction and can be done with the patient’s eggs and sperm or through a donor.
Fertility drugs
Fertility drugs are effective when women have trouble producing eggs due to issues with ovulation. It attempts to replicate natural hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) or luteinizing hormone (LH) to stimulate the production of eggs.
Infertility treatment for men
Infertility in men can arise from medical issues caused by genetics, infections, or poor lifestyle choices. Similarly, in men, treatment options depend on the reason for infertility.
Surgery
Surgery can treat swollen testicular veins or other blockages that reduce sperm quality or quantity to improve fertility. It can also be used to retrieve sperm directly from the testicle for assisted reproduction methods.
Medications
Medical professionals may suggest treatments or hormone replacement to balance hormone levels if the increased or decreased level of hormones affects fertility. Antibiotics can also help treat infections that are affecting fertility.
Sperm retrieval
Sperm retrieval is used when the sperm count is low or absent in ejaculation. It is a quick process that allows the retrieval of sperm to be used for methods like IVF.
What are options other than IVF?
IVF is an option that is often heard of, but other treatments can also be considered, depending on your preference and reason for infertility.
Gestational carrier
For couples who cannot carry a baby to term, they could consider implanting their fertilized embryo into a gestational carrier. It’s a good option for anyone who might be posed with serious health risks because of carrying a baby to term.
Donor eggs or sperm
If there are problems with the couple’s eggs or sperm, they can also choose to get donor eggs or sperm to help with the fertilization process. Aside from IVF, you can also use other treatments such as IUI using donor sperm.
Fertility treatment complications
Like all procedures, some complications could arise from taking fertility medication.
Stimulating ovulation could result in the production of more than one egg. This could result in a chance of multiple pregnancies. However, bleeding and infections could also happen, so it’s best to speak to a medical professional about any symptoms you might be facing.
How much does fertility treatment cost?
Fertility treatment will vary in cost depending on the type of treatment you choose. Treatments like IVF can get expensive, costing close to around $15,000. Other treatments such as IUI would start at $1,000 and can be done in private and government hospitals.
What is the best fertility treatment for endometriosis?
The best treatment for endometriosis depends on the severity of growth. For stage one or two, where the growth and scar tissue is minimal, women might be able to get pregnant naturally. For more severe cases, surgery to remove growth can be partnered with other fertility options such as fertility drugs and lifestyle changes.
Is fertility treatment painful?
Not all fertility treatment is painful, although some are. Fertility medications are sometimes orally ingested, while others require injections. There is a recovery period after which you’ll have to be careful for surgery.
For IVF, the most uncomfortable and likely painful part would be the implantation of the fertilized embryo into the uterus.
Fertility treatment Singapore
The fertility rate significantly drops by 40% in Singapore for women over 35. To help with assisted fertility options, permanent residents and citizens can use Medisave to cover a portion of the IVF cost. In addition, IVF treatment is available at fertility centers, and IUI treatments can be done in government and private hospitals.
Speak to a medical professional to check for the causes of infertility and recommended treatment. You can also speak to our trusted healthcare providers at Ova for medical advice if you’re worried you might be struggling with infertility.
Conclusion
Options to overcome infertility vary from medications to minimally invasive surgery to correct the issues that result in infertility. It can be an intimidating process, so it’s best to find a medical professional you’re comfortable with to journey with you in this process.