Couples facing a variety of fertility problems have successfully conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Nearly 50,000 babies are born annually in the United States as a result of IVF treatment. For those who think conception is impossible, IVF treatment can be the answer to the problem.
Who Benefits From IVF Treatment?
Both men and women facing fertility issues can become parents through IVF treatment. People who benefit include:
- women with endometriosis who find it hard to conceive;
- women facing ovulation problems;
- females with blocked fallopian tubes, often from an infection;
- men with a low sperm count;
- males with limited sperm mobility.
Couples facing a variety of fertility problems might be able to turn to IVF treatment as a potential solution.
How IVF Treatment Works
When is woman is close to starting her menstrual cycle, a fertility drug is administered to stimulate the ovaries to develop mature eggs for fertilization. Sometimes Lupron, a synthetic hormone, is given to prevent the body from releasing eggs too early. The doctor monitors the woman’s blood hormone levels and looks at the ovaries through ultrasound to see when the eggs are mature. One cycle of IVF takes about four to six weeks to complete.
When the eggs are mature, the women is given an anesthetic and the eggs are removed from the ovaries using a needle through the vaginal wall with the guidance of ultrasound. The eggs are coupled with the partner’s sperm in a laboratory dish. In two to five days, the cells develop into an embryo. Two to four embryos are placed in the uterus via a catheter through the cervix. If there are extra embryos, they are sometimes frozen in case the procedure doesn’t succeed. If the embryo grows into a baby, IVF treatment was a success. A pregnancy test is taken about two weeks later to determine the success of IVF treatment.
Success of IVF Treatment
The fertility problems and age make a difference when it comes to the potential success of IVF treatment. Younger women often have healthier eggs and the success rate is higher. About a third of the women undergoing IVF treatment become pregnant. The procedure has been in existence since 1978 with many couples conceiving children thanks to IVF treatment. The treatment costs just over $12,000 in the United States for one cycle. If the procedure is not covered by insurance, couples have to cover this expense on their own.
This article is for informational purposes only. We are not doctors.
